City Council

CITY OF LINDEN CITY COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, MAY 11, 2026 AT 6:30 P.M. LOCATION: LOOSE SENIOR CENTER, 707 NORTH BRIDGE STREET, LINDEN, MI 48451 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Elizabeth Armstrong. The meeting was held at The Loose Senior Center located at 707 North Bridge Street, Linden, Michigan 48451. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present. A Moment of Silence was observed for Dave Franz, former City Council member who passed away. City Council Present: Mayor Elizabeth Armstrong, Mayor Pro tem Jerry Link, Brad Dick, Tom Hicks, Pam Howd, Denise Miller, Brenda Simons Absent: None Others Present: Ellen Glass, City Manager; Scott Sutter, Police Chief; Brian Will, Fire Chief; Don Grice, Director of Public Works; Tessa Sweeney, Director of Senior Services & Community Engagement; Brooke Card, City Treasurer; Kristyn Kanyak, City Clerk; Pat Parker, City Attorney a. Excuse Absent Member(s) None. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS None. PUBLIC HEARINGS (A) City of Linden Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Armstrong opened the public hearing at 6:31 p.m. Public comment about Loose budget items, training and consultant. Armstrong explained public comment procedure. Public comment about money to cover additional expenses for the Mill. Armstrong closed the public hearing at 6:34 p.m. Glass and Sweeney addressed public comments regarding Loose budget items for training and clarified professional services. Glass addressed comment regarding the Mill. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MAY 11, 2026 Page 1 of 4 CORRESPONDENCE (A) Letter Received from Mass Transportation Authority (MTA) Armstrong acknowledged receipt of item. PUBLIC COMMENT Public comment about election at Loose and concerns; also commented on class cancellation and membership. Public comment shared concerns about Tickner Street detour, East Broad Street, Paddle and Pedal Event and kayak launch parking. Public comment shared concerns about Tickner Street; garbage truck; scooters; and requested water pressure update. Public comment on mail delivery issues in construction zone; wrong-way drivers in construction zone and scooters. City staff addressed public comments. CONSENT AGENDA (A) City Council Meeting Minutes from April 27, 2026 (B) Financial Reports Motion by Howd, second by Simons to approve the consent agenda. Roll call. Motion carried 6- 1. AYES: Dick, Hicks, Simons, Link, Armstrong, Howd NAYS: Miller ABSENT: None UNFINISHED BUSINESS (A) Monthly Grant Updates: All Pending & Newly Applied for Grants Glass provided updates on grant funding opportunities previously submitted for. Sutter discussed donation received for Police Department and recent grant award. Brief discussion with Armstrong and Will about Fire Department vests. Kanyak updated Certified Local Government Grant for Historic District Commission (HDC) Design Guidelines update still pending. NEW BUSINESS (A) Resolution No. 05-26 Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Glass provided a brief overview of topic. No public comment was received. Brief discussion with Glass and Council about resolution items adoption process; not ready to vote and reasoning; money for mill; election equipment; fire truck; Charter adoption requirement; grant funding options for fire truck, brief discussion with Will; grant activity; estimated Mill cost overage, brief discussion with Grice. Staff discussed road project wrap up; Shiawassee River Trail Grant fiduciary; and patch program. Councilors and staff discussed wages; additional Mill costs; moving budget to work session and reasoning; postponement of other agenda items; fire truck approval process. Council, Staff and Parker further discussed budget approval; purchase process; concerns with Resolution No. 07-26; and separate approval of items. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MAY 11, 2026 Page 2 of 4 Public comment about discussion, Glass and Parker addressed. Parker further discussed closed session rules. Discussion regarding motion. Motion by Dick, second by Simons to approve Resolution No. 05-26 Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget. Discussion between Councilors and staff regarding fire truck; motion and separation of business items. Roll call. Motion failed 4-3. AYES: Simons, Howd, Dick NAYS: Armstrong, Link, Miller, Hicks ABSENT: None Glass and Parker discussed failed item and ability to bring back; requested clarification from Council on specific items discussed. Further discussion with Council, Parker and Glass regarding the remaining New Business items; failed vote; and closed session clarification. Card reviewed budget draft timeline receipt; January discussion and requested further Council discussion. Councilors explained reasoning and requested job position comparables; differences in duties; wage study breakdown and justification; Charter language regarding budget adoption; discussed motion; Resolution No. 07-26; and budget separate from other resolutions and items. (B) Resolution No. 06-26 Adoption of City of Linden Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Fee Schedule (C) Resolution No. 07-26 Authorizing Compensation for all City Officers, Employees and Volunteer Fire Department (D) Resolution No. 08-26 Adoption of Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Purchasing Resolution (E) 2026-2027 Road Overband/Crack Fill Program Grice reviewed item and memo within agenda packet. Motion by Miller, second by Armstrong to approve the 2026-2027 Road Overband/Crack Fill Program. Councilors commented on the program and briefly discussed with Grice. Roll call. Motion carried 7-0. AYES: Howd, Link, Simons, Armstrong, Hicks, Miller, Dick NAYS: None ABSENT: None Brief discussion with Councilors and Staff regarding Resolution No. 06-26. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT Glass provided a verbal update on the following items: • Road Project • Safe Routes to School Project wrap up • Memorial Day Picnic volunteers CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MAY 11, 2026 Page 3 of 4  • Parks and Recreation Commission Kite event • Touch base regarding budget CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT None. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Armstrong thanked the Departments for their reports which included reports from the Police Department, Code Enforcement, Fire Department, Loose Center Senior Services Department, Clerk’s Department and Treasurer’s Department. COUNCIL COMMENTS Dick commented on other communities doing scooter ordinances. Also suggested temporary mailboxes, brief discussion with Grice. Howd commented on the recent election held at Loose; shared one-way traffic concern and striping Tickner. Hicks commented on Broad Street bump and funds withheld, brief discussion with Grice. Simons thanked Police for patrolling Tickner. Miller thanked the Police and commented on speed sign on Tickner. Also commented on scooters; Tickner Street curve, striping, width of road; and acknowledged public comments. Link asked about scooter ordinance and kayak event, discussed with Glass and Sutter. Brief discussion with Armstrong and Grice about mail delivery issues; Armstrong reminded everyone of Parks and Recreation Kite event this Thursday, America 250 theme, thanked Parks and Recreation Commissioner Fletcher for work on this event. Brief discussion with Hicks and Grice regarding sign option for kayak launch alternative. Armstrong requested cost for striping, Grice addressed. CLOSED SESSION None. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Armstrong, second by Howd to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Armstrong at 7:47 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, ________________________________________ Approved: ________________ Kristyn Kanyak, City Clerk CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MAY 11, 2026 Page 4 of 4