City Council Regular Meeting - RESCHEDULED from 11/24/25

City Council Regular Meeting - RESCHEDULED from 11/24/25 Madison Heights, Michigan November 19, 2025 A City Council Regular Meeting - RESCHEDULED from 11/24/25 was held on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 6:30 PM at City Hall - Council Chambers, 300 W. 13 Mile Rd. PRESENT Mayor Roslyn Grafstein Mayor Pro Tem Mark Bliss Councilman Sean Fleming Councilman William Mier Councilor Emily Rohrbach Councilman David Soltis (arrived at 6:48 p.m.) Councilor Quinn Wright OTHERS PRESENT City Manager Melissa Marsh City Attorney Larry Sherman Deputy City Manager/City Clerk Cheryl Rottmann The invocation was given by Councilman Fleming and the Pledge of Allegiance followed. CM-25-188. Consent Agenda. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda as read. Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Seconded by Councilman Mier. Voting Yea: Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Mayor Grafstein, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. CM-25-189. City Council Special Meeting Minutes of October 27, 2025. Motion to approve the City Council Special Meeting minutes of October 27, 2025, as printed. Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Seconded by Councilman Mier. Voting Yea: Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Mayor Grafstein, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. 1  CM-25-190. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of November 10, 2025. Motion to approve the City Council Regular Meeting minutes of November 10, 2025, as printed. Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Seconded by Councilman Mier. Voting Yea: Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Mayor Grafstein, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. CM-25-191. Resignations from Toya Aaron and Laurie Geralds from City Boards and Commissions. Motion to accept the resignations from Toya Aaron and Laurie Geralds from City Boards and Commissions and declare the seats vacant. Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Seconded by Councilman Mier. Voting Yea: Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Mayor Grafstein, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. ADJOURNMENT OF THE THIRTY-FIFTH COUNCIL The meeting included closing remarks and recognition for the outgoing council members: Mayor Pro Tem Mark Bliss, Councilman David Soltis, and Mayor Rosalyn Grafstein. Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, who served since 2013 and a record eight years as Mayor Pro Tem, reflected on his 12 years of service as a profound honor and emphasized the success of small, incremental changes. He was widely credited with founding the Information Technology Advisory Committee (ITAC) and establishing the Arts Board (leading to the new Civic Center Park Band Shell), as well as developing the Special Projects Fund for consistent park improvements. Mayor Grafstein, serving since 2017, thanked her peers and staff, emphasizing the importance of community input. Her accomplishments included reviving the Environmental Citizens Committee (ECC), expanding environmental programs and the tree canopy, leading early pandemic response efforts, introducing the gender-neutral title "Counselor" and the consent agenda process, and securing key property for future city development. Councilman Soltis, serving since 2013, who declined to make extensive farewell comments, was recognized for his dedicated advocacy for seniors, initiating the annual Senior Bus Trip to Lansing, championing the reinstatement of the Police Special Investigations Unit (SIU), and partnering on the hotel ordinance targeting human trafficking. Councilmembers Mier, Wright, Rohrbach and Fleming all acknowledged and thanked the outgoing members, expressing their gratitude for working alongside them, and wished them well in their future endeavors. 2 Having no further business, Mayor Grafstein adjourned the Thrity-fifth City Council at 6:55 p.m. OATH OF OFFICE TO THE THIRTY-SIXTH MAYOR AND COUNCIL Judge Keith Hunt administered the Oath of Office to newly elected members of the Thirty-sixth City Council: Mayor Corey Haines, Mayor Pro Tem Bill Mier and Councilmembers Toya Aaron and Laurie Geralds. PRESENT Councilman Sean Fleming Councilman William Mier Councilor Emily Rohrbach Councilor Quinn Wright Councilor Laurie Geralds Mayor Corey Haines Councilwoman Toya Aaron OTHERS PRESENT City Manager Melissa Marsh City Attorney Larry Sherman Deputy City Manager/City Clerk Cheryl Rottmann CM-25-192. Approval of Agenda. Motion to approve the agenda. Motion made by Councilwoman Aaron, Seconded by Councilor Rohrbach. Voting Yea: Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilor Wright, Councilor Geralds, Mayor Haines, Councilwoman Aaron Motion carried. PRESENTATIONS: Certificates of Appreciation for Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss and Councilman Soltis On behalf of City Council and in recognition of their service to the community, Mayor Haines presented Certificates of Appreciation for outgoing Mayor Roslyn Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Bliss, and Councilman Dave Soltis. Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the FY 2025-26 Budget On behalf of City Council, Mayor Haines presented Finance Director Linda Kunath with the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the FY 2025-26 Budget. 3 City Auditors (Rehmann) - Financial Audit Presentation Daniel Merrit, Principal from Rehmann, presented the annual financial statements for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025, for Council’s review. Mr. Merrit also reviewed Rehmann’s letter to the City Council. MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: Martha Covert, resident, welcomed Mayor Haines and Council and congratulated them on their election. Martha Kehoe, resident, thanked the city for helping seniors with garbage pickup. Vita Palazolo, resident, expressed congratulations to the Council and wished them the best of luck. She disagreed with Charter provision that allows members to keep their seat while running for another office. CM-25-193. Consent Agenda. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda, as read. Motion made by Councilor Wright, Seconded by Councilor Geralds. Voting Yea: Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilor Wright, Councilor Geralds, Mayor Haines, Councilwoman Aaron Motion carried. CM-25-194. Council Representative and Council Alternate Board and Commission Appointments. Motion to approve the Council Representative and Council Alternate Board and Commission Appointments as follows: Active Adult Advisory Board Quinn Wright Council Representative Active Adult Advisory Board Emilie Rohrbach Council Representative Alternate Arts Board Toya Aaron Council Representative Arts Board Laurie Geralds Council Representative Alternate City-School Liaison Committee Bill Mier Council Representative City-School Liaison Committee Quinn Wright Council Representative Alternate Crime Commission Quinn Wright Council Representative Alternate Crime Commission Corey Haines Council Representative 4 Election Commission Laurie Geralds Council Representative Environmental Citizens Committee Emilie Rohrbach Council Representative Environmental Citizens Committee Laurie Geralds Council Representative Alternate Friends of Madison Heights Youth Quinn Wright Council Representative Alternate Friends of Madison Heights Youth Toya Aaron Council Representative Historical Commission Bill Mier Council Representative Historical Commission Sean Fleming Council Representative Alternate Human Relations & Equity Comm Emilie Rohrbach Council Representative Alternate Human Relations & Equity Comm Quinn Wright Council Representative Informational Tech Adv Comm Bill Mier Council Representative Informational Tech Adv Comm Sean Fleming Council Representative Alternate Library Advisory Board Toya Aaron Council Representative Library Advisory Board Bill Mier Council Representative Alternate MH Community Coalition Bill Mier Council Representative Parks & Recreation Adv Board Emilie Rohrbach Councilmember Representative Parks & Recreation Adv Board Laurie Geralds Council Representative Alternate SEMCOG Quinn Wright Council Representative Youth Assistance Bill Mier Council Representative Zoning Board of Appeals Toya Aaron Council Representative Motion made by Councilor Wright, Seconded by Councilor Geralds. Voting Yea: Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilor Wright, Councilor Geralds, Mayor Haines, Councilwoman Aaron Motion carried. CM-25-195. Council Appointments to Boards and Commissions. Motion to approve the Council Appointments to Boards and Commissions, as follows: BOARD TERM EXPIRATION FIRST LAST ARTS BOARD R 8/31/2027 KIMBERLY OPRINS R 8/31/2026 MARK BLISS A 8/31/2027 MARY HARP CRIME COMMISSION R 8/31/2027 ASHLEY STRUNK R 8/31/2026 MARY HARP A 8/31/2027 ANGELA SHUKWIT 5  ELECTED OFFICIALS COMPENSATION COMMITTEE R 8/31/2029 MARK BLISS ENVIRONMENTAL CITIZENS COMMITTEE A 2/28/2027 ERIKA WILKINS HISTORICAL COMMISSION R 2/28/2027 MARK BLISS PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION A 2/28/2026 NICHOLAS JOZEFCZYK Motion made by Councilwoman Aaron, Seconded by Councilman Mier. Voting Yea: Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilor Wright, Councilor Geralds, Mayor Haines, Councilwoman Aaron Motion carried. CM-25-196. Ballfield Light Renovation Project. Motion to award the Ballfield Light Renovation Project to Qualite Sports Lighting, of Hillsdale, Michigan, in the amount of $936,535 and authorize the City Manager to approve change orders under the purchasing threshold of $15,000 in lieu of a contingency for unforeseen conditions. Motion made by Councilman Mier, Seconded by Councilor Rohrbach. Voting Yea: Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilor Wright, Councilor Geralds, Mayor Haines, Councilwoman Aaron Motion carried. CM-25-197. Council Representative Appointment to Planning Commission term expiring November 8, 2027. Motion to confirm the Mayor's appointment of Sean Fleming as Council Representative to the Planning Commission with a term expiring November 8, 2027. Discussion from Council followed on the appointment, including: the recommendation that future appointments be inclusive, encouraging the public to attend the meetings, the need for diverse viewpoints to make good decisions, confidence in Councilman Fleming to represent the community well, and the need for transparency. Mayor Haines noted that Councilman Fleming has served on ZBA for the past 2 years, providing him signifiicant background. He emphasized that the Council has had a loss of institutional knowledge with long serving Planning Council Representatives Mark Bliss and Roslyn Graftsein 6 leaving. Mayor Haines stated that it appears to be a natural progression to serve on the ZBA and then on the Planning Commission. Motion made by Councilwoman Aaron, Seconded by Councilman Fleming. Voting Yea: Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilor Wright, Councilor Geralds, Mayor Haines, Councilwoman Aaron Motion carried. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilwoman Aaron stated that she appreciates all and is looking forward to working with every one of you. She thanked all that came out to support us in the election and noted that it is a privilege to return to Council. She stated that Council hears the residents. Public engagement is what the Council needs to move forward, and she emphasized that our work requires collaboration and patience. She noted that she is optimistic about the Council’s collective leadership and promised to serve with integrity and purpose. Mayor Pro Tem Mier thanked everyone for coming out this evening. He welcomed the Thirty- sixth Council. He noted that it was an honor and privilege to work with everyone and he is looking forward to the next four years. He wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving - have a wonderful holiday and stay safe. Councilor Wright welcomed our newest members to Council. This is a chance for us to have a new beginning and a new start. The point is to move the city forward together. He noted that he will always advocate for inclusiveness. He quoted former Mayor Grafstein’s last comments highlighting that he appreciated her consistent message of remembering to be kind. City Attorney Sherman welcomed new council members and stated that he is looking forward to working with all of them. He commented that Council can agree to disagree and do it in an agreeable manner, in a spirit of respect. City Manager Marsh expressed congratulations to all of you and looking forward to working with all. She noted that next Monday is our Tree Lighting, and she invited all to come out. Council’s Strategic Planning meeting is on December 1st and is open to the public. Deputy City Manager/City Clerk Rottmann congratulated all on their election and stated that she is looking forward to working with all during the next term. Councilor Rohrbach welcomed all, stating she is happy that they are all here. It is always good to have new, fresh perspectives and a fresh start. She stated that she is looking forward to working with everyone. She noted that she has spent most of her 40s serving the city and commented that she feels it is a gift to be part of council. There will be spirited debates, but that is a good thing. It is helpful and uplifting to have the support of the residents. She reminded the public to come to the Tree Lighting and wished all a Happy Thanksgiving. Councilor Geralds commented that Civic Center Park is like our hallmark town square, continuing the Tree Lighting is a great event and thanked the DPS for making it a fun event. All these types of events improve the quality of life for our residents. She thanked the community for stepping up with the food pantry, it has been blessed by many donations. She also thanked the community’s 7 business partners. She stated that she was honored to be here and is looking forward to working with you all. Councilman Fleming welcomed the new members of council. He noted that he is sitting in a lucky seat, former Councilwoman Margene Scott and former Councilman Dave Soltis’ seat. He credited former Councilman Soltis for helping him get involved with council. He noted that while he is sad to see our outgoing members leave, we appreciate their hard work and due diligence to the city. He noted that in Hazel Park tomorrow, Amazon Air will be using drones. He commented that he is glad the city could assist seniors with garbage cans but noted that he is hoping in the future we may be able to get smaller cans for those that need it. Mayor Haines congratulated everyone up on the dais. He thanked the public for their support, stating that he had never run for public office before and none of us could be here without the support of the community. Thank you for all those for showing your support. The Tree Lighting is on Monday, and he invited all to attend. He congratulated the Madison and Lamphere District Schools on their robotics teams, noting every team from Page made it to the tournament finals. Great things are coming from our schools. He concluded his comments by thanking all for their participation tonight. ADJOURNMENT Having no further business, Mayor Haines adjourned the meeting at 8:24 p.m. Roslyn Grafstein, Mayor Cheryl E. Rottmann, City Clerk 8