[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6080893,"mediaKeyId","2945141-08d6b6bd4e54858a226aa63d2289dc0b","parentId",2945141,"title","Council approves precinct location changes after post‑Prop 2 turnout shift","audioSeconds",300,"startMs",2260000,"endMs",2560000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2945141-08d6b6bd4e54858a226aa63d2289dc0b&start=2260&end=2560","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2945141-08d6b6bd4e54858a226aa63d2289dc0b/thumbnail_2260000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6080893/Troy-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Council-approves-precinct-location-changes-after-postProp-2-turnout-shift","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080893-6a62345bb349b17a4d1d6eaf22a39fa3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199010&Signature=G-NBamtp88A731HEOfZb8o684y-XRP3ZemPWXetZfZWO0rFP~mN2DnViGoI7uANnNSOX-oD61Nfn-iBSc~0sFwnNaW9CEw~GV9bUyJ9pDLOBh2i~AK~uztSKTkTuDb6aAuTUfYFeN0xxsTW~8h2MaLxzwdUKqp~Rwzu5wfCFfM7qAzQ5VhTJyVoOd23-qHnA-4TN7yjDP-AcOkKrRM3Rs2FX41oZ9wFzUPQwJxolVji~bAwvIPj9c1lmJ4jJ13tXyF7lRPItoUMMNB39wTo7ShrdyBerIZY-hrJTE6Gw~oz2z-qmTfgK8hgDaCMg6BRHTvpXunbFsdSpc1Hm7btdsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Taylor MI","date","2025-04-01T00:00:00Z","article","Taylor City Council voted April 1 to approve changes to precinct locations recommended by the city clerk, consolidating precincts and polling places after the sharp rise in early and absentee voting following state election reforms.

City Clerk explained that Proposition 2 (voter-approved changes) expanded early voting and increased maximum precinct size, and the city’s experience in the 2024 election — more than 6,000 early votes during a nine-day period and 17,000 absentee ballots — motivated a consolidation from 23 precincts to 15 and a reduction of polling locations from 11 to five. The recommended five polling locations cited in the packet were Ford Senior Center, Blair Moody, Taylor High School, Lehi/Bridal School and the Taylor Sportsplex.

The clerk said consolidation was also driven by redistricting of state legislative boundaries, which altered precinct alignments in parts of the city; she said the new locations align with updated state house and senate lines and will simplify administration on election day.

Council approved the location changes on a voice vote. The clerk said the changes were approved by the Election Commission and that the council’s role was to ratify the recommended polling locations. She urged voters to check their assigned polling place changes that result from the consolidation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council\tApril 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Taylor City Clerk presented recommended precinct consolidations following higher-than-expected early and absentee turnout; council approved moving from 23 to 15 precincts and consolidating polling locations to five sites for operational efficiency.","taxTitle","Troy City, Oakland County, Michigan","taxId",4529,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6080898,"Taylor opens CDBG public hearing; staff proposes $504,237 draft budget and $73,000 for public services",690,700000,1390000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2945141-08d6b6bd4e54858a226aa63d2289dc0b&start=700&end=1390","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2945141-08d6b6bd4e54858a226aa63d2289dc0b/thumbnail_700000.jpg","/articles/6080898/Troy-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Taylor-opens-CDBG-public-hearing-staff-proposes-504237-draft-budget-and-73000-for-public-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080898-c45ec03adbb9164272de5d767676a661/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199010&Signature=RAYtnoMKblUsTa4F1uxidX70pbTf8E-13Fa8Cbe4gQO~gURlS34d~s1aq2XAI~XZkkiMoLR3AmAUqm9rboroAwFrI16exYLhce~wQxnhKyY54u7IYJqTkqpb5yEVDHPeNIycLo~28Qga-SMuWbNlPYLao9uTf0e0gDT8MD9LgNAihY2P91fhqiccZJAta4kjB6k12aNyfwRBQgxroO2fP3Z9dvzeK-QXZ5kbOCe-EYVXccf4Qc6apkbVwnxFLV83PtkIq~EJv3vv8f2YktCjnmuqyklXCnlgezsbFh71R-XXUT~sVqZWIvMs792BTBSXIv11mH0WLx-jJo6kDzNfnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Taylor officials opened a public hearing April 1 to gather suggestions for the city’s U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for federal fiscal year 2025–26.

Chris Klimechak, the city’s community development manager, told council members the entitlement grant is formula-based, typically announced in May, and that the city was starting from an estimated allocation equal to last year’s award. Using an estimated HUD allocation of $454,237 and estimated program income of $50,000, staff proposed a draft action plan totaling $504,237.

Klimechak outlined proposed spending priorities in the draft: $280,000 for the housing rehabilitation program; approximately $73,000 for public services (including $12,500 each to Fish and Loaves, The Guidance Center, and the Senior Alliance and funding for utilities at the Ford Senior Center); tree planting in low- and moderate-income eligible areas; and the 20% administrative cap ($100,000) for planning and general administration allowed under CDBG rules.

Klimechak said the city will publish a 30-day public comment period starting the next day and will adjust the draft if HUD’s final allocation differs from the preliminary estimate. He also described program income (about $35,000 currently on hand, estimated $50,000 next year) and explained how program income factors into the public service cap. Klimechak said roughly five or six housing rehabs were already in process and that staff planned to bring individual rehab approvals to council in the following month.

During the hearing, residents asked about tree planting locations and procurement. Klimechak said tree planting would be confined to low- and moderate-income eligible neighborhoods and would be procured under federal procurement standards; work would be coordinated with DPW. The manager said the city would bid planting work and choose a low bidder consistent with federal rules.

Council formally closed the public hearing later in the meeting. Klimechak said staff will return with a final action plan for the council’s ratification after HUD issues the final allocation and the city completes the public comment period.","City staff presented a draft Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) budget for program year 2025–26, proposing an estimated $454,237 in HUD entitlement funds plus program income for a total draft budget of $504,237 and recommending $73,000 for public services including three nonprofit partners and senior center utilities.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6080903,"Taylor council deadlocks on new towing contract after months of controversy and public testimony",3561,2551000,6112000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2945141-08d6b6bd4e54858a226aa63d2289dc0b&start=2551&end=6112","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2945141-08d6b6bd4e54858a226aa63d2289dc0b/thumbnail_2551000.jpg","/articles/6080903/Troy-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Taylor-council-deadlocks-on-new-towing-contract-after-months-of-controversy-and-public-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080903-07db472bd12bfa383a015b3edfaf0dc9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199010&Signature=OZ5R2I5uPZFn7iVZB5X7efI-6NoR-POPHkVK1wmaE0GqykUKDIrRqVgUKnf8~Kh2ftyZ7iLmnmna1zuP01ZT02oBcLy78Hbyx9-29L5oEoaXMhd9nhvUxgcFLd062czYRwO0wZneZlO30zVbol84uh8gSAaErN7GLIfi3L~OauQTPTcqwwPrr69GqUzjjkpSdcVLht5eeHE9D7cNE92kLCHWHOsTprtJ5T8Oah3gkTDenh1t3y9b5nVfycDb6kuk9BL~M8ODounHbv6HimQztDwETJ30NjBzxQh1TKSKLU83McLVzu2pkc1cf5aEkfcOb2gRYhwJANW7bG4vYsAIQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Taylor City Council on April 1 failed to select a new municipal towing contractor after a contentious public hearing and more than four hours of debate.

Council members first considered a three-year contract with J & T Crova Towing (with a possible three-year extension), the low bidder selected through a rebid ordered by a court. The motion to approve J & T Crova ended in a 3-3 tie and did not pass. Councilman Charlie Johnson then moved to approve the incumbent, Area Towing; that motion failed on a 6-0 vote, leaving the city with no approved contract.

The debate drew a large crowd and dozens of public commenters from Taylor and neighboring cities who described both negative experiences with the incumbent vendor and support for the new bidder. Louay Hussain, a company representative for J & T Crova, told the council the firm operates multiple secured yards and dispatch systems and “we are one of the largest vendors in the state of Michigan. We tow for approximately 22 to 26 police departments.” He said his company had invited council members to visit and had submitted reference letters, documentation and background checks for employees.

Supporters of J & T Crova emphasized new technology and reporting requirements in the proposed contract, including digital dispatch and photo/video evidence tied to each tow. Council members who favored the bid pointed to those features and to a selection process that included site visits and evaluations by police, fire and public works staff.

Opponents cited ongoing litigation, concerns about vendor locations and transparency in the procurement process. Several council members said they needed additional time to review documents. Councilwoman Daniels said she had requested court and procurement materials earlier and only received the full packet the day before the meeting; she described the need to “trust but verify” and asked for time to read the court opinion and related records herself.

Public testimony filled much of the meeting. Several residents recounted personal bills and disputes with the incumbent vendor, describing storage or remediation charges they called excessive. Others urged the council to approve the new vendor, saying the city needed change. Multiple speakers urged the council to require tight reporting and quick termination authority in the contract; supporters of the new vendor said the agreement includes monthly reporting to the mayor, council and police chief.

Mayor Wooley and staff said the rebid followed a court-ordered revision of the request for proposals (RFP); the revised RFP limited certain provisions the judge found improper. City staff and the mayor told council members the selection panel — which included police, fire and department of public works representatives — scored proposals and recommended J & T Crova as the lowest responsive bidder after the court-ordered rebid.

Because neither motion passed, the council left the city without a new approved towing contractor. City counsel told the council his view is that the city currently does not have a legally effective contract in place with the incumbent, a position that several council members questioned and asked to see in writing.

Council members who supported immediate change urged colleagues to approve the chosen vendor and monitor performance closely, noting the contract would be \"at will\" and allow the city to terminate the vendor if it failed to meet the terms. Council members opposed to an immediate vote said pending litigation, outstanding questions, and the need for further document review justified delaying or reconsidering the selection.

The council did not schedule a follow-up vote at the meeting. Several council members said they wanted to obtain additional documents and clarifications before any further action.","After more than a year of dispute and a contested rebid, the Taylor City Council failed to approve either the low bidder, J & T Crova Towing, or the incumbent, Area Towing, leaving the city without a new contracted towing vendor following lengthy public comment and legal challenges.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves precinct location changes after post‑Prop 2 turnout shift

Taylor opens CDBG public hearing; staff proposes $504,237 draft budget and $73,000 for public services

Taylor council deadlocks on new towing contract after months of controversy and public testimony