Harper Woods council approves payments-by-card policy, ADA accommodations policy and several public-works contracts

Harper Woods City Council adopted a series of resolutions Wednesday that authorize payment-by-card services, formalize accommodations for disabled residents at meetings and approve contracts for sidewalks and concrete repairs.

The council voted, by roll call, to: (1) adopt a resolution authorizing acceptance of payments by financial transaction device in compliance with Michigan Compiled Laws section 129.223; (2) adopt a policy providing accommodations to disabled persons at city council meetings, including a written-submission option for those whose disability prevents in-person attendance; (3) approve a contract modification not to exceed $340,000 with L. Anthony Construction for the 2025 miscellaneous concrete pavement repair program (project #180-363); and (4) approve a Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) contract for the sidewalk modernization project (MDOT contract 25-5216 / project 25A0497) with an estimated total cost of $219,000, including $170,100 in federal funds and a $42,900 local match.

Nut graf: These votes advance planned public-works work across the city and update city operations on payments and meeting access. The accommodation policy establishes a process for residents with disabilities to submit written comments for reading at meetings when in-person attendance is not possible; the payments resolution brings the city into compliance with state law after the city added mobile tax payments.

Most important facts - Financial-transaction devices: The council approved a resolution to authorize the city to accept payments made by card or other financial-transaction device, citing Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) §129.223; the vote was recorded as unanimous. - Accommodations for disabled persons: The council adopted a policy that (a) asks residents to request reasonable accommodations in advance (a 72-hour notice was discussed as recommended in the draft), (b) provides for a dedicated channel (email suggested) to submit written comments for reading during the meeting if a disability prevents in-person attendance, and (c) commits the city to make reasonable efforts within its technical and financial capacity. Council discussion emphasized that Harper Woods currently lacks the media-center infrastructure other larger cities use for secure remote participation, and that live remote attendance would require additional staffing and expense. - Concrete pavement repair: The council approved a contract extension/modification with L. Anthony Construction for the miscellaneous concrete pavement repair program (not to exceed $340,000), citing that rebidding is unlikely to lower costs because work is spread across the city. - Sidewalk modernization: The MDOT contract covers concrete sidewalk reconstruction citywide; contract identifiers discussed include MDOT contract number 25-5216, control section TAU82000, job number 2221328Con and project number 25A0497. The project will use federal grant funds ($170,100) with a required local match ($42,900).

Votes at a glance (roll-call tallies as recorded in meeting) - Resolution authorizing financial-transaction-device payments (MCL 129.223): Passed unanimously. Recorded votes in favor: Councilwoman Constantino; Councilman Jenny; Councilwoman LaPratt; Councilwoman Sawicki; Councilman Tucson; Mayor Pro Tem Williams; Mayor Kendall (recorded during roll call); Councilwoman Constantino (record repeated during roll calls). (Tally: yes 7; no 0; abstain 0) - Resolution adopting accommodations policy for disabled persons: Passed unanimously. (Tally: yes 7; no 0; abstain 0) - Contract modification with L. Anthony Construction (not to exceed $340,000) for 2025 miscellaneous concrete pavement repair program (180-363): Passed unanimously. (Tally: yes 7; no 0; abstain 0) - MDOT sidewalk modernization contract (MDOT Contract 25-5216; project 25A0497): Passed unanimously. (Tally: yes 7; no 0; abstain 0) - Motion to move two public-hearing items (items G1 and G2) to May 5 (first public hearing) and May 19 (public hearing/adoption): Passed unanimously. - Consent agenda (items 1–5 including appointments): Passed unanimously; appointees included Andrew Seibert (library board), Darius Bryant (recreation advisory board), Wendy Cody (beautification commission).

What councilors said and clarifications City staff and council repeatedly stressed the distinction between (a) offering a written-submission alternative for disabled residents who cannot attend in person and (b) providing live remote attendance or streaming. The city attorney advised that Attorney General guidance is informative but not binding and that reasonableness depends on financial and technical capacity. Several council members asked staff to research costs and technology for potential future livestreaming or remote participation.

Background and next steps City staff will implement the payments resolution to ensure compliance with MCL §129.223 and will proceed with contract execution for the concrete and sidewalk projects; staff said the MDOT contract is approved in form and the mayor and acting city manager were authorized to sign. The accommodations policy requires the clerk's office to accept and manage written submissions; staff discussed a 10:00 a.m. same-day deadline for emailed submissions as a working suggestion to allow time to prepare materials for the meeting.

Ending: Council members and staff said they view the package of votes as routine governance steps to advance capital work and improve accessibility under current resource constraints. The agenda closed with public comment and several operational updates from staff.