The Harper Woods City Council voted on a slate of administrative resolutions at the meeting, including a resolution to adopt a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) project plan and to designate an authorized project representative for the loan application. The council also approved a municipal audit contract, progress payments for a city-hall generator and a CDBG sidewalk program, purchases of municipal vehicles and equipment, a municipal finance dissemination-agent agreement and an operation-and-maintenance payment for the Milk River Drain.

Why it matters: The SRF application and the other approvals advance planned sewer repairs, essential facility upgrades and routine municipal services. The loan application could fund an estimated $5.2 million in sewer rehabilitation work; other items move capital projects and municipal operations forward.

Clean Water SRF loan resolution
The council held a public hearing on a draft Clean Water State Revolving Fund project plan and then adopted a resolution to approve the final project planning document and designate an authorized project representative for submission to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). City staff explained the loan is a low-interest, 20-year loan; recent awards have carried roughly 1.8–2 percent interest and sometimes include principal forgiveness. Based on sewer televising and inspections, staff estimated about $5,200,000 in sewer repairs would be eligible; the city has applied to this program in prior years.

Audit contract
The council approved the selection of Yo and Yo CPAs & Advisors to provide annual audit services to the city at a base cost of $52,000 for the year, plus $5,000 if a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) audit is required.

Project and equipment payments
- City Hall generator (project no. 180-291): Council approved progress payment No. 1 to L.J. Rolls Mechanical in the amount of $62,465.85; staff said the generator had arrived and installation and final hookups were in progress and that the purchase will be reimbursed with grant funding.
- 2024 CDBG sidewalk replacement program (project no. 180-350): Council approved progress payment No. 2 to Great Lakes Contracting Solutions LLC in the amount of $75,235.03.
- Police interceptor vehicle: Council approved purchase financing of a 2025 Ford police interceptor from Lughammer Ford for $51,967.10 (three annual payments) and authorized $29,655.81 for equipment to outfit the vehicle for a total project cost of $81,622.91. The council discussed financing options and said the selected private-dealer quote offered the lowest price and the equipment would be fitted before deployment; the financing rate presented in documents was 8.25 percent.
- Public works bucket truck: Council approved purchase of a refurbished bucket truck from Premier Area Fleet Inspections for $29,967.69; staff said the truck will replace current rental/borrowed equipment used for tree trimming and sign work.

Municipal finance and drainage matters
- Municipal dissemination agent: The council approved a five-year agreement with Basinski and Company to serve as the city’s dissemination agent for municipal securities reporting at $1,000 per year.
- Milk River Drain operation and maintenance: Council approved payment to Wayne County in the amount of $356,018 for operation and maintenance of the Milk River Drain for January through March 2025, per the drainage district budget.

Votes at a glance
- Minutes of the regular meeting held 01/06/2025: motion to receive and file minutes — outcome: approved (unanimous recorded assent).
- Consent agenda (items 1–11): resolution to approve consent agenda — outcome: approved (roll call: council members recorded yes; resolution passed).
- Clean Water SRF project plan (final resolution and authorized representative): motion/resolution to adopt final project planning document and designate authorized representative — outcome: approved (roll call: Councilman Jenny — yes; Councilwoman LaPratt — yes; Councilwoman Sawicki — yes; Councilman Tucson — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Williams — yes; Mayor Kendall — yes).
- Award annual audit to Yo and Yo CPAs & Advisors ($52,000; +$5,000 if SEFA audit required): outcome: approved (roll call recorded all yes).
- Progress payment No. 1, City Hall generator (L.J. Rolls Mechanical) $62,465.85, project 180-291: outcome: approved (roll call recorded yes votes).
- Progress payment No. 2, 2024 CDBG sidewalk (Great Lakes Contracting Solutions LLC) $75,235.03, project 180-350: outcome: approved (roll call recorded yes votes).
- Purchase 2025 Ford police interceptor (Lughammer Ford) $51,967.10 financed; outfit $29,655.81; total $81,622.91: outcome: approved (roll call recorded yes votes).
- Purchase refurbished bucket truck (Premier Area Fleet Inspections) $29,967.69: outcome: approved (roll call recorded yes votes).
- Municipal dissemination agent agreement (Basinski and Company) $1,000 per year, five years: outcome: approved (roll call recorded yes votes).
- Milk River Drain O&M payment to Wayne County $356,018 (Jan–Mar 2025): outcome: approved (roll call recorded yes votes).

What council said and next steps
Council members asked staff questions about loan criteria and prior application attempts; staff said communities typically receive points for disadvantaged status, documented wastewater system problems and history of basement backups. Staff noted the city has applied to the SRF program multiple times and will reapply if not funded this cycle. Several votes were routine, approving vendor payments, contract awards and equipment purchases needed for municipal operations. Council directed staff to continue pursuing grant and loan opportunities and to provide updates on the SRF application outcome when available.