Napoleon City Council approves quarter‑end transfers, budget fixes and multiple contract awards; names new city manager

Napoleon City Council on a voice and roll‑call series of votes approved quarter‑end fund transfers and budget corrections, awarded two public‑works contracts and directed the law director to prepare several pieces of legislation, including a proposed appointment for city manager.

The most immediate fiscal action covered a transfer intended to replenish the city’s cemetery trust (Fund 227). Kevin, finance staff, told council the city will “go back 3 years and repay the 227 fund” after finding prior practice that drew on that fund for expenses beyond interest. He said lot‑sale receipts had been split 50/50, with half deposited to the trust and half to the general fund, and that the city will stop paying cemetery expenses directly from the trust going forward.

Why it matters: the measures collectively correct accounting errors and prepare the city’s budget for several large capital projects, including the upcoming East Washington Street improvement program. Council passed three finance measures on suspension to close the first quarter, allowing staff to move money between funds and line items without increasing the overall budget.

Council also approved two construction awards. Chad, public works staff, said Ward Construction Company submitted the low bid for the 2025 miscellaneous street improvements covering reconstruction of Newark Drive, a short section of Wardell Drive and All Becca Lane. Chad reported the low bid at $411,114, and then recommended awarding the project to Ward Construction "in the amount of $411,014." The award passed on roll call with one abstention (Council member Tom).

The council awarded the 2025 sanitary sewer cleaning contract to Advanced Rehabilitation Technology, the lone bidder, at $88,976.20. Public‑works staff said that bid was below the engineer’s estimate and recommended a one‑year award with possible review of years 2 and 3 later in the year.

In utilities business, Jeff, water‑plant staff, described a state source‑water grant the plant requested to replace an intake water‑quality sonde and to purchase river‑crossing spill‑reporting signage. Council voted to accept the $12,324 grant. Separately, council directed the law director to draft legislation for the annual salt contract with the state; staff told members the contract must be returned to the state by May 2.

Appointments and administrative actions: council unanimously appointed Christopher Chamberlain to the Board of Zoning Appeals and later moved to direct the law director to draft legislation appointing Lori Seclerc as city manager effective April 28. Both items passed on roll call.

Procedural and other business included the routine annual renewal of liquor permits (no objections recorded) and a report from finance staff that staff will rename or repurpose an idle fund to create an East Washington Street Improvement Fund to better track what city officials said will be a $3–$4 million project. That renaming was presented as informational; council expects larger second‑quarter budget adjustments tied to grants for that project.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 013‑25 (transfer of fund balances; repay cemetery trust): passed on suspension; roll‑call recorded all voting in favor. - Ordinance 014‑25 (supplemental appropriation #1, FY2025): passed on suspension; roll‑call recorded all voting in favor. - Ordinance 015‑25 (intra‑appropriation transfers, FY2025): passed on suspension; roll‑call recorded all voting in favor. - Award: 2025 Misc. Street Improvements to Ward Construction Company: approved; one abstention (Tom); low bid reported $411,114; recommended award shown in packet as $411,014 (discrepancy noted in council discussion). - Award: 2025 Sanitary Sewer Cleaning to Advanced Rehabilitation Technology ($88,976.20): approved. - Directive: law director to draft SALT (state salt) contract legislation for May 2 deadline: approved. - Grant acceptance: $12,324 source‑water grant (replacement sonde, signage): approved. - Appointment: Christopher Chamberlain, Board of Zoning Appeals: approved. - Directive: law director to draft legislation appointing Lori Seclerc as city manager effective April 28: approved.

Council members and city staff said no additional action was taken in executive sessions that followed. Financial staff said the quarter‑end transfers and line‑item moves will be visible in the second‑quarter adjustment package that council will review in committee.

Ending: Several council members noted upcoming committee work and audit reporting needs tied to capital projects; staff said they will bring detailed second‑quarter appropriation amendments and grant documents to the finance committee before final appropriation in the coming months.