Brighton council approves mapping subscription, event permits, station transfer and several contracts

BRIGHTON, Mich. — The Brighton City Council on Jan. 28 approved a package of contracts, appointments and event permits, including a 12‑month subscription to Nearmap aerial imagery, authorization to transfer Fire Station 31 to the Brighton Area Fire Authority, a three‑year service agreement with Essential Electric LLC and the purchase of a utility SWAT trailer.

The council approved the items by voice vote or roll call during the regularly scheduled meeting. Most votes were unanimous and no item failed. Council also approved 19 civic-event applications for 2025 and made multiple personnel appointments.

Why it matters: The measures update the city’s mapping tools, shift ownership and responsibility for an aging fire station to the regional fire authority, and fund equipment and services city departments say are necessary for operations and public safety.

Votes at a glance

- Approve agenda — Motion passed by voice vote (no dissent recorded). - Approve consent agenda/minutes (Jan. 14, 2025) — Motion passed by voice vote. - Nearmap USA Inc., 12‑month subscription, $6,375 — Motion to approve made by Councilmember Pettengill, seconded by Councilmember Schmink; approved by voice vote. - Approval of 19 civic-event applications for 2025 — Motion made by Councilmember Schmink, seconded by Councilmember Pettengill; approved by voice vote. - Resolution 2025‑04: transfer Fire Station 31 to the Brighton Area Fire Authority (with reverter clause) — Motion made by Councilmember Gibson, seconded by Councilmember Gardiner; roll-call vote recorded as all present voting “yes.” - Appointments to Board of Review (Andrea Spalding McFate and Brian Abbey) — Motion made by Councilmember Albert, seconded by Councilmember Pettengill; approved by voice vote. - Appointment to Brighton City Election Commission (Paul Sabiston) — Motion made by Councilmember Gardiner, seconded by Councilmember Schmink; approved by voice vote. - Three‑year service agreement with Essential Electric LLC — Motion made by Councilmember Gibson, seconded by Councilmember Albert; approved by voice vote. - Purchase of utility SWAT trailer from USA Trailer, not to exceed $26,790 (funded from proceeds of prior vehicle sale and budget amendment) — Motion made by Councilmember Gibson, seconded by Councilmember Schmank; approved by voice vote. - Motion to enter closed session under MCL 15.268(1)(h) to receive an attorney‑client privileged communication — Motion made and approved by roll call.

Nearmap subscription: scope and council questions

Assistant Assessor Ben Pouch told council the city currently uses ArcGIS and Google Maps but those systems have older or less detailed imagery. Pouch said Nearmap provides higher‑resolution, more frequently updated aerial and oblique views that can be used for assessments, planning, public works and emergency services. “I strongly believe this investment will pay for itself many times over through improved efficiency and better service delivery across departments,” Pouch said.

Council members asked about trial access, which departments would have use, renewal terms and possible multi‑year discounts; Pouch said the subscription is billed annually ($6,375) and that the city receives a MyDeal discount. Council asked staff to report back after roughly a year on utility and interdepartmental usage.

Civic events: approvals and follow‑up for large festival

The council approved 19 civic events for 2025 after an extended discussion focused on large downtown gatherings. Patty Thomas, assistant to the DPS director, said the civic event committee vetted applications and will continue coordination with applicants as events approach. She highlighted changes for specific events: the Gilmore‑Girls–themed “Destination Stars Hollow” plans to expand to a multi‑day format; the Smokin’ Jazz & Barbecue Blues Festival will rebrand as Brighton’s Rock and Blues Festival with music at the amphitheater; and the Chamber’s new “Brighton’s Country Boots and Eats” is planned as a single‑day June event.

Council members pressed organizers and staff to finalize plans for large events — particularly sanitation, parking and shuttle services — and asked that the Stars Hollow organizers return with more detailed logistics (sanitation counts, specific parking and shuttle plans) before the event. Thomas said those are items the civic event committee will continue to work out with applicants.

Fire station transfer and reverter clause

City Manager Gamolka presented an agreement to transfer ownership of Fire Station 31 on Grand River to the Brighton Area Fire Authority (BAFA). The proposed agreement includes a reverter clause: if the building ceases to be used as an operational fire response station it would revert to city ownership along with any improvements made by the authority. Gamolka said the building is aging and that BAFA seeks to make improvements but would not invest in a building it does not own. The council approved Resolution 2025‑04 by roll call.

Equipment and services: electrical contract and SWAT trailer

Chief Parochta described a proposed three‑year service and maintenance agreement with Essential Electric LLC to replace prior vendor support for the city’s keyless entry and related systems; the company’s point person, Tom Kent, worked on the city’s systems previously. The council approved the three‑year contract.

Chief Parochta also asked to purchase an 8½‑by‑20‑foot aluminum utility trailer to centralize SWAT equipment and training gear. The department sold an older vehicle through the 1033 program and netted $26,790; the council authorized purchase of a new trailer not to exceed that amount and approved associated budget amendments.

Appointments and next steps

The council approved recommended appointments to the Board of Review (Andrea Spalding McFate and Brian Abbey) and the Brighton City Election Commission (Paul Sabiston). Manager Gamolka said BAFA alternate‑member appointment will return to the Feb. 11 council agenda for formal action.

Closed session

The council voted to enter a closed session under the Michigan Open Meetings Act, MCL 15.268(1)(h), to receive an attorney‑client privileged written communication. City attorney Gavis participated by phone.

Ending

Council members asked staff for follow‑up reporting: results from the Nearmap subscription after roughly a year and more detailed operational plans for large downtown events — especially the multi‑day Stars Hollow proposal. The council also scheduled a formal BAFA alternate appointment for a future agenda.