Votes at a glance: Garden City council approves budget, rezonings, contracts and public hearing calls

Garden City — At its June 23 meeting the Garden City City Council approved a package of ordinances, contracts and land-use items. Several items were passed unanimously while others drew limited discussion. Below are the key actions and short summaries.

Why it matters: The actions advance the city's 2025-26 budget, authorize redevelopment in the downtown core, approve infrastructure and service contracts, and schedule a public hearing on the proposed sale of a small city-owned lot.

Votes and key actions (short summary) - General appropriations ordinance (FY 2025-26): The council approved the fiscal-year fund appropriations ordinance as presented. Mover: Council member Witt. Support: Council member Hughes. Vote: 7-0. Staff said the ordinance had been timed pending the water-rate revenue action.

- Rezoning/Planned Development — Folker Commons (29317, 29299 and 29217 Ford Road): The council rezoned a 1.61-acre block at Ford and Middlebelt from CBD (Central Business District) to PD (Planned Development) to allow a proposed four-story mixed-use building with roughly 20,000 sq ft of ground-floor commercial and about 60 apartments above. Mover: Council member Dole. Support: Council member Kara Fotis. Vote: 7-0. Planning Commission had recommended approval.

- Special land use — Drive-through at 28484 Ford Road (Dunkin'): The council concurred with the Planning Commission and approved special land use to allow a two-tenant commercial building with a drive-through. Mover: Council member Dominic King. Vote: 7-0. The project had no in-person public commenters at the commission hearing; one written comment was received.

- CivicPlus website and mobile services renewal: The council approved a one-year renewal of the CivicPlus contract covering the city website, SeeClickFix, chatbot, and mobile app for $26,738.52. Mover: Council member Dole. Support: Council member King. Vote: 7-0. Staff said the new annual invoice consolidates previously staggered contracts and includes a 2% annual uplift.

- Call for public hearing — Sale of vacant Arcola lot (Parcel 35015050449001): The council authorized execution of a purchase agreement and called a public hearing for July 21, 2025 to consider sale of a 16-foot adjacent lot to a private homeowner for $1,000. Mover: Council member Witt. Vote: 7-0.

- DTE LED streetlight conversion (EGLE grant): The council approved an agreement with DTE to convert street lights to LED using EGLE grant funds. Mover: Council member Dominic King. Vote: 7-0. The motion recorded an amount "not to exceed" $884,905.38; earlier staff remarks in the same packet referenced a different figure (transcript contains inconsistent amounts). Staff said the work covers 518 streetlights and that remaining conversions will be completed under a later grant round.

- Fuel purchase contract (gasoline and diesel): The council approved a three-year contract with Gen Oil Company (Troy) for city vehicle fuel purchases, not to exceed $175,000 per year. Mover: Council member Hughes. Vote: 7-0. Finance staff said the bid was the lowest responsible bidder.

- Street sweeping services contract: After terminating the spring contractor for performance issues, the council approved a three-year contract with Progressive Sweeping of Toledo for street sweeping (spring/summer/fall schedule in year 1 and spring/summer/fall in years 2 and 3), not to exceed $184,196. Mover: Council member Witt. Vote: 7-0.

- Radcliffe Center gym renovation and equipment contracts: The council approved a set of grant‑funded Radcliffe Center projects including electrical/flooring/fitness area work (contract for $100,409 plus $10,000 contingency) and a separate contract for retractable basketball hoops and gym dividers for $59,230. Mover (renovation): Council member King; Mover (hoops): Council member King. Votes: both 7-0. Parks & Recreation staff said projects are grant-funded and time-sensitive.

- Fiscal year 2024-25 budget amendments: The council approved year-end adjustments to correct revenues and expenditures across several funds; the water and sewer fund amendment reflected expenditures in excess of budget and a plan to use fund balance where necessary. Mover: Mayor Pro Tem Dole. Vote: 7-0.

- Final agreement with Command Officers Association of Michigan (closed-session negotiation): Following a closed session, the council voted to approve the final agreement with the Command Officers Association; motion passed 7-0.

Selected details and notes - Several items were recommended by the Planning Commission (rezoning and general site-plan-related matters). For the Folker Commons project, applicants noted the inclusion of rooftop amenity considerations, architectural block on the ground floor, and proposed parking both on-site and on an additional parcel to the south; the planning process requires a subsequent site-plan approval with final parking and material details. - Staff flagged an internal inconsistency in the DTE contract amount within the meeting packet and discussion; the council approved the agreement on the motion language in the meeting (the motion record lists $884,905.38). The council asked staff to ensure accurate contract figures are confirmed in the final executed documents. - Most contracts and land-use approvals were unanimous; the water and sewer ordinance was the only item with a recorded 6-1 vote.

Who spoke (selected) - Tim Gibbons, City Manager; Shannon Shepherd, City Treasurer; Mike Ortega, Community Development Director; Albert Abbas and Sam (applicant/developer representatives for Folker Commons); Brad Oman, DPW Director; Erica Smith, Parks & Rec Director; Zach King, Communications Director; several council members (Witt, Dole, King, Hughes, Cara Fotis) and public commenters.

Ending The council advanced several capital and service contracts and cleared key land-use approvals intended to support downtown reinvestment and city operations. For several development items (Folker Commons, Dunkin'), planning staff noted site-plan and design follow-ups are required before building permits are issued.