Monroe City Council approves consent items, grants, signage contract and authorizes federal funding requests

Monroe City Council voted unanimously Thursday to approve the meeting agenda (including a late addition for a closed session regarding pending litigation related to "Oak Forest") and to adopt a slate of consent and action items including grant awards, a signage contract, a similar‑use zoning determination and authorization to submit congressional funding requests.

The council approved the consent agenda, accepting the administration's recommendations and authorizing payments totaling $1,775,208.63. Manager Robinson noted the figure as the payment total on the consent list and the roll call recorded unanimous approval.

Council members then approved awards and authorizations brought forward by staff. Councilwoman Jermaine moved to award opioid settlement funds from the national settlement to local agencies, a motion the council approved by roll call. The motion authorized funding agreements and an expenditure increase of $17,280 from the opioid settlement fund to award grants to community organizations listed in the staff packet (motion text named Women Empowering Women and Alice House); the council recorded unanimous affirmative votes.

On land‑use, the council approved a similar‑use determination allowing a driver's‑education academy at 12 West Front Street. The motion, made by Councilman Stringham and supported by Councilman Hader, recorded unanimous approval, allowing the business owner Shannon Evans to operate a program targeted at students ages 14½ to 17 within the CBD zoning designation that the planning commission recommended to council.

Council members voted to award the citywide parks and gateway signage contract to Valley City Sign Company for $230,815, including a 15 percent contingency, and authorized staff to execute the agreement. The motion passed on a unanimous roll call after staff said the bid package produced multiple proposals and Valley City's submission included local municipal references.

The council also authorized staff to submit congressional directed‑spending (community project) requests to members of its federal delegation and to sign necessary paperwork. The administration presented four prioritized projects for submission: (1) realignment of Detroit Avenue for the Battlefield Parkway (a shovel‑ready design project included in the city's capital improvement plan and master plans), (2) additional Meraki and Flock security cameras and a drone for the Public Safety Department, (3) a multi‑use addition at the ALCC to house community uses including space for a boxing club, and (4) additional training equipment for Public Safety. Council approved a resolution supporting requests to Senator Peters and Representative Wahlberg; staff said Senator Slotkin's office would follow with the same requests when its process opened.

Finally, the council approved a memorandum of understanding with Relief of Michigan and the U.S. Forest Service (GLRI) for a water‑quality and urban‑tree planting initiative that includes a three‑year maintenance agreement; staff said the program will identify 75 city locations for plantings in 2025 and complements 125 trees approved in the spring tree purchase in the consent package. The motion passed unanimously.

All council actions recorded in the meeting packet and on the record were approved by roll call with the members present voting yes.

Votes at a glance: • Addition of closed session on pending litigation (Oak Forest): motion by Councilman Felder; second by Councilman Hayter; roll call: yes (unanimous). • Consent agenda (payments): motion by Councilman Felder; second by Councilwoman Stillgrave; roll call: yes (unanimous); total payments listed $1,775,208.63. • Award of opioid settlement agreement funds: motion by Councilwoman Jermaine; seconded; authorized expenditure increase $17,280; grantees named in motion: Women Empowering Women; Alice House; roll call: yes (unanimous). • Similar‑use determination (D25‑112), 12 West Front Street (driver’s education academy): motion by Councilman Stringham; support by Councilman Hader; roll call: yes (unanimous). • Citywide parks and gateway signage (Valley City Sign Company): motion by Councilwoman Stillgrave; support by Councilwoman Jermaine; award $230,815 (including contingency); roll call: yes (unanimous). • Congressional directed‑spending request authorization (four projects prioritized): motion by Councilman Hayter; support by Councilwoman Stringham; resolution adopted to submit requests; roll call: yes (unanimous). • Memorandum of understanding: U.S. Forest Service GLRI grant for water quality and tree plantings (three‑year maintenance agreement): motion by Councilwoman Jermaine; support by Councilman Hayter; roll call: yes (unanimous).

No formal votes failed or were tabled during the meeting; where staff presented specific dollar amounts or contract totals, those amounts are recorded above and in the council packet. The meeting concluded with the council voting to enter the closed session on Oak Forest litigation.