Romulus council fills TIFA seat, approves Dell workstation purchase, election tabulator trade-in and Huron Township animal-control pact

Romulus City Council on March 10, 2025 approved multiple administrative and operational items, including the appointment of Issam Fikuri to the cityTax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA) board, authorization to piggyback a statewide MiDEAL contract with Dell Marketing LP for 25 computer workstations, a budget amendment to trade in three election tabulators for newer models with associated grant reimbursement, and an intergovernmental agreement to provide animal-control services to Huron Township.

The mayor requested the TIFA appointment, saying Issam Fikuri is "one of the owners of Apex Trust" and has been in the city about 10 years. Council members debated whether TIFA appointees must be Romulus residents; one council member said they had "a hard time with this because he's not a resident of Romulus." The council approved the appointment by roll-call vote (approved 4-1): Talley yes; Croft yes; Abdo no; Jones yes; Chair yes.

Council also authorized administration to piggyback on MiDEAL contract number 071B6600111 with Dell Marketing LP for 25 Dell workstations. The mayor stated the purchase followed recommendations from Jennifer Madison, assistant technology services director, and Christina Parker, purchasing director; Gary Harris, assistant finance director, verified funds. The city presented two slightly different totals in the meeting record: $23,611.63 and $23,006.11. Assistant technology director Jennifer Madison told council the outgoing computers were "end of life, unsupported by the new Windows operating system" and that the old units would go to e-cycle recycling. The motion to approve the purchase passed on a unanimous roll call.

On election equipment, the council approved Budget Amendment 24-25-14 to trade in three ICP tabulators for three ICP2 tabulators, taking a $3,000 trade-in discount and seeking a $12,000 grant reimbursement. City election staff said the tabulators come with tighter procurement deadlines from the vendor and that typical tabulator life expectancy is about 10 years (the cityentered its original Dominion contract in February 2017). Staff told council the trade-in and reimbursement opportunity required paying upfront now to meet a February 28 deadline; the council approved the amendment unanimously. Officials said the trade will bring the municipality to a total of 17 tabulators (including backups), with three dedicated backups for election day and additional backup capacity for early voting.

The council unanimously authorized the mayor and clerk to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with Huron Township for animal-control services. Mayor and police staff described the agreement as a way to generate revenue for the city's animal shelter while providing a neighboring jurisdiction service; Captain Roger Salwa (Romulus Police Department) and the mayor were listed as supporting the recommendation. Council discussion noted the city currently provides animal-control services to Garden City and Van Buren Township, that the city once provided service to Inkster but no longer does, and that the shelterstaff estimate capacity for about three partner agencies without expanding shelter facilities. The motion carried on a unanimous roll call.

Other formal actions taken with roll-call votes included the appointment of Daniel Gadbois to the Romulus Board of Zoning Appeals (term to expire 06/30/2028, referenced under the Zoning Enabling Act), approval of a 30-minute special study session on March 24, 2025 for the quarterly investment report, and the payment of warrant 25-05 totaling $1,652,649.88 across multiple funds. The council also approved routine agenda items and two memorial resolutions.

Votes at a glance

- TIFA board appointment: Motion to appoint Issam Fikuri to the TIFA board (term to expire 03/10/2029). Mover: Talley; Second: Croft. Vote: Talley yes; Croft yes; Abdo no; Jones yes; Chair yes. Outcome: approved.

- Dell workstation purchase: Motion to piggyback MiDEAL contract 071B6600111 with Dell Marketing LP to purchase 25 workstations (purchase cost reported as $23,611.63 in one statement and $23,006.11 in another). Mover: Talley; Second: Abdo. Vote: Talley yes; Abdo yes; Croft yes; Jones yes; Chair yes. Outcome: approved.

- Budget Amendment 24-25-14 (tabulators): Motion to introduce budget amendment to trade in three ICP tabulators for three ICP2 tabulators, $3,000 trade-in discount and $12,000 grant reimbursement; and to cover mailing for August primary by statutory deadline. Mover: Talley; Second: Abdo. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

- Intergovernmental Agreement (animal control): Motion to authorize mayor and clerk to execute IGA with Huron Township for animal-control services (agreement term discussed in the meeting materials as through 07/31/2026; the motion language in the record later referenced 01/31/2026). Mover: Talley; Second: Croft. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

- Board of Zoning Appeals appointment: Motion to appoint Daniel Gadbois (term to expire 06/30/2028), moved by Talley, seconded by Abdo. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

- Special study session: Motion to schedule a 30-minute special-study session on Monday, March 24, 2025 at 6:45 p.m. to discuss the quarterly investment report. Mover: Talley; Second: Croft. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

- Warrant 25-05 payment: Motion to pay warrant 25-05 totaling $1,652,649.88 across listed funds (general, major street, local street, public safety, cable TV, garbage, TIFA, DDA, 911, drug enforcement, library, water and sewer, motor vehicle, technology services, retiree benefits, revolving, current tax, payroll). Mover: Abdo; Second: Talley. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

What council did not do

- The council did not change shelter staffing or vote to expand the shelter; staff said expanding would be required to take on more than three partner agencies. Council did not change core election procurement policy; staff said the decision to trade in tabulators was to meet a vendor deadline and capture available grant funds.

Meeting context and next steps

The council spent substantial meeting time on routine appointments, administrative procurement and election-readiness items. Staff indicated they will bring the TIFA appointee to the next meeting for a face-to-face introduction. The treasurer and clerk will proceed with the tabulator purchases and grant reimbursement process, and the mayor and clerk will sign the Huron Township intergovernmental agreement as approved. The council scheduled a study session on March 24 for the quarterly investment report.