Romulus Council approves agenda, permits, appointments, policies and warrants in March 25 meeting

The Romulus City Council on March 25 approved multiple routine and substantive items in a single session, voting unanimously on motions that included permits, appointments, grant acceptance and personnel-policy amendments.

Agenda and minutes: The council approved the meeting agenda as presented and approved minutes from the March 11 regular meeting and special study sessions.

Block party: Petitioner Brandy Whalen requested a block party and street closure for Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, for California Avenue at Oak Brook Street and Branch Street; Councilwoman Williams moved to approve the closure with emergency-vehicle access and the council approved the motion by roll call.

Surplus vehicles: The council authorized disposal of obsolete/worn city vehicles to Martin Towing with a stated disposal fee of $50 per vehicle, per the DPW director’s recommendation; the motion was moved by Councilman Wadsworth and approved by roll call.

Library board reappointment: The council concurred with the administration’s recommendation to reappoint Jennifer Johnson to the municipal library board as the Huron Township representative, with a term to expire April 11, 2026.

Grant agreement (spay/neuter): The mayor requested adoption of a resolution authorizing an intergovernmental agreement with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for a spaying and neutering grant awarded to the city shelter. Councilman Wadsworth moved to approve the MDARD grant; the motion passed by roll call. (The grant was referred to in the meeting as a 'Bridal Welfare' grant; the transcript identifies the award as a spay/neuter program administered through MDARD.)

No-fee permit: The council approved a no-fee permit for Elmer Johnson Park Pavilion for Romulus Middle School’s 8th grade picnic on June 7, 2024.

Employee policy amendments: Council approved amendments to employee policies number 17 and 18. During discussion council members clarified that the added language on policy 17 covers nonexempt, nonunion employees who do not supervise other staff (estimated "not more than a half dozen"). The motion to adopt the policy amendments passed by roll call.

Budget amendment and pension ordinance: The council adopted the second reading and final adoption of budget amendment 23/24-13 in the amount of $7,500 to recognize a Visit Detroit donation for an on-the-clock tour event at the Romulus Athletic Center on April 6, 2024. The council also introduced for first reading amendments to the pension plan (Appendix B, chapter references were read into the record); councilmembers asked for clearer trustee reporting and membership details and the ordinance was advanced for subsequent consideration.

Warrant approval: Council approved payment of warrant number 24-06 across multiple funds after the clerk read line-item amounts for numerous funds (general fund, street funds, public safety fund, water and sewer, payroll, etc.). During discussion members noted the first round of small-business grant awards tied to downtown revitalization funding and thanked administration staff; the motion passed by roll call. (Note: the grand total as read in the transcript appears to contain a transcription error and should be verified by city finance staff.)

Procedural notes: All recorded roll-call votes in the meeting as read on the record were unanimous 'yes' for the motions that received roll calls. Several items were informational (e.g., mayor’s announcements about community events and the nightclub incident) and did not require council action.