The Adrian City Commission swore in two new police officers during its Jan. 5 meeting and heard a series of public comments raising safety, procurement and property‑development concerns.

Police Chief Vince Emrick introduced Joshua Bonamino and Carson Martel, outlined their training and backgrounds — including Bonamino’s attendance at Wayne County Regional Police Academy and Martel’s recruitment from Adrian College campus safety — and led them through the oath of office. Emrick said both officers are in phase two of their field‑training assignment and will enter probationary status after completing that phase.

During public comment, Zoom participant Ken Tollcars of Ann Arbor asked the commission to remove a tree‑trimming service bid from the consent agenda so the city could review the low hourly rates and the bidder’s staffing and safety record. Tollcars asked whether the low bidder is a sole proprietor, whether the city reviewed their experience modification rating and accident history, and urged more due diligence before awarding the contract: “The hourly rates seem… were half of what the other companies that bid are,” he said.

City Administrator Chad Baugh and staff responded that the vendor has worked with the city for many years and that bid responses clustered into two price ranges. A staff speaker noted one local company in Lenawee County and other bidders from out of state; staff described the vendor relationship and past volunteer work as factors supporting continued use.

During general public comment in chambers, residents raised multiple local concerns. Keith Moore described a deep trench on Division Street he said poses a risk to vehicles. Other speakers raised homelessness in parks, parade routing and sidewalk‑clearing, and asked about progress at the former Bixby Hospital site. In response, Chad Baugh said staff aims to present a Bixby discussion item “no later than February” explaining current status and the developer relationship.

The meeting included additional announcements — a county commissioner outreach event at the Adrian District Library on Jan. 15 and a water‑plant tour for residents — before the commission adjourned.

Quotations used in this report are drawn from on‑the‑record remarks during the Jan. 5 meeting.