Harper Woods council approves generator payment, watershed-education renewal, property sale and 2026 budget schedule

Harper Woods — The City Council on Monday approved a package of routine and budget-related items, including a progress payment for the City Hall generator, renewal of a multi-year stormwater education agreement, the sale of a tax-foreclosed property and the schedule for next year’s budget review.

Council members voted to authorize progress payment number 4 for the City Hall generator project (No. 180-291), approving $15,381.30 to LJ Rolls Mechanical for work performed to date. The city manager presented the engineer’s recommendation that the payment be approved, and the council carried the resolution on a roll-call vote with all members present voting yes.

The council also approved renewal of a 5½‑year service agreement with the Clinton River Watershed Council (CRWC) to provide stormwater-education services required under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) MS4 permit. Staff described the agreement as running through March 2031, with a first-year fee of $2,640 and an annual increase of 5% or the rate of inflation, whichever is greater. Council members pressed staff on what services CRWC provides, whether Great Lakes water authority or other providers could offer the same services at lower or no additional cost, and whether a shorter-term or conditional approval was possible. Staff said they would investigate alternatives and noted the contract contains a 60-day cancelation provision. After discussion the council approved the resolution by roll-call vote.

On a separate item the council authorized the sale of a tax-foreclosed parcel at 20016 Roscommon. Staff reported the total charges and taxes due were $9,872.74 (itemized in the agenda packet as $8,909.50 plus $165 for grass cutting and $798.24 in summer taxes). The resolution authorized the city manager to complete the sale and sign closing documents; the motion passed on roll call.

Finally, the council adopted the proposed 2026 budget schedule. Workshops are scheduled for Oct. 6 and Oct. 20, with an optional special meeting on Oct. 13 if needed, and a public hearing on Nov. 3, 2025. City staff confirmed budget hearings are open to the public and said the city is aiming to adopt a budget by Nov. 3.

All formal votes referenced above were recorded as carried by the council members present. Mr. Jennings and Councilman Jenny were noted absent earlier in the meeting. The council moved on to other business and then adjourned.