Gladwin council adopts MDOT, fire-district resolutions, reappoints planning commissioner; holds first reading on tree ordinance

At its Jan. 20 meeting, the Gladwin City Council approved an annual Michigan Department of Transportation performance resolution and renewed a fire-district assessment, corrected a 2026 meeting calendar error, and reappointed Donna Ridely to a three-year term on the planning commission.

The council voted unanimously to adopt the MDOT Annual Performance Resolution, which allows the city to close state (MDOT) streets for repairs and parades, and to approve the annual fire-district assessment resolution. Clerk Marietta Andrist presented both items; roll-call votes recorded Ayes: Crawford, Darlington, Esiline, Gutierrez, Platt, Smith and Winarski; Absent: Caffrey.

Earlier in the meeting the council approved warrants dated Jan. 6–Jan. 20 totaling $242,992.08 and payroll for Jan. 5 in the amount of $40,404.41 after Treasurer Angela Bigham noted one voided check. The council also approved minutes from the Jan. 5 meeting with a minor correction.

On appointments, Council Member Darlington and the planning commission chair recommended reappointing Donna Ridely to a three-year term ending Dec. 31, 2028; the council approved the appointment (seven ayes, one absent). The reappointment was handled as a routine confirmation vote and will allow Ridely to continue serving on the commission.

Clerk Andrist said the item originally circulated as a Tree Removal Policy was revised following review by the city attorney and presented instead as Ordinance 97, “Tree and Shrubbery Revise & Replace.” The ordinance received a first reading and will return for a second reading at the next council meeting; no final action was taken on the ordinance during this session.

City officials also provided routine reports: Treasurer Bigham said an audit is scheduled for Feb. 2, 2026 and confirmed Winter Wonderland donations and wages are paid from the general fund; Chief Kyle Binger reported a slight uptick in winter-related traffic accidents; Park Manager Sabrina Battjes asked for volunteer help for the Winter Wonderland weekend shifts. DPW Supervisor Jeff Graham thanked crews for snow work, discussed a snow-removal schedule and said letters are being sent to more than 300 residents regarding a monitor violation identified in the city’s 2024 lead-line inventory.

During public comment, resident Martin Willford said fewer people are participating in public-comment periods and suggested council members’ responses to speakers may discourage attendance; council members acknowledged the comment. Mayor Sarah Kile closed the meeting with a reminder to check on neighbors during difficult weather. The meeting adjourned at 5:46 p.m.