Tecumseh council adopts One-and-Six-Year street plan, appoints street superintendent and approves final power plant payment

Tecumseh — The Tecumseh City Council on Dec. 1 adopted a resolution approving the City’s One and Six Year Plan for street improvements, appointed Matt Schaardt as the City’s Street Superintendent for 2026, and approved several contract and payment items including the final pay application for the power plant cooling project.

Council Member Lorie Topp moved to adopt the One and Six Year Plan for Street Improvements; Council Member Alicia Brommer seconded the motion. The motion carried with Council Members Lance Beethe, Brian Britt, Alicia Brommer, Tyler Speckmann and Lorie Topp voting aye; Council Member Travis Goracke was absent.

The council also approved the Year-End Certification of the City Street Superintendent form on a motion by Council Member Tyler Speckmann, seconded by Council Member Brian Britt, and then voted to appoint Matt Schaardt as Street Superintendent for Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2026. The appointment motion was made by Council Member Lorie Topp and seconded by Council Member Lance Beethe; the vote was unanimous among members present.

On utility and capital-work items, the council approved Change Order #2 on the Power Plant Cooling Project, reflecting a decrease of $44,863.75, and approved Final Pay Application No. ___ to Farabee Mechanical for $246,433.63. Both measures were adopted by unanimous vote of those present (motions moved by Council Member Lorie Topp). The meeting record notes the cooling project is substantially complete and staff are continuing related grant and reimbursement work.

The council approved renewal of the City’s Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance. The record lists the current monthly premium at $17,153 and the proposed renewal premium at $22,256 per month; the renewal passed on a motion by Council Member Tyler Speckmann, seconded by Council Member Brian Britt. The council also approved renewing the contract with Ray J Sanitation, LLC for garbage services (motion by Council Member Tyler Speckmann, seconded by Council Member Lorie Topp).

Parks & Recreation recommended awarding a $32,738.10 Outback Fence quote for work on tennis/pickleball courts and a park bridge; the council tabled that recommendation for further consideration. During public comment, an attendee raised questions about a code-violation warning letter and councilors discussed general code-enforcement practices.

The consent agenda — including approval of minutes from Nov. 17, 2025 and payment of city bills totaling $40,913.26 — was approved by motion of Council Member Lorie Topp and seconded by Council Member Alicia Brommer. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jesse Grof and the minutes were recorded by City Clerk Janelle Moran. The meeting adjourned at 5:58 p.m.

Votes at a glance: Adopt One and Six Year Plan — Motion: Adopt resolution; Mover: Lorie Topp; Second: Alicia Brommer; Outcome: Approved (Aye: Beethe, Britt, Brommer, Speckmann, Topp; Absent: Goracke).

Year-End Certification of Street Superintendent — Mover: Tyler Speckmann; Second: Brian Britt; Outcome: Approved.

Appointment of Matt Schaardt as Street Superintendent (2026) — Mover: Lorie Topp; Second: Lance Beethe; Outcome: Approved.

Blue Cross Blue Shield renewal (monthly premium from $17,153 to $22,256) — Mover: Tyler Speckmann; Second: Brian Britt; Outcome: Approved.

Ray J Sanitation contract renewal — Mover: Tyler Speckmann; Second: Lorie Topp; Outcome: Approved.

Change Order #2, Power Plant Cooling Project (decrease $44,863.75) — Mover: Lorie Topp; Second: Brian Britt; Outcome: Approved.

Final Pay Application to Farabee Mechanical ($246,433.63) — Mover: Lorie Topp; Second: Lance Beethe; Outcome: Approved.

Outback Fence quote for parks ($32,738.10) — Action: Tabled.

The council also approved routine bills and payroll as part of the consent agenda. No votes failed during the session and no formal ordinances requiring multiple readings were presented.