Trenton council approves $65,000 fireworks contract, schedules budget hearing and OKs library grant

The Trenton City Council met on April 6 and unanimously approved a slate of routine items, including a $65,000 fireworks contract for the city’s June festival, acceptance of a $10,000 library grant, and placement of the mayor’s recommended fiscal year 2026–2027 budget on file with a public hearing set for May 4.

Parks and Recreation Director Mr. Beeker told the council the city received a contract from Ace Pyro for a $65,000 fireworks display to be held Saturday, June 27, with a rain date of Sunday, June 28. Beeker said the city requested a waiver of the normal bidding process because the vendor previously provided the service and maintained pricing, and he confirmed the program’s barge launch position will be similar to last year. Council members clarified funding: $50,000 will come from the Downtown Development Authority account and $15,000 from the general fund. The council voted to approve the contract unanimously.

The council also voted to receive and place on file Mayor Steven Rzeppa’s recommended FY 2026–27 budget and scheduled a public hearing for Monday, May 4, to take public comment on the proposal.

Library Director Ms. Jensen reported the library had been awarded a $10,000 grant from Molina Michigan Healthcare in partnership with the Superior Land Library Cooperative to support senior-focused programming aimed at reducing social isolation and promoting health and wellness. Jensen outlined planned uses including expanded home delivery, book clubs at senior living centers and occasional movie or game days at the library; the council accepted the grant unanimously.

On facility work, the council authorized several maintenance and capital items. Staff reported that the dehumidifiers serving Tyfur and Feldman arenas require new shaft bearings, couplers and a replacement reactivation motor; Rowe Consulting proposed the repairs and a two-year parts-and-labor warranty for a total cost of $64,955, and council approved the work. Council member Perugini asked whether the repairs would affect ice rentals and was told they would not.

City Administrator Mr. Krieg presented proposals to replace a deteriorated wood patio at the Westfield Center with exposed-aggregate concrete and to carefully remove, recondition and extend memorial pavers at the Veterans Memorial Library so the work is completed in time for the Memorial Day dedication; the council approved those projects. Separately the council approved replacing the Westfield Center entryway doors with Lincoln Park Glass’s low qualified quote of $25,201 and discussed changing from two sets of doors to a single set to improve accessibility for seniors.

The council approved an extension of the intergovernmental agreement with Wayne County to continue city management of Elizabeth Park Marina (the city has managed the marina since 2012) and authorized a DDA contract not to exceed $4,500 with Downriver News Network to produce business-spotlight videos and associated promotions; staff confirmed the city retains ownership of the footage and ads.

Other actions included permission for the Trenton Youth Commission to hold a “Tidy Up Trenton” community clean-up on Saturday, April 25, authorization of disbursements dated April 6, 2026 totaling $3,886,423.63, and approval of routine minutes and commission reports. Mayor Rzeppa read a proclamation designating April 28, 2026 as Workers’ Memorial Day for the city.

Council members also offered remarks: one praised the teams involved in the recent police station groundbreaking and another offered condolences to the family of Amy Mullins, a longtime commissions clerk who recently died. The council adjourned at 7:30 p.m. and moved into a budget work session.