Village of Richland amends chicken ordinance, moves police vehicle funds to CD, and approves police pay increases and bonuses

The Village of Richland Council on May 11 approved a series of routine financial and personnel actions, including rewriting the village’s chicken ordinance to conform with State of Michigan law, moving funds held for police vehicles into a short-term certificate of deposit at 3.8% APY, and approving a preliminary contract and compensation increases for the police chief.

President David Greve called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m.; the council adjourned at 8:12 p.m. Present were President David Greve; President Pro‑Tem Gail Koporetz; Rob Riddle; Trustee Jason Mechenbier; Treasurer Jamie Ricca; and Clerk Mollie Fish. Paul Foust and Kim Lewis were absent.

Why it matters: The ordinance change to Section 4.4 removes the village’s standalone chicken ordinance language and rewords the section to align local rules with State of Michigan law. That change was approved by roll call (Yes—Koporetz, Riddle, Mechenbier, Greve; No—0) and will alter the village’s local regulation of backyard poultry.

Key decisions and finances: The council voted to move money earmarked for police vehicles into a seven‑month certificate of deposit at 3.8% APY. The council also approved enrolling the village bank account in Positive Pay, a bank fraud‑prevention service, at an annual cost not to exceed $360. Clerk Mollie Fish reported the remaining balance on the village’s installment loan for D Avenue repaving is $46,179.37 with Huntington Bank and that three annual payments remain.

Police and public‑works actions: Trustees approved a preliminary employment contract for Police Chief Mattioli and voted to increase the chief’s compensation. The council also approved the hiring of two police officers to begin in May—one full‑time replacement and one part‑time hire. For extra work related to tree cleanup, the council approved one‑time bonuses of $2,500 each for Police Chief Mattioli and DPW employee Mark Morris; tree‑trimming work was completed under budget with total expenditures of $21,141.

Facilities and other items: Trustee Gail Koporetz agreed to develop a landscape plan and purchase replacement plants around the hall; the council approved the purchase of plants not to exceed $2,000 and assigned DPW staff to install them. Trustee Jason Mechenbier is obtaining estimates for a new furnace and hot‑water heater for the DPW/PD facility. The council approved the April 13, 2026 meeting minutes (as amended) and the April cash disbursement journal.

What the council did not act on: A sign quote from Tony at BNR was received but tabled until Trustee Kim Lewis can attend the June meeting. No citizen comments were offered during the meeting.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to approve May 2026 agenda — mover: Jason Mechenbier; second: Gail Koporetz. Outcome: Approved. - Motion to approve amended April 13, 2026 minutes — mover: Gail Koporetz; second: Rob Riddle. Outcome: Approved. - Move police vehicle funds into 7‑month CD at 3.8% APY — mover: Gail Koporetz; second: Jason Mechenbier. Outcome: Approved. - Enroll in Positive Pay (cost ≤ $360/year) — mover: Gail Koporetz; second: Jason Mechenbier. Outcome: Approved. - Pay April 2026 cash disbursement journal — mover: Jason Mechenbier; second: Gail Koporetz. Outcome: Approved. - Reword Section 4.4 (chicken ordinance) to align with State of Michigan laws — mover: Gail Koporetz; second: Jason Mechenbier. Roll call: Yes—Koporetz, Riddle, Mechenbier, Greve; No—0. Outcome: Approved. - Approve preliminary contract and increase compensation for Police Chief Mattioli — mover: Jason Mechenbier; second: Gail Koporetz (contract); mover: Jason Mechenbier; second: Rob Riddle (compensation). Roll call: Yes—Koporetz, Riddle, Mechenbier, Greve; No—0. Outcome: Approved. - Approve hiring of two police officers (one FT replacement, one PT) — reported; personnel actions reflected in committee reports. - Bonuses $2,500 each for Chief Mattioli and DPW Mark Morris — mover: Jason Mechenbier; second: Gail Koporetz. Roll call: Yes—Koporetz, Riddle, Mechenbier, Greve; No—0. Outcome: Approved. - Approve purchase of plants not exceeding $2,000 — mover: Jason Mechenbier; second: Rob Riddle. Outcome: Approved. - Motion to adjourn at 8:12 p.m. — mover: Jason Mechenbier; second: Gail Koporetz. Outcome: Approved.

Next steps: The chicken-ordinance language change will be implemented per the council’s motion; sign-quote discussion will resume at the June meeting when Trustee Kim Lewis is present. The council also directed staff and trustees to continue work on the DPW/PD furnace and hot-water heater estimates.

(Report based on Village of Richland council minutes, May 11, 2026.)