Caro City Council approves Well No. 6 repair, mid‑year budget changes and $608,561 investment; refers camping ordinance to planning

The Caro City Council on Feb. 17, 2025, approved a series of routine and fiscal actions, including authorizing a repair to municipal Well No. 6, approving mid‑year budget adjustments, creating a part‑time code enforcement position and moving $608,561.36 into a one‑year certificate of deposit.

The most consequential financial vote moved $608,561.36 from the city’s Frankenmuth Credit Union savings account into a CDARS account at Northstar Bank for a one‑year term at 3.8% interest (Motion 25‑M‑32). The motion, made by Councilor Greg Hutchison and seconded by Councilor Doreen Oedy, passed on roll call with six votes in favor and one absence (Heidi Parker absent).

Separately, the council accepted a quote from Cribley Drilling Co., Inc. for $25,174.80 to perform maintenance at Well No. 6 (Motion 25‑M‑27). That motion passed by roll call: Campbell, Hutchison, Kish, Oedy, White and Mayor Karen Snider voted yes; Parker was recorded absent.

The council also approved mid‑year budget adjustments (Motion 25‑M‑31). On that roll call, Councilor Greg Hutchison, Councilor Doreen Oedy, Councilor Jill White and Councilor Emily Campbell voted yes; Councilor Charlotte Kish and Mayor Karen Snider voted no; Heidi Parker was absent. The motion carried.

On personnel and administration, the council instructed the city manager to create a part‑time Code Enforcement Officer position effective July 1, 2025 (Motion 25‑M‑30). The motion was made by Councilor Jill White, seconded by Councilor Greg Hutchison, and carried.

Councilors also approved the Light Pole Policy (Policy #25‑001) and granted the requested street closures for the 2025 Cars and Crafts event (Motions 25‑M‑28 and 25‑M‑29). Both motions were announced as carried by the presiding mayor.

The council moved into closed session under the Michigan Open Meetings Act, citing §8(d) (to consider purchase or lease of real property) and §8(h) (to consider material exempt from disclosure by statute). The body entered closed session at 7:57 p.m. and reconvened at 8:39 p.m. After returning to open session, the council authorized the City Manager to negotiate purchase of the property discussed in closed session (Motion 25‑M‑34) and authorized referring a Camping Ordinance amendment to the Planning Commission for development of a zoning amendment (Motion 25‑M‑35).

Clerk Rita Papp reported a completed election audit with no issues; City Manager Scott Czasak publicly commended the Department of Public Works for snow‑plowing work and said the city has made an employment offer for a wastewater treatment plant superintendent with a tentative start date of March 10, 2025. Liaison reports noted several community events, including the Vietnam Wall scheduled to be in Caro June 26–29, 2025, and a Parks & Recreation snowman burning event on March 30, 2025.

Votes at a glance: 25‑M‑25 Approve agenda (motion by Kish, seconded by Campbell) — carried. 25‑M‑26 Approve consent agenda (motion by Kish, seconded by Campbell) — carried. 25‑M‑27 Accept Cribley Drilling quote $25,174.80 for Well No. 6 (motion by Kish, seconded by Campbell) — roll‑call approved (6 yes, 1 absent). 25‑M‑28 Adopt Light Pole Policy #25‑001 (motion by White, seconded by Oedy) — carried. 25‑M‑29 Approve 2025 Cars and Crafts street closures (motion by Campbell, seconded by Kish) — carried. 25‑M‑30 Create part‑time Code Enforcement Officer, effective July 1, 2025 (motion by White, seconded by Hutchison) — carried. 25‑M‑31 Approve mid‑year budget adjustments (motion by Oedy, seconded by White) — roll‑call approved (4 yes, 2 no, 1 absent). 25‑M‑32 Move $608,561.36 to CDARS at Northstar Bank at 3.8% (motion by Hutchison, seconded by Oedy) — roll‑call approved (6 yes, 1 absent). 25‑M‑33 Enter closed session under MCL §15.268(8)(d) and (h) (motion by Oedy, seconded by White) — roll‑call approved (6 yes, 1 absent). 25‑M‑34 Authorize manager to negotiate purchase of property discussed in closed session (motion by White, seconded by Kish) — carried. 25‑M‑35 Refer Camping Ordinance to Planning Commission for zoning amendment (motion by White, seconded by Oedy) — carried. 25‑M‑36 Adjourn (motion by Hutchison, seconded by Campbell) — carried.

Councilors who voted or were recorded on roll calls: Mayor Karen Snider; Councilors Emily Campbell, Greg Hutchison, Charlotte Kish, Doreen Oedy and Jill White. Heidi Parker was recorded as absent on multiple roll calls.

The council ended its meeting at 8:42 p.m.