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Perry council approves Waste Management extension, hires ordinance officer and advances zoning changes
Summary
At its Feb. 5 meeting, the Perry City Council unanimously approved a five-year Waste Management contract extension with a $14.26 per-cart monthly fee starting April 1, hired an ordinance enforcement officer, approved sewer relining work up to $66,000, advanced a zoning amendment and adopted poverty-exemption guidelines.
Perry City Council unanimously approved several routine but budget- and operations-sensitive measures at its Feb. 5 regular meeting at the Perry Community Building.
The most immediate fiscal change affects homeowners and renters: the council accepted Waste Management’s proposal to extend the existing residential trash contract for five years with a 5% annual increase. Under the extension the monthly per-cart fee will be $14.26 beginning April 1, 2026; the council directed that the adjusted charge be reflected on the May 1 billing each year and approved a corresponding revision to the city fee schedule. The motion to accept the extension was moved by Mayor Pro-Tem Larry Lambert and seconded by Councilmember Mindy Galbavi; the vote was recorded as unanimous.
The council also approved a Personnel Committee recommendation to hire Scott Mann as the city’s Ordinance Enforcement Officer, effective Feb. 6, 2026. Personnel Committee chair Mike Connell told council members the committee had interviewed Mann and recommended the hire; Connell moved the appointment and the motion passed unanimously.
On public works, council members authorized a quote from SAK to reline sewer mains on Watkins Street, Green Street and Madison Street in an amount not to exceed $66,000 and authorized Department of Public Works Superintendent John Souder to sign the quote. The motion, moved by Mike Connell and seconded by Bob Porter, passed unanimously.
On land-use policy, councilors placed Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 406 (Chapter 7) on the next meeting agenda for adoption after a first reading. The amendment would modify dimensional standards for the R‑1A residential district and add a design standard specifying that the façade of all residential structures be at least 30% windows; council moved to transmit the amendment for adoption at a future meeting.
The council also adopted a resolution formalizing the city’s 2026 poverty-exemption guidelines under Public Act 390 of 1994 (MCL 211.7u). The resolution lists application requirements, allowable asset considerations and the federal poverty-income thresholds used for 2026. Council members moved and approved the resolution by unanimous vote.
In an unrelated item of old business, councilors discussed and declined a counteroffer from American Tower. Councilmember Kristin Babel said she preferred the option of a monthly lease payment to incorporate into the budget, but the council voted to decline the offer.
The meeting included routine reports from department heads — DPW Superintendent John Souder reported 210 MISS DIG locates in 2025 and eight new service connections, and Treasurer Meggen Galbreath reminded residents that winter taxes are due Feb. 17 and said staff will present second-quarter budget amendments at the next meeting. The council adjourned at 8:11 p.m.
What happens next: the zoning amendment will return for a future adoption vote; sewer work and the Waste Management contract extension move to implementation per the approved motions.
