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Tecumseh council accepts $1.32 million grid resiliency grant, approves park court upgrades and $703,869 power-plant payment
Summary
At its July 7 meeting, the Tecumseh City Council accepted a $1,319,277 grid resiliency grant package for substation upgrades, approved park court improvements and a $703,869.91 pay application for the power plant project, and approved several property transactions; an ordinance was tabled for lack of a five-member vote.
The Tecumseh City Council on July 7 accepted a $1,319,277 grid resiliency grant package to fund upgrades to the city substation and approved several contract and property actions, council minutes show.
The council recorded acceptance of an NDEE grant of $851,358 with a city match of $467,919, for a combined total of $1,319,277 to be used for substation upgrades, according to the utility report presented by staff member Doug Goracke. The council also approved Pay Application No. 3 to Farabee Mechanical for the Power Plant Project in the amount of $703,869.91.
The grant and payment were part of a larger set of routine and project-specific actions taken during the 5:00 p.m. meeting in the Utilities Conference Room. "We were awarded NDEE grid Resiliency Grant, $851,358 NDEE, our match 467,919. Total $1,319,277," staff member Doug Goracke reported in his utility department update, which also noted recent storm-related outages, a 10-inch water main break north of town and permitting work for new generation units.
Councilmember Lorie Topp moved to approve a $43,100 quote from Pro Track & Tennis for tennis and basketball court improvements at the park; Councilmember Brian Britt seconded the motion, which passed with all four members present voting aye. The council also designated Councilmembers Brian Britt and Lorie Topp to serve as the city representatives on a newly formed wage committee.
Additional routine and development items approved included an agreement to transfer an economic development lot, a contract for sale of an economic development parcel to Chanco Properties, LLC, and an application and resolution approving a lot split submitted by Rachel Walters as personal representative for the Benjamin E. Walters Estate. All listed motions that were recorded show unanimous aye votes among members present (Lance Beethe, Brian Britt, Tyler Speckmann and Lorie Topp); Alicia Brommer and Travis Goracke were absent.
The council reviewed an ordinance that would amend multiple Tecumseh Municipal Code sections to add provisions for design-build and construction management at-risk contracts, renumber existing sections, add a definition for animal bites and attacks, and amend hours of sale of alcoholic beverages. The item was tabled because final passage requires five councilmembers present and only four were in attendance.
By motion, the council approved the consent agenda — including minutes of the June 16, 2025 meeting and payment of city bills — with Councilmember Lorie Topp moving and Lance Beethe seconding. The meeting adjourned at 5:34 p.m.
Votes at a glance: - Approve Pro Track & Tennis quote for park tennis and basketball court improvements ($43,100): Moved by Councilmember Lorie Topp; seconded by Brian Britt. Vote: Beethe (aye), Britt (aye), Speckmann (aye), Topp (aye). Outcome: approved. - Approve Pay Application No. 3 to Farabee Mechanical for Power Plant Project ($703,869.91): Moved by Councilmember Lorie Topp; seconded by Tyler Speckmann. Vote: Beethe (aye), Britt (aye), Speckmann (aye), Topp (aye). Outcome: approved. - Approve Agreement to Transfer Economic Development Lot: Moved by Councilmember Tyler Speckmann; seconded by Lance Beethe. Vote: unanimous among members present. Outcome: approved. - Approve Contract for Sale by Economic Development to Chanco Properties, LLC: Moved by Lance Beethe; seconded by Tyler Speckmann. Vote: unanimous among members present. Outcome: approved. - Approve Application and Resolution for Lot Split by Rachel Walters, PR for the Benjamin E. Walters Estate: Moved by Lorie Topp; seconded by Brian Britt. Vote: unanimous among members present. Outcome: approved. - Consent agenda (minutes of June 16, 2025; pay bills): Moved by Lorie Topp; seconded by Lance Beethe. Vote: unanimous among members present. Outcome: approved.
What happens next: The blight study final draft will be on the August agenda with a public hearing; the ordinance amending municipal code sections was tabled until five members can vote for final passage.
