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Garden City, Michigan

Garden City public meetings in 2025

45 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.

Wed Dec 17, 2025

Zoning Board of Appeals

Zoning Board of Appeals meeting cancelled for lack of agenda items

The regular meeting of the Garden City Zoning Board of Appeals scheduled for December 17, 2025, was cancelled due to a lack of agenda items. The next meeting is scheduled for January 28, 2026.

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Mon Dec 15, 2025

City Council

Garden City Council to consider fire station concrete change orders

The City Council will meet to discuss action items including concrete change orders for the fire station. The body will also review the November 2025 financial report and minutes from previous meetings.

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✓ Decided: Council approves $30,909 fire station concrete change order

The Garden City Council approved change orders for fire station concrete work with Barrientos Contracting of Romulus for $30,909. The motion passed unanimously (7‑0). The council also entered a closed session to consult an attorney about the pending Poma litigation and later returned to open session before adjourning.

Thu Dec 11, 2025

Planning Commission

Garden City Planning Commission meeting cancelled

The regular meeting of the Garden City Planning Commission scheduled for December 11, 2025, has been cancelled due to a lack of agenda items.

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Mon Dec 8, 2025

City Council

Council will consider the 2024‑2025 Sidewalk Program Special Assessment

The Garden City City Council meeting will approve a consent agenda that includes several prior meeting minutes and a city invoice report. Council members will vote on reappointments for multiple boards and commissions, each with terms ending 12/31/28. Action items on the agenda are the 2024‑2025 Sidewalk Program Special Assessment, the 2026 Wayne County Annual Road Permits, and the Radcliff Restroom Renovation project.

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✓ Decided: Council approved the 2024‑2025 Sidewalk Program special assessment roll

The Garden City Council unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the consent agenda items, which included several board reappointments. It confirmed the 2024‑2025 Sidewalk Program Special Assessment Roll #4240 and authorized Wayne County permits for 2026. The council also approved a $302,250 bid for the Radcliff Center restroom renovation and reappointed Eric Walls to the Planning Commission.

Tue Nov 18, 2025

Downtown Development Authority

Board will approve Oct 21 DDA minutes and review 2025 financial reports

The Downtown Development Authority Board will vote to approve the regular DDA minutes from October 21, 2025. It will also accept the revenue and expenditure reports and the finance reports listed for November 2025. The board will consider the proposed 2026 DDA meeting schedule and hear the director’s report on upcoming projects and events.

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✓ Decided: Board approved consent agenda and 2026 DDA meeting schedule (5‑0)

The Downtown Development Authority Board approved the meeting agenda by a 5‑0 vote. It then approved the consent agenda items—including the October 21, 2025 regular meeting minutes and the October 20, 2025 revenue, expenditure, and finance reports—also by 5‑0. Finally, the board adopted the 2026 DDA meeting schedule with a 5‑0 vote.

Mon Nov 17, 2025

City Council

Council to consider raising McKenna planning fee to $75,000 annually

The Garden City City Council meeting on November 17, 2025 includes a proposal to amend the agreement with McKenna and Associates Inc., increasing the annual “not‑to‑exceed” professional fee from $60,000 to $75,000. The council will also consider the 2026 City Council schedule and a Wayne County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) agreement. Additional agenda items cover routine approvals of minutes, invoices, and a Downtown Development Authority informational session.

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✓ Decided: Garden City Council approves 2026 schedule, CDBG restroom project, and fee amendment

The council approved the amended meeting agenda and accepted the consent agenda, which included the November 3 minutes and October financial reports. It recommended amending the fee schedule with McKenna and Associates to raise the annual not‑to‑exceed amount to $75,000. The 2026 council meeting schedule was approved, and a $304,509.23 agreement with Wayne County for restroom renovations at the Radcliff Center was adopted.

Thu Nov 13, 2025

Planning Commission

Commission will review special land use for a gas station on Ford Road

The Garden City Planning Commission will hold public hearings and make recommendations on two special land use applications: an agricultural production use on two vacant lots east of Garden Avenue south of Hennepin Avenue in the R‑1 zone, and a gas station with a convenience store and drive‑thru restaurant at 31406 Ford Road in the C‑3 zone. The commission will discuss and vote on approval, conditional approval, denial, or tabling of each request. The agenda also includes review and approval of the 2026 meeting schedule.

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✓ Decided: Planning Commission approved gas station special land use on Ford Rd

The commission unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the August 14 minutes. It denied a special land use request for agricultural production on two vacant lots on Garden Avenue. It approved a special land use and site plan for a gas station, convenience store, and drive‑through restaurant at 31406 Ford Road, subject to several conditions, and adopted the 2026 commission schedule.

Wed Nov 5, 2025

Zoning Board of Appeals

ZBA to consider variances for automobile repair use at 28016 Ford Rd

The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing regarding a request for four dimensional variances. The request concerns the redevelopment of an existing structure for use as an automobile repair business.

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Wed Nov 5, 2025

Zoning Board of Appeals

Zoning Board to hear variance request for oil change facility at 28016 Ford Rd

The Garden City Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a special public hearing on November 5, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 6000 Middlebelt Road. The hearing will consider a proposal to convert the existing car wash at 28016 Ford Road into an oil‑change facility. The applicant is requesting four variances from Zoning Ordinance Sec. 154.137 concerning lot area, lot width, building orientation, and driveway setback. The board will receive public comments before any decision is made.

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Mon Nov 3, 2025

City Council

Garden City Council to consider fire station carpentry contract and fee changes

The City Council will meet to discuss action items including a carpentry contract for the fire station and purchases for Dance Express. The body is also considering an amendment to the Parks & Recreation fee schedule.

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✓ Decided: Council approved a fire station renovation carpentry contract up to $75,000

The Garden City Council unanimously approved the agenda and consent agenda. It awarded a carpentry, time‑and‑materials contract to Multi Construction Services for the fire station renovation, not to exceed $75,000. Additional unanimous approvals included a $12,957 candy purchase, an $18,114.50 costume invoice, a Parks & Recreation fee‑schedule amendment, and a youth‑assistance intergovernmental agreement.

Mon Nov 3, 2025

City Council

Council to discuss rental registration and ordinance enforcement

The Garden City City Council will hold a special workshop on November 3, 2025 to discuss the city's rental registration program and enforcement of related ordinances. Council members will consider how to implement or modify the rental registration process. No vote is noted in the agenda; the item is listed for discussion only.

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✓ Decided: Council workshop discussed rental registration and blight enforcement

The council held a workshop on November 3, 2025 to discuss rental registration, overlay ordinances, and blight enforcement. City Manager Gibbons presented information on current blight ordinances, rental overlay options, and a proposed Administrative Hearings Bureau. No public comments were received and no actions or votes were taken. The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.

Tue Oct 28, 2025

Parks and Recreation Commission

Commission will discuss fee schedule recommendation and drop‑in punch‑card update

The Parks and Recreation Commission will review an update on the drop‑in/punch‑card program and consider a recommendation to revise its fee schedule. No other agenda items require a vote. The meeting also includes standard reports and public comment periods.

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Wed Oct 22, 2025

Zoning Board of Appeals

Garden City Zoning Board meeting cancelled due to lack of agenda items

The regular meeting of the Garden City Zoning Board of Appeals scheduled for October 22, 2025, was cancelled. The next meeting is set for November 5, 2025.

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Tue Oct 21, 2025

Downtown Development Authority

Garden City DDA approves consent agenda and business incentive grant

The Garden City Downtown Development Authority will meet to approve consent agenda items, including regular minutes and financial reports, and to consider a business incentive grant for 5905 Middlebelt Road.

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✓ Decided: Board approved a $7,000 Business Incentive Grant (7‑0 vote)

The Downtown Development Authority board approved its regular agenda and consent items, including the August 27 minutes and September 2025 revenue, expense, and finance reports. It also approved several community grants and event funding, most notably a $7,000 Business Incentive Grant. All actions were adopted unanimously with a 7‑0 vote.

Mon Oct 20, 2025

City Council

City Council to consider Mobile Food Vending ordinance amendment and related fees

The Garden City City Council will hold public hearings on a Mobile Food Vending Ordinance Amendment and the 2025 Neighborhood Stabilization Program Ordinance. Council members will vote on a revised fee schedule for mobile food vendor permits and fire inspections. Additional action items include approval of a road salt purchase, several fire‑station construction bids, and a special assessment for the 2024‑2025 sidewalk program.

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✓ Decided: City Council approves mobile food vending ordinance amendment

The council approved an amendment to Chapter 111 of the Food and Drink Regulations. The amendment adds a noise limit of 60 decibels for mobile food vending units and prohibits food trucks from operating within 100 feet of a brick‑and‑mortar restaurant front door. The motion was moved by Councilmember Witt and supported by Councilmember Karafotis. No public comments were received during the brief public hearing.

Thu Oct 9, 2025

Planning Commission

Garden City Planning Commission meeting cancelled

The regular meeting of the Garden City Planning Commission scheduled for October 9, 2025, has been cancelled due to lack of quorum.

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Mon Oct 6, 2025

City Council

Council to consider permits, contracts and a Santaland Parade road closure

The Garden City City Council will vote on a consent agenda and several action items, including METRO Act permits for Ripple Fiber Inc. and Ezee Fiber Texas, LLC, a contractor agreement for Radcliff Center Projects, and a road closure for the Santaland Parade. Additional items include a $17,993.40 lease agreement with Pitney Bowes for a postage meter and the sale of police department vehicles at auction. The meeting also schedules public hearings for a mobile food vending ordinance and a tax foreclosure property conveyance ordinance.

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✓ Decided: Council unanimously approved road closures for the 2025 Santaland Parade

The Garden City Council approved the meeting agenda and consent agenda without opposition. It granted METRO Act Right‑of‑Way permits to Ripple Fiber Inc. and Ezee Fiber Texas, LLC, each contingent on a performance bond. The Council also approved a $20,482.83 contract (with a $5,000 contingency) for All Phases Ceiling and Carpentry on the Radcliff Center projects, authorized road closures for the November 29 Santaland Parade, and authorized posting a Parks and Recreation Director job opening.

Tue Sep 30, 2025

Parks and Recreation Commission

Commission will consider a new fee schedule and park program updates

The Garden City Parks and Recreation Commission will discuss a fee schedule recommendation. It will also address items related to Florence Park Playground and membership options such as punch cards and drop‑in programs. No decisions are recorded yet; the agenda outlines these topics for consideration.

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Wed Sep 24, 2025

Zoning Board of Appeals

Garden City Zoning Board of Appeals meeting cancelled

The regular meeting scheduled for September 24, 2025, has been cancelled due to a lack of agenda items.

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Mon Sep 22, 2025

City Council

Council to consider ordinance amendment for curbside service at 32330 Ford Road shop.

The Garden City City Council will vote on an amendment to the adult-use marijuana establishment ordinance to permit curbside service at 32330 Ford Road. The meeting also includes a presentation of the Safe Streets 4 All Unified Safety Action Plan and several land‑use actions such as a lot split on Ford Road. Additional items are a police department vehicle auction and calls for public hearings on a mobile food vending ordinance and the 2025 Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

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✓ Decided: Council approved outdoor service for adult-use marijuana establishments

The council unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the consent agenda. It adopted an amendment to Section 124.74 (Q) allowing outdoor service at adult-use marijuana establishments. The Safe Streets for All Unified Safety Action Plan was also approved. Additional actions included lot splits, a postage‑meter lease, police vehicle sales, and scheduling public hearings for mobile food vending and a tax‑foreclosure ordinance.

Thu Sep 11, 2025

Planning Commission

Garden City Planning Commission meeting cancelled

The regular meeting of the Garden City Planning Commission scheduled for September 11, 2025, has been cancelled. The next meeting is scheduled for October 9, 2025.

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Mon Sep 8, 2025

City Council

✓ Decided: Council approved $50,000 contingency for Radcliff Center HVAC renovation

The council unanimously approved an additional $50,000 in contingency funds for the Radcliff Center HVAC renovation project. It also approved the addition of the MERS 457 Deferred Compensation Investment Plan for employees and appointed Jackie Perrydore to the Downtown Development Authority. The council moved to a closed session for a legal opinion, then returned to open session and agreed with the City Attorney’s written opinion.

Wed Aug 27, 2025

Downtown Development Authority

✓ Decided: Board approves Brownfield redevelopment and TIF funding agreement

The Downtown Development Authority board approved the agenda and regular meeting minutes. It adopted a Brownfield Redevelopment Agreement and an Interlocal Agreement with Wayne County to create a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) fund. The board also approved two construction bids and a special liquor‑license application.

Wed Aug 27, 2025

Zoning Board of Appeals

Garden City Zoning Board of Appeals meeting cancelled

The regular meeting scheduled for August 27, 2025, has been cancelled due to a lack of agenda items.

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Tue Aug 19, 2025

Downtown Development Authority

DDA to review Fokker Building development and paving agreements

The Garden City Downtown Development Authority will discuss Tax Increment Financing for the Fokker Building Development. The board will also consider agreements with Al’s Asphalt Paving and OCG Companies LLC.

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Mon Aug 18, 2025

City Council

Garden City Council to consider IT contract renewal and Folker Commons development

The City Council will hold a public hearing regarding Phase 2 of the Folker Commons Planned Development. The body is also considering several contracts, including IT support and building inspection services, and a potential ordinance amendment for marijuana establishments.

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✓ Decided: Council unanimously approved rezoning of 1.14‑acre site to Planned Development

The Garden City Council approved the agenda and consent agenda without dissent. It renewed the city’s technology support contract with Skynet Innovations for $146,616 and its Microsoft Office 365 licenses for $35,400. The council rezoned a 1.14‑acre parcel on Pardo Road from Central Business District to Planned Development, extended the Buccilli Group inspection services, purchased an ice‑rink compressor and installation services, and approved a lot split for 5907 and 5921 Middlebelt Road. All motions passed unanimously (7‑0).

Thu Aug 14, 2025

Planning Commission

✓ Decided: Commission voted to table special land use approval for 31406 Ford Rd

The Planning Commission approved the meeting agenda and the July 10 minutes unanimously. It then recommended tabling both the special land use request and the site plan for a gas station and convenience store at 31406 Ford Road, each with numerous conditions. All votes were unanimous, and the meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.

Mon Aug 4, 2025

City Council

✓ Decided: Council unanimously approves agenda, consent items and fund balance policy

The Garden City Council approved the meeting agenda with a 7‑0 vote. It then accepted the consent agenda, which included approval of the July 21, 2025 regular and closed session minutes and the receipt of the July 2025 City Invoice Report, also unanimously. Finally, the council adopted the attached fund balance policy for the General Fund with a unanimous vote.

Mon Jul 21, 2025

City Council

✓ Decided: Council unanimously amends zoning to regulate marijuana facilities

The Garden City City Council approved the sale of a vacant Arcola Street parcel, a right‑of‑first‑refusal purchase on Inkster Road, and a zoning ordinance amendment governing medical and adult‑use marijuana facilities. It also approved a carry‑out restaurant special land use, a lease for the Radcliff Community Center, a contractor for community facilities, and scheduled a public hearing for the Folker Commons Phase 2 project. The council denied a Freedom of Information Act appeal. All votes were unanimous.

Thu Jul 10, 2025

Planning Commission

✓ Decided: Planning Commission recommends zoning amendment for Sunday adult-use marijuana facilities

The commission approved its agenda and the June 12 meeting minutes unanimously. It recommended City Council approve Phase 2 of the Folker Commons project, approved a special land use and initial site plan for a carry‑out restaurant at 1847/1859 Inkster Road, and recommended a zoning ordinance amendment to allow adult‑use marijuana facilities to operate on Sundays. The commission also scheduled a public hearing for an agricultural garden special land use on August 14, 2025.

Mon Jul 7, 2025

City Council

✓ Decided: Council approved a satellite Family Resource Center office with Dearborn Heights

The council unanimously approved the meeting agenda. They also unanimously accepted the consent agenda, which included approving the June 23 council minutes, the June 23 closed‑session minutes, the May 8 planning commission minutes, and the June 2025 city invoices report. The council unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement with Dearborn Heights to create a satellite Family Resource Center Office for Youth Assistance Services. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

Mon Jun 23, 2025

City Council

✓ Decided: Council adopts new water/sewer rates and approves FY 2025‑26 contracts

The Garden City Council approved its agenda and adopted an ordinance changing water and sewer rates. It also approved the FY 2025‑26 Fund 592 appropriations, a rezoning of a Ford Road site, and several contracts including LED streetlights, a property sale, and a website renewal. The FY 2024‑25 budget amendment was also adopted.

Mon Jun 9, 2025

City Council

✓ Decided: Council unanimously approved interlocal agreement with SMART for municipal credit funds

The Garden City Council approved an interlocal agreement with the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) to disburse municipal and community credit funds. It also adopted a health‑insurance opt‑out resolution, approved repairs to a fire‑department vehicle, and cancelled two special‑assessment contracts for façade and parking improvements. Additional approvals included payments to the fire‑mutual‑aid association and funding for renovation projects at the Radcliff Center. The council closed the session to review a legal opinion and then upheld a disclosure‑denial notice.

Mon Jun 2, 2025

City Council

✓ Decided: Council approved public hearings on FY 2025‑2026 water & sewer rates

The council voted unanimously to schedule a public hearing on June 23, 2025 for the proposed FY 2025‑2026 Water & Sewer Rate Ordinance and also for the FY 2025‑2026 Fund 592 General Appropriation Ordinance. A motion to eliminate the street‑lighting special assessment for one year failed in a 3‑3 tie. The council approved a closed‑session meeting to discuss collective‑bargaining negotiations and then voted to return to open session.

Tue May 20, 2025

Downtown Development Authority

✓ Decided: Board elected Missy Taylor as Chair of the Downtown Development Authority

The board approved the meeting agenda and the consent agenda, which included the March 18, 2025 minutes and April 20, 2025 finance and expenditure reports. Missy Taylor was elected Chair and Alex Beydoun was elected Vice‑Chair, each serving until May 1, 2026. The board set a volunteer rate of $25.00 per hour for the Chili Cook‑Off community event. It also cancelled both the façade improvement contract and the parking improvement contract with ABMK Property 6332 LLC for 6332 Middlebelt Rd.

Mon May 19, 2025

City Council

✓ Decided: Council approves five-year capital plan, adopts consent agenda, calls water-rate meeting

The council unanimously approved the meeting agenda, the consent agenda, and the five-year capital improvement plan for FY 2025-2026. Two separate ordinances to amend water and sewer rates each failed to achieve the required five affirmative votes, losing 4-3. Council also unanimously voted to call a special meeting on June 2, 2025 for a public hearing on water/sewer rates. A motion to approve the FY 2025-2026 General Appropriations and Tax Levy Ordinance (excluding the water/sewer fund) was presented, but the minutes do not record a vote outcome.

Thu May 8, 2025

Planning Commission

✓ Decided: Planning Commission recommended rezoning of three Ford Rd. parcels to Planned Development District

The commission approved the meeting agenda and April 10 minutes unanimously. It voted to recommend rezoning three parcels on Ford Road from Central Business District to Planned Development District, subject to fire‑service, parking, site‑plan and design conditions. The commission also scheduled public hearings for a restaurant drive‑through at 28484 Ford Rd. and for rezoning 30719 Krauter Ave. to Community Business at the June 12 meeting.

Mon May 5, 2025

City Council

✓ Decided: Council approved up to $2.1 M sidewalk grant award

The council unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the consent agenda. It then authorized several contracts and programs, including a $97,991 LED streetlight conversion grant, a bid award of $1,381,360 (up to $2,100,000) for the 2025‑2026 Sidewalk Gap Grant Program, the 2025‑2026 fee schedule, an extension of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program to June 30 2026, a city‑wide garage‑sale fee waiver, and permission for the American Legion Riders fundraiser.

Tue Apr 29, 2025

Parks and Recreation Commission

✓ Decided: Commission appointed John Jones as Chair and Kate Smith as Secretary

The commission moved an agenda item, approved the agenda, and adopted the meeting minutes. It appointed Kate Smith as Secretary and John Jones as Chair. The body also approved park clean‑up dates and selected a logo for a bathhouse mural at City Park.

Mon Apr 28, 2025

City Council

✓ Decided: Council calls public hearing for 2025‑2026 water & sewer rate ordinance

The City Council approved a motion to introduce and call for a public hearing on the 2025‑2026 Water & Sewer Rate Ordinance. The hearing is scheduled for Monday, May 19, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. The motion passed unanimously with a 7‑0 vote. No other actions were taken at the meeting.

Wed Apr 23, 2025

Zoning Board of Appeals

✓ Decided: Board granted front and rear yard setbacks variances for 1125 Brandt Road

The Zoning Board of Appeals approved its agenda and the minutes from the October 2, 2024 special meeting, each unanimously. It granted a ten‑foot front‑yard setback variance and an eight‑point‑two foot rear‑yard setback variance for the property at 1125 Brandt Road, finding the required criteria were met. All motions carried 5‑0 with one commissioner absent. The meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m.

Mon Apr 21, 2025

City Council

✓ Decided: Council approved $1.78M HVAC contract for Radcliff Center

The Garden City Council unanimously approved several items, including the meeting agenda, the consent agenda, and the appointment of Shannon Shepard as City Treasurer. It also approved an adult‑use marijuana grower, processor and retailer in the M‑1 Light Industrial zone at 32330 Ford Rd. Contracts were approved for an ADA bathroom renovation ($155,000 plus $10,000 contingency) and a Radcliff Center HVAC rehabilitation ($1,778,000 plus $100,000 contingency). All votes were 7‑0.

Mon Apr 14, 2025

City Council

✓ Decided: Council approves $162,541 contract and schedules two public hearings

The Garden City City Council approved the meeting agenda and the consent agenda, including prior meeting minutes. It authorized a contract with All Phases Ceilings & Carpentry LLC for up to $162,541 to work on the Radcliff Center. The council also set public hearings for May 19, 2025 on the Five‑Year Capital Improvement Plan and the General Appropriations and Tax Levy Ordinance.

Thu Apr 10, 2025

Planning Commission

✓ Decided: Commission approved special land use and site plan for marijuana facility at 32330 Ford Rd

The Planning Commission unanimously recommended special land use approvals for a grower, processor, and retailer, and granted a site‑plan approval for the adult‑use marijuana project at 32330 Ford Road. It also unanimously tabled the special land use and site‑plan requests for a gas station at 31406 Ford Road. Additionally, the commission scheduled a public hearing on a mixed‑use PUD rezoning for three parcels on Ford Road for the May 8, 2025 meeting.

Mon Mar 24, 2025

City Council

✓ Decided: Council accepts Treasurer resignation and adopts FY 2025/26 budget

The council voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Treasurer Dee Ann Irby and declare the position vacant. It also voted unanimously to receive the proposed FY 2025/2026 budget. No other substantive actions were taken.