Montrose public meetings in 2025

City Council

The City Council will review a request to appoint an interim city manager and consider a lease contract with Pitney Bowes. The meeting also includes a presentation on a Parks & Recreation Master Plan.

• Appointment of Mr. Ray Foust as Interim City Manager
• Approval of lease contract with Pitney Bowes
• Parks & Recreation Master Plan presentation by Blake D. Strozier of Rowe Professional Services Company

City Council

The council will hear a presentation of the Parks & Recreation Master Plan by Blake D. Strozier of Rowe Professional Services. It will consider the mayor's request to appoint Mr. Ray Foust as interim city manager and the approval of a lease contract with Pitney Bowes. Standard consent agenda items, public comments, and a closed‑session motion are also on the agenda.

• Presentation: Parks & Recreation Master Plan – Blake D. Strozier, Rowe Professional Services
• Mayor's request to appoint Mr. Ray Foust as interim city manager
• Consider approval of lease contract with Pitney Bowes
• Public hearing for comments on agenda items
• Closed‑session motion under MCL 15.268(h) for privileged matters

The Montrose City Council approved several items unanimously, including a live‑streaming policy, the city assessor contract, and a Title VI policy authorizing the mayor and city manager to sign. The council also approved an amended agreement with Strong Capital III, LP, for a water‑pipeline license fee of $676.93 per year per license (licenses 0090115 and 0090116). Two memoranda on DDA function and MDOT communication were accepted without a motion.

• Approved agenda (7-0-0)
• Approved consent agenda (7-0-0)
• Approved live‑streaming City Council meeting policy (7-0-0)
• Approved City of Montrose assessor contract (7-0-0)
• Approved Title VI policy and authorized mayor and city manager to sign (7-0-0)
• Approved amended agreement with Strong Capital III, LP, license fee $676.93 per year per license (licenses 0090115, 0090116) (7-0-0)
• Accepted memorandum on DDA function, MCL ACT, community marketing/business development (unanimous, no motion)
• Accepted memorandum on M‑57 communication with MDOT (unanimous, no motion)

City Council

The City Council will review a request to appoint an Interim City Manager and consider a lease contract with Pitney Bowes. The meeting also includes a presentation on the Parks & Recreation Master Plan.

• Appointment of Mr. Ray Foust as Interim City Manager
• Approval of lease contract with Pitney Bowes
• Parks & Recreation Master Plan presentation by Blake D. Strozier of Rowe Professional Services Company

The council adopted Zoning Ordinance Article 14 establishing a Planned Unit Development (PUD) district. It also approved a Brownfield plan for the Ramby, LLC redevelopment at 106 W. State Street, a user‑rate study agreement with Bendzinski & Co., and a PSA amendment for the DWAM grant. Additionally, the council enabled eligibility for the Fire Insurance Withholding Program, tabled a live‑streaming policy, and renewed a $1,680 lease for Christmas decorations.

• Adopted Zoning Ordinance Article 14 PUD district (6 Ayes, 1 Nay)
• Approved resolution for Brownfield plan for Ramby, LLC redevelopment at 106 W. State Street (all Ayes)
• Approved agreement with Bendzinski & Co. for user rate study (all Ayes)
• Approved PSA amendment No. 1 for DWAM grant with Fleis & Vandenbrink Engineering (all Ayes)
• Approved resolution enabling eligibility for Fire Insurance Withholding Program (all Ayes)
• Tabled city council live‑streaming meeting policy for future review (all Ayes)
• Amended Personnel Handbook leaves of absence and time‑off policy (all Ayes)
• Renewed lease with LeClerc Display Co. for Christmas decorations at $1,680.00 (all Ayes)

City Council

The City Council will discuss the appointment of an interim city manager and a lease contract with Pitney Bowes. The meeting includes a presentation on the Parks & Recreation Master Plan by Rowe Professional Services Company.

• Mayor request to appoint Mr. Ray Foust as Interim City Manager
• Consider approval of lease contract with Pitney Bowes
• Parks & Recreation Master Plan presentation by Blake D. Strozier of Rowe Professional Services Company

The City Council unanimously approved a contract for legal services with attorney John Ryan, PLLC, and set a flat monthly fee. They also approved a lateral sewer operations agreement with Genesee County Drain Commission and authorized the city to sign contracts and reimbursement requests with the GCMPC. Additional actions included waiving water late fees for two residents, approving a security‑system entry door upgrade for City Hall, and moving forward with a draft business registration ordinance.

• Approved legal services agreement with John Ryan PLLC (All Ayes)
• Approved flat‑rate monthly fee for the legal services agreement (All Ayes)
• Approved lateral sewer system operations/maintenance agreement with Genesee County Drain Commission (All Ayes)
• Adopted resolution authorizing contracts and reimbursements with GCMPC (All Ayes)
• Waived water rate late fees for Sadie Leonard and Larry Leonard (All Ayes)
• Approved security‑system entry doors for City Hall with Sonitrol (All Ayes)
• Moved forward with draft General Business Registration Ordinance (Six Ayes, 1 Abstain)
• Approved consent agenda items including minutes, reports, and event approvals (All Ayes)

City Council

The City Council will discuss several administrative actions, including the appointment of an Ethics Ad-Hoc Committee and amendments to council rules. The body is also considering a professional services agreement with Wade Trim and the re-classification of Hickory Street.

• Agreement with Wade Trim for as-needed professional planning services
• Re-classification of Hickory Street in accordance to ACT51
• Emergency purchase for tree services
• Amended professional services employment agreement for the City Manager
• Placing rental unit registration and inspection in abeyance

The council approved several actions, including reclassifying Hickory Street under ACT 51 to qualify for TIP funding, adopting proposed changes to the council’s code of conduct, and entering a planning‑services agreement with Wade Trim. It also placed the rental‑unit registration inspection on hold, approved an emergency tree‑service purchase, adopted an amended employment agreement for the city manager (4‑3 vote), and confirmed the hiring of a deputy treasurer and administrative assistant.

• Re‑classify Hickory Street under ACT 51 – approved (all Ayes)
• Adopt changes to council code of conduct – approved (all Ayes)
• Approve planning‑services agreement with Wade Trim – approved (all Ayes)
• Place rental‑unit registration inspection in abeyance – approved (all Ayes)
• Approve emergency tree‑service purchase – approved (all Ayes)
• Approve amended professional services employment agreement for city manager – approved (4 Ayes, 3 Nays)
• Approve hiring of deputy treasurer & administrative assistant – approved (all Ayes)
• Appoint ethics ad‑hoc committee – denied (1 Aye, 6 Nays)

City Council

The City Council will discuss the City Manager's employment contract and a housing study distribution. The meeting includes a public hearing on an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (OPRA) exemption certification.

• Public hearing and resolution regarding Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (OPRA) Exemption Certification
• Payment and Change Order No. 4 for Kennedy Excavating, Inc
• Consideration of City Manager employment contract
• Authorization to distribute a housing study for review
• Closed session regarding litigation: Jennifer Whiting v City of Montrose/Barbara Valentine

The council approved an OPRA exemption certificate for Ramby LLC and authorized a $10,000 water rate study. It also approved the distribution of the Housing Study, a change order for Kennedy Excavating, and offered a contract to Joe Karlichek. A motion to amend council rules failed, while related motions to set aside the amendment and replace agenda item No. 5 with the water rate study were adopted.

• Approved OPRA exemption for Ramby LLC (6 ayes)
• Approved Change Order No. 4 to Kennedy Excavating (6 ayes)
• Authorized $10,000 water rate study (6 ayes)
• Authorized distribution of Housing Study per state law (6 ayes)
• Approved offer of contract to Joe Karlichek (5 ayes, 1 nay)
• Motion to amend council rules and adopt new agenda format defeated (2 ayes, 4 nays)
• Motion to set aside the amendment for further review carried (5 ayes, 1 nay)
• Motion to remove agenda item No. 5 and replace with Water Rate Study carried (6 ayes)

City Council

The City Council will discuss several administrative updates, including the appointment of an Ethics Ad-Hoc Committee and amendments to council rules. The body is also considering professional service agreements and the re-classification of Hickory Street.

• Agreement with Wade Trim for as-needed professional planning services
• Re-classification of Hickory Street in accordance to ACT51
• Amended professional services employment agreement for the City Manager
• Emergency purchase for tree services
• Placing rental unit registration and inspection in abeyance

The council approved several actions, including reclassifying Hickory Street to qualify for TIP funding. It also adopted amended council rules, entered a planning services agreement with Wade Trim, and placed rental unit registration inspections in abeyance. An amended employment agreement for the city manager passed 4‑3, while a proposal to appoint an ethics ad‑hoc committee was rejected.

• Ad‑hoc ethics committee appointment denied (1 Aye, 6 Nays)
• Amended city council rules (code of conduct) approved (unanimous)
• Agreement with Wade Trim for as‑needed professional planning services approved (unanimous)
• Re‑classification of Hickory Street approved, securing future TIP funding (unanimous)
• Rental unit registration inspection placed in abeyance approved (unanimous)
• Emergency purchase of tree services approved (unanimous)
• Amended professional services employment agreement for city manager approved (4 Ayes, 3 Nays)
• Hiring of deputy treasurer & administrative assistant approved (unanimous)

City Council

The Montrose City Council will hold a special meeting on June 5, 2025. The agenda includes a single special business item: the council will consider an engagement letter of agreement with Taylor & Morgan. No other decisions or discussions are listed.

• Consider engagement letter of agreement with Taylor & Morgan

The council voted to authorize City Administration to enter into an agreement with Taylor & Morgan at a proposed cost of $6,000 to $8,000. The motion was made by Councilmember Todd Pangle, seconded by Lori Machuk, and received five affirmative votes. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned.

• Approved agreement with Taylor & Morgan ($6,000‑$8,000) (5‑0)

City Council

The council hired Joe Karlichek as interim city manager and terminated Treasurer Nicole Moore’s contract. It approved a $14,333.53 payment to Team Wieland and adopted a new union agreement and personnel policy for FY 2024‑2025. The council re‑appointed two members to the Tax Board of Review, canceled the June 10 meeting, set a budget public hearing for June 24, and ordered a forensic audit.

• Hired Joe Karlichek as interim city manager (all Ayes)
• Terminated contract with Treasurer Nicole Moore (5 Ayes, 2 Nays)
• Approved payment of $14,333.53 to Team Wieland (all Ayes)
• Approved Union Agreement and Personnel Policy Handbook changes for FY 2024‑2025 (all Ayes)
• Re‑appointed Robert Urmetz and Judy Shanks to Tax Board of Review (all Ayes)
• Canceled the June 10 city council meeting (all Ayes)
• Set public hearing for FY 2025/2026 budget on June 24 (all Ayes)
• Directed city manager to arrange a forensic audit (all Ayes)

City Council

The council adopted a preliminary resolution to initiate removal of City Manager Barbara Valentine without cause, with a 5‑2 vote. The council also voted 5‑2 to allow Treasurer Nicole Moore to remain in her position while she answers questions, directing that she continue her duties. The meeting was then adjourned by unanimous consent.

• Adopt preliminary resolution to initiate removal of City Manager Barbara Valentine without cause (5 Ayes, 2 Nays) – Motion carried
• Allow Treasurer Nicole Moore to continue in her role while she answers questions (5 Ayes, 2 Nays) – Motion carried
• Adjourn meeting (all Ayes) – Motion carried

City Council

The council entered a closed session to review a privileged legal opinion, then returned to open session. It accepted the Spicer proposal to fix safety issues at the Depot and created a committee to study water‑meter options. The council approved the contract for the new city treasurer and directed the manager to negotiate a one‑time PTO payout with the union.

• Moved Revitalize presentation to agenda item 5 – Motion carried (All Ayes)
• Entered closed session to consider attorney‑client privileged opinion – Motion carried (All Ayes)
• Accepted Spicer proposal to address Depot safety issues – Motion carried (All Ayes)
• Established water‑meter study committee with council members and staff – Motion carried (All Ayes)
• Approved contract for new city treasurer via city manager – Motion carried (All Ayes)
• Directed city manager to negotiate one‑time PTO payout with union – Motion carried (All Ayes)
• Directed preparation of amendment to Personnel Policies handbook – Motion carried (All Ayes)
• Decided to take no action on closed‑session items for two weeks – Motion carried (All Ayes)

City Council

The Montrose City Council will meet in a special session to hold a closed‑session discussion of an attorney‑client privileged legal opinion. After the closed session, the council will reconvene in open session and consider any additional actions.

• Closed session to consider an attorney‑client privileged written legal opinion (MCL 15.268)
• Roll call vote required for the closed session
• Return to open session after the closed session
• Consider any further action desired by the council

The council approved a motion to go into closed session to consider an attorney‑client privileged written legal opinion, with six votes in favor and one against. After the closed session, members voted unanimously to return to open session and resume the special meeting. The council also approved directing the city attorney to prepare a supplemental legal opinion for the next meeting, and then adjourned the meeting unanimously.

• Enter closed session to consider privileged legal opinion (6 Ayes, 1 No) – Motion carried
• Return to open session and resume special meeting (7 Ayes) – Motion carried
• Direct city attorney to prepare supplemental legal opinion for next meeting (5 Ayes, 2 Nays) – Motion carried
• Adjourn the meeting (all Ayes) – Motion carried

City Council

The council approved the March 25 minutes and the check register with unanimous votes. It directed the city manager to explore alternative building‑inspection services from neighboring communities. Council members voted to have Foster & Swift draft a procurement ordinance that gives preference to local vendors. The water‑meter project and the Spicer Group LOE were both tabled until the May 13 meeting.

• Approved March 25, 2025 minutes (All Ayes)
• Approved check register and treasurer report (All Ayes)
• Directed City Manager to explore alternative inspection services (All Ayes)
• Directed Foster & Swift to draft a procurement ordinance with local preference (All Ayes)
• Tabled water‑meter issue until next meeting (All Ayes)
• Tabled Spicer Group LOE for the depot until next meeting (All Ayes)
• Returned DDA structural engineering plan to DDA without recommendation (1 Nay – Heslop; motion carried)
• Set aside discussion on bidding ordinance until next meeting (All Ayes)

City Council

The council voted to close Genesee Street from M‑57 to the car wash on Saturdays for two months. It also directed the city manager to apply for a Jennings Foundation grant, begin looking for tree‑service contracts, and add engineering services to the next agenda. Additional actions included tabling the master plan until October, recognizing Municipal Clerks Week, and adopting a Northville‑style GBL ordinance amendment.

• Approved temporary Genesee Street closure for farmer’s market (all Ayes)
• Directed city manager to apply for Jennings Foundation grant (all Ayes)
• Directed city manager to seek tree‑service contract options (all Ayes)
• Tabled Master Plan until October per manager recommendation (all Ayes)
• Added engineering services to next council agenda (all Ayes)
• Recognized Professional Municipal Clerks Week as a discretionary expense (all Ayes)
• Adopted Northville example for GBL ordinance, added policy, sent to Planning (5 Ayes, 1 Abstain)
• Placed water‑meter endpoint discussion on next meeting agenda (all Ayes)

City Council

The City Council will review several operational matters, including a transition to a new website and updates on a MiHope grant. The body will also provide direction on a mosquito abatement bid and a city attorney engagement agreement.

• Discussion of mosquito abatement bid award
• Discussion of City Attorney engagement agreement
• Presentation regarding 106 W State Street MEDC Project
• Discussion of transition to Revize website
• Discussion of GBL ordinance corrections/modifications

The Montrose City Council voted to transition to a new Revize website and to spend up to $1,700 annually on a codification service. It approved a mosquito‑abatement contract with APM and engaged the law firm Foster & Swift. The council also hired Miller Canfield for up to $10,000, changed city office hours, and directed a final warning on a USDA grant.

• Approved transition to Revize website (all Ayes)
• Approved five‑year codification service spending up to $1,700 per year (all Ayes)
• Approved award of mosquito‑abatement contract to APM (all Ayes)
• Approved engagement agreement with law firm Foster & Swift (all Ayes)
• Approved hiring Miller Canfield with a $10,000 cap (5 Ayes, 1 Nay)
• Approved change of City Office hours to 8 am‑6 pm Mon‑Thu starting Apr 7 (all Ayes)
• Approved direction to issue final warning on USDA grant progress (all Ayes)
• Approved hosting Genesee County Small Cities meeting May 7 at 6 pm (5 Ayes, 1 No)

City Council

The City Council will meet to discuss several grant opportunities and administrative updates. The session includes reviews of funding for sidewalks and specific property improvements.

• NEP Grant for 200 E. Maple Street
• CDBG Sidewalk Grant
• MiHOPE Grant
• IT Upgrades
• Adding a second monthly meeting to the 2025 schedule