OFFICIAL MINUTES
Village Council
VILLAGE OF MENDON
206 W Main St, Mendon, MI 49072
January 19th, 2026
The Mendon Village Council met on Monday, January 19th, 2026, in the Municipal Center. President Olson called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. Answering roll call: Saunders, Leo, Batten, Watson, Moerland, and Coburn. Police Chief Kline was present at the meeting.
6:00 pm – Pledge of Allegiance
6:01 – Moment of silence in honor of Martin Luther King
6:02 – Call to Public and Ordinance 169
Olson advised that the council is looking to update ordinance 169 by modernizing and updating terminology. The new ordinance would cover disorderly conduct. Including the act of prohibiting littering in public streets, shores, or any body of water. Also, it adds two offenses: number 32 – the calling of any emergency services as a prank or joke and number 33 – making a false report by telephone or to a government official that may cause the evacuation of a building. It also updates section 4 to clarify fine penalties as
1st Offense – $100
2nd Offense – $250 within 24 months of first offense
3rd Offense – $500 within 12 months of second offense
Also, the addition of section 5 – that all ordinances that conflict with this ordinance are voided.
Mr. Mullin addressed the council to say that he had received a letter about his pipes being galvanized and expressed concern about lead pipes and having a newborn in the house. Olson advised the notices don’t indicate any harmful lead, just a possibility. Dennis with the DPW advised we offer free lead testing; he would just need to get a hold of Carrie or Mason for a testing bottle, Once the testing is completed, someone will go over the results with him. Olson advised that in accordance with state statute, the village has till 2038 to replace them and is currently working to replace the remaining 100 or so left.
6:10pm—Motion by Coburn and support by Batten to approve the agenda. With the addition to add the discussion of the salt truck cover and the DDA invoices.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (7) Nay (0) Absent (0)
6:13pm—Motion by Watson and support by Coburn to support the December 1st meeting minutes.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (7) Nay (0) Absent (0)
66:15 pm – Staff Report
Clerk—The clerk advised DDA has approved their December meeting minutes. And currently, January finance committee meeting minutes are waiting for approval by Moerland.
Treasurer— Budget for 2026/2027 should be starting soon. Currently the village is in a good financial spot and budgeting accordingly.
Manager—Currently no permanent manager; temporary manager Olson advised the DPW is doing a great job and keeping up with the snow. Beginning work on sewer plans. For the office assistant role, Olson advised currently having ongoing interviews and will be updated soon. For the manager position, there were nine applications that will need to be reviewed and selected by the Personnel Committee. There is one remaining meter to be installed but on hold till spring when the ground thaws for installation. Olson advised that he would like to remove the calendar, minutes, and newsletter from the bills and is looking for ways to replace them.
Planning Commission – Currently they are down one member to make a quorum and looking for someone to fill in the spot, and Olson advised maybe someone from the council can join. Looking to start with the DDA master plan, zoning restructuring, and lot split issues.
DPW — Denis advised that the DPW is in need of a new vehicle; the current F350 vehicle currently has holes in the frame and cannot be repaired. They are looking to get the vehicle through one more year but will need immediate replacement. Denis advised the current salt truck would like to take it out in spring to get it sandblasted and repainted to maintain its life.
Police department — Chief Kline advised that one of the representatives he was looking to hire is no longer being considered for employment. The second candidate is almost ready to start; they just need the vest before they can be onboarded. Kline advised they are looking for a possible 3rd candidate for nights; the candidate will need approval from their current manager before they can proceed with the process. Chief Kline advised he would like to expand the evidence room. He mentioned he would like to convert current parking bay to an addition to the evidence locker and would try to reach out to Home Depot/Walmart for any grants or donations.
Committee reports — Didn’t meet this last month.
Finance Committee —Moerland advised the Finance Committee to set the schedule for the reviewed request for DPW and talked with Denis about compiling a list of items the DPW will need over the next year for any additional projects. They are in contact with Kate to prepare the 2026/2027 budget. Moerland also advised they are expecting some USDA payments.
Fireboard – Watson advised that the Fire Dept. gave their one-year summary. Watson advised about the callouts last month and how there are spots open currently.
Utilities — No report.
DDA – Cindy Campbell thanks the DPW and was looking to hope the DDA master plan by March 2026.
SJAC—No report.
6:35 – Unfinished Business
A – Project Update – Change Order 4 & Pay Application 3 – ETNA & Change order 4 and Pay application 4 – Balkema
Olson advised that the change orders are the final invoices for ETNA and Balkema. Olson explained the balances of $25,903.11 and $53,904.16 and what that entailed, and that any warranty repair will have to go through ETNA.
Motion by Leo to pay the Pay application 3 and Pat application 4 and supported by Saunders.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (7) Nay (0) Absent (0)
B – IAC Fire Suppression system
Denis advised that the technician is waiting for payment from IAC before he can proceed with the installation. Denis advised they also found a new shutoff at IAC and will need to work with Carie to map it on a weekend when it’s warm enough.
6:43 C- Water Meter—Proposed Resolution 2026-01
The resolution is to clarify the cost of new water meters and how to handle intentionally damaging water meters. If a meter is intentionally damaged by a resident, the resident is responsibility to repair. Attempts to repair should be attempted in-house. If repairs can’t be completed by the village, the resident will be responsible for paying 115% of the contracted rate.
Leo advised that it needed to clearly address normal wear & tear. Olson advised under Ordinance 167 that the issue is already addressed. Coburn advised they need to make notes to clarify. Olson advised they will investigate it and to table this proposal till the February meeting.
- Trees in the right-of-way
No updates
E – Disorderly Conduct Ordinance Amendment
Motion to adopt Ordinance of 167 with adjustments to section 4 by Coburn and supported by Watson.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (7) Nay (0) Absent (0)
F – Village Manager Search
The personnel committee will meet to review the application.
Motion by Leo and supported by Watson to table.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (7) Nay (0) Absent (0)
G – Receivables Clerk/Administrative Assistant.
Interviews will begin next week.
6:58 PM – New Business
A—Text service notification
Coburn advised adding back on text service notification updates on the February agenda. Coburn advised that other villages and townships have a text notification service and was looking into companies that can provide it.
B – Sewer – Lift station repair – Quote
Moerland advised that the financial committee has recommended doing the lift station repair up to 11k. Moerland advised that we have a budget in the GL line items for the repairs.
Motion by Coburn, supported by Saunders, to support the repairs of the lift station up to $11,000
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (7) Nay (0) Absent (0)
7:06 – C – DDA Master Plan
Olson advises that the DDA needs the Planning Commission to meet so they can finalize the plans by scheduling hearings and posting so they can finalize adoption. Notice will be posted by February 11th and at the February council meeting.
7:06 – D – Planning Commission
Olson advised he wasn’t able to find another member for the planning commission. It was also discussed that Leo would be added to the planning commission to allow them to meet on January 28th, 2026.
Motion by Coburns and support by Watson to add trustee Leo to the Planning commission.
Roll Call MOTION CARRIED
Aye (7): Saunders, Leo, Batten, Watson, Moerland, Olson, and Coburn
Nay (0) Absent (0)
E – Salt truck cover
Moerland advised that there is a current quote for a cover for the salt spreader tarp IAO $ 350
Motion by Watson and supported by Batten to approve the Salt cover tarp IAO $350
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (7) Nay (0) Absent (0)
F – DDA invoices
Olson advised that there are 4 unpaid IAOs for $3750. Olson advised invoices 1052,1053, and 1055 the village was unable to provide clerk and treasure duties for the DDA and that Olson advised a deduction IAO $500 since the Council wasn’t able to provide treasury and clerk services.
Motion by Coburn and supported by Watson to approve the reductions of the 3 bills that were billed to the DDA from $3,750 to $3,250
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (7) Nay (0) Absent (0)
7:20 – Other Business
A – Consideration of Bills and Transfers: (Bills: $71,016.84)
Motion by Coburn and supported by Moerland to pay the bills IAO $144,533.94
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (7) Nay (0) Absent (0)
7:21 – Motion to Adjourn
Motion by Coburn and supported by Watson to Adjourn
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (7) Nay (0) Absent (0)
Announcements:
- DDA Meeting January 26,2026, at 5:30pm
- Planning commission January 28th, 2026, at 5:00pm
