OFFICIAL MINUTES
Village Council
VILLAGE OF MENDON
206 W Main St, Mendon, MI 49072
February 17th, 2026
The Mendon Village Council met on Tuesday, February 17th, 2026, in the Municipal Center. President Olson called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. Answering roll call: Saunders, Leo, Batten, Watson, and Coburn. Police Chief Kline was present at the meeting.
6:00 pm – Pledge of Allegiance
6:02 – Call to Public
Mr. Alvaro from 118 Mill St. addressed the council. He is wondering how to get his water service to get connected to the water system in Mendon. Denis advised that curb stops and taps are installed but will need lines installed, and then Dan Woods needs to come in to install the meter and MXU.
Denis advised residents to bring up concerns about speeding, and that is happening in the morning. Chief Kline mentioned he will start monitoring the area to help deter speeders.
6:11pm—Motion by Coburn and support by Watson to approve the agenda.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (6) Nay (0) Absent (0)
6:13pm—Motion by Watson and support by Saunders to support the January 19th regular and joint meeting minutes.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (6) Nay (0) Absent (0)
6:15 pm – Staff Report
Clerk—No significant updates.
Treasurer—Treasure was unable to make the meeting. Olson advised he would be back in a couple of weeks, and everything looked steady.
Manager—Olson advised we have proposed next year’s budget. Olson advised Nichole to take the administrative assistant position, and she will start 2/23/26. Olson advised he received three audit proposals and recommends Gabridge based on price.
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Planning Commission—Unable to have a quorum at least at the meeting. They found no issue with the 465 W Main St. site proposal and recommend the village council propose to pass it.
DPW—Denis advised that the DPW has been working hard to keep the streets clear of snow. He advised that DPW started some road patchwork on 2/17/26.
Police department—Chief Kline advised Carol from Mendon Thrives will be speaking with Eric Kline on 2/18/26. Kline advised he has been working with Denis from DPW to help with the electric pole arm on the speed monitor; he advised that if not the battery, then it could be the solar compressor. He advised changing its rotation to a sunnier location.
Committee reports — N/a
Finance Committee —Olson advised that they went over the 2026/2027 budget and will be looking to replace Moerland.
Fireboard – Watson handed out the chief report. Currently they are looking into giving a raise to voluntary firefighters.
Utilities — No report.
DDA Baum advised that they completed the master plan and are looking to finalize it for the council review.
SJAC—No report.
6:25 – Village Manager Interview – Timothy Hill
Hill introduced himself and went into his personal and professional background. He mentioned he had 5 years with the State of Michigan and that he has 8 years in a municipal background. Hill advised that he has worked with the state of Michigan to get a financial grant. Hill also advised on his background with water and sewer projects.
Olson advised that the manager’s job will be to find grants but also dealing with workers and villagers’ issues.
Hill advised he has worked with residents before. Discussion with him and the council continued until Olson thanked Hill for his time and ended the interview.
6:50 – Unfinished Business
A – Water Project Update
Anthony Ladd with Wightman went over his background and history. Ladd advised Phase 1 of the water project is completed, and Phase 2 is nearly completed as well, except for one installation. Phase 3 is the refurbishing of the water tanks and will need to find some welders to complete the work. Ladd advised he will need to know the village cost of the project so he can consolidate.
Ladd advised that winter has made field inspections difficult to draft a sewer project proposal. Ladd is looking to complete a rough draft and to put together a sewer projects plan and review the sewer failure map. Ladd also advised that the capital improvement is still being worked on. Ladd advised what the next steps are. Field inspections, inventory of assets, creating a plan with perceptive manhole inspections, and finalizing risk management.
Olson thanked Ladd for his time.
B – IAC Fire Suppression system
Denis advised that he would be contacting Carrie about further steps he can take with IAC to resolve the issues. Denis advised the IAC leak makes up about 20% of the water usage currently.
6:43 C- Water Meter—Proposed Resolution 2026-01
Olson added some clarification to the Resolution 2026-01
Section 1 provides rates of replacement rates on changes and calibrations and covers the cost of other services. Advised payment expectations and penalties on failure to pay.
Motion by Coburn and supported by Batten to adopt resolution 2026-01.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (6) Nay (0) Absent (0)
- Village Manager Search – Update
The council decided it will need more time to discuss the two candidates. Leo advised being worried about the salary range Hill will ask about. Saunders expressed a similar issue about Hill retention to staying with the village.
Motion by Coburn and supported by Watson to offer Hill the village manager position and Yoder if Hill rejects.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (6) Nay (0) Absent (0)
E – Administrative Assistant – Update
Olson advised the position will be filled at $16 an hour for 12 hours.
F – Planning Commission Appointments
Olson advised he currently needs another member for the planning commission for a quorum. Denis advised he could be a member.
Motion by Coburn and supported by Leo to appoint Denis Bruysten as a member of the planning commission.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (6) Nay (0) Absent (0)
G – DDA Master Plan – Introduction and Hearing schedule – April 20, 2026
DDA has received feedback from the community and has constructed the master plan to help improve the downtown. Olson advised that they will be preparing an ordinance to update the TIFF to help achieve the DDA goals. Olson advised they will need to post to the newspaper by the next publication to give proper notice for the April meeting so they can adopt the master plan.
Motion by Saunders and supported by Watson to approve the schedule of the meeting on April 20th meeting.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (6) Nay (0) Absent (0)
H – Text Notification Service
Coburn advised having a meeting with the company to set up an auto text for the villagers. The initial setup is 50% of the annual cost. The annual fee is based on population size and will cost roughly $1500-$2500 annually. Coburn advised they will be able to send out about 25,000-50,000 texts annually. Coburn advised they can talk about it further with the company.
Motion by Coburn and supported by Batten to have Coburn further look into it.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (6) Nay (0) Absent (0)
7:45 PM – New Business
- Audit Engagement – FY27
Olson started supporting Gabridge for the 2026 audit year. The rate is lower than the others by over $2500. Advised Sigfried was the second most expensive, and Yeo & Yeo was the most expensive.
Olson advised talking with Kate about her audit concerns with Gabridge and them pushing audit requirements back to deadlines. Kate advised Sigfried would be a good choice.
Coburn asked if Gabridge would begin the audit in August and September. Olson advised will be at Gabridge advisory.
Motion by Leo and supported by Saunders to accept Gabridge’s proposal.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (6) Nay (0) Absent (0)
- – Budget – FY27 (Hearing: March 16, 2026) & C – Budget Amendments – FY26
Olson advised on the details of the spreadsheet. He also advised that we
Motion by Coburn, supported by Saunders, to support the repairs of the lift station up to $11,000.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (6) 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 couldn’t 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. Olson went over a few accounts. Olson advised there looks to be a dip in revenue projected for the 2026/2027 budget year. The major and local accounts may show a slight surplus, and water and sewer may be in deficit due to major projects coming up but the village has the funds to cover it.
Motion by Coburns and support by Batton to schedule the March 26,2026 budget hearings.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (6) Nay (0) Absent (0)
D – Quote for video redaction software/Provision
Kline was hoping to hear from Tech Smith and Camtasia about redaction software. Kline went over specs and needs the software will need to have. He advised Tech Smith will be about $3500 a year and a five-year contract, and no response from camtasia.
Motion by Saunders and supported by Leo to Table
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (6) Nay (0) Absent (0)
E – 465 W Main St Site Plan Approval
Olson advised that the planning commission saw no issues with the build prints and should approved.
Motion by Coburn and supported by Saunders to approve the 465 W Main St Site Plan.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (7) Nay (0) Absent (0)
F – Police Station Insulation Project Quote
Olson advised he will need to get more quotes.
Motion by Coburn and supported by Saunders to Table
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (6) Nay (0) Absent (0)
8:22 – Other Business
A – Consideration of Bills and Transfers: (Bills: $131,491.24)
Motion by Saunders and supported by Coburn to pay the bills IAO $131,491.24
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (6) Nay (0) Absent (0)
8:24 – Motion to Adjourn
Motion by Watson and supported by Batten to Adjourn
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (6) Nay (0) Absent (0)
Announcements:
- DDA Meeting February 23rd, 2026
