OFFICIAL MINUTES
Village Council Meeting
VILLAGE OF MENDON
206 W Main St, Mendon, MI 49072
March 16th, 2026
The Mendon Village Council met on Monday, March 16th, 2026, in the Municipal Center. President Olson called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. Answering roll call: Saunders, , Batten, Watson, and Coburn. Absent Leo
6:00 PM—Meeting called to order, Pledge of Allegiance, and roll call
6:01PM – Call to Public
Luke Mori addressed the council. He went over the background and advised he is running for state representative.
6:07 PM – Approval of agenda
Olson asked to add agenda F—Reed River electrical update.
Motion by Coburn and supported by Saunders to approve the agenda
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (5) Nay (0) Absent (1)
6:10 PM—Staff reports.
Clerk—No Updates
Treasure—Treasure Arellanno was affected by recent severe weather and unable to make it.
Manager Tim Hill addressed the council over his first two weeks and the grant he is working on.
DPW – Dennis advised that the DPW is going around and collecting up leaves and branches due to severe storms. Sunday had a recent water line break in the village. Dennis advised that the water samples will be in on 3/17/26 and, if clear, will lift the boil water advisory.
Police – Kline advised they are in the testing phase of new police software, and so far tests seem to be positive. He advised the new part-timer has completed the paperwork and will be starting on 3/20/26. Kline went over the events of the day the tornado touched down at Three Rivers. .
Committee Report—No Updates
Finance Committee—Olson advised they did a thorough look through the budget and submitted it for council review.
Fireboard—Watson handed out the Fireboard report and asked any questions to be addressed to the fire chief.
Planning Commission—Olson advised he couldn’t make the last meeting.
DDA—Cindy Campbell advised that the DDA approved the 2026/2027 budget. DDA has a new master plan that was adopted that would be reviewed by the council. The DDA will be appointing new chairs in March. Cindy went over future beautification projects.
6:25 – Unfinished Business:
- Water Project Update
Stage 2 has two meters left to install in spring, and then the USDA review. Then the water project stage 2 is completed.
- IAC fire suppression system
Backflow and a permanent meter are installed. The electrician will be in next week to complete work.
- Water/Sewer Rate Study Update
Tim Hill and Olson had meetings with the rate study company, and significant progress has been made. Next month the council will introduce a new ordinance with the adaptation in the fall. Olson hopes the average person’s bill will stay the same. The bill in the current draft will have a ready-to-serve charge rather than a fixed rate per thousand gallons.
- Text Notification Service
Coburn advised it will be delayed till next fiscal year.
- Budget – FY27 (Hearing: March 19, 2026)
Olson advised the hearing is on 3/19/26 @ 5:00pm to address the public about the upcoming budget. Olson advised the general that next year we will see an increase in vehicle repair expenses due to needing a new vehicle for the DPW. Sewer expenses will be increasing due to the start of the sewer project. And an increase due to repairs to major and local roads.
- Budget Amendments – FY26
Olson proposed the following amendments that need to be passed.
General Funds have 12,500 more than expected due to audit expenses. Olson proposed we see a decrease of $29,500 next year. The major and local streets budget will need to be flipped due to some recording errors. Along with some more GLs in the local, major, water, and sewer accounts.
Motion by Watson and supported by Coburn to adopt the budget amendments for the 2025/2026 Fiscal Year.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (5) Nay (0) Absent (1)
6:52 – New Business:
- Clerk Term – Appointment
Motion by Saunders and supported by Coburn to appoint Andrew Lane as Clerk.
Roll call MOTION CARRIED
Aye (5) Nay (0) Absent (1)
- Treasurer Term – Appointment
Olson advised to table it till next month till he can talk with Arellano about if she would like to continue her role as treasure.
Motion by Coburn and supported by Watson to table the appointment of a treasurer.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (5) Nay (0) Absent (1)
- Bank Signatories – Resolution 2026-02
The resolution is to have Tim Hill sign checks and to add him to bank authorization.
Roll call MOTION CARRIED
Aye (5) Nay (0) Absent (1)
- Spending Requests
-
- Service Truck Repair
Dennis advised that Isaiah is adjusting the bill to remove labor from the repair invoices. It was advised that tires would be around $1,360 and the repairs would be around $1,300, bringing the cost to around $2,660.
Motion by Coburn and supported by Watson to approve the repairs for up to $2,900
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (5) Nay (0) Absent (1)
- Village Hall Door Repair
Olson advised the village hall employee door needs repairs. Olson received a quote for $905 for repairs and parts.
Motion by Saunders and supported by Batten to approve the repairs.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (5) Nay (0) Absent (1)
- Utility/Payables Clerk—Full-time position
Olson asked the council to appoint Andrew Lane to be a full-time employee. Olson advised funds will be adjusted next year to reflect the changes. With possible benefits adjustments.
Motion by Coburn and supported by Watson to approve appointing Andrew Lane as a full-time employee.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (5) Nay (0) Absent (1)
- Reed river Electrical update
Olson handed out pictures and maps of what the proposed project would look like and possible areas for the installation of a full-time electrical rig.
Olson advised the current estimated cost would be around $8,500. It was advised that the cost would be split between the council, DDA, and Riverfest equally. Olson advised next year’s budget includes the park project in the budget line. Campbell advised that there is a T-Mobile grant that can cover the cost of the project. Campbell advised on the requirements of the grant. Campbell, with the DDA advice, supports the splits.
Motion by Saunders and supported by Batten to approve up to $3,000 for the Reed River electrical pending Riverfest and DDA approval.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (5) Nay (0) Absent (1)
7:26 – Consideration of Bills and Transfers: (Bills: $47,018.22)
Motion by Coburn and support by Saunders to approve the bills IAO $47,018.22
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (5) Nay (0) Absent (1)
7:27 Meeting adjourns.
Announcements:
- DDA Meeting March 23, 2026, at 5:30pm
- Joint council/ DDA Meeting March 23, 2026 at 5:00pm
