OFFICIAL MINUTES
Village Council Meeting
VILLAGE OF MENDON
206 W Main St, Mendon, MI 49072
April 20th, 2026
6:06 p.m. – Meeting Called to Order
Pledge of Allegiance and roll call.
6:06 p.m. – Call to the Public
Reginna announced that she is running as a representative for the Republican Party. She also discussed the St. Joseph County Lincoln Day Memorial Fund.
6:10 p.m. – Approval of Agenda
Motion by Coburn, supported by Watson, to approve the agenda.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (6) Nay (0) Absent (0)
Staff Reports
Clerk
No updates.
Treasurer
Treasurer Arellano was unable to attend the meeting.
Manager
Tim Hill advised that he submitted a grant for the Reed River electrical permit.
DPW
No updates.
Police
Kline advised that there is currently a woman in Mendon whom the Chief advised residents to be cautious around due to signs of unpredictable behavior. Kline stated that the notice has been posted online and on Facebook.
Personnel Committee
Coburn advised that the Personnel Committee met and is reviewing the employee handbook. An updated version will be presented once completed.
Finance Committee
Olson advised that the Finance Committee did not officially meet in April. He stated that the General Fund appears healthy. Local funds currently have 100% cost coverage but will need replenishment. The vehicle replacement fund will be significantly reduced with the purchase of the new DPW vehicle. Sewer balances remain healthy, while the water fund will require attention and currently owes money to the General Fund.
Olson further advised that the Village has a substantial amount of idle funds and proposed transferring a portion into certificates of deposit (CDs) for passive growth.
Motion by Saunders, supported by Leo, to invest up to $1 million into CDs.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (6) Nay (0) Absent (0)
Fire Board
Watson advised that the grant to build the new fire station has been approved.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission met and will be presenting information under New Business regarding the New Street Declaration for the Wilds property.
DDA
Cindy Campbell was unable to attend the meeting; however, meeting minutes were provided.
6:30 p.m. – Public Hearing
Unfinished Business
- DDA TIF & DDA Streetscape Master Plan – Ordinance 170
Olson advised that the DDA Master Plan has been completed and now requires adoption by the Council. He also presented Ordinance 170, which would increase the TIF for the DDA.
Olson opened the public hearing, and no public comments were made regarding the TIF increase.
Motion by Leo and supported by Coburn to adapt Ordinance 170.
ROLL CALL MOTION CARRIED
Aye (6) Nay (0) Absent (0)
New Business
- 6:37 p.m. – New Street Declaration – Wilds Property (Resolution 2026-04)
Olson advised that the Wilds property is partially located within the Township and partially within the Village and had previously been incorrectly zoned entirely as Township property.
The Wilds family is seeking to split the property; however, the split is not currently in compliance with Village ordinances and will require the construction of two unnamed streets for road access.
Olson advised that the two new streets would be constructed once the land is transferred to the Village for right-of-way access. He proposed adoption of Resolution 2026-04 to authorize the road construction once all conditions are met.
Motion by Saunders to table naming of the streets but approve Resolution 2026-04, supported by Leo.
ROLL CALL MOTION CARRIED
Aye (6) Nay (0) Absent (0)
6:44 p.m. – Unfinished Business
- Water Project Update
Stage 2 has two meters remaining to be installed in the spring, followed by USDA review. Upon completion of the review, Stage 2 of the water project will be complete.
No additional updates were provided.
Water meters are approaching the expiration of the ETNA warranty timeframe.
- Water/Sewer Rate Study Update
Olson advised that the rate study is nearing completion. The current plan is to implement the new rates in the fall. The proposed structure includes a flat “ready-to-serve” charge along with a usage charge per 1,000 gallons.
Olson stated that final rates should be available by the next meeting. He also advised that the ready-to-serve charge will be tied to REU values.
Denis advised that two properties currently do not have water meters and that the apartment complex will require a meter installation.
Olson proposed Ordinance 171 and Resolution 2026-05. Ordinance 171 would allow the Council to adjust water rates through resolutions rather than ordinances. Resolution 2026-05 would retire the debt currently included on water bills and incorporate it into sewer rates.
Motion by Watson, supported by Batten, to adopt Ordinance 171 and Resolution 2026-05.
ROLL CALL MOTION CARRIED
Aye (6) Nay (0) Absent (0)
- Treasurer Term Appointment
Tabled. No updates.
- Spending Requests
- Sewer Repair
Olson advised that a disruption occurred at the Family Affair Restaurant related to a sewer connection issue. A pipe buried underground had originally been mistaken for the sewer line but was not connected to the sewer system. This required the plumber to return and reconnect the business to the correct sewer line.
Olson requested reimbursement to Family Affair Restaurant for the corrective work in the amount of $3,500, along with reimbursement of three years of sewer charges totaling $271.98.
Motion by Saunders, supported by Leo, to approve the reimbursements to Family Affair Restaurant.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (6) Nay (0) Absent (0)
- 7:15 p.m. – Lawn Mower
The DPW lawn mower engine has failed, and the estimated repair cost is $3,500.
Denis advised that the mower is approximately 20 years old and requires frequent repairs. He also presented a quote for a replacement mower totaling approximately $17,000.
Motion by Saunders, supported by Leo, to approve the purchase of a new mower for up to $17,000.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (6) Nay (0) Absent (0)
- Water Leak – 190 J&L Lane – Update
A water leak at 190 J&L Lane caused flooding issues. The property did not have a quick shutoff or curb stop.
The homeowner’s insurance company is currently working with MML to resolve the matter. No further updates were available.
Consideration of Bills and Transfers
Bills: $57,568.76
Transfers: $62,300.00
Motion by Coburn, supported by Watson, to approve the bills and transfers.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (6) Nay (0) Absent (0)
Clerk Lane advised that the bank contacted the Village regarding renewal of the CDs.
Motion by Coburn, supported by Saunders, to renew the CDs.
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (6) Nay (0) Absent (0)
7:42 p.m. – Meeting Adjourned
MOTION CARRIED
Aye (6) Nay (0) Absent (0)
Announcements
- Joint Council/DDA Meeting – April 27, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
