President Irwin called the rescheduled (from January 27, 2026) regular meeting of the Marcellus Village Council to order at 7:00 p.m. on February 2, 2026, in the Marcellus Village Hall. Trustees present: Markle, Webb, Irwin, Haley M. and Haley G. Trustees Engstrom and Watts were absent.
Agenda
Motion by Irwin, supported by Haley M., to approve the agenda as presented. All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Minutes
Motion by Webb, supported by Haley M., to approve as presented and place on file the January 13, 2026, regular meeting. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Bills
Motion by Haley G., supported by Haley M., to authorize the payment of bills in the amount of $41,463.87. Roll call vote – Ayes: Haley G., Irwin, Webb, Markle and Haley M. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Dan Hatch – Downtown Beautification Project Update
Closed Session per MCL 15.268(h) To consider Material Exempt from Discussion or Disclosure by State and Federal Stature, specifically, a Legal Memorandum
President Irwin requested a closed session for discussion of a memorandum of law provided by the Village Attorney, Daniel Hatch, for the Downtown Beautification Project. Motion by Irwin, supported by Haley M., to move into closed session at 7:07 p.m. for that purpose and/or to consider material exempt from discussion or disclosure by state or federal law, per MCL 15.268(h). Roll call vote: Ayes: Webb, Markle, Haley M., Irwin and Haley G. Nays: None. Motion carried.
The Village Council moved back into open session at 7:58 p.m.
Legal Action on Downtown Beautification Project
Motion by Irwin, supported by Haley G., to move forward with legal action by filing suit (a civil action) against Wightman & Associates, Inc., Balkema Excavating, Inc. and Western Surety Company regarding the design and workmanship issues on the Village of Marcellus Main Street Beautification Project. As previously considered and approved, this action is supported by:
• The Village’s request for corrections (emailed to Wightman & Balkema on April 16, 2025), which included MDOT’s April 10 and April 11, 2025, email correspondence detailing required corrective actions and findings.
• The Notice of Default (July 15, 2025, sent to Wightman and Balkema, and copied to Western Surety Company), which set forth defective and incomplete work that needed to be cured within 30 days.
• The Evaluation of Construction Compliance document provided by Higgins & Associates, which resulted from a site visit and outlined the deficient, defective and/or non-compliant design and/or construction existing on the East Main Street property (between Burney Street and Centre Street).
Roll call vote – Ayes: Irwin, Markle, Webb, Haley G. and Haley M. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Webb., supported by Haley M., to receive and place on file all items on the Consent Agenda. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Clerk’s Report
MSHDA MIN 2.0 – Items for Council Approval
Motion by Haley M., supported by Markle, to approve and run the advertisement in The Marcellus News for a MSHDA CDBG Mi Neighborhood 2.0 Program Third Party Administrator and to approve the following MSHDA-required program administration documents and their submission to MSHDA:
1. MI Neighborhood Program Guidelines (Revised 1‑20‑2026)
2. Citizen Participation & Fair Housing Plan (Attachment A)
3. Ethics Ordinance / Conflict of Interest Policy (Attachment B)
4. Accounts Payable & Internal Controls Policy (Attachment C)
5. Local Complaint Resolution Process (Attachment D)
6. Applicant Intake & Selection Process Narrative (Attachment E)
7. Contractor Procurement & Selection Procedures (Attachment F)
Roll call vote – Ayes: Markle, Webb, Haley G., Irwin and Haley M. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Planning Commission
Planning Commission Public Hearing on New/Proposed Master Plan January 14, 2026
Planning Commission Chair James R. Thomas, Jr., reported that the Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider the new/proposed Master Plan on January 14, 2026, and is recommending the updated 2026 Master Plan be approved by the Village Council.
Resolution 2026-02 – A Resolution to Adopt the Village of Marcellus (New/Proposed) Master Plan
Motion by Webb, supported by Markle, to adopt Resolution 2026-02, a Resolution Adopting the Village of Marcellus (New/Proposed) Master Plan, updated February 2, 2026. Roll call vote – Ayes: Haley G., Webb, Irwin, Haley M. and Markle. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Public Comment
President Irwin requested that the following clarification be included in the official minutes: A recent notice published in The Marcellus News announces a “Village of Marcellus Meeting” offering free coffee and tea with Trustees Joe Watts and George Markle, hosted by Patch & Remington, on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 7:00p.m. President Irwin stated that this gathering is not an official meeting of the Village of Marcellus Council.
Adjournment
Motion by Haley M., supported by Markle, to adjourn at 8:16 p.m. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion passed.
Jacqueline A. Terrill
Village Manager/Clerk
Dennis Irwin
Village President
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