President Irwin called the regular meeting of the Marcellus Village Council to order at 7:00 p.m. on September 23, 2025, in the Marcellus Village Hall. Trustees present: Markle, Engstrom, Webb, Irwin, Haley M., Haley G. and Watts.
Agenda
Motion by Irwin, supported by Engstrom, to approve the agenda as revised:
• Under Clerk’s Report – Add Item C. Update Downtown Beautification Project
• Under DPW – Add Item E. Sidewalks
Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Bills
Motion by Haley G., supported by Engstrom, to authorize the payment of bills in the amount of $188,112.63. Roll call vote – Ayes: Engstrom, Webb, Irwin, Haley M., Haley G. Nays: Watts and Markle. 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.
President’s Report
September 18, 2025, Village Manager/Clerk Memorandum to Village Council re: Accomplishments 2016 – 2025
President Irwin shared a September 18, 2025, Memorandum from the Village Manager/Clerk to the Village Council and gave a summary of the memorandum, acknowledging and celebrating the Village of Marcellus’ accomplishments (2016 – 2025) during the presidencies of Ronald Welburn and Dennis Irwin. He highlighted the following key achievements and ongoing work:
• Infrastructure Improvements: He spoke about the success of the high-water project (Lake Marcellus North), which alleviated long-standing flooding issues, and the unprecedented investment in the water system, noting that 100% of the lead service lines were replaced as part of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) project, saving the Village future dollars.
• President Irwin emphasized the considerable number of grants secured and future savings achieved, which allows the Village to tackle large-scale projects.
• He highlighted the successful renegotiation of leases which has led to improvements at these Village-owned buildings, which promotes local business growth and provides a steady stream of revenue to the Village.
• Finally, he drew attention to the current inspiring community partnership efforts at the Ray Gyllstrom Memorial/Lions Club Park, noting the strong collaboration between the Village’s high school students and residents.
President Irwin moved, supported by Webb, to place the memorandum on the Village’s website, to share in with the community by sending the memorandum with the next utility bill mailing and to share with The Marcellus News. Roll call vote – Ayes: Haley G., Irwin, Haley M., Webb, and Engstrom. Nays: Watts. Motion carried. Trustee Markle abstained.
Clerk’s Report
MSHDA CHILL and MI Neighborhood Programs Updates
Team Member Seth Carlson provided an update on the progress of the CHILL and MI Neighborhood programs. The MI Neighborhood Program, which is state-funded, is nearing completion. Carlson reported that all applicants have received their Proceed to Work notices for construction. The next steps will involve completing the necessary mortgage notes and and to share with The Marcellus News. Roll call vote – Ayes: Haley G., Irwin, Haley M., Webb, and Engstrom. Nays: Watts. Motion carried. Trustee Markle abstained.
Clerk’s Report
MSHDA CHILL and MI Neighborhood Programs Updates
Team Member Seth Carlson provided an update on the progress of the CHILL and MI Neighborhood programs. The MI Neighborhood Program, which is state-funded, is nearing completion. Carlson reported that all applicants have received their Proceed to Work notices for construction. The next steps will involve completing the necessary mortgage notes and associated documents, followed by the final paperwork to officially close out the home improvement projects. Once this is done, the program will be fully wrapped up.
For the CHILL program, which is federally funded, construction for the first cohort (two groups) is underway. All applicants in the first group have received their Proceed to Work notices. Construction has begun for all homes in this group and as of today, one home has reached the final inspection stage and completed the homeowner approval meeting. This home is currently awaiting MSHDA’s final approval to move forward with the mortgage and note documents.
Mr. Carlson reported that the team has requested an extension from MSHDA, pushing the completion deadline to May 31, 2025. This extension is requested to ensure the second group of applicants receives the same thorough consideration and due diligence as the first group. He also noted there is still room for one more application in the CHILL program and requested Village Council approval to add the following seven properties to the CHILL program:
• 288 East Main Street
• 479 Elm Street
• 387 North Maple Street
• 356 Elm Street
• 156 East North Street
• 104 West Read Street
• 285 North Burney Street
Markle moved, supported by Haley G., to approve the proposed additions to the CHILL program. Roll call vote – Ayes: Engstrom, Watts, Webb, Irwin, Haley M., Haley G. and Markle. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Carlson highlighted the following points before wrapping up his report:
• The Team will present the program extension information to the Council immediately upon receiving MSHDA’s approval.
• The property at 356 Elm Street is still pending approval from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).
• The Team is working to combine efforts with other local and state programs, such as the MI Healthy Climate Corps Energy Retrofit (MI HER) program. He encouraged residents to investigate these home energy efficiency programs, which offer rebates, noting there’s potential to coordinate this work to maximize benefits for homeowners.
SAFEbuilt Inspection Report on 332 East Woodland Street
Manager/Clerk Terrill shared the September 16, 2025, SAFEbuilt, Inc., Inspection Report that was provided by it and sent to the owner of 332 East Woodland Street. The “Final Notice” notifies the owner that failure to contact the office of SAFEbuilt will result in further actions by the Village of Marcellus. These further actions may include a civil infractions ticket with fines and a court appearance. Noted in the notice is the April 2, 2025, conversation with the owner who stated the house would be demolished in August of this year. As of September 15, 2025, no permit has been applied for, and no work has begun to improve the property.
Update – Downtown Beautification Project
Manager/Clerk Terrill provided the following update as shared by Village Attorney Daniel Hatch of Butzel Long for the Downtown Beautification Project.
• Surety Non-Response: The Surety has still not responded to the claim made on the performance bond.
• Default Notices Sent: Both companies involved have been reminded of the Village’s official notices regarding project deficiencies, including the MDOT non-compliance notice (April 16, 2025) and the Higgins & Associates Forensic Engineer’s professional assessment and notice of default and proposed cure (July 15, 2025) issued by Mr. Hatch.
• Next Steps: The Village may schedule a special meeting to determine the next steps for the project.
Irwin moved, supported by Webb, to make the Village’s position clear that it is prepared to move forward with necessary actions and to notify the Village Attorney Daniel Hatch. Roll call vote – Ayes: Webb, Haley M., Engstrom, Irwin, Watts, Markle and Haley G. Nays: None. Motion carried.
EGLE Consumer Notice for Community Water Supply for Supplies WITHOUT Lead Service Lines
Village Water Operator Quentin Clark informed the Council about the September 23, 2025, notice from EGLE regarding an Action Level (AL) Exceedance for Copper discovered during routine Lead and Copper Monitoring. He reported that two sampled addresses showed levels exceeding the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for copper. The two affected homeowners have been individually notified by Mr. Clark and DPW Superintendent Michael Clark regarding the results, potential health impacts, and mitigation steps. The Village is collaborating with EGLE and the DHHS to fulfill additional sampling requirements and develop an educational notification for the entire community. Updates and the full notification will be provided to the Village Council and all community water users.
EGLE Training Event – Limited Treatment Short Course October 7 – 9, 2025, in Mount Pleasant, MI
Motion by Irwin, supported by Markle, to approve the attendance and associated expenses for DPW Superintendent Michael Clark at the EGLE Limited Treatment (D3) Course, to be held in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, from October 7 – 9, 2025, and including expenses as listed below:
• Registration: $275.00,
• Lodging: Estimated $357.25 for three nights (October 6 – 8, 2025) and
• Other Expenses: Mileage and meals, all to be reimbursed as outlined in the Village’s Personnel Policy Manual.
Roll call vote–Ayes: Haley M., Watts, Engstrom, Markle, Webb, Haley G. & Irwin. Nays: None. Motion carried
Utility Meter Reading Laptop – Toughbook
Motion by Engstrom, supported by Watts, to approve the quote from VC3 for the purchase and set up of a Panasonic Toughbook laptop to replace the DPW’s meter reading laptop in the Village water truck. Roll call vote – Ayes: Webb, Irwin, Engstrom, Haley M., Markle, Watts and Haley G. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Pumphouse Check Valves
Motion by Irwin, supported by Markle, to approve the purchase of two 4-inch check valves, and one filler flange from Peerless Midwest of Mishawaka, Indiana, at a cost not to exceed $4,750.00 for purchase and shipping. The valves will replace the old valves that are currently leaking, allowing water to flow back to the detention tank and are unrepairable. Roll call vote – Ayes: Haley M., Webb, Markle, Watts, Haley G., Engstrom and Irwin. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Personnel Committee
Utility Clerk 6-month Review
Trustee Engstrom reported that Utility Clerk Debbie Garcia received a favorable 6-month review and moved to approve a pay increase of $0.75 per hour for all hours worked, effective September 10, 2025 and further moved to approve the Village Clerk’s appointment of Debbie Garcia to the Deputy Clerk position, effective September 24, 2025, thereby changing her status from a 30-hour per week part-time employee to a 40-hour per week full-time employee. The new full-time schedule will consist of 30 hours per week dedicated to Utility Clerk duties and 10 hours per week dedicated to Deputy Clerk duties. This change also includes an additional $1.00 per hour raise on all 40 hours, also effective September 24, 2025. Roll call vote – Ayes: Haley G., Watts, Markle, Haley M., Webb, Irwin and Engstrom. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Adjournment
Motion by Haley M., supported by Markle, to adjourn at 8:11 p.m. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion passed.
Jacqueline A. Terrill
Village Manager/Clerk
Dennis Irwin
Village President
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