Ms. Garcia’s original draft of the Marcellus Village Council’s regular meeting held on September 8, 2026, was timely prepared within the time allowed under Michigan’s Open Meeting Act eight (8) business day requirement and revised shortly thereafter. The latter was duly submitted to the Marcellus Village Council for approval on September 22, 2026.
However, due to an objection to said proposed minutes by Trustee George Markle concerning public comments not being included in the minutes, and demanding preparation of minutes that include public comments, the original proposed minutes were not approved, and the following minutes were submitted for approval at the Council’s October 13, 2026.
President Irwin called the regular meeting of the Marcellus Village Council to order at 7:00 p.m. on September 9, 2026, in the Marcellus Village Hall. Trustees present: Markle, Engstrom, Haley M., Haley G. and Watts. Trustee Webb was absent (President Irwin excused Webb for reason of health June 15, 2026, and forward).
Agenda
Motion by Irwin, supported by Haley M., to approve the amended agenda by correcting the spelling of MAESA. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Minutes
Motion by Irwin, supported by Markle, to reschedule the review of the August 25, 2026, meeting minutes to the September 22, 2026, Village Council meeting. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Bills
Motion by Haley G., supported by Engstrom, to authorize the payment of bills in the amount of $23,588.19. Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Watts, Haley M., Haley G., Irwin, Engstrom and Markle. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Haley M., supported by Watts, to receive and place on file all items on the Consent Agenda. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
President’s Report
Steensma – Replace Radiator on Hall Generator
Motion by Irwin, supported by Engstrom, to cover the cost of the rebuilding/repair of the Village Hall radiator by Steensma, at a cost not to exceed $2,300 with the recommendation to budget for a replacement radiator. Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Engstrom, Irwin, Watts, Haley G., Haley M. and Markle. Motion carried.
Clerk’s Report
Fall Clean Up – October 17, 2026
Motion by Markle, supported by Haley, M., to approve the 2026 Fall Bulk Clean Up event to take place at 53550 Hemlock Lake Road on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The event will be advertised in The Marcellus News for the next four weeks, as recommended by the Village Council. Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Haley G., Markle, Irwin, Engstrom, Haley M. and Watts. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Training Opportunity – Governing Essentials
Deputy Clerk Deborah Garcia shared with the Marcellus Village Council the information to register for the Michigan State University Extension Governing Essentials Program taking place on Saturday, December 12, 2026, from 9:00am–12:30pm at the Cass County Commissioners’ Chambers at a cost of $20.00 per person to be paid by the Village. Registration will be open until 11:59 p.m. on December 9, 2026.
DPW
August 2026 DPW Report
Motion by Irwin, supported by Engstrom, to receive and place on file the August 2026 DPW Report. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion Carried.
Peerless Midwest 2026 Annual Well and Pump Inspections
DPW Superintendent, Michael Clark, reported the inspection results concluded the pumps are performing exceptionally well. In addition to the inspection, annual maintenance was performed on both wells. The last overhaul was done in 2021, and it is recommended that the next overhaul take place in Well #3 in 2027 and in Well #4 in 2028. Motion by Irwin, supported by Markle to receive and place on file the Peerless Midwest 2026 Annual Well and Pump Inspection reports. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Quote – Weingartz for Ventrac Tractor
Motion by Markle, supported by Engstrom, to approve the purchase of a Ventrac Tractor with the snow sweeper attachment at a cost of $49,944.00 from Weingartz, of Cedar Springs, Michigan. The 72” finish mower attachment will be purchased in 2027. The Village Council asked that prior to purchasing the tractor, it will be confirmed that this is the 4520N Tractor model and the 12V Actuator is included in the cost. Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Haley M., Engstrom, Haley G., Irwin, Markle and Watts. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Quote – McGill Leaf Vac Hose
Motion by Irwin, supported by Haley M., to approve the purchase of a 16” x 10’ Flx-Thane HD Leaf Vacuum Hose from McGill Hose & Coupling, Inc., of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, at a cost not to exceed $800.00. Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Engstrom, Watts, Haley G., Markle, Haley M. and Irwin. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Cory Garman and Damion Fritz Training
Motion by Markle, supported by Haley M., to approve the Two-Day Math Training via Zoom on October 26-27, 2026, at a cost of $800.00 and the S3/S4 Review via Zoom on October 28-29, 2026, at a cost of $800.00 for DPW’s Cory Garman and Damion Fritz. Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Haley G., Irwin, Markle, Engstrom, Haley M. and Watts. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Planning Commission
Planning Commission Recommendation to Repeal Section 19.13 of the Zoning Ordinance and Ordinance No.264 – Backyard Chicken and Keeping of Animal Ordinance
Motion by Irwin, supported by Haley M., to reschedule the discussion until the next regular Marcellus Village Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, 2026. The Planning Commission and the Village Council reported confusion with the wording from McKenna and Attorney Luke Nofsinger and are requesting further consideration and clarification. Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Watts, Haley G., Haley M., Markle, Engstrom and Irwin. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Planning Commission Recommendation to Repeal and Replace Section 19.10.A.1 of the Zoning Ordinance
Motion by Markle, supported by Engstrom, to reschedule the discussion pending a final decision regarding the recommendation. Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Irwin, Markle, Haley G., Watts, Haley M. and Engstrom. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Personnel Committee
Damion Fritz 6-month Evaluation
Trustee Engstrom reported that DPW employee Damion Fritz received a favorable 6-month employee evaluation, thanked him for doing an excellent job and moved, supported by Watts, to approve a pay increase of $0.75 per hour, effective on his six-month employment anniversary date, September June 18, 2026. Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Haley M., Watts, Irwin, Haley G., Engstrom and Markle. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Cory Garman 1-year Evaluation
Trustee Engstrom reported that DPW Employee Cory Garman received a favorable 1-year employee evaluation, thanked him for doing an excellent job and moved, supported by Watts, to approve a pay increase of $1.00 per hour, effective on his one-year employment anniversary date, September 2, 2026. Roll Call Vote – Ayes: Markle, Haley G., Haley M., Engstrom, Watts and Irwin. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Public Comments
Trustee Markle spoke about the downtown sidewalks and asked the Village Council to walk downtown to view the sidewalks. He also asked if the DPW can access the water valves located on the new sidewalks.
Trustee Markle shared information regarding his ad hoc meeting that is open to the public and will be held at Patch & Remington Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
President Irwin recommended that members of the Village Council to read Robert’s Rules of Order.
Adjournment
Motion by Irwin, supported by Markle, to adjourn at 8:13 p.m. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion passed.
Deborah Garcia
Deputy Clerk
Dennis Irwin
Village President
###
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.