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Regular Meeting March 24, 2026
Village of Marcellus Council Proceedings
President Irwin called the regular meeting of the Marcellus Village Council to order at 7:00 p.m. on March 24, 2026, in the Marcellus Village Hall. Trustees present: Markle, Engstrom, Webb, Haley M., Haley G. and Watts.
Agenda Motion by Irwin, supported by Webb, to approve the agenda with the following additions:
e Closed session per MCL 15.268(d) with Village Attorneys Daniel Hatch, of Butzel Long and Luke Nofsinger.
e Under Clerk’s Report — Add Item J. Insurance — Updated Property Schedule.
Motion by Irwin, supported by Webb, to go into closed session to consult with our attorneys regarding trial or settlement strategy in connection with specific pending litigation—Village of Marcellus v. Wightman and Associates, Inc, et al (Cass County Circuit Court File No. 26-097- CK) and engage in privileged and confidential discussions that would have a detrimental financial effect on the litigating or trial strategy of the Village of Marcellus based on MCL 15.268(e) at 7:07 p.m. Roll call vote — Ayes: Engstrom, Haley G., Irwin, Watts, Markle, Haley M. and Webb. Nays: None. Motion carried.
The Village Council moved back into open session at 7:54 p.m. There was no action taken after the Closed Session. Minutes
Motion by Webb, supported by Engstrom, to approve as presented and place on file the minutes of the March 10, 2026, regular 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 $8,664.30. Roll call vote — Ayes: Haley M., Webb, Engstrom, Haley G. and Irwin. Nays: Watts and Markle. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Webb, supported by Markle, to receive and place on file all items on the Consent Agenda and to accept Trustee Watt's resignation from his appointment as Village Representative on the MASEA Board, with thanks for his service. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
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Regular Meeting March 24, 2026
Village of Marcellus Council Proceedings
President's Report
Daniel Hatch — Downtown Beautification Project Update
Village Attorney for the Downtown Beautification Project Daniel Hatch gave the following project updated/outline regarding the Downtown Beautification Project:
e There have been no changes to the lawsuit that was filed with the Cass County Circuit Court.
e The MEDC has a required certification date of May 31, 2026, and he will work with the MEDC to determine whether the Village will need to file for an extension. e The public can pull the public files from the court and may attend any hearings.
Clerk's Report MSHDA CHILL and MI Neighborhood Updates
MSHDA CHILL and MI Neighborhood team member Seth Carlson reported that Cohort 2 for the CDBG CHILL program is near completion, with final walkthroughs and inspections in progress. Cohort 3 is in the contract selection and MSHDA approval stage, with contract agreements transitioning into the construction phase following the execution of agreements on March 25, 2026. He noted that due to storm-related delays, an extension request has been filed and is pending MSHDA approval.
The MI Neighborhood/HCDF state-funded program is finalizing construction on active properties this week, with the closeout process moving toward final inspections, contractor payments and record documentation.
MSHDA MI Neighborhood 2.0 Update
Seth Carlson, representing Third-Party Administrator Hawthorne Rural Solutions LLC, reported that MSHDA has cleared the Village to move forward with and pay the administrative costs associated with the Tier 1 environmental review. Once this work is complete and the Village has complied with the 15-day public comment period, it can request reimbursement for the costs associated with the Tier 1 review and site specific work can begin soon after.
Proposals for Transportation (Roadway) Asset Management Plan (by Prien & Newhof and
Michael Schwartz from Prien & Newhof talked with the Village Council regarding Transportation Asset Management Plans (TAMP) and Prien & Newhoff’s proposal for engineering services to assist the Village with creation of TAMP.
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Regular Meeting March 24, 2026
Village of Marcellus Council Proceedings
Motion by Irwin, supported by Webb, to retain Prien & Newhof per its proposal for engineering services to assist the Village with creation of TAMP at a cost not to exceed $7,150.00 for the following scope of services:
* Import of SWMPC data and conversion into GIS accessible data.
e Merging of the MPSC GIS data with the Village’s current GIS infrastructure data.
e Review of current PASER condition ratings and mix-of-fixes the Village currently uses for
Roadways.
e Edit and complete the State of Michigan TAMP template.
e Meet with the Village to review the draft TAMP.
e Make required edits and provide the Village with a final TAMP to meet PA 325 requirements.
Roll Call vote — Ayes: Webb, Irwin, Engstrom, Haley M. and Haley G. Nays: Watts and Markle. Motion carried.
Tailgater — Council/DDA Plans and Quotes for Public Property Appraisal
Village Manager/Clerk Terrill reported that the work required for the Cass County Blight Elimination Grant for the Tailgater property is nearly complete. A punch list walkthrough with the Third-Party Administrator was conducted earlier today, March 24, 2026.
Mrs. Terrill also presented three quotes from Certified General Appraisers for a Commercial
Appraisal Report for the Tailgater property. Invin moved, supported by Webb, to approve the quote of $2,200.00 from Reed & Associates for a full appraisal report. Roll Call Vote — Ayes: Markle, Engstrom, Haley G., Webb, Watts, Haley M. and Irwin. Nays: None. Motion carried.
MSHDA All-Grantee Meeting April 15, 2026, Bath, MI
Manager/Clerk Terrill reported that she will attend the MSHDAAll-Grantee meeting on April 15, 2026, in Bath, Michigan. The cost to attend is $92.00 will be reimbursed by MSHDA as part of the MIN 2.0 Program.
Crossing Guard — Mary Sammon
Mary Sammon will be returning to her crossing guard position in the Fall of 2026 instead of April 6, 2026.
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Regular Meeting March 24, 2026
Village of Marcellus Council Proceedings
Village Manager/Clerk Sick Pay Balance to 457(b)
Motion by Haley G., supported by Markle, to approve transferring sick time balances over 45 days into the 457(b) plan for the Village Manager/Clerk, as provided for in the Village's Personnel Policy Manual. Roll Call Vote — Ayes: Engstrom, Haley M., Irwin, Markle, Webb, Watts and Haley G. Nays: None. Motion carried.
DPW
Caporossi Construction L.L.’
.- Quote for Street Sweeping
Motion by Irwin, supported by Markle, to approve the quote provided by Caporossi Construction for a five-year contract to sweep the Village streets two times per year at a cost of $2,700.00 per year. Roll Call Vote — Ayes: Irwin, Engstrom, Webb, Haley G., Haley M., Markle and Watts. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Personnel Committee
Trustee Engstrom reported that Utility/Deputy Clerk Deborah Garcia received a favorable 1-year employee evaluation, thanked her for doing an excellent job and moved, supported by Webb, to approve a 75-cent per hour raise retroactive to her March 10, 2026, employment anniversary date. Roll Call Vote — Ayes: Haley M., Webb, Watts, Inwin, Markle, Engstrom and Haley G. Nays: None. Motion carried.
DPW Employee Damion Fritz's 90-Day Evaluation
Damion Fritz received a favorable 90-day evaluation on March 18, 2026, and has completed his probationary period. He is now eligible for additional benefits, including uniform and boot allowances, as outlined in the Village’s Personnel Policy Manual.
Adjournment
Motion by Markle, supported by Haley M., to adjourn at 9:15 p.m. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion passed.
Aria ger om His
Deborah Garcia Dennis Irwin Village Deputy Clerk Village President
Text extracted from the official record; formatting may differ.