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Regular Meeting August 25, 2026
Village of Marcellus Regular Meeting and Zoning Board of Appeals Proceedings
Mrs. Terril’s original draft of the Marcellus Village Council's regular meeting held on August 25, 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 8, 2026, and again on September 22, 2026.
However, due to an objection to said proposed minutes by Trustee Larry Joe Watts to the content of the Bills, Paragraph concerning whether he being listed as voting aye and nay, and demanding preparation of corrected minutes, the original proposed minutes were not approved and the following minutes were submitted for approval at the Council's September 22, 2026. A second objection was raised by Trustee George Markle during the September 22, 2026, Village Council meeting due to public comments not being included in the minutes and the minutes were rescheduled to the October 13, 2026, regular meeting.
President Irwin called the regular meeting of the Marcellus Village Council to order at 7:00 p.m. on August 25, 2026, in the Marcellus Village Hall. Trustees present: Markle, Engstrom, Haley
M., Haley G. and Watts. Trustee Webb was absent. (Excused by President Irwin for reasons of health as of June 15, 2026).
Agenda Motion by Irwin, supported by Engstrom, to approve the agenda with the following additions: - Under DDA
e Add Item B. Joint DDA/Village Council and Planning Commission Meeting October 8, 2026
Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried. Minutes
Motion by Engstrom, supported by Haley M., to approve as presented and place on file the minutes of the August 11, 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 $76,523.89. Roll Call Vote — Ayes: Engstrom, Haley G., Watts, Irwin, Haley M. and Markle. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Haley M., supported by Haley G., to receive and place on file all items on the Consent Agenda. Ayes: All. Nays: Watts. Motion carried.
LASA/Village Wastewater Lagoons
Village Manager/Clerk Terrill reminded Village Council members of the discussions from the August 11, 2026, meeting regarding President Irwin's discovery on August 2, 2026, that the Village's wastewater lagoon gates were unsecured and an unapproved hose and portable pump had been discharging material from the Lakes Area Sewer Authority (LASA) sludge storage tank directly into the Village’s north lagoon. She noted that this was the same sludge storage tank that the Village Council had previously approved for land application on the Village’s farm
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Regular Meeting August 25, 2026
Village of Marcellus Regular Meeting and Zoning Board of Appeals Proceedings
ground, necessary because LASA's high PFOS/PFOA test results required a lower application tate per acre, meaning they needed additional acreage on which to apply the sludge.
(For full background and prior discussions concerning the LASA sludge transfer, containment concerns, and preliminary EGLE/MRWA feedback, reference the official Village Council meeting minutes of August 11, 2026.)
After reminding Village Council members of the situation and reporting on the discussions she has had with EGLE and the MRWA, Manager/Clerk Terrill again asked for official action in the form of a Council motion requiring prior Village Council notification and approval before any such actions. She stressed that unapproved disposals threaten the health and safety of the Village’s lagoons and unfairly shift financial liabilities onto local ratepayers. Specifically, she pointed out that based on commercial septage hauling rates of 15 cents per gallon for 55,000 gallons per transfer, these two unapproved transfers represent approximately $16,500 in disposal costs that LASA avoided and effectively transferred to the Village, which means Village ratepayers ultimately will pay to clean, manage and haul this material away. She also repeated the recommendation to install security cameras at the lagoon facilities to properly monitor site access and protect the Village's infrastructure.
President Irwin then called on LASA representatives in attendance at the meeting, Harry Laskey, Alan Smaka and Jered LeClercg. LASA representatives referenced the 2010 interlocal agreement, suggesting it needed to be revisited due to provisions requiring periodic expense reviews and potential rate adjustments from the original $3.38 per 1000 gallons baseline.
Manager/Clerk Terrill noted for the record that the 2010 agreement called for an operating cost review within the first year, with annual adjustments based on flows and operating costs. She pointed out that the Village never utilized LASA’s services until 2019 and that prior flows sent to LASA occurred at LASA’s request during winter months when they needed additional flow due to empty lake properties. She agreed that the Village did need to review the agreement, noting that there should also be equivalent charges to LASA when they require Village flow in the winter.
Trustee Markle asked Mr. LeClercg what the reason was behind the sludge transfer and Mr. LeClercq stated that LASA has had continuing issues with the sludge holding facility.
Addressing site security, LASA representatives stated that they utilize security cameras (which are disabled when employees are present) to deter unauthorized septage haulers from illegal dumping. LASA operator Jered LeClercq stated his belief that the 55,000 gallons of LASA material was insignificant to the capacity of the Village's lagoons and maintained that he routinely locks the property gates.
Trustee Watts expressed the view that the situation was being made into a bigger deal than it was. Following further discussion regarding oversight and operational transparency, the following action was taken:
Motion by Irwin, supported by Markle, to demand prior informed decision-making and formal approval by the Village Council before any future actions, applications or movements of LASA materials or waste to the Village are permitted or executed by Village personnel. Roll call vote — Ayes: Haley M., Irwin, Engstrom, Markle, Watts and Haley G. Nays: None. Motion carried.
At President Irwin's request, Trustee Markle will research solar operated security cameras and bring the information back to the Village Council.
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Regular Meeting August 25, 2026
Village of Marcellus Regular Meeting and Zoning Board of Appeals Proceedings
Clerk's Report
CHILL, MI Neighborhood and MIN 2.0 Updates
MSHDA CHILL, MI Neighborhood and MIN 2.0 team member Chris Nofsinger provided the following update on the Village's three housing rehabilitation programs, noting that the MI Neighborhood program has been closed out and fully paid:
¢ The MIN 2.0 (CDBG) program, homeowner meetings are set for August 31, 2026, to review quotes, select contractors and execute required project contracts and mortgages.
¢ While minor contractor estimating delays occurred, the Team remains on schedule and anticipates the Village will be able to submit its first Financial Status Report and eligible administrative reimbursements once initial material deposits are disbursed
¢ Additional homeowner inquiries continue to be processed and prioritized to establish an active pipeline for upcoming and winter construction.
Cummins Planned Maintenance Agreements — West Lift Station, East Lift Station and Pumphouse
Village Manager/Clerk Terrill presented the annual Planned Maintenance Agreements with Cummins Sales and Service for the West Lift Station, East Lift Station and Pumphouse generators and the added Load Bank Testing that was requested by Trustee Markle.
Motion by Markle, supported by Engstrom, to approve the Cummins Planned Maintenance agreements with the load bank testing at $1,476.87 for the West Lift Station and $3,470.77 for the East Lift Station and Pumphouse generators (total $4,938.64). Roll call vote — Ayes: Watts, Engstrom, Markle, Haley G, Irwin and Haley M. Nays: None. Motion carried.
DPW
July 2026 DPW Report
Motion by Markle, supported by Haley M., to receive and place on file the July 2026 DPW Report. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion Carried.
Quote — Peerless Midwest for Lift Station Hydraulic Kit and Pumphouse Aeration Tank Pressure
Sensor
Motion by Irwin, supported by Engstrom, to approve the purchase and repair of the hydraulic kit for the Village's west sanitary wastewater lift station at a cost of $4,015.00, and the replacement of the pressure sensor that controls pump activation and monitors low water levels in the aeration tank detention system at the water pumphouse at a cost of $578.00. Roll call vote — Ayes: Markle, Haley M., Irwin, Haley G. and Engstrom. Nays: None. Motion carried.
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Regular Meeting August 25, 2026
Village of Marcellus Regular Meeting and Zoning Board of Appeals Proceedings
DDA
August 20, 2026, DDA Meeting Packet
Motion by Irwin, supported by Haley M., to receive and place on file the August 20, 2026, DDA Meeting packet. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Joint DDA/Village Council and Planning Commission Meeting, October 8, 2026
Motion by Irwin, supported by Haley M., to schedule a special/joint meeting with the Village’s DDA and Planning Commission on October 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Hudson Memorial Building in Marcellus. Roll call vote — Ayes: Haley G., Markle, Watts, Engstrom, Haley M. and Irwin. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Planning Commission
Planning Commission Chair James R. Thomas, Jr., reminded Village Council members of the Planning Commission’s Public Hearing for consideration of repealing and replacing Section 19.10.A.1 of the Village's Zoning Ordinance, which is scheduled for August 26, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
Planning Commission Recommendation to Repeal Section 19.13 of the Zoning Ordinance and
Consideration of Proposed Ordinance No. 264, Backyard Chicken and Keeping of Animals
Motion by Markle, supported by Irwin, to reschedule the discussion on the Planning Commission recommendation from its August 12, 2026, public hearing to Repeal Section 19.13 of the Zoning Ordinance and consideration of Ordinance No. 264, Backyard Chicken and Keeping of Animals Ordinance to the September 8, 2026, Village Council meeting. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried
Public Comment
Trustee Markle addressed the Village Council regarding the downtown sidewalks, the upcoming election, the open seat on the Village Council and need for a write-in-candidate, his ad hoc meeting being held at Patch & Remington and his desire to review Village Council bylaws and rules of procedure.
James R. Thomas Jr. commented on the space being left by Marcellus Metalcasters in the Village’s rental building.
Trustee Watts thanked Marcellus Metalcasters for their time in the Village. Trustee Markle thanked the Blue Gill Frolic Committee for their work this year.
Adjournment
Motion by Markle, supported by Haley M., to adjourn at 8:15 p.m. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Megtion passed. % .
Dennis Irwin illage Manager/Clerk Village President
Text extracted from the official record; formatting may differ.