On the agenda: Hillsdale Minutes — Flock camera (Aug 17)

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
City of Hillsdale
August 17, 2026
7:00 P.M.

Regular Meeting

Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Scott Sessions opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call
Mayor Sessions called the meeting to order. Clerk Price took roll call.

Council Members present: Scott Sessions, Mayor
R Greg Stuchell, Ward 1
Jacob Bruns, Ward 1
Ma:thew Bentley, Ward 2
Gary Wolfram, Ward 3
Bob Flynn, Ward 3
Robert Socha, Ward 4
Joshua Paladino, Ward 4

Council Members absent: William Morsisey, Ward 2

Also Present: David Mackie (City Manager), Katy Price (City Clerk), Tom Thompson (City
Attorney), Jason Blake (DPS Director), Kimberly Thomas (City Assessor), Nicole Leroux (Code
Enforcement), Doug Bildner (BPU), Clark Judge, Peany Swan, Mark Nichols, Larry Walworth,
Charles Kelley, Michael Wenisch, Doug Ingles, Brace Sharp.

Approval of Agenda
Motion by Councilman Socha, supported by Councilman Flynn to approve the agenda as presented.

All ayes. Motion carried.

Public Comment
Charles Keliey, Howell St.

Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Bills

1. City and BPU Claims of July 30, 2026: $1,271,829.00
2. Payroll of july 30, 2026: $222,019.99

B. City Council Minutes of August 3, 2026

Cc Finance Minutes of August 3, 2026

D. Hillsdale College Homecoming Steet Closure

Motion by Councilman Socha, support by Councilman Flynn, to approve the consent agenda as
presented.

Roll Call:
Counciiman Bruns Aye
Councilman Flynn Aye
Councilman Paladino Aye
Councilman Socha Aye
Councilman Stuchell Aye
Councilman Wolfram Aye
Mayor Sessions Aye
Councilman Bentley Aye

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August 17, 2026 City Council Minutes

Motion passed 8-0

Cormunication/Petitions
A. Library Annual Report
B. Summer Block Party
C. Fluoride Report
D. Hillsdale County Commissioner Verbal Update- Doug Ingles

Rebekah Dobski, Library Director gave the Library Annual Report.

Doug Ingles, County Commissioner gave his report to council.

Introduction and Adoption of Ordinances/Public Hearings
A. Public Hearing — Public Nuisance 64 Spring St.

Kim Thomas, City Assessor reported Resolution #3683 was adopted by Council at their regular
meeting on July 20, 2026 declaring the property commonly known as 64 Spring Street to be a public
hazard and nuisance and ordering the property cleaned up and the unsafe structure removed by the
owner within 14 days.

The Code Enforcement Department received notice that a structure fire occurring March 25, 2026
had rendered the residence addressed as 64 Spring Street unsafe for occupancy. The property owner
was notified that the structure was dangerous and ordered to demolish it by April 29, 2026. There
-was no insurance on the propexty and the property owner has indicated that he did not have the
financial means to demolish the unsafe structute. A civil infraction was issued on June 23, 2026.

Council discussion ensved on the garage and the condition of it. Council questioned if it should be
demolished as well.

Mayor opened podium at 7:30pm
Brace Sharp, ward three (3) commented on the garage stated it was a solid building and should stay.
No other comment, Mayor closed podium at 7:31 p.m.

Motion by Council Member Flynn, seconded by Council Member Bentley to remove the house only
at 64 Spring St to bring into compliance and leave the garage on property. Resolution #3686.

Roll Call:
Councilman Fyne, Aye
Councilman Paladino Aye
Councilman Socha Aye
Councilman Stuchell Aye
Councilman Woliram. Aye
Mayor Sessions Aye
Councilman Bentley Aye
Councilman Bruns Aye

Motion passed 8-0

B. Public Hearing — Public Nuisance 54 Westwood St.

Kim Thomas, City Assessor reported Resolution #3684 was adopted by Council at their regular
meeting on August 3, 2026 declaring the property commonly known as 54 Westwood St to be a
public hazard and nuisance and ordering the property cleaned up and the hazards abated by the
owner within 14 days.

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August 17, 2026 City Council Minutes

The Code Enforcement Department has observed and received multiple complaints for garbage,
construction without permits, and illegal parking on and around the property addressed as 54
Westwood Street “located on the southeast comer of the intersection with Rippon Avenue). The
property owner has been issued multiple notices and multiple civil infractions have been issued by
our department and City Police. The most recent civil infraction issued by our department was heard
in district court and a judgment was issued May 5, 2026 finding the property owner guilty of 4
separate infractions, levying fines, and ordering the property to be brought into compliance within
14 days. The only violation that has been corrected since that judgment was issued was for
construction of a porch without a zoning compliaace permit.

Council discussed the current condition of property.
Mayor opened podium at 7:38pm

Brace Sharp, ward three (3), commented on the property and asked council do approve the
demolition.

Karl Grzesiak, 52 Westwood St, commented on property and is in favor of demolition.
No other comment, Mayor closed podium at 7:42 p.m.

Motion by Council Member Socha, seconded by Council Member Flynn to clean up and bring
property located at 54 Westwood St, into compliznce. Resolution #3687.

Roll Call:
Councilman Paladino Aye
Councilman Socha Aye
Councilman Stuchell Aye
Councilman Wolfram Aye
Mayor Sessions Aye
Councilman Bentley Aye
Councilman Bruns Aye
Councilman Flyan Aye

Motion passed 8-0
Old Business

New Business
A. Power Plant Engine #5 Repairs

David Mackie, Electric Director reported Engine #5 at the Power Plant is in need of a complete
overhaul, including the repair and/or replacement of multiple cylinder heads. An estimate was
included from Larry Wheeler from Wheeler World Inc. Wheeler World’s estimate is a worst-case
scenario and it’s hoped that the final cost will come in at less than the full $800,000. Engine #5
provides the City with 3.3-4 MWs of capacity, which the City is required to have and emergency
power. Based on the cost of capacity, an $800,00C investment in Engine #5 would pay for itself in
four (4) years. Currently, the Electric Department has $4,215,231 in cash available for capital
projects.

Lengthy Council discussion ensued engine #5 and its condition.

Motion by Council Member Flynn, seconded by Council Member Stuchell to approve the repair of
Engine #5 not to exceed amount of $800,000 with the work being paid for out of the Electric
Department’s reserves.

Roll Cail:

Councilman Sochz Aye
Councilman Stuchell Aye

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August 17, 2026 City Council Minutes

Councilman Wolfram Aye
Mayor Sessions Aye
Councilman Bentley Aye
Councilman Bruns Aye
Councilman Flynn Aye
Councilman Paladino Aye

Motion passed 8-0

B. Noseworthy AT Inspection Program

Noteworthy is an AI tool that analyzes pictures taken by vehicle mounted cameras to inventory and
analyze a community’s electric distribution pole system. The American Municipal Power (AMP)
agency has partnered with Noteworthy to make their AI program available to AMP members at a
reduced cost. Through Noteworthy, Hillsdale could work more proactively towards system reliability
by inventorying and analyzing the condition of our electric distribution poles/assets.

Motion by Council Member Stuchell, seconded by Council Member Flynn to authorize the Master
Services Agreement with AMP to deploy the Noteworthy program for an amount not to exceed
$30,000 from the Electric Department’s 2026/27 budget. Resolution #3688.

Roll Cali:
Councilman Stuchell Aye
Councilman Socha Aye
Councilman Wolfram Aye
Mayox Sessions Aye
Councilman Bruns Aye
Councilman Bentley Aye
Councilman Flynn Aye
Councilman Paladino Aye

Motion passed 8-0

C. Renew Microsoft Assurance Licensing

Motion by Council Member Socha seconded by Council Member Flynn to approve the renewal of
Microsoft licensing at a cost of $9,724.00 from Sonit Systems.

Roll Call:
Councilman Socha Aye
Councilman Wolfram Aye
Mayor Sessions Aye
Councilman Bruns Aye
Councilman Bentley Aye
Councilman Flynn Aye
Councilman Paladino Aye
Councilman Stuchell Aye

Motion passed 8-0

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August 17, 2026 City Council Minutes

Miscellaneous Reports
A. Proclamations — None

B. Appointment- None

C. Other -None
General Public Comment
Michael Wenisch- 1500 $ Lake Pleasant Rd. Osseo, MI, Larry Walworth- Ward 3, Robert Eichler-
Scipio Twp.

City Manager Report
City Manager Mackie gave his report.

Council Corament
Councilman Flynn thanked the fire department for the work recently.

Council discussion on Flock cameras.

Mayor Sessions thanked everyone for attending and watching at home.

Adjournment
Motion by Councilman Flynn, seconded by Councilman Socha to adjourn the meeting.

All ayes. Motion carried.

The meeting Adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

View meeting online: Cisy Council Meeting August 17th, 2026 (YouTube Channel)

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