General Summary #

The Davison Township Board met on April 14, 2025, at the Municipal Center to conduct regular township business. The meeting began with the approval of previous meeting minutes and an amended agenda. The Treasurer presented significant receipts for the period, and the Board approved a substantial amount in expenditures.

Departmental reports provided updates on several fronts: the Police Department reported on a recent serious accident and the use of technology to solve a felony; the Clerk highlighted the upcoming May election; the Building Official noted construction values and delays in demolition due to asbestos; and the Parks Department reported on program participation and upcoming seasonal openings.

The meeting also addressed new business, including budget workshops, the approval of maintenance contracts for the cemetery and parks, and the adoption of a stormwater maintenance resolution. The Board also deliberated on two FOIA requests and entered a closed session to discuss strategy for upcoming collective bargaining negotiations.

Key Points #

  • Law Enforcement Success: The Police Chief reported that Flock cameras were instrumental in identifying and apprehends a suspect involved in a home invasion.
  • Building/Demolition Delays: Demolition of two homes along M-15 is currently delayed because asbestos was discovered in one of the basements.
  • Public Concern: A resident raised a concern regarding reported sexual harassment of children on a school bus and requested an investigation.
  • Collective Bargaining: The Board entered a closed session specifically to discuss strategy and negotiation for collective bargaining agreements.

Who #

  • Jim Slezak: Supervisor
  • Michael T. Leffler: Clerk
  • Travis Howell: Treasurer
  • Matthew D. Karr: Trustee
  • Lori Tallman: Trustee
  • Jay Rendon: Chief of Police
  • Matt Place: Building Official
  • Casey Reed: Parks & Rec. Director
  • Bill Delzer: Attorney
  • Duane McComb: Resident/Public Commenter
  • Diamond Excavating LLC: Contractor for Pine Grove Cemetery driveway
  • D&M: Contractor for Parks mowing

What #

  • Agenda Amendment: Moved item f to h and added items f and g for FOIA responses (Motion by Slezak, Second by Karr).
  • Senior Center Budget: Approved the 2025-2026 budget (Motion by Karr, Second by Leffler).
  • Cemetery Maintenance: Approved a proposal from Diamond Excavating LLC for the Pine Grove Cemetery driveway (Motion by Tallman, Second by Leffler).
  • Parks Maintenance: Approved 2025 mowing bids from D&M (Motion by Leffler, Second by Karr).
  • Stormwater Agreement: Approved Resolution 2025-3 for a Stormwater Maintenance Agreement (Motion by Karr, Second by Howell).
  • FOIA Atkins-Lawson: Decided to uphold the denial of the request until the request is paid in full (Motion by S0lezak, Second by Leffler).
  • FOIA McComb: Decided to provide heavily redacted information in response to the request (Motion by Slezak, Second by Howell; Vote: Tallman-Yes, Howell-Yes, Karr-Yes, Slezak-Yes, Leffler-No).

When #

  • May 6, 2025: Upcoming election.
  • May 8, 2025, 11:30 a.m.: Scheduled Budget Workshop.
  • May 24, 2025: Scheduled opening of Lake Callis.

Where #

  • Davison Township Municipal Center: 1280 N. Irish Road, Davison, MI 48423.

Financial Details #

  • Treasurer's Report Receipts: Total receipts of $729,154.10 (General Fund: $95,779.41; Water and Sewer: $633,374.69).
  • Board Expenditures: Approved total expenditures of $6,069,121.34 (Roll Call: Howell–yes; Karr–yes; Leffler–yes; Tallman–yes; Slezak—yes).
  • Building Permits (March): 52 permits issued with a total construction value of $736,026.00 and revenue of $14,715.00.
  • Cemetery Driveway Cost: $4,730.00 for Diamond Excavating LLC.

Votes/Decisions #

  • Previous Minutes: Approved March 10, March 21 (Special), and March 21 (Closed) minutes unanimously (Motion by Karr, Second by Howell).
  • Treasurer's Report: Approved unanimously (Motion by Karr, Second by Leffler).
  • Senior Center Budget: Approved unanimously (Motion by Karr, Second by Leffler; Roll Call: Karr, Leffler, Tallman, Howell, Slezak—all yes).
  • Pine Grove Cemetery Driveway: Approved unanimously (Motion by Tallman, Second by Leffler; Roll Call: Slezak, Leffler, Tallman, Howell, Karr—all yes).
  • Parks Mowing: Approved unanimously (Motion by Leffler, Second by Karr; Roll Call: Leffler, Tallman, Howell, Karr, Slezak—all yes).
  • Resolution 2025-3: Approved unanimously (Motion by Karr, Second by Howell; Roll Call: Tallman, Howell, Karr, Slezak, Leffler—all yes).
  • Closed Session: Approved unanimously to enter closed session for collective bargaining strategy (Motion by Slezak, Second by Leffler).

Action Items #

  • Budget Workshop: Board to meet on May 8, 2025, at 11:30 a.m.
  • FOIA Atkins-Lawson: Release documents only once payment is received in full.