Chesaning council OKs police union MOU; pension funding hits 78%

The Chesaning Village Council approved a memorandum of understanding with the police union effective July 6, 2026, following a closed session at its July 7 meeting, according to minutes submitted by Village Clerk Tina Powell.

The council voted to leave open session and enter closed session at 7:50 p.m. on a motion by Chludil, supported by Navarre. The roll call vote was 7 yes and 0 no, the minutes state. The council returned to open session at 7:59 p.m. on a second Chludil-Navarre motion.

Once back in public session, Wenzel moved to accept the police union memorandum of understanding, supported by Navarre. The minutes record that the motion carried, but do not list individual votes or a numerical margin. The minutes do not describe the terms of the memorandum.

In the administrator's report, added to the agenda as item 12a by President Hoover, the council was told that village pensions are now 78% funded, up from 30%. The minutes do not state the time period over which that change occurred.

The council also appointed Brandon Thompson to the Zoning Board of Appeals on a motion by Navarre, supported by Larner. That motion carried, according to the minutes.

During public comment, Ryan Baker of 721 Gasper St., a member of the Chesaning and Saginaw County Historical Society, spoke about a renewal millage for the Castle Museum. He told the council the millage funds museums in Chesaning, St. Charles, Bridgeport, Frankenmuth and the Castle, and that without the renewal most of them would not have funding to remain open, the minutes state.

The consent agenda, approved on a motion by Bueche supported by Larner, included accounts payable of $148,323.65 and a Shiawassee River Cleanup flier received and filed. The council separately approved requests for a bounce house event at Showboat Park, a South Chapman Street closure for a farmers market beginning Oct. 17, and use of Showboat Park for a CAPA production of "King Lear" on Aug. 11, 12 and 13. Those items were reported earlier by The Shiawassee Current.

What happens next

The Finance and Administration Committee reported it met and discussed a purchase agreement for the Heritage House; the minutes do not indicate when that agreement returns to the council. The Planning Commission did not meet because it lacked a quorum. The fire board's next meeting was set for July 8 at 6 p.m., and landing zone training was scheduled for July 12 and 13, according to the fire board report. President Hoover adjourned the meeting at 8 p.m.