Durand council puts parks millage, charter change on Nov. 3 ballot

The Durand City Council voted July 20 to place two questions before voters on the Nov. 3, 2026 general election ballot: a charter amendment raising the city manager's spending threshold and a parks and recreation millage proposal, according to the minutes of the regular meeting.

Council member Andy Zick moved and Nick Florindi supported the resolution for the charter amendment, which would increase the city manager's spending authority from $3,000 to $5,000. The minutes record yeas from Amber Rochefort, Zick, Brian Boggs, Deb Doyle, Florindi, Rich Folaron and John Matejewski. The nays line on that item reads "Nays" without any member named, and the minutes state the motion carried.

Boggs moved and Matejewski seconded the resolution for the Parks and Recreation Millage Proposal as presented. All seven members — Zick, Boggs, Doyle, Florindi, Folaron, Matejewski and Rochefort — voted yes, with no nays recorded. The minutes do not state the millage rate or duration.

The council also approved a $10,400 proposal from Yeager Asphalt on a motion by Doyle, supported by Rochefort, with all seven members voting yes. Members separately voted 7-0 to award the bid on an obsolete utility trailer to the highest bidder, and 7-0 to pay bills numbered 59957 through 60151.

Land agreements and equipment

On motions by Boggs, supported by Rochefort, the council voted 7-0 on each of two addenda: Addendum No. 1 to the Creek Point Lot Purchase agreement and Addendum No. 1 to the Reed Road Purchase agreement. Both motions authorize the city clerk and mayor pro tem to execute the documents and authorize the city attorney to approve further amendments needed to comply with state and federal rules for the grant programs under which the developments are proceeding. The Reed Road item was added to the agenda at the start of the meeting as item D1.

The council also voted 7-0 to approve Option 1 from CNH Capital/Ina Store to extend the city's backhoe lease, contingent on service records, and gave the city manager discretion to elect Option 3 if deemed reasonable. Other unanimous or carried actions included a Social District resolution presented by MBMJ and MML's Mike DeLorge, candidates for election to the MML Workers Compensation Board, and approval of the Compliant Resolution, Conflict of Interest, Fraud Prevention and Fair Housing policies.

Public comment

Three residents spoke. Deb White of 512 N. Saginaw St. offered a prayer. Dan Cobley of 405 W. Main St. said people are speeding on West Main Street and asked for more police action. Connie Cobley of the same address raised council absenteeism, said members who run for council should show up, and asked that the matter be addressed at the September meeting. Matejewski thanked White for the prayer.

In council comments, Doyle said National Night Out is set for Aug. 4, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m. Zick said the annual Chicken BBQ fundraiser for the Clock Tower is July 25, 2026, at the Eagles, and that the local Lion's Club approved funding for pencils and temporary tattoos for National Night Out. Boggs said he spoke with Derrick Huff, president of Durand Area Schools, about the potential sale of the ball field at Trumble Park, and said the deed he pulled carries a restriction that the area be used for botanical gardens; he asked the city manager to contact the superintendent for further discussion. Folaron said he would pay for officers' meals at the Chicken BBQ and said microphones are needed in council chambers.

What happens next

The charter amendment and the parks and recreation millage proposal go to Durand voters at the Nov. 3, 2026 general election. Boggs asked the city manager to follow up with the school superintendent on the Trumble Park ball field, and Connie Cobley asked that council attendance be taken up at the September meeting. Mayor Pro-tem Folaron adjourned the meeting at 7:26 p.m.