OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER 8123 Main Street ⬧ Dexter, Michigan 48130-1092 ⬧ (734) 426-8303 ⬧ Fax (734) 426-5614

Memorandum

To: Mayor Keough and City Council

From: Justin Breyer, Interim City Manager and City Clerk

Re: Goal Setting Work Session

Date: January 13, 2021

On December 31st, staff distributed a draft agenda to City Council for the Saturday, January 9, 2021

Goal Setting Work Session, and requested the feedback of Council for any suggestions or topics that

they would like to see appear on the agenda. Council Members Michels and Hubbard requested

topic additions, including an item under 2(d) titled “Good Government Initiative,” which was added.

In addition, Council Member Griffin and Student Representative Gilbert (on behalf of himself and Ms.

Malek) both provided supplemental documents containing information that they asked to be

included in the agenda packet. These documents have been included as Attachments A and B

respectively.

Since City Council’s January 9th work session packet: Council Member Griffin provided results of a

survey for inclusion in the packet; the road summary document has been updated with City

Council’s approval of the 2nd Street design; and the City Council Rules document has been provided

as item H. For City Council’s reference and review, staff has prepared additional information, listed in

no particular order.

Attachments:

A. Council Member Griffin’s Topics for Discussion and Survey

B. Student Representative Topics for Discussion

C. Comments Received in Response to E-Mail Update About Council Goal Setting

D. FY 2020 – 2021 City Council Goals and Objectives Document

E. FY 2020 – 2021 City Council Goals and Objectives Updates Spreadsheet and Millage Rates

F. FY 20/21 – FY 23/24 Street Fund Summary

G. Draft Lease Agreements with Encore Theatre (Senior Center) and St. Andrews for Meeting

Space

H. City Council Rules

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1 Tuesday, January 5, 2021 To: Mayor Keough and Councilmembers Cousins, Fisher, Hubbard, Knight, and Michels From: Jamie Griffin, Dexter Council Member RE: Some thoughts before this weekend’s goal setting session I recognize that I have jumped aboard a moving train on a generally predetermined route with a conductor, engineers, and passengers. I am working hard to gather information about its history, but I will inevitably have missed both key and minor stops or detours and the rationale for those. Please bear with me

1. General process-related thoughts/questions a. What is the preferred directionality of decision making? What is the current functional role of

Council? What do we want it to be moving forward? i. Does Council rely only/primarily on staff to generate ideas and make recommendations?

Is Council like an advisory board to staff? ii. OR Is Council primarily responsible for generating ideas and making recommendations,

with staff implementing what Council recommends? iii. OR Is there some other model to describe the general relationship between Council and

staff? b. Under what circumstances can/should public statements like “City Council would like to invite”

(recent city-wide email update) or “City Council has charged” (recent media interpretation of student rep’s report about holiday decorations) be made? Only when a vote by City Council has been taken with majority approval for the action in question? Under some other circumstance?

c. How much flexibility is there in the route moving forward? Are certain initiatives non-negotiable because of previous decisions already made (e.g., via the Master Plan or Capital Improvements Plan or other guiding documents like past or current budgets)?

d. In reviewing past budgets, I found the Goals and Objectives Result Chart for FY 2018-2019(Appendix E in FY 2019-2020 Budget to be really helpful). I don’t see a similar appendix in the FY 2020-2021 budget. Is there a reason for that? Could such a chart be generated for FY 2019-2020? I could see using such a chart as a preliminary starting point (e.g., by noting what has/has not been completed).

e. Preference for SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-based) i. How does agenda setting typically work? Is it ever the case that certain items are

scheduled out into the future to be sure that they are discussed by a certain date? That is, could we start to populate future agendas with specific items to be sure that they are discussed, leaving room/time for other topics that might come up in the meantime?

2. Open Discussion of City Council Priorities

a. Citizen engagement i. I feel strongly about helping the City further develop its citizen engagement efforts so

that we can foster a culture of citizen participation. I’m happy to share more details about my expertise in survey research and methodology and relevant experience.

ii. A very brief review (and likely incomplete) of past citizen survey efforts 1. Comprehensive city-wide survey in 2011 2. Parks and Recreation Commission

a. Master Plan update surveys in 2015 and 2020 b. Dexter Dog Park Supporters Survey in 2019 c. First Street Park Project Survey in 2016

3. Arts, Culture, and Heritage Committee a. 2020 Dexter Public Art Sculptures Survey b. 2017 Dexter Daze and Paint Dexter Plein Air Festival

4. Community Garden Survey of Gardeners a. Annually since 2011?

5. Dexter Farmers Market a. Customer Experience Survey in Fall 2019

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2 Excerpt from FY 2020-2021 Budget

Excerpt from Results Chart from FY 2019-2020 Budget

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3 iii. Did anything ever come of the Housing Task Force’s recommendation to hold a public

forum? Is it possible to get this report posted to the HTF’s webpage so that it is easy to find?

Excerpt from Dexter Housing Task Force Draft Report dated December 4, 2019 (link to appearance in DDA meeting packet)

b. Hiring of Media/Marketing/Communications Director i. To manage e-mail updates, City’s social media presence,

livestreaming/recording/publishing of public meetings, etc. ii. City of Ann Arbor example

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Excerpt from Results Chart from FY 2019-2020 Budget

c. Potential New Subcommittees i. Citizen engagement ii. Policy/rules/ordinance drafting

1. Dexter Community Schools example

2. Current and possible future topics

a. Conflict of Interest/Ethics i. At the last Council meeting, it seemed like there were concerns

about the breadth of the current ordinance. That is, whether it should be a policy strictly about financial conflicts of interest and disclosures or whether it should also address ethics, more broadly. Perhaps this is something we revisit after the attorney’s training.

b. Social Media/Website Policy c. Email Policy

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5 d. Use of Limited Resources

i. Can we talk about what maintaining a fund balance of 49% means, given our goal of maintain at a fund balance of 15%? Does that mean we’re sitting on twice as much extra money as our goal states? How much money ($$) does that actually equate to? Why the targeted drop to 15% in FY 2020-2021?

Excerpt from Results Chart from FY 2019-2020 Budget

Excerpt from FY 2020-2021 Budget

e. Public Buildings and Fire Services i. Is it possible to set some time-based deadlines for ourselves for the topic of City Facilities? ii. What is meant by “consolidation of fire services”? Any updates here?

Excerpt from Results Chart from FY 2019-2020 Budget

f. Dexter Senior Center i. What is the history of the City’s involvement, financial or otherwise? Recent letter to the

editor in the Sun Times News and some direct public input asking about this. ii. It looks like the City has contributed $1000 annually at least as far back as 2016.

Excerpt from Results Chart from FY 2019-2020 Budget

Excerpt from FY 2019-2020 Budget GOAL: Recognizing that non-profit and community-based organizations provide valuable services to our residents, the City will help these organizations to the extent allowed by State Law. OBJECTIVE: Support the Dexter Senior Center and the Dexter Area Historical Society by providing an annual contribution of $1,000 and $250, respectively, to go towards services provided to Dexter residents.

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g. Environment i. Questions from citizens while campaigning

1. Chemically treated public parks 2. Quality of drinking water as it relates to fertilizer runoff, etc., but also generally (I

personally receive a monthly water quality report via email from the City of Ann Arbor. It’s called “Quality Water Matters”)

Excerpt from FY 2019-2020 Budget

h. Streets i. Moving up postponed work in Dexter Crossing subdivision

i. Youth Engagement i. Could we revisit the history of this? I’m not sure I have a great understanding of the role

of student representatives. Excerpt from Results Chart from FY 2019-2020 Budget

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Goals and Objectives Survey 2021 administered by Council Member Griffin via Polco

Results for period January 3 - January 11, 2021

Table of Contents

Brief Background ................................................................................................................................................. 2

Summary of Key Comments Organized by Topic Area .......................................................................................... 2 Parks and Non-Motorized Paths ............................................................................................................................... 2 Roads ........................................................................................................................................................................ 2 Sewer ........................................................................................................................................................................ 3 Water ........................................................................................................................................................................ 3 Public Safety ............................................................................................................................................................. 3 Community Development ......................................................................................................................................... 3 Communication ........................................................................................................................................................ 5 Gathering and Use of Public Input ............................................................................................................................ 5 Trust and Confidence in Government ....................................................................................................................... 5 General/Other .......................................................................................................................................................... 6

Individual Responses ........................................................................................................................................... 7 What goals, objectives, or funding priorities would you like the City of Dexter to accomplish by the end of December 2021? ....................................................................................................................................................... 7 Not including what you have already mentioned, what goals, objectives, or funding priorities would you like the City of Dexter to accomplish in the next four years (by the end of December 2024)? ............................................ 15 Do you have any other specific requests of the Dexter City Council? If so, please describe them below. .............. 17 In 2020, how many City of Dexter public meetings did you attend, either in person or virtually? City of Dexter public meetings include City Council meetings and the meetings of various City boards and commissions (for example, Planning Commission; Parks and Recreation Commission; Arts, Culture, and Heritage Committee). .... 18 Do you currently receive the City of Dexter E-Mail Update? .................................................................................. 19

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Brief Background § About Polco (www.polco.us) § Survey introduction

o On Saturday, January 9, the Dexter City Council will meet to begin a review of the City’s goals, objectives, and funding priorities prior to the creation of the draft Fiscal Year 2021-2022 budget. The purpose of this survey is for me, as an individual council member acting on my own behalf, to gather as much public input as I can to bring to that discussion.

§ 17 total responses of which 8 are verified (i.e., sufficient information was provided at time of account creation to match to registered voter database)

Summary of Key Comments Organized by Topic Area Parks and Non-Motorized Paths

1. Make the border-to-border area that is within the City limits safer for pedestrians (e.g., better signage stating that pedestrians have the right of way, ensure that motorized bikes are NOT on the path within the City of Dexter limits)

2. The City does not have any outdoor areas for our older children, like a skatepark or a nice basketball court to hang out at. Utilizing Warrior Creek (Mill Creek) would be ideal.

3. The play structure there (Mill Creek) needs to be replaced, it’s very old and outdated. We need a larger play area there as Dexter has a lot of young families.

4. Comprehensive trail and green space plan Roads

1. Streets a. Repave Fourth Street

2. Traffic a. Better manage traffic downtown b. Need a bypass around the tunnel c. Infrastructure improvement to support traffic management

3. Signage a. I'd like to see a stoplight at Carrington and Dexter-Ann Arbor. At minimum a

flashing yellow light. b. There should be signs at every side street with a list of what’s down that street.

Many downtowns have this, like Petoskey, for example. When walking through town, a person has no idea what might be down any given side street so many don’t ever go down them so they don’t discover restaurants like Wings & Things, or that new bar set up in that old garage building.

4. Crosswalks a. All crosswalks should have the flashing lights just like they have in downtown

Brighton b. Dexter should be illuminating the city’s crosswalks. The current red color of the

cement for them is too dull. People come whipping through the tunnel completely unaware of the crosswalk in front of Riverview Café – you can’t cross the street there safely.

c. Fix the pedestrian crossing signals at the corner of Dan Hoey and Dexter-Ann Arbor Road. There is barely enough time for a pedestrian to cross before the don’t walk light starts flashing. It would be GREAT if it had one of those traffic lights that have flashing “watch for pedestrians” indicator just below the light itself, or

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something else that might catch a driver’s eye. I’ve personally been almost run over by drivers making a left turn onto Dexter-Ann Arbor when I had the right of way, no matter how careful I’ve tried to be!

d. we will need something done about the crosswalk situation. It's bad for old people and young kids. Cars don't stop at the crosswalks because they can't tell they are there. The change in color of the crosswalks isn't enough of a contrast with the rest of the street. There's zero lighting at any of them.

5. Sidewalks a. Expand sidewalks along main streets, e.g. Baker, Dan Hoey, etc. b. Do NOT build sidewalks along Edison Street Please!!!

Sewer

a. None mentioned. Water

1. Replace all lead in the city water pipes and connections that provide drinking water to all residents

2. Is the city water supply affected by the Gelman Science pollution? If so, what are they doing about it?

Public Safety

1. New fire station 2. Explore alternatives to building a new (or refurbishing the current) fire station. Has a

cost/benefit analysis or risk assessment been done? Community Development

1. General a. Cultivate an identity for Dexter that matches our size. Are we a small town with

nothing to do because our population is old and all the young people have moved out. If that's our identity then we would focus on having regular fish frys, holding bingo nights, ensuring the stores downtown have a lot of tchotchke things to buy, bring in a good soup shop, etc. It's not a bad thing if that's the case but if it is, where are the old people events that a regular town our size would have? Or, are we a small town focused on families and young people? If that's the case then we should be having events downtown - chalk drawing contests or parties, regular tents with music near the river, food trucks in town on a regular basis to accompany the ice show, the parades, the treasure hunts and everything else that should be going on. And if that's our identity then the downtown stores should match that with cafes to grab a quick bite, clothing stores with kids sections, a toy store, etc. What kind of small town are we - define it, invest in it, and live it through the ideas above.

b. Overall, Dexter seems to have an identity crisis and it's up to the City to plan out what type of small town we are and create an identity around that complete with the matching activities and matching stores and matching pedestrian safety.

2. Businesses a. Encourage business development and fill of empty rental spaces b. There should be a grocery-type store or convenience store (like a smaller sized

Polly’s Market) (downtown) (City Planner should be actively courting such an entity into one of the available spaces downtown.)

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c. Downtown area should be mainly comprised of restaurants, useful stores, and gathering cafes with outdoor space (e.g., Hotel Hickman, Dexter Pub, Ace Hardware, coffee shops, soup shops, gift card shops, clothing stores).

d. Shift more funds to creating a “real” small town America environment. Take a drive through Chelsea, Plymouth, Northville, Saline and you’ll see what a true coordination of downtown shops should look like.

e. We are interested in some family things to do. Even Chelsea has a bowling alley. f. Bring in more businesses that the residents need and want. A wider variety. We

lost Country Market, the Pharmacy, and the Hallmark store recently. g. I look at Chelsea and they still have their small town feel but have much more to

offer their residents as far as shopping, restaurants, etc. 3. Events

a. Encourage much more interaction and socialization in town, like Hotel Hickman’s music on the weekends (again, use downtown Brighton as the model)

b. There should be festivals nearly every weekend in the summer (e.g., music festivals, food truck festivals)

c. More outdoor music d. Have more parades, BBQs, events near the gazebo at least once a week, events

near the riverfront next to the play area every week (e.g., small town pot-luck once a week, or a typical outside music, street food venue once a week). Give residents a reason to get out and mingle, get to know each other, and have an investment in their community.

e. Spend much more money bringing fun into town. This town should be lively, on a weekly basis, brimming with live music outside, etc.

4. Housing a. Provide affordable living options in city limits b. Protect the beauty and integrity of historic Dexter. I’m concerned about how

much density is being brought to our small town, due to the new housing developments. Also, would like the projects to look and feel similar to the rest of the town. (Larger yards, less density, less cookie cutter, and historically fit in.)

c. It also seems unfriendly to families in general I think because most of what is being built right now only has 1 or 2 bedrooms and the cost is laughable.

d. Being careful about the size of any new developments. Our schools and utilities are already so stretched.

5. Compliance a. Property maintenance enforcement b. Holding landlords more responsible for the upkeep of their Dexter properties. c. I would like to see the City hire an Ordinance Compliance officer. We have

entirely too many violations (e.g., snow not cleared from sidewalks, trash containers still on the street for days, adult bicyclists riding on the sidewalk, cars on the street so that the plows cannot get to the curb).

6. Other a. Explore creating a dedicated activity/senior center. I would prioritize this over

expensive City offices for people who can work remotely. b. There are only public schools here. c. Offer more educational options. The City should be actively trying to get a

charter school to open in town and/or a private school (more than 1 preferably). By 2024, we should be able to attract at least one charter school and one private school at a minimum.

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Communication

1. Last year, the “ice rink” sat empty all year with only 1-2 communications about what the heck was going on with it. Hire a communication expert.

2. To rebuild trust, we have to start with open communication, over communication, multiple modes of communication.

3. Clarify for residents where things stand with the Avalon debacle. It would be good to see an official communication come out about this.

Gathering and Use of Public Input

1. Seek, seriously consider and respond to citizen input (City of Dexter citizens) 2. I would like them to do more research and seek citizen (Dexter City residents) input prior

to making decisions. By only listening to those who speak during the public portion of a council meeting they are missing a majority of citizen input.

Trust and Confidence in Government

1. Hire a new City Manager 2. The City residents are becomingly increasingly dissatisfied and suspicious of what the City

officials actually DO because they appear to do nothing. The City appears to be anti-family, anti-youth, anti-small town feel, anti-activity, anti-communication.

3. For 2021, all funding should be shifted to accomplishing one major goal and objective for this City and that is, doing whatever is necessary to ensure the City officials are trustworthy, operate with integrity and full transparency, and communicate proactively and openly with full disclosure on all matters. If you can’t get rid of the dishonest people then spend money on getting outside help for these people – there are many firms that specialize in helping companies build trust and integrity, there are assessments to determine a person’s level of professional authenticity, there are classes to teach these people how to be professionally authentic and more truthful.

4. The few interactions we have had with the City office downtown left the overall impression of unfriendliness and even as if having residents living in the City was somehow an inconvenience to the people working in the City office.

5. Transform the government of the City of Dexter. Attract higher-level thinkers—people who embrace and encourage full transparency, people who know the value of information sharing vs. hoarding, people with high integrity and moral values, people who willingly look for ways to accept accountability and responsibility. The City should seek to hire high energy, high integrity, morally advanced people from within the private sector. In addition, there should be much more stringent requirements for even the volunteer roles within the City.

6. For the most part, the City Council is doing a good job. I hope we never have another situation where a bad sale is crammed down our throats. (Avalon and the mess at the Wellness Center) make Dexterites look like a bunch of rubes willing to give away the town.)

7. Transparent minutes of meetings 8. I would also request that they be transparent about their reasoning for making a

particular decision. It would be ideal for each council member to make public what information they looked at and what research they did to come to the decision made.

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General/Other 1. The City of Dexter should “think for itself” and a goal should be to distance itself from Ann

Arbor and Ypsilanti. Look to cities like Brighton, Howell, Pinckney, Whitmore Lake as good examples of independent thinking cities.

2. Not entirely sure what the City Council's role is so can't really give a specific request here. 3. Many 'home improvement' projects within the City seem to take years to complete. That

is discouraging to see for prolonged periods of time. If you can help expedite those projects, our community will be more visually appealing.

4. Make decisions based on data 5. To spend our money responsibly to benefit every Dexter City resident, not just certain

groups 6. Please help the City be a good steward of its resources so that the City is thoughtful and

thorough when it embarks on capital improvement projects. I have witnessed the same project being done multiple times due to an apparent lack of planning. Wasteful spending.

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Individual Responses What goals, objectives, or funding priorities would you like the City of Dexter to accomplish by the end of December 2021? Anonymous Better manage traffic downtown, encourage business development and fill of empty rental spaces, provide affordable living options in city limits. Anonymous FUNDING PRIORITY: ALL cross walks in Dexter should have the flashing lights just like they have in downtown Brighton. People move to Dexter for its walkability and to have crosswalks everywhere that are barely visible is illogical. Light them up the way Brighton does - all of them. FUNDING PRIORITY: Need a bypass around the tunnel. GOAL: Encourage much more interaction and socialization in town. Hotel Hickman has the music on the weekends which is phenomenal for encouraging gatherings but there needs to be much more of that - again, use downtown Brighton as the model here. There should be festivals nearly every weekend in the summer, from various types of music festivals, to food truck festivals, etc. This town has a relatively young population compared to Chelsea but the town "acts" like the average age of the population is 85. This should be a vibrant downtown, like Brighton, encouraging gatherings, having festivals most weekends, having music at more outdoor places than just Hotel Hickman. GOAL: There should be a grocery-type store or convenience store (like a smaller sized Polly's Market). City Planner should be actively courting such an entity into one of the available spaces downtown. OBJECTIVE: The downtown area should be mainly comprised of restaurants, useful stores, and gathering cafes with outdoor space. The other stores should be encouraged to vacate their space downtown and move elsewhere so that it will open the downtown real estate and make it available for these kinds of places. It should be entirely made up of places like Hotel Hickman, Dexter Pub, Ace hardware, coffee shops, soup shops, gift card shops, clothing stores. Right now, it looks as if no planning went into the downtown stores at all. OBJECTIVE and FUNDING: Make the border-to-border area that is within the City limits safer for pedestrians. This means much better signage stating that pedestrians have the right of way and specifically stating that bicycles do not have the right to overtake pedestrians, expect pedestrians to quickly dash out of the way of bikes, etc. As it is now, bikes have the right of way with full expectation that humans will squash themselves against the railing in order to let the bikes pass at full speed. In addition, the City of Dexter needs to ensure that motorized bikes are NOT on the path within the City of Dexter limits, just like Brighton does. The paths are for NON motorized vehicles. We've seen These vehicles weigh up to 70 lbs and go close to 30 mph. They cannot stop, as needed, to yield to pedestrians and/or go around them. We've seen them speed out of control, onto the grass, trying to avoid hitting a dog, or a kid on a scooter. All other paths within civilized cities have made them illegal on their pedestrian walkways, yet Dexter does nothing. If you go to the Washtenaw County Border-to-Border site, the very first sentence says: "The Border-to-Border Trail (B2B) is a non-motorized B2B Huron River Greenway Border-to-Border Trail Logopathway that connects cities, parks, and many destinations throughout Washtenaw County.". NON motorized. Since so may ebikes are regularly seen on the trail within the City of Dexter limits, we've even seen people on the old-school mini-bikes, going well over 40 mph. It's a slippery slope. The trail is NON motorized - enforce it at least within City of Dexter limits. GOAL: The City of Dexter should "think for itself" and a goal should be to distance itself from Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. We are very close to Pinckney and Whitmore Lake where the schools have been open since August, as they should be. Yet Dexter Schools have chosen to remain closed. The

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only reason that seems plausible might be because many Dexter residents migrated here from Ann Arbor and they are used to doing what Ann Arbor does. However, the very fact that many residents fled Ann Arbor to get away from it, and landed in Dexter, seems to imply that they wanted something different from Ann Arbor. So then, why, would the City of Dexter be following any bad example that Ann Arbor is setting? Instead, we should be looking to do our own thing, as a City, and perhaps select better examples to follow - look to cities like Brighton, Howell, Pinckney, Whitmore Lake as good examples of independent thinking cities. Anonymous 1) To seek, seriously consider and respond to citizen input (City of Dexter citizens). 2) To make decisions based on data. 3) To hire a new City Manager who has integrity and has no personal agenda. 4) To spend our money responsibly to benefit every Dexter City resident, not just certain groups. Anonymous Shift more funds to creating a "real" small town America environment. If you drive through Chelsea, Saline, Plymouth, you'll see a downtown that looks like a small town with stores that were planned and coordinated. You can literally never get in your car in those types of "real" downtown areas because there are places to pick up essential groceries, alongside places to pick up a quick birthday gift or card, alongside places to eat and drink. The Dexter downtown area is disjointed, as if it wasn't planned so that a person could walk into town and get/do what they need. There's some service shops that don't belong in a downtown, and there are far too many "old lady shops" that sell junk trying to pass for antiques - I think there are 4 of them total. Those should all be converted into useful downtown places like an organic fruit/veg store, or a decent coffee shop. But instead, Dexter seems to be fine with the mismatched nature of the downtown area. Take a drive through Chelsea, Plymouth, Northville, Saline and you'll see what a true coordination of downtown shops should look like. Also, for a small town, Dexter doesn't seem to want to truly BE a small town. What I mean by that is that small towns have a lot of parades - big, small, medium, they have parades for every occasion. In a true small town, they look at any and every holiday as a reason to have a parade to show their patriotism and sometimes the parades may only be 5 minutes long but the whole town turns out. Small towns are typically extremely patriotic with most houses showing the flag year-round. But, the City needs to take leadership on that by having parades decked out with flags, red/white/blue for nearly every occasion so that the residents can turn out together at regular intervals and show their love of the USA. It's almost as if Dexter purposefully refrains from having parades like a typical small town, otherwise, they'd do what's expected when someone moves to a small town like this and provide many reasons to show patriotism. Overall, Dexter has a very weird "feel" to it. It looks like a small town, is the size of a small town, has a riverfront to promote a small town feel......yet there are no small town events, parades, BBQs....as if Dexter is purposefully resisting the pull to really BE a small town and give people what they moved here for. The town lacks definition although the size of it dictates that it is and should be a true small town. I think you should really push for more parades and typical family-oriented small town events - there should be events near that gazebo at least once a week, there should be parades at every possible juncture, there should be events near the riverfront next to the play area every week. That's a perfect place to be holding a typical small town pot-luck once a week, or a typical outside music, street food venue once a week. Yet, Dexter does nothing. We act like a poor, poor City, but we know we are not. We've always thought something was off about Dexter and have observed that the town has such a perfect location that you really have to try hard to make it so.....unfriendly.....the landscape of the town being near the river with the walking paths have a perfect layout for a true "small town

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America" feel and Dexter seems to want to work really hard at keeping that from ever happening. It's like the City of Detroit.....when you have a City like Detroit, in the perfect location sitting on that beautiful water right across from Canada, even without trying at all, that should be an extremely successful City by virtue of it's location alone. In order for it not to be unusually successful in every way takes hard work from City officials purposefully ******** it up and holding it back, and that's just what happened to them. The City of Dexter seems to be on that same path. We have this perfect setting, yet we seem to be working very hard to ***** it up and make sure it fails, by depriving residents of what they moved here for - small town America and all that that brings with it. Get in there and put parades down for every possible holiday - give residents a reason to turn out in their red/white/blue and watch their kids play their instruments down the middle of the street for 5 minutes. Build a sense of small town patriotism with the parades, and events and soon enough, you'll see more and more residents flying the flag daily, like you would in any other small town in Michigan. It's what people move to a town like this for. In addition, start planning at least weekly events for that area under the gazebo AND that area next to the river, by the walking trail and park (beneath the library). Give residents a reason to get out and mingle, get to know each other, and have an investment in their community. I think a large part of the reason that the residents of Dexter have a deep mistrust for City government is because the City seems to work hard at creating distance and ensuring it doesn't resemble "small town America" - no cohesive downtown that can be used for gathering.....no typical small town events.....completely ignoring their unique location near the river with all that space to hold events yet doing nothing with it.....completely ignoring their responsibility to hold parades and build a patriotic small town community that is neighborly and invested in the community. My family was at the Dexter Pub eating in a center tent a couple weeks ago. In the tent to our left was a group of 2 families (about 8 in total), and in the tent to our right was a group of 3 couples in their late 20s or early 30s. The group of young couples were talking about moving here from Ann Arbor a few years ago (some went to U of M and EMU) and how they always thought they would stay in Dexter and raise families here. However, they said that the City was not what they thought it would be or hoped it would be. They didn't feel it was conducive to raising families. They called it "Ann Arbor West" and they said that in a derogatory way. They talked about the possibilities in Pinckney, saying it had trails and lakes like Dexter but had a better sense of community, with more focus on family activities. The tent to our left with the 2 families spent most of their time talking negatively about living in Dexter as well. They specifically said the teachers were lazy for refusing to go back to work and open the Dexter schools, they said the City was doing nothing to get the schools open and that their relatives in neighboring schools were back in person for high school since August and also going back in person starting January 4th while the City of Dexter doesn't seem to care if their kids get an education, develop mental illness due to lack of interaction, etc. These 2 families were extremely frustrated with the City and clearly felt it was in the City's control to do the right thing for their families and open the schools but the City was doing nothing and worse yet, not even bothering to communicate to residents WHY they didn't care about their kids while the schools north of Dexter care about their kids. They were particularly upset that Dexter City officials were simply silent and ignoring the entire topic - no newsletters about what they are doing to provide the same opportunities for Dexter kids that kids north of Dexter get. They spoke of families in Dexter who had enrolled their kids in Pinckney and Whitmore Lake so that they could get an education and interaction. Of all the possible things to be discussing during the week of Christmas, we found it very enlightening that both tents next to us had discussions focusing on the inadequacies of this small town. Our dinner discussion was similar, only we were marveling at Dexter's complete absence of festivals, parades, coordinated river walks, regular art tent showings along the river area, lack of water activities like having tent pot-lucks next to the river, beneath the library, etc. All in all, 100% of the patrons at the Dexter Pub that evening were discussing Dexter

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shortcomings during the week of Christmas when there were so many more things that could be discussed. There is nothing magical about the Dexter Pub tents that bring about this type of phenomenon. The City residents are becoming increasingly dissatisfied and suspicious of what the City officials actually DO because they appear to do nothing. The City appears to be anti-family, anti-youth, anti-small town feel, anti-activity, anti-communication. A major goal of the City has to be, to clearly and definitively define itself as a small town and embrace all that that means - to become family friendly, small-town in look/feel, youth centered, activity/parade centered, and there has to be a LOT more communication. The family tent brought up a great point. Why hasn't the City of Dexter told us why everyone else in surrounding towns gets to go to school in person but the City of Dexter refuses to - is it teacher laziness as the 2 families seem to think? It's as if the City thinks we are unaware that our City is being deprived while others have chosen to thrive. Another obvious point is that the City does not trust the Mayor or other City officials. Case in point: The Mayor wrote a lengthy article in the Sun Times about why he wanted people to vote NO on the ballot proposal to let the residents vote on public land sales. I believe he wrote more than 1. He was urging people to stand with him on blocking residents from having a say in land sales. Of course, the proposal passed, which goes to show that people do not trust the Mayor at all. People read it, saw it for what it was, and voted against it which really means, they were voting against the Mayor. Another case: Some city official wrote an article about NOT wanting Jamie Griffin on the City Council. It was a long article about how he thought she was all wrong for the role. Of course, Jamie received the MOST votes of anyone. Once again showing that this town does not trust the City officials like the Mayor and like the person who wrote that article. We read it, knew these people were not trustworthy and voted against their wishes. When you have a City this tiny, and the residents openly mistrust and vote against the advice of City officials.....and the City does not communicate about significant topics (such as why all schools north of Dexter have been back in person getting properly educated since August yet Dexter has their head in the sand), and the City does nothing to engage the community and build trust through regular parades/activities/music/events/BBQs and appear to be purposely trying to keep residents away from each other and away from Downtown, and the City does nothing to clearly define what it's about (small town America, family values, patriotism, neighborly gatherings)......you can only hope to go the way of Detroit, on a smaller scale. So, let's start saving the City now - get trustworthy officials in place, define and embrace what we should be which is a small town, family friendly, parade having, flag waving, festival/music/art loving, outdoor living place. Get communication flowing. It's really bad. Last year that "ice rink" sat empty all year with only 1-2 communications about what the heck was going on with it. Hire a communication expert and stop relying on inept people to send out the Dexter communication email - nobody cares about the same tired old topics like trash pickup and brush pickup. The newsletter should be communicating when the next parade will be, encouraging people to wear their red/white/blue to it, explaining why the Dexter schools prefer to have their kids suffer while all neighboring schools have been caring about their kids with in-person learning since August, communicating how they are trying to get the right stores/shops to move into the downtown spaces, communicating their plans to really beef up weekly festivals in the gazebo area and by the riverfront area, communicating when there will be live music outside at Hotel Hickman (nobody ever knows....they just show up and get lucky if it's there but it should be in the Dexter email newsletter), communicating what the City is doing to address the mistrust issue with the City officials, communicate the status on occupancy of The Jeffords and when shops will open there and what they will be, communicate what is moving into Red Brick and what the status is there, communicate how they plan to make the downtown less disjointed, etc. These are topics of interest to everyone and should be sent out regularly. The City officials like to hide everything

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and that needs to change. To rebuild trust, we have to start with open communication, over communication, multiple modes of communication. Anonymous Safety, Property Maintenance Enforcement Anonymous Replace ALL Lead in the City Water Pipes and CONNECTIONS that Provide drinking water to all residents. Anonymous funding priority- dexter should be illuminating the city's crosswalks. the current red color of the cement for them is too dull. people come whipping through the tunnel completely unaware of the crosswalk in front of the riverview cafe - you can't cross the street there safely. all of the cities crosswalks should have lighting so that as soon as a pedestrian steps down onto one from the curb, the lights start flashing the whole way across the crosswalk. other cities have this. also, change the color of the crosswalks themselves. in chelsea they are all a bright blue and gold and they really stand out from the other cement. we need to spend money changing the color of the cement on the actual crosswalks to make them very visible - bright white and gold strips or something like that (in addition to adding the necessary lighting mentioned above). funding priority - spend much more money bringing fun into town. this town should be lively, on a weekly basis, brimming with live music outside, etc. chelsea has the sounds and sights festival every thursday so all of dexter heads over to chelsea on thursdays. there are other nearby towns that have festivals and carnivals regularly. South Lyon has a carnival as well as pumpkinfest every year. Hamburg has the family funfest among other festivals every year. howell has balloonfest, melon fest, and many more. Yet the people of dexter have to vacate their own city in search of family fun activities that really should be brought here, to our own city which is so perfectly positioned for such things. goal priority - clarify for residents, where things stand with the avalon debacle. many of us assume that it quietly died after the city manager left and have been waiting for an announcement admitting that the city managers duplicity took many trusting people down the wrong path, but that that chapter is closed and the city is on the straight-and-narrow and will no longer be falling for these kinds of schemes in the future. while we assume that the whole avalon situation was so embarrassing for the city that they've decided to pretend it never happened and have therefore remained mum, it would be good to see an official communication come out about this, with the proper officials admitting they were duped and apologizing to the residents for their negligence in gathering the right facts and statistics, and their negligence in truthfully communicating with residents, and their negligence in ferreting out the inappropriate conflict in the city managers relationship with FIA, and their propensity to shift to hiding facts in order to escape admitting fault. the residents understand that the whole ordeal was a black eye for the city and went a long way toward eroding any trust that may have existed. but with the city manager gone now, it would be the perfect time for the city to come clean and assure everyone that errors in judgement like this, ignoring statistics/facts/data, miscommunication, hiding of facts, would no longer be a part of the city's typical operations. funding priority - when walking through town, a person has no idea what might be down any given side street so many don't ever go down them so they don't discover restaurants like wings & things, or that new bar set up in that old garage building. there should be signs at every side street with a list of what's down that side street. many downtowns have this, like petoskey for example. Anonymous

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Protect the beauty and integrity of historic Dexter. I'm concerned about how much density is being brought to our small town, due to the new housing developments. Also, would like the projects to look and feel similar to the rest of the town. (Larger yards, less density, less cookie cutter, and historically fit in.) Thank you. Anonymous For 2021 all funding should be shifted to accomplishing one major goal and objective for this City and that is, doing whatever is necessary to ensure the City officials are trustworthy, operate with integrity and full transparency, and communicate proactively and openly with full disclosure on all matters. In dealings with City officials we've received bold-faced lies from some City officials, we've received information that is purposefully misleading, we've caught a couple doing border-line criminal activities. In fact, there is only one city official who is seemingly honest and forthright and that is Justin. Although I will say that while Mike Auerbach has had some minor offenses around intentionally disseminating inaccurate and misleading information, he is one of the lesser criminals we have in our City government. The Mayor, the City Planner, the Accountant, the previous City Manager have all participated regularly in what I consider to be border-line criminal activity (nothing on the level of a Kwame Kilpatrick but they are definitely headed in that direction with their purposeful deception, covering up of information, data and facts, hiding of relevant communications, and even attempts of extortion on a small scale). Funding should be spent on replacing the bad-actors in the City. You know who they are. I understand the City Manager has left which is a good start as she may have been the problem infecting all other City workers - it's difficult to tell whether she was the poison, or if it's the Mayor who is negatively infecting the rest of the City officials - hopefully it was the City Manager and now that she's gone perhaps the rest of the people will start acting with integrity on their own......not sure what to expect with her departure but am hopeful that she was the main bad seed who was taking the rest down a bad path with her. In any case, spend all funding and focus on goals/objectives for 2021 on this effort. If you can't get rid of the dishonest people then spend money on getting outside help for these people - there are many firms that specialize in helping companies build trust and integrity, there are assessments to determine a person's level of professional authenticity, there are classes to teach these people how to be professionally authentic and more truthful. Ultimately, some people will have to go - they are too far gone to help with this type of thing. But, it's an option for some of the people who are worth retaining. Anonymous We moved here from Ann Arbor less than a year ago and used to come to Dexter to enjoy the open space while we went to U of M (didn't like Ann Arbor - crowded and other issues). When visiting Dexter from Ann Arbor we enjoyed the sleepy nature of Dexter and the lack of noise, events, people in town. But now that we live here with a new baby, we are noticing that it doesn't seem to be the best place to be for a few reasons. Schools - there are only public schools here. We have 4 years until we need to make a school decision anyway so it's nothing urgent, and we could drive to a private school elsewhere if we decide to go that route, or we might homeschool. But, we did notice the lack of school options in Dexter which may or may not turn out to be an issue for us down the road. Quiet - when visiting here, like I said, we liked walking through town and not hearing anything - no people around, no sounds, nothing ever going on for the most part. But, now that we have a baby, we are interested in some family things to do. Even Chelsea has a bowling alley, and lots of activities and that town is made up of mostly old people. But, when you walk through downtown in Chelsea, you see people everywhere even if they are mostly older. And, they have fairs with kids rides, and entertainment every summer week. In retrospect, Chelsea may have been a better choice

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to move to and raise a family but we do like the walking trail in Dexter and the access to nature. We are hoping that Dexter does become better for families and kids though. Unfriendly - maybe it's because there isn't ever anything going on in town but for some reason the town overall seems unfriendly. The few interactions we have had with the City office downtown left the overall impression of unfriendliness and even as if having residents living in the City was somehow an inconvenience to the people working in the City office. Its difficult to explain but something seems not quite right about the City. It also seems unfriendly to families in general I think because most of what is being built right now only has 1 or 2 bedrooms and the cost is laughable. Church - normally, we would expect and welcome that much of the town's activities may revolve around a central church or even a few churches. We are getting involved in the big Methodist church since they have a lot of family oriented activities. But, we expected that church activities in general would be a larger part, and a more participative part, of the way the town functions. We have not seen many church centered events going on in town and it seems as if the town is somewhat distant from the churches. The communications my other family members receive from the City never seem to mention what's going on with the churches and encouraging residents to take part in what might be going on with any particular church. Again, this might not be the type of input that the City Council can do anything about. We will stay for a couple of years and it might be that this isn't the right kind of town for us. Long-term, we need a small town, with strong focus on family values, very friendly and integrated with the town's churches. Anonymous Fix the pedestrian crossing signals at the corner Dan Hoey and Dexter-Ann Arbor road. There is barely enough time for a pedestrian to cross before the don't walk light starts flashing. I'm in good shape and there's hardly any time to get across! Someone with even a minor mobility issue could barely make it across before it changes. The intersection in general is very dangerous for pedestrians, yet it's in a growing pedestrian area where many people walk to the Busch's or cross that intersection on foot as part of daily walks between various neighborhoods. It would be GREAT if it had one of those traffic lights that have a flashing "watch for pedestrians" indicator just below the light itself, or something else that might catch a driver's eye. Drivers at that intersection don't seem to pay much attention to the fact that there are even existing pedestrian crossing lights. I've personally been almost run over by drivers making a left turn onto Dexter-Ann Arbor when I had the right of way, no matter how careful I've tried to be! Anonymous I would like to see the city hire an Ordinance Compliance officer. We have entirely too many violations, I.e. Snow not cleared from sidewalks, trash containers still on the street for days, adult bicyclists riding on the sidewalk and expecting walkers to get out of their way, cars on the street so that the plows cannot get to the curb, etc.. This could possibly be a part time position to start and paid for in part by the fines issued. Hitting the offenders in their wallets often brings them in line. Alternatively, maybe we should just repeal the offending ordinances? Anonymous New fire station Anonymous Bringing in more businesses that the residents need and want. A wider variety. We lost Country Market, the Pharmacy and the Hallmark store recently. I know most Dexter residents actually go to Ann Arbor to get most of their shopping done as there is slim pickings in Dexter to actually get what

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you need. Also the city does not have any outdoor areas for our older children, like a skatepark or a nice basketball court to hangout at. Utilizing Warrior Creek park would be ideal. The play structure there needs to be replaced, it’s very old and outdated. We need a larger play area there as Dexter has a lot of young families. I look at Chelsea and they still have their small town feel but have much more to offer their residents as far as shopping, restaurants, etc Anonymous It would be nice to have a sidewalk that goes directly to Dexter United Methodist Church. As it is now, that church has tons of activities, 3 Sunday services, the youth group services, etc. Sidewalks end about 3 blocks before the church. With so many people going to and from church for events and services, it's a shame that we have to drive when we'd rather be walking there, biking there, etc. Dexter needs to show more support for the churches in town and it wouldn't cost much to be sure there is a couple more blocks of sidewalks so we can all get to/from church safely. Anonymous Dexter school children were very close to attending school across the street from a housing project that protected known drug abusers, and mentally unstable people. Dexter government had a momentary loss of sanity in even considering such a scenario. I never thought I would see the day when Dexter would willingly recruit drug abusers and mentally ill people from outside of our own safe area, and beg them to come live across from elementary school children. I think that, as a reminder, of this tragic road we almost went down, that the land that was going to be used to house these criminals, should be dedicated to a park where it can serve as a reminder to city leadership, so that they never let this kind of thing potentially happen again. The park should be dedicated to children, and be safe, with gathering spaces and structures for all ages. It needs to be something whereby city leaders can see it, be reminded of their duty to preserving the safety of our children and our city, and be reminded of what they almost allowed to happen. That would be a very good way to spend money. Residents would then know that the city leaders fully understand what they were trying to do to all of us and especially our children and that they regret it and are trying to make it right.

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Not including what you have already mentioned, what goals, objectives, or funding priorities would you like the City of Dexter to accomplish in the next four years (by the end of December 2024)? Anonymous Comprehensive trail and green space plan Anonymous GOAL: Transform the government of the City of Dexter. There needs to be a significant "house cleaning", ridding the City of some of the longer-term, somewhat small-minded, non-transparent, information-hoarding, people. While I understand that public employees tend to be less forward thinking, and more complacent than corporate/competitive employees, I still think that the City of Dexter could attract higher-level thinkers - people who embrace and encourage full transparency, people who know the value of information sharing vs. hoarding, people with high integrity and moral values, people who willingly look for ways to accept accountability and responsibility. There are people within our small City government who openly lie to residents, proactively cover up information vs. sharing it, seek to avoid accountability vs. admitting fault and vowing to do better next time, etc. The City should seek to hire high energy, high integrity, morally advanced people from within the private sector, as they rid themselves of some of the lower level people currently swamping around in the City office. In addition, there should be much more stringent requirements for even the volunteer roles within the City. Anonymous 1) Explore creating a dedicated activity/senior center. I would prioritize this over expensive City offices for people who can work remotely. 2) Explore alternatives to building a new (or refurbishing the current) fire station. Has a cost/benefit analysis or risk assessment been done? Anonymous Infrastructure Improvement to Support Traffic Management Anonymous Repave Fourth Street Anonymous long term goal - the city should offer more educational options. the city should be actively trying to get a charter school to open in town and/or a private school (more than 1 preferably). many parents are turned off by the dexter school system especially after they tried to adopt the new health curriculum, but for other reasons as well. we should have better education options than currently exist here - we need more choices and it's the city's responsibility to go out and find those entities and convince them to move here - we have space for them. why should families have to drive their kids all the way up to ann arbor christian school, livingston christian school, light of the world academy, flextech, etc. dexter is in a prime location to be offering far better educational options for parents and that should be a goal - by 2024 we should be able to attract at least one charter school and one private school at a minimum. Anonymous Again being careful about the size of any new developments. Our schools and utilities are already so stretched.

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Anonymous Only once the City government is free from the existing bad actors should attention and funding be spent elsewhere. But, assuming you're successful in accomplishing that goal by the end of 2021 then here are the next priorities: 1) Cultivate an identity for Dexter that matches our size. Are we a small town with nothing to do because our population is old and all the young people have moved out. If that's our identity then we would focus on having regular fish frys, holding bingo nights, ensuring the stores downtown have a lot of tchotchke things to buy, bring in a good soup shop, etc. It's not a bad thing if that's the case but if it is, where are the old people events that a regular town our size would have? Or, are we a small town focused on families and young people? If that's the case then we should be having events downtown - chalk drawing contests or parties, regular tents with music near the river, food trucks in town on a regular basis to accompany the ice show, the parades, the treasure hunts and everything else that should be going on. And if that's our identity then the downtown stores should match that with cafes to grab a quick bite, clothing stores with kids sections, a toy store, etc. What kind of small town are we - define it, invest in it, and live it through the ideas above. 2) Whether we are going to be a small town, quiet, hoping to attract and maintain an older population, or if we're going to be an exciting town hoping to attract and maintain families, we will need something done about the crosswalk situation. It's bad for old people and young kids. Cars don't stop at the crosswalks because they can't tell they are there. The change in color of the crosswalks isn't enough of a contrast with the rest of the street. There's zero lighting at any of them. As it is now, Dexter seems to be heavily discouraging people from coming downtown - there's not a safe way to walk around down there and the odd mix of stores isn't really good for anyone. There's nothing to do - ever. If we are a small town catering to older people, there'd be a lot more going on downtown and if we are a small town catering to families there'd be a lot more going on downtown. But the complete absence of activities coupled with the dangerous walking situation says "WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE COMING DOWNTOWN - STAY OUT!". And, if that's the identity that Dexter has on purpose then that's fine too. Overall, Dexter seems to have an identity crisis and it's up to the City to plan out what type of small town we are and create an identity around that complete with the matching activities and matching stores and matching pedestrian safety. Anonymous I'd like to see a stoplight at Carrington and Dexter-Ann Arbor. At minimum a flashing yellow light. Anonymous For the most part, the City Council is doing a good job. I hope we never have another situation where a bad sale is crammed down our throats. (Avalon and the mess at the Wellness Center) make Dexterites look like a bunch of rubes willing to give away the town.) Anonymous Expand sidewalks along main streets, e.g. Baker, Dan Hoey, etc. Anonymous Holding landlords more responsible for the upkeep of their Dexter properties. Anonymous I hope that what I want done by 2021 is possible by then but if not, it can be a longer term goal as well.

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Do you have any other specific requests of the Dexter City Council? If so, please describe them below. Anonymous Transparent minutes of meetings Anonymous The City continues to lie about, and hide information surrounding Avalon-gate. We know that the City Manager left due to her wrongdoing around the Avalon situation, not the least of which was the blatant abuse of power due to her conflict of interest with Faith in Action. However, that was never fully reported on and disclosed even though City officials must certainly be aware that residents know the truth, talk about it regularly, and we all view it as just another example of how untruthful and corrupt our small City government is. The City needs to fully disclose EVERYTHING around Avalon-gate - the wrongdoing by the former City Manager, the data showing the exact "problem" that resides within the City limits that Avalon will solve, the data showing all the options that were considered to solve the perceived "problem" within the City limits and why each of the other options wasn't selected. To drive through the City at election time and see the VOTE NO (for requiring vote on sale of City property), on the mayors lawn and other City officials lawn was sickening and further evidence that not only is the Dexter City government corrupt all the way to the top, that they are so oblivious that the corruption is wrong, they feel comfortable displaying, on their front lawns, signs showing that they would like to NOT be transparent with land sales, NOT receive public input, NOT have to tell us what's being sold and why, etc. Even the most incompetent politician should be smart enough to think "gee....maybe I shouldn't put a sign on my lawn advertising that I am against transparency, I am against the residents having a voice, I am against full disclosure to the people who employ me and pay my salary". So yes, it's time for the City to come clean about Avalon-gate and simply eliminating the rogue City Manager who started all of this isn't going to cut it - we need to see the data. Anonymous I would like them to do more research and seek citizen (Dexter City residents) input prior to making decisions. By only listening to those who speak during the public portion of a council meeting they are missing a majority of citizen input. I would also request that they be transparent about their reasoning for making a particular decision. It would be ideal for each council member to make public what information they looked at and what research they did to come to the decision made. Anonymous Do NOT build sidewalks along Edison Street Please!!! Anonymous no other comments than above Anonymous Not entirely sure what the City Council's role is so can't really give a specific request here. Anonymous We are glad to have you as an addition. I don't have anything specific so, will use this space to congratulate you and Wa. It is long past time that we turn the city business over to a new group of citizens.

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Anonymous 1. Explain why they thought their unethical involvement in the sale of city property to FIA was OK. 2. Is the city water supply affected by the Gelman Science pollution? If so, what are they doing about it? Anonymous not really. In 2020, how many City of Dexter public meetings did you attend, either in person or virtually? City of Dexter public meetings include City Council meetings and the meetings of various City boards and commissions (for example, Planning Commission; Parks and Recreation Commission; Arts, Culture, and Heritage Committee). All Responses All responses to this question. All Responses

A 0

47% (7) B

1

13% (2) C

2-5

33% (5) D

6-10

7% (1) E

11 or more

0%

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Verified The subset of overall respondents that were verified using local voter files and other public data. Registered Voters

A 0

43% (3) B

1

14% (1) C

2-5

29% (2) D

6-10

14% (1) E

11 or more

0% Do you currently receive the City of Dexter E-Mail Update? All Responses All responses to this question. All Responses

A Yes

60% (9) B

No

40% (6) Verified The subset of overall respondents that were verified using local voter files and other public data. Registered Voters

A Yes

71% (5) B

No

29% (2)

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Student Representative Topics for Discussion

Improving the Student Representative Experience

Serving as student representatives to the Dexter City Council is a rewarding experience that provides a valuable opportunity to be a part of local decision making. One way to improve the program is to have student representatives meet semi-regularly with different members of the council, board, or commission they serve on. This could provide a venue to discuss ongoing projects, ask questions, and connect. For example, when a student representative met with Councilman Cousins upon joining council. This was invaluable in helping understand the many issues facing the City. It may also be appropriate to consider providing student representatives with city email addresses to help them hear more concerns from Dexter’s youth. Additionally, an email address may prove useful during outreach projects, such as the effort to improve the inclusivity of the City’s holiday display. Finally, it may be helpful to create and send a survey to all student representatives in order to understand their needs and how the experience could be improved. Possible topics could include: what has been gained from serving as a student representative, what has been helpful and unhelpful, and what could be improved. Recognizing Achievements

To recognize student achievements, the City could provide certificates and/or letters signed by the Mayor and City Council. For significant achievements, it may be appropriate to invite students to council meetings to acknowledge and celebrate their work. Social media can also be a valuable tool to recognize achievements. Student achievement could be appreciated through social media posts or the City Newsletter, highlighting the student’s accomplishments and congratulating them. Encouraging Student Involvement

Students are increasingly becoming more interested in politics and take to social media to share opinions. Social media could be used as a platform to engage with community members, especially the youth. While the City already has a Facebook page, students are more active on social media platforms such as Instagram and Tik Tok. Posting information about ongoing projects, upcoming public hearings, and community developments could help to encourage student involvement. Moreover, collaboration with the schools could promote involvement at younger grade levels. Education on how local government works, what it does, and ways to get involved may increase participation. Additionally, it is a common project to have students write letters about issues

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Student Representative Topics for Discussion

important to them to elected officials. Therefore, students could be encouraged to write to members of council about these issues. We’d love to hear any feedback or thoughts, Alex Gilbert and Isabella Malek

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1/5/2021 Village of Dexter Mail - 2021 Goal Setting

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ik=928f1b0565&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f%3A1688056336835561366&simpl=msg-f%3A16880563368… 1/2

Justin Breyer <jbreyer@dextermi.gov>

2021 Goal Setting 1 message

Janet Potter <joyfullyachildofgod@gmail.com> Tue, Jan 5, 2021 at 9:12 AMTo: Jbreyer@dextermi.gov

TO: City of Dexter City Council Goal Setting Committee

It is my understanding that for the next 4 years the Senior Citizens of Dexter have a contract with “The Encore Theatre” tokeep their existing facility (with a few adjustments.) We paid $1.00 a year when we had our contract with the ”DexterSchools.” With the Encore Theatre we are paying $300.00 per month. Our budget is already stretched to its limit for afacility that isn’t really suitable or large enough for our needs.

I don’t know if you are aware of all the activities and programs that go on (pre Covid) at the Dexter Senior Center butthey are many.

Also, does the Dexter City Council know what percentage of its citizens are Senior Citizens? I’m sure that information isavailable from the recent census. As of 2019 (pre Covid) we had 322 members at the Dexter Senior Center.

Also, is this committee aware that there are plans to build a senior complex on Baker and Marshall which will bring moreseniors to the area?

At the present time, I understand that the City of Dexter allocates $1000.00 a year to the Dexter Senior Center. I amasking that the amount be increased to a more appropriate amount.

Also, I believe it is time to start talking about building a suitable facility (as other communities have) for the Dexter SeniorCitizens.

A concerned Senior Citizen of Dexter

Janet Potter

518 Coventry Circle

Dexter, MI 48130

(734) 253-2474

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1/6/2021 Village of Dexter Mail - Goal Setting

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ik=928f1b0565&view=pt&search=all&permmsgid=msg-f%3A1688149546829356333&simpl=msg-f%3A16881495468… 1/1

Justin Breyer <jbreyer@dextermi.gov>

Goal Settingrppiehl@aol.com <rppiehl@aol.com> Wed, Jan 6, 2021 at 9:54 AMReply-To: rppiehl@aol.comTo: "Jbreyer@dextermi.gov" <Jbreyer@dextermi.gov>

City of Dexter,

I would like to once again raise the question of when will the Bristol Drive pavement repair will takeplace. It has been on your list of improvements for over five years. I've been to the city hallseveral times over the last several years asking for its schedule and each time I've been told it isbeing moved out a year to allow for other improvements.

The road is in poor repair, and getting worse each year. We are only talking about 1,000 feet ofroadway (yes I measured it).

I would hope that this small project would finally be added for 2021.

Rodger Piehl3737 Bristol Drive

Page 32 of 64

1/5/2021 Village of Dexter Mail - Re: City of Dexter E-Mail Update

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ik=928f1b0565&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f%3A1688081848722632129&simpl=msg-f%3A16880818487… 1/2

Update Topics: City Council Goal Setting, Board/Committee Openings City Council Goal Setting As a part of the City's annual budgeting process, the Dexter City Council will be meeting to discuss goals andpriorities for the upcoming year. The City Council's first Goal Setting Work Session in 2021 will be held onSaturday, January 9th at 8:30 am via the Zoom meeting platform. The meeting may be accessed by visiting thefollowing link: https://zoom.us/j/98179795743; or by calling 877-853-5247 and dialing the meeting ID 981 79795743# In advance of the City's Goal Setting Work Sessions, City Council would like to invite the public to provide inputon the City's goals and priorities for the upcoming year. Members of the public that wish to share thoughts andcomments with City Council regarding the City's goals, objectives, priorities, or budget, may submit them inwriting via e-mail to Jbreyer@dextermi.gov, or by mail/delivery to 8123 Main St., 2nd Floor, Dexter, MI 48130. Board/Committee Openings The Arts, Culture & Heritage Committee is seeking one new member. The Committee meets on the firstWednesday of each month at 6:30 pm and is an 11 member group that advises City Council on the developmentof arts, culture and heritage; promotes and publicizes projects that support arts, culture and heritage; serves asadvocates for arts, culture, and heritage and encourages networking and collaborations of the arts, culture, andheritage of the City of Dexter. The Board of Review is seeking one new member. The Board of Review meets during three months of the year,March, July, and December. The three member board of City residents meets to hear and consider appeals ofassessed property tax values and to process certain tax exemptions. The following are the proposed 2021 Boardof Review meeting dates: - Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at 4 pm - Monday, March 8, 2021 from 1 - 9 pm - Wednesday, March 10, 2021 from 9 am - 12 pm, and from 1 - 5 pm - Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at 4 pm - Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at 4 pm The Planning Commission is seeking one new member. The Planning Commission meets the first Monday ofeach month at 7:00 pm. The Commission is comprised of 9 city resident members responsible for the creationand adoption of a master plan, which is a long range plan for the physical development of the City of Dexter. Theplan is reviewed and/or revised every 5 years. The Commission is also responsible for holding required publichearings on changes to the zoning ordinance and recommending the boundaries of zoning districts. TheCommission also reviews site plans and annually reviews the Capital Improvements Plan, which is a program toevaluate, prioritize and structure the financing of public improvement projects. The Zoning Board of Appeals is seeking two new members to serve as alternates on the Board. The ZBAmeets as needed on the third Monday of the month at 7:00 pm to decide on requests for variances from theZoning Ordinance.

Justin Breyer <jbreyer@dextermi.gov>

Re: City of Dexter E-Mail Update 1 message

Patsy Klassen <paklassen@comcast.net>To: Justin Breyer <jbreyer@dextermi.gov>

Justin,

Happy New Year to you and best wishes for a great 2021!

Thanks for the opportunity to comment on the City Council’s goals and objectives for 2021. Those of us who live on Bristol Drive in Dexter2021: the city needs to complete the repaving and replacement of Bristol Drive.

In 2016 we were notified that the following year our street would be repaved and replaced. Because of that we were told to plan on a two have access to our street and would need to leave our cars elsewhere in order to be able to access them. At that time one of our Dexter Cwas a member of City Council and he confirmed for us that the funds for this street replacement project had been collected and were specthe following year those funds must have been allotted to another project and as a result our street was not replaced, and that is still the ccontinues to break up and disintegrate with no repair.

We request that the Bristol Drive street repaving and replacement be included in the 2021 budget and that this project be completed durinwhen we have checked on the status of this project we have always been informed that it would be done the next year. Since we are still wfinalize and complete this project.

Thanks for the consideration and we look forward to hearing back on the status of this project for 2021.

Dale and Patsy Klassen 3725 Bristol Drive

On Jan 4, 2021, at 7:17 PM, City of Dexter <jbreyer@dextermi.gov> wrote:

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Page 78 of 102Page 34 of 64

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GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR FY 2020-2021 Established during Budget Planning Work Sessions

Good financial health is the cornerstone to all municipal operations, and the City of Dexter is committed to practicing sound financial management to ensure fiscal sustainability for current community members and for future generations.

GOAL: To create an atmosphere of economic competitiveness for both

residents and our business community. OBJECTIVE: Maintain a competitive tax rate in relation to similar communities

within Washtenaw County in particular, and Southeast Michigan in general, by:

• Ensuring that the City millage rate meets the following standards:

o Be in the lowest one-third of city millage rates in southeast Michigan (Livingston, Jackson, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties);

o Be lower than the average city millage rate for Washtenaw County (Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Milan, Saline, and Ypsilanti).

OBJECTIVE: Maintain a strong, ongoing commitment to economic development by;

• Assisting the DDA in implementing its Development and TIF Plan by participating in the marketing and redevelopment efforts for 3045 Broad Street.

• Stimulating the local economy by ensuring that relevant bid opportunities are advertised to local companies.

• Implementing Economic Development Strategy (i.e. Economic Enhancement Program).

• Conduct at least one business forums/summit in partnership with Ann Arbor Spark.

• Pursuing avenues for making fiber available to all properties.

• Explore opportunities for electric charging stations

• Research 5G networking.

GOAL: In order to foster fiscal sustainability, the City shall adhere to best practices recommended by various boards and organizations such as the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB), the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), and the Association of Public Treasurers of the United States and Canada (APT US&C), and shall follow the rules of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

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OBJECTIVE: Seek the industry recognition of best practices by applying for and

receiving awards for financial management excellence such as;

• The GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.

• The GFOA’s Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting.

• The APT US&C’s Investment Policy Certification. OBJECTIVE: Implement GASB pronouncements on or before their required

implementation dates.

OBJECTIVE: Maintain a bond rating through Standard and Poor’s Rating Service of at least A-.

GOAL: The City shall strive to use its limited resources wisely and to seek

out sources of revenue beyond those provided by City property owners.

OBJECTIVE: Maintain a fund balance (reserves) for emergencies;

• 15% of annual operating revenue in the General Fund.

• 50% to 75% of operating expenditures in the enterprise funds.

OBJECTIVE: Recognizing that legacy costs, such as pensions and retiree health care, place a large burden on future generations if not properly addressed in the present, the City will strive to;

• Maintain the Municipal Employees Retirement System (MERS) defined benefit retirement plan at a level between 85% and 100% of funding, as determined by the MERS actuarial study.

• Set aside a minimum of $95,000 per year for Other Post Retirement Benefits (retiree health care) until such time as there is an 80% funding as determined by an actuarial study. Based on the updated actuarial report received in 2016, determine if $95,000 is the correct level of funding for retiree health care in future years.

• Research options to provide a retiree health care buy-out program for current and future retirees.

OBJECTIVE: In order to gain the most value for limited dollars, the City shall;

• Seek a minimum of $10,000 across the various funds and activities in outside resources such as grants and revenue sharing.

• Keep total health care within the State of Michigan’s guidelines, which may require higher employee contributions.

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A primary function of government is to provide our residents and businesses with the public infrastructure necessary for them to carry out their daily lives in peace and safety. This includes maintaining existing infrastructure, and creating new infrastructure as the needs of the government and our residents change.

GOAL: To provide our residents and businesses with cost effective, safe, and efficient delivery of public utilities such as sewer services, water delivery and storm water management.

OBJECTIVE: Seek out operating improvements that will allow the City to limit rate

increases to 3% per year. This includes the following actions:

• Annually update the Utility Rate Study in house, with a formal update by the City’s financial advisor every three years.

• Explore funding opportunities for utility infrastructure improvements for 3045 Broad Street.

• Continue implementation of the SAW Grant

OBJECTIVE: Ensure efficient delivery of public utility services by:

• Assessing the impact of food processing businesses on sewer operations, including the enforcement of the fats, oils and grease requirements in the Sewer Ordinance.

• Explore opportunities to implement a 6th water well. GOAL: The City is committed to providing the necessary roads, sidewalks,

pedestrian crosswalks, and bicycle lanes that our residents and businesses require in order to move themselves, their vehicles and products safely around the City.

OBJECTIVE: Implement the Road Maintenance Plan that was developed for the City

in 2014. OBJECTIVE: Research the impact of extending Baker through Monument Park. OBJECTIVE: Implement the downtown parking study.

• Work with DDA to determine long-term parking needs.

OBJECTIVE: Implement pedestrian enhancement project.

GOAL: Public buildings provide a safe and productive environment for City employees to serve our residents and the businesses of the City, and it is a desire of the Council to provide these facilities for the public good.

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OBJECTIVE: Study opportunities for the financing of facilities for a City Hall and Council Chambers, Fire Station, and Sheriff Substation based on the Facilities Feasibility Study.

OBJECTIVE: Study opportunities for the development/incorporation of facilities for

seniors and youths.

GOAL: Parks provide residents and visitors with beautiful and functional surroundings in which to recreate and relax, and it is a City priority to maintain and protect these valuable public assets.

OBJECTIVE: Review and update the Parks Master Plan, with updates to be done

every five years, with the next update being scheduled for Fiscal Year 2020-2021.

OBJECTIVE: Implement Mill Creek Park Phase II. OBJECTIVE: Work with Washtenaw County Parks and Huron Waterloo Pathways

Initiative on the development of the Dexter to Chelsea connector of the Border-to-Border Trail.

OBJECTIVE: Implement the design and installation of the Grandview Commons

connector of the Mill Creek Park Trail. OBJECTIVE: Implement the design and maintenance of First Street Park. GOAL: It is a desire of the City to have a centralized mechanism for

identifying and determining the feasibility of long-term projects of a wide variety types and uses.

OBJECTIVE: Provide annual staff assistance to the Planning Commission in the

creation of each year’s Five Year Capital Improvement Plan, and use their findings in the annual budget process to identify projects that shall be funded.

One of the main reasons people choose to live and bring their business to a particular place is the quality of life that is found within a community. The health, happiness and well-being of a community can be greatly impacted by the choices that their government leaders make when deciding funding priorities.

GOAL: To provide the community with opportunities to experience arts, culture, nature, recreation, area-grown and crafted food and goods, and gardening experiences.

OBJECTIVE: Provide the Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee with the resources

necessary to hold the Plein Air event and facilitate temporary art, as set out in the Arts Plan. Develop a mechanism in which to facilitate the

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permanent placement of temporary art that is popular with the residents of the City.

OBJECTIVE: Select permanent sculptures for LaFontaine and Grandview Commons OBJECTIVE: Hold six special events at the Farmers Market. OBJECTIVE: Provide space annually on City property for a Community Garden.

GOAL: Public transportation is an important part of a community’s quality

of life, and it is the City’s desire to facilitate opportunities for public transportation.

OBJECTIVE: Contract with the WAVE to provide door-to-door services at a minimum

of five days per week, and to maintain bus routes within the City of Dexter.

GOAL: Recognizing that non-profit and community-based organizations

provide valuable services to our residents, the City will help these organizations to the extent allowed by State Law.

OBJECTIVE: Support the Dexter Senior Center and the Dexter Area Historical Society

by providing an annual contribution of $1,000 and $250, respectively, to go towards services provided to Dexter residents.

GOAL: The City seeks to be welcoming for residents in all income brackets. OBJECTIVE: Partner with Avalon Housing for affordable housing and a permanent

home for Faith in Action. OBJECTIVE: Research and consider opportunities for implementation of Housing Task

Force recommendations.

The flow of information, from the government to the people and from the people to the government, is vital for a government to be able to understand and meet the needs of its citizens and businesses.

GOAL: The City commits to providing mechanisms to share information with the public in a wide variety of platforms.

OBJECTIVE: Use the following tools to communicate with the public:

• Hold a minimum of two community meetings each year to interact with the public on a variety of issues and topics relevant to the community of Dexter.

• Post a minimum of 24 news and information items per year on the City’s website.

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• Post a minimum of 48 news and information items per year on the City’s Facebook Page.

• Provide an email update at least twice per month.

• Place one advertisement per year with Adams billboard to promote activities supported or sponsored by the City.

• Publish four newsletters per year.

• By the end of Fiscal Year 2019-2020, create a social media/website policy that addresses the City’s website, Facebook page, and any future forms of communication such as YouTube, Twitter and Pinterest. Develop a plan to use electronic media, such as surveys and social media sources, to engage the public.

• Continue to publish the Dexter Visitor’s Guide.

• Explore recording City Council meetings for webcast. GOAL: Volunteerism is vital to help the City achieve its goals, and it is

important that our volunteers feel needed and appreciated. OBJECTIVE: Develop an award program for City volunteers and others who help to

make the City a desirable place to live, work and play. GOAL: Communication with neighboring communities and other

governmental and quasi-governmental organizations is important to facilitating regional and inter-local cooperation.

OBJECTIVE: Participate in regional boards, commissions and joint endeavors to

foster cooperation and ensure that Dexter’s interests are taken into consideration when regional decisions are being made.

OBJECTIVE: Coordinate regular meetings with Dexter Community Schools. GOAL: Engaging with the youth of the community is beneficial to ensuring

that the needs and interests of the future residents of Dexter are being considered.

OBJECTIVE: Advertise to the greatest extent possible Student Representative

openings, and appoint Student Commissioners as openings are available.

A government is only as good as the people/employees involved, and investment in employees is an important part of creating an organization that responds best to the people that it serves.

GOAL: It is important to support employee and general public safety in the delivery of all public services, and encourage that services are provided in as safe a manner as possible.

OBJECTIVE: Develop a Comprehensive Health & Safety Program and fund ongoing

annual safety training onsite and offsite for employees.

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GOAL: It is important to have a workforce well educated in their job duties, and to provide for the availability of that training.

OBJECTIVE: Each employee should have the opportunity to attend one out-of-house

training session, if desired, to enhance their job performance. OBJECTIVE: Disseminate through staff meetings or written documents the City’s

commitment to excellent customer service, to include the following:

• All customers are to be treated in a friendly and respectful manner.

• Staff is responsible for gathering follow-up contact information, if necessary, so that the appropriate employee or official can follow-up with the person initiating the contact.

• Customers will be directed to the appropriate employee or official in an expeditious manner.

• Customer concerns will be responded to as soon as possible, and no later than 24 hours after the initial contact.

OBJECTIVE: Accepting the status quo can lead to performance stagnation, so

management will conduct staff meetings at least quarterly to discuss ways that overall performance can be improved.

GOAL: In order to adequately perform their jobs, employees must have the

necessary tools and equipment available. OBJECTIVE: Research asset management and document management systems for all

departments. Develop plans for the upgrading and replacement of computer systems and workstations. Investigate project management software.

Public safety is one of the most important services that a government can provide. Beyond the basics of police and fire protection, public safety also encompasses emergency and disaster management, traffic and pedestrian safety, and general cleanliness.

GOAL: As the 2012 tornado proved, emergency and disaster preparedness

is important, both for City employees and for its residents and businesses. The City commits to providing the means for training and distribution of safety materials.

OBJECTIVE: Dexter’s Emergency Action Guidelines will be disseminated to

employees, residents and businesses in the following manner:

• Employees will have annual in-house training.

• Dexter-specific information will be distributed annually through at least one of the mass communication methods commonly used by the City.

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GOAL: Police and fire services shall be provided in an efficient and

responsive manner, and in the most economically viable manner. OBJECTIVE: Continue to participate in the Washtenaw County Police Services

Steering Committee to ensure that police services are both economical and efficient.

OBJECTIVE: Continue negotiations with surrounding townships on further

consolidation and regionalization of fire services.

• Maintain presence on the board of the Dexter Area Fire Department, and receive quarterly reports to Council on financial and operational matters.

GOAL: Traffic patterns and enforcement shall be conducive to overall

public safety. OBJECTIVE: The RadarSign shall be used on a minimum of twelve different local

roads throughout the fiscal year. GOAL: Public infrastructure cleanliness needs to be managed in a manner

that promotes not only aesthetics but also public safety. OBJECTIVE: The Department of Public Works shall perform the following functions:

• Clean all downtown sidewalks and pedestrian paths to remove loose impediments at least monthly.

• Sweep City streets in accordance with the set maintenance plan.

• Pick up brush, leaves, and Christmas trees in accordance with the set maintenance plan.

• Remove trash from downtown receptacles in accordance with the set maintenance plan.

The City recognizes that the environment is important to our residents and businesses, and that government plays a vital role not only as stewards of the environment, but also as educators.

GOAL: Addressing sources of water pollution is important to the overall quality of life within the City.

OBJECTIVE: The City shall address the sources of water pollution in the following

manner:

• Educational materials about the use of fertilizers with phosphorous, use of rain barrels and rain gardens, and other relevant environmental information shall be distributed annually through at least one of the mass communication methods commonly used by the City.

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OBJECTIVE: In order to reduce the use of paper and other resources associated with

the creation of board and committee packets, research electronic packets for boards and commissions.

Governments often create plans, documents, and goals and objectives to help guide decision makers in the creation of public policy and the expense of public funds. It is important that these documents be reviewed regularly to make sure that they are still relevant to current situations and future needs.

GOAL: The City staff, commissions, and elected officials need to review City plans and documents to ensure both familiarity with them and their relevance to planning and policy.

OBJECTIVE: The City staff, commissions, and/or elected officials shall review all or

part of the following documents at least once per year:

• The Master Plan and Capital Improvement Plan to aid in policy and budget decisions. Implement recommendations that will be made in 2019 Master Plan.

o Review and update Zoning Ordinance to align with the Master Plan.

• The Park and Recreation Master Plan and Tree Management Plan as a guide to decisions affecting the parks, recreation and community forestry activities and budget decisions.

• The Downtown Development Plan and Economic Development Strategy as guides for economic and development activities within the plan area.

• The Arts, Culture & Heritage Master Plan.

• The budgetary goals and objectives to plan out activities for the current and future budget years.

• Develop a 5-Year Assessing Plan

From time to time, Council and Staff identify items that are not practical to have as a current objective, but that are desirable to keep in the public consciousness.

Policy Area: Public Infrastructure GOAL: The City is committed to providing the necessary roads, sidewalks,

pedestrian crosswalks, and bicycle lanes that our residents and businesses require in order to move themselves, their vehicles and products safely around the City.

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OBJECTIVE: Research walkability scoring and develop a plan to improve the City’s walkability score.

Policy Area: Financial Sustainability GOAL: To create an atmosphere of economic competitiveness for both

residents and our business community. OBJECTIVE: Maintain a strong, ongoing commitment to economic development by;

• Research opportunities for the expansion of the Business Park and for providing space for tech companies and other office uses.

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2020-2021 Objective 2020-2021 Result 2021-2022 Action

FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY

Tax Rate Competitiveness Be in lowest 1/3 in SE Michigan 16 of 87 (1/3 = 29). Average = 21.3 Rates include debt millages. Revisit goal?

Be lower than Washtenaw AverageCity = 15.3062 Avg = 19.6247. Dexter was

lowestRates include debt millages. Revisit goal?

Commitment to Economic

DevelopmentAssist with 3045 Broad redevelopment

Entered into Pre-Development with Norfolk in

2017-18. Research and due diligence on-

going. Work session regarding building 3

scheduled for January 29th.

Complete pre-development due diligence

and proceed to PUD SPR and Development

Agreement

Advertise bids to local companies

Bids advertised via MITN and website

Bids advertised in Sun Times

Auctions advertised via website and Govdeals

Continue to utilize local sources for advertising

bids.

Determine path to move forward with

auctions.

Implementing Economic Development

Strategy

Prioritize recommendations for implementation

and create Economic Development toolbox

Conduct at least one business forums in

partnership with Spark

Business breakfast held November 13, 2019.

COVID halted ability to host in-person business

forums.

Work with Ann Arbor SPARK on a networking

event and Business Summit

Pursue avenues to make fiber available to all

properties

Fiber is available to all properties - the speed

varies

Financial Best Practices GFOA Distinguished Budget Award Award applied for but not yet received. Maintain goal

GFOA Certificate of Excellence in Financial

Reporting

Goal cannot be achieved with current staffing

level.Move to future year section.

APT US&C Investment Policy CertificationCertification was received in prior years.

Recertification not necessary.Maintain goal

Implement GASB pronouncements No implementation required this FY Implement GASB 84

Maintain Bond Rating of at least A- Bond Rating is AA+. Maintain goal

Use of Limited ResourcesGeneral Fund fund balance of at least 15% of

revenueEstimated year-end 53% Maintain goal

Reserves of 50% - 75% of operating

expenditures in enterprise funds

Sewer estimated year-end 27%. $5.5 million

WWTP project substantially complete. Water

estimated year-end 65%

Maintain goal

MERS defined benefit at least 85% 85% as of 12/31/19 Maintain goal

$95,000 contribution for OPEB Contributed $119,000. Funding at 72.8% as of

6/30/20. Recommended contribution $84,500.Maintain goal

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2020-2021 Objective 2020-2021 Result 2021-2022 Action

FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY (CONT.)

Research options to provide retiree health-

care buy-out program

The actuarial company that does OPEB

valuation can provide a buy-out projection for

individuals and/or for the group as a whole. If

funds are placed into a HCSP they can be

paid from the OPEB funds, but cash buy-out or

payments into a 457 need to be done from the

budget.

One employee is currently interested. Canvas

remaining employees and put placeholder in

budget.

Use of Limited Resources

(continued)Seek a minimum of $10,000 in grants

$613,000 for Trail Phase 2 (rec.);

$4,500 from MMRMA for sewer camera;

$5,000+ for Elections in 2020

Application submitted for $138,000 EGLE

DWAM grant;

Maintain goal

Total healthcare costs within State guideline Healthcare costs are compliant. Maintain goal

PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE

Public UtilitiesFormal utility rate study update every three

years.Rate studies completed FY 19-20 Update FY 22-23

Explore funding for utility infrastructure

improvements for 3045 Broad

Implement SAW Grant SAW Grant complete Continue to utilize reports to plan for projects

Assess impact of food processing businesses on

sewer processingNUBCO surcharges now below $20 per month.

Streets and Sidewalks Implement Road Maintenance PlanContinued to implement plan.

Develop Plan for 2022 and beyond.

Research impact of extending Baker through

Monument Park

Implement downtown parking study

Work with DDA to determine long-term parking

needsDDA discussing strategic planning

Implement Pedestrian Enhancement ProjectRRFB's and Forest Street sidewalk completed.

Pedestrian safety video planned.Continue education efforts

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2020-2021 Objective 2020-2021 Result 2021-2022 Action

PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE (CONT.)

Public BuildingsStudy financing for City Hall and Fire

Department/Police Substation

Continued work sessions. Ballot language

approved in January 2020

Parks Review and update Parks Master Plan

Parks and Recreation Commission performed

required update responsibilities. Commission

has recommended adoption of the updated

Master Plan to City Council.

Parks and Recreation Commission reviews

annually in March.

Update should be complete by next year.

Parks Commission to review Plan annually.

Implement Mill Creek Park Phase II Construction complete Maintain Mill Crek Park Phase II

Implement design and maintenance of First

Street Park.

Project on hold until warmer months. Delayed

due to COVID.

Capital Improvement PlanProvide staff assistance for CIP and use in

budgeting processPerformed as part of budgeting process

QUALITY OF LIFE

Arts, food and gardeningSupport Plein Air and temporary art as set forth

in ACH Master Plan

2019 Plein Air successful; 2020 - 21 temporary

sculptures selected and installed; 2020 Plein Air

Festival held virtually due to COVID.

Select permanent sculptures for LaFontaine

and Grandview Common

Working on public survey to gauge interest in

2019-2020 sculputures for potential purchase

Hold six Farmers Market events.

7 events held and entertainment every

weekend in 2019. 0 events held in 2020 due to

COVID.

Community Garden

2020 Community Garden was successful.

Relocation of Garden complete except for on-

site well. Well will be installed in spring 2021.

Public Transportation WAVE five days a week WAVE operates M-F

Recognizing community-based

organizations

Support Dexter Senior Center and Historical

SocietyDonations will be made in 19/20

Affordable Housing

Partner with Avalon Housing for affordable

housing and a permanent home for Faith in

Action

Purchase agreement signed; Avalon has

received funding for project; final site plan -

March 2020

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2020-2021 Objective 2020-2021 Result 2021-2022 Action

FLOW OF INFORMATION

Communicate with public 2 community meetings per year Grand Street project meeting October 2019

Post a minimum of 24 news items on City

Website

Website update complete in 2019; 55 news

items posted 7/1/20 - 1/6/21

Post a minimum of 48 news items on the City's

Facebook page80 items posted 7/1/20 - 1/6/21

Email update twice per month 54 updates sent 7/1/20 - 1/6/21

Advertise on Adams Billboard Advertised pedestrian safety on billboard

4 newsletters per year Newsletters published in summer and fall 2020.

Develop social media policy and a plan to

electronically engage the public.Draft provided to Council

Publish Dexter Visitor's Guide

Continued to distribute Visitor's Guides to local

hotels, community organizations, and State

Visitor's Centers.

Explore recording Council meetings for

webcast

With COVID, staff has been recording City

Council meetings. Private entity recording City

Council meetings and publishing them on

YouTube.

VolunteerismDevelop an award program for City

volunteers.

Communicate with neighboring

communities and other

organizations

Participate in regional boards, commissions

and joint endeavors

Staff and Council participate in SEMCOG,

WAVE, WATS, DAFD, MML, MMTA, MEDC,

HRWC, WRRMA etc.

Coordinate regular meetings with Dexter

Community Schools

Meetings held regarding MCP Phase 2

Construction.

Youth EngagementExplore ways to increase youth involvement

with local government

Appointed student reps to Parks, Planning, ACH

and Council; attached is an attendance

summary - reappointments are in June 2020

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2020-2021 Objective 2020-2021 Result 2021-2022 Action

INVEST IN EMPLOYEES

Employee safetyDevelop comprehensive health & safety

program with ongoing annual safety training.

Educated workforceEmployees have opportunity to attend one out

of house training

Training offered in sewer, water, Microsoft

Office programs. City Manager, Asst. to CM,

and Finance Director/Treasurer have all

attended professional seminars. Utility staff

attended operators day in Lansing.

City Council trainings/educational speakers?

Disseminate customer service standards

through meetings and written documents.Ongoing, through meetings and training.

Hold quarterly staff meetings.Administrative staff budget review held

quarterly

Employee tools Asset management system

LuCity developed and installed. Due to

COIVD, integration with daily processes has

been delayed.

Computer replacement planOngoing work with IT Right to maintain

replacement schedule.

Project management softwareExplore using BS&A or LuCity for project

management.

Document management system

Budgeted to continue scanning records and

site plans. Historical council meeting minutes

will again be available on website.

PUBLIC WORKS/SAFETY

Disaster preparednessDisseminate Emergency Action Guidelines with

in-house training

Tornado safety info included in resident

handbook

Police and fire servicesParticipate in Washtenaw County Police

Services Steering CommitteeCity Manager attends meetings

Continue negotiations to consolidate fire

services

Maintain presence on DAFD board and

receive quarterly reportsTwo City representatives sit on DAFD Board.

Traffic enforcementRadarSign used on a minimum of twelve

different roads

Approximately 6 roads covered from 7/1/20 -

1/6/21.

Cleanliness Clean sidewalks and paths monthly All necessary maintenance was performed.

Sweep streets in accordance with

maintenance planAll necessary maintenance was performed.

Cleanliness (continued)Pick up brush, leaves and Christmas trees in

accordance with maintenance planAll necessary maintenance was performed.

Remove trash downtown in accordance with

maintenance planAll necessary maintenance was performed.

Page 49 of 64

2020-2021 Objective 2020-2021 Result 2021-2022 Action

ENVIRONMENT

Water pollution Education materials annually distributed

Information included in newsletter

Information included in Resident Handbook

and distributed to all households in the City

Electronic packetsInvestigate electronic packets for boards and

commissions

Electronic packets implemented for City

Council.

REVIEW DOCUMENTS

Review plans and documents Review Master Plan and CIP annuallyCIP updated annually; Master Plan adopted in

2019

Zoning Ordinance update to implement

Master Plan updates.

Transition to using LuCity for CIP development.

Review Park & Recreation Plan and Tree Plan

annually

Parks and Recreation Commission performed

required update responsibilities. Commission

has recommended adoption of the updated

Master Plan to City Council.

Tree maintenance rotation plan developed.

Review DDA plan and Economic Development

Strategy

DDA continues to maintain an updated

forecast; discussing their strategic plan

Arts, Culture & Heritage Plan

Annual review for updates began to begin in

January as part of annual review and budget

process.

Goals and Objectives annually In progress for FY 20/21

Develop 5-Year Assessing Plan

FUTURE ITEMS

Public Infrastructure Improve walkability scoring

Financial SustainabilityResearch expansion opportunities for Business

Park.

Page 50 of 64

Washtenaw County Ann Arbor 16.3095 16.3095

Chelsea 15.5420 15.5420

Dexter 15.3062 15.3062

Milan 17.2598 17.2598

Saline 17.2294 17.2294

Ypsilanti 36.1010 36.1010

21.3000

19.6247

16 of 87

1 of 6

Adding 3 Mills

36 of 87

5 of 6

Rank - All Counties (Low to High)

Rank - Washtenaw (Low to High)

Average All Counties

Average Washtenaw

Rank - Washtenaw (Low to High)

Rank - All Counties (Low to High)

Page 51 of 64

PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK

Page 78 of 102Page 52 of 64

City of Dexter Streets Fund Account Activity and Projection

$97,500

$172,275 Year End Estimate

2020-2021

Revenue Expected Millage $1,019,000 Budget

Revenue Major/Local Streets Act 51/Interest $352,100 Budget

Revenue Personal Property Reimbursement $70,165 Budget

Revenue Employee Health Care Cost Share $5,500 Budget

Revenue Countywide Road Millage $92,354 Budget

Revenue Investment Income $5,000 Budget

Expense Local Streets Operating ($177,500) Budget

Expense Major Streets Operating ($247,800) Budget

Expense Major/Local Contingency ($20,000) Budget

Expense Municipal Streets Admin ($89,800) Budget

Expense Central Street (Final Payments to MDOT) ($35,000) Estimate

Expense Grand Street/Hudson Reconstruction (July 2020) ($613,900) Estimate

Expense Second Street Design ($103,500) Budget

Expense Third Street Design ($40,000) Budget

Expense Industrial Park Stormwater Project ($20,000) Budget

Expense Additional Sidewalk Work on Forest ($20,000) Estimate

Expense Main/Baker; Meadowview/Dexter Ann Arbor Signals ($30,700) Budget

Expense Sidewalk Repair/Replacement ($50,000) Budget

Expense Crack Sealing ($20,000) Budget

Expense Bond Payment ($93,600) Budget

$154,594

$97,500

2021-2022

Revenue Expected Millage $903,000 Millage reduced by 0.5 mill

Revenue Major/Local Streets Act 51/Interest $387,100 2 Year Budget

Revenue Personal Property Reimbursement $70,165 2 Year Budget

Revenue Employee Health Care Cost Share $5,500 2 Year Budget

Revenue Countywide Road Millage $87,500 2 Year Budget

Revenue Investment Gain $5,000 2 Year Budget

Expense Local Streets Operating ($180,000) 2 Year Budget

Expense Major Streets Operating ($252,100) 2 Year Budget

Expense Major/Local Contingency ($20,000) 2 Year Budget

Expense Municipal Streets Admin ($87,300) 2 Year Budget

Expense Third between Central and Broad (July 2021) ($300,000)

Projected Federal Funding

Amount = $370,000

Expense Second Sidewalks (July 2021) ($150,000) 2 Year Budget

Expense Industrial Park Stormwater Project ($20,000) 2 Year Budget

Expense Crack Sealing ($20,000) 2 Year Budget

Expense Bond Payment ($91,800) 2 Year Budget

$491,659 Estimate

$97,500

Voluntary Public Parking Fund

Unrestricted Fund Balance at the end of 2019-2020

Expected Unrestricted Fund Balance at the end of 2020-

Voluntary Public Parking Restricted Balance

Expected Unrestricted Fund Balance at the end of 2021-

Voluntary Public Parking Restricted Balance

1/13/2021Page 53 of 64

City of Dexter Streets Fund Account Activity and Projection2022-2023

Revenue Expected Millage $903,000 Estimate

Revenue Major/Local Streets Act 51/Interest $387,100 Estimate

Revenue Personal Property Reimbursement $70,165 Estimate

Revenue Employee Health Care Cost Share $5,500 Estimate

Revenue Countywide Road Millage $87,500 Estimate

Expense Local Streets Operating ($180,000) Estimate

Expense Major Streets Operating ($252,100) Estimate

Expense Major/Local Contingency ($20,000) Estimate

Expense Municipal Streets Admin ($87,300) Estimate

Expense Dexter Crossing? (July 2022) ($608,000) Estimate

Expense Crack Sealing ($20,000) Estimate

Expense Bond Payment ($94,800) Actual

$682,724 Estimate

$97,500

2023-2024

Revenue Expected Millage $903,000 Estimate

Revenue Major/Local Streets Act 51/Interest $387,100 Estimate

Revenue Personal Property Reimbursement $70,165 Estimate

Revenue Employee Health Care Cost Share $5,500 Estimate

Revenue Countywide Road Millage $87,500 Estimate

Expense Local Streets Operating ($180,000) Estimate

Expense Major Streets Operating ($252,100) Estimate

Expense Major/Local Contingency ($20,000) Estimate

Expense Municipal Streets Admin ($87,300) Estimate

Expense Project(s) TBD TBD TBD

Expense Crack Sealing ($20,000) Estimate

Expense Bond Payment ($92,500) Final Payment

$1,484,089 Estimate

$97,500

Voluntary Public Parking Restricted Balance

Expected Unrestricted Fund Balance at the end of 2023-

Voluntary Public Parking Restricted Balance

Expected Unrestricted Fund Balance at the end of 2022-

1/13/2021Page 54 of 64

Lease Agreement

The Encore Theatre (hereinafter called the “Lessor”) hereby grants the City of Dexter (hereinafter calledthe “Lessee”), represented by the City Manager, permission to use what is currently known as theDexter Senior Center located at 7720 Ann Arbor Street (hereinafter called the “Facility”) as outlined,subject to the Terms and Conditions of this Agreement contained herein. Payments and the signedcontract can be submitted to the Encore Theatre located at 7714 Ann Arbor Street, Dexter, MI 48130.

Use

The Facility may be used at the following days/time:

- Monday’s from 5 pm to the end of the meeting- 3rd Tuesday of the month from 7 pm to the end of the meeting- 1st Wednesday of the month from 6:30 pm to the end of the meeting- Tuesday, May 4th from 6 am to 10 pm if an election is called to be held that day

If Encore needs to use the space on one of the listed Tuesday or Wednesday dates, they shall give theCity at least 30 days notice so the meeting location can be moved and the change can be publiclynoticed. Monday meetings cannot be moved.

The Lessee may request to use the Facility on a case-by-case basis for other meetings and shall receiveprior approval from the Lessor prior to holding additional meetings outside of those specifically listed.Such requests shall be made no less than 48 hours in advance of the proposed meeting.

Term

The term of the contract will be six months (January 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021). After this point thecontract will switch to month to month, unless otherwise agreed upon.

Payment

The City will pay $150 per meeting held at the Facility. If the City is not going to hold a meeting on adate as listed above, Encore will be notified 48 hours in advance.

Regular Maintenance Procedure/Responsibilities of the Lessee

- Turn out all lights not on automatic timers.- The Lessee may use exterior parking lot lights, but the Lessee shall turn out any lights turned on.- Gather and remove any trash produced as a result of the City meeting- Move furniture back to the position it was found in- Open and lock door/s with key/s provided to City- Do not use any kitchen supplies- A plastic tote with minor items used every meeting (microphones, name plates, table drapes,

etc) will be permitted to be stored on-site- Should a winter snow and/or ice event impact the Lessee’s use of the Facility, the Lessee shall

be responsible for the clearing and treatment of snow and ice from any parking and sidewalkareas needed to provide access to the Facilities.

Page 55 of 64

COVID Procedures

The City will comply with reasonable measures in response to the COVID pandemic. Such measures shallinclude but are not limited to:

- Following any guidance on which doors to use to enter/exit the facility- Encouraging the use of hand sanitizer- Requiring the use of masks- Wiping down surfaces touched- Using specifically designated chairs/tables- Not using any part of the kitchen or eating area

The City will have audio visual equipment that will allow remote participation in the meeting byaudience members to help reduce the number of people physically in attendance.

Agreement

The undersigned has read and on behalf of the Lessee agrees to be bound by this Permit/License andthe Terms and Conditions contained herein and hereby warrants and represents that he/she executesthis Lease on behalf of the Lessee and has sufficient power, authority and capacity to bind the Lesseewith his/her signature.

___________________________________________ __________________________

Lessee Representative Signature Date

___________________________________________ __________________________

Lessor Representative Signature Date

Page 56 of 64

Lease Agreement

St. Andrews United Church of Christ (hereinafter called the “Lessor”) hereby grants the City of Dexter(hereinafter called the “Lessee”), represented by the City Manager, permission to use the FellowshipHall located at 7610 Ann Arbor Street (hereinafter called the “Facility”) as outlined, subject to the Termsand Conditions of this Agreement contained herein. Payments and the signed contract can be submittedto St. Andrews Church of Christ, 7610 Ann Arbor Street, Dexter, MI 48130.

Use

The Facility may be used at the following days/time:

- Mondays from 5 pm to the end of the meeting- 3rd Tuesday of the month from 7 pm to the end of the meeting- 1st Wednesday of the month from 6:30 pm to the end of the meeting- Tuesday, May 4th from 6 am to 10 pm if an election is called to be held that day

If the Lessor needs to use the space on one of the listed Tuesday or Wednesday dates, they shall givethe City at least 30 days notice so the meeting location can be moved and the change can be publiclynoticed. Monday meetings cannot be moved.

The Lessee may request to use the Facility on a case-by-case basis for other meetings and shall receiveprior approval from the Lessor prior to holding additional meetings outside of those specifically listed.Such requests shall be made no less than 48 hours in advance of the proposed meeting.

Term

The term of the contract will be six months (January 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021). After this point thecontract will switch to month to month, unless otherwise agreed upon.

Payment

The City will pay $80 per meeting held at the Facility. If the City is not going to hold a meeting on a dateas listed above, Encore will be notified 48 hours in advance.

Regular Maintenance Procedure/Responsibilities of the Lessee

- Turn out all lights not on automatic timers.- Gather and remove any trash produced as a result of the City meeting- Move furniture back to the position it was found in- Open and lock door/s with key/s provided to City- Do not use any kitchen supplies- A plastic tote with minor items used every meeting (microphones, name plates, table drapes,

etc) will be permitted to be stored on-site- Should a winter snow and/or ice event impact the Lessee’s use of the Facility, the Lessee shall

be responsible for the clearing and treatment of snow and ice from any parking and sidewalkareas needed to provide access to the Facilities.

Page 57 of 64

COVID Procedures

The City will comply with reasonable measures in response to the COVID pandemic. Such measures shallinclude but are not limited to:

- Following any guidance on which doors to use to enter/exit the facility- Encouraging the use of hand sanitizer- Requiring the use of masks- Wiping down surfaces touched- Using specifically designated chairs/tables- Not using any part of the kitchen or eating area

The City will have audio visual equipment that will allow remote participation in the meeting byaudience members to help reduce the number of people physically in attendance.

Agreement

The undersigned has read and on behalf of the Lessee agrees to be bound by this Permit/License andthe Terms and Conditions contained herein and hereby warrants and represents that he/she executesthis Lease on behalf of the Lessee and has sufficient power, authority and capacity to bind the Lesseewith his/her signature.

___________________________________________ __________________________

Lessee Representative Signature Date

___________________________________________ __________________________

Lessor Representative Signature Date

Page 58 of 64

1

CITY OF DEXTER COUNCIL RULES

Adopted: April 1986 Amended: September 28, 1992 Amended: January 14, 2013 Amended: August 24, 1987 Amended: May 12, 2003 Amended: December 22, 2014

Amended: September 14, 1987 Amended: October 27, 2003 Amended: March 14, 2016

Amended: March 26, 1991 Amended: April 12, 2004 Amended: December 11, 2017 Amended: September 23, 1991 Amended: May 9, 2005

Amended: April 13, 1992 Amended: January 28, 2008

Amended: June 8, 1992 Amended: December 22, 2008

RULE 1: MEETING OF THE COUNCIL

All meetings, regular and special, of the Council shall be held in Dexter Senior Center, 7720 Dexter Ann

Arbor Road. However, any meeting of the Council can be adjourned to another location in order to

accommodate the public.

The Council shall hold its regular meetings on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7:00

p.m., starting in 2018.

Whenever a regular meeting falls on a legal holiday or Election Day, it shall be held on the following day

(Tuesday) at 7:00 P.M., starting in 2018, or as determined by Council with adequate public notice.

RULE 2: REGULAR MEETING AGENDA

2 .1 Preparation of agenda and materials

The Mayor and City Manager and/or other responsible administrative officers or employees at the City

office shall prepare the agenda of business for regularly scheduled council meetings. Any other member

or representative of committees, boards or commissions desiring to place a matter on the agenda shall

notify the Mayor and City Manager and/or other responsible administrative officers or employees at the

City office of such items by 5 p.m. on the Monday preceding the next meeting. Items that are not

received by the stated deadline shall not be considered by the Council except upon the unanimous consent

of the members present.

2.2 Distribution of agenda and materials

Upon completion of the agenda, the City Manager and/or other responsible administrative officer or

employee at the City office shall distribute the agenda and support materials, and post it to the website, on

Wednesday prior to the next meeting. If the packet needs to be delayed, the Manager or other responsible

administrative officer shall send an e-mail notification to the Mayor and Council. If a delay is necessary,

the agenda shall still be posted online by the end of the day Wednesday. The City Manager and/or other

responsible administrative officer or employee or designee at the City office may distribute such material

by mail, email or personal delivery.

2.3 Order of Business

The City Manager in accordance with the following shall prepare an agenda for each Council Meeting:

A CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

B ROLL CALL OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS

C APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

D PRE-ARRANGED PARTICIPATION

Pre-arranged participation will be limited to those who notify the City office before 5:00

p.m. Monday preceding the meeting, stating their name, intent and time requirements.

(10-minute limit)

E APPROVAL OF AGENDA

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2

CITY OF DEXTER COUNCIL RULES

F PUBLIC HEARINGS/SHOW CAUSE HEARINGS

Action on each public hearing or show cause hearing will be taken immediately

following the Hearing.

G NON-ARRANGED PARTICIPATION

Non-arranged participation will include those not listed on the printed agenda that wish to

speak. A time limit of 5 minutes will apply, unless speaking for a bona fide group, in

which case ten minutes shall be allowed. A notation will appear on the agenda. The

Mayor, at his discretion, may call on members of the audience to speak at any time, or

respond to their concerns. Any questions posed at this time will be responded to by the

City Manager or his/her designee within 48 hours.

H COMMUNICATIONS SPOKEN or WRITTEN

I REPORTS “As Scheduled”

1. CITY STAFF AND DEPARTMENTS – Written & Oral Reports

a. Ex-offico representatives of Planning and Parks & Recreation Commission -

monthly

b. Community Development Manager – Minimum Quarterly, or as

circumstances require

c. Sheriff Department – Minimum Quarterly, or as circumstances require

d. Finance Officer/Treasurer – Minimum Quarterly, or as circumstances require

e. Public Services Superintendent – Minimum Quarterly, or as circumstances

require

2. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS – Written & Oral Reports Minimum once per year, on a pre-arranged schedule.

a. Arts, Culture & Heritage Committee

b. Chamber of Commerce

c. Dexter Area Fire Board (DAFD)

d. Downtown Development Authority (DDA)

e. Farmers Market / Community Garden Oversight Committee

f. Gateways Initiative

g. Healthy Communities Committee/5-H

h. Huron River Watershed Council (HRWC)

i. Library Board

j. Parks & Recreation Commission

k. Planning Commission

l. Tree Board

m. WATS

n. WAVE

3. SUB COMMITTEES – Monthly report from active committees, oral or written.

4. CITY MANAGER/ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER REPORT

5. MAYOR WRITTEN REPORT

J CONSENT AGENDA

Bills & Payroll will be a standing item under consent agenda. Discussion of

Budget and Financial Matters will be covered as a standing item on the Mayor

Page 60 of 64

3

CITY OF DEXTER COUNCIL RULES

Report, as needed under the City Manager’s report or during a quarterly Financial

Report by the Treasurer. Items under Consent Agenda are considered routine by

the City Council and will be enacted in one motion. There will no separate

discussion of these items, unless a Council Member so requests, in which event,

the items will be removed from Consent Agenda and added to the regular agenda

at the end of Old or New Business.

K OLD BUSINESS

This portion of the agenda is for action items previously tabled or postponed from

a prior meeting.

L NEW BUSINESS

This portion of the agenda is for consideration of action items as well as

discussion of items not previously tabled or postponed by Council.

M COUNCIL COMMENTS

This portion of the agenda is intended to provide elected officials an opportunity

to share comments that benefit the Council as well as the community. These will

not be actionable items, except that issues may be referred to committee or placed

on an upcoming agenda.

N NON-ARRANGED PARTICIPATION

Non-arranged participation will include those not listed on the printed agenda that

wish to speak. A time limit of 5 minutes will apply, unless speaking for a bona

fide group, in which case ten minutes shall be allowed. A notation will appear on

the agenda. The Mayor, at his discretion, may call on members of the audience to

speak at any time, or respond to their concerns. Any questions posed at this time

will be responded to by the City Manager or his/her designee within 48 hours.

O ADJOURNMENT

RULE 3: RECORD OF MEETINGS:

3.1 Recording responsibility

The Clerk shall be responsible for maintaining the official record and minutes of each meeting of

the Council. The minutes shall include all the action of the Council with respect to motions. The

record shall include the names of the mover and seconded and the vote of the Council. The

record shall also state whether the vote was by voice or by roll call, and when by roll call, the

record shall show the “yes”, “no” and abstention for each member. The Clerk shall be

responsible for maintaining a written record of the summary of comments made by members of

the public. The Clerk shall maintain copies of minutes, resolutions and ordinances or other

matters acted upon by the Council.

3.2 Requests for remarks to be included

Any member of the Council may request to have his or her comments printed as part of the

record. If there are no objections by any members of Council, the comments may be included. If

there is an objection to such printing of the comments, the Council-shall decide the matter by

majority vote. Such comments to be included, as part of the official record, shall be provided in

writing by the member or transcribed exactly by the Clerk.

Page 61 of 64

4

CITY OF DEXTER COUNCIL RULES

3.3 Public access to meeting records

The Clerk shall make available to members of the public the records and minutes of official

meetings in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act. Minutes prepared by the Clerk,

but not yet approved by the body, shall be available for public inspection not more than 8

business days following the meeting. Minutes approved by the body shall be available within 5

business days from the date of the meeting at which they were approved. The Clerk shall also

promptly send copies of minutes to persons who have requested them.

3.4 Publication of minutes

The Clerk shall be responsible for posting minutes as established by Council by Resolution.

RULE 4: BEHAVIOR OF COUNCIL MEMBERS

The Mayor or any Council Member may request a roll call of the Council, and the Clerk shall

note the names of absentees. The Council shall take such action, as it deems appropriate to

reprimand Council members absent without reasonable excuse.

The Council shall determine if the behavior of any of its members, or any City Official present at

the meeting, is interfering with Council business. Upon concurrence of 2/3 (5 of 7 members) of

Council, any member or official shall be excused from the Council meeting.

RULE 5: VOTING

All votes of the Council shall be by roll call, except approval of the minutes, agenda, and the

consent agenda and adjournment. The Mayor shall be the last to vote on all roll call votes, and

all other Council Members shall vote in random order. All Council Members shall vote on all

matters before the Council, unless a Council Member has a financial interest in any matter before

the Council, in which case the Council Member shall not vote on the matter (Abstain). For a

motion or resolution to pass it must receive a majority vote of the members of Council

(minimum of 4 votes).

RULE 6: CONDUCT OF DISCUSSION – DEBATE

During Council discussion and debate, no Council Member shall speak until recognized by the

Mayor. Discussion and debate must be addressed to the Mayor not other Council Members or

public. A Council Member shall confine their comments to the question at hand and avoid

personalities and or character insult. Each Council Member shall speak no more than two times

on a given question and for no longer than five minutes each time, unless the Council Members

give unanimous consent. Debate will be limited to voting members of Council and those

participants recognized by the Mayor.

Conduct Norms

Council Members shall:

• Be prepared for the meeting and contact the Manager to get questions answered prior to

the meeting;

• Listen to one another;

• Debate issues not persons;

• Respect one another’s views in spite of differences in opinion;

• Respect the fact that we will not always agree on issues; indeed, the diversity of views

and perspective may strengthen the decision-making process;

• Members must abide by the decision of the Council once a decision has been made;

• Resist the temptation, when you disagree with a decision, to try and undermine the

decision; continuing concerns about a decision should be expressed privately.

Page 62 of 64

5

CITY OF DEXTER COUNCIL RULES

RULE 7: PUBLIC HEARINGS

Any citizen may address Council at a Public Hearing. The citizen must give their name and

address to be recorded by the City Clerk. The citizen must limit their presentation to five

minutes. Any citizen representing a bona fide group may speak for ten minutes.

RULE 8: RIGHT TO DELAY CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS

No resolution or proceeding of the Council imposing taxes or assessments or requiring the

payment, expenditure of money or property, or creating a debt or liability, shall be allowed at the

same meeting at which it is introduced, if objection be made by one member, unless by a two-

thirds vote of the members present. Two-thirds = for 7 members present 5 votes, 6 members

present 4 votes, 5 members present 4 votes. Any motion to adjourn shall always be in order,

except when the last preceding business was a motion to adjourn. That and motions to lie on the

table and to limit debate, shall be decided without debate.

RULE 9: ORDER OF MOTIONS DURING DEBATE

When any question is under debate, no motion shall be received but the following, and they shall

have precedence in the order listed below:

MOTION TO ADJOURN

MOTION TO LAY ON TABLE

MOTION TO LIMIT DEBATE

MOTION TO POSTPONE TO A CERTAIN DAY

MOTION TO REFER TO COMMITTEE

MOTION TO AMEND

MAIN MOTION

RULE 10: MOTION TO LIMIT DEBATE

At any time during a discussion or debate of a question, a Council Member may move to limit

debate. This motion, after receiving the affirmative votes of at least two-thirds of the Council

Members present, (Two-thirds = or 7 members present 5 votes, 6 members present 4 votes, 5

members present 4 votes.) will have the effect of limiting any member to speak for not more

than one additional five-minute period on the basic question, provided that member has not

spoken twice, in which case they may not speak again. This motion, upon being made and

seconded, shall not be debated.

RULE 11: RECONSIDERATION OF QUESTION

When a question has been taken, it shall be in order for any member voting with the prevailing

side to move a reconsideration thereof at the same or next regular meeting, but no question shall

be considered a third time.

RULE 12: ALTERING AND AMENDING COUNCIL RULES

Council rules shall be reviewed and adopted within 60 days after the General Election and/or a

change in the membership of the Council. Council-adopted rules may be altered or amended by a

vote of a majority of the members, if notice of the proposed change shall have been given at a

preceding meeting of the Council, and a written copy of the proposed change has been

distributed to all members.

RULE 13: TAPING OF COUNCIL MEETINGS

Any citizen may record a Council meeting by audio or video machines. All recording equipment

or personnel shall be positioned in such a manner as to not interfere with the audience’s view.

Page 63 of 64

6

CITY OF DEXTER COUNCIL RULES

RULE 14: ABSENCE OF RULES

In the absence of a Council rule, Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised will prevail. An

abbreviated version of Robert’s Rules shall be made part of this document.

RULE 15: WAIVING COUNCIL RULES –SUSPEND RULES

Any Council rule shall be waived by a two-thirds majority of the Council members present,

unless the rule to be waived requires more than a simple majority of consent. (7 members present

5 votes, 6 members present 4 votes, and 5 members present 4 votes)

RULE 16: BOARDS & COMMISSIONS

Council members may serve as regular members of City Boards and Commissions. The Mayor

shall annually appoint during the organizational meeting Council Members to serve on Boards

and Commissions. Commissions will include, but not be limited to the following:

Planning Commission

Zoning Board of Appeals

Parks & Recreation Commission

Dexter Area Fire Department

Farmers Market/Community Garden Oversight Committee

Arts, Culture & Heritage

Appointments: The Mayor shall make appointments to all Boards and Commissions upon

confirmation by City Council, with the exception of the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). ZBA

members shall be appointed by a majority of Council Appointment recommendations will be

affirmed by a majority of Council (Requires 4 votes to affirm an appointment)

To avoid issues of incompatible offices or legal liability, other than the appointments under this

section, the Mayor and Council Members will not be permitted serve Boards and Commissions

as paid staff or contracted employees.

RULE 17: FILLING VACANCY ON COUNCIL

When an elected position becomes vacant for any reason the position shall be filled within 60

days, unless the term expiration date is within 90 days of the day the office is vacated (City

Charter Section 5.05). In this case the position will remain open until the election. If the vacancy

occurs in the office of Mayor, the Mayor Pro-Tem will serve as Mayor until the Council appoints

a replacement. The appointment to fill the position of Mayor or Council Member shall proceed

as below.

1. Officially vacate the Council Member position if required.

2. Provide adequate notification to the public regarding the open position through the city

newsletter, a newspaper, the Internet, or any other means deemed appropriate.

3. The applicant will write a letter of intent or fill out an application in accordance with the

advertised deadline, a copy of which will be provided to the Council in the Council

packet.

4. At the next council meeting, the Mayor or Presiding Officer will announce all the

applicants and provide copies of applications or letters of intent.

5. The Mayor or Presiding Officer makes a nomination from the applications received.

6. The nominee is then voted on.

7. If this nominee received four votes, he or she is then appointed and sworn into office.

8. In the event this nominee does not receive 4 votes, the process begins again at step 5.

Page 64 of 64