FLINT, Mich. — On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the Flint City Council convened for both a Special Affairs Committee meeting and a regular council meeting following the extended Memorial Day weekend.
During the Special Affairs Committee meeting, several agenda items were reviewed, and a number of them were forwarded to the full council for consideration.
In the regular council meeting, a public hearing was held concerning the city’s application for a low-interest loan aimed at funding the final improvements mandated by the Administrative Consent Order (ACO) for Flint’s drinking water system.
After the public hearing concluded, the council meeting lost quorum, which halted further official proceedings. The meeting was attended by Council President Ladel Lewis, Vice President Candice Mushatt, and Councilmembers Judy Priestly, Tonya Burns, Dennis Pfeiffer, Jonathan Jarrett and Jerri Winfrey-Carter.
A special city council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
Special Affairs Committee
Resolution to adopt the proposed 2026 budget
The committee resumed budget discussions after last week’s Finance Committee meeting ended abruptly due to a loss of quorum mid-discussion. Pfeiffer said he would not support the resolution tonight due to a special meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 28.
Other council members, notably Lewis and Winfrey-Carter noted they had many unanswered questions.
Priestly criticized what she called delay tactics, noting questions should have been raised during budget hearings, and warned, “I suspect that we will not have a budget,” stressing the urgent June 2 deadline for passing the budget to avoid layoffs.
Members voted 7–0 to table the budget until the next day’s session.
Resolution to pay A-Z Renovation an additional $8,500 for lead abatement overages
Pfeiffer questioned the $8,500 overage, asking what it was for and why it was coming to council now if the work was completed six months ago. Project Manager Michael Carpenter explained the extra cost was due to unforeseen deterioration found after removing siding, which required full replacement to meet compliance.
Burns asked how many residents have used the lead abatement program. Carpenter said 125 homes have been completed, with a waiting list of 70, all involving children under age 6. Burns requested a list of the 125 homes and asked if such overages are common. Carpenter confirmed they are, noting lead hazards sometimes aren’t discovered until work begins.
Lewis expressed support, commending Carpenter and stating she is familiar with the program and that the team does a good job working with residents. The vote was 6–0 to move this item to council. Priestly was not seated for this vote.
Resolution for the City to contract A-Z renovations for up to $326K to remove lead hazards from six homes
The council approved a motion to send a resolution to the full council authorizing the City of Flint to enter a FY25 contract with A-Z Renovations Unlimited for up to $326,704.40. The contract covers lead hazard abatement at six unsafe homes within the city. The total includes a base bid of $297,004 and a 10% contingency for unforeseen costs.
Pfeiffer asked for a list of all bidders. Project Manager Michael Carpenter said 18 contractors attended the bid meeting, 13 submitted bids, and six were awarded contracts based on compliance. Carpenter said he would email the list to Pfeiffer that night.
The item passed onto council with a 7–0 vote.
Resolution to purchase five trucks for the sewer department
City Council advanced a resolution authorizing the Division of Purchases and Supplies to issue a $327,831 purchase order to LaFontaine Automotive Group for five new trucks for the Sewer Department. The purchase includes:
- Two 2025 GMC Sierra 2500 Double Cab 4WD trucks
- One 2024 Chevrolet 1-ton EZ dump truck
- Two 2025 Chevrolet 1-ton EZ dump trucks
Two older trucks (a 2013 pickup and a 2015 dump truck) will be traded in. Three other replaced vehicles will either be reassigned to the Water Service Center or auctioned off per city policy.
Council member Burns asked for justification of the purchase. Jiggy Mitchell from the city’s Sewer System Maintenance said the trucks are essential for plowing and maintenance, noting the department has 25 aging trucks, some with rust and over 70,000 miles.
Pfeiffer questioned the $9,000 price difference between two similar trucks. Mitchell explained it was due to availability, engine type (diesel vs. gas), and trade-in status. Pfeiffer asked why the city couldn’t wait for a cheaper option, but Mitchell cautioned that truck availability is limited and prices are rising due to tariffs and supply chain issues.
Lewis asked Mitchell for his recommendation. He advised moving forward with the current purchase.
The vote passed 6–1 with Pfeiffer voting no. The resolution now moves to council.
Resolution to renew three-year Microsoft licensing contract
The council approved sending a resolution to authorize a Dell Marketing contract for Microsoft licensing renewal, totaling up to $500,000 over three years. This covers citywide access to Microsoft services and includes yearly contingency funds for new employee licenses. The motion passed with a vote 7–0 and no discussion.
Resolution to adopt the 2025-2026 Master Fee Schedule
The council moved a resolution to approve the Master Fee Schedule, which includes water and wastewater rates and service charges, effective July 1, 2025. The schedule can be adjusted during the two-year period if needed.
During discussion, Councilmember Burns asked about fees related to community centers, noting uncertainty about the opening date for the McKinley Center and concerns over naming conventions for centers. City staff explained the schedule uses a general “community centers” category to keep pricing uniform regardless of facility or name changes.
Councilmember Pfeiffer questioned the $250 rental license and vacant property registration fees, requesting justification for the cost and proposing reducing both fees to $100 to encourage greater compliance. Others noted comparable cities charge similar or higher fees, and these fees support city services. The city attorney said more information would be provided at an upcoming meeting.
The vote to amend the fees failed 4–3. A motion to postpone final approval until the next meeting passed 6–1.
Regular City Council Meeting
The meeting began at 7:13 p.m. with a roll call; Councilmember El-Alamin was absent. A motion to postpone selecting council leadership until the end of the agenda passed 5–2.
An add-on item was inserted after the minutes, and the 3rd Ward appointment was moved to after council reorganization.
Public Hearing: Drinking Water System Improvements and 2026 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Project Plan
Representatives from DLZ Engineering presented Flint’s application for a $29.5 million low-interest loan (around 2.2%) to fund upgrades including ones for the Torrey Road Booster Station and Northwest Transmission Main. The project aims to improve water pressure and meet ACO mandates with construction starting August 2026 and completing by November 2028 ahead of the consent agreement deadline.
“The resolution doesn’t commit you to this program. This is simply getting you in the queue for some potential, either low interest funding, or there’s possibilities for principal forgiveness. So this kind of gets you in the queue,” said DLZ Department Manager and Civil Engineer, Mike Leuffgen.
The funds would be used to improve drinking water treatment, repair leaky aging pipes, enhance the source water supply, and replace or build finished water storage tanks and other infrastructure projects essential for public health improvements.
The timeline, per officials:
- January 2026: Submit draft plans and specifications for construction.
- March 2026: Complete environmental assessments, mid-permit applications and final submission of plans and specifications.
- April 2026: EGLE approves plan to proceed with bidding.
- August 2026: Construction will start.
- November 2028: Construction will conclude.
Council raised concerns about financing, noting the city’s existing $12 million annual water fund deficit and concern over added loan repayments. DLZ officials emphasized that approving the plan only places Flint in line for funding; no commitment is made until loan closing. Council extended discussion time multiple times due to its importance and the June 1 deadline.