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RECORD OF CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF TRENTON, MICHIGAN
HELD ON THE 5TH DAY of JANUARY, 2026
CITY OF TRENTON
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 5, 2026
After the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, the Regular Meeting of the City Council of
Trenton, Michigan, was called to order by Mayor Rzeppa, at 7:02 p.m. on the above date in
the Council chambers.
Present on roll call by City Clerk Debra Devitt: Councilpersons Rick Benedetti, Scott
Cabauatan, Emily Hornbeck, Nelson Perugi, Dora Rodriguez and Mayor Steven Rzeppa.
Absent: Councilwoman Timber Baun-Crooks.
Moved by Councilman Benedetti, seconded by Councilman Cabauatan, to excuse the
absence o{ Councilwoman Baun-Crooks.
Carried unanimously.
There being a quorum present, the Council was declared in session.
Other Officers Present: Alan Ackerman, City Attorney; Dean Creech, City Administrator;
Joanie Barnett, City Assessor; Michael McCullough, City Treasurer; Amanda Tackett,
Deputy City Treasurer; Jill Cooper, City Controller; Kevin Sargent, DPS Superintendent;
Angelia Pusino, DDA Director; Paul Haley, Emergency Management Coordinator;
Elisabeth Sobota-Perry, Human Resources Director; Donna Jensen, City Librarian; Tim
Beaker, Parks and Recreation Director; and Mike Hawkins, Police Chief.
MINUTES
Moved by Councilman Cabauatan, seconded by Councilwoman Hornbeck, to approve
the Regular Meeting Minutes of December 22, 2025.
Carried unanimously.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Pres ent at ion
City of Trenton Time Capsule
Moved by Councilman Benedetti, seconded by Councilman Perugi, to reschedule the
presentation to the next Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, January 20, 2025.
Carried unanimously.
Presentation
Holiday Window Decorating Award Winners
Moved by Councilman Cabauatan, seconded by Councilman Benecdetti, to make the
presentation part of the regular minutes.
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RECORD OF CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF TRENTON, MICHIGAN
HELD ON THE 5m DAY of JANUARY, 2026
Carried unanimously.
Mayor Rzeppa and DDA Director Pusino announced and presented
certificates/trophies to the top three winners: Martenson Funeral Home, South Valley
Internal Medicine and Trenton School of Dance.
APPOINTMENTS
Cultural Commission, Planning Commission, Traffic Safety Commission, Zoning Board of
Appeals
Moved by Councilman Cabauatan, seconded by Councilwoman Hornbeck, to approve
the Mayor's appointments of Celina Peters, to the Cultural Commission; Ronald Lammers,
to the Traffic Safety Commission as an alternate and the Zoning Board of Appeals as an
alternate; and reappointment of Jennifer Blackledge, to the Planning Commission; for
terms expiring January 1, 2029.
Roll call: Benedetti, yes; Cabauatan, yes; Hornbeck, yes; Perugi, yes; Rodriguez, yes;
and Rzeppa, abstain.
Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS AGENDA
GENERAL
H-1. 33rd District Court: Line-Item Adjustments -2025 Budget
DEPARTMENT HEADS AND OFFICIALS
J-1. Parks and Recreation Director: Westfield Center Painting
J-2. Parks and Recreation Director: AudioNisual Component Installation at Westfield
Center
OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS
N-1. Mayor Pro-Tern Hornbeck:: Closed Session
COMMUNICATIONS
H-1
33rd District Court
Line· Item Adjustments - 2025 Budget
Moved by Councilman Benedetti, seconded by Councilman Cabauatan, to receive
and place on file the line-item adjustments to the 2025 Budget, submitted by the 33rd
District Court.
Carried unanimously.
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RECORD OF CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF TRENTON, MICHIGAN
HELD ON THE 5TH DAY of JANUARY, 2026
J-1
Parks and Recreation Director
Westfield Center Painting
Moved by Councilman Cabauatan, seconded by Councilwoman Rodriguez, to accept
the quote from Bailey Painting, in the amount of $21,525.00 for painting the interior of the
Westfield Activities Center, with funding from Capital Improvements Account #403·754·
988.000.
Carried unanimously.
J-2
Parks and Recreation Director
AudioNisual Component Installation at Westfield Center
Moved by Councilman Cabauatan, seconded by Councilwoman Hornbeck, to accept
the quote from Telsystems, in the amount of $73,502.00 for the audio and visual setup at
the Westfield Center, with funding from Capital Improvements Account #403·754·988.000.
Carried unanimously.
DISBURSEMENTS AND STATEMENTS
Moved by Councilwoman Hornbeck, seconded by Councilman Cabauatan, to approve
the Authorized Disbursements, January 5, 2026, in the amount of $2,925,594.96.
Carried unanimously.
OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS
N-1
Mayor Pro·Tem Hornbeck
Closed Session
Moved by Councilwoman Hornbeck, seconded by Councilman Cabauatan, to move to
a Closed Session, for the purpose of discussing litigation.
Roll call: Cabauatan, yes; Hornbeck, yes; Perugi, yes; Rodriguez, yes; Rzeppa, yes;
and Benedetti, yes.
Motion carried.
Recessed to Closed Session at 7:13 p.m.
Reconvened from Closed Session at 7:49 p.m.
Moved by Councilwoman Hornbeck, seconded by Councilman Cabauatan, to accept
and approve the settlement of Cassette/Butkin vs. City of Trenton, as recommended by
legal counsel and authorize the City Administrator to sign final agreement on the City's
behalf. •
Carried unanimously.
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RECORD OF CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF TRENTON, MICHIGAN
HELD ON THE 51'11 DAY of JANUARY, 2026
COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL AND OFFICIALS
Councilman Cabauatan: Happy New Year. Thanked employees who spent
time away from families during holidays.
Councilwoman Rodriguez: Appreciates hard work of employees. Happy New
Year.
Councilman Benedetti: Happy New Year. MDOT Public meeting Jan. 14
to discuss railroad crossing near Van Horn Road.
Councilwoman Hornbeck: Happy New Year. Go Lions.
City Clerk Devitt: City Hall closed Monday, Jan. 19 for MLK Day.
Next Regular Council Meeting Tuesday, Jan. 20
at 7:00 p.m.
City Treasurer McCullough: Boujee Banquet #2 will be the best yet.
Police Chief Hawkins: Wednesday, Jan. 14 Public Open House at City
Hall regarding Fort Van Horn Bridge Crossing, 4
to 6:30 p.m. Three options to see the meeting.
MOTION TO ADJOURN by Councilman Cabauatan, seconded by Councilman
Perugi, at 7:53 p.m.
Carried unanimously.
STEVEN J.ffeZEP , MAYOR .
00£ ~L-LVVdfl/),,fil~ ~
DEBRA R. DEVITT, CITCLERK
MINUTES PREPARED BY: Eric J. Hoshaw, Deputy City Clerk
APPROVED ON: ~l.(Mf 2--0f 2...D'l..'>
INFORMATION ITEMS:
1. State of Michigan: Notice of Hearing, DTE Electric Company, Case No. U-21772
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