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RECORD OF CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF TRENTON, MICHIGAN
HELD ON THE 2QTH DAY of JANUARY, 2026
CITY OF TRENTON
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 20, 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 7:06 p.m. on the above date in
the Council chambers.
Present on roll call by City Clerk Debra Devitt: Councilpersons Scott Cabauatan,
Emily Hornbeck, Nelson Perugi, Dora Rodriguez and Mayor Steven Rzeppa.
Absent: Councilwoman Timber Baun-Crooks and Councilman Rick Benedetti.
Moved by Councilman Cabauatan, seconded by Councilwoman Hornbeck, to excuse
the absences of Councilpersons Baun-Crooks and Benedetti.
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;
Paul Haley, Emergency Management Coordinator; Elisabeth Sobota-Perry, Human
Resources Director; Tim Beaker, Parks and Recreation Director; and Frank Canning,
Deputy Police Chief.
MINUTES
Moved by Councilman Cabauatan, seconded by Councilman Perugi, to approve the
Regular Meeting Minutes of January 5, 2026.
Carried unanimously.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Presentation
City of Trenton Time Capsule
Moved by Councilman Cabauatan, seconded by Hornbeck, to make the presentation
part of the regular minutes.
Carried unanimously.
Mayor Rzeppa announced that the City of Trenton Time Capsule is scheduled to be
opened and introduced Peter Poulos, of the Trenton Historical Commission. Poulos
announced the new City of Trenton Time Capsule, which is to be opened on the City of
Trenton's 250th birthday, in 2084.
Mayor Rzeppa opened the City of Trenton Time Capsule.
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I
RECORD OF CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF TRENTON, MICHIGAN I.
HELD ON THE 20'1'11 DAY of JANUARY, 2026
APPOINTMENTS
City Beautiful Commission, Planning Commission
Moved by Councilman Cabauatan, seconded by Councilman Perugi, to approve the
Mayor's reappointments of Marilynn Harlan, to the City Beautiful Commission; and Bill
Jasman, to the Planning Commission, for terms expiring February 1, 2029.
Roll call: Cabauatan, yes; Hornbeck, yes; Perugi, yes; Rodriguez, yes; and Rzeppa,
abstain.
Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS AGENDA
AUTHORITIES, CITY COMMISSIONS, BOARDS, COMMITTEES
G-1. Hana Mitsusada-Boylan: Letter of Resignation from the Cultural Commission
GENERAL
H-1. SEMCOG: 2026 Annual Membership Dues
DEPARTMENT HEADS AND OFFICIALS
J-1. City Attorney: Request to Schedule a Public Hearing, Vacation of Property
J-2. City Assessor< 2026 Real Property 'I'ax Hardship Exemption Guidelines for Property
Tax Relief under Public Act 253, Section 211. 7U, as amended
J-3. City Controller: Budget Amendments for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2026
LATE COMMUNICATIONS
K-1. 33rd District Court:} ines, Costs, Fees, December 2025
COMMUNICATIONS
G-1
Hana Mitsusada-Boylan
Letter of Resignation from the Cultural Commission
Moved by Councilman Cabauatan, seconded by Councilwoman Hornbeck, to receive
and place on file the letter submitted by Hana Mitsusada-Boylan, resigning from the
Cultural Commission, and request Administration to send a letter of appreciation to her for
her services.
Carried unanimously.
H-1
SEMCOG
2026 Annual Membership Dues
Moved by Councilman Cabauatan, seconded by Councilwoman Hornbeck, to approve
the annual SEMCOG membership dues, in the amount of $2,976.00, with funding from
Account #101-101-958.000.
Carried unanimously.
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RECORD OF CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF TRENTON, MICHIGAN
HELD ON THE 20TH DAY of JANUARY, 2026
J-1
City Attorney
Request to Schedule a Public Hearing, Vacation of Property
Moved by Councilman Cabauatan, seconded by Councilwoman Rodriguez, to
schedule a Public Hearing on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 6:45 p.m., for the purpose of
hearing public comment regarding the proposed vacation of property located at part of
Truax Street, Plat No. 1, Section 18, Town 4 South, Range 11 East, in the City of Trenton,
Wayne County, Michigan, recorded in Liber 66, Page 28 of Plats, Wayne County Records.
Carried unanimously.
J-2
City Assessor
2026 Real Property Tax Hardship Exemption Guidelines for Property Tax Relief under
Public Act 253, Section 211.7U, as amended
CITY OF TRENTON
RESOLUTION 2026· 1
CITY OF TRENTON 2026 REAL PROPERTY TAX HARDSHIP EXEMPTION
GUIDELINES FOR PROPERTY RELIEF UNDER PUBLIC ACT 206 of 1893 and 253 of
2020, SECTION 211.7U AS AMENDED.
WHEREAS, the adoption of guidelines for real property tax poverty exemption
is required by the Trenton City Council for the City of Trenton; and
WHEREAS, the principal residence of persons and the Board of Review
determines by reason of hardship to be unable to contribute to the public charge, is eligible
for poverty exemption from taxation under MCL 211.?u; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to PA 206 of 1893 and PA 253 of 2020, the City of Trenton,
Wayne County, adopts the following guidelines for the Board of Review to implement. The
guidelines shall include, but not be limited to, the specific income and asset levels of the
claimant and all residing in the household, including any property tax credit returns filed
in the current or immediately preceding year.
2026 REAL PROPERTY TAX POVERTY EXEMPTION GUIDELINES FOR PROPERTY
TAX RELIEF UNDER
Section 211.7u(l) of the Michigan General Property Tax Act defines Poverty, or Hardship
Exemption, as a method to provide relief for those who, in the judgment of the Board of
Review, are unable to fully contribute to the annual property tax burden of their principal
residence due to their financial situation. To qualify for the Hardship Exemption, the
claimant must meet all the following requirements. It may be possible that a claimant
meets the income standard for the Hardship Exemption but does not meet the asset
standard or other standards as outlined in these guidelines. In this instance, the claimant
would not qualify for the exemption even though the income standard was met.
The Board of Review must follow the policy and guidelines when granting or denying a
Poverty Exemption. The same standards shall apply to each claimant in the City for the
assessment year. Hardship Applicants are not prohibited from also appealing the
assessment of property for which the hardship claim is made before the March Board of
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RECORD OF CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF TRENTON, MICHIGAN
HELD ON THE 201'11 DAY of JANUARY, 2026
Review in the same year. All real property tax hardship exemptions must be approved on
an annual basis. Hardship exemptions are granted for one year only and do not carry over
to subsequent tax years. Applicants are required to reapply each year to be considered for
continued exemption.
1. Poverty Exemptions shall apply only to the Applicant's qualified Principal Residence, and
the property must be classified as Residential for property tax purposes. Under no
circumstances shall a Poverty Exemption be granted or applied to the property of a
business, partnership, or corporation.
2. The amount of relief due to hardship that will be granted by the Board of Review for any
Qualified Applicant shall be a poverty exemption equal to a 25%, 50%, or 100% reduction
in taxable value for the year in which the exemption is granted, based on income and
asset levels. PA 25:3 of 2020 lists the specific percentage used by the City of Trenton for
taxable value reduction that the Board of Review uses in granting a poverty exemption.
MCL 211.7u(5) states that if the Applicant meets all eligibility requirements, the Board
of Review shall grant the poverty exemption.
To be eligible for the exemption by reason of hardship, a person shall do all the following:
1. Applicant must be an owner of and occupy as a principal residence (as defined by MCL
211. 7 dd), the property for which an exemption is requested.
2. Applicants must complete in its entirety a State of Michigan form 57:37 "Application and
Affirmation for MCL 21 Poverty Exemption". All claims, including all required
information listed below, must be filed with the City Assessor for review of completeness
and eligibility compliance. Applications are to be filed after ,January 1st and before the
last day of the March, July, or December Board of Review meetings for the assessment
year. Incomplete applications and/or applications of taxpayers not meeting the eligibility
requirements shall be denied by the Board of .Review. All first-time Applicants, or their
authorized Representative, must appear in person before the Board of Review to be
considered for relief due to financial hardship. Applicants who wish to send a
Representative to appear on their behalf must provide them with a Notarized Letter of
Authorization. The Representative will be required to present a photo identification
along with the letter.
:3. Applicants must provide copies of the following forms, including all supporting
documents and schedules, for all persons residing in the household, filed in the
immediately preceding year or in the current year:
a. Federal Incorne Tax Return (1040 or 1040A), Applicant must file this tax return
even if they owe no income tax or are not required to file a Federal Income Tax
Return if they meet the requirements for receiving an Earned Income Tax Credit
(EITC) and any l099's received.
b. State of Michigan Income Tax Returns (MI· 1040), Applicant rn ust file this tax return
even if they own no income tax or are not required to file a Michigan Income Tax
Return if they were granted a Federal Income Tax Credit. The State will provide a
G