[PAGE 1] 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. 2026-5 [PAGE 2] 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. 2026-6 [PAGE 3] 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 2026-7 [PAGE 4] 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