TownePlace Suites LivoniaEverything near your stay.
← Back to articles

Council Splits Over Library Boiler Bid, Pivots ZBA Pick to Veteran Member as 13 Items Head Toward a July Vote

LIVONIA — 6/18/2026

Livonia City Council — Study Session

A June 15 agenda-setting session also advanced an $8.8 million renovation and tax break for a senior apartment building, three new dump trucks, and a contested massage-business ownership transfer — while a resident pressed the council to lift his lifetime ban from city recreation facilities.

Livonia, Mich. Study Meeting of the City Council Monday, June 15, 2026 · City Hall Auditorium Duration: approx. 1 hr. 6 min.

The Livonia City Council met in study session on June 15, 2026, to set the agenda for its July 13, 2026 regular meeting — the date on which every item discussed Monday night will receive a formal, recorded vote. Council President Kayleigh Reid presided over a roughly hour-long session that touched thirteen separate pieces of business, ranging from neighborhood block parties to a multimillion-dollar affordable-housing tax exemption, before closing with an unscheduled change to a Zoning Board of Appeals nomination.

One councilmember was absent; the transcript audio cuts off before her name is given. By elimination, since Council President Reid presided and Councilmembers Budzinski, McDonnell and Persiconi are all confirmed speaking later in the meeting, the absent member was most likely Martha Ptashnik — though this is an inference, not an explicit statement in the record. Audience communication opened and closed the meeting, drawing seven members of the public to the podium on subjects including a disputed facility ban, free-speech practices at council meetings, proposed restrictions on gas stations and car washes, and repeated criticism of the city's use of cooperative purchasing agreements that bypass competitive bidding.

How to read this report: A study session is a working meeting where the council previews items and decides whether each one is ready for the routine "Consent Agenda" or needs full debate and a roll-call vote on the "Regular Agenda." No item is legally approved or denied until the July 13, 2026 regular meeting. The recommendations described below — including the one outright "denying" motion of the night — are the council's signal of where each item is headed, not final votes.

01Significant Events

A councilmember's library-boiler recommendation splits the dais

The night's sharpest disagreement came over a $114,667 boiler replacement at the Robert and Janet Bennett Civic Center Library, which Department of Public Works staff recommended awarding without competitive bidding because a contractor had offered to extend recent pricing from a similar job at Sandburg Library. Councilmember Brandon McCullough moved to deny the request, arguing no two buildings are "one size fits all" and that the purchase should go out to bid. Councilmember Eileen McDonnell agreed, citing a city ordinance requiring competitive bids on purchases over $30,000. Councilmember Carrie Budzinski countered with a motion to approve, asking for more time to compare the item against the Sandburg bid data. The result: the item goes to the July 13 Regular Agenda carrying both an "approving" and a "denying" resolution, to be settled by a roll-call vote.

Zoning Board of Appeals nominee withdraws hours before the meeting

Councilmember McCullough had nominated longtime community volunteer John Grzebik to the Zoning Board of Appeals to fill the unexpired term of Timothy J. Klisz. McCullough told the council that Grzebik withdrew his nomination by letter received the day of the meeting and, at Grzebik's own request, McCullough pivoted to nominate Mike Testa — a sitting ZBA member who had been planning to retire from the board after the July meeting — for reappointment instead. Testa, present in the audience, accepted, noting he was originally appointed years ago by then-Councilman Jolley, who recently nominated a magistrate, the appointment that created Testa's near-retirement opening in the first place.

Resident renews push for council to lift a "lifetime ban" from city facilities

During audience communication, Coventry Gardens resident Steve King asked the council to use its charter oversight authority to investigate and reverse a lifetime ban he says he received from the Livonia Recreation Center and Senior Center after walking through the Senior Center's construction site. King said breaking-and-entering allegations against him went nowhere and a trespassing charge was dismissed, that no signage barred entry, that others who walked through the site with him were not disciplined, and that the city employees who initiated the matter no longer work for the city. He asked that the matter be placed before the council's Committee of the Whole.

Public pushback on waived competitive bidding continues

For the second consecutive meeting cycle, residents Christopher Martin and Steve King criticized the city's practice of waiving formal bidding for large purchases via cooperative purchasing agreements — this time aimed at roughly $945,000 in combined dump-truck purchases and the library boiler — saying the council approves big-ticket items with minimal scrutiny of mileage, specifications, or comparison pricing. Both speakers tied their criticism to public opposition to an upcoming public-safety millage. Councilmember McCullough pushed back directly, noting the cooperative-agreement details were fully documented in the meeting packet.

02Full Agenda: Consent Items, Held Items & Unfinished Business

All thirteen items below were introduced under the meeting's "New Business" heading. The legend explains where each is headed on July 13, 2026.

CONSENT — recommended approval REGULAR — held / more info requested REGULAR — split recommendation (approve & deny both offered) REGULAR — first reading only; second action pending
Agenda items, June 15, 2026 study session → disposition for July 13, 2026 regular meeting
# Item Description Council Discussion Disposition
1 Block PartyAllison Adams Flamingo Blvd. between Clarita Ave. & Pickford St., Sat. July 18, 2026, 2–10 p.m.; rain date Sat. Aug. 1, 2026. Petitioner did not attend. A councilmember (not clearly identifiable by name in the transcript) noted that, per standing council practice, items without the petitioner present are sent to the Regular Agenda rather than placed on consent. REGULAR — petitioner absent
2 Block PartyAlex Quint Between 9912 & 10000 Fairfield St., Sat. Aug. 15, 2026, 3–10 p.m.; rain date Sat. Aug. 22, 2026. Petitioner described the event — the fourth annual — with music, food, a bounce house and lawn games. Councilmember Budzinski moved approval on consent. CONSENT
3 Block PartyErin King Hampshire Rd. between 33204 Hampshire Rd. & 16126 Woodring Ct., Sat. Aug. 22, 2026, 3–10 p.m. Presented by petitioner Erin King (introduced verbally and rendered in the transcript as "Aaron," a homophone of Erin) alongside neighbor Madison, reviving a Wood Creek Farms block-party tradition after a long hiatus, inspired by older residents' memories of past gatherings. Councilmember Persiconi moved approval on consent. CONSENT
4 Block PartyJasmine Wieczorek Rayburn St. between Williams St. & Levan Rd., Sat. Aug. 22, 2026, 12–10 p.m.; rain date Sat. Sept. 5, 2026. Petitioner Jasmine Wieczorek (rendered in the transcript as "Jasmine Isaac," likely a mishearing of her surname), hosting for roughly the tenth year, described cornhole, music and kids' games. Vice President Brockway moved approval on consent. CONSENT
5 Waiver Use TransferOcean Wellness massage establishment, 16345 Middlebelt Rd. Current owner Haiyan Pi, citing serious health issues requiring surgery and recovery, sought to transfer her waiver-use approval (Petition 2019-04-02-07) to prospective buyer Xing Yu Chen, assisted at the podium by court-system translator Stephanie Mann. (A different buyer, Xiaoping Shen, had an earlier transfer approved by council in 2025 that fell through when she could not reach a lease agreement with the landlord; Chen is a new, separate prospective buyer.) Council questioned Chen's lack of prior business-ownership experience, her plan for handling language barriers with customers and the city, and staffing (she plans to retain the sole existing employee, no new hires planned). Members also clarified that a letter in the packet from real-estate agent Sherry Liu was unrelated to the current deal — Liu had represented the earlier, unsuccessful buyer. Council asked for a copy of Chen's massage license and a staffing breakdown before July 13. A councilmember moved to send the item to the Regular Agenda with both approving and denying options to allow more review time; the transcript does not clearly identify which member made the motion. REGULAR — documentation requested
6 Ordinance Amendment & PILOT ExtensionZiegler Place Senior Apartments Filed by attorney Steven J. Rypma of Honigman LLP on behalf of Jonathan Rose Companies, owner since 2017 of the 153-unit, 1976-built senior building. In person, Jonathan Rose Companies representative Scott Frye requested an amendment to Chapter 3.12 (Senior Citizens Housing Tax Exemption) and an extension, on existing terms, of the property's Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT) agreement to support an $8.8 million renovation: new roof, facade, windows, mechanical/electrical/plumbing systems, fully remodeled kitchens and baths, eight new ADA-accessible units, a fitness center, a community kitchen, and a full-time onsite resident service coordinator. In exchange, the developer offered a 30-year deed-restricted extension of affordability. Staff (Planning and Economic Development Director Mark Taormina) explained two separate council actions are required: a first reading of the ordinance change, followed at a later meeting by a second reading and roll-call vote on the PILOT extension itself. Councilmembers asked for historical PILOT payment data, the renovation timeline (HUD approval expected in 30–60 days; MSHDA board commitment sought in July; closing expected in August; construction 10–12 months), and copies of the construction/permit plans. Councilmember Budzinski moved to refer the ordinance language to the Law Department for first reading. REGULAR — first reading; PILOT vote pending
7 Award of BidFire & Rescue uniforms Three-year uniform supply contract, with a potential two-year extension, from budgeted funds. Two bids were received via the Michigan Interlocal Trade Network (MITN); low bidder Allie Brothers Uniform of Livonia, a 55-year local business, was recommended at $163,517.06 (the other bidder, Pettit Enterprise LLC of Memphis, Tenn., quoted $223,661.16). The item lists Fire Chief Robert Jennison as presenter of record; in person the request was presented by Training Officer John McKee. Councilmember McCullough moved approval on consent, citing Allie Brothers' competitive pricing and longstanding community partnership. CONSENT
8 Award of BidRotary Park outdoor fitness area Replacement of a fitness equipment cluster removed roughly two years ago for age and condition, funded through a Wayne County Parks millage intergovernmental agreement approved last fall. Bid posted in December on MITN within a $150,000 budget; an evaluation committee selected Snyder Recreation's design in February. Presented by Parks & Recreation Superintendent Michelle Koppin, CPRP (who identified herself at the podium as interim superintendent). Councilmember McDonnell moved approval on consent. Councilmember Budzinski separately asked staff to consider adding a "wall ball" target at the Recreation Center's new turf area. CONSENT
9 Bid-Process Waiver & PurchaseTwo 2027 Freightliner dump trucks Roads Department purchase via the Rochester Hills Cooperative Award Agreement: trucks $239,500; upfitting (computerized salt-spreading system, brine tanks, snowplow equipment, specialty lighting) $349,684; plus an 8% contingency; total $618,158.72. Presented by DPW's Doug Moore. Councilmember Budzinski moved approval on consent. Public commenters Christopher Martin and Steve King criticized the waived bid process and lack of detail on truck mileage and safety equipment; resident Jerry Krasinski spoke in support, saying the packet documented that the trucks being replaced had exceeded their useful life. CONSENT
10 Bid-Process Waiver & PurchaseOne 2027 Freightliner dump truck Single tandem-axle truck for hauling, leaf collection, salt application and front-plow use, via the same Rochester Hills Cooperative Award Agreement: truck $131,800; upfitting $161,846; leaf box $18,698; 8% contingency $14,443.52; total $326,787.52. Presented by Doug Moore. Councilmember Persiconi moved approval on consent. Councilmember McCullough rebutted renewed public criticism of the waived bid process, noting the 27-page packet fully documented the cooperative agreement and the vehicles being replaced. CONSENT
11 Bid-Process Waiver & AwardBoiler replacement, Bennett Civic Center Library Replacement boiler at $114,667, recommended without competitive bidding after staff negotiated extended pricing from a contractor recently used on a similar Sandburg Library boiler job. Councilmember McCullough moved to deny, arguing the unit should be competitively bid; Councilmember McDonnell agreed, citing the city's $30,000 competitive-bid threshold ordinance. Councilmember Persiconi asked whether bidding would meaningfully change pricing (staff said likely not) and about urgency (staff said summer is the ideal replacement window before fall heating season). Councilmember Budzinski moved to approve, while asking for more time to compare it against the Sandburg bid data. Resident Steve King urged competitive bidding, citing several comparably specified boiler brands priced roughly 25% lower. REGULAR — split (approve & deny)
12 Award of BidMini-split AC replacement, Idyl Wyld Golf Course pro shop Replacement of a failed mini-split system needing immediate repair; three quotes received via MITN RFQ, with low bidder Guardian Environmental Services at $23,770. Presented by Doug Moore. Councilmember McCullough moved approval on consent. CONSENT
13 Zoning Board of Appeals AppointmentMike Testa (reappointment) Fills the unexpired term of Timothy J. Klisz, expiring July 12, 2028. Originally proposed nominee John Grzebik withdrew the day of the meeting; Councilmember McCullough, at Grzebik's request, nominated sitting ZBA member Mike Testa for reappointment instead. Testa, present in the audience, accepted, noting his original appointment years earlier came from then-Councilman (now Judge) Jolley. Councilmember McCullough moved approval on consent, calling Testa a valued, thorough member of the board. CONSENT

Tally: 9 of 13 items were recommended for the Consent Agenda; 4 were sent to the Regular Agenda — one for a missing petitioner (Item 1), one pending additional documentation (Item 5), one as a first reading with a second action still to come (Item 6), and one with an actual approve/deny split among councilmembers (Item 11). All thirteen receive a recorded roll-call vote at the July 13, 2026 regular meeting.

03Public Comment Timeline

The council reserves up to 30 minutes of audience communication at the start of each meeting for topics not on the agenda, plus an additional opportunity at the close of the meeting and during discussion of specific items.

Opening audience communication

  1. ~1:07 Steve King — Coventry Gardens

    Described a lifetime ban from the Livonia Recreation Center and Senior Center after walking through the Senior Center's unfenced, unsigned construction site. Said breaking-and-entering allegations went nowhere and a trespassing charge was dismissed, that others present at the site faced no discipline, and that the city employees who pursued the matter have since left city employment. Asked the council to use its charter oversight authority to investigate and lift the ban, and to refer the matter to the Committee of the Whole.

  2. ~4:10 Christopher Martin

    Spoke broadly on free speech, referencing meeting decorum around the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer, and argued residents should be free not to participate in either without facing pressure from officials.

  3. ~6:54 Greg Rocco — Golf Ridge Villas

    Referenced a January 2025 council vote against a rezoning at Eight Mile and Newburgh and urged the council to adopt ordinances limiting new gas stations and car washes, pointing to recently enacted ordinances in Farmington Hills and an eight-month moratorium adopted in Warren. Said the work of drafting such ordinances has already been done by neighboring cities and could be adapted locally.

  4. ~9:57 John Pastor — 33461 Capri Court

    Argued against new business-restriction ordinances, said council already has discretion to approve or deny cases individually, suggested addressing a flag/signage concern on Middle Belt through the existing sign ordinance, and criticized Mr. King's earlier construction-site comments. Closed by urging a "yes" vote on the police and fire millage and a "no" vote on the SMART millage.

During agenda-item discussion

  1. ~41:48 Jerry Krasinski — 1948 Bainbridge Ave., on Item 6 (Ziegler Place)

    A Saint Priscilla Church volunteer who assists with the city's food distribution at Ziegler Place, he spoke in support of the renovation, citing firsthand knowledge of the building's conditions and residents.

  2. ~42:19 Steve King — on Item 6, a second turn at the podium (the transcript captures the council president addressing him by name mid-comment but does not record a fresh name/address statement)

    Asked procedural clarifying questions: whether Jonathan Rose Companies owns or leases Ziegler Place, which ordinance section is being amended, and how a PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) functions relative to residents' individual tax obligations.

  3. ~49:10 Christopher Martin — on Item 9 (two dump trucks)

    Criticized the waived bidding process and said he has observed city dump trucks operating without required load coverings; said he intends to vote against the upcoming millage over concerns about spending oversight.

  4. ~50:59 Steve King — on Item 9

    Questioned whether the city has enough drivers for its existing truck fleet and suggested routing such purchases through the Regular Agenda, where they can be discussed, rather than consent.

  5. ~51:43 Jerry Krasinski — on Item 9

    Said the packet documentation showed the trucks being replaced had exceeded their useful life and voiced support for the purchase.

  6. ~53:22 Christopher Martin — on Item 10 (single dump truck)

    Reiterated his objection to waived bidding and the lack of published mileage data, again citing planned opposition to the millage.

  7. ~59:33 Steve King — on Item 11 (library boiler)

    Supported sending the boiler purchase out to competitive bid, said the night's roughly 300-page meeting packet was too large to fully digest, and cited several comparable boiler brands he said were priced about 25% lower than the proposed unit.

  8. ~1:00:54 Jerry Krasinski (probable) — on Item 11; the transcript renders his name unclearly here ("Mr. Carson skis"), but the council president's cue that he was speaking "again" and his familiar pro-bidding argument match his two earlier appearances that night

    Seconded support for competitive bidding on the boiler, drawing a comparison to the dump-truck cooperative purchasing agreements and arguing there is enough time to bid the project before fall.

No additional audience communication was offered when the floor was reopened at the close of the meeting.

04Council Member Updates Timeline

Following opening audience communication, councilmembers gave brief informational updates before the formal agenda began.

  1. ~11:44 Councilmember Robin Persiconi

    Addressed an earlier public comment about errors accessing the Housing Commission's website, explaining the site historically had limited traffic but has seen a recent increase that is triggering server errors. Said the issue appears fixable and that she would follow up with the appropriate parties to restore reliable access.

  2. ~12:32 Councilmember Eileen McDonnell

    Responded to a comment about a prior authority meeting she was unable to attend, noting she did attend the previous month's session. Reminded all city boards and commissions — citing the named authority along with the Housing Commission and Parks & Recreation as examples — that they are required to follow the City of Livonia's purchasing laws, and asked commissioners to keep that obligation in mind when reviewing proposals.

Transcription note: the authority McDonnell referenced is rendered in the transcript as "the Piedra," which does not match the name of any confirmed Livonia board or commission. It most likely refers to one of the city's quasi-independent authorities — such as the Livonia Brownfield Redevelopment Authority or the Economic Development Corporation — but the exact name could not be confirmed against the agenda packet or city records. Some other speaker names in this article are likewise best-effort readings of an automated meeting transcript and may not be exact; those are flagged where they occur.

05How the "Votes" Worked

Because this was a study session, the council took no binding, recorded roll-call votes. Instead, individual councilmembers verbally "offered" a recommendation for each item — either to place it on the Consent Agenda (signaling unanimous comfort with quick approval) or to send it to the Regular Agenda for full discussion and a roll-call vote. The table in Section 2 lists which councilmember made each recommendation where the transcript clearly identifies the speaker (two motions — on Items 1 and 5 — are attributed only to "a councilmember" because the transcript does not clearly capture which member spoke). The only item to draw genuinely competing recommendations from the dais was Item 11, the library boiler replacement, where McCullough and McDonnell moved to deny the bid-process waiver while Budzinski moved to approve it — both motions will appear before the full council on July 13, 2026 for a recorded vote.

06Full List of Speakers

Names below were cross-checked against the city's official council roster, committee assignments and the June 15, 2026 meeting packet where possible. Two entries remain unresolved and are marked accordingly.

City Council

Kayleigh Reid Council President Presided over the meeting throughout.
Patrick Brockway Council Vice President Moved consent on Item 4.
Carrie Budzinski Councilmember Rendered in the transcript as "Basinski"/"Burzynski." Spoke on Items 2, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 11.
Brandon McCullough Councilmember Led the Pledge of Allegiance; nominated both ZBA candidates (Item 13); spoke on Items 7, 9, 10, 11, 12.
Eileen McDonnell Councilmember Rendered in the transcript as "McDonald." Spoke on the council-update segment, Item 5, Item 8 and Item 11.
Robin Persiconi Councilmember Rendered in the transcript as "Coney"/"Cony." Spoke on the council-update segment, Item 3, Item 5, Item 10 and Item 11.
Martha Ptashnik Councilmember — probable absence Did not audibly speak; inferred to be the unnamed absent member by elimination, not stated outright.

City Staff & Department Presenters

Douglas L. Moore Assistant Director of Public Works Presented Items 9, 10, 11 and 12.
Michelle Koppin, CPRP Superintendent of Parks & Recreation Identified herself as interim superintendent; presented Item 8.
John McKee Fire & Rescue Training Officer Presented Item 7 in person. (Fire Chief Robert Jennison is listed as presenter of record in the packet.)
Mark Taormina Planning and Economic Development Director Answered procedural questions on Item 6.

Petitioners & Applicants

Allison Adams Item 1 — Block party Did not attend.
Alex Quint Item 2 — Block party 11401 Fairfield St.
Erin King Item 3 — Block party Heard in the transcript as "Aaron," a homophone; presented with neighbor Madison.
Jasmine Wieczorek Item 4 — Block party Rendered in the transcript as "Jasmine Isaac."
Haiyan Pi Item 5 — Current owner, Ocean Wellness Seeking to sell the business for health reasons.
Doug Rands Item 5 — Spokesperson Husband of Haiyan Pi; spoke on her behalf.
Xing Yu Chen Item 5 — Prospective buyer Rendered in the transcript as "Shen," likely confused with a different, earlier prospective buyer named Xiaoping Shen whose 2025 deal fell through.
Stephanie Mann Item 5 — Court-system translator Assisted Xing Yu Chen.
Scott Frye Item 6 — Jonathan Rose Companies Rendered in the transcript as "Frey"; confirmed via the written petition's cc line.
Mike Testa Item 13 — ZBA reappointment nominee Sitting Zoning Board of Appeals member nominated to a new term.

Public Commenters (Audience Communication)

Steve King Coventry Gardens Spoke during opening communication, on Item 6 (probable), Item 9 and Item 11.
Christopher Martin "Great State of Michigan" (no address given) Spoke during opening communication, on Item 9 and Item 10.
Greg Rocco Golf Ridge Villas Spoke during opening communication.
John Pastor 33461 Capri Court Spoke during opening communication.
Jerry Krasinski 1948 Bainbridge Ave. Spoke on Item 6, Item 9 and, probably, Item 11 (transcript renders the third instance unclearly).

This report was compiled from the city's official meeting packet and an automated transcript of the June 15, 2026 study session video. Dollar figures, dates and addresses reflect what was presented at the meeting; some figures presented verbally by staff did not reconcile precisely when added together and are reported here as stated. Audio-to-text transcription occasionally produced unclear or incorrect names; where a name could be verified against the meeting packet or the city's public council roster, it has been corrected, and remaining uncertainties are flagged above rather than guessed at.

— 30 —

Comments

Sign in to read and post comments.