Perry council approves $60,395 in HVAC replacements, $42,160 lift station fix

The Perry City Council approved more than $100,000 in equipment and repair work at its regular meeting on July 2, according to the minutes signed by Mayor Susan J. Hammond and City Clerk Shirley Smith. Every motion listed in the minutes passed on a unanimous voice vote of the members present.

The largest single item was heating and cooling work. On a motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Larry Lambert, seconded by Kamal Ghazi, the council approved quotes from Daily Heating to replace the furnace/air conditioner unit on the first floor of City Hall for an amount not to exceed $24,580, the third-floor unit for an amount not to exceed $25,325, and the unit at the library for an amount not to exceed $10,490 — $60,395 in combined ceilings. The minutes say DPW Superintendent John Souder was authorized to sign the quote and schedule the work.

The council also approved two lift station repairs from T.H. Eifert: up to $4,230 at the IGA lift station, on a motion by Ghazi seconded by Bob Porter, and up to $42,160 at the Perry Lakes lift station covering "item 1 – Scope of work and item 3 - Option 2," on a motion by Lambert seconded by Porter. Souder was authorized to sign both and schedule the work.

On a motion by Lambert seconded by Porter, the council approved a quote from Michigan Iron & Equipment for a Ferris Commercial Mower ISX2200Z at $11,925. The council also approved, on a motion by Ghazi seconded by Kristin Babel, a proposal from OHM to serve as the city's engineer of record, authorizing the city clerk and DPW superintendent to execute the professional services agreement and any extensions.

The council changed how the zoning administrator is paid. Personnel Committee member Mindy Galbavi read the committee's June 25 minutes on the subject, and on a motion by Porter seconded by Ghazi the council adopted the recommendation: the city retains $5 from each permit processed with the remainder of the permit fee going to the zoning administrator as wages; the zoning administrator compensates the building inspector/OEO a minimum of $10 for consultation, to be worked out between the parties; and the zoning administrator receives $30 for each Planning Commission meeting attended. The change is retroactive to April 16, 2026.

A separate motion by Ghazi, seconded by Lambert, approved an $8,278.21 quote from SA Morman for remote access at the Veterans Pavilion, plus a single reader license fee of $251.58 per year that will roll into the city hall remote access license invoice. Treasurer and Park Administrator Meggen Galbreath was authorized to sign the contract.

Students from the Perry Rambots — Kaylee Meyer, Landon Cooper and Alaina Copper — asked the council about using a piece of property for a community vegetable garden and said the group would look into a grant for funding. Council members asked about the space needed, who would till, weed and seed it, whether school property had been considered, the size of the grant and adult supervision. The minutes say the conversation ended with the Rambots putting everything on paper for submission as an agenda item.

In department reports, Souder said paving on North Madison between Polly and Horace and between Britton and Keeney was complete, along with an alley on the north side of town, and that five houses are at various stages of construction in Perry Lakes. Galbreath said summer tax bills were mailed July 1 and that the city earned $123,827 in interest against a $125,000 goal. Smith said absentee ballots were mailed June 30. Mayor Hammond said she received another brochure for the sale of the tower and the council decided to pass. Police Chief Kyle Bawks was absent, as was council member Mike Connell, excused. The meeting adjourned at 8:01 p.m.

What happens next

Two DPW items — a paving quote and a seal coat quote — were skipped at Souder's request because they were not ready, leaving them available for a future agenda. The Rambots were asked to submit a written proposal for the community garden as an agenda item. The minutes also note the Public Accuracy Test was set for July 6 at 1:30 p.m. and the primary election for Aug. 4, with polls opening at 7 a.m.