City of Tuscola City Council met Feb. 23.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The regular meeting of the City Council was called to order with Brace, Day, Morris, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop, and Mayor Kleiss in attendance. Aldermen Hoey took part in the meeting remotely. Alderman Shoemaker was absent. Mayor Kleiss led the Pledge of Allegiance
Consent Agenda
Mayor Kleiss went over the items on the consent agenda:
• Minutes of the February 9, 2026, meeting
• January 2026 financial report
• Payment of bills totaling $228,043.47
• Pay request from Drake-Scruggs in the amount of $23,066.16, for the bucket truck repairs (included in bills total)
• Community Building lease request with alcohol from Maggie Fulton for a wedding reception April 10-12, 2026
• Change request from Grunloh Building, Inc., allowing for additional time to April 1, 2026, for grading and seeding at the meter station replacement location
Day moved to approve the items on the consent agenda. Brace seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop. Rund moved to approve the consent agenda for February 23, 2026. Morris seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop.
Mayor
Mayor Kleiss reported the city’s oldest police vehicle sustained considerable damage today during an altercation with an unstable person at Love’s. This has been all over social media, Mayor Kleiss stated. No police officers or county deputies were injured.
City Clerk – No Report
City Treasurer – No Report
City Attorney- No Report
City Administrator
Administrator Hoel stated it’s good to be back. He has been answering emails, phone calls, and plans to be in the office for part of every day while doing his rehab.
Resolutions
The resolution for a service agreement for the supply of electricity was on the agenda for discussion and action. Administrator Hoel pointed out the city has entered into such an agreement for several years now. The agreement authorizes Administrator Hoel to execute the service agreement with the lowest responsible bidder on the day the most favorable bid comes in, probably in late March. This will be determined by the city’s consultant, Stone River Group. Administrator Hoel added, residential and small commercial customers are eligible for the program; however, anyone wishing to not take part may opt out. If opting out of the program residents will have to wait one year before they can rejoin the program. According to Stone River Group, residents of Tuscola have saved close to $70,000 over the past year, Hoel added, and the market is extremely volatile right now. Treasurer Long pointed out a comparison on a hand out from Stone River Group showing generally better rates and more savings most years beginning in 2013. Stone River Group proposes a 13-14 month contract for the upcoming bid cycle. Mayor Kleiss pointed out Ameren rates reset every six months. Morris moved to approve resolution 2026-R-1, a resolution authorizing the execution of a service agreement with a responsible bidder for the supply of electricity for residential and small commercial retail customers who do not opt out of such a program. Waldrop seconded. *VOTYE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop.
Contracts and Agreements
Rund moved to approve the agreement for consulting services between the City of Tuscola and Stone River Group for the procurement of electricity for residents and small commercial businesses in Tuscola. Day seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop.
Other
Administrator Hoel stated he has not been able to set up committee meetings for the coming budget cycle. He plans to do this at the March 9 meeting and hopes the meetings can be held the last week of March or first week of April.
The motion to adjourn was made by Slaughter and seconded by Rund. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Morris, Rund, Slaughter, Waldrop.
https://tuscola.org/file/1690
