Lansing Council approves variety of hiring and wage matters, hears updates on motorcycle rally, Main Street/Highway 9 project funding and other items

by Joshua Sharpe

The Lansing City Council held a regular meeting Monday, June 15 during which the council approved the hiring of a new full-time street department employee and addressed a series of wage and fund-transfer resolutions.

Additionally, the council received updates regarding city operations, splash pad water usage, the Liberty Motorcycle Rally, Highway 9 funding, and police vehicle replacement.

The meeting commenced with a roll call, revealing that three council members were present, while Ben Ghelf and Corey Richards were absent. Given that only three members were in attendance, Mayor Mike Verdon reminded the council that resolutions require a majority of the full council, not just a majority of those present.

STREET DEPARTMENT HIRE
The council approved the hiring of Brian Troendle as a full-time employee in the street department at a rate of $20.24 per hour, effective July 1, 2026. The position includes one week of vacation after the successful completion of a 90-day probationary period. Verdon noted that Troendle has been employed by the city in a seasonal capacity for several years.

Verdon mentioned that the city had five candidates and interviewed four of them. He highlighted Troendle’s qualifications, particularly a certification that could facilitate the city’s maintenance work related to herbicide application.

“One thing that Brian does bring with him is something that actually came up at a recent meeting with regard to herbicide application on behalf of the city,” Verdon said. “He is a certified applicator, which is something that will certainly make things a little bit easier for us.”

SEWER FORGIVENESS
The council reviewed a sewer forgiveness request for 434 South Fourth Street. Verdon introduced the matter by explaining that the issue involved water flowing into the street rather than into the sewer system. City Clerk Teresa Severson provided details on the billing calculation. Councilman Mike Manning remarked that the city typically applies a 50% approach for sewer forgiveness requests. Following the discussion on the calculations, councilman Steve Murray proposed a motion to forgive $7.51, which received approval.

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