Taylor Mayor Tim Woolley delivers the State of the City address Feb. 13 during a luncheon at the Lakes of Taylor Banquet Center.
Taylor Firefighter James Zubor receives the Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow Award for demonstrating his shared purpose with Rotary’s core values during the Feb. 13 Taylor State of the City luncheon at the Lakes of Taylor Banquet Center.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
TAYLOR – Key projects and investments throughout the city, and maintaining fiscal responsibility were the focus of Mayor Tim Woolley’s Feb. 13 state of the city address held at Lakes of Taylor.
The mayor said the Police Department has upgraded its technology with the Drone First Responder program, which can provide real-time information to first responders to enhance situational awareness, and the Star Chase GPS Tracker System, which allows law enforcement to tag, track and apprehend suspects without engaging in high-speed pursuits.
Woolley mentioned the RADDOG robotic dog system, which has a camera and speaker to enable police officers to communicate with people of interest without putting law enforcement personnel in harm’s way, and Flock cameras, a license plate recognition tool, which are installed throughout the city to help law enforcement personnel solve crimes.
The mayor said more than 300 security cameras have been positioned at city buildings and properties to help deter crime.
Wooley said the Police Department has also focused on community outreach initiatives like the unified Special Olympics day and the Walmart and Goodfellows holiday partnership.
The mayor said the Fire Department has added important new technology, as well as GPS traffic signal controls for emergency vehicles, which can trigger signals to change quickly for emergency vehicles.
Woolley said the city has added three new ambulances, ordered two firetrucks, and added three sets of the Jaws of Life, a hydraulic rescue tool used by emergency personnel to free victims from vehicles and small spaces, and a foam trailer, a mobile unit designed to carry foam used to extinguish flammable liquid fires.
The mayor said breathing apparatus and firefighter gear has been replaced, and three thermal images cameras, which identify objects by their heat signature even in the dark and smoke, have been purchased for the department.
Woolley said that in the past three years, the city has invested more than $17 million in its sanitary sewers, water mains, storm sewers, lead service lines, and its concrete and asphalt roads while maintaining one of the lowest water and sewer rates in southeast Michigan.
The mayor said the city spent $6 million in the past three years to replace and upgrade existing equipment and fleet vehicles, which has reduced the need to outsource work.
Woolley said key city projects include lead service line replacement, removing nuisance sycamore trees, completing the Good to Great Neighborhoods program, and implementing year-round street sweeping programs.
The city of Taylor holds its Rotary-sponsored State of the City luncheon Feb. 13 at the Lakes of Taylor Banquet Center.
The mayor said LED lights have been installed on walking paths, and the interior of the Department of Public Works building has been updated.
Woolley said the Heritage Park Church renovation has been completed following the fire, and a city building near the church has been renovated to house receptions following events at the church.
He said the recreation center has a new track floor, and the interior and exterior have been painted. In addition, the senior center pavilion roof and structure have been rehabilitated, and the senior center has a new generator.
Woolley said there are new playscapes at Rotary and Homestead parks, and new flooring at Fire Station 1 and the 23rd District Court, while Fire Stations 2 and 3 have been completely remodeled.
The mayor said the Police Department locker rooms have been remodeled, and there are new roofs at the Police Department, the auxiliary building and at the northwest pool.
Woolley said both city golf courses, the Taylor Sportsplex and the Parks and Recreation Department provide a wide range of desirable activities and draw people from around the world.
He said year-round affordable events, from the Winterfest Light Stroll to the Summer Festival, draw people from throughout the region.
Woolley said Heritage Park is rehabilitating the Greenwald House, and a new pavilion building and playscape are being added to the petting farm.
The mayor said the new Taylor Animal Shelter will double its capacity, will be state of the art, and will be the largest shelter Downriver. The $4 million investment was made possible through TIFA, the Tax Incremental Financing Authority, which allows municipalities to capture additional or incremental taxes from properties when values increase.
Woolley said Lange Park will be adding a playscape, walking paths, dog park, a bicycle motocross track, a skate park, disc golf, fishing docks, a bridge and a bathroom structure using $4.6 million in American Rescue Plan Act Funds provided through Wayne County.
The mayor said the city made well-researched decisions with its ARPA funds.
Woolley said the city’s fiscal year 2024 general fund audit was clean, with no findings.
He said the city is paying down its Other Post-Employment Benefit obligations, which include health, life, disability and long-term care insurance, but not pension liabilities.
Woolley announced that he will run for another term as mayor.
“I honestly feel that we have a good thing going here, and I want to keep this city moving forward,” he said.
Taylor Firefighter James Zubor received the Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow Award during the Feb. 13 luncheon, presented by Master of Ceremonies Michelle Matney, for his demonstration of shared purpose with Rotary’s core values.