A farewell tribute to Councilman John Francis Roman, who concluded his seven-year tenure representing the Sixth Ward, marked a notable moment. Mayor Derek Armstead praised Roman’s dedication and effectiveness, highlighted by his consistent re-elections and responsiveness to constituents. Roman’s service was formally recognized with a resolution and plaque, celebrating his diligent and compassionate commitment to the community. Roman, in his farewell remarks, expressed pride in his contributions, stating, “I leave here knowing… it was all worthwhile because I left the Sixth Ward of Lyon a better place than I found it.”

The council proceeded to discuss various ordinances during the meeting. Ordinance Number 6855, concerning amendments to garbage and refuse collection, was unanimously adopted. This ordinance allows residential property owners four scheduled trash pickups per year with one additional special pickup at no charge, with any additional requiring a fee. Another unanimously approved ordinance, Number 6856, allocated $1,375,000 for capital improvements related to transportation and properties.

The meeting also addressed Ordinance 6857, which involved amendments to the city’s employee classification and salary standardization plan. A notable change was the elimination of the part-time Chief of Staff position, replaced by a full-time role with defined salary ranges. This amendment was reviewed and deemed minimal by the City Attorney, receiving unanimous council approval.

In addition to legislative matters, the council discussed holiday season activities and community engagement. Members exchanged holiday greetings and highlighted ongoing initiatives. A standout announcement was the “Party with a Purpose” toy drive, where attendees are encouraged to bring a toy or gift card for entry. The collected items are set to be distributed at an upcoming “Breakfast with Santa” event, with surplus donations going to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots drive.

Public safety and community welfare were also topics. Council members advised residents on holiday safety, particularly concerning fire hazards and theft prevention. They also acknowledged the importance of community vigilance and care, with a reminder of the city’s collective responsibility for each other.

The meeting concluded with council members sharing reports and updates. Councilwoman Ormon presented a budget review and sought approval for financial actions, including bill payments totaling approximately $2.3 million, which passed unanimously. She also provided a financial report from the division of transportation and parking, noting collections totaling $52,227.99 for November.

Reports from council members touched on various city concerns and achievements. Councilman Armstead highlighted public health updates, noting low COVID-19 activity but a slight increase in flu cases among seniors. Councilman Rodriguez shared fire department accomplishments, including collections by the Fire Prevention Bureau and ambulance billing. Councilwoman Hudak encouraged residents to scrutinize utility bills for errors and commended the cultural and heritage committee’s efforts in organizing community events.

During the public comment section, residents raised issues such as parking challenges and recycling services. The council addressed these concerns, promising further investigation and potential adjustments to city services.