CITY OF
SOUTH LYON
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL
MEETING
January 14, 2008
Mayor
Doyle called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Mayor Doyle led those
present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
PRESENT:
Mayor Doyle
Council Members:
Kivell, Kopkowski, Maida, Morelli, Selden and Wedell
City Manager Cook
Attorney Lee
City Clerk/Treasurer Zemke
Department Heads: Collins,
Renwick and Martin
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilman Wedell stated
that on page 10 of the minutes within the third paragraph, the comment should
reflect “municipal” time, not military time.
CM 1-1-08- APPROVAL OF
MINUTES – DECEMBER 10, 2007
Motion by
Kivell, supported by Morelli
To approve the
minutes of the regular meeting of December 10, 2007 as corrected
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVAL OF MONTHLY
BILLS:
Councilman Wedell questioned
the revenue report. He stated that
this is a six-month report and should be roughly 50%.
Our total revenues are roughly 75%, however he is concerned about a
couple of items. He asked if we are
still expecting checks for State Shared Revenue.
City Manager Cook stated that we will be receiving checks and expects us
to be where anticipated by the end of the fiscal year.
Councilman Wedell asked about the rents and royalties for the cable.
City Manger Cook stated that we usually receive that in April.
Councilman Wedell further questioned the Sundry.
Council Member Maida asked
about the payment 2007-08 Street improvements.
City Manager Cook stated that it is finalizing our projects.
Council Member Maida
questioned the contribution for the Senior Center as well as recreation.
City Manager Cook stated that this is our second payment, we make two per
year.
Councilman Kivell questioned
the payment to the State of Michigan for biosolids fee.
Superintendent Martin stated that this is a requirement by the State of
Michigan. We have to pay an
application fee in order to spread our sludge over farmer’s fields.
It changes each year based on the amount of sludge from the previous
year.
CM 1-2-08- APPROVAL OF
MONTHLY BILLS
Motion by Wedell,
supported by Selden
To approve the
monthly bills as presented
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council Member Maida stated
that she would like to add discussion of shared services with Lyon Township.
The item was added under Old Business.
City Manager Cook stated
that he would like to remove Old Business #3 based on the fact that the owner
has indicated that they will be re-opening on Friday.
Therefore, there is no way we could move forward with that at this time.
CM 1-3-08 – APPROVAL OF
AGENDA
Motion by
Kivell, supported by Maida
To approve
the agenda as amended
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
CITIZENS SUGGESTIONS:
Mr. Don Waldenmayer of 134
E. Lake Street and owner of Bella Luna Restaurant apologized for not keeping the
City Council and City Manager more in the loop.
They saw a dramatic sales loss since March of last year.
They have the operating capital to re-open Bella Luna and they will try
to do their best to operate successfully and continue to keep the theatre open.
They will be removing the for sales signs from Bella Luna and the
theatre. They do have some interest
in the Bistro and plan to move ahead with selling that.
The question was asked if
the intention is to sell it as a restaurant and taking the liquor license.
Mr. Waldenmayer stated that they have every intention of selling it as a
restaurant and lounge and that is the intention of the interested parties.
They have three parties interested all with the same goal.
In order for the liquor license to transfer, the new owner would have to
appear before Council with that request.
Oakland County Commissioner
Jeff Potter stated that we are all concerned about our local economy. Don
Waldenmayer had the sense of adventure to buy one of our downtown buildings and
represented what this city stands for, which is personal service and a break
from the big-box franchise operations which have come to permeate the
environment. He is disappointed to
see the business close, but want to wish him every success.
Commissioner Potter
discussed the Wireless Oakland Project.
There is a schedule and plan to make all of Oakland County wireless
capable of communicating through laptop or home computer. The benefits would be
a technologically sophisticated community where education could flourish and
companies may be more eager to locate and people could have low-cost or no-cost
wireless service. He discussed the
process to date. The speed of this
deployment relied on two things, technical factors and the willingness and speed
of the investment community with outside dollars to achieve this goal.
The investment dollars have not come in as quickly as MichTel
anticipated. They have taken on
Microsoft as an operating partner.
There have been six pilot projects, one of which was Wixom.
Once the pilot project is completed it gives us a head-end presence that
will not be difficult to expand.
Unfortunately, now the investors are not as eager to commit to this economy as
they were when the process was planned.
They anticipate that the schedule has only been pushed back a half a
year. The money is still coming,
just slower. He further discussed
the process.
Commissioner Potter
discussed a program through Oakland County for counseling services for people
who are having mortgage trouble and are trying to keep their equity intact.
He further discussed property values throughout the County and its affect
on the County and local governments.
Pam Weipert, Chairperson of
the Planning Commission stated that at the last meeting Council had talked about
blight and she was asked to report back at this meeting as to what the Planning
Commission has been discussing and moving forward with.
The Planning Commission has met twice since that time.
At the first meeting they talked about what they would like to see in a
blight ordinance and talked about the publication put out by the MML and
reviewed some of their suggestions.
The Planning Consultant did come back at the next meeting with a draft
ordinance. Our current ordinance
address both residential and commercial ordinance and they are trying to make a
distinction between them. They are
also looking at how it should be enforced.
They will have some questions for the City Attorney and they will be
talking about it for the next couple of meetings and invite Council’s input.
Councilman Selden stated
that he would like to compliment Don Waldenmayer for what he has done for the
City. He has supported a number of
causes that a lot of people do not know about and would like to thank him for
that.
OLD BUSINESS:
1.
Repurchase Agreement
City Manager Cook stated
that Council has been provided a resolution which covers what Council had talked
about for the repurchase at 3.7%.
The goal is to have it executed tomorrow with the seller and submit it to the
financer. We should have the truck
by the end of the week or the beginning of next week.
CM
1-4-08 - RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
INSTALLMENT PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Motion by Wedell,
supported by Morelli
WHEREAS, an Installment
Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) among the City of South Lyon, County of
Oakland, State of Michigan (the “City”), Southeastern Equipment Co., Inc.. (the
“Vendor”), and SunTrust Equipment Finance & Leasing Corp. (the “Bank”), for the
purchase of Sharwze Sweeper as set forth therein (the “Equipment”), has been
prepared, pursuant to MCLA 123.721 as amended; and
WHEREAS, the total purchase
price of the Equipment from the Vendor is $145,000 less trade-in of $10,000 or
$135,000; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the
Agreement, the amount of $135,000 (the “Purchase Price”) in principal
installments at an interest rate equal to _3.70% per annum, all as
specified on Exhibit A to the Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Agreement is to
be assigned by the Vendor to the Bank; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to
approve the Agreement ad authorize the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute the
Agreement and other related documentation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED THAT:
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2.
Goals and Objectives – City Manager
Mayor Doyle stated that
Council received a letter tonight from City Manager Rod Cook.
He is retiring after 25 years of service.
Given that information he does feel that this item should be tabled.
Councilman Kivell stated
that he does not feel that it should be tabled because irrespective of who sits
in that seat, Council still needs to have a set of expectations.
Council Member Maida stated
that she would have liked to have the compiled list of everyone’s ideas.
At the last meeting it was discussed that these be forwarded to the Mayor
for that purpose. Mayor Doyle
stated that he thought that given that the City Manager would be retiring, the
new person should be involved in that process.
He stated that there were some common ideas dealing with blight, as well
as other common threads. Council
Member Maida stated that she does not see where that person should be involved.
Council has to set a precedent of what they expect.
Council Member Selden stated
that given that two people have not submitted their ideas and it has not been
consolidated, it could be tabled for a set period of time.
Councilman Kivell stated
that he feels that we should start with an open discussion.
CM 1-5-08 – REMOVE
DISCUSSION OF CITY MANAGER GOALS & OBJECTIVES FROM THE TABLE
Motion by
Wedell, supported by Kivell
To remove
discussion of the City Manager Goals and Objectives from the table
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Councilman Kivell discussed
the formulation of a redevelopment plan to make the best use of the resources
available. This subject had been
broached before and was indicated that we were already doing that and we have
things in place. He has talked to
people at the Chamber and they were unaware of any official position.
The role of the City Manager is to generate a plan that coordinates with
the DDA and Chamber in an effort to take
best advantage of the resources that we have and facilities we have to identify
the types businesses best suited in the Central Business District and maximize
the potential of the experience of shopping in a downtown area.
Identify those businesses and then find a way to solicit that type of
activity and bring into town.
Discussion was held on the
City Manager being more involved in bringing in businesses to the community.
Discussion was held on how you quantify that for evaluation purposes.
Councilman Kivell stated that it does not have to be measured by the
number of businesses brought in, but rather if there is a strategy for enticing
businesses. It was stated that it
has to be based on effort. Council
Member Kopkowski stated that you have to look at whether there was an attempt or
businesses are not coming in because of the economy.
Councilman Kivell stated that there needs to be a document used as a
guideline where adjustments can be made if needed.
Mayor Doyle asked if the intent is to take this function away from the
Director of Community and Economic Development.
Councilman Kivell stated that ultimately the City Manager has oversight
on all of that and has ultimate responsibility.
Discussion was held on possibly looking at other communities of like
size.
Mayor Doyle asked Ms. Tamara
Ward, Chamber of Commerce Director if this is typical of other communities that
the City Manager take this type of role in business recruitment and retention or
is that more of a function of the Chamber or DDA.
Ms. Ward stated that this is the first community that she has worked in
that did not have a Economic Development Commission whose sole purpose is to
recruit, show available properties and look at redevelopment and blight.
A lot of the items that Council is talking about would be addressed by
this one entity. She stated that
she attends the DDA meetings on a regular basis.
We have a lot of interest in this area, but there is no structure to
support all of these interests. We
need to frame it and take steps to showcase our business community and attract
the type of retail we want to see here.
City Manager Cook stated
that a number of years ago we did an analysis of downtown which addressed some
of the issues of like business and where they should locate, etc.
Possibly we should look at doing a market analysis or updating the one we
do have that is about 10 years old.
A lot of the information is still applicable to what is being talked about, but
should be updated for today’s market.
We do deal with businesses that come in that do not have a business plan.
They want to open a store and are closed because they cannot sustain.
He stated that years ago we paid $35,000 for the analysis, but we now
have a base document. Further
discussion was held on the City, Chamber and DDA working together to determine
what works in the downtown.
Councilman Morelli stated
that a lot of people look at South Lyon as a cute little town, but we are not
where Northville and Milford are yet.
He does not think that it is the fault of South Lyon, but possibly the
people who come in and do not do their homework and not knowing that we are not
ready for that yet or have deep enough pockets to be here long enough to where
the town can grow around them.
Council Member Kopkowski
stated that many of the people who live here shop in Northville, Brighton and
Milford on a regular basis. If the
shops were here, the people of South Lyon could support them. It is simply that
they are not here, there are some rundown buildings, and we need to be more
business friendly overall as a City.
Attorney Lee stated that in
1976 the City developed an Economic Development Corporation and it was disbanded
in the late 1980s because of the fact that Oakland County has an Economic
Development Corporation which is far more efficient, has a great deal more
borrowing power and money that we had.
We decided it was redundant to have such a corporation.
He stated that he does not think that reforming an Economic Development
Corporation would be economically wise.
Oakland County will step in and help. Councilman Wedell stated that
Oakland County has a “one-stop shop” where businesses can come in and there are
brochures, computers, etc. and they will help with permitting and licensing and
hold their hand and walk them through the process.
There is no way that we could do a portion of that service; it would be a
duplication of service at a much reduced level.
Councilman Kivell stated
that if we had our own database that we could use to solicit business and give
them direction. We could then send
them to Oakland County to get things rolling to their advantage.
Council Member Maida stated
that there is a lot of information that is good, but does not know how to put it
all together. Councilman Kivell
stated that is why we are having the discussion.
In two weeks we can come back and see if we can formulate something.
Council Member Kopkowski stated that this is something that should be
worked on with the City, Chamber and DDA.
It is not just going to be one person that does it but rather teamwork.
Mayor Doyle asked if there
was any interest in reviewing the market analysis.
Council Member Maida stated that she believes there is.
In 10 years a lot has happened so for it to be reviewed and updated would
be important. Councilman Kivell
stated that he would like to see the City Manager meet with the DDA and the
Chamber to find out their thoughts are on whether it makes sense to review the
analysis.
Discussion was held on
blight. Mayor Doyle stated that
blight was a common issue in all of the suggestions that were made.
He stated that we have a handful of properties that are a big problem
then a second tier of others that are more of a nuisance.
We have seen that other communities have a “super” blight ordinance.
We have history with some of these properties and it takes a long process
and when you get to the end it seems as though nothing changes.
Attorney Lee stated that we have managed to cause three properties to be
virtually re-built and the other is at least sealed up.
Mayor Doyle asked if we are using all of the tools that are at our
disposal.
Attorney Lee stated that it
is identification and enforcement.
He stated that when he drives around the City he has not seen anything that
jumps out. He has the same
frustration with an empty building downtown and he has talked with the Building
Department to make sure it is sealed.
If it is open at all, we have opportunity to win that battle.
We tried to get the building demolished but we were unable to get the
Judge to give us an administrative search warrant to go inside to determine if
there were deficiencies to compel demolition.
He corrected the outside and we have done everything that has been
presented to us. Our Building
Inspector has a history of trying to work with people to voluntarily make the
improvements necessary. We have
been slow in taking corrective action in court, but when we have, we have been
very successful.
Councilman Wedell stated
that most of the discussion has revolved around the business district.
However, we are seeing more and more foreclosures and houses vacated or
abandoned. We need to be proactive
in maintaining the integrity of our neighborhoods.
He stated that he would like to see an enforcement plan so that these
properties are maintained in the neighborhoods as well as the business district.
Attorney Lee the financial community talks about people taking the inside
with them including leaving the water faucets on, furnace disconnected, etc.
The only way to stop that is to have some very vigorous enforcement.
Councilman Wedell stated that in his neighborhood, a house was abandoned
and the entire curb lined with trash past 1-2 pick-up days.
City Manager Cook stated that in this instance there was a ticket issued.
Discussion was held on
putting more responsibility on the banks.
Councilman Kivell stated that the Planning Commission is addressing all
of the items that Council is going through and he is sure that they will bring
forth a document that we are all going to be glad to see.
He further stated that as far as a goal issue, it is essentially
implementation of enforcement once the ordinances are in place.
Attorney Lee discussed an
ordinance that was just passed in Massachusetts that he will be looking at which
requires that anyone who goes to court to evict someone from a home may not dump
everything from the home in the driveway but rather put in storage.
High School student William
Spears of 61515 Brookway Drive asked Council to define blight.
Mayor Doyle stated that it is when buildings and properties are run down
and poorly maintained. He stated
that it is somewhat subjective.
Further discussion was held on the definition of blight.
Mayor Doyle asked if our
ordinances give us what we need to address the blight issues.
Attorney Lee stated that our ordinances give us all the authority that we
need, the question is the level of enforcement, how many warnings, etc.
He stated that he does not know of any property in the City of South Lyon
that could not be addressed under our existing ordinances.
Vacancies are another issue.
Discussion was held on the issue being that of development of an enforcement
plan.
Discussion was held on other
goal issues. Council Member
Kopkowski stated that she would like the City Manager to pursue additional
grants and compete for additional funding.
Councilman Wedell stated
that something we have with Rod Cook is good financial planning and we will have
to re-dedicate to maintain that with the new manager.
Even though it is in place, he did include it in his goals because there
are more challenges coming down the road that we will have to deal with.
Councilman Wedell further stated that one thing that has been brought up
in the past and he feels is still important is that our cable view is
antiquated, the audio and visual quality is very poor.
We need to look into ways to improve that.
Councilman Kivell stated that he does not see a reason why we should not
have the meetings broadcast live.
Some people may have a different view of it, but there are plenty of larger
communities that are live and even have where you can get a data stream through
the internet. Technology is not
driven by the size of the community.
Councilman Selden stated
that a number of stations are going to the very high frequencies for the
municipal meetings which is going to hurt a lot of people who do not have that
capability. Further discussion was
held on digital systems.
Councilman Selden stated
that he thinks that we should audit our preventative maintenance procedures for
all of the City’s motorized units so all manufacturers recommendations are being
followed. Superintendent Renwick
stated that we very seldom leave the City limits and the speeds are slower, we
tend to change the oil much sooner and all of the preventative maintenance is
done more frequently than what the manufacturer recommendations are.
Council Member Maida stated
that she would agree that more frequent financial reporting is important.
She further stated that she included increased computer skills and she
would like the City Manager to coordinate with the special events in the
community and ensure cooperation with the departments.
Finally, she stated that she would like the City budget for 2008 cut by
5%.
Councilman Morelli stated
that he too included developing a good financial plan.
He discussed the decreasing home values and the affect it will have on
City funding.
Mayor Doyle reviewed the
goal items as discussed: Develop a
redevelopment plan for downtown, enforcement plan to address blight, watch for
additional grants that may become available, good financial planning,
investigate cable options and improvements, overall preparing for the future and
have good financial planning in place.
Council Member Maida also included coordination with the special events
throughout the City.
Councilman Kivell stated
that he would like to see the documents that Council submitted to ensure that
all of the items have been covered.
It was requested that this be placed on the next agenda.
3.
Liquor License – Bella Luna – Removed
from the Agenda
4.
Master Plan Update – Approval of
distribution
Mayor Doyle stated that
Council is not asking to approve or deny the plan at this time, just simply
approve the distribution of the plan to surrounding communities and other
agencies. City Manager Cook stated
that Council should also make any comments they may have so that they can be
shared with the Planning Commission.
The public hearings will be held in February.
Council Member Maida stated
that they did a great job and they have some great ideas.
She stated that she liked the way they used the term “Community of
choice” and would like to see that used as we go forward, possibly on our
signage, etc. Councilman Wedell
stated that both documents are very well done and the research was excellent.
Councilman Kivell stated
that there is a grammatical error on page 16.
He further stated that he would like to get the definitions of Corridor
Improvement Authority and Neighborhood Improvement Authority.
Commissioner Jeff Potter
stated that Corridor Improvement Authorities have become somewhat controversial
and the County has been working with the legislative framework that is not
specific. He explained that it is
like a Downtown Development Authority but instead of using a defined business
sector, it can include an area along a particular corridor where the communities
run together. It would address the
presentation and benefit for economic development.
It would capture TIFA funds.
He discussed the concerns about these different authorities which take taxes
away from the general effort of the community as a whole to dedicate to one
specific area. He stated that
likewise Neighborhood Improvement Authorities would capture funds for a specific
neighborhood for road improvements, etc.
He stated that in Townships where they do not tax their own entities they
would not only take their own dollars away, but also the dollars to send your
child to community college, etc. He
further discussed the problems and concerns as well as the County’s method of
evaluation of these authorities. He
discussed the “opt out” ability of the jurisdictions.
Councilman Selden requested
that the spelling of his name be corrected on the document.
CM 1-6-08 – APPROVAL OF
DISTRIBUTION – MASTER PLAN & PARKS AND RECREATION PLAN
Motion by
Wedell, supported by Kivell
To approve the
distribution of the Master Plans for the City and Parks and Recreation
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5.
Shared Services – Lyon Township
Council Member Maida stated
that there was a letter sent from Lyon Township with regards to looking into
Fire shared services prompted by the fact that Chief Cash will be retiring.
She stated that she does not necessarily agree with this, but more
research and investigation would be in order to make sure that the decision she
is making is a good one.
Mayor Doyle stated that
Lannie Young approached him in November as they were working on their budget.
Chief Cash is going to be retiring and he wanted to see if there is any interest
in visiting shared services.
Councilman Kivell stated
that he does not know how much investigation needs to take place.
The first question to be asked is will the City gain benefit as a result
of this, and he does not see anything that points to that answer being yes.
Council Member Kopkowski stated that she does not see it as well, but if
we are being asked by our neighbors to look at the situation, then we should
give them the opportunity to present something to us if they think that they can
offer a benefit. We need to be
neighborly.
Mayor Doyle stated that we
went through this exercise some time ago regarding the police services.
We need to determine if there is any reason that we need to discuss it.
He stated that structurally, we are very different, and because they may
be in a bind right now, we have no obligation to do anything.
It has nothing to do with being neighborly.
This would extrodinarily increase our overall structural costs and
decrease service. He asked
Assistant Fire Chief Caswell if there is any desire from the department or any
advantage to go down this path.
Assistant Chief Caswell stated there is not.
He does not believe this would save the City any money.
He stated that possibly a meeting between the Fire Department and Council
would be a great way to answer any questions and enlighten Council on anything
they need to know about.
Council Member Kopkowski
stated that the people of the community wonder why we are not sharing services
and if we do not have a public discussion they are not going to have a chance to
know. She stated that when the
police services were discussed, the meeting was not televised.
She stated that she has no problem discussing it.
Councilman Selden stated
that he thinks that if they are interested in doing any of this, they should
make a specific proposal. He does
not see how the City could win with this except possibly the joint purchase of
capital equipment. He stated that
the other issue is that you would have one department with two bosses.
Mayor Doyle stated that it would have to be set up with a Fire Board.
Attorney Lee stated that one
of the greatest impediments in this type of arrangement is that the township
needs and buys tanker trucks, the City does not need tanker trucks, we have fire
hydrants. We buy pumpers and ladder
trucks. The other issue is that the
City is 90% developed and the township is 30% developed.
How you would have the parties buy capital equipment would always be a
struggle. You could not do it
equally because the City would be at a substantial disadvantage.
The only way you could reasonably do it would be to suggest that the City
and Township share the cost of a comprehensive study by someone who has skills
and identify the savings if there are any.
He has been through this type of situation before and he has not seen any
savings, but substantially increased capital expenditure for the City, which
would benefit only the township. It
was stated that another issue is that the City streets are paved and the
townships are not putting much more wear and tear on the equipment.
Councilman Selden stated
that essentially we share services now.
If they need a ladder truck we respond with one.
He further stated that Lyon Township backed away from Novi’s dispatch and
went with the County. He feels we
could spend our time in better ways.
Councilman Wedell questioned
Assistant Chief Caswell if the departments’ training standards are the same.
Assistant Chief Caswell stated that we are at a higher level of training.
Craig Johnson, Training Officer stated that the Firefighter I and II are
equal, medical training is equal, but where we exceed is in our confined space
training and some of the technical rescue and we do have more people involved on
the County’s Hazmat team. Further
discussion was held on training.
Councilman Wedell stated
that in preparation for this discussion, he downloaded an article put out by the
Michigan Government Finance Officers’ Association on interlocal cooperation,
feasibility studies, etc. It
indicates that the first thing you have to do is to have a business plan that
makes sense to both entities. He
does not see that business plan or potential for a benefit to the City of South
Lyon. That would have to be
demonstrated before he is interested in going forward.
Councilman Kivell asked if
there is a way to assign millage for fire services separate from general
millage. City Attorney Lee stated
that when you talk about Fire Authorities, you can do them in a number of ways.
He put one together for another set of communities where each community
kept and owned its own fire equipment, raised its own revenue and together
created a budget for operation of fire stations in each community.
He discussed the problems with some communities having newer equipment
than the other’s outdated equipment.
He stated that it can be done at different levels.
Councilman Morelli stated
that he would like to see a comprehensive study done to put this to rest. He
does not see how it would benefit the City financially.
He discussed the current mutual aid.
He had asked the question during one of the joint meetings regarding how
Walmart got built without the township having a ladder truck.
The answer was because the City does.
He asked if there are any funds that change hands for mutual aid.
City Manager Cook stated there is not.
Commissioner Potter
discussed Community Cooperative Initiative Revolving fund.
He explained that this is monies that are used for studies of community
cooperation and participation. If a
municipality wants a study done, an outside firm will come in and identify the
potential benefits and/or drawbacks, etc.
The key is that the communities need to sit down and think that some
benefit might be achievable. If you
cannot get there, the County is not going to want to spend the money to prove a
point. Both parties will have to
realize the possibility of at least some benefit for the County to commit money.
Mayor Doyle asked if Council
wishes to invite the Township in for the discussion.
Councilman Kivell stated that he would be happy to have the discussion
but feels confident that we could answer the question right now.
Mayor Doyle stated that he would like to be sold on the benefit because
he does not see any.
The consensus of Council was
that a discussion with the Township would be in order.
Mayor Doyle stated that he would contact Lannie Young and put forth the
offer for discussion.
NEW BUSINESS:
1.
Tri-Party Program – FY 2008
City Manager Cook stated
that we have the initiation for the Tri-Party Program for 2008.
He has summarized in the memo that we have a great deal tied up with the
Streetscape Program. We will have
$62,000 for the upcoming year and there are not a lot of areas that we have
available to us that are county roads.
The suggestions that they have made would require us to come up with a
great deal of money than what is available.
There is one area available and that is the relocation of the
signalization at Eight Mile. Our
cost to do that is roughly $55-60,000.
We are required to hire a special engineer to do the intersection work as
it relates to the signalization in order for it to be presented to the County.
This is the only suggestion he has unless Council wanted to put it back
into the Streetscape, but he believes that we would be better served to go with
the signal work.
Council Member Kopkowski
asked if the streetscape project and the Eight Mile project are combined.
City Manager Cook stated that they are going to be bid at the same time
but not merged together.
Discussion was held on the
barrier free issue. City Manager
Cook stated that we have to do the same thing that was required on McHattie
Street.
Discussion was held on the
other options and the significant money that would have to be appropriated.
Discussion was held on the
trail project. City Manager Cook
stated that we are now being required to update the intersection to meet barrier
free. This was not foreseen when we
started this project last year, therefore this is money beyond what we were
originally planning. Councilman
Wedell stated that if we do not use these funds for this purpose then we will be
paying for that out of our own pocket.
Councilman Selden asked if
there is any way to get any money from Washtenaw County.
City Manager Cook stated that there is not.
The intersection is under the jurisdiction of Oakland County.
Councilman Kivell stated
that the dollar amount is less than last year and asked if the decline is likely
to continue. City Manager Cook
stated that it was only a slight decline.
It is based on accidents, etc.
Actually in the past few years we have gotten more than we ever had.
He further stated that we are going to be in a position that everything
that we could do would be expensive projects even if we get $60-65,000.
CM 1-7-08 – APPROVAL OF
PROJECT – TRI-PARTY PROGRAM 2008
Motion by
Selden, supported by Maida
To select
the signalization at the intersection of Pontiac Trail and Eight Mile as the
project for the 2008
Tri-Party
Program
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2.
Purchase of Vacuum Primer System
Superintendent Martin stated
that he is seeking approval to purchase a specialized piece of equipment for the
wastewater treatment plant. This
delivers the water to our pump so that we can pump the sewage throughout the
plant. The current system has been
in place for 27 years, it was not updated with the renovation.
We are still using it, but it is failing.
We did identify it and budgeted within this fiscal year.
The budgeted amount was within $85 of the bid.
Councilman Selden asked if
there is any other option.
Superintendent Martin stated that we do have to have it.
Council Member Maida stated
that it is a good choice to go with the same company as the original one.
Superintendent Martin stated that the existing pipe work fits into this
product and does not need to be changed.
CM 1-8-08 – APPROVAL OF
PURCHASE – VACUUM PRIMER SYSTEM
Motion by
Kivell, supported by Selden
To approve the
purchase from Jett Pump & Value for the purchase of Apco Vacuum Primer System in
the amount of
$14,085
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3.
Elected Officials Academy – MML
Council Member Maida stated
that she will be taking a number of courses to get a certificate through the
Elected Officials Academy. There
other courses available that can be taken randomly without going through the
Academy.
Mayor Doyle stated that
anyone wishing to take any of the courses should contact Julie.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Council Member Maida stated
with regards to the signal on Nine Mile that the residents were complaining
about at the last meeting, Rod Cook and Chief Collins were going to go out and
watch the area and asked if there has been any determination.
City Manager Cook stated that the signal is operating the way it is
supposed to be. Council Member
Maida stated that the request was to make it a red light and asked if we are
going any further with the issue.
City Manager Cook stated that he has no plans to move forward to change
anything.
Council Member Maida wanted
to thank the DPW for the great job they did with all of the snow we saw.
Council Member Maida stated
that she is the Chairperson for the Relay for Life for South Lyon.
The event is scheduled for May 17th and 18th.
She would invite anyone interested in participating or forming a team to
call her. The kick-off meeting is
February 13th at the Methodist Church.
It is going to be a great event.
Council Member Kopkowski
stated that she noticed some damage to one of the new DPW trucks and asked if
this had anything to do with the incident in Hidden Creek.
Superintendent Renwick stated that it did not.
The situation has been handled and the truck will be repaired.
Council Member Kopkowski
stated that on her way to the meeting this evening, she had a citizen contact
her to find out what was on the agenda because the agenda was not on the
website. City Clerk/Treasurer Zemke
stated that we are aware of it. We
are having problems with the web host and we are working on it.
Councilman Kivell stated
that the T-Mobile tower protective trellis that was supposed to be installed
still has not been done. This is
particularly important now that the tower has been erected and the threat is
existing. Parvin Lee has indicated
that he will make contact with them tomorrow.
He would like to see this red tagged.
This is a consent judgment and we have lived up to our side of the
agreement, they should live up to theirs.
Unfortunately, red tagging the site right now would not relieve the
hazard. City Manager Cook stated
that they have already been contacted and told to get this done.
Councilman Kivell stated
that the Whipple Street project has long been completed, however there is still
a telephone pole on the corner with the lines connected suspended in mid air.
He does not think it is asking too much to get that completed.
Furthermore, there has been a telephone pole on Warren sitting on the
easement for 7-8 months. He asked
if there is any kind of limit for the length of time they can do this.
City Manager Cook stated that we can make contact with them.
Councilman Kivell stated
that the storm brought a great deal of snow and the DPW did a great job.
You did not have to get far outside our boundary before you realized how
valuable our DPW is to the community.
However, we have an ordinance that requires clearing of sidewalks.
Although it is a difficult ordinance to enforce, a week after the
snowfall there were houses who did nothing.
He feels that these property owners should be given notice and if they do
not comply, they can pay for our services.
Unfortunately, one of the locations was the ambulance building.
The police and fire were clear and the bank was clear with a patch of
sidewalk that nobody touched.
Superintendent Martin stated
that after both of the big snow storms we had in the last month, within 30 hours
the downtown area was snowplowed and sidewalks were cleaned.
Councilman Selden stated
that the person who complained about People’s Express used the service again and
was very happy.
Councilman Wedell stated
that we received the City Manager’s letter of retirement.
He would like to see an ad put in the MML publication in order to start
receiving resumes.
Discussion was held on using
a headhunter to try and go through the resumes and pick the most qualified
candidates.
Council Member Maida thanked
HRC for their contribution to the Relay for Life to show they are giving back to
the community.
Further discussion was held
on the search for a City Manager.
City Manager Cook stated that you will pay approximately $10,000 for someone to
do the search, weeding through the resumes, etc.
Mayor Doyle stated that Council can come up with a description and the
City Attorney has offered his assistance as well.
Councilman Morelli stated
that he attended meetings in Northville as they went through their search for a
City Manager. They used a firm that
collected the criteria, fielded the resumes and narrowed it down to six
candidates. The Council then went
through the interview process.
Councilman Morelli thanked
the DPW. He has lived here for 30
years and always knows that when he is driving in the snow, when he gets to the
City, the roads will be clear.
Attorney Lee stated that
with regards to the lawsuit, the Judge dismissed their complaint and gave them
60 days to file for a rezoning, in essence, telling them to start over.
CM 1-9-08 – ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Selden, supported by Kopkowski
To adjourn the meeting at
10:00 p.m.
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Respectfully Submitted,
_
___________________________
_______________________________
John
Doyle, Jr.
Julie C. Zemke
Mayor
City Clerk/Treasurer