CITY OF SOUTH LYON
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 10, 2008
Mayor Doyle called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Mayor Doyle along with a young man named Kyle led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
PRESENT: Mayor Doyle
Council Members: Kivell, Kopkowski, Maida, Morelli, Selden and Wedell
Attorney Lee
Assistant Clerk/Treasurer Lynch
Department Heads: Collins, Martin & Renwick
ABSENT: City Manager Cook
City Clerk/Treasurer Zemke
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Attorney Lee stated there are some corrections on page 8 of the minutes. Ms. Sobutich questioned about the liability for her position, the minutes proposed state any decision would be done individually, and it should state no decision made would be individually. And further, it should indicate in the next sentence, the board will have immunity as a governmental entity and the board of review is appealable to the Michigan Tax Tribunal.
CM 3-1-08-
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2008
Motion by Kivell, supported by Morelli
To approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of February 25, 2008 as
amended.
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
CM 3-2-08- APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
Motion by Kivell, supported by Morelli
To approve the minutes of the Special meeting of February 26, 2008 as written
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Councilman Kivell questioned the charges for repairs and parts for T10. Department Head Renwick stated it was necessary because the rear axle broke. Councilman Kivell stated it is unfortunate because the cost was about one-tenth the cost of a new vehicle. He asked if it had been rammed into or if it had failed, Department Head Renwick stated it failed.
Council Member Kopkowski questioned the charge for the road salt, and if that meant we had already used ours. Renwick stated we do still have some salt left, but if not used, this can be used for next year.
Councilman Kivell stated in the memo from the City Manager, there was something about a road salt and sand mix and asked the rationale if we still have salt. Department Head Renwick stated that if it got to a point where we ran out of salt, we could get a mixture to extend it further.
Motion by Wedell, supported by Maida
To approve the monthly bills as presented
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
CITIZENS SUGGESTIONS: None
OLD BUSINESS:
Council Member Maida stated she would like an explanation for the $200-300,000 on page 6, for the general fund operation. She questioned if the money was for the Nettles property because the cost was more than that. Councilman Kivell stated that is the balance that was left from the land acquisition fund. Councilman Wedell stated that we used two separate funds for the purchase.
Council Member Kopkwoski questioned where the 1991 special assessment was moved to. It would be nice if these came with line items. Councilman Kivell stated it is for $160.00, it is such an insignificant amount of money. Councilman Kivell stated it is interest from the special assessment. Discussion was held on the budget amendment and questions Council has for the City Manager.
Motion by Wedell, supported by Kopkowski
To table approval of the amendment to FY 07-08 budget
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Mayor Doyle questioned Attorney Lee what needed to be done with the City Manger not here. Attorney Lee stated City Manager Cook is requesting that Council confirm the appointment of Joe Repanshek of Aureil Jewelry & Design to the DDA. Council Member Maida stated she believes the people being appointed should be here at the Council Meeting. Mayor Doyle stated Mr. Repanshek planned on being here, but he received an email from Kristen that something came up and Mr. Repanshek would not be able to attend. Councilman Kivell stated he is a stand up guy and he did provide a letter. It is more important to get valuable people in the positions than having them come to a Council Meeting. Council Member Maida stated she still feels it is important for people to see who they are.
Motion by Kivell, supported by Morelli
To confirm the appointment of Joe Repanshek to the DDA
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Mayor Doyle stated this is an annual agreement and we usually get this from them in the summer, but for some reason they did not get it to us until now.
Councilman Selden questioned if there is criteria that need to be met before people use Meals on Wheels. He further stated he knows of people that use this program and basically abuse the system. He knows of people that use the Meals on Wheels then they go on a cruise for two weeks, it makes you wonder. Attorney Lee stated there is suppose to be an income limitation for this program. Councilman Selden stated he knows of this happening, and he wants his remarks on record.
Motion by Selden, supported by Maida
To approve the contract with Western Oakland County Meals on Wheels in the amount of
$5,000.
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Proclamation of Sever Weather Awareness Week April 6th-April 12th
Mayor Doyle stated there will be an outdoor warning Wednesday, April 9th at 11:30 a.m. It is Severe Weather Awareness week, in an effort to bring awareness of the Oakland County warning system. They are tested the first Saturday of every month. We are getting into that time of year where we need to be aware of the severe weather that can occur.
Motion by Selden, supported by Kopkowski
To proclaim the Week of April 6-12th as National Severe Weather Week in the City of
South Lyon
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Councilman Kivell stated he wanted to clear something up that was brought up at the last meeting regarding who residents should call regarding garbage issues. It was represented they could call the contractor or City Hall. He stated he feels people should be contacting the City, and then the City can contact the contractor. That way we have better control on whether things are being acted on. Councilman Morelli stated that will also inform us of what and how many complaints there are.
Council Member Kopkowski stated that we received 38 resumes for the City Manger position, but in Rods memo, it stated that some were not eligible and qualified. Council Member Kopkowski questioned if Bill Richards received all of the resumes, and if he is the one that made the decision that some were not qualified. Attorney Lee stated, Bill Richards did receive all the resumes and he is the one that disqualified some of them.
Council Member Kopkowski questioned the emergency generator, and if Council had already approved that, and which option we went with. Department Head Martin stated we used option 1 & 3. The breaker is 30 years old. We are going to get the one repaired and we are buying a reconditioned one. That way we will have a back up. They do not make these fuses anymore. This whole situation goes back to last summer when the transformer blew up. It was damaged then, but we were not aware of it until it kept failing. Someone from the company came in and said there is a problem with the breaker. It is a 30 year old system and it does work for us right now. We could go to an electronic system, but that would be very costly.
Council Member Kopkowski stated she would like a list of all the fire hydrants in the city that are privately owned. Martin stated he does not have a list, but he can get her one, he further stated we have about 550, and 100 would be considered private. The question was asked if the City should put meters on the private hydrants. Department Head Martin stated we would have to purchase meters for each one, and they could literally sit for years without being used. Some discussion was held on which hydrants would be considered private. Councilman Selden asked if the water and sewers in Colonial Acres are private. Martin stated yes, as well as apartments, and mobile home parks. Councilman Selden stated he knows at least one sewer was dedicated to the City. Department Head Martin stated the one that was dedicated is the sewage lift station on Alexander, and we are responsible for that and the force main leaving it. Some discussion was held on the sewer that was dedicated. Councilman Selden asked how they could dedicate the water and sewer back to the City. Attorney Lee stated, if the development has private streets, so are the water and sewer. Councilman Selden stated he wished they were taxed like that.
Councilman Selden stated at the last meeting there was something in there where Attorney Lee asked to get a copy of the report about the city and township consolidation. Attorney Lee stated he has not yet received it. He has received a copy of the Wixom and Walled Lake agreement, but that was mainly Police. When he receives the other one he will be sure to circulate both of them to Council.
Councilman Selden stated he would like to thank the public and the merchants for the Taste & Epxo over the weekend, and thanks to the Chamber of Commerce. Despite the bad economy and bad weather it was very successful. It was very interesting; we had many the same as last year as well as some new ones.
Councilman Wedell stated he wanted to clarify that what is available are the studies; no agreements have been reached yet. All the studies have been done by Plante and Moran. Councilman Kivell asked if the studies are useful. Councilman Wedell stated he has not read them all, but he feels they are useful.
Councilman Wedell stated there were 38 resumes received for the City Manager position, and that is significantly more than what Bill Richards expected and he is very happy with that number. He further questioned if he could have a list of names of the people that applied. Attorney Lee stated that could be done. Some discussion was held on getting a list of names emailed to members of council.
Council Member Maida asked if anyone had been hired for the water department position. Department Head Martin stated he is finishing up the second interviews this week. He received 72 resumes, and he has six second interviews scheduled for this week. He stated he will then meet with Rod on the 19th for the final decision.
Council Member Maida stated the Taste and Expo was a great success, lots of people and lots of food. She further wanted to thank the Chamber for what a great job they did.
Councilman Morelli stated the City of Farmington and Farmington Hills used Plante and Moran for their study regarding joint services. Phil Weipert and Jeff Potter went to the presentation, and said it was very interesting. He asked if Council could get a copy on disk. He further stated they are not currently acting on it at this point.
Department Head Martin stated that the City residents have nothing to worry about narcotics showing up in their water as the news has been reporting. We draw our water from 150 feet underground, that is happening in places like Detroit who get their water from surface water, such as the Huron River. Many communities discharge into that water then communities draw water right back out of the same water. We are drawing water from 150 feet underground, we take very good care of our community water system and residents do not have to worry. To worry about a little bit of hardness as opposed to what other people have to worry about we are doing really well. Councilman Selden questioned other ways of disposing of narcotics and medication other than flushing. Attorney Lee stated that RRRASOC has a hazardous waste day for such things like kerosene, nail polish remover and such. You could take medication there and have them dispose of it.
Mayor Doyle stated he would like to thank the Chamber for the great job they did with the Taste & Expo.
Motion by Selden, supported by Morelli
To adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
_______________________________________
______________________________
John Doyle, Jr Lisa Lynch
Mayor Assistant Clerk/Treasurer