CITY OF SOUTH LYON

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

June 11, 2007

 

Mayor Doyle called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

Mayor Doyle those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

 

PRESENT:            Mayor Doyle

Council Members:  Dryer, Kivell, Kopkowski, Morelli and Wedell

City Manager Cook

Attorney Lee

City Clerk/Treasurer Zemke

Department Heads: Collins, Martin & Renwick

ABSENT:            Council Member Maida

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

 

Councilman Wedell stated that on page 3 within the resolution, it states 2004 Tax Roll and should be changed to 2007 Tax Roll.

 

CM 6-1-07- APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MAY 29, 2007

 

     Motion by Wedell, supported by Morelli

 

     To approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 29, 2007 as amended

 

VOTE:                                                                                     MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

APPROVAL OF MONTHLY BILLS: 

 

Councilman Kivell questioned the payment to HRC for the Whipple Street Project.  City Manager Cook stated that they are just about done with their punch list items, and should be closing out the project in the near future.  He further stated that we are doing all of the close-outs on all of last year’s projects and will be done by the end of the fiscal year.

 

CM 6-2-07- APPROVAL OF MONTHLY BILLS

 

    Motion by Dryer, supported by Kivell

 

     To approve the monthly bills as presented

 

VOTE:                                                                                     MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

City Manager Cook stated that he would like to add the quotes for the freight house roof.  It came in after the packet went out and they would like to proceed with this project.

 

Discussion was held on the need to rush this through and possible questions that could arise.  City Manager Cook stated that the contractor has availability to do it the week of June 23rd.  It was determined that it could be put on the agenda for discussion and tabled if there are further questions.

 

CM 6-3-07 – APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

      Motion by Dryer, supported by Morelli

 

      To approve the agenda as amended by adding New Business #3 for discussion of the Freight

     House Roof

 

VOTE:                                                                                     MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

CITIZENS SUGGESTIONS:  None

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

 

1.      Second Reading- Mobile Home District Section- 102-263- Subsection 7- State Licensed Adult Facility

 

Mayor Doyle asked if anything has changed since the first reading.  Attorney Lee stated that there has been no change.

 

Councilman Dryer stated that there was a lack of support originally, but because he was not present at the last meeting, he was curious to know why there was a change of heart.  Councilman Kivell stated that the applicants were not present at the first meeting so they could not ask specific questions.  It was a very vague understanding of what was trying to be accomplished.  When they came back to ask us to revisit the issue, Council did receive a lot of the missing information that was not originally presented.

 

Councilman Morelli stated that what we need to vote on is not what these individuals are looking to do, but rather this type of facility in this district.  If we approve this, they would have to go back to the Planning Commission and meet all of the requirements through special use.

 

CM 6-4-07 – SECOND READING &  ADOPTION–ORDINANCE AMENDMENT-MOBILE HOME DISTRICT

 

     Motion by Kivell, supported by Dryer

 

     That this be the second reading and adoption of an ordinance amendment to Section 102-263

     Subsection 7 – State Licensed Adult Facility – Mobile Home District (see attached amendment as part

     of these minutes)

 

VOTE:                                                                                               MOTION CARRIED (1 opposed)

 

2.      Second Reading- Ordinance to amend Section 94-65a- Cross Connections

 

Attorney Lee stated that there have been no changes since the first reading.  The only change is the portion that is underlined merely changing reference to the State Statute.

 

CM 6-5-07 – SECOND READING & ADOPTION–ORDINANCE AMENDMENT-SECTION 94-65a

 

     Motion by Morelli, supported by Wedell

 

     That this be the second reading and adoption of an ordinance amendment to Section 94-65a – Cross

     Connections (see attached amendment as part of these minutes)

 

VOTE:                                                                                               MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.      Appointments/Resignations

 

Mayor Doyle stated that he is not yet ready to make the appointment to Parks and Recreation as Randy Cortwright is out of town and he wanted to talk with him prior to making the appointment.

 

Mayor Doyle stated that we do have a letter of resignation from Norma Wallace.  She is actually resigning from the Housing Commission as well as the Board of Review.  She has many years of service to the City on various boards as well as serving as City Clerk for over 20 years.  We need to accept that resignation.

 

Councilman Dryer stated that Norma is a great lady and has served the City for many years.  Her son also served on Council for many years as well as serving as Mayor.  They have a lot of history in this town.

 

CM 6-6-07 – ACCEPTACE OF RESIGNATION – NORMA WALLACE

 

     Motion by Dryer, supported by Kopkowski

 

     To accept the resignation of Norma Wallace from the Housing Commission and Board of Review

 

VOTE:                                                                                     MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

1.      109th MML Convention- September 18, 19 & 20 – Traverse City

 

Discussion was held on who would be attending the convention.  City Manager Cook stated that this is for notification purposes only and will be put on a future agenda.

 

2.      Annual Contract for the Senior Center- $51,873


City Manager Cook stated that this is our annual contract for the Senior Center.  The amount is slightly less based on the agreed formula.  We need to approve this for the upcoming fiscal year.

 

Mayor Doyle asked if there is any anticipated issues pertaining participation with the other communities.  City Manager Cook stated that he is not aware of any issues.  This is in place with Green Oak and Lyon Townships.  Participation has increased in both townships.

 

CM 6-7-07 – APPROVAL OF CONTRACT – SENIOR CENTER - $51,873

 

     Motion by Morelli, supported by Kopkowski

 

     To approve the contract with the South Lyon Community Schools for Senior Citizen Programs in the

     amount of $51,873

 

VOTE:                                                                                     MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

3.      Freight House – Roof Quotes

 

City Manager Cook stated that Friday we received two quotes for replacement of the roof on the freight house.  They have asked that Council approve the quote from Weathercraft Contracting.

 

Councilman Morelli asked if both roofs need to be replaced.  City Manager Cook stated that they are only asking for the freight house.

 

Councilman Wedell asked if this is our responsibility.  City Manager Cook stated that it is our building and it is part of the operating costs.

 

Councilman Dryer asked if this is related at all to the basement water issue.  Superintendent Renwick stated that it does not.  The basement issue has been taken care of.

 

Councilman Kivell stated that he has dealt with both companies and they are both reputable.  Weatercraft is local and he likes the fact that we are supporting a local business.

 

Council Member Kopkowski stated that she too likes supporting a local business.  However, she would have liked to see more local people take the opportunity to quote when asked.  City Manager Cook stated that they did request three other bids with no response.

 

Mayor Doyle stated that he does know the individual and he does do great work.

 

CM 6-8-07 – APPROVAL OF CONTRACT – WEATHERCRAFT CONTRACTING, LLC

 

     Motion by Kivell, supported by Dryer

 

     To approve the contract with Weathercraft Contracting, LLC for roofing of the freight house

 

Attorney Lee stated that this should reflect that it is a contract between the City and the contractor, not the Historical Society.  They have authority to get bids for the work, but only the City can contract with the company.

 

Councilman Kivell withdrew his motion and Councilman Dryer withdrew support.

 

Discussion was held on the actual price.  City Manager Cook stated that it is the $59,200.  It was stated that it would also include $1.87 per square foot for any wood deck repair.  City Manager Cook stated that some additional numbers were given in case they wanted to do additional work.

 

Councilman Kivell asked if they will be able to match the color.  City Manager Cook stated that he is not aware of any problem.

 

CM 6-9-07 – APPROVAL OF CONTRACT – WEATHERCRAFT CONTRACTING, LLC

 

     Motion by Kivell, supported by Dryer

 

     To approve the contract between the City of South Lyon and Weathercraft Contracting, LLC for the

     complete roofing of the freight house in the amount of $59,200 plus $1.87 per square feet for wood

     deck repair if necessary

 

VOTE:                                                                                     MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

COUNCIL COMMENTS: 

 

Councilman Kivell stated that there seems to be little information in the newspaper about our meetings.  He would like to invite the newspaper, as there is representation here, to recognize that we had a meeting at the very least and possibly a light synopsis.  There are people in the community that the newspaper is their only link to what is going on in the City.

 

Council Member Kopkowski asked for additional information about the census.  She asked why we would not even submit.  City Manager Cook stated that we have growth, but we cannot meet the 10% needed.  The last date we could submit is June 29th.  We still have approximately 215 non-response units throughout the City, but that still would not get us to the point where we qualify nor would it qualify us for the additional liquor license. 

 

The question was asked if the 215 include the people that ripped them up or returned them with no information.  City Manager Cook stated we had a number that would not respond or ripped them up.  We had to have a police cruiser in the area when we had a counter out there because of the aggravations that were being experienced.  These are things that should not have happened.

 

Council Member Kopkowski stated that it had been indicated that people were supplying wrong or no telephone numbers.  She stated that she was not asked her telephone number. City Clerk/Treasurer Zemke stated that it was only requested on the call back sheets that were left on the doors in case we had questions.

 

City Manager Cook stated that according to the Secretary of State, we are not the only community that has run across this problem and has simply dropped it because of the expense.

 

Council Member Kopkowski stated that she would like the newspaper to write an article to let people know that it is really sad that they did not cooperate.  The representative from the newspaper stated that the Editor is currently writing an editorial.

 

Discussion was held on problems with enumerators.

 

The question was asked if there is going to be similar problems with the 2010 census.  City Manager Cook stated that there are federal laws requiring them to respond, and if they do not there are penalties.  We did not have that.  In 1996 we had similar problems, but we were able to get it accomplished.

 

Councilman Kivell stated that there was a great deal more conversation in 1996 about it.  In hindsight, he should have suggested that we buy space in the paper to advertise this.  City Clerk/Treasurer Zemke stated that we did do that, and before we even began this process, there was at least three articles in the newspaper to tell people that this was coming.  City Manager Cook stated that it is disappointing to hear that when the worker knocks on the door you see the people sitting in their living room and they will not come to the door.  The lack of cooperation is evident, and you are not going to get the information.  It is that simple, and you cannot account for that.

 

Councilman Dryer stated that we did have some press at the very beginning.  But, it has been nine months.  We had problems with workers and problems with counts coming, but he feels we should have been more on top of it from the very beginning.  City Manager Cook stated that this is an experience that happened in other communities throughout the State of Michigan.  He does not think that being more on top of it would change the outcome.  Councilman Morelli stated that every address in the City was counted except for the 215 and we fell 757 short.  City Manager Cook stated that we would still fall short if we had those responses.  Councilman Dryer stated that he is not sure about that.  We have had people leave through this process and we may have been able to count those people before hand.  City Manager Cook stated that we have had decline since 2000, we have had people pass away, and mortality rates are figured by the Census Bureau.  There is no way to track that.  We did as good of a job that we could.  We showed growth, but not enough.  Furthermore, you cannot assume that the 2000 census was totally accurate.  There is no way to know the areas that were incorporated and whether they stayed within the jurisdiction.

 

Discussion was held on the 2010 census.  City Manager Cook stated that they will work from the 2000 census number.  He further stated that it will take approximately 18 months before you have an actual census number for 2010.

 

Discussion was held on problems with the post office.  City Manager Cook stated that we did have residents indicate that they sent back the forms multiple times.  City Clerk/Treasurer stated that this is only one of the issues we have with the Post Office and they are conducting an investigation.

 

Councilman Dryer stated that he was in Farmer Jack recently and some of the workers were talking about Bush’s coming in.  City Manager Cook stated that in talking with the Manager, they do not have a lot of information.  Not a lot of information is available at this time.  There is no closing date yet, but the warehouses are anticipated to close by the 15th of the month.

 

Councilman Dryer stated that the next meeting will be his last.

 

Councilman Wedell stated that he would like to make note of the DEQ Compliance report of our Water Plant.  It indicates that this is a model facility, neat, orderly and appears to be operating well and well operated.  Superintendent Martin stated that this is an inspection done twice per year.  They come in and go over everything.  A couple of things they commented on were extremely minor.  They worked very had and are extremely proud of it.  We are in compliance and are in great shape.

 

Councilman Wedell stated that the sign at the Bugsy restaurant on the front wall is off and has been that way for some time as well as the temporary signage coming off the building. He stated that he hoped that we could ask them to straighten that up.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

 

1.       Land Acquisition

 

CM 6-10-07 – ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

     Motion by Dryer, supported by Wedell

 

     To enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing land acquisition

 

VOTE:                                                                                     MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

Council entered into Executive Session at 8:04 p.m. and reconvened the regular meeting at 8:38 p.m.

 

CM 6-11-07 – ADJOURNMENT

 

     Motion by Kivell, supported by Kopkowski

 

     To adjourn the meeting at 8:38 p.m.

 

VOTE:                                                                                     MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

_

___________________________                              _______________________________

John Doyle, Jr.                                                            Julie C. Zemke

Mayor                                                                          City Clerk/Treasurer