CITY OF SOUTH LYON
REGULAR
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
November
8, 2004
Mayor
Doyle called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.
Mayor
Doyle along with High School student Adam Enfroy led those present in the Pledge
of Allegiance
PRESENT:
Mayor Doyle
Council Members: Crawford, Dryer, Schwarck and Wallace
City
Clerk/Treasurer Zemke
Department
Heads: Martin & Renwick
ABSENT:
City Manager Cook
Attorney
Lee
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES:
CM
11-1-04- APPROVAL OF MINUTES – OCTOBER 25, 2004
Motion by Dryer, supported by Schwarck
To approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 25, 2004 as
written
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVAL
OF MONTHLY BILLS:
CM
11-2-04- APPROVAL OF MONTHLY BILLS
Motion by Crawford, supported by Schwarck
To approve the monthly bills as presented
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVAL
OF AGENDA
Councilman
Dryer stated that he would like to add two items. The first being the approval of the Seven-member Council and
what it means for this Council. Secondly,
he would like to add an item for discussion on some issues that happened at the
election last week. The question
was asked if Councilman Dryer had questions that were not addressed in the City
Clerk’s memo. Councilman Dryer
stated that he would like to address the need for new equipment, etc that may
improve matters. It was stated that
the City Clerk is not recommending any new equipment.
Councilman Dryer stated that he could make his comments under Citizen’s
suggestions, if Council wishes. The
consensus was that Councilman Dryer could make his comments under Citizen’s
Suggestions.
CM
11-3-04 – APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Dryer, supported by Wallace
To approve the agenda as presented
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
CITIZEN’S
SUGGESTIONS
Mr.
Glenn Kivell of 235 W. Lake Street stated that being that Nine Mile Road is
under the complete jurisdiction of the City, the City has an opportunity to
improve the traffic flow in the area. He
feels that Council should consider increasing the speed limit from 25 to 35
miles per hour between Pontiac Trail and Dixboro.
He stated that it was different when there was an elementary school on
Nine Mile, but now it is middle schools, and middle school students know better
than younger children to not put themselves in jeopardy.
The City has made great improvements to its road system and feels that
this would improve the traffic flow in this area, especially given the
improvements that will be taking place to Nine Mile in Green Oak Township.
Mayor
Doyle stated that he would agree that it should be raised to 35 since there is
no longer an elementary school. Next
year we will see Nine Mile Road paved between Dixboro and Rushton Roads, and it
is uncertain at this point what that speed limit will be.
Chief
Collins stated that some time ago, a resident questioned the need for a crossing
guard in this area. A traffic study
was done by a traffic engineer that determined that there is barely sufficient
gaps in traffic for safe crossing. If the speed limit is increased, that will decrease the needed
gaps.
Councilman
Schwarck stated that he drives this stretch of Nine Mile Road twice a day.
He feels that sometimes the elementary school kids would be smarter
crossing the road than some of the middle school kids who think that they are
invincible. A number of children
live across the street to the south who need to cross safely.
He stated that a number of years ago, there was a young girl hit and
killed and never wants to see anything like that happen again.
Mr.
Kivell stated that we do not have unlimited opportunity to address our traffic
problems. This is an area where
Council can make a decision without involving MDOT and conducting numerous
traffic studies. He stated that
another suggestion would be to have one speed limit during school hours and a
higher speed limit during off hours with the appropriate signage.
He stated that putting kids in jeopardy is never a good idea.
Chief
Collins stated that after Halloween, he had several residents approach him and
ask about the possibility of increasing trick-or-treat time from one to two
hours. From a Police Department
perspective, they do not have a problem with increasing the time to 6-8 p.m.
Although this is not something that needs to be dealt with at this time,
he did want to pass along the resident’s comments.
Ms.
Marilyn Morgan of Dean Drive stated that she has a son who attends Centennial
Middle School. It has been her
experience that the faster cars go, the longer it takes them to stop.
She stated that she does not know if this would have to be approved by
the residents, but she would not be in favor of it and would hope that Council
would get the input of other residents in the area.
Councilman
Schwarck stated that since the timing of the light at Pontiac Trail was changed,
the traffic flow has greatly improved.
Mayor
Doyle stated that these types of issues do take time, and this is not something
that would happen overnight without further review.
Councilman
Dryer stated that in regards to election day, the City experienced a voter turn
out of 5,500 voters. The City Clerk
and her staff did a very good job. However,
there are a few items he would like to discuss. Apparently there were some ballots from precinct 4 that had
been temporarily misplaced. Until
those ballots were found, voters cast their votes on a photocopied ballot.
Although this made some voters uncomfortable, it was according to the
law. He asked the City Clerk if
procedural changes have been made in order to avoid this type of error in the
future. City Clerk/Treasurer Zemke
stated that nothing like this has ever happened nor do we anticipate it ever
happening again. However,
additional safeguards will be put into place.
Mayor Doyle stated that Ms. Maggie Kurtzweil, who was independent counsel
for the Republican Party, did spend some time reviewing the situation and found
that there were no problems.
Councilman
Dryer discussed his concerns about people having to stand in line outside and
the possibility of snow on election day as well possible alternatives.
City Clerk/Treasurer Zemke stated that the long lines do happen every
four years during the Presidential election.
Other elections there is little to no wait.
To change a polling location for a specific election would cause greater
confusion to the voter. There is always confusion as to where they vote, because
again, some people only vote in presidential elections and are less familiar
with polling locations. She further
stated that in her 18 years of working with elections, it has not snowed, the
possibility exists, but is unlikely. Mayor
Doyle stated that he would not be in favor of making any changes; it is a
temporary inconvenience for a great privilege.
Councilman
Crawford stated that the system works and should remain the way the Clerk has it
set. He stated that it is a
temporary inconvenience every four years. Councilman
Wallace stated that the Clerk addressed these questions to his satisfaction in
her memo.
Further
discussion was held on residents not knowing where they vote.
Ms. Marilyn Morgan of Dean Drive stated that people get very confused and
more advertisement is needed. City
Clerk/Treasurer Zemke stated that it is advertised twice in the South Lyon
Herald. She stated that we are very
lucky because our precincts are split by Pontiac Trail and Ten Mile creating
simply four quadrants of the City. We
took literally hundreds of phone calls from people calling to find out where to
go, the information is printed on their voter identification card which every
voter receives, signage is used to direct residents, and on election day she
stood outside during peak times directing people so that they did not stand in
line needlessly.
Councilman
Dryer stated that the seven-member Council question did pass.
For the next year, there will still be five members.
Next November, we will be electing five positions on this Council.
He stated that it is an honor and a privilege to run for office and would
encourage anyone interested to get involved now, start coming to meetings and
educate yourself. It will do a lot
for yourself and your constituents.
Councilman
Dryer stated that he would like to look at changing the rule that you have to
resign your position on a board or commission in order to run for Council.
Councilman Wallace stated that he brought this up when we talked about
the Charter amendment to change from five to seven Council Members.
At that time, he felt that it would be prudent to look at the whole
charter and make the necessary amendments rather than handle them piece by
piece. Councilman Dryer stated that he was not aware that this was
part of the Charter.
Mayor
Doyle stated that this would require another Charter amendment.
Furthermore, more often than not, if a person has resigned their position
in order to run for office, if they are not elected, then they are re-appointed
to their position. If this does not
happen, then there is a reason.
Councilman
Dryer stated that he would be bringing this back for discussion in the future.
Mayor
Doyle stated that he would like to congratulate those people who were involved
in the petition process that brought this question forward.
OLD
BUSINESS:
Community
Development Block grant Program
Mayor
Doyle stated that at the last meeting, the Public Hearing was set for November
22nd. Anyone with input
on the expenditure of these funds can make comments at this public hearing.
We can only utilize these funds in the northwest quadrant of the City.
What is being proposed is 800 feet of sidewalk along the south side of
Chester Street and 800 feet of sidewalk along the north side of Orchard Ridge.
There are approximately 90 children that walk to school from this
neighborhood. This will be
discussed further at the November 22nd meeting.
NEW
BUSINESS:
Haven
Contract – 7/1/04-6/30/05 – Amount of Contract - $2,000
Mayor
Doyle stated that this is an annual contract between the City and HAVEN.
The contract amount is $2,000, which is the same as in past years.
We have been given a report of the number of people who have utilized
their services. Chief Collins
stated that due to confidentiality, it is difficult to track the exact number of
people who utilize their services, however the Police Department does make
referrals to this organization if needed.
CM
11-4-04 – APPROVAL OF CONTRACT – HAVEN
Motion by Wallace, supported by Dryer
To approve the contract between the City of South Lyon and HAVEN in the
amount of $2,000
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Councilman
Wallace reminded everyone to get out and support our football team who are doing
very well. Mayor Doyle stated that
the next game is this Friday against Novi at Novi.
CM
11-5-04 – ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Crawford, supported by Schwarck
To adjourn the meeting at 8:03 p.m.
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Respectfully
Submitted,
_______________________________
________________________________
John
Doyle, Jr., Mayor
Julie C. Zemke, City Clerk/Treasurer