CITY OF SOUTH LYON
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
February 9, 2004
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: Crawford, Dryer, Schwarck, and Wallace
Attorney Parvin Lee
City Clerk/Treasurer Zemke
Department Heads: Collins, Martin & Renwick
ABSENT:
City Manager Cook
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES:
CM
2-1-04- APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JANUARY 26, 2004
Motion by Schwarck, supported by Crawford
To approve the minutes of the regular meeting of
January 26, 2004 as written
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVAL
OF MONTHLY BILLS:
Discussion
was held on various bills
CM
2-2-04- APPROVAL OF MONTHLY BILLS
Motion by Crawford, supported by Dryer
To approve the monthly bills as presented
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVAL
OF AGENDA
Councilman
Dryer stated that he expected that the issue of a seven member Council would be
on this agenda. He would like that
item added to either tonight’s agenda or a future meeting. Councilman Crawford stated that it has been the policy of
this Council that an item such as this, which would require action, could not be
added to the agenda that evening but rather give proper public notice.
Councilman Dryer stated that he would like to see it added to the March 8th
agenda. Mayor Doyle asked if there was any support to having this
item added. There was no support
indicated.
Attorney
Lee stated that he would like to add an item for an update on the drain
assessment litigation. This item
was added as Old Business #3.
Motion by Wallace, supported by Schwarck
To approve the agenda as amended
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
CITIZENS
SUGGESTIONS:
Ms.
Joan Martin representing the Huron River Watershed Council presented The Davis
Creek Report. She stated that this
report informs residents about the Huron River Watershed including a creek that
runs through the City of South Lyon. She
stated that a watershed is the area of surrounding land that flows into a body
of water. She described the map and
flow of the watershed including the Yerkes Drain through South Lyon, which flows
through Nichwaugh Lake and Limekiln Lake in Green Oak.
She described the Adopt-A-Stream program, which consists of local
residents and biologists who evaluate the state of the river and streams and
examine the habitat quality and stream life including insect diversity, etc.
Ms. Martin described the challenge we are faced with in dealing with
development and the increase of impervious surfaces affecting the volume of
runoff.
Discussion
was held on what we can do to protect the watershed. Ms. Martin stated that she will leave copies of the report
for residents who are interested and stated that she would like to encourage
residents to get involved with the Adopt-A-Stream program.
Attorney Lee stated that since 1985, the City has spent $20 million to
protect the discharge into the Yerkes Drain, while other communities are
allowing sewer systems that do not have the same type of controls.
OLD
BUSINESS:
CLEMIS – Communication Tower
Site for Oakland County Emergency Management – DPW Facility
Mayor
Doyle stated that at the last meeting, this item was tabled in order to give Mr.
Harris and other neighbors time to address their concerns.
Mr.
Harris of 601 Ada stated that he would like to thank the City Council for the
extra time to address his concerns and the staff for providing him with the
necessary information. At this
point, all of his questions and concerns have been answered.
Discussion
was held on this being only an Oakland County system and our mutual aid with
those communities to the west outside of Oakland County.
Chief Collins stated that Green Oak does operate under the 800 frequency,
which is part of the Michigan State system.
The two systems are compatible. Chief
Kaska discussed mutual aid operations with Green Oak.
He stated that he would encourage Council to move forward. It was stated
that this would allow our Fire and Police Departments to communicate with each
other as well as other jurisdictions with 95%+ accuracy.
Ms.
Patricia Coates from Oakland County Clemis and Mr. Dan Fifer were present to
answer any questions. Ms. Coates
stated that we experienced major problems with the multi-jurisdictional
operation at the Ford Wixom Plant when these jurisdictions could not communicate
with each other as they were trying to apprehend a suspect. This system would eliminate these problems and allow these
different agencies to communicate.
The
question was asked as to the status of the community that was in opposition to
the tower in their jurisdiction. Mr.
Fifer stated that it has been approved, and everyone is on board.
CM
2-4-04 – REMOVE COMMUNICATION TOWER DISCUSSION FROM THE TABLE
Motion by Crawford, supported by Schwarck
To remove from the agenda the discussion of the Communication tower site
selection
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
CM
2-5-04 – APPROVAL OF COMMUNICATION TOWER SITE – DPW FACILITY
Motion by Crawford, supported by Wallace
To approve the installation of the CLEMIS Communication Tower at the DPW
facility
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Community Survey –
Comments/suggestions/changes
Mayor
Doyle stated that every two years we do a random survey of approximately 700
residents. There are some questions
that are outdated and need to be eliminated and others that should be added.
It
was stated that an updated map should be incorporated.
Councilman
Wallace stated that he would like a yes/no question added “should the City
build a police station using general fund monies” and the same question asked
about using bond monies. Mayor
Doyle stated that he would disagree that this question should be added.
We are currently doing a needs analysis conducted by HRC.
He stated that all you have to do is ask any officer who works in the
facility if there is a need for a new station.
It
was stated that a question should be added regarding a joint Planning Commission
with Lyon Township.
Mayor
Doyle stated that Council should get their suggestions to the City Clerk prior
to the next meeting.
Attorney’s Report –
litigation
Attorney
Lee stated that Council authorized him to file a complaint on behalf of the City
seeking relief from a special assessment levied by the Oakland County Drain
Commissioner for $43,485 against the resident within the drainage district and
$11,110 against the City at large. On January 30th we appeared before Judge Nanci
Grant who granted a preliminary injunction and authorized the Treasurer to hold
the money collected. A hearing is
scheduled for February 6th. It
does look favorable, and in all likelihood we will prevail. We are also asking that we be awarded for the time and
expense in refunding these monies.
The
question was asked if this could be appealed.
Attorney Lee stated that it could be appealed.
Discussion
was held on the Bonner case. Attorney
Lee stated that it is likely that it will be ruled that Mr. Bonner is not
entitled to appeal as the case was remanded back to the District Court, however
Mr. Bonner will likely appeal that decision as well. The dangerous building issues have been completed and those
building are now safe for pedestrians who pass by.
NEW
BUSINESS:
Proposed Amendment to the
budget – FY 2003-2004 for the period ending June 30, 2004
Mayor
Doyle stated that a budget amendment is necessary to adjust for increase in
legal expense, repairs at the Historic Depot building and the settlement for
engineering and legal issues for the Trailway Management Council.
CM
2-6-04 – APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT
Motion by Dryer, supported by Crawford
To approve the budget amendment as presented (see attached amendment as
part of these minutes)
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
CM
2-7-04 – ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Wallace, supported by Crawford
To adjourn the meeting at 8:11 p.m.
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Respectfully
Submitted,
_______________________________
________________________________
John Doyle, Jr., Mayor
Julie C. Zemke, City Clerk/Treasurer