CITY
OF SOUTH LYON
REGULAR
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
March
22, 2004
Mayor
Pro-tem Crawford called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Mayor
Pro-tem Crawford led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
PRESENT:
Council Members: Crawford, Dryer, Schwarck, and Wallace
City
Manager Cook
Attorney
Parvin Lee
City
Clerk/Treasurer Zemke
Department
Heads: Martin & Renwick
ABSENT:
Mayor Doyle*
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES:
Councilman
Dryer stated that on page 2 of the minutes, there is reference to “Mayor
Potter” rather than “Mayor Doyle”.
CM
3-1-04- APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JANUARY 12, 2004
Motion by Schwarck, supported by Dryer
To approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 8, 2004 as amended
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVAL
OF MONTHLY BILLS:
None
APPROVAL
OF AGENDA
Motion by Dryer, supported by Schwarck
To approve the agenda as presented
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
CITIZENS
SUGGESTIONS:
Mr.
Merle Ditto of 1035 Oxford asked when the City Council would be addressing the
resolution to increase the City Council from 5 to 7 members.
Councilman Wallace stated that we added a question to our community
survey dealing with this issue. Mr.
Ditto stated that the issue would have to be resolved by June in order to get
the question on the August ballot.
Discussion
was held on the timing in order to get a question on the ballot.
It was stated that the issue would have to be finalized and sent to the
County Clerk by the end of May.
Discussion
was held on how the issue could be put on the ballot. Attorney Lee explained that it would have to be approved by
2/3 of the City Council or by petition.
Mr.
Ditto asked why this has not been put on the agenda for discussion.
Councilman Wallace stated that they wanted the survey done first.
He stated that after the petitions were filed last fall, he had heard
several comments from the community that there had been some misleading
information put out when the petitions were being circulated; such as Council
absences from meetings, inability to get a quorum, etc.
Discussion
was held on putting this on the agenda for the next meeting for discussion.
Attorney Lee stated that Council controls its own agenda.
If Council wishes to do so, tonight’s agenda would have to be amended
to include a discussion item for adding an item to the next meeting’s agenda.
CM
3-3-04 – AMENDMENT TO THE AGENDA
Motion by Dryer, supported by Wallace
To amend tonight’s agenda to add Old Business #4 for discussion of
adding an item to the next meeting’s
Agenda
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED (1 opposed)
Councilman
Schwarck stated that we already decided to put the question on the Community
Survey, so he feels that we are talking about something that we had already made
a decision on.
Mr.
Dick Selden of 62401-1 Raleigh Ct. stated that there are only 700 surveys of
which only a small portion come back. You
already had over 450 signatures on petitions indicating that they wanted the
question added to the ballot.
Ms.
Diane Roest of 102 N. Lafayette stated that she wrote a letter to City Council
asking that they look at the issue of the tree plantings downtown and would ask
that someone get back with her with an answer to her concerns.
She stated that she is concerned about the safety issues.
At some locations, the trees would make it very difficult for back seat
passengers to get out and get children out of car seats.
City
Manager Cook stated that this is a discussion that should be handled by the
Downtown Development Authority.
Discussion
was held on the location of the trees and the spacing between streetlights.
Ms.
Roest stated that she would also like to bring up the fact that the trash
receptacles were removed last fall and have not been replaced. City Manager Cook stated that they will be put back out this
week.
Councilman
Wallace stated that it is nice to see a reporter from the South Lyon Herald at
the meeting tonight. This is the
first time this year we have had a representative at our meeting yet they still
seem to write the stories and are sometimes way off base.
Councilman
Dryer stated that he would like to remind people that Griswold Road will be
closed from April 15th to July 31st.
Also, the Water Department will be flushing hydrants March 30th
and April 1st. People
may experience red water. Superintendent
Bob Martin stated that water system pressure testing will be conducted to
measure the pressure and flow. This
may cause disruption in the lines and cause yellow water.
Our water is chlorinated and is completely safe, it may simply be
discolored for a short time.
OLD
BUSINESS:
Liquor
License transfer from Malaka, Inc. to Christopher P. Baker, Paul F. Baker,
Corry T. Bala and Victoria A. Paterra
City
Manager Cook stated that we have a request from Glass Grill, Inc. to transfer
the liquor license from what is formerly known as the Grilled Tomato.
Mr.
Paul Baker introduced Chris Baker who is currently running Baker’s of Milford,
Cory Bala who is currently running the South Lyon Hotel, and Victoria Paterra
who has experience operating her own restaurant and will be the manager of the
Glass Grill. He discussed the plans
for the building with the outside to blend with the historical look of the
community and an open, clean, classy look inside.
Councilman
Wallace asked if they will be working with their neighbor who has the cars
parked along side of this building. Mr.
Baker stated that they are still doing the final title work, so they are very
close, but the purchase is not yet complete.
He stated that this property next to the building is very important.
However, he has not yet had the opportunity to discuss the issues with
Norm. They will need the cars moved in order to work on the
building and is confident that he will be able to work with him.
The
question was asked how many jobs he would expect to have available at the new
restaurant. Mr. Baker stated that
they would expect 15 full-time and 15 part-time positions.
Mr.
Cory Bala stated that he has worked in the City of South Lyon for the past three
years at the South Lyon Hotel and have come to know many of the residents.
He stated that he looks forward to and is excited to be a part of this.
Mr.
Chris Baker stated that he is excited to work with this team.
He stated that he sees a lot of South Lyon residents at Baker’s and
looks forward to being a part of the community and being a part of the
improvements to downtown South Lyon.
Ms.
Vicki Paterra stated that she is looking forward to being a part of South Lyon
and working with the community. She
has had the opportunity to work with many charities as part of her business, and
would hope to get involved with the community. They want to provide a nice
restaurant to service the City and surrounding area.
CM
3-4-04 – TRANSFER OF LIQUOR LICENSE – GLASS GRILL
Motion by Wallace, supported by Schwarck
That the request from the Glass Grill, Inc. to transfer ownership of 2002
Class C licensed business with
Dance-Entertainment Permit, located in escrow at 106 S. Lafayette, South
Lyon MI 48178, Oakland County,
From Malaka, Inc. be considered for approval.
It is the consensus of this legislative body that the application
be recommended for issuance
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Resolution
to issue a Liquor License – Fortuna Inn, Inc.
Mayor
Pro-tem Crawford stated that a few months ago, Council approved a liquor license
to the owners of Fortuna Inn. However
the Liquor Control Commission has indicated that the license needs to be issued
under the corporate name, not the owner’s name.
CM
3-5-04 – APPROVAL OF LIQUOR LICENSE- FORTUNA INN, INC.
Motion by Wallace, supported by Crawford
That the request from Fortuna Inn, Inc. for a new Class C license to be
located at 22281 Pontiac
Trail, South Lyon, Oakland County be considered for approval “above all
others”. It is the consensus of
this
legislative body that the application be recommended for issuance
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED (1 opposed)
Proclamations
Tree
City USA – The National Arbor Day Foundation
CM
3-6-04 – PROCLAMATION – ARBOR DAY
Motion by Crawford, supported by Dryer
Whereas,
in 1872 J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a
special day be set aside for the planting of trees; and,
Whereas,
this special day, called ARBOR DAY, was first observed with the planting of more
than a million trees in Nebraska; and,
Whereas,
trees planted within our city increase property values, Enhance the economic
vitality of business areas and beautify our community; and,
Now,
Therefore, the Mayor and Council of the City of South Lyon Proclaim April 30,
2004 as ARBOR DAY and urge all of our citizens to recognize the responsibility
we have to support the encouragement of conservation.
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
April
– Fair Housing Month
CM
– 3-7-04 – PROCLAMATION – FAIR HOUSING MONTH
Motion by Crawford, supported by Wallace
WHEREAS April has been declared as Fair Housing Month in recognition of
the 36th anniversary of the signing of the Fair Housing Act; and
WHEREAS
this landmark law along with other federal and state legislation strictly
prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of sex, color, race, age,
religion, national origin, disability, family or marital status; and
WHEREAS
Fair Housing Month is designed to heighten people’s awareness of their rights
under the law when pursuing the purchase of rental housing; and
WHEREAS
all citizens are entitled to freedom of choice in the selection of housing and
are guaranteed certain protections under the law if they are victims of
discrimination.
NOW
THEREFORE LET IT BE KNOWN that I, L. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County Executive,
do hereby authorize the issuance of this special proclamation, which declares
April 2004 as Fair Housing Month.
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Oakland
County Community Development Week – April 12-18, 2004
CM
3-8-04 – PROCLAMATION – COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WEEK
Motion by Crawford, supported by Schwarck
Whereas,
the Community Development Block Grand (CDBG) program has operated since 1975 to
provide governments with the resources required to meet the needs of persons of
low and moderate income, and CDBG funds are used by thousands of neighborhood
based non-profit organizations throughout the nation to address community and
human service needs and;
Whereas,
the Community Development Block Grant program has had a significant impact on
our local economies through job creation and retention, physical redevelopment,
and improved local tax basis; and
Whereas,
Oakland County and other local governments have clearly demonstrated the
capacity to administer and customize the CDBG program to identify, prioritize
and resolve pressing local problems, such as affordable housing, neighborhood
and human service needs, and physical redevelopment.
Now,
Therefore, the City Council of the City of South Lyon, does hereby proclaim the
week of April 12 – April 18, 2004, as Community Development Week and
urge all citizens to join us in recognizing the Community Development Block
Grant program and the importance it serves in our community.
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Discussion
– Increase in City Council from Five to Seven Members
CM
3-9-04 – AGENDA ITEM – APRIL 12TH MEETING
Motion by Dryer, supported by Wallace
To add discussion of a ballot question relating to the increase in
Council Members to the April 12th agenda
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
NEW
BUSINESS:
Annual
Audit from Plante & Moran – for the period ending 6/30/04
City
Manager Cook stated that we have received a proposal and letter of engagement
from Plante & Moran to conduct an audit of the financial statements of the
City at a cost of $38,570. In
addition, we will be required to have a Single Audit conducted due to the
Federal grant monies received for the downtown streetscape project, CDBG and the
sewer treatment plant improvements. They
are also proposing a not to exceed amount of $5,000 for the GASB 34 compliance.
He stated that the total expected cost would be between $50,500 and
$52,650. We need to approve the letter of engagement with Plante & Moran.
*
Mayor Doyle arrived at 8:25 p.m.
CM
3-10-04 – LETTER OF ENGAGEMENT – PLANTE & MORAN
Motion by Dryer, supported by Wallace
To approve the letter of engagement with Plante & Moran to conduct
the audit for the period ending 6/30/04
and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MI
Travel Counts – Informational
City
Manager Cook stated that this is notification from MDOT that they will be doing
an evaluation and data collection on the driving habits of residents.
Residents may be contacted by phone or mail.
Act
51 Report – Resolution for Street Acceptance
City
Manager Cook stated that MDOT has provided new GIS measured streets identifying
street length for purposes of payment of gas and weight tax.
It was discovered that some of these streets were measured incorrectly
and they will be making the appropriate adjustments.
Discussion
was held on how often these measurements are taken. City Manager Cook stated that this will not be done again for
quite some time, but individual resolutions will be brought forth as new streets
are added to our local street system.
CM
3-11-04 – RESOLUTION FOR STREET ACCEPTANCE
Motion by Schwarck, supported by Wallace
Whereas
the City of South Lyon has acquired the title to certain streets. And whereas it
is necessary to furnish certain information to the state of Michigan to place
these streets within the City Street system for the purpose of obtaining funds
under Act 51, P.A. 1951 as amended.
NOW
THEREFORE IT IS RESOLVED:
Attached
is a copy of MDT form 2008B showing revised measurement and /or deletion of
certain streets.
That
said streets are located within a City right-of-way and are under the
control of the City of South Lyon
That
said street is a public street and is for public street purposes.
The
said street has been accepted into the City Local Street System.
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
CM
3-12-04 – ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Wallace, supported by Schwarck
To adjourn the meeting at 8:32 p.m.
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Respectfully
Submitted,
_______________________________
________________________________
John
Doyle, Jr., Mayor
Julie C. Zemke, City Clerk/Treasurer