CITY OF SOUTH LYON
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
October 10, 2005
Mayor Doyle called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Mayor
Doyle along with two students from South Lyon High School led those present in
the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
PRESENT: Mayor Doyle
Council Members: Dryer,
Schwarck and Wedell
Attorney Lee
City Clerk/Treasurer Zemke
Department Heads: Martin & Renwick
ABSENT: Council Member Wallace and City
Manager Cook
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES:
CM
10-1-05- APPROVAL OF MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 26, 2005
Motion by Wedell, supported by Schwarck
To approve the minutes of the regular
meeting of September 26, 2005 as written
VOTE: MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVAL
OF MONTHLY BILLS:
Councilman
Dryer questioned the bill for porta-jons.
DPW Superintendent Renwick stated that this is the final bill for
pumping and removal of the porta-jons from McHattie Park now that the restroom
facilities are open.
CM
10-2-05- APPROVAL OF MONTHLY BILLS
Motion by Dryer, supported by Wedell
To
approve the monthly bills as presented
VOTE: MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVAL
OF AGENDA
Mayor
Doyle stated that we have not received any information with regards to New
Business #1, and there is no representative present to make the request. Therefore, this item should be removed from
the agenda.
CM
10-3-05- APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Schwarck, supported by Dryer
To approve the agenda as amended
VOTE: MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
CITIZEN’S
SUGGESTIONS
Ms. Joan
Morgan of 22280 Quail Run Circle asked that with the construction of the Big
Boy Restaurant, will there be a sidewalk constructed to meet the sidewalk in
front of McDonalds. Further, she
questioned whether there would be a turn lane added.
Attorney
Lee stated that Pontiac Trail is under the jurisdiction of the Oakland County
Road Commission, and they would require accel/deccel lanes to be added and
possibly a turn lane. He further stated
that a sidewalk would be required under the City’s ordinances.
Mr. Michael
McGuinness of 22280 Quail Run Circle stated that in the past few weeks he has
had an opportunity to talk with quite a few citizens. The issue of traffic has come up a lot. In particular, people are concerned about the traffic situation
at Eleven Mile and Pontiac Trail. This
has been a heated topic, and there have been a number of suggestions as to what
needs to be done. He has also had an
opportunity to talk with the Advanced Placement Government class who are
present here tonight, and they also have a number of ideas. Just like any other citizen of South Lyon,
they do not want to be held up in traffic.
He feels that we need to listen to what these students have to say. We need to work together to come up with a
solution for not only the short-term, but also the long-term to make sure the
situation is alleviated. Again, this is
a topic that comes up repeatedly, and he would like to see some advisory
mechanism be put in place so that the voice of the youth is also heard.
Mayor
Doyle asked if Mr. McGuinness was present at the last meeting. Mr. McGuinness stated that he was
present. Mayor Doyle stated that at the
last meeting, we went through and talked about how we have come to an agreement
with the Schools and how we are going to work together to resolve it. Mr. McGuinness stated that his point is that
on issues not only relating to traffic, we need to engage other members of the
community even though they may not be of voting age yet.
Mr. Jeff
Potter of 1099 Stable Lane and County Commissioner for District #8 stated that
in addressing some of Mr. McGuinness’s comments, considering the City’s limited
resources, they/we have done an excellent job in terms of improvements of the
roads around the City that have been affected, especially Nine Mile Road from
Rushton to Dixboro, so we do look at the bigger picture. Mr. Potter stated that he is here tonight to
bring some good news for our shared neighborhood. Last Thursday, he and Chris Olson, Lyon Township Superintendent
came back from Oakland County with news of a $29 million package to improve and
re-work the New Hudson, ring-road, 5-point intersection cooridor. He discussed the road network designed for
the resurrection of that area to improve and bring in some development to our
community and shared school system. He
discussed the Lyon Township Downtown Development Authority. He stated that the Township Advisory
Committee, Economic Development people, the Board of Commissioners and the
Township Planners formed a package that would in addition to creating some
improvements, creates some security for County taxpayers. He discussed the proposed ring-road. He stated that the project cost is not money
paid for by Lyon Township and South Lyon taxpayers. Some will be paid for by private development, some will be paid
for through captured funds. This is a
very ambitious plan and one that is very costly. This is going to benefit our entire community. This is not going to happen all at once,
there are still some land acquisition issues to resolve and things that will
have to be negotiated over a period of time.
Mayor
Doyle questioned how the southwest portion of the ring road around the airport
will be addressed; through condemnation or purchase of property. Commissioner Potter stated that there are
enough funds available for voluntary purchasing, but ultimately, you never
know, and there seems to be enough flexibility for alternate routing so there
may be options. These are issues for
the Township Board to consider.
Commissioner
Potter stated that the Road Commission was very involved in this project. Downtown Development Authority, tax captured
projects typically do not include this much roadwork. For that reason, they asked that the Road Commission to become
involved.
Mayor
Doyle stated that this is very exciting news.
He stated that in addressing Mr. McGuinness’s comments again, we have
been very fortunate that we have had a major road project almost every year for
the past several years. The latest is
Nine Mile Road up to Rushton. It is a
lot of money; approximately $1 million per mile. Commissioner Potter stated that in the case of Nine Mile, it is
probably more than that because of the soil conditions. He stated that he would like to thank the
Mayor for helping to make that a reality.
Councilmember
Dryer stated that there had been talk about eliminating the exit to Pontiac
Trail from the round-a-bout.
Commissioner Potter stated that he did not hear that and would have to
check into it.
Councilmember
Dryer presented two Christmas ornaments of the Witches Hat Depot and church at
the Historical Village. He stated that
these items are for sale for $9 at the Withes Hat Museum during their business
hours as well as Parkside Cleaners.
OLD
BUSINESS:
Mayor
Doyle stated that we have a requested budget amendment for three specific
areas. The Community Development Block
Grant funding is being adjusted because we added a second year of funding to
include N. Ridge, S. Ridge and Center Ridge.
The Capital Improvement Fund is being adjusted for cost adjustments for
drainage improvements for the Wells Street parking lot. Likewise, the Downtown Development Authority
Budget is also being adjusted for the Wells Street parking lot as well as
upgrading of the fence at the old Amoco parking lot.
CM 10-4-05
– APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT – ANNUAL BUDGET FOR FY 2005-2006
Motion by Dryer, supported by Wedell
To approve the budget amendment to the
Annual Budget, FY 2005-2006 for the period 7/1/05-6/30/06 as
presented (see attached budget amendment
as part of these minutes)
VOTE: MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Mayor
Doyle stated that we have a letter from Sharon Thomas of the South Lyon Housing
Commission requesting that he re-appoint Ms. Janna Heskett to another five-year
term on the Commission.
CM 10-5-05
– APPOINTMENT TO THE HOUSING COMMISSION – JANNA HESKETT
Motion by Doyle, supported by Schwarck
To re-appoint Ms. Janna Heskett to a five
year term on the South Lyon Housing Commission
VOTE: MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Mayor
Doyle stated that the proposed premium for the City’s property and liability
insurance is $137,243. He stated that
there are only a handful of companies that could provide us with insurance, and
MML continues to provide us with a good premium.
Councilman
Dryer stated that if you look at all of the individual pieces, we are getting a
very good deal.
Councilman
Schwarck stated that MML provides its member communities with insurance. We could not get it any cheaper.
CM
10-06-05 – APPROVAL OF INSURANCE RENEWAL – MML - $137,2463
Motion by Wedell, supported by Schwarck
To approve the renewal of the City’s
Liability and Property Insurance through the Michigan Municipal
League for the period 10/14/05 through
10/14/06 at a cost of $137,243
VOTE: MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
NEW
BUSINESS:
CM
10-07-05 – ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Schwarck, supported by Dryer
To adjourn the meeting at 7:59 p.m.
VOTE: MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Respectfully
Submitted,
_______________________________ ________________________________
John Doyle, Jr., Mayor Julie C.
Zemke, City Clerk/Treasurer