CITY OF SOUTH LYON

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

October 23, 2006

 

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:  Dryer, Kivell, Kopkowski, Maida, Morelli and Wedell

            City Manager Cook

Attorney Lee

City Clerk/Treasurer Zemke

Department Heads: Martin & Renwick

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:   

 

CM 10-1-06- APPROVAL OF MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING OF OCTOBER 9, 2006

 

     Motion by Dryer, supported by Kopkowski

                       

     To approve the minutes of regular meeting of October 9, 2006 as written

 

VOTE:                                                                                      MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

Council Member Maida stated that she had requested that Old Business #1 be added to this agenda.  However, she has received an explanation and is satisfied.  Therefore, she would like that item removed from the agenda.

 

City Manager Cook stated that he would like to remove the Executive Session until additional information can be received.

 

CM 10-2-06 – APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

      Motion by Kivell, supported by Morelli

 

      To approve the agenda as amended by removing Old Business #1 and removing the Executive

     Session

 

VOTE:                                                                                      MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

APPROVAL OF MONTHLY BILLS:  None

 

CITIZENS SUGGESTIONS: None

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

  1. Discussion of Audia Construction – 9 Mile Road Repair – Removed from the agenda

 

2.  Appointment/Resignation – DDA

    1. Resignation – Jim Serra

 

City Manager Cook stated that in the packet is a letter of resignation from the DDA from Mr. Jim Serra.  He has indicated that he is unable to continue because of his work schedule.

 

 

 

 

 

CM 10-3-06 – ACCEPTANCE OF RESIGNATION – JIM SERRA – DDA

 

     Motion by Wedell, supported by Maida

 

     To accept the resignation of Jim Serra from the DDA with thanks

 

VOTE:                                                                                      MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

    1. Appointment – Vicki Serra

 

City Manager Cook stated that Vicki Serra called and was unable to attend tonight’s meeting due to illness.  However, he would like to appoint Vicki Serra to replace her husband Jim on the DDA.  This is a Manager’s appointment.  He further stated that Vicki has been a long-time business owner with her husband and he believes that she will do a very good job.

 

Council Member Kopkowski questioned whether there is an additional vacancy on the DDA.  City Manager Cook stated that we do, and he does have another person he has been in contact with.  Council Member Kopkowski asked if anyone is watching and they are interested would they contact the City Manager.  City Manager Cook stated that they should contact him, and they do have to be within the DDA district and preferable an owner of property.

 

CM 10-4-06 – AFFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT TO THE DDA – VICKI SERRA

 

     Motion by Wedell, supported by Kivell

 

     To affirm the City Manager’s appointment of Vicki Serra to the DDA

 

VOTE:                                                                                      MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

  1. Community Development Block Grant Program – Discussion

 

Mayor Doyle stated that we talked about this briefly at the last meeting.  City Manager Cook stated this item was put on this agenda for discussion only.  He stated that he has provided the list of activities that we could spend these funds.  The public hearing is scheduled for November 27th.  The application is due on December 1st.  This will also be on the agenda for the first meeting in November where we can hopefully arrive at a project. 

 

The question was asked why Council would make a decision prior to the public hearing.  City Manager Cook stated that we have to have an idea in order to prepare the application.  You would not make a decision until the public hearing.  Suggestions and ideas need to be put forth.  That does not mean that it would end up being the actual project.  Generally, we have been obvious where we have spent the funds, which has been sidewalks in the Hagadorn area.  That is the eligible area.  With other areas such as public services, you cannot put all your funding toward that.  After the census in 2010, we may not have any eligible areas. The funds would have to go toward service contracts, etc. in order to spend our funds.  That is happening in Lyon Township because they do not have any eligible areas.  They are struggling to appropriate their funds for various activities.

 

Discussion was held on past projects being physical things so that they are visible to people so they can see where we put the federal monies.  City Manager Cook stated that we have put funds toward roads, sidewalks, etc.  He stated that he has put this forward so that if Council has any suggestions then we need to talk about them at the next meeting.

 

Councilman Kivell stated that the projects that we have done are projects in one area, but they have an at-large benefit.  The whole community can get benefit from the actions that they have been taking.  He further stated that we are running out of sidewalk.  He stated that he personally likes to see some added every year.  He asked when the Parks and Recreation Master Plan is due for update.  City Manager Cook stated that it is good until December 2007, but it is in the process of review now.  Councilman Kivell stated that we could apply up to 20% of these funds to that Master Plan.  Further discussion was held on use of the funds for the Recreation Plan.  City Manager Cook stated that we would have to get into the technical aspects of it and ask the County if it is an eligible area.  He stated that he does not think that we have ever used any of these funds for administrative activity.  It has always been on the ground in some fashion.

 

Discussion was held on using the funds for the Senior Center.  City Manager Cook stated that we would be able to put 45% of the funds for that use.  He stated that it becomes a paperwork “nightmare” for the Senior Center because they have to track it and report.  Further discussion was held on use of funds for these types of uses.

 

City Manager Cook stated that we have to have our application in by December 1st.  He stated that you can change it after the initial submittal, but you would have to hold a public hearing and come up with a different project.  He further stated that his recommendation was to move south toward Calkins and Whipple closer to Ten Mile away from where we have had all of the construction so that we can eliminate some of the burden these individuals have had the last couple of years.

 

Council Member Kopkowski questioned whether downtown area is eligible.  City Manager Cook stated that only the west side Pontiac Trail and north side of Ten Mile.  We could do physical improvements to infrastructure.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

  1. Fee – Michigan Bureau of Construction Code - $5.00 for data and telecommunication lines and outlets

 

City Manager Cook stated that Joe Veltri has indicated that this is a new item under the code, and he is asking for a $5 fee per outlet be approved.  The State has just added this for data communication lines and outlets.  It was stated that the $5 fee would be for 1 to 19 devices.

 

Councilman Kivell stated that most of the permitting items are issued under the guise of public safety.  He stated that he does not see how someone is hurt by their phone jack not being hooked up correctly.

 

Councilman Dryer questioned if this means that someone cannot add a phone jack without a permit.  It was stated that this would be more for new construction or addition where new electrical is involved.

 

The question was asked if we have to require a permit for this.  City Manager Cook stated that State Construction says yes we do.

 

CM 10-5-06 – APPROVAL IN FEE – ELECTRICAL PERMITS

 

     Motion by Morelli, supported by Kivell

 

     To approve the addition to the City fee schedule to include $5 fee for data and telecommunication lines

     and outlets to match the State Construction Code

 

VOTE:                                                                                      MOTION CARRIED (1 OPPOSED)

 

  1. Hours for Halloween – 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

 

Chief Collins stated that the request is the same in past years. 

 

The question was asked if the tornado siren could be sounded at the beginning and end as they had done in the past.  Chief Collins stated that he believes that was done when there was local control over just the single Fire Department siren unlike now where we would have to activate all three tornado sirens, which would be very loud and confusing to residents.

 

CM 10-6-06 – APPROVAL OF HALLOWEEN HOUR

 

      Motion by Kopkowski, supported by Maida

 

     To approve the Halloween Hour from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on October 31, 2006

 

VOTE:                                                                                      MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

 

    

COUNCIL COMMENTS:

 

Councilman Morelli stated that he understands that the contractor has taken care of a couple of spots where water was puddling on Whipple Street.  The street looks wonderful.

 

Council Member Maida stated that she would like to thank Steve and Rod for the summary that was done regarding the Martin Hardware bill as they requested. 

 

Council Member Maida stated that she was asked if there was a reason why the absentee ballots went out so late.  City Clerk/Treasurer stated that we did not receive our programming from the company contracted by the County until last Wednesday.  She further stated that until the ballots can be tested against the programming, we cannot send them out.  Councilman Dryer stated that he can confirm that they had the ballots ready to be sent, just waiting for the program.

 

Council Member Kopkowski stated that she would like to compliment Don Waldenmayer for his color selection for his in-process restaurant.  It has both an Italian and historic theme to it.

 

Councilman Kivell stated that he would like to thank Rod for providing the road status information.  Discussion was held on the small print and the codes used.

 

Councilman Kivell stated that he understands that the Planning Commission has the ultimate decision on sign ordinances.  However, every time he drives by Lafayette Party Store, he is disturbed.  He does not see how we could ever allow the carnival-theme to take place.  He does understand that they put two frontages together to come up with the size of the sign, but he would like to see us do what we need to do to ensure that something like that does not take place again.  Further discussion was held on the sign.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

CM 10-7-06 – ADJOURNMENT

 

     Motion by Kivell, supported by Kopkowski

 

     To adjourn the meeting at 7:56 p.m.

 

 

VOTE:                                                                                      MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

 

_______________________________                                  ________________________________

John Doyle, Jr.                                                             Julie C. Zemke

Mayor                                                                                      City Clerk/Treasurer