CITY OF SOUTH LYON
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
May 9 2005
Mayor Doyle called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Mayor
Doyle along with Ms. Kayla Stokes led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance
PRESENT:
Mayor Doyle
Council Members: Crawford, Dryer, Schwarck and Wallace
City Manager Cook
City Clerk/Treasurer Zemke
Department Heads: Collins, Kaska, Martin & Renwick
Attorney Lee
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES:
CM
5-1-05- APPROVAL OF MINUTES –APRIL 25, 2005
Motion by Schwarck, supported by Crawford
To approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 25, 2005 as
written
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVAL
OF MONTHLY BILLS:
CM
5-2-05- APPROVAL OF MONTHLY BILLS
Motion by Dryer, supported by Wallace
To approve the monthly bills as presented
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVAL
OF AGENDA
CM
5-3-05 – APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Crawford, supported by Schwarck
To approve the agenda as presented
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
CITIZEN’S
SUGGESTIONS
Ms. Carol Wilhelm of Colonial Acres stated that she recently
visited her husbands grave at the South Lyon Cemetery.
While there, she noticed two little children ages 4-5 years old playing
in the dumpster. She talked with
one of the workers in the cemetery who indicated that the dumpster does not lock
and that he would like the dumpster moved to a more inconspicuous place.
She also informed the Police Department, and the woman there indicated
that she would pass the information on to the sergeant to possibly get
additional patrols in the area. She
stated that she is simply bringing this to Council’s attention, and would like
to see something done about installing a lock.
Mr. Mike Cummings of 10089 Longford in Green Oak Township
stated that he has been a resident of this community for over 12 years on
Dixboro Road. They feel that with
the light industrial park within the City as well as the Wastewater treatment
plant along Dixboro, that South Lyon should step up as a good neighbor for the
common good of all of the communities involved including the South Lyon
citizens. As a result of their
contacts with various agencies and governments in the area, they have been
informed of a couple of things that provide short-term solution for the dust
problem and maintenance problem on Dixboro.
They have been informed that Lyon Township and Green Oak Township will
share maintenance of the road this year. Further
negotiation needs to take place as this will not take care of 2006 and other
anticipated problems. They have
also been informed that the Oakland County Road Commission will evaluate the
reclassification of the road as a County primary road.
The process began this morning. In
addition, Oakland County has submitted a report to the Traffic and Safety
Committee to evaluate the speed limit, currently it is un-posted, which means 55
miles per hour. They are asking the
City of South Lyon to join with Lyon Township and Green Oak Township in
developing a long-term solution to these issues on Dixboro Road.
They would like South Lyon to support chloride maintenance on a
fair-shared basis. Based on a rough
estimate of footage, the contribution would be measured in hundreds of dollars,
and although it is money to taxpayers, it is not a significant amount on a
weekly basis. They would also like South Lyon to encourage Oakland County to
re-classify this road to get this off the backs of Lyon Township, Green Oak and
South Lyon. Finally, they would
request that South Lyon work to find a permanent long-term solution to handle
the anticipated growth in our communities and start the process to pave Dixboro
Road, with the understanding that the process could take years.
A resolution of this would benefit the residents of all three
communities.
Mayor Doyle asked if Dixboro has been chlorinated recently.
City Manager Cook stated that it is his understanding that part of it was
chlorinated this morning. Also,
Green Oak will be having it chlorinated during the Nine Mile Road construction
so there will be maintenance through the summer months.
Mayor Doyle stated that he did drive through there shortly
after it was grated, and he does agree that it is extremely dusty.
For further clarification, it is not by choice, but rather the fact that
it is a County road, and we have no jurisdiction over it.
He is not opposed to going through and looking at what we could
collectively do with our neighbors. He
would not support doing anything with sole responsibility.
City Manager Cook stated that to put a perspective on the
paving of that road, we started on Nine Mile from Rushton to Dixboro as well as
Nine Mile to Griswold and Griswold to Ten.
It has taken us 15-16 years to get these roads accomplished.
He stated that there is no federal money, and this road is not even
eligible for federal money. If they update the classification, the County will take over
the chloride and maintenance. However
that takes some time to accomplish as it has to go through SEMCOG and Regional
Transportation.
Mr. Cummings stated that all they are asking is that South
Lyon pay their fair share given the industrial park and City facility on this
road.
A resident of 13969 Bridgewater stated that her concern is
the speed limit. She asked if it
could be posted. City Manager Cook
stated that the Oakland County Road Commission would have to call the Michigan
State Police to do a traffic study. The
City has no ability to deal with the reduction of the speed limit.
Ms. Susan Cummings of 10089 Longford stated that she did
speak to Lori Rickard of the Road Commission this morning who indicated that in
addition to starting the work with the re-classification, she is also making a
request to start the process of possibly lowering the speed limit.
A resident of 24000 Dixboro Road stated that he supports the
efforts of these residents. He
feels that it would behoove the City to take an active role in participating in
the maintenance of the road. He
explained accidents that take place due to the dust and condition of the road.
A resident of 10406 Londonderry asked about the possibility
of the business developing along the road participating in the paving.
She stated that the trucks that are using the road cause a lot wear and
tear and create more dust. Mayor
Doyle stated that legally, there is no mechanism to do that.
City Manager Cook stated that the Oakland County Road Commission never
requires developers to pave anything, and this is their jurisdiction. Discussion
was held on other developments participating in road paving during construction
and negotiations that can take place during the site plan process.
OLD BUSINESS:
Proposed
Agreement – Common Ground Sanctuary
City Manager Cook stated that a the previous meeting, Council
indicated an interest in contributing to this organization, but at that time we
did not have a proposed contract. They
have provided us a contract with the requested contribution of $500.
He stated that there is a reporting requirement so that we can be assured
that South Lyon residents are using their service.
Again, like other similar contracts, we do not care who the people are,
but rather that they are actually residents.
Chief Collins stated that the Police Department has
historically been satisfied with the contact that they have had with this
organization.
CM 5-4-05 – APPROVAL OF CONTRACT – COMMON GROUND
SANCTUARY
Motion
by Dryer, supported by Schwarck
To
Approve the contract with Common Ground Sanctuary with a contribution of $500
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Oakland
County Community Development Block grant Program Cooperation Agreement
2006-2008
City Manager Cook stated that this is the standard agreement
for the next three years for continued participation in the Community
Development Block grant Program. He
stated that he has provided a letter to serve as our recommitment to the program
for the 2006-2008 period. If
Council wishes to proceed, you need to approve the letter and authorize he and
the Mayor to execute it.
CM 5-5-05 – APPROVAL OF LETTER – CDBG AGREEMENT –
2006-2008
Motion
by Schwarck, supported by Crawford
To
approve the letter confirming continued participation in the CDBG Program for
the period 2006-2008 and
authorize
the Mayor and City Manager to execute the document
VOTE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Proposed
Amendment to the Annual Budget – FY 2004-2005
City Manager Cook stated that there are a number of
adjustments needed including increaseS related to auditing and the implantation
of GASB and adjustment in the Cemetery fund for increase in burials.
Also, it has been a very long winter, adjustment is needed for additional
snow plowing. A technical adjustment is needed for our Wastewater Treatment
Plant Bonds, and an adjustment for the purchase of the LiveScan.
We did receive a grant for the LiveScan, and these monies will go back
into General Fund to off-set the expenditure, but this was not a budgeted item.
Discussion was held on the increase within the Fire
Department budget for the increase in runs as well as training and Fire Marshall
activity.
CM 5-6-05 – APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT
Motion by Crawford, supported by Wallace
To
approve the budget amendment as presented (see attached budget amendment as part
of these
minutes)
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
NEW BUSINESS:
Liquor
License Transfer – Screwie Louie’s
Mr. Steve Kousis, Attorney representing Screwie Louie’s,
stated that they are in the process of purchasing the license and are currently
operating under a management agreement. He
stated that they are doing very well. They have 50 employees with ˝ of those full-time.
They have taken a corner that was shut down and made it look beautiful.
They have made donations to the community and sponsor different events
and run a clean shop They are asking for this board’s approval.
Mayor Doyle stated that it is always a leap of faith when
considering a transfer of a liquor license.
However, it does appear that the business is doing well.
At this point, based on the available information, he does not see any
reason why we should not move forward.
Councilman Wallace stated that he can concur that the
establishment has helped with community events. They have been very generous, offering help to anyone who
asks. Also, living a block away
from the establishment, he can attest to the fact that they have been doing a
very good business.
Councilman Crawford stated that he feels that they are a
welcome addition to the community.
Councilman Dryer stated that it is good to see that the
corner is busy again. He was
somewhat concerned about the credit information and is hoping they are not
spreading themselves too thin with this and other establishments. He is asking
that they make sure that they are doing okay here first before expanding any
further. He stated that he does
feel that it is a good addition to the City and is pleased to see that they have
done so well so far.
Councilman Schwarck stated that he has been in the
establishment a number of times. The
staff and management have been very friendly and the food has been very good.
It is great to see the activity generated and see people going out and
walking downtown. Councilman
Wallace added that it is families that you see going here.
City Manager Cook asked if there is any intent to acquire the
facility. Mr. Kousis stated that
under their agreement, they do have an option to purchase the facility, which
they intend to do. City Manager
asked if they had any idea of the time frame.
Mr. Kousis stated that the documents indicate within the first 10 years
of the lease, but they would try and do it sooner than that.
CM 5-7-05 – RESOLUTION – LIQUOR LICENSE TRANSFER –
SCREWIE LOUIE’S, INC.
Motion
by Schwarck, supported by Crawford
That
the request from Screwie Louie’s, Inc. to Transfer ownership of 2004 Class C
Licensed business with
Dance-Entertainment
Permit, located in escrow at 106 S. Lafayette, South Lyon, MI
481789, Oakland
County,
from Malaka, Inc. be considered for approval.
It
is the consensus of this body that the application be recommended for issuance
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Solid
Waste Agreement – 7/1/05-6/30/08
City Manager Cook stated that we have received a renewal
quote from Great Lakes Waste for the period June 30, 2005 to June 30, 2008.
It calls for a 1 ˝% increase each year for three years.
There is also a MRF service charge that has to be added to that, but will
be reduced in January 2006 and then will be factored up by 3% per year until
2008. We have a good proposal on
rates that are already good for this region.
Their original proposal called for a 3% increase, however after some
discussion, they revised their proposal. Their
rates are very good and their renewal rates are very good. He would recommend moving forward with approval.
Councilman Wallace asked the City Manager if he is confident
that if we went out for bid, that we would not get a better rate.
City Manager Cook stated that he is confident.
We have renewed our contract every time for the past twenty years, and
with the proposed rates, he does not see any reason to put this out for public
bid. Councilman Wallace stated that
the contract provides for service for the Hampton units, Quail Run and Colonial
Acres. City Manager Cook stated
that those are discounted fees. Councilman
Wallace asked if the other complexes in the community are offered these same
discounted rates. City Manager Cook
stated that we do not pick up other multiple complexes.
They would fall under this if they chose to.
Councilman Wallace asked if the other complexes have been given the
opportunity to join in such as Southridge, Eagle Village.
City Manager Cook stated that this is based on pick-up, and nobody has
ever contacted us. Discussion was
held on the frequency of pick-ups varying.
City Manager Cook stated that these are recycling discounts, and has
nothing to do with trash pick-up.
City Manager Cook stated that when Mike Csapo was here, he
did discuss how our rates compare with other communities in Southeastern
Michigan, and our rates are better than most all other communities.
Furthermore, within the RRRASOC communities, all other Great Lakes Waste
contracts are all going up 3%+.
Councilman Dryer stated that he has looked at the reports
that we get from RRRASOC, and we are doing very well.
CM 5-8-05 – APROVAL OF CONTRACT RENEWAL WITH GREAT LAKES
WASTE
Motion
by Crawford, supported by Dryer
To approve the contract extension with
Great Lakes Waste Service as proposed for the period 7/1/05 to
6/30/08
Councilman Wallace stated that he still feels that there are
some areas of the community being slighted.
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Motion
by Dryer, supported by Crawford
To
adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Respectfully Submitted,
____________________________
______________________________
John M. Doyle, Jr.
Julie C. Zemke
Mayor
City Clerk/Treasurer