HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL STUDY - 2009-07-22 CITY OF LIVONIA— CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD JULY 22, 2009
Meeting was called to order at 8:04 p.m. Present: Tom Robinson, James
McCann, Joe Laura, Brian Meakin, and Laura Toy. Absent: Terry Godfroid-Marecki.
Elected and appointed officials present: Mayor Jack Kirksey; Todd Zilincik, City
Engineer; Cathy White, City Attorney; Mark Taormina, City Planner; and Maureen
Cosgrove, Assistant City Clerk.
McCann announced that the Youth Commission is participating with the Goodfellows to
assist low-income Livonia families with school supplies. Any supplies should be dropped
off on the fifth floor, the Department of Community Resources, in City Hall until the end
of August. Items in demand are backpacks, scissors, pencil sharpeners rulers and
individual erasers, but all items are welcome. Checks can be made payable to the City
of Livonia Youth Commission. Please call 734-466-2540.
Laura announced that Ms. Sherron Schultz, City Assessor, is retiring from the City after
12 years. Her last day is Friday, July 24, 2009. She will be moving on to be the
Assessor in Northville. We would like to wish her a lot of luck, and thank her for all her
dedicated time here in the City.
AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION:
George Boller, 36270 Hammer Lane, stated that he appreciates the Council business
cards and he was happy that Council could find the funds in their budget to provide
them. He also mentioned that when he checked the City's website, he had some
difficulty in following the schedule for the Council meetings. Tonight's meeting, for July
22nd, was listed under the August schedule. He also wanted to know if Council had any
information on the progress of the investigation of the break-ins of the cars in the
neighborhood. A number of people have felt that their privacy was being invaded. He
also wanted to mention the problem with the intersection of Laurel Park Drive and
Newburgh. As he was leaving North Laurel Park Drive, to make a left hand turn, he
noticed on the left side (north side) two young boys on bicycles crossing the street at full
speed, not realizing the northbound traffic still had a green light, because the
southbound traffic had stopped. Fortunately, there was no northbound traffic in this
occasion. He would like to offer this as another incident to show the potential danger at
that intersection. There have been members of this City and members of the Committee
that agree. This situation needs to be addressed.
Robinson stated that the Councilmember's business cards are the cheaper ones,
without the gold logo, which were ordered out. These cards are handmade here in the
City Council office. He also mentioned, on the public safety issue, Council recognizes
and understands his concern. He would like to offer a resolution on the subject of public
safety employee furlough days with the Public Safety and School Liaison Committee.
He would like this placed on the Consent Agenda at the next Regular Meeting.
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NEW BUSINESS:
1. BLOCK PARTY: Donna Nowicki, re: to be held Saturday, August 15, 2009, from
2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Middleboro, between Westmore and Mayfield, with no
rain date requested.
Dave Terrian, 33004 Middleboro, was present to request permission to have a
block party. This is their 4t" block party.
Pastor offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
2. APPLICATION FOR MASSAGE APPRENTICE PERMIT: Office of the City
Clerk, re: submitted by Ashley Beck in accordance with Chapter 5.49 of the
Livonia Code of Ordinances, as amended.
Ashley Beck, 651 Irvin, Plymouth, MI was present to request a Massage
Therapist Apprentice Permit. This is her first job out of school.
Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
3. REQUEST TO AMEND COUNCIL RESOLUTION 557-06: Dr. Chahal, A-Quality
Care Veterinary Hospital, re: to amend condition eight (8) to permit boarding of
household pets.
Dr. Chahal, part owner of A-Quality Care Veterinary Hospital, 11655 Farmington
Road, was present to request waiver use approval of their facility for boarding up
small animals (up to 7 dogs and 8-10 cats). They have been open for a year. He
has not been offering boarding to existing clients, however, many of his clients
see the boarding kennels in the back, the nice walking area, and a separate
housing for cats, and they ask him to allow boarding for their pets. His client's
have to look elsewhere to board their pets, and many clinics only allow the
boarding of their own client's pets. The hospital is currently open seven (7) days
a week, Monday - Friday 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and
Sunday 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. The clinic has a separate, enclosed (10 foot tall), dog
walking area that is adjacent to the building and very close to the kennels (5 feet
away). This enclosed area was approved by Council in 2006 by a 2/3 vote. He
intends to use this area to walk the dogs daily. He wanted to emphasize that this
would only be for his clients. He does not want to utilize the boarding as a means
of making money; he would only be doing this as a service for his clients. He also
stated that this is a commercial district and that there is no residential around
him. He considers this essential to compete with the other animal hospitals
and/or clinics in the area.
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McCann state that when the clinic was originally approved it was with the
understanding that there would not be any overnight stay of animals. He asked if
the outdoor area has requirements for overnight stay.
Mark Taormina answered that most veterinary clinic's and/or animal hospitals
have an area nearby for overnight stay. The difficulty they had with this site plan
was that it was an entirely paved area. The Planning Commission worked with
the architect and the petitioner at that time to provide the small fenced-in area
behind the building. They had to remove a section of pavement to provide that
area. There is a special requirement of the waiver use for animal clinics that
there will not be any overnight boarding of animals. Any animals that are kept
overnight must be in need of overnight care because they are sick and that there
is a need for that care. There must be a duly appointed doctor or someone on
staff with them. For Council to waive or modify condition No. 8 of the Approving
Resolution, there would have to be a 2/3 majority vote of the Council. Two of the
special requirements of the waiver use would have to be modified. The first
would be the one that prohibits the boarding of animals and the second would be
to have an attendant there overnight.
Raymond Grix, 11716 Farmington Road, stated that he lives in Fountain Park
Condominium Complex - a 94 unit complex. Two of the buildings directly face
Farmington Road, and several units, his own being one of them, are within eye
sight and ear shot of the veterinary location. His concern is whether the animals
would be housed inside and/or if there will be noise. He said he already has the
bar across the street, and on evenings from 10:30 p.m. until 2:30 a.m. he can
hear the vibration from the base which can keep him awake. His preference
would be to have this request denied, but assuming it is approved, he asks that
Council consider the residents at the same time they are considering the
business.
Doctor Chahal stated that the dogs would be housed inside, and will be taken out
one by one for exercise. They will be double leashed with a maximum time
outside of five minutes. He stated that Mr. Grix is more than welcome to come by
and take a look.
DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR
(UP TO SEVEN (7) DOGS AND EIGHT (8) CATS)
4. REQUEST TO PURCHASE UPDATED FORENSIC SOFTWARE AND
COMPUTER EQUIPMENT FROM SOLE SUPPLIER: Division of Police, re: for
the Detective Bureau AVID video enhancement system from budgeted funds.
Captain Benjamin McDermott, Public Safety, was present to request
authorization to purchase updated forensic software and computer equipment for
the Detective Bureau AVID video enhancement system. The current system is
out dated and being phased out. Support and software updates will soon be
unavailable for the current system. This purchase will keep the department
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current with new sources of video encountered in the field, including HD and
digital video security technology. AVID is a very effective crime solving tool. Over
the course of the past few years this system has been instrumental in solving
numerous high profile cases, including our most recent homicide. They are
requesting a waiver of the sealed bid process as Ocean Systems is the sole
source of this equipment. They are also providing a proposal for the Council to
review. The proposed purchase would utilize $18,703.00 in adjudicated forfeiture
funds from account#265-334-987-000.
McCann thought this was a strong tool that the police use.
McCann offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
(WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDS)
5. REQUESTING TO ADJUST THE ADMISSION INCOME LIMITS FOR
NEWBURGH VILLAGE, SILVER VILLAGE AND CITY-OWNED HOMES:
Livonia Housing Commission, re: to reflect Detroit metropolitan area median
income figures.
James Ingles, Housing Director, was present to ask Council to adopt the revised
income limits for admission. These are annually reviewed, as published by the
US Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Detroit Metropolitan
area. These have not been revised since 2003. This is a very modest
adjustment. These are the admission standards that are used for senior citizens
to move into Silver Village and Newburgh Village along with families moving into
the scattered site single family homes.
Meakin wanted Mr. Inglis to explain why they are looking for an increase at this
time when the average income of an individual is probably going down.
Mr. Inglis answered that the average income of the individual may be going down
for persons that may be unemployed, but this takes into account census data
submitted by individuals and income tax information computed by the
Government. This does not take in strictly Livonia. This is the six county metro
Detroit area all put together. City Council has always said that any housing that
the City develops must fit a certain income group. There are some individuals
that are at that threshold. For example a couple is $44,750.00, and there may be
a couple at $45,300.00 that would not able to apply for housing. They are trying
to reflect what the area median is so that more Livonia citizens can take part in
the housing programs.
McCann offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
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6. AUDIT REPORT: Livonia Housing Commission, re: for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2008, excluding Silver Village, Newburgh Village, the CDBG
Program and single family City-owned properties.
James Inglis, Housing Director, presented the annual audit of the Livonia
Housing Commission for all of the City's Federal Housing Programs for the fiscal
year ending December 31, 2008. The City is required, on an annual basis, to go
through an independent audit performed under the rules of the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development, the HUD real estate assessment center,
and the Michigan Treasury Department. The auditors came out in May and
reviewed the various programs, and their conformance to federal guidelines,
regulations and practices. They have issued a clean and unqualified opinion with
no audit findings. They are asking Council to receive & file the audit report.
At the direction of the Chair, this item was received and filed for the Consent
Agenda.
DIRECTION: RECEIVE & FILE CONSENT
7. LIVONIA EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM 56TH ANNUAL ACTUARIAL
VALUATION REPORT OF DEFINED BENEFIT (DB) PLAN AS OF NOVEMBER
30, 2008: Board of Trustees — Livonia Employees Retirement System, re. same.
At the direction of the Chair, this item was received and filed for the Consent
Agenda.
Meakin offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: RECEIVE & FILE CONSENT
APPROVING
8. LIVONIA RETIREE HEALTH AND DISABILITY BENEFITS PLAN AND TRUST
(VEBA) 11TH ANNUAL ACTUARIAL VALUATION REPORT AS OF NOVEMBER
30, 2008: Board of Trustees — Livonia Employees Retirement System, re. same.
Meakin offered the receive and file for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: RECEIVE & FILE CONSENT
9. 401(a) DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2008: Board
of Trustees, Livonia Employees Retirement System, re: as submitted by Great
West Retirement Services.
Meakin offered the receive and file for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: RECEIVE & FILE CONSENT
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10. PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF TAX FORECLOSED PROPERTIES AND A
HUD FORECLOSED PROPERTY: Department of Law, re: to acquire three (3)
houses (19010 Westmore, 36682 Pinetree and 33680 Orangelawn) for a total of
$26,733.92 and to acquire one (1) house (11180 Haller) for $1, plus applicable
closing costs, through the Community Development Block Grant Program and
other federal funds.
Robinson questioned Mr. Inglis as to how many low income rental HUD homes
the City currently has. He stated that initially it was 16 or 17, and then the City
bought six (6) more, and then a couple more.
James Inglis, Housing Director, said the accurate number would be 30 homes,
before the City received funding through the Neighborhood Stabilization
Program. He said dating back to 1976, when the City purchased their first HUD
home through the Community Development Block Grant Fund, they purchased a
total of 15. In 1993, through a HUD Grant, the City acquired an additional 15,
which brought the total to 30. Since that point, in the last two years, the City has
began to get involved in the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, and the
Community Development Block Grant Program, which has been submitted to
Council, the City has acquired an additional eight (8). At this point, there are eight
(8) vacated properties. Some will be raised and demolished and some will be
going through the rehabilitation process. This brings the total to 42.
Robinson stated that initially, when Council approved the first two (2) or three (3)
HUD rental homes, he made the argument that overnight there would be a 20%
increase in the HUD homes that are in the Community. He stated that before the
City moved into this rapid expansion of low income HUD homes, an exit strategy
should be developed. He didn't think this would get better over the next year or
two, and at $1.00 a piece, the Housing Commission could buy a lot of HUD rental
homes. His concern remains the same as it was when this all started - where this
all ends. He wanted to know what the goal was of how many HUD homes he
would like to see in the Community.
Mr. Inglis responded by saying that there are several ways by which the City
acquires these properties. One is through non payment of property taxes, of
which three (3) of the homes before Council tonight are those homes. These are
property taxes not paid by Livonia homeowners. These homes are vacant; the
homeowners don't plan to pay the taxes on them, and they will be sold at a
sheriff's sale. One home is a $1.00 home. The market has picked up quite a bit in
terms of the lack of availability of additional $1.00 homes, and the Housing
Commission supports that. They hope the private sector picks up these homes
and they become homes for families. The properties before Council tonight don't
fit into that category. These are homes the people do not want. These homes
have been discounted and discounted, vandalized, and some have not been
weatherized, and as a result there are Federal Funds in which to make them a
better home and a better neighborhood.
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Robinson asked Mr. Inglis again what his goal is of how many HUD rentals he
would like to see in the Community.
Mr. Inglis said that he does not have a goal. That is not his purpose. They do not
develop a goal on how many foreclosed home they want to have. This is not a
good news story for anyone. Their goal is to stabilize the neighborhood. He
wished he wasn't even here tonight buying foreclosed properties, but they have a
grant, provided by the Federal Government, which the Council approved, in
which to take care of these toxic properties.
Robinson told Mr. Inglis that when he asks him a question, because he knows his
other colleagues are going to want to jump in, he needs the question answered,
and not the good speech spin on why they are doing this. He said that they can
continue to debate, and the more Mr. Inglis talks, he can respond just as much.
He believes the government generally has good intentions, but he does not
believe the government is always the solution, particularly when it comes to
homeownership. He understands what they believe they are doing is going to be
good and healthy for the Community, and the right thing to do, he believes they
just agree to disagree on the approach on whether or not when those home
prices reach a certain price, people are going to jump in and start buying them.
His question is not the specific number of HUD rentals they want in the
community, but it appears that the goal is to grow that to some number that can't
be identified. His goal is to return those homes to the private sector as soon as
possible. He has asked in previous requests that the Housing Commission has
brought to Council, for compromises. He asked for two things. One, can the
number of HUD rentals in the Community be limited to a proposed number? He
said that he has consistently asked for an exit strategy. He recognizes the short
term need, but if the City purchases 20, 30, 40, or 100 homes, does the City want
those homes for the next 15 or 20 years? Or does the City want an exit strategy.
He feels before getting into a plan, there should be a way to get out of it. He
recommends, as a compromise, a limit as to how long the City can own a rental
home before returning it back to the private market. He thinks that he shares a
common goal with Mr. Inglis - that these homes be privately owned by families.
Mr. Inglis said that he believes there is a need for both affordable housing home
ownership and affordable housing rental. In the Housing Commission Mission
Statement they deal with rentals all the time. They recognize the need for
affordable housing rental, but he agrees with Robinson as well — there is a need
for returning some of these homes to the private sector. The plan to HUD
indicates that the City will be doing just that through the Neighborhood
Stabilization Program.
Robinson asked to see the plan. He also asked Mr. Inglis to answer the
questions as directly as possible. He asked what the Act is that is providing
funding for the purchasing of low income rentals for the City.
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Mr. Inglis said the $1.00 Hallar property is the American Recovery and Re-
investment Act (ARRA) of 2009, the other three properties are pursuant to state
statute, which permits municipalities to acquire properties, that are taxed
foreclosed in their community, for the back taxes.
Robinson asked Mr. Inglis to summarize the efforts and successes the City has
had in helping current residents and homeowners stay in their homes.
Laura Toy asked Robinson if his question was generic to this, because other
Councilmember's are waiting, and she didn't want to rush Robinson.
Pastor said that he could answer that question. He stated that a couple of years
ago a resident on St. Martins Street, right off of 7 Mile and Wayne Road,
somehow got behind in their taxes, so the City bought the house, and sold it back
to the resident for the same amount of money.
Mr. Inglis said that also happened on Westmore on a vacant lot.
Robinson said that the problem he is having is that the City is taking hundreds of
thousands of dollars from the Federal Government and saying it's a Housing
Program - a Foreclosure Prevention Program - but the City is really not doing
that. The City is waiting for people to lose their homes, buying them for a dollar,
and then renting them out. The way this is being labeled is a little bit
disingenuous. If the City purchases a home for a dollar, what is the maximum the
City can sell that home for in the future?
Under the provisions, the investment cost into the home for rehabilitation, and to
bring that home up to code, are the funds the City can recover from the re-sale.
The City cannot make a profit on the home.
Robinson asked how the City is helping with the home values, if the average
investment in refurbishing these homes is $30,000.00, and the most the City
could sell the average HUD home for is $30,001.00 - which is far below even the
lowest home prices in the Community - then how is that helping the home values
for people that own homes in the Community today?
Mr. Inglis answered that the property value is lowered more when the property is
vacant and abandoned and not being taken care of. The plan is to bring these
homes up to City code so they will not be a blighting influence on the
neighborhood. In fact, when you drive down the street, that home will be an asset
and stabilize the neighborhood, and will be better off then the current condition
the home is in right now.
Robinson agrees with the current short term need, and said they have tools in
the toolbox today to manage the blighted homes, and he sees the City doing an
excellent job of maintaining homes in his neighborhood that are empty, but in the
future, when this market turns does around, selling those homes for $30,000.00
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(if the City plans on doing that) will not help the home value of anyone nearby,
and that's why it's prudent that the City (before they continue to buy more and
more HUD rentals) looks for an exit strategy. If the City had that exit strategy, he
would be willing to compromise on some of these things that are addressed short
term, but he sees no willingness to provide an exit strategy, to cap the number of
homes the City has, or the number of years the City owns them. He knows that
some of his colleagues have supported that wisdom in the past, and agree not to
buy any more until there is an exit strategy, and he hopes to find that support on
these four (4) homes as well.
Meakin asked Mr. Inglis if the house on Orangelawn came to the Inspection
Department after a long history, and had no power on and there was no running
water?
Mr. Inglis said, yes - that was a very sad story regarding an individual that has
since left the property and abandoned it. The Inspection Department, through
the Dangerous Building Ordinance, took it to 16th District Court and the Court
upheld the demolition. By the City acquiring this property, they will not have to
use City Funds for that demolition; they can use Federal Funds and save the City
some dollars.
Meakin said that's the point he is trying to get to, is that the City will be using
Federal Funds, and not City Funds, to remove the debris from that lot. It will be
beneficial to Livonia to no longer be an eyesore. When the market does turn,
someone will want to build on that property and return it to the resale market.
That's the point of this whole proposal this evening.
McCann asked Mr. Inglis if the other three properties were pretty much bank
owned properties and originally mortgages at one point.
Mr. Inglis answered that he believes the people defaulted on those mortgages,
and at this point are in the hands of Wayne County. Wayne County can do
whatever they want in terms of a sheriffs sale to anyone who wants to pay. They
will bid on those homes. What the City receives them for in the letter, as outlined
by the Law Department, is that under State statute, the City is able, as a
municipality, to pick up those blighted properties for the back taxes. So the taxing
authorities all get their portion of the revenue and the City will have the federal
funds to go in and either demolish or fix them up and thereby making them an
asset to the neighborhood.
McCann stated that it's been his experience that these properties are abandoned
for just the property taxes. The banks went in, tried to sell these properties and
could not sell them, so they let them go for taxes. The County can take these
properties as well. These abandoned homes are an eyesore. A potential buyer
would be very cautious about entering the neighborhood with an abandoned
home, but a new house on the block would improve the value of the homes in the
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neighborhood, especially when we're talking about 40 some homes out of 38,000
in the Community.
Pastor asked Mr. Inglis if these homes can be sold to the schools, and if so,
could they turn around and make a profit, as long as the City doesn't make a
profit? The schools could use that money as money to raise school dollars, which
could also raise the values of those homes. This could be an exit strategy.
Mr. Inglis said that under the Federal Program and state statute the City cannot
make a profit on these homes. If they do, the money has to go back, however,
once the chain is broken, the school can make a profit.
Laura Toy asked if there is a timeframe that the money has to be used. Could
these houses be used for Habitat for Humanity?
Mr. Inglis said the grant is a perpetual grant, and there is a time limit for federal
funds. Under the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, the City has 18 months to
use the money. The City can partner with a variety of individuals for new
construction and/or rehabilitation.
Robinson said houses that are empty in our Community should be maintained by
the Community, and he thinks the Community is doing that, but these houses are
not falling over. He agrees the houses are not being well maintained, but the City
is doing a good job of keeping the houses in order. They are not left to rot. He
understands there are some realistic expectations for what the City can do today,
and he applauds the administration for maintaining those homes. The City has an
18 month time frame to spend $1.45 million dollars in fixing up these houses.
This is a lot of money. There are a lot of homes you can put $30,000.00 worth of
repair into with $1.45 million dollars. He also applauded Councilman Pastor. He
said there is a lot of genius in his statement. What Robinson has been asking for
is an exit strategy like that. He would support a plan with a short term goal. A
plan to get out in four (4) or five (5) years, and ultimately return the houses to the
private market, but there has been a complete abstinence. All the City wants to
do is rush in and buy a heck of a lot of homes for a buck. That's just this year's
budget, wait until next year. He doesn't think it should be federal money that
ultimately buys all the homes in his neighborhood. He is asking Council to really
pause until there is an exit strategy, like the strategy Pastor suggested. Right
now, you can say it's a good idea, but he doesn't see that happening unless it is
an actual requirement.
Laura Toy asked Mr. Inglis if the City could hire someone to council the
homeowners prior to foreclosure.
Mr. Inglis said that was one of the faults in the American Recovery and Re-
Investment Act. Those dollars specifically can't be used for pre-foreclosure
counseling. That is something that Congress set up. The housing professionals
felt that was short sighted on Congresses part. He has raised the issue with
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Congressman McCotter. They are looking at making some amendments so some
funds can be used for that. He agrees it would be a great use.
Meakin offered am approving resolution for the Regular Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR
DENYING
11. PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE LIVONIA CODE OF ORDINANCES, AS
AMENDED: Department of Law, re: various City Commissions and Boards.
Cathy White, Department of Law, stated that this is an attempt to look at the
boards and commissions' within the City, and to look at the costs associated with
those commissions and boards, and to look at some changes to the Ordinances,
which would reduce the costs associated with these commissions by reducing
the number of times they meet and possibly reducing the number of members of
the commissions. There are a number of commissions that were looked at by the
administration. She also provided a spreadsheet which shows the changes that
are recommended.
The number of commissions in the Local Officers Compensation Commission is
regulated by state law, so they are not asking for a change in that commission.
She asks that Council consider reducing the number of members, and the
number of times the commission meets in a given year, on a number of
commissions. She is also looking for Council approval for a number of changes
in compensation for various commission members. This has to be done by
resolution as oppose to an Ordinance. She asks Council to take a look at these
recommendations, and if Council is comfortable with them, resolutions will be
drafted to vote on at the next Regular Meeting. She would be happy to answer
any questions.
Mayor Jack Kirksey thanked all who have worked with the Administration. There
are somewhere between 160-165 citizens that are on the various commissions in
the City. Some of them are commissions that meet on a pretty regular basis. The
Local Officers Compensation Commission only meet once every two (2) years. A
lot of what has happened to the way the number of meetings they have, have
really been developed. The particular individual missions they have are very
subjective. Take the Arts Commission, when it first started it was totally without
compensation, however, they have added a group of citizens decades ago, and
are now a compensated activity.
Each commission also does minutes to reflect their activities, and a copy is
distributed. In some instances, when a commission has been meeting every
month, we see that they convene at a certain time, and in just a matter of
minutes they are adjourning. We try and look at the workload and flow of
productivity, interests and that type of thing. The recommendations that are
before Council reflect a lot of evaluation of what status quo is. The City is
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attempting to cut the number of times a particular group meets, and their
opportunities for emergency meetings. They always stay within the Open
Meetings Act, and everything is posted. He did have a meeting of representatives
from all of the commissions, which is usually the Chair or the President of each
group, and they met up on the 5t" floor of City Hall some weeks back, and we
gave them our rough recommendations at that time. Some of it was reducing
members, sometimes it was reducing the number of times they met, but in almost
all instances it was a matter of reducing compensation. What we are attempting
to do is to touch bases on every potential source and every dollar we can save,
and therefore keep up the quality of our services and the providers that are part
of the City organization. Some of this is controlled by certain funding portions or
authorizations, some commissions do not accept compensation and The
Plymouth Road Development Authority is one of those. They never have
accepted any compensation. The Mayor was visited by two (2) groups, out of all
the commissions, who took exception with their recommendation and came to
see him personally to state what their exception was and the reasons why their
recommendation should be considered. They sat down with him and made some
minor modifications. They also received correspondence from a third commission
and they were able to work out their differences over the phone. They think the
recommendations make sense. You could argue the relative value of one
commission over another and you can ask if one should get more compensation
and one get less. You could do that, and it would be an interesting dialogue, but
the important focus is, that the people that are filling these roles have accepted
these recommendations. The bottom line is, whenever we can save a dollar, we
will. We could have started with the premise of going to all the commissions and
say perhaps the time is for this to truly be a voluntary activity and there shouldn't
be any compensation, but we didn't think that was fair. Some of the
commissioners do meet on a regular basis, and it takes a great deal out of their
lives, and there is some expense of getting here and getting back. The Mayor is
comfortable with what is brought before Council this evening. He did want to
express his appreciation for those that have worked with him to get the document
here. David Varga in the Mayors office has personally been very involved, and he
would like to recognize him at this time. He will answer any questions or
comments.
Pastor offered the first reading for the Regular Agenda.
DIRECTION: FIRST READING REGULAR
AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None.
As there were no further questions or comments, Council President Toy adjourned the
Study Session at 9:15 p.m. on Monday, July 22, 2009.
DATED: August 7, 2009 LINDA GRIMSBY, CITY CLERK