HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-2014 Annual ReportOFFICE OF THE MAYOR
JACK E. KIRKSEY 3300 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE
MAWN LIVONIA,MICHIGAN515430
2]
(734)
January 7, 2015
TO: HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MAYOR JACK E. KIRKSEY
SUBJECT: 2013-2014 Annual Report
Dear Council Members:
This annual report summaries the activities and accomplishments of Livonia's
Departments, Boards and Commissions during the 2013-2014 fiscal year. Following is a
brief summary of many interesting items, and a few personal thoughts on what will be
my final raped:
Community Resources
Among its other accomplishments, the Department of Community Resources provided
food to thousands of people who might not otherwise have gotten it.
The Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) helped deliver food to
3,898 low-income households, assisting 5,787 people. Fourteen volunteers provided
more than 1,000 hours of their own time. They also partnered with the Forgotten
Harvest Food Rescue organization who provided our low-income residents fresh fruits,
vegetables and dairy items. Over 91,713 pounds of food was distributed to our
residents.
Public Works IDPWIDPS)
Everyone knows what a bad winter it was, and the Public Works staff worked to make it
better. Crews maintained roads on primary salt routes 2417 throughout the 2013-2014
snow season. They salted the primary salt routes once in November, 14 times in
December, 21 times in January, 14 times in February, and six times in March, using a
total of 3,293 tons of salt. (More information is available on the City website,
www.ci.livonia. mi. us)
They performed seven citywide major snow events (cycles) last season using DPW
forces and contractors. They plowed 370 miles of road each time, salted 69 miles of
primary, industrial and collector roads, responded to 5,489 service requests from
residents, did a pothole repair blitz after MDOT completed 1-96 and patched potholes on
City -maintained roads, parking lots and other sites.
ler^ District Court
The 16" District Court, always an efficient court (99% clearance rates on
misdemeanors, 100% on felonies) has found a way to generate additional revenue. In
November 2014, the court began additional collections efforts by initiating State Income
Tax Gamishments. Since the start of the project, the court successfully garnished
$52,631 within two months of their submittal to the Department of Treasury. The court
has issued garnishments on 2,664 cases for a total owed in the amount of $722,740.80.
The total cost for the projects is $15,320, an amount already recouped by defendants
simply getting the tax garnishment notice and appearing to pay their outstanding fees.
Finance Denartment
In an era when stale -shared funds are drying up, the Finance Department played a key
role in meeting slate requirements under the Economic Vitality Incentive Payment
(EVIP) program, enabling the City to qualify for $800,000 in revenue sharing funds.
Fire Department
Livonia Fire & Rescue continues to save lives, responding to 9,530 incidents in fiscal
year 2014, with 87% involving emergency medical services. EMS runs are up 2% from
last year, fire runs are down 3% and other fire runs (downed wires, false alarms and
carbon monoxide) were up 13%. Overall, runs for the department were up 3%.
Parks and Recreation
An integral part of Livonia's quality of life is our solid commitment to providing programs
that help people develop healthy habits, improve fitness, develop skills and create
memories.
With the assistance of 11 full-time staff and more than 300 dedicated and enthusiastic
part-time staff, and the support of the Department of Public Services Building
Maintenance and Park Maintenance, in 2014 we recorded:
• A daily average of 2,800 individual visits to the LCRC.
• 99,327 rounds of golf played at our three courses.
• 10,522 participants in Special Events.
• 6,865 visits to the outdoor pools.
• 27,081 people attending organized picnics at a park pavilion.
• 5,800 athletic participants playing over 3,500 games.
Economic Development
Several projects from last year have come to fruition or are nearing completion, most
notably the commercial corridor on both sides of Middlebelt Road between 1-96 and the
CSX Railroad. New store openings include Dick's Sporting Goods, Jo -Ann Fabrics,
Culvers, Outback Steakhouse, Goodwill, Applebee's and Del Taco.
Livonia's industrial market continues on a positive trend. The City has nearly 30 million
square feet of classified industrial space and, as of December 2014, the occupancy rate
stood at 91.5 percent, equal to the 10 -year high reported In 2004.
Livonia Police Department
The Livonia Police Department continued to grow. In 2014, the police department
added 25 members to its staff, but also experienced 18 separations of service, mostly
retirements, resulting in an increase of seven members.
There were interesting statistics from the department. Calls for police (1%) and fire
(4%) responses were up, but arrests were down. Police dealt with more than 3,000
property -damage crashes and 744 injury accidents. Three people died in fatal crashes
in 2014, equaling the total for 2013.
Summary
The City continues to run smoothly from a strong financial position largely due to the
efforts of staff who meet the budgetary challenges on a daily basis, but also because we
continue to attract a strong retail and industrial base. The development along Middlebelt
attests to the attraction Livonia has for businesses.
While elected leaders, department administrators and staff are finding efficiencies every
day that save money and bring in revenue, we will still need to explore new ways to
Increase collaboration and work with other municipalities to cut costs even further.
Livonia continues to be a wonderful place to work, live and play. In the last couple of
years, Livonia has been honored by various entities as one of Michigan's best places to
raise a young family and being the top place for job seekers. Late in 2014, Apartment
List counted Livonia 440 among the top 100 Best Cities for families in the United States.
After three years of planning, designing and building, the Larry Nehasil Memorial Park
was finally completed. The park's opening was the culmination of a tremendous effort
among city and Wayne County officials, corporate partners, and generous citizens that
allowed us to mise $760,000 to get the park finished.
Your review of the attached report will surely reveal Livonia's leaders and staff continue
to harness a strong commitment to delivering quality service to the community. With the
support of an engaged City Council, other city officials, and our residential and
corporate citizens, the City of Livonia can look forward to a bright future.
Sincerely, �/
��i/'/�k E. K
ck E. Kirksey
MAYOR
Enclosure
cc: Clerk, Council, Finance, Law
emailed: Leadership Staff
CITY OF LIVONIA
ANNUAL REPORT
FISCAL YEAR
2013-2014
CITY OF LIVONIA, MICHIGAN
ANNUALREPORT
Fiscal Year 2013-2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No.
Assessing Department .........................................................................
1
Review, Board of .......................................................................
2
CityClerk ..............................................................................................
2
Civil Service Department ......................................................................
7
Trustees, Board of ...................................................................
15
Community Resources Department and Cable ..................................
19
Arts Commission ......................................................................
22
Youth Commission ...................................................................
24
Historic Preservation Commission ...........................................
25
Historical Commission ..............................................................
27
Aging Commission ...................................................................
30
Human Relations Commission .................................................
31
DistrictCourt .......................................................................................
32
Finance Department ...........................................................................
37
Information System ....... ................................................
39
FireDepartment ..................................................................................
44
Housing Commission ..........................................................................
51
Inspection Department ........ - .............................................................
54
Zoning Board of Appeals .........................................................
58
Building Code Board of Appeals ..............................................
59
LawDepartment .................................................................................
59
Library Department & Commission..... ................................................
62
Parks and Recreation Department & Commission .............................
66
Planning Department& Commission ..................................................
78
Police Department and Emergency Preparedness .........................
87
Public Works Department ...................................................................
96
Engineering Division ................................................................
97
Public Service Division ............................................................
101
Traffic Commission ...........................................................................
122
Treasurer..........................................................................................
124
The 2014 State Equalized Valuation of the City real and personal properly was
$4,012,086,690 which relates to the following statistics:
CLASS
PARCEL COUNT
VALUATION
Residential
38,219
2,650,599,310
Commercial
1,784
692,511,450
Industrial
430
218,174,590
Personal
4,360
450,801,340
$4,012,086,690
In addition, valuation under the Special Ads provided total valuation of
$112,157,920 as follows:
IFT Real 14,726,660
Turbo/Brownfield 21,733,340
IFT Personal 75.697.920
$112,157,920
All property appeared on the assessment roll at 50% of true cash value as
mandated by State Law. Annual sales studies are conducted in orderlo determine
market growth by neighborhood. The results of these studies are utilized to adjust
area values to the required 50% of true cash value.
The appraisal and maintenance of all residential field data is the responsibility of
this department. Records for 48 new homes were created. Revisions to
approximately 802 existing property field sheets were made, which is a 12%
increase over the prior year. Commercial and Industrial new buildings, alterations
and additions numbered 152 and were reviewed for value for the 2014 assessment
roll.
We began a residential canvass this spring, starling in May. We canvassed
approximately 8,000 homes in the south end of the City. Weare in the process of
entering the data collected from each properly. This project will continue for the
next 3 years in order to complete the enfire City. This completed project will bring
the Assessing Department in compliance with the Slate Tax Commission
guidelines.
For 2014, Transfer Affidavits totaling 2,362 and Homesteads, Rescissions,
Conditional Rescissions and Denial Fortes totaling 3,143 were interpreted and
processed on a daily basis.
Lots splits and combinations are processed by this department. This office reviews
petitioners applications and departmental correspondence for compliance with city
ordinances and procedures. If a split is nonconforming Council action will be
required. Approximately 15 splits and combinations were completed in 2014. Of
these, two required Council action.
Several prior years of Michigan Tax Tribunal appeals were finalized. A total of 114
appeals were completed. Of this number there were 82 full tribunals, 20 residential
small claims and 12 commercial & industrial small claims, for the years 2013 —
2014. This is a decrease of 131 completed cases over last year.
Over 4,500 personal property statements were processed for the 2014
assessment roll. A continual inspection of properties in the city is being done to
verify the fixed assets in the business as of tax day of each year.
BOARD OF REVIEW
The December Board of Review meeting was held on Tuesday, December 10,
2013, in accordance with Section 211.53b of the General Property Tax Law of
Michigan, to correct all mutual mistakes of fact and clerical errors.
The Livonia City Council, on January 28, 2014 (CR#29-14), set the place and dales
for the 2014 March Board of Review meetings as scheduled by the Assessor and
notice was given and published in the local newspapers.
The Board of Review meetings convened Tuesday, March 4, 2014, for an eight (8)
day session of public hearings, which included two evening sessions. Members
William Tancill, Jollietta Coleman and Vahan Nazanan were in attendance. The
Board heard 80 taxpayer appeals and acted on 156 mail -in petitions.
Determination notices were mailed on April 4, 2014.
State law requires a July Board of Review meeting to correct clerical errors and
mutual mistakes of fact. This meeting was held on Tuesday, July 22, 2014.
CITY CLERK
This office is administered by the City Clerk, elected for a four-year term at an odd -
year election conducted by the City of Livonia.
The powers and duties of the City Clerk are set forth in the City Charter and
statutes of the State of Michigan. The Clerk is assisted by a Deputy Clerk and a
staff of six who are trained specialists in delivering a variety of services to the
citizens of Livonia and the several departments of the City administration, i.e.:
(a) 'The Clerk shall be clerk of the Council and shall attend all meetings
of the Council and keep apermanent record of its meetings..."
This responsibility involves receiving all correspondence and
communications fled with the Clerk for transmission to the Council;
preparing official agendas for both Council Regular and Study
Meetings; laking and transcribing complex minutes of all Council
proceedings for the official journal as well as for all Public Hearings
conducted by the Council as required by law; notification and
publication of Notices and Public Hearings and Council proceedings
in the official newspaper as designated by the City Council;
preparation and forwarding of true copies of Council actions to the
parties affected; maintaining the official record of all Ordinances
enacted by legislative actions.
FUNCTION STATISTICS: LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
City Council 2013 2014
Study Meetings 24 24
Regular Meetings 24 24
Special Meetings 0 1
Council Resolutions Recorded 371 366
Ordinances Adopted 28 32
Public Hearings Conducted 19 17
(b) 'The Clerk shall perform such other duties as are required of that
office by State or Federal law, the City Charter, the Council or
Ordinances of the City."
DEPARTMENT OF VITAL STATISTICS
Required by State Statute to record and file a record of all deaths and births
occurring within the City for subsequent transmittal to the State and County
Department of Health and make available for certification copies of such records,
as can be legally released.
VITAL STATISTICS (DECEMBER 2013-2014)
2013 2014
Births Recorded 876 857
Deaths Recorded 1524 1507
FEES COLLECTED $122,475.00 $135,420.00
(c) 'The City Clerk shall issue and sign all licenses granted and shall
register same.
LICENSING
During the fiscal year this office of the City Clerk accepted and processed, etc.,
under Title 4 of the Livonia Code of Ordinances, the following licenses:
TYPE 2013 2014
Gas Stations, Dry Cleaners, Amusement
Places, Taxi, Trailer Rental, Solicitors,
Vending Machines, Restaurants, Caterers, etc. 1,300 390•
FEES COLLECTED $61,700.00 $30,256.00"
Garage, Basement, Rummage Sales 1,750 1,612
FEES COLLECTED $8,895.00 $10,045.00`"
Pet Licenses 4,200 3,726
FEES COLLECTED $33,600.00 $32,651.00
Bicycle Licenses 16 9
FEES COLLECTED $48.00 $27.00
`Previous to 2014, each individual license within a business was counted, (i.e. each
vending machine, each gas pump, etc.). Updated BSSA Software made it possible for
the employee in charge of Business Licensing to obtain a more accurate number of
businesses by LOCATION only.
"Previous to 2014, the old BSSA software included the totals ofgarage sales in the final
total of amount collected. The amount noted in 2014 is an accurate number.
"`Prior totals did not include "Sub -division Sales." The new software has enabled us to
include them.
(d) "The City Clerk shall receive for fling: zoning petitions,
subdivision plats, security bonds, etc. Comprehensive files
covering all phases of development of new subdivisions: from
the Public Hearings of the City Planning Commission in
proposed plats, to the filing of all bonds and payment of
financial assurances established in the City Council's Master
Bond Resolutions, to the final signatures of the City Clerk atter
the final plat approval is given by the Council."
NUMBER AND TYPE OF PETITIONS FILED
2013 2014
Zoning 4 6
Vacating 3 1
Miscellaneous (Waivers) 30 15
New Plats Authorized (Preliminary) 0 0
Final Plats 0 0
Extensions 0 0
0
(e) Publication and Legal Notices
The City Clerk is responsible for the publication of the City Council's
proceedings in the official newspaper of the City and the insertion of
Public Notices required by law of Public Hearings and all Ordinances
duly adopted.
In addition, Ordinances are printed, collated and distributed to all
departments and interested parties. A complete file in excess of
2,975 separate Ordinances is maintained, and the Livonia Code of
Ordinances is continually updated, as amended, and on file in the
City Clerk's office.
(f) Duplicating and Mailing Figures
The City Clerk's office produces copies of the following materials for
meetings of the City Council.
MAILING FUNCTION
All City Departments' outgoing mail is handled through mailing
equipment in the City Clerk's office and the required postage in 2014
totaled $81,085.50. All incoming mail is handled daily by the Clerk's
office and is distributed to the various departments of the City.
(g) Election Commission of Livonia (Authority - State Statute)
The City Clerk presides as Chairperson of the three-member Election
Commission consisting of the Clerk, Mayor and City Attorney,
charged with the responsibility of conducting all elections within the
City. The compensation of election personnel shall be determined in
advance by the Election Commission. In any case where Election
2013•
2014•
Council Regular Agendas
1248
1800
Council Study Agendas
1488
2040
Special Regular Agendas
N/A
45
Special Regular Minutes
N/A
17
Council Regular Minutes
408
408
Council Study Minutes
408
480
Attorney Notes for Council Regular Meetings
864
725
Synopsis of Regular Council Minutes
96
96
Council Public Hearing Notices
1071
867
Public Hearing Minutes
418
374
'Tables indicate number of sets required per year
for distribution for
each activity; number of pages varies by event and is not included in
total. (2014 -Agenda totals include copies for the
public.)
MAILING FUNCTION
All City Departments' outgoing mail is handled through mailing
equipment in the City Clerk's office and the required postage in 2014
totaled $81,085.50. All incoming mail is handled daily by the Clerk's
office and is distributed to the various departments of the City.
(g) Election Commission of Livonia (Authority - State Statute)
The City Clerk presides as Chairperson of the three-member Election
Commission consisting of the Clerk, Mayor and City Attorney,
charged with the responsibility of conducting all elections within the
City. The compensation of election personnel shall be determined in
advance by the Election Commission. In any case where Election
procedure is in doubt, the Election Commission shall prescribe the
procedure to be followed.
1STICS RELATING TO THIS FUNCTION
2013 2014
Elections Held in City 1 Special School 1 State Primary
1 City General 1 Slate General
2013 2014
New Registrations 6,914 4,526
Total Registered Voters 74,701 74,932
Change of Name 419 378
Change of Address 3,121
Cancellations 2,434 2,339
Registrations by Mail 1,143 807
Number of Absentee Ballots Issued 6,351 17,921
AV Applications Issued 6,351 17,921
Notices of Election Inspectors 329 589
Notice of Cancellation of Registration 347 795
Sale of Voter Registrations Lists $1,157.01 $1,005.69
(h) Other Duties and Responsibilities of the Clerk
The Clerk shall have power to administer all oaths required by State
Law, the Charter and Ordinances of the City.
The Clerk shall be custodian of the City Seal and shall affix it to all
documents and instruments requiring the Seal, and shall attest the
same.
The Clerk shall be custodian of all papers, documents and records
pertaining to the City of Livonia, the custody of which is not otherwise
provided for by the Charter.
As custodian of records, the office of the City Clerk instituted a
program of microfilming the birth and death records of the City in
1985. In 2007, all birth and death records were scanned to create
CD-ROM's.
In 2014 the office of the City Clerk started to scan and create
electronic files of birth and death records from 2008 —2014.
6
The Clerk's office has offered notary services to the public since
2011. In 2014, 135 documents were witnessed and notarized by the
department, with fees of $880.00 collected.
The Clerk shall give the proper officials of the City ample notices of
expiration or termination of any official bonds, franchises, contracts
or agreements.
The Clerk shall examine and audit all accounts and claims against
the City.
In 2014, the Clerk examined, pre -audited and signed approximately
14,250 vouchers issued by the Department of Finance for transmittal
to the City Treasurer.
The Clerk shall possess and exercise the powers of a Township
Clerk so far as the same are required to be performed within the City.
The Clerk shall certify by signature all Ordinances and Resolutions
enacted or passed by the City Council.
The Clerk, as custodian of the cemeteries under City jurisdiction, is
in charge of all burial procedures and in 2014 there were three (3)
authorized opening and closings at the cemeteries.
REGULAR BUSINESS
The Civil Service Commission held twelve (12) Regular meetings during fiscal year
2013-14.
LABOR RELATIONS
During fiscal year 2013-14, contracts were successfully negotiated and
implemented for the Livonia Police Officers Association (LPOA), Livonia
Lieutenants and Sergeants Association (LLSA), AND Local 192 of AFSCME.
Negotiations with Local 1917 of AFSCME are continuing. No agreement had been
reached as of November 30, 2014.
In April the Police Officers Association of Michigan pefifioned to represent the
Police Service Aide Classification. An election was held and the employees voted
lojoin the POW The group was accreted to the LPOA as a "non -Act 312 eligible"
unit within the union. An initial contract was successfully negotiated and
implemented.
Labor -Management Committee meetings have been held to resolve employee
grievances or concerns fled by members of the AFSCME Local 192, the Livonia
Police Officers Association, the Livonia Police Lieutenants and Sergeants
Association and the Livonia Fire Fighters Union. These committees consist of
representatives of the Union and the City. In the event the employee grievance
cannot be resolved at the committee level, the grievance procedure permits appeal
to the Civil Service Commission and, if not resolved, through mediation and/or
formal arbitration.
PERSONNEL REVIEW COMMITTEE
The Personnel Review Committee comprised of the Human Resources Director,
the Director of Finance, and the Director of Administrative Services mel twenty
(20) limes during the year and reviewed and made sixty-nine (69)
recommendations to the Mayor on all new hires, replacement personnel and
promotions.
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PROGRAMS
HOSPITALIZATION -MEDICAL INSURANCE PLANS
Effective March 1, 2014, the City's cap for annual contribution to active employee
health insurance consistent with Public Act 152 is
Single coverage - $5,857.58
Two -person coverage - $12,250.00
Family- $15,975.23
Effective March 1, 2014, the monthly premium share amounts for employees were
General non -court employees
Single
Two Person / Family
Community Blue 3
$35.00
$123.00
Blue Choice
$64.00
$324.00
LFFU employees
Community Blue 3
$35.00
$123.00
Blue Choice
$64.00
$326.00
L -SA & Police Command
Community Blue 3
$35.00
$121.00
Blue Choice
$64.00
$326.00
LPOA employees
Community Blue 3
$35.00
$121.00
Blue Choice
$64.00
$324.00
According to union contracts, employees must pay the
portion of the cost of their
Blue Choice plan that is higher than the cost
of the equivalent Blue
Cross/Community Blue PPO Plan.
As of March 1, 2014,
the monthly premiums
for Blue Choice health insurance coverage were greater than the premiums for
Blue Cross/Community Blue 3.
The annual Employee Health and Wellness Fair was held on three (3) separate
afternoons during January 2014 at various City locations, including the Police
Headquarters Training Room, the Department of Public Works Administrative
Conference Room, and the City Hall Fifth Floor Gallery. Employees and retirees,
along with their immediate family members, were encouraged to attend.
Representatives of the City's occupational health services providers were present
to answer questions. In addition, representatives from the Blue Cross/Blue Shield
(BCBS) hospitalization/medical insurance plans, sponsored by the City, were
present to permit employees to review and compare plan provisions and obtain
assistance with health care questions or problems.
At the end of the fiscal year, the employee and retiree hospitalization/medical
insurance enrollments are:
(BC/BS) Preferred Plan
58
Retiree subscribers
322
Retirees on Medicare
Blue Cross/Blue Shield
147
Employee subscribers
Blue Choice PPO
186
Retiree
subscribers
425
Retirees on Medicare
Community Blue 2
43
Retiree subscribers
27
Retirees on Medicare
Community Blue 3
307
Employee subscribers
37
Retiree
subscribers
2
Retirees on Medicare
A total of fifty-four (54) full -lime employees "opted out" of insurance coverage
during the 2014 open enrollment period and received $1,000.00 in lieu of
hospitalization/medical coverage.
LIFE INSURANCE & ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT PLAN
The City of Livonia currently contracts for group life insurance with the Reliance
Standard Life Insurance Company at the rale of 0.182 cents per $1,000 per month
volume. Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) group insurance
coverage is also provided by Reliance at a rate of 0.015 cents per $1,000 volume
per month.
Current Insurance Volumes
Insurance
Number Amount
Employees 559 $31,820,964.80
Retirees @ $3,000 19 $ 57,000.00
Relirees @ $3,500 144 $ 504,000.00
Relirees @ $5,000 243 $ 1,125,000.00
During the fiscal year, a total of $78,787.22 in life insurance and AD&D premiums
were paid to Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company. There were eight (8)
retiree death claims totaling $32,500.
WEEKLY DISABILITY INCOME PLAN
The City of Livonia is self-insured for the weekly disability income coverage.
Effective March 1, 2013, through February 28, 2016, the disability claims were
administered by Citizen's Management, Inc. (CMI). This benefit provides $250Avk
to disabled general full -lime employees and $125Avk to disabled part-time
employees for up to 45 weeks; $125/Wk for disabled Police Dispatcher full-time
employees for 45 weeks; $42/Wk for the first 12 weeks and $100Avk for the 40
week balance of 52 weeks for disabled police and fire employees; and $200Avk for
up to 45 weeks for District Court employees. The total premium paid to Citizen's
Management, Inc., to administer the program was $10,125.00.
During the Fiscal Year 2013-14, there were a total of twenty-one (21) weekly
disability income claims to employees. A total benefit of $34,172.12 was paid by
this self-insured program.
The Civil Service Department staff administers the general employee union tuition
reimbursement programs. Fourteen (14) members of AFSCME Union Local 192
expended $2,295.00 out of the maximum allocation of $10,000.00 during the fiscal
year. Two (2) members of the AFSCME Supervisory and Technical Chapter of
Union Local 1917 expended $575.00 out of the maximum allocation of $3,475
during the fiscal year.
OPTICAL PLAN
The City offers an optical benefit program with two providers: Co-op Optical and
RxOplical, who have multiple area locations. Employee usage and costs incurred
during the fiscal year at these centers or through the reimbursement option were:
Safely Glasses
13
$2,191.00
Direct Reimbursement
52
7,422.11
Co -Op Optical
34
2,416.00
RxOplical
120
12.594.00
Total
219
$24,623.11
10
The City also offers an optical reimbursement program as an option
DENTAL PROGRAM
All employee groups have a dental reimbursement program. Employees may elect
a direct payment to the Dentist. The City provides an annual payment of $700 per
employee. Billing for services rendered during the fiscal year must be submitted
within 30 days of the November 30th fiscal year end for consideration. A summary
of the employee reimbursements and hardship advances during the fiscal year to
dale is:
Number of Total Average
Transactions Amount Paid Payment
Reimbursement/Direct Payment 853 $255,207.45 $299.19
Dental reimbursement may also include payment for Dental Insurance premiums.
LFFU members participate in a dental insurance program. The program is
administered by the union.
ORTHODONTIC SERVICES
General employees, Court employees, LFFU, LLSA and Police Command are
eligible for 50% of the fees for orthodontic services for a lifetime maximum of $1500
per family. Coverage is limited to the employee, spouse and dependent children
until the end of the year the dependent reaches age 19. LPOA employees are
eligible for 50% of the fees for a lifetime maximum of $1000 per family.
A summary of the orthodontic service claims received this fiscal year is
Number of Claims Total Amount Paid
Police/Fire 5 $ 4,555.00
General 5 5,768.4
Total 10 $10,323.45
At the meeting of November 17, 2014, City Council (Resolution # 343-14)
approved the City's self-insurance program for Workers' Compensation for the
contract period December 1, 2014, through November 30, 2015, with Citizens
Management, Inc. (CMI), for claims administration services for a total estimated
premium cost of $43,440.00.
Further, City Council authorized a contract for the period of December 1, 2014,
through November 30, 2015, with Midwest Employers Casually Company to
provide the City with excess insurance coverage when losses from any one claim
reaches $750,000 for a total estimated premium cost of $123,225.00.
The total paid on all claims through Citizens Management, Inc. (CMI) from
December 1, 2013, through November 30, 2014, is $100,038.26. There were
(105) new claims submitted during this period.
11
The total paid on all claims through CompOne Administrators, Inc. from December
1, 2013, through November 30, 2014, is $505,479.10. These payments are for
claims that started prior to December 1, 2009.
The total paid on all claims includes weekly wage loss indemnity benefits, medical
services, related legal, vocational rehabilitation and other related professional
expenses. Employees receive treatment for work-related injures or illness at
Providence Corporate Health Services and Midwest Health Center.
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION PROGRAM
The City of Livonia participates in the self-insured Michigan Municipal League
Unemployment Compensation Group Account. The firm of Equifax is the service
agent of this group account. The Civil Service Department responded to
approximately thirty-two (32) former employee claims for unemployment benefits
fled with the Michigan Employment Security Administration (MESA). Approximate
charges for 2014 are $58,964.90.
CITY PHYSICIAN AND MEDICAL CLINICS
Pre-employment, retum-to-work and occupational injury/illness medical
examinations and treatment are provided by the authorized City Physician, St.
John Providence Corporate Health Services. Also, St Mary Mercy Hospital has
provided medical services for Police and Fire personnel and emergency services
only for general employees. One hundred -eleven (111) regular employee and
temporary employee pre-employment (full-time and part-time) examinations and
seventy-three (73) physicals for return to work examinations were conducted. Dr.
Lyle Danuloff, Ph.D., the City's Consulting Psychologist, completed twenty-one
(21) evaluations for Public Safety new hire employees. In addition, there were
medical consultations with regard to employee health and occupational safety
matters as it related to infectious diseases and worker's compensation claims,
including continuation of pre-employment auditory, TB and pulmonary function
examinations for fire fighter and police officer new hires in compliance with
MIOSHA requirements. Alcohol and drug testing for employees assigned to drive
specific types of Department of Public Works vehicles are coordinated in
compliance with federal regulations. Providence conducted len (10) MCOLES
Physicals for entry into the Police Academy and eleven (11) ft -for -duly evaluations
for the City.
SAFETY
A representative from the Livonia Community Recreation Center conducted the
Bloodbome Pathogens Training for Department of Public Works staff. Building
Maintenance employees attended one of the three training sessions.
SERVICE RECOGNITION PROGRAM
Eighty (80) employees received service recognition awards in FY 2013-14.
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Level of Service Awards Presented
Five Years
2
Ten Years
2
Fifteen Years
26
Twenty Years
24
Twenty -Five Years
20
Thirty Years
0
Thirty -Five Years
4
Forty Years
1
Forty -Five Years
1
Total 80
APPLICANT RECRUITMENT
The Civil Service Department has continued an affirmative recruitment program
through newspaper advertisements in the Observer/Eccentric, the Detroit
News/Detroit Free Press, and notices to various colleges, training schools, MESA,
handicapper rehabilitation services, and minority community based organizations.
The total number of advertisements published during Fiscal Year 2013-14 were:
the Detroit News - 9; Livonia Observer - 8; several professional association
publications, the City of Livonia Spring and Fall News, and Cable Channel 8.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
In accordance with the Affirmative Action policy adopted by the Civil Service
Commission, the Civil Service staff continued its efforts to make examinations and
position descriptions as job-related as possible. Proposed qualifications for each
new examination were reviewed by the respective Department staff and the Civil
Service Commission in order to establish prerequisites which were appropriate to
the positions being filled. The staff also prepares a monthly summary report to the
Civil Service Commission concerning the race and gender charactenstcs of all
applicants for open -competitive examinations, the resulting eligible lists, and all
regular employee hires and terminations.
EXAMINATION PROGRAM
The Civil Service staff continued to prepare and administer open -competitive and
promotional examinations as requested by City Department Heads. During Fiscal
Year 2013-14, a total of 23 open -competitive and 15 promotional examinations
were announced. As of November 30, 2014, the Civil Service Department
received 1,529 applications for open -competitive examinations and 53 applications
for promotional examinations during the fiscal year. In addition the Department
processed 266 applications for temporary employment opportunities in various
Parks and Recreation positions; 53 applications for Seasonal Laborer; 1
application for Seasonal Clerk; 45 applications for Student Page; 53 applications
for Library Page; 4 applications for Substitute Librarian; 16 applications for
Temporary Clerical; 13 applications for School Crossing Guard; and 27
applications for Police Reserve Officer.
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TRAINING
Dunng FY 2013-14, the Civil Service Department sponsored several employee-
treining activities.
Between December 2013 and November 2014, Civil Service Staff coordinated
multiple educational presentations sponsored by financial representatives from the
Deferred Compensation 457 Plan providers including Nationwide Retirement
Solutions, ICMA Retirement Corporation and Community Choice Credit Union.
Great West Retirement Services is the Plan Administrator for the 401(a) Defined
Contribution Plan. The Account Representative, Greg Wood, conducted
numerous on-site meetings and training sessions in 2014. Approximately ninety-
four (94) employees attended the sessions in which enrollment, investment
education and training was discussed. Fifty-six (56) new employee enrollment
forms were submitted. Two training seminars were held to provide information to
new employees regarding accounts and products offered by Great West. Forty-
five (45) employees attended the presentations, specifically employees hired
during the period September 2013 through October 2014.
For the FY 2013-14, a total of 8 employees, 0 employee family members and 0
residents received crisis intervention individual counseling sessions limited to five
(5) sessions totally $400 per individual. In addition, EAP providers have been
called upon to assist Departments with group conflict resolution meetings.
Services totaled approximately $2,640.00.
The community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program has mirrored their
behavioral health course ling program to the City's EAP and uses many of the
same referral network of providers. A total of $2,890 in CDBG funds has been
expended during FY 2013-14. Counseling services were provided for 9 low-
income residents who received a total of 42 visits.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
1. The Civil Service staff coordinated two (2) Employee Blood Drives in 2014.
A total of forty-seven (47) pints of blood were donated by City employees
during the dnves, conducted in January and June.
2. Credential Check Corporation has been used to conduct background
investigations of general employee new hires.
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Following is a report on the activities and accomplishments of the Board of
Trustees of the Livonia Employees Retirement System for the period December 1,
2013, through November 30, 2014:
1. DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN
a) The Board of Trustees held twelve (12) Regular meetings during this
period.
b) As of November 30, 2014, the Defined Benefit Plan had five hundred
fifty-nine (559) retirees or surviving spouses plus seventeen (17)
Alternate Payees under Eligible Domestic Relations Orders (EDROs)
for a total of five hundred seventy-six (576) receiving pension checks.
Twenty-two (22) City retirees died during fiscal year 2013-2014. The
total pension payroll fiscal year to date is $15,207,012 through
November 2014.
c) David Sowerby of Loomis -Sayles and Company advises the Board on
investments for the Defined Benefit Plan and uses discretionary power
regarding investments subject to confirmation by the Board. The
Board approved investment transactions by Loomis -Sayles and
Company at regular meetings. The Defined Benefit portion of the fund
managed by Loomis Sayles had a market value of $225,187,007 as
of November 30, 2014.
d) In May 2014, the Board reviewed the sixty-first (61•') annual actuarial
valuation as of November 30, 2013, for the Livonia Employees
Retirement System, prepared by the Board's Actuary, Rodwan
Consulting Company. The Plan covered five hundred seventy-six
(576) retirees; seventeen (17) deferred and one hundred and thirty-
one (131) employees for a total of seven hundred twenty-four (724).
The Actuary reported that the accrued actuarial condition of the
Retirement System is "good." Continuation of this condition is
dependent upon future investment experience and receipt of required
contributions.
e) The funded ratio of actuarial value of assets to actuarial accrued
liability for the Retirement System Defined Benefit Plan was 98.1% as
of November 30, 2013.
f) John Kmkowiak, Sr. Consultant of NEPC, LLC, provided the
consulting and performance evaluation services to the Board.
15
g) The Board has a $10,000,000 investment in a Real Estate Investment
Trust (REIT) managed by Seminole Asset Strategies(SAS). Staff and
board members attend SAS investment update meetings quarterly.
Total interest earnings on the SAS REIT from December 1, 2013,
through October 31, 2014, were $500,000.
h) The Board has a global real estate investment with Cohen & Steers
Capital Management Inc., in a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT),
separately managed account. The account market value reported as
of November 30, 2014, was $6,739,835.
i) The total defined benefit fund value was $225,187,007 as of
November 30, 2014.
j) Twenty-one (21) requests for retirement estimates under the Defined
Benefit Plan were processed by the Civil Service Department Staff.
k) Members of the Board and staff continued their education required as
fiduciaries by attending the Michigan Association of Public Employees
Retirement System (MAPERS) Conferences at Soaring Eagle Resort,
Mount Pleasant, Michigan, from May 18 to May 20, 2014; and at the
Grand Traverse Resort in Acme, Michigan from September 14 to
September 16, 2014.
2. DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
a) The Board of Trustees held twelve (12) Regular meetings during this
period.
b) The Defined Contribution Plan Administrator continues to be Great
West Retirement Services.
c) The Defined Contribution Fund had a total account ending balance of
$54,967,092 as of November 30, 2014, five hundred and thirty-one
(531) active participants; four (4) participants who terminated
employment and have an ending account balance; and eighteen (18)
participants with a zero ending account balance.
d) As of November 30, 2014, a total of one hundred sixty-three (163)
employees have retired under the Defined Contribution Retirement
Plan.
3. LIVONIA RETIREE HEALTH AND DISABILITY BENEFITS PLAN (VEBA)
a) The Board of Trustees held twelve (12) Regular meetings during this
period.
IE
b) Mr. Sowerby advised the Board on investments for the VERA. The
VEBA had a market value of $91,001,283 as of November 30, 2014.
Note: The VERA was established at the recommendation of the
formerActuary to the Board of Trustees, Gabriel, Roeder, Smith and
Co., forpurposes of placing in a tax free trust, monies to pay for
post -employment hospitalization -medical insumnce benefits for
members of the DB and the DC Plans, as well as to provide separate
funding for DC Plan member disability retirement benefits.
c) In May 2014, the Board reviewed the sixteenth (16th) annual actuarial
valuation as of November 30, 2013, for the VEBA, as prepared by the
Board's Actuary, Rodwan Consulting Company. The amortization
periods adopted by the Board of Trustees for the funding purposes of
this Plan are 30 years for disability benefits and 40 years for health
insurance benefits. The 40 year amortization period produces a
contribution that is less than the Annual Required Contribution (ARC),
and results in a contribution deficiency in the Plan's financial report.
d) The fund had actuarial computed assets of $74,550,465 and the
funded ratio of actuarial value of assets to actuarial accrued liability
for the City of Livonia Retiree Health and Disability Benefits Plan and
Trust (VEBA) was 46.4% as of November 30, 2013. The unfunded
liability is $86,001,620.
e) Effective December 1, 2006, through negotiations with City employee
groups, the City's VEBA Plan was amended to require an employee
contribution in the form of a salary reduction to the Plan for post -
employment health care benefits. LPDA, LFFU, LLSA and all general
employees (including District Court employees) hired before the dates
listed in Section 'T' below are contributing 2% of pension eligible
wages to the VEBA Plan. (This does not include overtime earnings
and this contribution is in no -tax dollars.)
As required by federal law, non-union employees were provided a
non-reversible opportunity to opt -out of the health care provisions of
the VEBA. A total of 16 non -represented employees elected to opt -
out of the VEBA Plan.
The City saves more than $136,000 per year in contributions as a
result of these employees opting out of the VEBA.
f) General non -represented employees hired after December 1, 2009;
AFSCME Union Local 192 and AFSCME Union Local 1917
employees hired on or after September 8, 2011; uniformed police
employees and police dispatchers hired on or after November 2, 2011,
17
and LFFU members and District Court employees hired after
December 1, 2012, must participate in the City sponsored
Vantagecare Retirement Health Savings (RHSP) Plan instead of the
VEBA. This plan allows the employee to accumulate assets tax-free
to be used for eligible healthcare related expenses upon termination.
The new employees contribute 2% of their pension wages to the
program. Employee contributions are vested immediately. The City
contributes $50 per pay period. Upon termination after ten years of
service, the accrued sick leave payout is deposited in the account for
all non -Fire employees. With regard to the direct City contributions,
the following vesting schedule applies:
Years of Completed Service Vesting Percentage
0-4 0%
4+ 100
In the event of the retiree's death, remaining assets will be
transferred to an accountfor continuing tax-free use by the surviving
spouse and/or dependents for their own qualifying health expenses.
Any remaining assets after the death of the spouse and dependents
will revert to the Plan. In addition, should the employee terminate
employment before 4 years of service, non- vested assets will revert
to the Plan. As of November 30, 2014, one hundred and thirty (130)
employees are enrolled in the Plan.
g) This year, InTech Health Ventures began a review of the retirement
system's prior year's submissions to the Centers of Medicare Retiree
Drug Subsidy Program. In addition, InTech will submit a recovery for
the retirement systems for the years 2008 through 2014, to see if .
Since January 1, 2014, the retirement system has received direct
subsidy payments monthly from AmW INS Rx.
h) They City's prescription drug processor was changed effective
January 1, 2014 from Blue Cross Blue Shield to Sterling Rx. This
permitted the City to get immediate savings from Social Security
Retiree Drug subsidy program and low income programs. The City
converted the over 65 retiree drug program to a Part D program. This
eliminated the requirementto obtain an Actuarial valuation that stated
our prescription program was Part D compliant saving this plan
$5,000.00 per year.
i) The City's prescription drug processors will change effective January
1, 2015, from Sterling to Precise Rx Care for Medicare eligible retirees.
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j) The City's prescription drug processors changed effective October 1,
2014 for all pre -65 retirees, spouses, and dependents from Blue Cross
Blue Shield to AmWINS Rx.
RESIDENT ASSISTANCE
• Emergency Help— Emergency Service Program funds assists low-income
households with food gift cards when the emergency need is proven and
funds/cards are available. We are also an active member with the Livonia
Cares organization.
• Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) — Wayne
County food was distributed to 3898 low income households
• (5787 people), with the assistance of 14 volunteers who worked over 1008
hours. The District Court Work Program also provided an average of 15
probationers who helped unload the delivery trucks, move the items to the
distribution areas and helped our residents gather their food and load their
cars (approx. 1080 hours). Wayne County feeds 63,000 residents from
40,000 households.
• We also partnered with the Forgotten Harvest Food Rescue organization
who provided our low-income residents fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy
items. Over 91,713 pounds of food was distributed to our residents.
• Non -Food Pantry Referrals - 815 referral forms were issued to TEFAP
qualified residents for boxes of assorted personal hygiene and household
goods/supplies supplied by Holy Cross Lutheran Church and Newburgh
Methodist Church.
• Holiday Assistance — 199 TEFAP qualified households were referred to
local sponsors for holiday food assistance. The Community Resources
Department also works closely with the Goodfellows organization to ensure
that no childRamily is without a Christmas.
Focus Hope
The City of Livonia has the responsibility of administering the Focus Hope food
program to senior residents, 60 years or older who income qualify. In 2014, 414
food boxes were distributed to a maximum of forty-four (44) low-income senior
households with the assistance of five (5) volunteers. The distribution is from the
Civic Park Senior Center on the first Wednesday of every month.
Publications
• City Newsletter — Three (3) issues published and mailed to approximately
43,000 residences and businesses. The Newsletter is now published three
(3) limes a year instead of four (4).
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Community Gardens
• Cash collected for Garden Plots $5,860
• Plots available for planting 243 and 18 corn row plots
• Plots purchased 230
• Plots purchased by residents 128 at $25
• Plots purchased by non-residents 76 at $35
In January 2014, the gardeners from 2013 were contacted to pay for their plots if
they wished to continue gardening in 2014. Open enrollment became available to
everyone the Iasi week of March. This year, the Probation Department had two
plots; the produce was donated to Livonia Senior Housing. The gardens were
slaked by the 16th District Court Probation Department in May. The Department
of Public Works delivered wood chips and compost. Excessive water retention in
the gardens still remains a problem. Richard was available three days a week
during the time the gardens were open in order to assist gardeners with any issues
that might arise. In September, we held the Annual Gardeners' Picnic which was
well -attended. On October 4th, we closed the Gardens and once again the
Department of Public Works plowed the gardens under. The District Court
probationers cleaned up the gardens.
LIVONIA YOUTH
Referral Sources:
2014 Referrals: 28 New Cases —(17 Male and 11 Female)
Carry Over Cases from 2013: 100
Total Cases served in 2014: 128
These numbers are accurate as of November 30, 2014.
2014 Cases represent the following referral agencies:
20 Livonia Police Department
8 Surrounding Police Departments (Westland, Novi, Northville)
• 12 parents completed 190 hours of instruction with our Alternative Parenting
Skills group.
• Youth Assistance Clients filled 463 community work service slots,
completing 1100 hours of work service volunteerism.
• 20 youth received instruction in "Project Impact' (social living skills) group
equaling 240 hours of instruction.
• 20 youth attended the County Jail lour.
• 27 drug tests were administered
195 youth used the walk in services of the Youth Employment Resource
Center. In late June, 2014, the Youth Employment web site was created
within the Community Resources web page. The main page was hit 3181
20
times viewing 13,286 views of jobs. High school visits included Churchill,
Franklin, Stevenson and Clarenceville.
• Wayne County grants: 1/10th Mill Fund $19,100
LIVONIA COMMUNITY TRANSIT (LCT)
Community Resources has the administrative responsibility of providing
transportation for Livonia senior citizens and disabled residents. This program is
called Livonia Community Transit. Transportation is available, with a reservation,
seven days a week on a first-come, first -serve basis. Livonia Community Transit
also provides "To Work" service for people coming to Livonia using the SMART
and D -DOT bus systems. This service picks up riders from hubs located at
Millennium Park and near Botsford Hospital and then lakes these riders to pre-
determined work locations. 'To Work" riders are picked up in the morning at 6:00,
7:00 and 8:00 a.m. and again for the return trip at 4:00, 5:00 and 6:00 p.m.
Municipal Credit contracts and Specialized Services grants, administered by
SMART, are monitored and prepared by the Community Resources staff. The
Livonia Community Transit system has a fleet of 18 vehicles (a combination of
small buses and vans). The vehicles are driven by 23 part-time bus drivers all with
Commercial Drivers Licenses. The Transit office is supervised by a Grant
Manager and four (4) other part-time employees that help coordinate the drivers
and the route schedules. The system served approximately 48,000 riders. These
rides totaled over 255,000 miles and approximately 20,000 service hours.
Revenue from bus fares totaled approximately $72,000.
Livonia Community Transit received Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding
through the Veterans Transportation Community Living Initiative (VTCLI) grant.
The grant allowed Transit to implement technology improvements for both the call
center and the buses. The upgrades were designed by our existing software
company, RouteMatch. Examples of those upgrades include: onboard mobile
tablets allowing manifest to go paperless and drivers gel real -lime changes, online
customer web system permitting new and existing riders to make reservations and
cancellation of trips online, a notification system that can give automated real-time
calls to passengers with key information about their next -day trip, weather alerts,
and other general information. These and other enhancements will help the transit
program improve customer service and provide resource information to veterans.
LIVONIA CABLE TELEVISION COMMISSION
In 2014, Livonia Television (LTV) continued providing viewers on Bright House
Networks (Channel 8) and AT&T U -verse (Channel 99) with high quality
programming, promoting the City's programs and services. LTV staff consistently
lake advantage of not only cable television as a delivery formal, but also the
internet for LIVE and on -demand streaming videos on the City's website and
regular updates to social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter. A major
revitalization of the City's AM radio station, WPZY 1670, also played an important
role in providing information in yet another format to residents, businesses and
21
motorists about the reconstruction of 1-96 through Redford and Livonia. Mayor
Kirkseys strong interest in informing Livonia's residents also prompted several
upgrades to the equipment in the LTV office. These upgrades allow staff to monitor
cable and radio signals in real time over the inlemet.
LTV staff assisted dozens of residents by providing technical support when Bright
House Networks began their digital swilchover of our channel. Those residents
found they could no longer view our channel. Staff were able to explain the "how-
to's" to those affected, and gel them back into our viewing audience.
The Cable Department participated in funding an audit of AT&T with several other
Michigan communities when AT&T suddenly deducted thousands of franchise fee
dollars from a quarterly payment. This audit is still underway.
Due to Microsoft's discontinued support of Windows XP, LTV purchased a new
server for the channel. The new Tightrope system is an updated version of the
previous server. The new system handles both standard -definition and high-
definition video.
Several new faces were added to the LTV staff in 2014. Emily Tchorz became the
new Cable Clerk, and Paul Sutherland became an Associate Producer, the first
person to have that newly -created, permanent, part-time position. This replaced
the Cable Grant Manager position.
LTV staff look two honors in national competitions — one win in the Hometown
Media Competition, and an Honorable Mention fora piece submitted to the NATOA
Government Programming Competition.
Community Resources Co -Director Donna McDowell is working with the LTV staff
on several strategic objectives, designed to broaden the reach of programming
and grow the LTV audience, as well as develop/expand the skills of the LTV staff.
As of November 2014, LTV staff logged a total of 31 complaints regarding Bright
House Networks and AT&T. This number is up slightly from the same time Iasi
year. That total was 26.
LIVONIA ARTS COMMISSION
The Livonia Arts Commission held its meetings on the 4th Tuesday of each month
in the Mayor's Conference Room at Livonia City Hall.
The 2014 officers were: Chairperson: Brian Duggan; Vice Chairperson: Dan
Spuding; Secretary: Carrie Spuding. The Commission eliminated the office of
Treasurer and relies on the financial reports submitted by liaison Chris Swish.
Active members include; Donna Eno, Karen Voran, Grace Karczewski, Dan
Center, Dan Pawlak, Hanham Fakhouri, Jerry Valentine and Pam Valentine.
0
Budgeted Free-Admission Activities:
The Commission appropriated $1,800 to co-sponsor the monthly Noontime
Concerts held at the Civic Center Library.
Music from the Heart was held in front of City Hall starting in July and ending in
September. The LSO was scheduled at the Community Recreation Center,
however, they canceled on us with only a two-week notice.
The following businesses donated refreshments to our citizens during the concerts:
P.E.P Center, Bahama Breeze, Claddagh Irish Pub, Community Alliance Credit
Union, Community Choice Credit Union, Hooters of Novi, Jimmy John's of Livonia,
LaFontaine Automotive Group and The Looney Bakery.
Commission Sponsored Community Activities: $500 grant to Visual Arts
Association of Livonia. Two scholarships were awarded totaling $2,000 to
students planning on an art-related field at a post-high school learning institution,
which was given out at a council meeting.
Commission Donations: Livonia Symphony Orchestra, $3,000; Greenmead's
Garden Walk, $50; and Greenmead's Christmas Walk, $50.
The Commission held its 17th annual Fine Arts Exhibition in November. The
selected artwork was displayed in the 2nd floor Fine Arts Gallery at the Civic Center
Library. Eighty-one (81) applicants submitted over 213 entries. The application
fees netted $3,090 in revenue.
Artwork from regional artists and art groups including Livonia Public Schools and
Clarenceville Public Schools was displayed monthly in the Civic Center Library
Gallery and in the City Hall Atrium.
Commission Sponsored Receptions: The Fine Arts Exhibition reception was held
in November in the Civic Center Library Atrium. Individual artist receptions were
held monthly in the Library Gallery.
Livonia Public Schools asked the Commission to judge its annual PTSA (Parent
Teacher Student Association) Reflections competition once again.
The Arts Commission maintains a city website, a Facebook site, and a
youlube.com/artsinlivonia.com account.
The Arts Commission mission statement is: 'To create, promote, develop,
sponsor, sustain, facilitate, and furtherthe Arts within the City of Livonia." The Arts
Commission continues community access to art experiences, opportunities, and
improving community awareness.
23
LIVONIA COMMISSION ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH
In 2014, the Livonia Commission on Children and Youth continued the
administration of the Livonia Youth/Spree Scholarship Program sponsored by the
Livonia Anniversary Committee. The Commission distributed brochures
advertising the scholarships to the local high schools and libraries. The
scholarship information was presented in the City Spring Newsletter, on Livonia
Television, in the Livonia Observer, on the Citys website and through the
Department of Community Resources. More than thirty-seven applications were
submitted for the three awards of $2,000. Commissioners Dan Spuding, Jeff Nork,
Jessica Claypoole and Jim Keller reviewed and selected the most deserving
recipients. Scholarship awards were presented during the Spree pancake
breakfast in June.
The 2014 Arbor Day Project in April was coordinated with the cooperation of both
the Livonia Public Schools and the Clarenceville Public Schools. Tree seedlings
were packaged and distributed to all fourth grade classes in the two school
systems. Global ReLeaf and the Youth Commission shared the cost of supplying
more than eighteen hundred trees. Commissioner Ken Balcoff chaired the
committee this year.
The Youth Commission again monetarily supported the 2014 "All Night Senior
Graduation Parties' atthe high schools that requested our help through donations
of $250 to each requesting school.
Once again in 2014, the Honor Certificates were presented to all graduating
seniors who had achieved a 3.0 grade point average or higher from Clarenceville
and Ladywood High Schools. Livonia Board of Education chose not to participate.
Commissioner Dan Spurling spearheaded this project.
Acknowledging that back to school is a costly time of year for low-income parents,
the Livonia Youth Commission held its annual school supply program for the fifth
consecutive year. The Commission distributed more than 250 backpacks filled
with school supplies to low-income families whose names were provided by the
Livonia Goodfellows. Both monetary and supply donations were received from
Walgreens, FedEx, Sl. Priscilla's Parish, Sai Shirdi Saibaba Temple, Community
Alliance Credit Union, City employees' jeans days and several Livonia families.
The commission also purchased school supplies with their funds. Commissioners
Dan Spurling and Jeff Nork were primarily responsible for this project and were
assisted by other Commissioners, Chris Swish of Community Resources, city staff,
Youth Assistance, Livonia Police and many other volunteers.
Emergency stickers, which are to be placed on the bedroom windows of children,
senior citizens or handicapped individuals, continue to be available at City Hall as
well as from the Livonia Fire Department. Information for obtaining these stickers
is shown on Livonia Television.
K,
The Youth Commission, in an effort to reach out to the low-income youth of Livonia,
hosted a holiday party on two consecutive Saturdays (the 15th and 22nd of
November) for families who registered with the Livonia Goodfellows. While
Goodfellows representatives interviewed the parents, the children were invited to
enjoy snacks and crafts. They were given mittens/gloves, scarves and hats. The
children were also given an opportunity to have theirfaces painted and to visit and
have their photograph taken with Santa althe Senior Center. Commissioners Dan
Spurting and Jeff Nork headed this project and were aided by Commissioners and
volunteers from the community.
This nine -member commission meets quarterly on the first Tuesday of the month
at 7:15 p.m. on the third floor of Livonia City Hall. Commission members are: Ken
Balcoff, Jessica Claypoole, Laura Duggan, George Gostias, John Grzebik, Nadia
Ideh, James Keller, Jeff Nork and Dan Spurling.
Commission kers for 2014-2015:
• Dan Spurling, Chairperson
• Jeff Nork, Vice Chairperson
• James Keller, Secretary
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Historic District Resources
The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) continued to meet the first
Wednesday of each month at the Alexander Blue House at Greenmead during
2014. The Commission had four official meetings but elected to continue to meet
for planning purposes every month, except July. A website is in development to
highlight the historic districts in Livonia on the City Website. Due to the nature of
the Historic Preservation Commission, official meetings may be added, with the
necessary approvals, to accommodate owners of historic properties.
Greenmead
The Historic Preservation Commission continues to recommend a Master Plan
(Cultural Resource Management Plan) be developed for Greenmead before any
future decisions are made at the site. Various other projects were discussed and
approved as required to update the Village, Hill House and farm buildings.
The Historic Preservation commissioners continue to volunteer at Greenmead
events in an attempt to assist Historical Commission commissioners due to the
financial hardships in Livonia. Some of the events include Flea Markets in the
spring and fall, Highland Games, Sunday tours and teas throughout the year.
Newburg, Livonia Center, Briggs and Clarenceville Cemeteries:
The Historic Preservation Commission, along with the Historical Commission, 17th
Michigan re -enactors and the Historical Society, planned and held a cemeterywalk
at Briggs Cemetery, generating income of $945.00 for cemetery repairs. Of all the
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cemeteries, Briggs headstones are in the worst condition. Approximately 78
people attended, despite the rainy, cold temperatures. More than 20 volunteers
and reenactors donated theirtime. This year, repairs were made to upright stones
at Clarenceville, Briggs and Newburg Cemeteries. Court probationers finished
cleaning the brush and debris from the Briggs Cemetery before the walk.
All the historic cemeteries in the City require additional maintenance. There
continues to be considerable maintenance associated with lawn cutting and
problems due to age, weather and vandalism. The grass cutters are using large
machines that cause damage to the headstones, including some recently repaired.
The Historic Preservation Commission plans to address these issues as funds are
raised.
In the future, the Commission would like a new line item to the budget to support
the needs of the historic cemeteries in Livonia, including grass cutting and
maintenance. Due to Livonia budget constraints, the Commission has tabled the
discussion for another year.
Flea Market Book Sale
Kathy Bilger, our newest Historic Preservation Commissioner, had the idea to
conduct a book sale during the summer and fall Greenmead Flea Markets and
generated sales of $300.00 for cemetery repairs.
Ebenezer Smith, Wayne Road
The owner of this private home consulted with the Historic Preservation
Commission regarding the appropriate color scheme for an Eastlake -style home.
The Commission approved colors and materials forthe refurbishing and repainting
of the private home.
Felician Mother House
The Commission approved plans for an additional 600 square feet to the physical
therapy department after a presentation by the Sisters and their architect, Dennis
Ryan. The additional square footage was needed to accommodate an enlarged
physical therapy room for the Sisters. In addition, a concrete pad was approved
for additional HVAC, as needed.
Asa B. Smith, Seven Mile Road
The Commission worked with the owners to approve plans, materials and color
choices to this historic home. The Commission first contacted the owners because
the home was in deplorable condition with holes in the siding, windows and trim.
Bushes obscured the site. The owner allowed Commissioners to lour the home.
The owners had been updating the interior, but the outside was no longer
weatherproof and needed immediate repair. The Commissioners visited the site
several limes and held additional meetings to help the homeowners with the
process of repairing and restoring their home and adding an addition as well.
PTP
Commissioners
The Historic Preservation Commission has no open seats. Kathleen Bilger was
appointed last December; her commission runs through March 2016. Ralph
Bakewell and James Kline were reappointed through March 2017.
Election of officers held in November:
• Chairperson: Kathy Johnson-Bartshe
• Vice Chairperson: Kathleen Bilger
• Secretary: Kathie Glynn
• Treasurer: James Kline
LIVONIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION
Twenty-four special events were held at Greenmead this year. Flea Markets were
held in June and September. Highland Games and the American Motors Car
Show were held in August. Christmas, Presidential, Mid -Summer's Night and
Highland Teas were held at the Alexander Blue House. Treasures from
Grandma's Attic was held in May and November.
Children's activities included Peter Rabbit, Halloween Walk and A Visilwilh Santa.
The Village has been open for lours on weekdays in May and on Sunday,
beginning in June.
Recreation Supervisor, Maureen Casey, has planned special events and rented
the Alexander Blue House, the Friends' Meeting House and the Newburg Church.
Commissioner Barbara Mansfield has scheduled the volunteers for Sunday lours.
The 17th Michigan put on a Civil War Weekend and also helped the Preservation
Commission with the CemeteryWalk at Briggs Cemetery.
The Hill House gardens were cared for by volunteer gardeners, underlhe direction
of Jan Whitcomb. The garden and gazebo at the Newburg Church and the garden
east of Shaw House are also tended to by volunteer gardeners.
There were 38 weddings held atGreenmead. Both the Alexander Blue House and
the Friends' Meeting House have been rented for showers, receptions, events and
business meetings.
The Historical Commission, Preservation Commission, Friends of Greenmead and
the Livonia Historical Society use the Alexander Blue House for meetings and
activities.
Maintenance:
• The DUR building was painted.
• The west, south and east sides of the Caretaker's Cottage were painted.
27
• The north side of the Meeting House was re -roofed.
• Two windows at the Newburg School were replaced.
• The west side of Crenson/Hinbem House was painted.
• The Newburg Church porch was repaired and broken concrete replaced.
• Concrete was lifted at the Newburg Church.
• The handicapped walk at the Meeting House was replaced.
• The Alexander Blue House ice machine was replaced.
The 16th District Court Work Program cleaned out brush at the Union/Briggs
Cemetery on Six Mile Road.
The Sauk Trail Questers group received a national and state grant to reupholster
furniture for the Hill House.
The Hill House has been decorated for Christmas by the Sauk Trail, Elmwood and
Governor Warner Quester groups.
We received a Livonia Community Foundation Grant which has been used to
replace 10 sections of the Eight Mile fence. Money donated by the Livonia Garden
Club and Zonla were added to the grant funds to replace additional fence sections.
Kathie Glynn and Sue Daniel have worked on accessioning and cataloging the
artifact collection. There were 7 accessions this year.
Donations have been received from the Livonia Historical Society, ADK, Questers,
Livonia Garden Club, Zonta, the Sarah Ann Cochrane Chapter of the American
Revolution, Arts and Letters and the Livonia Community Foundation. A donation
was received by the Friends of Greenmead for the Simmons/ Hill House from
granddaughter Lindy Donigan and Deane MacMillan. Most of the funds donated
were designated toward the Simmons/Hill House and the Eight Mile fence repair.
Funds were also received in memory of volunteers.
GREENMEAD
Historical Properties
Community Resources has administrative responsibility for the Historical and
Historic Preservation Commissions. The reports pertaining to these activities can
be found under the Historical Commission and Historic Preservation Commission.
The Community Resources staff at Greenmead:
• Conducted day{oday operations of Greenmead
F
• Maintained Historical Commission records including minutes, volunteer hours,
caretaker reports, contracts and budgets.
• Coordinated weekday lours, Sunday tours, Gift Shop operations, Newburg
School usage, as well as Newburg Church, Alexander Blue House and Meeting
House rentals. Property usage included weddings, meetings, luncheons,
memorials, classes, corporate events, filming, educational opportunities and
private parties.
• Implemented Historical Commission resolutions.
• Assisted with the development, planning and implementation of 28 special
events, fundraisers and community projects sponsored by the Historical
Commission, Friends of Greenmead, Livonia Historical Society, Questers, Sl.
Andrews Society of Detroit, Boy Scouts, 17th Michigan Civil War Re -enactors,
A.M.C. Car Club and Garden Club.
• Worked with D.P.S. to define and prioritize maintenance work in the Farm
Complex, Historic Village and the Alexander Blue House.
• Coordinated the painting and repairs of the DUR, Shed at the South Barn, 3
sides of the Caretaker's Cottage, Newburg School east windows, north side of
Meeting House roof, west side of the Hinbem House, Print Shop windows and
siding repairs. Cement repairs to Church porch, Meeting House handicapped
ramp and walkway to the Church.
• Replaced ice maker at the Alexander Blue House.
• Coordinated with DPW to solve the water problem at the Farm Complex.
• Coordinated the Livonia Foundation Grant, of $2500.00, which was used to
replace sections of the white picket fence at the Simmons/Hill House; LHC
Trust account matched these funds.
• Coordinated 155 private party rentals of the Church, Meeting House and/or the
Alexander Blue House
• Coordinated Greenmead's volunteer program, published issues of the
Volunteer Voice Newsletter and scheduled volunteers for tours and special
events.
• Provided work site and supervision for community service probationers and
community service projects.
• Hosted several professional and volunteer gatherings such as a Volunteer
Reception, Volunteer Season Opener, Friends of Greenmead Luncheon and
Tea, Historical Society Picnic, Meetings and Banquet, Police Reserves Picnic,
Quester events, Community Garden annual picnic and Zonla Picnic.
• Provided a project site for the Master Gardener Program and support for the
volunteer gardeners' program.
• Provided a site for Eagle Scout Projects.
19
• Provided a site for UMHS filming, coordinating with Dave Varga.
• Provided filming site information to Midcoast Studio, coordinating with Dave
Varga.
• Provided a site and coordinated with Madonna University film students;
grounds and six buildings were used over a 14 -day period.
• Coordinated with Livonia Cable staff on the following projects:
• The Newburg Church, by Alysia Caring
• Primelimers, by Chris Nielson
• In Season, by Nate Rockwell
LIVONIA COMMISSION ON AGING
The Commission continues to publish the "Heritage" as part of the City News. It is
distributed to all homes in the City of Livonia. Commission funds are used.
In April the Commission helped organize the annual Senior Center Consumer Fair.
In June the Commission co-sponsored the annual Senior Citizens Picnic held at
the Senior Center. The Commission paid for the Box Lunches. The Commission
was in charge of BINGO and Share the Wealth.
In October the Commission provided handouts and worked at Senior Celebration
Day. Commission also provided funds to purchase one (1) Computer Printer for
the Senior Center Office Staff and special party supplies (Flash Light Keychains)
and Movie Room Projector.
Al its November 2014 meeting, pursuant to its by-laws, the Commission held its
annual election. The following officers were elected to one-year terms, by a vole
of 5 yes (2 absent) 0 no commencing December 1, 2014.
Chairperson: Josephine Smith
Vice Chairperson: Dolores Smith
Treasurer: Florence Yeomans
Secretary: Marcia Heads
SENIOR CITIZEN PROGRAM
Civic Park Senior Center
Participation in activities during 2014 totaled approximately 229,500 seniors and
11,524 congregate meals were served. Activities included health screening,
educational classes, support groups, fitness classes, cards and games, art &
crafts, seniorsports, Medicare counseling, senior picnic, senior resource fair, craft
show, holiday parties, Detroit Symphony Orchestra Trips, etc. Volunteers logged
12,500 hours.
all
SUPPORT SERVICES, GIFTS, GRANTS, AND TRANSPORTATION
C.D.B.G. and Community Transit funds totaled $48,000 Donations in the amount
of $22,000 were received.
Federal and State grants and donations provided:
• 10,889 one-way rides through the senior transportation program
• 23,555 meals were delivered by volunteers to home bound senior
LIVONIA HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
The Livonia Human Relations Commission held its quarterly meetings on the 2nd
Tuesday of the month in February, May and September, and the 2nd Wednesday
in November.
The 2014 officers were:
Dillon Breen - Chairperson
Elaine Livingway - First Chairperson
Christopher Deal - Secretary
Other commissioners were John Dalton, Julie Kain, Harold Klee, James Roye,
Allison Tabb and Sandy Teeter. Christopher Deal left the commission in October.
There is currently 1 open seat on the commission.
The Livonia Human Relations Commission continued its partnership with Madonna
University in helping present their 2014 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on
January 20th, and week of community service honoring Dr. King's legacy.
In honor of Black History Month the commission displayed "Diversity: Women of
Color in the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame', a traveling exhibit of the Michigan
Women's Historical Center and Hall of Fame in Lansing, in the lobby of City Hall
throughout February.
To mark Women's History Month in March, the commission also displayed the
Michigan Woman's Historical Center's "A Century of Women" exhibit on the
second floor of the Civic Center Library. The Executive Director of Michigan
Women's Historical Center and Hall of Fame Emily Fijol gave a lecture on several
of the Hall of Fame's inductees on March 31st in the Civic Center Library
Auditorium.
The commission purchased bars of soap for the organization TraffickFREE which
have emergency hofline information and will be placed at hotels to combat Human
Trafficking.
Several members of the commission were present at the 2014 Stale of the City
Address on March 3rd, and Livonia Community Prayer Breakfast on May 1st.
31
The Livonia Police Department presented the commission with a briefing at its
September 9th meeting.
The commission co-sponsored the Turquoise Tea and Dessert Party with
Heavenly Hope International, an organization which provides specialized care to
victims of Human Trafficking, and raises public awareness on the issue. The event
was held at Greenmead's Alexander Blue House on October 18th.
The commission is currently planning several events for 2015 and looks forward
to advancing tolerance and understanding in the upcoming year.
16M JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
NEW CASES FILED (Dec 2013 -Nov 2014)
:N:71lJL`IaU
1.
Felony (FY)
296
2.
Ordinance Misdemeanor (OM)
2520
3.
Statute Misdemeanor (SM)
157
Total Criminal
2973
TRAFFIC
4.
Felony Drunk Driving (FD)
37
5.
Felony Traffic (FT)
5
Total Felony Traffic
42
6.
Ordinance Drunk Driving (OD)
316
7.
Statute Drunk Driving (SD)
14
Total Drunk Driving
330
B.
Ordinance Traffic Misdemeanors (OT) 2246
9.
Statute Traffic Misdemeanors (ST)
201
Total Traffic Misd.
2447
10.
Statute Civil Infractions (SI)
2625
11.
Ordinance Civil Infractions (OI)
28636
Total Civil Infractions 31261
C
7,I6Yy 44 1111_1; I x01119
12. Criminal/Traffic Juries Selected 7
13. Criminal/Traffic Cases Perfected to Appeal 1
Total Miscellaneous 8
;t•1 RL rLl tl tlt4yPII01; I tl rLTN1101764.1 Ja1 N NIL V
14.
Ordinance Parking (OK)
1306
15.
Ordinance Non-Traffic(ON)
20
16.
Statute Parking (SK)
3
21.
Landlord Tenant (LT)
Total Parking 1329
17.
Statute Non -Traffic (SN)
22
23.
Foreclosure
Total Non -Traffic 22
A P1 I■ 11 17 61 101 1 1 11111-AT11,1111K
18.
General Civil (GC)
1484
19.
General Civil Miscellaneous (GZ)
6
20.
Small Claims (SC)
323
21.
Landlord Tenant (LT)
466
22.
Land Contract Summary Proceedings (SP)
14
23.
Foreclosure
66
Total Civil Division 2359
lJ6140111W_1 1=101111
24.
Civil Division Junes Selected
3
25.
Marriages
48
26.
Motions
999
27.
Discovery/Debtor Exams
105
28.
Garnishments
4079
29.
Orders to Seize/Orders of Eviction
259
Total Miscellaneous 5493
PROBATION
1.
Number or Placements on Probation
1919
2.
Presentence Investigaton Reports
1329
3.
Violation of Probation Warrants Issued
973
4.
Show Cause Summons issued
2700
5.
Probation Cases Closed
2429
6.
Number of Open Probation Cases
1473
7.
Total Number of Days Worked on the
B.
Voluntary Work Program (in lieu of jail)
7572
33
COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY FEES
Paid out $85,125.16 The court has collected 86%
Collected back $72,840.03 of the CA fees paid.
2012-2013 Projects/Updates
1. The 16th District Court continues to operate in a highly efficient manner with
99% clearance rales on all misdemeanors; 100% on all felonies and civil
infractions, and 104% for all general civil cases per the Stale Court
Administrative Office performance measures analysis published on July 15,
2014. These rates show that we are effectively meeting or exceeding most
of the Supreme Courts case processing guidelines.
2. Effective November 2014, the 16th District Court began additional
collections efforts by initialing Slate Income Tax Garnishments. Since the
start of this project, the court successfully garnished $52,631 within two
months of their submittal to the Department of Treasury and notices that
were sent to the defendants who are delinquent. We have issued
garnishments on 2,664 cases fora total owed in the amount of $722,740.80.
The court anticipates receiving tax intercept refunds from the defendants
who are delinquent of their fines and costs in the next fiscal year. The total
cost for the projects inclusive of labor, fling fees and postage fees for the
above gamishments is $15,320.00, an amount we have already been able
to recoup by defendants simply getting the tax garnishment notice and
appearing to paytheir outstanding fees.
3. The court continues to use innovative technologies to better assist in our
efficiency. As we began preparing files for tax garnishments, we obtained
an Accuranl account that allows the court to search and obtain necessary
information on defendants such as social security numbers and most recent
address, to name a few. This has proven beneficial as we have been able
to notify defendants with old outstanding cases at their current address as
well as being able to update their most recent address with LEIN- Law
enforcement Information Network on warrants that have been issued.
4. Another example of improvement in technology has been the continued use
of in -custody video arraignments of defendants both through the Wayne
County jail system and the Slate of Michigan prison system, saving time
and costs related to prisoner transport. Effective January 1, 2015, the
district court judges will also begin processing felony pleas that will be
accepted in the district court which will result in additional workload in the
district court level. The use of video technology will be relied upon even
more heavily.
5. The 16t District Court also began the use of the Public Access to Court
Electronic Records (PACER) service which allows registered agencies to
generate and look up bankruptcy status of those defendants who have open
or outstanding matters with this court. Once the bankruptcy is deemed
discharged, the court lifts that administrative stay and proceeds with
collection efforts when applicable.
f§'
6. This year, the 16' District Court began utilizing Language Line Solutions,
an over-the-phone foreign language interpreter service available in the
courtroom with no prior scheduling necessary. This service is particularly
useful for arraignments of non-English speaking in-custody prisoners; walk-
in arraignments, pre-hearings, and informal hearings. Interpreters are
made available over the phone via the audio system in the courtroom within
a matter of minutes saving on the cost for in-person interpreters which are
utilized for formal hearings, sentencing and more complex hearings. The
court is further seeking interpreter reimbursement at the conclusion of court
proceedings from those who are financially able to pay and the repayment
will not pose an unreasonable burden on the person's ability to have
meaningful access to the court.
7. Since 2006, the 16th District Court has developed specialty courts for both
Drug and Sobriety participants. The primary goal is to monitor and
rehabilitate high-risk offenders with substance abuse problems while
reducing crime and the cost of incarceration. Our court focused on targeting
substance abuse and addiction through intervention, treatment, and
offender accountability. Under strict supervision, eligible participants are
placed on intensive supervision for up to 24 months whereby they are
ordered to comply with their court-ordered requirements including
substance abuse counseling and testing, as well as life skill development.
This program has been funded by the State Court Administrative Office as
this court has been a recipient of the Michigan Drug Court Grant Program
(MDCGP), which helps fund the operational needs of the program. This
year, the 16th District Court extended the program to transfer cases from
other jurisdictions into our program for eligible participants who live in the
City of Livonia or the adjacent communities. We have also established
collaboration with other specially courts such as Mental Health and
Veterans Court for placement of eligible participants into their programs
from our jurisdiction. We are pleased to announce that per SCAO, our
recidivism rale for 2013 was 0% within 4 years of parficipanfs graduation
from our program.
8. The 16th District Court Work Program has continued to carry out various
projects throughout the city. There were 7,572 days of work program service
completed this year which amounts to 60,576 community service hours
supervised by the probation departments saving the taxpayers over
$272,592 in jail housing costs since most of the participants in the program
are serving these days in lieu of jail. Some of the projects done on an
ongoing basis provide much needed assistance in an environment of
shrinking public resouroes and include the following:
a. Plymouth Road Authority — Maintenance along Plymouth Road
from Inkster to Eckles Roads inclusive of edging sidewalks,
seasonal maintenance, such as weeding perennial beds, trimming
shrubs, snow removal, sweeping brick pavers and trash removal.
35
b. Annual Livonia Spree — Set-up, tear down and cleanup of the
grounds before and after completion of the event.
c. Food Commodities Distribution (TEFAP) program — Unloading
food commodities, for low-income families.
d. Community Greenmead Garden Program — Preparation, planting
and harvesting of produce, which is then donated to feed those in
need. Final cleanup atthe end of the harvest season.
e. Wilson Barn — Grounds maintenance of the barn; assistance with
the Annual Pumpkin Fest; and cleanup of other regular events.
f. City Parks — Maintenance of all city parks such as raking leaves,
Idler pickup, and painting benches.
g. Friends of the Library — Loading and unloading of books for the
regular Book Sales.
h. Livonia Housing Commission — Assistance with removal of
abandoned belongings at city -owned family properties.
i. Youth Commission — Assistance with moving inventory out of
storage for annual events, such as Backpack programs.
j. Churches — Assistance with seasonal grounds cleanup of
numerous churches.
k. Flower Basket Beautification Project — this year the court installed
lamp brackets along 160 light posts along Five Mile Road and
Farmington Road as the work program maintained and watered
the beautiful baskets with flowers. This project received positive
feedback from the City of Livonia residents.
I. Christmas Decorations Project — this year the court also used
wreaths and holiday decorations along Five Mile Road and
Farmington Road.
9. The ficket/case count has experienced a slight decline this year (less than
2%) with the more significant decline in the traffic and non -traffic
misdemeanors (9-10%); however, despite this decline in our caseload, the
revenue to the City of Livonia has maintained an increase of 3.6% due to
the added collections efforts and accountability.
10. Perhaps our most significant accomplishment over the years has been our
unwavering commitment to the efficient use of public resources. Over the
past year, the Judges and the staff of the 16t District Court have focused
on maintaining a high standard of public service by increasing productivity
through internal operational and procedural improvements. The staff al the
16th District Court has been active in cross training within the departments,
allowing for flexibility in allocating personnel wherever needed due to
unfilled positions, vacations, sick leave and other circumstances. Our
annual public satisfaction surveys that are analyzed by SCAO indicated that
90% of our users agreed that they were treated with courtesy and respect
by the court staff and 91 % of court users agreed that the judge/magistrate
treated everyone with courtesy and respect. The court continues to seek
ways in upholding the highest standards of public service and to increase
the public's understanding of the administration of justice. As a result, we
have trained volunteer greeters that are available daily to greet and direct
the public during the morning docket and answer their questions and
concerns.
11. In continued effort to provide access to our services, the court continues to
offer night time reporting for probationers Monday through Thursday with
the benefit of our Volunteer Probation Officers staff of 42 members. This
program has been in existence since 1967 and continues to play integral
part in the operations of the probation department.
The Department of Finance consists of Accounting, Management Information
Systems, Water and Sewer Usage Billing, and the Division of Budget and
Purchasing with a total staff of twenty-one people. The Director of Finance serves
as administrative assistant to the Mayor in financial matters and is underthe direct
supervision of the Mayor. The function of the Department of Finance includes:
• Supervision over the administration of the financial affairs of the City.
• Keeping of accounts and financial records of the City and all departments,
commissions and agencies of the City government.
• Maintenance of payroll records for all City employees.
• Preparation of checks for all financial obligations of the City.
• Billing and collection of over 160,000 water and sewer bills.
• Responsibility for all computerized reporting and budget analysis for City
Departments.
• Responsibility for evaluating and recommending computer hardware and
software systems City-wide.
• Preparation of the annual budget for the Mayor.
• Taking of bids for all major purchases made by the City.
Responding to City Council questions and providing additional reports and
information as requested by Council.
37
• The Finance Director serves on a three-person Personnel Review
Committee, which is responsible for review and evaluation of the hiring,
placement and replacement of all employees for the City.
• Performs Treasurer function for the Plymouth Road Development
Authority.
• Membership on the Community Development Block Grant Committee.
• Responsible for risk management of casualty and liability, workers
compensation and medical insurance for the City and is the Cilys
representative to the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority
(MMRMA).
Representation at over 50 meetings of the City Council.
Preparation of all debt issued by City.
• Responsible for investment of City funds in interest earning accounts in
accordance with Slate law.
• Management of City -owned properties leased to third parties.
BUDGET -PURCHASING
The Budget -Purchasing office is under the supervision and direction of the Director
of Finance, who also acts as Purchasing Agent for the City. The Budget -
Purchasing activity processed a total of 9,822 requisitions for the purchase of
goods and services for the City of Livonia. A total of 218 supply orders and printing
requests were also filled for City Departments.
ACCOUNTING
The volume of the Accounting Division activity is listed by comparative figures for
the past two years:
FISCAL YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30
2013
2014
General Fund & Other Fund Payables Checks
14,629
14,454
Payroll Items
31,440
30,764
Journal Entries
6,845
6,900
Retirement Checks (Payroll and Payables)
8,168
7,139
Accounts Receivable Invoices:
False Alarms
643
763
Rescue Runs
4,557
4,566
Other
947
1,062
Water Bills Mailed
160,072
161,423
Water Bills Paid by EFT
18,576
18,404
0
Temporarily idle General Fund cash was invested in Certificates of Deposit and
daily savings deposits, resulting in a total interest earned of $37,288 or 0.07% of
City General Fund Revenue.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
1. The Finance Department played a key role in meeting the stale requirements
under the Economic Vitality Incentive Payment (EVIP) program, enabling the
City to qualify for $800,000 in revenue sharing funds.
2. The Finance Department continued to work with City Council and the Mayor's
Office to maintain the City's excellent bond ratings, which currently are rated
AA3 at Moody's and AA at Standard and Poors. Because of these excellent
bond ratings, more people will invest in City of Livonia bonds, resulting in more
competitive bidding from brokerage houses. Savings will continue into the
future for the City due to these ratings.
3. The City of Livonia audit was completed and, once again, the City's auditors
found no significant audit adjustments.
4. The Finance Department participated in several cooperative bids with
surrounding communities that resulted in more competitive bids and reduced
costs to the City.
The Information Systems Department is responsible for the computer hardware
and software used by the City. The IS Department assists other City Departments
in evaluating, selecting and implementing computer systems. It also sets the
standards for City computer systems. The Information Systems Director is
appointed by the Mayor and reports directly to the Finance Director. The staff of
the Information Systems Department consists of five (5) employees. The staff is
made up by the Director, 1 System Analyst II, 2 Computer Administrator II, and
one part-time Computer Administrator I (vacant from June 2014). The Information
Systems Department has four primary areas of responsibility. These are
Computer and Network Support, Application Software Support, and End User
Support, Website and Internet, and Geographic Information Systems.
This year the state Mi-GMIS organization did recognize our Information Systems
Director Dan Putman with their 2014 IT Professional Award.
19
:K.]T,,I 0l14:U7 I.7, I =111 PPC.] r1:b3U J;NA
The IS Department maintains the following hardware:
FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014
Windows 2003/2008/2012 Servers 29 31 27
Physical Servers 14 12 9
Virtual Servers 19 21 18
Personal Computers 333 345 326
We also support 46 network switches, 7 firewalls and 3 network routers.
We upgraded the firewall at LCRC to a larger model to provide better throughput.
The old LCRC firewall was re -tasked to protectthe computers atthe Senior Center
Lab and the Tax Preparation Volunteers.
We implemented our new Dell KACE Management System. These appliances
allows us to accurately inventory all of our computers and software, distribute
software, distribute software patches, and track IT service requests. It was
instrumental in our distribution of Office 2013 Professional Plus to all of our
computers and in the migration from Windows XP to Windows 7. The KACE
system also allows us the ability to build a custom image so we can quickly load
(or re -load) computers when needed.
We completed our acquisition on a three-year Microsoft Enterprise Agreement for
Microsoft Office. This allows us to install and upgrade Microsoft Office on our
computers. Priorto this agreement, the IS Departmenlwas supporting six different
version of Microsoft Office.
We completed our migration of Windows XP to Windows 7 on our desktop/laptop
computers on time. Microsoft had announced that Windows XP will not be
supported after April 2014 which would have caused major security concerns. The
City network has no Windows XP computers left.
We upgraded the City main firewall and added configuration to support the fixed
water meter read system. We worked with the vendor to test the system. It is all
ready to go and just waiting to be implemented.
Configured the network to allow the new security cameras in Nehasil Park to
broadcast to the Police Department.
Upgraded the controller and software along with adding 2 new access points for
our Aruba Wireless network.
We modernized our server backup technology. We had been backing up our
servers using tape backups and having them taken off site once per week. We
have now gone to doing our backups using a disk appliance on an hourly basis
lie
and then replicating that to a different building on the City campus. We previously
keep one month's worth of backups, we are now retaining 90 days of backups. We
do reduce the number of backups retained as the time moves through the cycle,
going from hourly to daily, from daily to weekly. This has greatly reduced the
amount of time that we need for backups and allows us to restore much faster.
We retired our two oldest Dell Equal Logic SAN's due to their being at end of life.
We were able to replace them with one new Dell EqualLogic SAN with increased
capacity for basically the cost of the maintenance plan on the two old units.
We virtualized 1 addi0onal server this year. That server is our GIS Server. At the
same time we did upgrade the operating system, the version Microsoft SOL
database, and the GIS software.
The IS Department provided support on work order requests:
FYI 2012 FYI 2013 FYI 2014
Opened 1,230 1,496 1,876
Closed 1,232 1,479 1,889
APPLICATION SOFTWARE SUPPORT
BS&A Systems
• We upgraded to the BS&A .net applications for the Clerk's Office animal
licensing and business licensing systems.
Routematch
• We updated the Roulemalch Transit system to the new cloud Software as
a Service (SaaS) version. This allows for easier upgrades in the future, a
new web portal that customers can use for scheduling rides, tablet
computers in the vehicles to track progress and send updated routes, and
a voice recognition notification system.
Autocad
• We updated Autocad for the Engineering Department to AutoCAD 2015.
WEBSITE AND INTERNET
The Information Systems Department also manages the City Website
(http://www.ci.livonia.mi.us), which continues to find new uses and grow in usage.
We updated the City website (www.ci.livonia.mi.us) with the following items:
• Modified the website to a Responsive Design. This makes the website
friendlier to people on Smart Phones and Tablets. Approximately 40% of
our website traffic comes from mobile devices now.
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• Worked with the Greenleaf Sustainability Commission to develop a new
section on the website with educational materials for the public to use.
• Worked with the Youth Employment Office to develop a portion of the
website to list youth employment opportunities. Previously this information
was only available in a 3-nng binder in their office.
• Added a view of the City Facebook page to the City Website Splash page.
• We expanded our use of the City Facebook page to communicate with the
public. We are now using it to even publish daily updates of bulk leaf pickup
schedules. The page now has 1,851 likes.
• Worked with the Parks and Recreation Department to do a number of
upgrades to their porton of the site to make it more attractive and improve
their marketing efforts.
• Removed all content from the City website for the Police Department and
their refirees. They have now created their own website at
www.livoniapd.com.
We did a major upgrade on our intranet site (Inside Livonia). We were running the
old site under WSS 3.0 and Microsoft was dropping support. We made the
migration to SharePoinl Foundations 2013. The upgrade did modernize the look
of the site and improved the searohing capabilities.
Website statistics include:
FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014
Number of Page Views 2,370,087 2,183031 2,304,238
The Department also provides e-mail and Internet access to City Employees.
FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014
Number of E-mail accounts 243 240 240
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
The Information Systems Department also manages, operates and maintains a
Geographic Information System (GIS) to help manage its maps and spatially
referenced data.
2014 GIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Major GIS Upgrade — ESRI released version 10.2 of their software suite this past
year, including the client software (Aro GIS for Desktop), the database (Arc SDE,
or Spatial Data Engine), and online map server software (Aro Serverfor GIS). We
are currently running version 10.1 of Aro GIS for Desktop and Arc SDE to maintain
compatibility with our Cadegraph software. Arc GIS for Server is version 10.2.
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Online Map Services —The Arc Server 10.2 upgrade required modifications to all
of our online mapping services, both internal and external. Our internal mapping
service, Livonia Viewer, required a few changes, but it now is capable of
generating mailing labels in a single pass for residential, condominium, and multi-
tenant commercial property. All of our external map services have been upgraded
to operate using version 10.2 of Arc GIS for Server and the newly upgraded
database.
Database Maintenance - We have continued our weekly maintenance schedule
with the GIS during 2014. Our GIS database is under SDE confgurafion control.
Editing of our various data layers is done by GIS users within the City. The
established procedure calls for all editing to be done to a "personal' version of the
GIS database. These edits are then pushed up to a DRAFT version of the
database where they are inspected and verified. Once the DRAFT version has
been verified edits are then pushed up to the DEFAULT version of the database
for general use. This procedure has worked very well and insures that the GIS is
continuously updated in a systemafic fashion. New update procedures are now in
place due to the upgrade of the software. With the old version database
management was accomplished using a command line prompt. The new version
of the software now utilizes an ESRI "management tool," which is much more
flexible and easier to use.
New Data Lavers for 2014 — A new and improved fire hydrant layer was brought
under SDE configuration during the past year. Hydrant locations were identified
via GPS and the updated data layer served as the geographic base for an update
for the entire data layer. In addition to the new hydrant layer a few other changes
were made: (1) a number of small, private day care centers were added to the
schools layer, (2) a Cell phone tower data layer was added, and (3) a Liquor
License "view" file was added to the database. Some of the polling locations were
temporarily changed early in 2014 due to school construction projects. The
temporary locations had to be changed back prior to the November election. A
number of temporary data layers were created during the past year to support the
I-96 fix project, including the locations of all of the badges and overpasses along
the I-96 corridor, the construction zone along the highway, and a database
containing all of the detailed information concerning lane and bridge closures.
Mapping Support - During 2014 the GIS has continued to supported mapping
activities for numerous City departments, including the Assessing department
(generated 144 tax assessing land value maps plus various other maps),
measured the parcel "frontage" for all commercial parcels in the City, generated
numerous maps for the Housing Department depicting City-owned homes along
with Silver Village, Mac Towers, and Newburgh Village, Parks and Recreation,
Police, and Fire Department. New maps were produced for the dispatch room,
and the Fire Department has asked for 2 mile x 2mile maps of the surrounding
communities. The GIS was used to produce a set of buffers around various
mapped features for the Law Department (Churches, Parks, and Schools). In
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addition, we contnually maintain our set of quarter section lax maps (144), address
maps (144), zoning maps (144), land use maps (144) and various City maps (city
street maps, subdivisions, voter precincts, etc.). During most of 2014 the GIS
churned out weekly updates of the Livonia portion of the 1-96 rebuilding project
LIVONIA FIRE & RESCUE
During the fiscal year 2014, Livonia Fire & Rescue responded to 9,530 incidents,
with 87% involving emergency medical services, and fire -related responses
accounting for 13%. The following statistical breakdowns reflect the departmental
activity for the current fiscal year (11/1/1311/1/14).
Incidents
Emergency Medical 8139
Fire 241
Fire (other) 1150
Total 9530
For the Fire Incidents (other) category, carbon monoxide alarms accounted for 106
of the responses, 519 were false fire alarm calls and 310 were downed -wire
incidents.
In comparison to last year, Emergency Medical runs are up 2% and Fire Runs are
down 2%, while Fire other was up 13%. Overall runs are up 3%.
FIRE PREVENTION
Throughout the year, in addition to the related activities listed below, this Division
is responsible for updating technical knowledge, maintaining electronic and paper
records, maintaining job efficiency and state certification for the department's Fire
Inspectors. This is accomplished by attending numerous seminars, job-related
schools and other continuing education programs. These schools would include,
but are not limited to, SchoolcraR College, the National Fire Academy, Michigan
Slate Police Arson School, Michigan Fire Inspectors Conferences, Metro Detroit
Fire Inspectors Society and the various International Association of Arson
Investigators (I.A.A.I.) schools and seminars.
Inspections
Although not all-encompassing, the following categories reflect the majority of
inspections conducted by the Fire Prevention Division:
Advice 47 History File 97
Alarm 23 Life Safely 44
Carnival/Spree 8 Liquor License 15
City License 29 Re -Inspections 531
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Complaints
22
(Alarms-30,Cns1-270, Other -144,
29
Construction
412
Suppression -87)
159
Construction
412
Re -Occupancy
87
False Alarms
37
Site Plan/Preliminary Plan
29
Fire Inspection
17
System Report Deficiency
128
Fireworks
13
Temporary Structures
9
Plan Reviews
Total 1548
Alarm
63
Site Plan
29
Construction
412
Fire Suppression
159
Total 663
The above plan review totals reflect the number of projects received/assigned in
the Fire Prevention Office and do not include the actual number of inspections
made. Multiple site visits are required when inspecting various fire alarm,
suppression or structural systems to ensure compliance with the adopted codes
and standards installation practices. A conservative estimate of site visits needed
to complete a project would be four inspections. More complex jobs would require
additional inspections, in some instances 10-20 site visits. Several large projects
were completed or are near completion at this time. Completed projects include
Culvers, Outback Steakhouse, Goodwill, Applebee's, Del Taco, Rally House,
Dick's, Joann Fabric's, Consumers Energy -Alternative Fuel Station, Tennyson
Chevrolet, Tim Horlon's, NYX and Schoolcreft College. In progress projects
include Mendelson-Kornblum, Consumers Energy Office, Quality Metal Craft, Ford
Transmission, ERG Environmental, Planet Fitness, Bill Brown Ford, Marycrest
Manor, Community Choice CU, McKesson Drugs, St Marys Hospital, Bigalora
Commissary and Felician Sisters.
The Fire Marshal and Fire Inspectors regularly go to the fire stations and review
false alarms with the station officers. This allows the Fire Prevention Division to
address those occupancies that are having multiple false alarms. Dialogue with
the suppression personnel gives the inspection division a second avenue for
finding and comecting building deficiencies.
This division also provides fire investigations for determination of origin and cause.
Whenever a quesfion arises from a fire officer that a fire may not have started
accidentally, we are requested to respond. Also, any large loss or fatal fres are
also examined and documented. The Fire Prevention Office responded to
approximately 15 fres in 2014. Nearly 10% of these fres required extensive
documentation and follow-up varying from simple photography to exhaustive
research and interviews.
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MAINTENANCE DIVISION
The Livonia Fire & Rescue Maintenance Division is comprised of one Fire
Apparatus Supervisor and one Fire Equipment Mechanic who are responsible for
specification writing, ordering, care, maintenance and repair of all mechanized and
related fire, rescue and paramedic equipment. The division provides firefighters,
Livonia citizens and visitors to Livonia with safe and reliable ambulance, rescue
and fire -fighting vehicles and related equipment.
This year the responsibilities of the Maintenance Division included the following:
• Completed 457 work order requests.
• Inspected pumpers, rescue vehicles, aerial tower, administrative cars, lawn
equipment, USAR trailer, W WC Hazmal trailer, Hazmat trucks as well as all
equipment on each vehicle on a semiannual and annual basis.
• Annual Pump Tests on all Fire Pumps.
• Worked with neighboring cities to come up with universal spec for
replacement Squads, in an attempt to keep costs down.
• Wrote spec and blueprint for replacement of SO 3 along with inspection
trips. Finalize SQ4 spec for 2015 budget.
• Wrote spec and started blueprint drawings for 2 replacement pumpers.
Went on post paint and final inspection along with finalizing Eng 3 spec for
2015 budget.
• In coordination with the Training Division, instructed Firefighter and
E.M.T.D.'s on the operational requirements of vehicles and also aided in
training exercises when necessary.
• Responded to major fres to assist the department in set-up of equipment,
filling of SCBA bottles, repair and refueling of vehicles.
• Provided assistance, as needed, to neighboring fire departments and
members of Western Wayne Mutual Aid Association.
• Provided assistance to the following Project Managers:
• SCBA Officer— ordering parts, repairing SCBA air packs, as well as
placing new air packs in service and removing obsolete air packs out
of service.
• Hose Officer — specification writing, ordering and mounting of
nozzles, adapters, and hose.
• Building Maintenance Officer— repair of vehicle electrical and air line
drops.
• Received new Heavy Rescue from Pierce, worked with Apparatus
Team mounting Equipment, Radios, and relocating bottle refill
station at rear of vehicle to make ready to be placed in service.
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• EMT Officer—installation of ALS equipment.
• Communications Officer — mounting hand held prep radio vehicle
chargers and installation of new radio and complete computer
systems for ALS and relocation of some radios in pumpers, and
repair of same.
• Apparatus Officer — ordering and mounting of new equipment/hand
tools and mounts.
Public Relations Committee — equipment.
This Division provides maintenance on all of the following items:
Vehicles:
1 —2012 Pierce Arrow XT Heavy Rescue
1 —2006 Freightliner/Medic Master Fire Investigation Unit
1 —1996 GMC 3/4 -Ton Pick -Up
1 —1997 Navistar/Horton Swat Alpha Unit
1 — 20051nternational/MarqueWater Rescue/Technical Unit
1 —1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
2 —2000 Freightliner/Medic Master Reserve Alpha Units
1 —2008 Ford Taurus
1 —2012 Freightliner/Alpha Unit
1 —2007 Freightliner/Medic Master Alpha Unit
2 — 2009 Freightliner/Medtec Alpha Units
1 —2011 Freightliner/Medtec Alpha Unit
1 —1993 E -One Pumper 1250 GPM
2 —2008 Chevrolet Impalas
1 —2002 American La France 2000GPM 75FT. SQURT Aerial
1 —2006 American La France 2000GPM 100FT. Mid -Mount Aerial Platform
3-2003 American La France Eagle 1250 GPM Pumper
1 —2009 American La France Eagle 1250 GPM Pumper
1 —2003 Ford 450 Maintenance Truck
1 —2003 Mercury Marine Inflatable Rescue Boat, Motor and Trailer
1 —2010 Chevy Tahoe
2 —2005 Chevy Impalas
1 —2004 Ford Crown Vic Sedans
1 —2006 Ford Crown Vic Sedans
1 —2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer
1 —2007 Chevrolet 2500 Pick-up
1 —2009 GMC 2500 Yukon XL
1 —2003 Club Car Ambulance and Hauling LS Enclosed Trailer
1 —2006 Haulmark Trailer (C.B.R.N.E.)
1 —2006 Spartan Spencer RRTN HAZMAT Truck
1 —28fl USAR Trailer
1 —2007 Fire Safety Unit
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Equipment on Vehicles:
Thousands of feet of fire hose
Fire hose nozzles
Axes and adapters
Foam equipment, hand and vehicle mounted
Deluge equipment
110 V electrical lighting
Tools (hand and firefighting)
9 - Auxiliary generators
48 - ISI Viking Air Pack
250- Air Bolles
94 - ISI Viking Masks
Bauer Air Compressor Cascade System
1 - 6000psi 4 Air Bottle Cascade System
1 - K-950 Saw
2 - K-12 Saw
7 - Chain saws
2 - Amkus Power Tools
2 -TNT Power Tools
7 - Life Jack PPV fans
Mounting of Medical equipment on Alpha Vehicles
Various hazardous material and confined space rescue equipment.
4 - Walk behind mowers
Lawn blowers, weed whips, edgers
2 - Self-propelled snow blower
Garage Equipment:
1 - Hose test Pump
2 - In -ground garage hoist hydro -testing
1 - Garage tool replacements
1 - Pumper pump test tool as needed to comply with NFPA 1911.
TRAINING DIVISION
The focus of the training office for fiscal year 2014 was to continue to assure
compliance for the ongoing education (CEU) requirements for both EMT and
Paramedic within the department. The number of overall CEO's for Paramedics is
higher than that of an EMT and thus requires a more diligent training program in
order to ensure that the department's personnel are always compliant with
licensing requirements. Stale of Michigan standards require the obtaining of both
lecture and practical credits. Livonia Fire & Rescue is a Continuing Education
Program Sponsor, which allows us more flexibility in the scheduling and delivery
of classes for EMS education. The training office continues to improve its record
management system related to training activities, which in turn ensures
compliance with OSHA, ISO, and nationally accepted standards on training and
documentation. The training division continues to provide training commensurate
with the mission of our department. Although EMS training takes up large amounts
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of resources and time, this office still facilitates training in fire suppression,
specialized rescue, hazardous materials, utility emergencies and risk reduction.
Fire Officer training commensurate with the CBA continues to be a high priority
and is currently up to date. In addition, the Department has finished training Fire
Officers and Fire Engineers in "Blue Card Incident Command", and has begun
training Fire Drivers in "Blue Card." This training tool will enhance the knowledge
base as well as improve the practical application ability of the Department's Fire
Officers as well as future Officers. In addition, all Fire Officers have been trained
to the NIMS 300/400 level bringing the department well ahead of schedule in
incident command training per NFPA.
The safely of our Firefighters remains the paramount focus of training activities
and, as such, the Department has certified all of its members in the Fire Ground
Survival Program endorsed by the IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters).
Continued from the previous year, more Fire Ground Survival tactics were trained
on to increase individual competencies.
This office continues to look at ways to improve our overall service and maintain
the highest level of pre -hospital care to the cifizens of Livonia. The Department's
EMS Quality Assurance (QA) program continues to strive to comply with stringent
county and state requirements regarding QI/QA. The training office continues to
administrate and facilitate the Medical Priority Dispatch system that is used in
dispatching EMS calls city-wide. The system has proven to be extremely effective
in risk reduction for responders, as well as the public, by assigning a priority to the
medical call. Because of the increasing EMS run call volume each year, the MPD
system allows the prioritizing of all EMS related calls to ensure that the most life
threatening emergencies receive assistance above those of a lesser degree. This
office was also responsible for tracking and fulfilling the MPD Quality Assurance
requirements as outlined in county Medical Control protocols. Since the MPD
program came on line in May 2001, the training office meets and discusses QI
related issues quarterly, as to ensure compliance within county and state
guidelines.
We provide EMS training to Schoolcreft College EMT students, who participate in
ride-alongs with our paramedics. This program is currently in its fifth year.
We have had residents from Sl. Mary Mercy hospital ride along with our crews as
part of their medical educational requirements. Many of the residents have also
put on EMS Continuing Education classes for our members.
In the spring, we spent significant time training on vehicle extrication techniques.
With ever-changing automotive technologies and large volumes of vehicle traffic
the city, it is imperative to be proficient with these skills. In addition to the
throughout implementation of a new Heavy Rescue extrication vehicle, we
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dedicated six weeks of hands-on practical training to improving our extrication
skills.
PUBLIC EDUCATION
The 2014 fiscal year was an exciting year for our Public Education division. The
division is tasked with educating our citizens on all fire and life safety topics at
different places and times that will have the highest impact.
Each year, Livonia Fire & Rescue responds to numerous requests from the public
for Fire Safety Education programs. These requests are forwarded to either the
on -duly Battalion Chief or to the Fire Safety Education Committee, based on the
needs of the requesting person or group. If the caller is requesting to visit a fire
station or have a fire apparatus visit them as part of the educational effort, the on -
duty Battalion Chief handles the request. If the group requests an individual to
speak at a pre -arranged time and location that does not require firefighting
apparatus, the Fire Safety Education Committee is contacted. Currently, most
requests are handled by on -duty crews at the fire stations, while remaining in-
service to respond to emergency calls in our area.
In October 2014, Livonia Fire & Rescue held its annual "Fire Prevention Week
Open House" The Open House has proven to be a highly anticipated event by
our community reaching a crowd estimated at 2,000. While in attendance, visitors
receive information on fire and life safety and are given an opportunity to practice
life safety skills. There was an area where kids can practice their fire safety
behaviors as well.
Livonia firefighters participated in a May event held at the Civic Center Area called
"Passport to Safely." This project was a huge success — crowds were estimated
in the thousands. After being involved in the eight-year annual event, more effort
is being directed into this area. The large number of children that attend the
outdoor event is encouraging.
The newsletter "Couplings" came out twice this year, and we have been involved
in this form of communication/education for five years in a row. The newsletter is
an 8 -page newsletter designed for adult fire and life safety. Il appears in electronic
formal on the city website.
Weekly informational articles were prepared and published in the Livonia Observer
Newspaper, to further reach out to our adult audiences with messages of fire and
life safety. This year, a weekly safety article appeared in the Observer written by
Livonia Firefighters.
We were also able to distribute our fire and life safety messages to the citizens of
Livonia through:
Me
Livonia Public Schools
Livonia Television
Livonia Observer
City of Livonia website
The Livonia Housing Commission submits the following information on its
activities and accomplishments for Silver Village, Newburgh Village, Community
Development Block Grant Program, McNamara Towers and Housing Choice
Voucher Rent Subsidy Program.
SILVER VILLAGE — 33780 LYNDON
Relative to Silver Village, the Livonia Housing Commission experienced a good
year with occupancy at 100% at all times. The waiting list consists of 83 Livonia
residents and 22 "Relatives of Livonia residents."
Activities and Accomplishments
1. Silver Village had a turnover of 12 units in 2014.
2. All apartments were inspected for safely and maintenance purposes.
3. New furnaces, hot water tanks and thermostats were installed in all 108
apartments.
4. Drainage renovations were established along sidewalks to allow overflow
water to drain away from apartments after heavy mins or ice melting
5. With compensation received from DuPont Company, Silver Village planted 27
new trees as replacement for trees that were destroyed by the use of the
chemical Imprelis.
6. Residents have committed to regular recycling of bottles and cans,
newspapers and junk mail. Weekly collections of papers are taken to local
schools for recycling. Returns of bottles support resident activities. Further
efforts will be taken to reduce and recycle on the Silver Village campus.
NEWBURGH VILLAGE HOUSING COMMUNITY
Newburgh Village occupancy was at 100% at all times. The waiting list consists
of 44 Livonia residents and 63 relatives of Livonia residents.
Activities and Accomplishments
1. Newburgh Village had a turnover from December 2013 through November
2014 of 24 units.
2. The safety fence surrounding the Community Building Generatorwas replaced.
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3. A replacement maintenance truck was purchased.
4. The new resident social club was very active with a community"Helping Hands"
group, a Walking group, a Dinner group and Gardening group. All were put
together this year and had a lot of participation.
5. All 120 apartments have been inspected for safety and maintenance purposes.
Community Development Report - 2013-2014
The Community Development Office administered the following programs during
the 2013-2014 fiscal year, which began on 7/1/13 and ended 6/30/14. Total
expenditures through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
for the year were $436,506. The table provides a summary of the
accomplishments produced by the Block Grant Program:
Activity
Accomplishmm5
Major Home Rehabilitation Loan Pro ram
8
Households Served
Emergency Home Rehabilitation Loan
3
Households Served
Program
Minor Home Repair Program
18
Households Served
Scattered -Site Rental Homes (Managed &
17
Households Served
Maintained)
Emergency Utility Shut -Off Assistance
7
Households Served
Senior Van Transportation (100,064 one-
569
Persons Served
way rides were provided for seniors)
Mental Health Counseling Program (53
9
Persons Served
sessions wereprovided)
First Step
145
Persons Served
TOTALSERVED
776
Households/Persons
During the 2013-2014 program year the City of Livonia Housing Commission's
priority goals were: to provide rehabilitation assistance to income -eligible
homeowners; to preserve and improve the existing housing stock; to reduce the
cost burden experienced by renter households by providing affordable rental
opportunities in safe and sanitary housing; to focus on supportive service
programming for low and moderate income households and to affirmatively further
fair housing objectives.
Expenditure Highlights:
• $208,448 expensed for rehabilitation assistance to income -eligible
homeowners. This included expenses connected with the major,
emergency and minor home repair programs. Funding was provided
through the CDBG and HOME grants plus program income received from
return of previous loans and rent.
• $63,510 expensed from CDBG funds and rental income for the
management and maintenance of scattered site city rental properties.
Through our partnership with the Livonia Public Schools Building Trades
Program, we provided rehabilitation to one of our city -owned rental homes.
Under the supervision of our Rehab Specialist and the UPS program
instructor, the students learned basic skills of the construction trades
through hands-on participation with projects such as roofing, siding, and the
installation of drywall, hardwood flooring, ceramic tiles, interior doors,
moldings and painting. The Livonia Housing Commission is proud to provide
field experience projects which place the students in real-world construction
settings allowing them the opportunity to see the realities of day -today life
in the building trades. This home is now rented by a family of five!
$51,809 expensed for Public Services, which includes Senior Van
Transportation, Mental Health Counseling, Emergency Utility Assistance
and First Step (domestic violence prevention).
$6,000 expensed for Fair Housing of Metropolitan Detroit (FHMD) provided fair
housing counseling, complaint reception, investigation and resolution services to
citizens or potential citizens of Livonia. FHMD also provided training and
resource development during the program year.
MCNAMARA TOWERS #1 & #2 -19300 PURLINGBROOK & SCATTERED SITE
HOMES
Activities and Accomplishments
1. McNamara Towers #1 & #2 & Scattered Site Homes had a turnover of 27 units
from 1/1/13 to 11/30/13.
2. New ceramic Tile was installed in community room of McNamara Towers #1.
3. New kitchen cabinets were installed in community room of McNamara Towers
#1.
4. Newwashers and dryers were installed in laundry rooms of McNamara Towers
1&2.
5. New VCT was installed in laundry rooms of McNamara Towers 1 & 2.
6. Laundry rooms in McNamara Towers 1 & 2 were painted.
7. New gazebo/picnic shelter was installed behind McNamara Towers #1.
8. Concrete walkway was installed at the South side of McNamara Towers #1
leading up to the newly installed gazebo/picnic shelter.
9. New vinyl fencing was installed around the dumpster of McNamara Towers #2
and around the generators of McNamara Towers #1 & #2.
10. Installed new kitchen sinks in 17 apartments.
11. Began recycling program for cardboard, paper, plastic and glass.
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Housing Choice Voucher Rent Subsidy Program
The Livonia Housing Commission administers a Housing Choice Voucher
Program consisting of 909 low income family/elderly clients.
1. The fiscal year 2014 HUD Section 8 Management Assessment scored the
Commission as a High Performer. An independent audit was conducted
on the Voucher program and no findings were idenfified.
2. The Livonia Housing Commission opened the wailing list on Monday June
9, 2014 and closed it on Friday June 13, 2014. The on-line application
process generated 15,697 applications. The Commission randomly
selected 2,000 applications and placed them on the new 2014 Voucher
wailing list.
3. The Housing Commission has expended all HUD allocated funds for
housing assistance payments totaling $5.5 million dollars.
INSPECTION DEPARTMENT is responsible for all construction operations on
private property. Included in its jurisdiction is building inspection, plan review,
sanitation and ordinance enforcement. Areas of involvement include Zoning Board
of Appeals, Building Code Board of Appeals, Community Development Block
Grant Program (CDBG), Cost Recovery Appeal Hearings, and various civic
groups. In addition, we are involved with Greenmead with regard to construction
projects and/or repairs. This department handles coordination with State
government agencies involving building construction. Moreover, in certain
instances, we interact with other municipalities, serving as a Hearing Officer or
sitting on employee interview panels. We have also provided limited fill-in services
for the City of Plymouth. Plan Review for new buildings, alterations and additions,
pools, demolitions, zoning compliance and signs is an integral part of the
department's function, as well as the issuance of permits, sanitation and enforcing
the City's Code of Ordinances designated as Inspection's responsibility.
Inspections were made and pernits issued for the rehabilitation of homes for the
CDBG. Additionally the Inspection Department reviews lot splits for the
Department of Assessment and reviews site plans and waiver use petitions for the
Planning Department and provides support to all other departments as needed.
Furthermore, we provided clerical services and administrative support in regard to
the Zoning Board of Appeals. Although the Board is under Council jurisdiction, we
are tasked with the clerical functions and subsequent administrative support in
addition to the intake work we are doing. We also work with the Economic
Development Director/Planning Director and others in promoting existing sites in
Livonia. Moreover, the Inspection Department provides training for other
y
municipalities upon request. This year we hosted City of Romulus officials in
regard to Inspections operations and policy.
BUILDING INSPECTION issued approximately 6,995 perils in 2013-14 for
buildings, signs and mechanical installations, including new construction,
additions, renovations and alterations. Fourteen perils were issued for new
single-family residential homes and 29 single-family condominium units were
constructed or are currently under construction. In other activity, 14 permits were
issued for new commercialfinduslrial buildings. No permits for apartment buildings
were issued this year. Mechanical permits (plumbing, electrical, healing and
refrigeration) numbered approximately 4,152 for the year. Residential
additions/alterations, garages, decks/patios, fire repairs, pools, signs, zoning
compliance, commercial/industrial additions, and demolitions comprised the
remainder of permits issued. Thirty-five demolition permits were issued during the
year, 7 of which were residential structures. Permits for Christmas tree sales lots,
pennant and banner displays, awnings, and various special inspections were
issued as required. Certificates of Occupancy are issued for all new residences
and commercial and industrial buildings upon completion. We also researched
and responded to 31 request for zoning compliance letters. Zoning compliance
permits are issued for subsequent re -occupancy of non-residential properties and
occupancy certificates are issued for all residential properties involved in the
vacant and/or abandoned building program after completion of all requirements.
Slate building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical and sign contractor licenses are
registered in this office. Additionally, official records are retained on fence
contractors, excavators and demolition contractors.
The systematic annual inspection of existing commercial buildings for compliance
with the Livonia Property Maintenance Code (based upon the International
Property Maintenance Code 2012) continued through 2013-2014. In connection
with this program, 20 inspections were made, violations issued when necessary
and compliance obtained. This program is designed to maintain health and safety
standards in the city. In mid -2011 due to staff reductions we ceased inspecting on
a biennial basis existing industrial factory buildings after we were able to complete
one cycle. We still inspect said buildings for zoning compliance and when permits
are issued. If personnel become available industrial biennials may be resumed.
Additionally the number of annual inspections completed was impacted due to
staffing issues and other priorities.
In addition to the annual inspection program, the Inspection Department performs
all functions mandated by city ordinance that requires all private (one and two
family) and multiple family rental dwelling units are licensed and inspected on an
annual basis. This year the Department inspected the following rental units:
A. 1,832 units, consisting of one- and two-family dwellings and group homes
55
B. 27 apartments/complexes consisting of 2,145 units. The inspection covers
all dwelling units, common areas and exterior structures and grounds.
In mid-January 2010 the Department began enforcement of the Vacant and
Abandoned Building Ordinance #2844 (VAABO) that look effect October 29, 2009
and was instituted in January 2010. The program is designed to provide for
maintenance and inspection of problem properties, residential and non-residential,
but pertains to any vacant or abandoned structures. Moreover, during the
enforcement of the program additional permits and inspections are needed due to
the work required. Following is a breakdown of the activities generated by this
program:
Total Permits Total
Fees
Registration Fee— Residential 211 $7,385
Registration Fee — Non -Residential 33 $1,155
Monthly Maintenance Fee — Residential 3,202 $144,858
Monthly Maintenance Fee — Non -Residential 588 $27,707
Inspection Fee — Residential 844 $92,765
Inspection Fee — Non -Residential 116 $24,834
Permit Fee — Residential/Zoning 449 $36,454
Permit Fee — Non -Residential 40 $6.360
Total 5483 $341,518
Additionally, 204 formal complaints were received and responded to throughout
the year as they related to property, zoning and ordinance code violations.
Numerous requests for information from many various sources (Council,
Commissions, Citizens, Contractors, other municipalities, other Departments and
Guests) are routinely handled every day and on an annual basis would exceed
30,000 individual communications. There were approximately 852 rental
inspection violations, 33 annual/biennial inspection violations and 58 VAABO
program violations that were issued for various code infractions during 2013-14.
(Violations and/or formal complaints are legal notices issued as a start of
prosecution and are different from the everyday correction notices that we utilize;
correction notices issued are numerous and would exceed 20,000.)
This office also provides the enforcement of special conditions of approval by the
Zoning Board of Appeals, Building Code Board of Appeals, Planning Commission
and City Council relative to site plans, variances, waiver uses and grants.
The Inspection Department continually reviews ourcurentfee structures. We also
worked with the Planning Department and the Law Department to update and/or
change sections of Zoning Ordinance 543. We are routinely involved in such
endeavors over the course of the year. Furthermore, we were involved with
administering and maintaining contracts for the City Weed Mowing Program. This
year we had to formulate a bid package and seek a new grass/weed maintenance
Me
contractor. Interviews were conducted and bids were received and evaluated. A
new contractor was chosen and Council is in the process of approving this
contract. We previously raised administration fees in an effort to cover our cost
and decrease the number of people who utilize the City as their lawn service. The
administration fees alone this year were $53,708.13. We also are continuing to
upgrade our computer system and hardware and engaging in the training involved.
The computer, system upgrades and training will carryover into the next fiscal year.
The valuation of new building activities for 2013-14 is $91,539,658. The revenue
collected from all building and inspection activities was approximately $2,628,938.
SANITATION AND ORDINANCE ENFORCEMENT has responsibility for
compliance with the City Zoning Ordinance #543 and the Code of Ordinances
#1688 as they pertain to the majority of all nuisance and non -criminal violations.
These responsibilities include those things that affect the health, safety, welfare,
and quality of life of the residents, business owners and their employees and
guests (visitors) of the City, such as pollution, hazardous waste, trash and debris,
vacant buildings, weed culling (which includes direct supervision of the city weed
contractor), basic property maintenance and supervision of the collection of
municipal refuse. We have now been tasked, in conjunction with Police, with
enforcement of parking bans during snow emergencies. We are in the process of
equipment and safety equipment upgrades and training to enable us to accomplish
this. The enforcement of special conditions of approval made by the Zoning Board
of Appeals, City Council and the Planning Commission relative to site plans,
variances and waiver uses may also be delegated to Ordinance Enforcement as
needed.
STATISTICS
2013-14
Total General Inspections Made 19,264
Building Maintenance and Repair
361
Packing Lot Repairs
22
Animals/Rats
291
Trash and Debris
1279
Junk Vehicles
389
Noxious Weeds'
2729
Noise/Air/Odor
41
Nuisances
203
Illegal Signs on Commercial Property
129
Illegal Signs Removed from Public Property
4080
Illegally Parked Recreational Vehicles
339
Illegally Parked Commercial Vehicles
208
Illegal Sales, Use and Occupancy
59
Misc. Illegally Parked Vehicles
112
Right of Way encroachments
133
57
Vacant Buildings (Re-inspected/Posted)
333
Snow on Sidewalks
409
License Violations
248
Vehicle Parking Snow Emergency
400
Site Inspections
3875
Zoning Grants
116
Sanitation activities also included 1374 citizen complaints regarding the collection
of municipal refuse and the delivery of 1325 recycling bins.
Enforcement ofthe Noxious Weed Ordinance included the investigation of citizen
complaints and the abatement of violations through the mowing of weeds and
removal of debris from 707 properties and 102 tree removals by the City Weed
Mowing Contractor.
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
The Zoning Board of Appeals is a seven (7) member Board created by Stale
statute and City of Livonia Zoning Ordinance No. 543 as amended. The Board
hears appeals from residential and business property owners when they are
unable to comply with ordinance requirements and are rejected permits by the
Inspection Department. The Board meets on designated Tuesday evenings at
7:00 p.m.
The Inspection Department was tasked with all clerical and administrative
responsibility for the Zoning Board of Appeals in addition to the intake support and
meeting responsibility we previously had. This includes the supervision of the
outside contractor hired to record and provide the meeting records.
The following is a breakdown of the Appeal Cases prepared and heard by the
Zoning Board of Appeals during the fiscal year December 1, 2013 through
November 30, 2014
Granted with Tabled or
Granted Denied Modifications* Postponed*'• Total
New Cases 48 3 4 8 63
Re -hearings 0 0 0 0 0
Actual Cases Heard 63
Prepared and Scheduled" 6
No Further Action'"' 0
Total Cases Heard and Prepared 69
Includes Cases which were Granted in Part/Denied in Part
M.
Meeting material was prepared more than once, but for various reasons
(Petitioner did not appear, asked to be rescheduled, etc.)these cases were
not heard at the first scheduled meeting.
Meeting material was prepared and Board heard case at meeting and made
a decision to table for revised plans, etc. All meeting notices, agendas, etc.,
were redone when new meeting date was scheduled.
Case was heard, but Board took no further action.
Number of Regular Meetings: 11
Number of Special Meetings: 8
BUILDING CODE BOARD OF APPEALS
The Building Code Board of Appeals (BCBA) provides any person the right to
appeal a decision ofthe code official refusing to grant a modification oflhe building
code covering the manner of construction or materials to be used in the erection,
alteration or repair of a building or structure. An application for appeal shall be
based on a claim that the true intent of the code or the rules legally adopted there
under have been incorrectly interpreted, the provisions of this code do not fully
apply, or an equivalent form of construction can be used. In addition, the BCBA
may be utilized to provide guidance to the Building Official or affirm an issue not
covered by the Building code.
A summary of the activities of the Building Code Board of Appeals for the fiscal
year 2013-14 is as follows:
Meetings Scheduled 0 Appeals Granted/Modified 0
Appeals Filed 0 Appeals Denied 0
Hearings Held 0 Appeals Dropped 0
Re -hearings 0 Appeals Tabled 0
All records are on file in the offices of the Inspection Department
DEPARTMENT OF LAW
The following information will provide a brief analysis of some of the information
contained therein as compared to fiscal year 2012-2013. In short, the Report
reveals thatthe Law Department has maintained a heavy workload. The following
table illustrates this point:
Me
M
2011-
2012-
2013-
Increase/Decrease
2012
2013
2014
2D12 2D13 to 2D13 2014
Cases pending in
13
8
9
+1
Wayne County Circuit
Court
Wayne County Circuit
13
13
13
0
Court cases resolved.
Cases pending in
0
1
1
0
Ingham County Circuit
Court
Cases resolved in
0
4
0
-4
Ingham County Circuit
Court
Civil cases pending in
8
9
1
-8
16th District Court
Civil cases resolved in
7
8
10
+2
16th District Court
Criminal appeals from
1
1
1
0
the 16th District Court
pending
Criminal appeals from
0
2
2
0
the 16th District Court
resolved
Cases pending in
2
2
5
+3
Michigan Court of
Appeals
Cases resolved in the
0
2
2
0
Michigan Court of
Appeals
Cases pending in U.S.
4
2
5
+3
District Court
Cases resolved in U.S.
0
2
2
0
District Court
Cases pending in
376
191
67
-124
Michigan Tax Tribunal
Michigan Tax Tribunal
176
195
83
-112
cases resolved.
Amendments to the
18
5
4
-1
Zoning Map
Amendments to the
6
7
9
+2
Zoning Ordinance
Amendments to the
13
22
15
-7
Code of Ordinances
Real estate transaction
7
6
1
-5
(See next page)
M
Because the Law Department now handles a much greater portion of the City's
civil litigation than it did in past years — particularly in the areas of sidewalk and
police liability — the City is no longer paying outside counsel to handle these
matters. As a result, the fees paid to outside counsel diminished by another
$22,500.00 from the previous fiscal year, despite an uptick in the volume of such
cases, as reflected in, for example, the growth in the number of pending federal
cases.
The year saw a number of noteworthy successes. The Law Department resolved
one police liability case in federal court by winning a motion for summary judgment,
meaning the City paid nothing in outside counsel fees and nothing in settlement of
the case. The department also won summary disposifion motions in Wayne
County Circuit Court turning aside legal challenges to a) City Council's conduct of
a committee hearing under the Open Meetings Act, and b) the City's Zoning
Ordinance and its treatment of billboards. The Circuit Court also upheld a
challenged decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals. In addition, the City was
sometimes able to tum the tables, achieving favorable outcomes as a plaintiff in
both the Wayne County Circuit Court and the 16th District Court.
Although the number of pending tax appeals has declined, reflecting an improving
economy and rising property values, the large number and value of pending
61
2011-
2012-
2013-
Increase/Decrease
2012
2013
2014
2D12 2D13 to 20132014
preparation and review
304
319
448
+129
of contracts between
the City and others,
including approving as
to form other legal
documents.
Review and fulfillment of
13
26
36
+10
Freedom of Information
Act requests
Review and respond to
2
8
9
+1
Freedom of Information
Act appeals on behalf of
the Mayor
Review, typing, and
1331
1354
1574
+220
remitting District Court
warrant requests
Dmnkcinving
261
286
316
+30
Ordinance
2708
2520
-188
Misdemeanors
Traffic misdemeanors
2065
2499
2246
-253
Jury Trials
12
26
27
+1
Because the Law Department now handles a much greater portion of the City's
civil litigation than it did in past years — particularly in the areas of sidewalk and
police liability — the City is no longer paying outside counsel to handle these
matters. As a result, the fees paid to outside counsel diminished by another
$22,500.00 from the previous fiscal year, despite an uptick in the volume of such
cases, as reflected in, for example, the growth in the number of pending federal
cases.
The year saw a number of noteworthy successes. The Law Department resolved
one police liability case in federal court by winning a motion for summary judgment,
meaning the City paid nothing in outside counsel fees and nothing in settlement of
the case. The department also won summary disposifion motions in Wayne
County Circuit Court turning aside legal challenges to a) City Council's conduct of
a committee hearing under the Open Meetings Act, and b) the City's Zoning
Ordinance and its treatment of billboards. The Circuit Court also upheld a
challenged decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals. In addition, the City was
sometimes able to tum the tables, achieving favorable outcomes as a plaintiff in
both the Wayne County Circuit Court and the 16th District Court.
Although the number of pending tax appeals has declined, reflecting an improving
economy and rising property values, the large number and value of pending
61
appeals makes this a continuing subject of concern. As always, the Law
Department strives to minimize the amount paid out in properly lax refunds.
Sadly, crime appears to be a growth industry in Livonia and its environs, as
reflected in a sharp increase in warrant requests processed by the Law
Department. Public safety and security is a priority of city government, and it
continues to absorb the Law Departmenfs attention.
The Freedom of Information Act is another growth area. FOIA requests and
appeals continue to increase in number. Fortunately, this has not ripened into
FOIA Litigation yet, but there is a move in the Legislature to encourage FOIA
Litigation, and to make FOIA more burdensome and punitive. The Law
Department has worked with other local government organizations to minimize the
pain these "reforms" portend.
Finally, the activity which has seen the sharpest increase this year has been the
preparation and review of contracts. There, the Law Department looks to minimize
costs and other losses to the City, maximize what is received by the City, and
reduce risk to the City.
In short, the Law Department has, like other departments, managed to undertake
a greater workload and it reduced costs.
DIRECT SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC
In our third full year of providing access to downloadable media via OverDrive
Download Destination service, we have added OverDrlve Advantage. This allows
us to purchase popular tifles available to Livonia patrons only, ensuring hold
requests are filled more promptly. The OverDnve collection has expanded to
include streaming video format. Patrons can now borrow and watch free shows,
movies, and more from the library's digital collection right in their web browser,
without having to download files or use special software.
The Livonia Public Library e -newsletter received a major upgrade in presentation
this year by switching to an online email marketing tool to format and send the
newsletter. Facebook, Twitter and the library's You Tube videos continue to be
very popular. Public meeting rooms provided at Civic Center and the branches are
in high demand as venues for performances and a forum for community events
and informational meetings. Numerous citizen clubs, associations and other City
departments look to these resources as a valuable public service.
MA
Civic Center Adult Services:
Adult programming has increased with the addition of 13 new and unique programs
to the FallMinler schedule this year. Wellness, meditation, diabetes prevention
and stress reduction were a few of the programs offered. Genealogy classes are
now being taught and are proving to be very popular with the public. We held our
first Genre Con (like Comic Con but with books) in October and had an attendance
of over 150. Western Wayne Reads, a joint program with four other area libraries,
hosted Michigan author D.E. Johnson, who writes Detroit historical mysteries. The
Film Movement Program and our Wednesday Afternoon at the Movies are
completing their fifth year and both have a loyal audience and continue to draw
new patrons at a minimal cost to us. The leen volunteering program logged 50
hours over the summer, and 272 teens were registered for the Summer Reading
Program (SRP) with over 2000 hours read and $1500 of donated prizes. The
Livonia Warriors (a Robotics club made up of students from the three Livonia High
Schools) kicked off the teen SRP and that program hosted over 300 teens and
children. Drawing classes, dart tag and a Dr. Who escape game also drew big
crowds.
Civic Center Children's Services:
We welcomed various groups on field trips, made school visits and provided
leachers with information about our programs and resources, making an effort to
create a mutually beneficial working relationship with Livonia Public Schools. As
a result we saw a 16% increase in Summer Reading Program registration. After
a few years' hiatus, the children's department hosted a Preschool Open House,
where parents could talk with representatives from area preschools. The library
accommodated numerous Boy and Girl Scout troops where scouts and their
parents were treated to stories, crafts and tours. Librarians visited Bob Evans for
Family Fun Nights and attended a Montessori Open House. In addition to our
three Story Time sessions per year, children were offered Super Hero Training
Academy, Valentine Palooza and Star Wars Fun Day. Three AWE brand Early
Literacy Stations replaced three obsolete game computers. They are all -in -one
louchscreen computers with a mouse and keyboard designed for children 2-8.
We were also able to provide an AWE tablet for the branches to share.
Civic Center Circulation:
The self-checkoulstation at Civic Center continues to be popular with patrons, and
will soon be replaced with a new and improved model. Circulation limits were
changed for the DVD collection, with newer movies going out for two days, and
older DVDs now circulating for two weeks. The library continues to benefit from
participating with other area libraries in resource sharing agreements through the
Library Network Cooperative and via the statewide Michigan Electronic Library
system which allows patrons to directly search and request items from libraries
throughout Michigan. This has helped us continue to provide a high level of service
despite our drastically reduced budget. Unfortunately, it has also caused an
increased workload for the employees who must process these items, at a time
when we have a significantly reduced staff. Other than eBooks, which are up
63
slightly, circulation statistics have not seen any improvement over last year, as we
are sell operating on a limited budget with very limited Branch Hours.
Noble Branch:
In the spring, the branch libraries received a grant to participate in a Money Smart
Week program for adults and children. Teens learned practical life skills like
babysitting and money management through programs offered at the branch.
Bibliographic instruction was once again held for 8th graders at Noble. Popular leen
Summer Reading programs included Muggle Quidditch, drawing classes and
videogame tournaments. Children's storytimes were well attended and individual
programs like the Outdoor Story Time (with water activities) proved to be grealfun
again this year. A jewelry program using hardware supplies left a number of gids
planning a trip to ACO Hardware for supplies of their own. The Toddler Picnic and
play date, once again, was appreciated.
Sandburg Branch:
The Sandburg Library won a drawing ear y this year fora $1000 collection of Adult
Playaway products for our patrons from the company Findaway World. Playaway
is an all -in -one audiobook the size of an mp3 player that allows the user to listen
to a book unplugged and uninterrupted. The Sandburg Knitting Group continues to
meet twice per month. Smash, Crash Boom!, a series of science experiments
performed bylhe children's librarian, returned and held its 6th Annual Watermelon
Drop. The Giant Slip and Slide was back and the Annual Pajama Day Story time
session was again a big hit. Teens learned practical life skills like babysilting and
money management through programs offered at the branch. A variety of other
teen programs included: a Japanese Children's Day concert, Teen Movie
Thursdays, arts & crafts programs, and the hugely popular Harry Potter Club that
hosted a Yule Ball, with dancing, food and games.
FACILITIES
Adult internet workstations have migrated to the "print release' option for printing.
Patrons are required to prepay for printing, and enter their library card at a
computer attached to the printer in order to retrieve their documents. This ensures
privacy for the patrons who do not have to ask for their printouts at the reference
desk. Library pages at Civic Center are now manning a "computer help desk" near
the adult internet stations. Patrons turn to these staff members for help on the
computers and with printing. This allows the Librarians at the reference desk to
assist patrons with reference and other informational questions.
MANAGEMENT AND STAFF
Sadly, we lost our founding Library Commissioner Harriet Larson this year. Two
new commissioners were appointed: Christine McQuistin who replaced Harriet,
and Cathy Condon who replaced Audette Palmer. The six full-time staff positions
that were vacated in the 2012-13 budget year were joined by three last-minute
retirements in November 2013, and the loss of a full-time librarian in 2014 makes
for a net reduction of 10 FTE. This resulted in a cost savings and total of 25
M
posit ons that have been lost since 2008. The outcome was promoting a clerk
from Sandburg to a library aide vacancy at Civic Center, and hiring two part-time
clerks for Sandburg. To replace a full-fime librarian who resigned this summer,
two part-fime librarians have been hired.
Staff In -Service day returned, and we were afforded excellent instruction in
Active Shooter Training by the Livonia Police Department, that was both
informafive and beneficial. We hope we never have to ufilize the information that
was disseminated, but we will be prepared if something does happen. We were
also provided with a great presentation by the Fire Department on CPR and
Defibrillator Training. Staff will be more confident if an emergency should occur.
FUNDING
Unique Management continues to function as our collection agency, recovering
funds that allow the Library to replace lost and stolen items. We have begun
charging for test proctoring: $25 for non-residents and $10 for residents; and
Obituarysearches are now $10.
The Livonia Arts Commission approved another generous grant to help underwrite
the cost of the Noontime Concert Series. Local businesses charitably donated
incentives to the Library for its Summer Reading Program to help encourage young
readers. The Library extends its sincere thanks to the many citizens who donated
money to the Library in honor or in memory of their loved ones over the past year.
The Friends of the Library continue to work tirelessly to organize and carry out their
Book Sale events and the Friends Used Bookstore is still very popular. The Library
is especially appreciative of the Friends' hard work and substanfial donations
during these difficult economic times.
While Millage funds went down from $3,141,255 in 2013 to $3,123,464 in 2014 (a
loss of $17,791) Stale Aid to Libraries increased $13,722 dollars over Iasi year to
$57,136, but still down significantly from the $88,304 received in 2004. Penal
Fines went up this year to $94,948, an increase of $16,295. We hope this trend
will continue and help us realize our goal of adding another day to the Sandburg
and Noble Branches in order to meet the needs of the residents who utilize them.
STATISTICAL REVIEW
October 2013
October 2014
Library Program Attendance
29,120
28,017
Meeting Room Attendance
73,350
73,766
Registered Borrowers
47,424
45,915
Items in the Collection
316,674
312,229
Circulation
700,280
516,613
LibraryWebsite Usage
359,644
446,111
Internet Workstations
85,192
65,496
Wi-Fi Usage
26,432
30,299
OverDrive eBook Circulation
32,460
37,813
65
PARKS AND RECREATION
Creating Community through People, Parks and Programs
An integral part of Livonia's quality of life is our solid commitment to Parks and
Recreation services. We provide facilities, programs, classes and opportunities
for leisure time as ways to develop healthy habits, improve fitness, develop skills
and create memories.
With the assistance of 11 full-time staff and more than 300 dedicated and
enthusiastic part-time staff, and the support of the Department of Public Services
Building Maintenance and Park Maintenance, in 2014 we recorded:
• A daily average of 2,800 individual visits to the LCRC.
• 99,327 rounds of golf played at our three courses.
• 10,522 participants in Special Events.
• 6,865 visits to the outdoor pools.
• 27,081 people attending organized picnics at a park pavilion.
• 5,800 athletic participants playing over 3,500 games.
We received $1,000 as well as in-kind donations from 12 businesses/organizations
for parks, programming and special events.
Parks and Recreation works cooperatively with and delivers services to other City
Departments, civic organizations, community businesses and the Livonia and
Clarenceville Public Schools. As part of this cooperation we have partnered with
three civic organizations to manage athletic facilities (Rotary and Jaycee Parks
and soccer fields at Greenmead and Wilson Barn) and with one community
business, DMC - Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan.
Our Department recognizes the dynamic and unique role we play in fostering a
healthy community and lifestyles of those we serve through one of our six divisions:
• Aquatics
• Athletics
• Community Center
• Golf
• Special Events
• Parks
Me
AQUATICS DIVISION
The Aquatics Division is comprised of two indoor pools at the Community
Recreation Center and three (Botsford, Clements Circle and Shelden) outdoor
pools. We provide safe, educational and enjoyable aquatic services to the
community through a wide array of swim lessons, water fitness classes, open
swim, lap swim, diving lessons, pool rentals, synchronized swimming, special
events and swim teams.
Community Recreation Center Pools
Over the last year, the classes and programs we offered had over 4,351
participants, not including the swim teams.
We were the host of swim practices for four (4) swim teams, and are considered
the home pool for three (3) of those teams. We are also the home of the Catholic
High School League Swimming and Diving championships for both men and
women. Other large meets that we hosted include Tri County Swim League
championships, the Snowball Splash and the Polar Plunge. The listed meets had
between 300 and 1,200 participants each. In addition we hosted two (2) dual
meets for Ladywood High School, one (1) meelfor Livonia Stevenson High School,
and two (2) dual meets for Catholic Central High School.
Among the special events at Community Center pools this year were the 11th
Annual Cardboard Boal Races and the 8th Annual Arctic Chill Indoor Triathlon.
Outdoor Pools
6,865 daily pass visits were recorded at the pools this year (3,938 at Botsford and
2,927 at Shelden). This was a decrease from last year's total of 9,224. This year,
Clement Circle pool did not open due to mechanical difficulties. While Clement
Circle had no paid visits, Botsford did have an increase of 194 swimmers and
Shelden had an increase of 481 over last year. There were 683 season passes
sold this year, and due to Clement Circle being closed, we permitted residents who
lived near that pool (Section 36) to use Botsford and Shelden pools at no charge.
Our swim lesson program recorded 408 students at the Shelden pool. We
cancelled swim lessons at Botsford pool completely in order to accommodate the
rentals that were displaced from Clement Circle. Three (3) different swim teams
used our outdoor pools for summer practice.
ATHLETIC DIVISION
Athletic Division provides a wide variety of athletic programs for adults and youth
of all ages. Programs include league play men's/women's softball, men's
basketball, youth basketball, t -ball, coach pitch, softball, baseball, soccer,
archery and tennis.
67
League Plav
We had more than 5,800 participants and played over 3,500 games. We offered
the following team sports for participants ranging in age from four years to over 65
years old. We had over 147,000' contact hours in our athletic programs.
Programs Ages #of Teams #of #of Average Contact
Games Players Game Time Hours'
Winter
Men's 18 & older 24 168 288 1 hour 4,032
Basketball
LJAL 18 & under 85 892 1,030 1.25 hours 26,760
Basketball
Spring/
Summer
Men's
18 & under
8
56
96
1 hour
1,344
Basketball
Co-sponsored
18 & under
111
1,332
1,332
2 hours
63,936
Baseball &
Softball
Collegiate
22 & under
4
66
84
2.5 hours
6,930
Baseball
Men's
18 & over
48
302
864
1.25 hours
13,590
Softball
Men's
18 & over
5
30
90
1.25 hours
1,350
Modified
Women's
18 & over
10
60
180
1.25 hours
2,700
Softball
Co -Ed
18 & over
16
112
288
1.25 hours
5,040
Softball
Senior
55 & over
19
74
380
1.25 hours
3,330
Softball
T -Ball
5-6 yr. olds
22
88
352
1.25 hours
3,520
Coach Pitch
7A yr. olds
24
96
384
1.25 hours
3,840
Fall
Men's
18 & over
24
211
432
1.25 hours
9,495
Softball
Men's
18 & over
8
59
96
1 hour
1,416
Basketball
*Contact Hours:
1. Baseball equals number of games x 42
(2 teams
@ 21tteam) x
length of game
68
2. Softball equals number of games x 36
(2 teams @ 18/team) x length of game
3. Basketball equals number of games x 24
(2 teams @ 12/team) x length of game
4. Youth Programs equals number of games x 32
(2 teams @ 16/team) x length of game
5. Co-sponsored equals number of games x 24
(2 teams @ 12/team) x length of game
6. Does not include practice time or number of spectators at games
Archery Range
The outdoor Archery Range opened this year on April 5. The range has seven (7)
targets at various distances and a broad -head range. Several area Boy Scout and
Girl Scout groups used the range for badge certifications. The range is open
Saturday, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. from April through October; Sunday, 11 a.m. until 3
p.m. from May through October; and on Tuesday and Thursday at p.m. until dusk
from September through October. Over 700 people used the range through daily
admission ($1,678) and season passes ($515). Range revenue was $2,193.
Ice Skating
The City owns two ice arenas, Eddie Edgar (2 sheets) and Devon -Aire (1 sheet).
The Livonia Hockey Association manages both rinks and offers leagues, clinics,
tournaments and open skating. Our Learn to Skate Program had over 270
enrollments. In addition, 29 gids joined one ofthree Synchronized Skating Teams.
More than 50 girls competed in regional competition. The City hosted its bi-annual
ice skating show called "Skating Network 2014" with 69 skaters performing in
multiple numbers.
COMMUNITY CENTER DIVISION
The Community Center, in its twelfth year of operation, continues to meet its
mission of serving the whole community by offering annual memberships and daily
admissions forftness, athletics, class participation, league play, community group
partnerships and rentals.
Through all the ways we serve the community, the recreation center alone
averages over 2,800 visitors per day. Since the center is only closed seven (7)
days per year, almost 1 million people come through the door each year.
We believe steady membership numbers reflect the desire of people getting in
shape and looking for a great place to have fun. The variety of programs and
facilities at the Community Center continue to outperform those at any facility in
the region. Families continue to be our largest group of members.
The Community Center's electronic fund payment plan for membership fees
continues to grow. Over 5,400 members use this convenient payment method.
Ze
Total Annual Membership 14,809
Summer membership 889
Total Day Passes 39,248
Many classes and leagues reach the maximum enrollment each session. Swim
lessons have contnued to be a hallmark of our programs, with over 450 youth
honing their skills each session.
Total Enrollment 21,718
Aerobics 7,483 Classes/Leagues 1,945
Athletics 14 Personal Training 3339
Camps 413 Special Events 2,090
Camp Swoosh 768 Swim Lessons 2,791
Climbing Wall 765 Water Exercise 1,555
Fitness Center 555
Special projects completed in 2014 were:
1. Over 700 hours gym time to Livonia Junior Athletic League.
2. 21 new cardio equipment pieces.
3. Installed LED lighting throughout building and parking lot.
4. Repaired parking lot catch basins and restriped lot.
5. Installed LED display board in lap pool.
6. Upgraded electrical capacity in fitness center.
7. Re -upholstered couches.
Fitness and Wellness
Fitness and Wellness programming continues to offer great variety. Memberscan
take advantage of a number of services: fitness hub workouts, fitness
assessments, climbing wall classes, personal training, group personal training,
nutritional counseling, massage therapy, group exercise (aerobics) and Livonia's
100 Days to Health wellness program.
The fitness hub has remained a very busy area of the LCRC. Equipment
orientations are offered free of charge by the personal training staff. We also offer
Polar Body Age assessments. The Body Age assessment provides an individual
with a baseline measurement of their overall fitness level. The assessment takes
into account a number of health and fitness markers including strength, flexibility,
percent body fat, nutrition and cardiovascular fitness to calculate the fitness of your
body. For youth, we offer two types of orientations: Teens in Training Part I and
Teens in Training Part II. The fitness hub has 95 cardio machines, 17 seleclorized
weight -training machines, 2 cabled functional trainers, 2 sets of 5 lbs. to 100 lbs.
dumbbells and 1 set of 20 lbs. to 110 lbs. fixed cud bars. Cardio equipment is also
available on the bridge leading to the track, upstairs hallway and in one oflhe track
corners. Also available is an assortment of plate -loaded machines such as a smith
machine, squat rack, leg press, calf raise and chest press benches. Another
feature is the Cardio Theater function found on most of our cardio equipment. This
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unit enables the member to tune into a television program while gelling their cardio
workout in.
With a staff of 10 attendants/instructors and a coordinator, the climbing wall
continues to be a unique feature of the recreation center. The wall has 13 routes,
ranging in degree of difficulty in order to challenge the novice through elite climber.
The wall remains open for use seven days a week. We offer a range of youth and
adult climbing classes throughout the weekends. Among the specialty programs
at the climbing wall are the rock wall climbing social every Friday night and a
Boy/Girl Scout Merit Badge program. The Boy/Girl Scout Merit Badge program is
a 3-4 hour class with classroom lectures and climbing wall time.
With a staff of 12 certified personal trainers, personal training continues to be
utilized on a consistent basis. Members can utilize personal training as an
individual, a couple or in a group setting. Members meet with a personal trainer,
with frequency dependent on the individual goal. Personal trainers help members
become successful with their fitness goals.
Nutritional counseling is an additional service that the LCRC is offering, with a
registered dietitian on staff. Members meet with the registered dietitian on an
individual basis. This service is by appointment only. Members also have an
opportunity to meet with our registered dietitian through some of the nutrition
seminars/workshops that are offered periodically.
Massage therapy is a service offered to members and non-members. We currently
have two (2) certified massage therapists on staff. This service is by appointment
only. Massage therapy is currently offered on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays,
Thursdays, every other Friday and Saturdays. Massage therapy will soon expand
to Fridays, with the addition of the new massage therapist.
Group exercise classes (land aerobics) continue to be a popular offering. We
currently offer 102 classes, seven days a week. We offer 48 classes in the
evenings and 54 classes in the mornings. The majority of our group exercise
classes are 50 minutes in length. We also offer 30 minute classes as well. Zumba,
women on weights, boot camp, yoga, cycle, step, TRX, challenge fitness and
Pilates area few of our most popular classes. We have a total of42 certified group
exercise instructors on staff.
Livonia's 100 Days to Health has become a successful, community -wide initiative
to build partnerships with area businesses and increase community involvement
through programming at the LCRC. The goal of the program is to provide
participants with simple, factual and educational information on nutrition, exercise,
health and wellness for the entire family. The program runs from Januaryto April.
The 2014 event attracted 480 participants. The 100 -Day Weight Loss Fitness
Challenge had 138 participants, losing a combined 809 pounds. The winner for the
Weight Loss Challenge lost a total of 36 pounds. Corporate partners included the
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DMC, Dick's Sporting Goods, Time Too Savor, Running Fit, Health Quest Back &
Neck and myTRlguys. Grocery stores that also participated were Kroger, Busch's,
Joe's Produce and Trader Joe's. Participants involved in the 100 Days have
access to exercise classes, nutrition seminars, wellness seminars, grocery store
lours, rock climbing and free workouts and swimming on Fridays at the LCRC.
Sports and Leisure
In 2014, we continued to offer a variety of leisure classes, covering all ages and
all interests. We strive to offer quality programs at affordable prices for all our
customers. Between the two winter sessions, one spring session, one summer
session and two fall sessions, we offered close over 230 classes/clinics and
multiple day camp experiences for youth.
Leisure classes include pre-school developmental classes such as Pre-school
Playgroup, 2's on the Move, Fun 2B Fit, and LOCO! -Motion. We also offer ballet
classes and camps for youth! Kids Night Out continues to offer fun and excitement
every third Friday of the month for kids ages 5-12. More than 20 different martial
arts classes from Tae Kwon Do to Kung Fu and Karate are available. We also
offer enrichment art and music classes for youth. This year, we added monthly
Pewabic ceramic workshops for both youth and adults. We added to our lineup of
safety classes, with snowmobile safety and pet first aid courses.
Indoor and outdoor sport programs include baseball, volleyball, basketball, soccer,
and tennis. They are run in a variety of formats including seven (7) week class
sessions, 2-3 day clinics, week-long camps and instructional leagues.
Camp Swoosh continues to provide so much more than just a place for kids to go
in the summer. Each week, Camp Swoosh offered kids the opportunity to make
friends, build leadership and social skills, use their creative side through art and
themed projects, slay physically active and involved, and instill a sense of pride to
be apart of such a special group. Over the course of summer 2014, Camp Swoosh
staff mentored a total of 100 children ages 6-11, while averaging 37.3 total
campers per week.
Kid Quarters
Our short -lens child care operation continues to serve the needs of our members,
residents and non-residents, allowing parents to slay active and work out while
their children are in a safe, friendly and fun environment. There were a total of
5,315 visits to Kid Quarters, which generated just over $17,138.15 and averaged
443 visits per month.
Rentals
The opportunity for family, friends and neighbors to use the center for special
gatherings is a great way for people to take advantage of the Community Center
services. The following events took place in 2014:
72
Birthday Parties 481: Package parties 228 Day Pass parties 253
Bar/Bat Mitzvah's
6
Scout Groups
4
Parties/Gatherings
23
Team Parties
5
Meetings
13
Church Groups
2
Showers
23
Summer Camps
13
School Groups
14
Total 584 — This is a decrease of 58 events from 2013.
There were 449 hours of gym rental as well as 725 hours used by Livonia Junior
Athletic League as part of the City sponsorship. Many teams rent gym time during
off-season training to keep athletes in shape. After -hour outings are an opportunity
to have a more private event.
GOLF DIVISION
Mother Nature was not kind to the golf industry in 2014. After a record-selting
winter (and not in a positive way), nearly all courses in the area experienced some
level of course damage. Within the City of Livonia Golf Division, Whispering
Willows was hit the hardest and experienced never -before -seen damage to a
number of greens and lee boxes.
Weather continued to be a huge hindrance throughout the golf season with April,
May, June, August and October all falling below their five-year average. As an
example, Tuesday night leagues were rained out every Tuesday in the month of
August. July and September however, both exceeded their respective five-year
average.
Rounds Played
Whispering Willows 32,961
Idyl Wykl 27,947
Fox Creek 38419
Total 99,327
Whispering Willows: Like a large number of courses in the area, the greens at
Whispering Willows suffered a severe amount of damage from the winter's brutal
impact. The course was opened with temporary greens on six holes and all 18
greens were not in use until June 1. With input from a number of turf grass
specialists, the grounds crew did everything they could to get the greens back in
the condition to which our customers are accustomed. Most golfers were
understanding of the situation but the turf conditions, combined with poor weather,
reduced the amount of play.
While most of the attention was on restoring greens, the driving range at
Whispering Willows also received some long -overdue restoration, with the range
tee being stripped, re -leveled, and re -sodded.
73
Fox Creek: Greens at Fox Creek saw moderate damage from the winter but,
thankfully, not nearly as bad as Willows. While not in normal condition, all greens
were available from opening day. The focus in sprang and early summer was on
restoring green conditions. League and outings revenues were both up from the
year prior.
Idyl Wvld: The greens at Idyl Wyld miraculously survived the winterwith very little
damage at all. Anew green roller was purchased at the start of the year and many
compliments were received about the conditions of the greens throughout the
season.
In early August, one of the major storms we experienced this summer caused
severe damage to one of the main bridges, necessitating immediate repairs that
were covered by insurance.
The purchase of new irrigation satellite boxes has been approved and will be
delivered and installed in advance of the 2015 season. This will be a big upgrade
and provide the superintendent with more functionality and improved efficiency.
SPECIAL EVENT DIVISION
The Department places great emphasis on special events and programs that bring
together families and friends, and shape memories. It is our intent to play an
integral role in developing community involvement by working with local
businesses and civic organizations that provide professional input, volunteers
and/or financial assistance.
A sense of family and individual pride and community spirit is developed through
such events as the Daddy/Daughter dance, holiday lunches, Memorial Day
Ceremony, summer playground program, Tree Lighting Ceremony, Cardboard
Boat Races, Elk's Soccer Shoot and Hoop Shoot, Indoor and Youth Triathlon, and
the Family New Year's Eve Party. New to 2014 (and lined up already for 2015) we
added Family Movie Nights in the Park!
For our playground program, we have continued with our successful blend of a
park-based program and local field trips. Matching our strong registration total
from 2013, we showed an enrollment of over 260 children in 2014. This summer
program is designed to serve the opposite needs of those parents who use the aII-
day Camp Swoosh program. The Playground Program is a 4-hour drop off program
that gives children the opportunity to socialize with their peers and conned with
positive adult mentors in a safe, creative and activity-based environment.
Over 10,522 individuals have benefited from participating in our special events,
totaling 68,367 hours of direct contact.
74
Event
Ages
# of Time
# of
Contact Cosponsored
Days
People
Hours By
Kids Night Out
5-12
12 4
40
1920
Winter
Santa's Workshop
GrK-3
1 0.5
148
74 Livonia Kiwanis
Calling
Santa Mailbox
7 &
1 0.5
131
65.5 Livonia Kiwanis
under
Essay Contest
5-12
1 1
128
128 Friends of the
Barn
Tree Lighting
All
1 3
1000+
3000+ Rotary Club,
Ceremony
Libraries, Civic
Chorus
Event
Ages
#of Time
#of
Contact Co -Sponsored
Days
People
Hours By
Lunch with Santa
12 &
1 2
150
300 Kiwanis
under
Elk's Hoop Shoot
8-13
1 2.5
62
155 Livonia Elks
Contest
Lodge
Daddy Daughter
4-16
1 2
225
450 Livonia Elks
Dance
Lodge
Civic Chorus
All
1 1
150
150 Civic Chorus
Indoor Triathlon
18+
1 2
43
86 Wolverine S&C
Cardboard Boat
All
1 4
150
600 Wolverine S&C
Races
New Years Eve
All
1 3
331
993 Wolverine S&C
Party
Spring
Take Pride in
All
1 3
233
699 Rotary Club,
Livonia Day
Scouts, and
School Groups
Passport to Safety
14 &
1 5
1000+
5000 Various
under
Sponsors
Memorial Day
All
1 4
zoo+
800+ Veteran's
Ceremony
Alliance
Hunter Safety
10&
1 12
50
600 DNR
Course
up
75
Event
Ages
# of Time
# of
Contact Cosponsored
Days
People
Hours By
Civic Chorus
18&
2 2
200
800 Livonia Civic
Concert
up
Chorus
Easter Bunny
12 &
1 2
100
200 Optimist club
Lunch
under
Egg Hunt
12 &
1 3
2000
6000 Rotary
Under
Pilch, Hit &Run
7-14
1 2.5
100
250 UAL/Wolverine
S&C
Summer
Music From the
All
8 1.5
zoo+
2,400+ Arts
Heart
Commission
Playground
Program
5-12
35 4
264
36,960
Nature Camp
5-8
5 2
12
120
Rock/Roll Camp
9-18
5 2
0
0
Kids Triathlon
6-14
1 3
0
0 Wolverine
Sports and
Conservation
Club
Mad Science
3-12
5 4
9
180
Camps
Volleyball Camp
11-13
5 2
14
140
Ballet Camp
3-5
5 2
8
80
Park it movie
All
1 4
500
2000 Multiple
night
Sponsors
Senior Olympics
50+
1 1
25
25 Senior Center
Fall
Lunch with
12 &
1 2
102
204 Optimist Club
Goblins
under
Haunted Stroll
12 &
1 1
2349
2349 Friends of the
under
Barn
Turkey Trot
All
1 3
520
1560 Goodlellows,
And Corporate
Sponsors
Hunter Safely
10&
1 12
0
0 DNR
Course
Up
Punt Pass and Kick
5-14
1 1
78
78 NFL
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PARKS DIVISION
Our parks are a great place for families and groups to gather for picnics, outdoor
activities orjust to visit, walk or hike. We have many amenities, including pavilions,
grills, play structures, ball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, nature trails, walking
paths, fitness clusters, in-line courts, playgrounds, sand volleyball courts or Wilson
Barn. It is impossible to estimate the number of individuals visiting our parks.
Park Maintenance staff keeps up all parks, handles inspections and works with us
in providing safe, clean and quality parks that our residents have come to expect.
Approximately 379 pavilion permits were issued with an estimated 27,081
attendees for Rotary, John Stymelski, Veteran's, Bicentennial, Clements Circle,
Mies and Shelden Parks. Our revenue for the pavilion rentals totaled
$28,941.50.
The parks also hosted numerous special events and activities.
MARKETING
The Marketing Department strives to promote the assets of the department and
influence the lives of those we serve, as well as, develop and cultivate
partnerships, collaborations and volunteerism. As a department, we are devoted
to offering quality programs and facilities, while providing the highest standards of
customer service possible.
The L Magazine continues to be our primary source of communicating with our
users. The L is distributed three times a year to the 39,000 plus households in
Livonia, as well as, the non-resident members. The L Magazine is also available
on our website. We also promote and advertise are through our website, the new
Google Maps virtual tour of the LCRC, Chamber Business Member e-blasts and
the Chamber Directory, the City Newsletter, Facebook, promotional videos,
member giveaway promotions, visiting local businesses, email blasts, news
releases, program and event flyers, Livonia TV and news releases. We also send
a new resident welcome letter, which includes a one-day family pass to the LCRC.
Two Open House events in 2014 brought in a combined total of 727 guests and
helped sell 41 membership packages totaling 89 members.
The Department also offers co-sponsorships and partnership opportunities. A new
program called Livonia Business Benefit Share allows LCRC members to use their
card for discounts and provides an opportunity to build partnerships with our
Livonia business community. As a means to generate additional revenue for the
new lap pool scoreboard, we added a local business sponsorship sign under the
scoreboard.
77
PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT,
PLYMOUTH ROAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
AND PLANNING COMMISSION
Activities and projects handled by the Planning Commission and the Planning
Department for the year 2014 included the following:
Subdivision Plats Considered Meetinas Held
Preliminary Plats
0
Public Hearings (24 items)
13
Final Plats
0
Regular Meetings (16 items)
11
Study Meetings (43 items)
17
Special Regular Meetings (1 dem)
1
Petitions Processed
Amendments
Rezoning
6
Master Plan Amendments
0
Waiver of Use
16
Language Amendments (Ord543)
2
Site Plans
16
Vacating
1
Site Condominiums
1
Sign Permits
1
Greenbelt & Landscape
0
Satellite Dish
0
Lot Splits
17
Extensions
0
2014 NOTEWORTHY PROJECTS
Throughout the pastyear, the Planning Department coordinated the processing of
approximately 75 petitions involving land use modifications and development
projects. Below is a summary of the more noteworthy projects, some of which the
final outcome is still pending:
1) Approval to operate a limited service restaurant (Biggby Coffee) at
37298 Six Mile Road within the Northbrook Plaza Shopping Center,
located on the north side of Six Mile Road between Newburgh Road
and Levan Road;
2) Approval to demolish an existing gas station and construct a multi -
tenant retail building in its place at 17108 Farmington Mile Road,
located on the northeast comer of Farmington Road and Six Mile
Road;
3) Approval to construct a wireless communication support structure (75
fool high monopole) and equipment shelter within the Schoolcreff
College campus at 18900 Haggerty Road, located on the east side of
Haggerty Road between Six Mile Road and Seven Mile Road;
4) Approval to operate a full service restaurant (Hol Head Burritos) at
30975 Five Mile Road within the Livonia Plaza Shopping Center,
located on the south side of Five Mile Road between Merriman Road
and Henry Ruff Road;
5) Approval to construct a one-story office -research building on property
at 37640 Seven Mile Road, located on the north side of Seven Mile
Road between Newburgh Road and Victor Parkway;
6) Approval to construct a three-story office -research and manufactunng
facility (McLaren Performance Technologies) and erect a parking
structure on properties at 32233 and 32367 Eight Mile Road, located
on the south side of Eight Mile Road between Mernman Road and
Hubbard Road;
7) Approval to operate a full service restaurant (Jimmy John's) at 13453
Middlebell Road within the Livonia Commons Shopping Center,
located on the weslside of Middlebell Road between the CSX Railroad
right -0f --way and SchoolcraR Road;
8) Approval to redevelop the easterly portion of the former Weirton Plaza
Shopping Center with a new K-5 Public Charter School (Grand River
Charter Academy), located on the south side of Eight Mile Road
between Grand River Avenue and Angling Road;
9) Approval in connection with the demolition of an existing nursing home
facility and the construction of a new two-story nursing and assisted
living facility (Marycresl Manor) at 15495 Middlebell Road, located on
the west side of Middlebelt Road between Five Mile Road and
Wentworth Avenue;
10) Approval to demolish existing building and structures and construct a
new Consumers Energy customer service center at 11801 Farmington
Road, located on the weslside of Farmington Road between Plymouth
Road and the CSX railroad nghl-0f-way;
11) Approval to relocate and construct a new covered drive-thru facility at
Community Choice Credit Union, 15420 Farmington Road, located on
the east side of Farmington Road between Five Mile Road and
Roycroft Avenue;
12) Approval to add a drive -up window facility to an existing full service
restaurant (Panera Bread), at 20140 Haggerty Road, located on the
east side of Haggerty Road between Seven Mile Road and Eight Mile
Road;
13) Approval to operate a full service restaurant (Biggby Coffee) at 37405
Ann Arbor Road, located on the southwest comer of Ann Arbor Road
and Newburgh Road;
14) Approval to reconfigure Sl Mary Mercy Hospital's parking lots and
drive aisles at 36475 Five Mile Road, located on the southwest comer
of Five Mile Road and Levan Road;
15) Approval to construct an addition to the church (Faith Bible Church) at
34541 Five Mile Road, located on the south side of Five Mile Road
between Farnington Road and Fairlane Avenue;
16) Approval to operate a full service restaurant with drive -up window
facilities (Starbucks) within a multi -tenant retail building at 12691
79
Middlebelt Road, located on the west side of Middlebelt Road between
the CSX Railroad right-of-way and Schoolcraft Road;
17) Approval to construct and operate a credit union with drive-thru
facilities (Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union) at 20595
Farmington Road, located on the southwest corner of Farmington and
Eight Mile Roads;
18) Approval to remodel the exterior of the commercial/office building
(Mark E Building) at 15231 Farmington Road, located on the west side
of Farmington Road between Lyndon Avenue and Five Mile Road;
19) Approval to construct additions to the nursing home (Aulumnwood of
Livonia) at 14900 Middlebelt Road, located on the east side of
Middlebelt Road between Lyndon Avenue and Five Mile Road;
20) Approval to remodel the exterior of the nine -story independent senior
housing facility, known as William W. Brashear Tower, at 17841 N.
Laurel Park Drive, located on the west side of N. Laurel Park Drive
between Six Mile Road and University Drive;
21) Approval to construct a new storage building adjacent to the existing
hardware store (Wrights Hardware) at 29150 Five Mile Road, located
on the north side of Five Mile Road between Middlebelt Road and
Harrison Avenue;
22) Approval to remodel the exterior of the commercial strip center at
2 921 7-2 922 6 Seven Mile Road, located on the southeast corner of
Seven Mile and Middlebelt Roads;
23) Approval to expand the existing carry -out service restaurant (Green
Cedar) into a limited service restaurant at 19217 Newburgh Road
within the Fountain Hill shopping center, located on the west side of
Newburgh Road between Seven Mile Road and Pembroke Avenue;
(Pending)
24) Approval to operate a massage establishment (Elite Fool Spa) at
34389 Plymouth Road within the Stark Plaza shopping center, located
on the southeast comer of Plymouth and Stark Roads; (Pending)
25) Approval to construct an addition to the BP gas station at 33265
Schoolcraft Road, located on the southeast corner of Schoolcraft and
Farmington Roads (Pending)
2014 STUDIES, SURVEYS AND REPORTS PREPARED
Lot Splits Reports —17
Language Amendments — 2
Vacating Reports— 1
Fully Digitized In-house Petition Books
• 19531hru 1964
• 19651hru 1976
• 1977 thru 1999
.11
• 20001hru Present
• City-wide overall map
Update Future Land Use Map
Prepared Zoning Ordinance Amendments
LIVONIA TOMORROW
Livonia Tomorrow is a long-range planning and community visioning process that
was formally introduced in July 2012 with the release of a request for Statement of
Qualifications. The intention of this inifiative is to carry out an innovative planning
exercise that will fully engage the community and key stakeholders in order to form
of a unified vision and conceptual blueprint for the City's future. The Planning
Department prepared the inifial draft of the RFQ, and coordinated the response
and submission of seven (7) proposals from highly qualified urban planning and
design consulting companies. After interviewing all seven (7) companies, Council
narrowed the list to three (3) firms. The final interviews were conducted in
December 12, 2012, and the team of Houseal-Lavigne Associates joined by
inFORM Studio and a5, Inc. was awarded the contract. A total of $50,000 was
budgeted for the initial phase of Livonia Tomorrow. The Council Committee on
Economic Development, Community Outreach and Strategic Planning is currently
spearheading this project with assistance from the Planning Department.
Project inifiation commenced in June 18, 2013. As part of the public outreach
process, the consultant interviewed a various citizens and community
stakeholders, including business owners, elected officials, education
professionals, students. Other outreach efforts involved multiple workshops and
focus group meetings, DIY (Do-it-yourself) Workshop Kits, an Interactive Project
Website, On-line Community Issues Mapping, and On-line Questionnaires. In
February, the consultant presented a copy of the Outreach Summary to the City
Council.
The City received a draft of the Livonia Tomorrow Vision Plan in April 2014. The
Vision Plan contains nine community focus categories, 48 objectives, and 99
implementation steps. Once finalized, the main purpose of the document will be to
provide guidance and direction to the community on future decision-making and
resource allocation. Members of the Council Committee on Economic
Development, Community Outreach and Strategic Planning are still in the process
of reviewing and amending the draft Vision Plan.
PLYMOUTH ROAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
The Planning and Economic Development Department continues to provide
support to the Plymouth Road Development Authority (PRDA). Over the past few
years, activities of the PRDA have been severely limited due to budget constraints.
Funding for debt retirement and basic maintenance operations is possible by the
collection of a 2 -mil levy throughout the district. Priority maintenance items include
irrigation and street lighting.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Planning Department oversees and coordinates the activities and functions of
the Economic Development Office, whose primary mission is to lend assistance to
commercial and industrial businesses by administering a variety of economic
incentive programs that helps attract new businesses into the community, as well
as protide assistance to existing businesses to help them thrive and grow.
Integrating economic development with the activities of the Planning Department
provides a high level of governmental efficiency that helps reduce costs and
expedite the local review and approval process. It enables concurrent review of
projects with both planning and economic considerations. More often than not, the
ability to provide timely decisions is critical to the success of a project.
Several projects that went through entitlement last year have come to fruition or
are nearing completion. Most notably is the commercial corridor on both sides of
Middlebelt Road between I-96 and the CSX Railroad. New store openings include
Dick Sporting Goods, JoAnne Fabrics, Culvers, Outback Steakhouse, Goodwill,
Applebee's, and Del Taco.
The City of Livonia's seasonally unadjusted jobless rale for the month of
September 2014 was 3.5 percent, down from 3.9 percent one (1) year ago and 4.2
percent from two (2) years ago. Nationally, the average is 5.5 percent, and the
Slate of Michigan and Wayne County are 6.4 percent and 9.2 percent,
respectively.
Livonia's industrial market continues on a trend of positive net absorption and
leasing activity. The City has nearly 30 million square feel of classified industrial
space. As of December 2014, the occupancy rale stood at 91.5 percent, equal to
the 10 -year high reported in 2004. According to Costar Group, a commercial real
estate tracking and information service, there were 107 industrial lease and sale
transactions over the past 12 months. The largest single transaction involved the
sale of the former GM Powertrain plant at 12000 Middlebelt Road. The seller was
Racer Properties, LLC, and the new owner is East Middlebelt, LLC (a Schostak
Bro's Company). The recorded sale price was $1.6M, or roughly $1.69 persquare
foot.
One industrial project that stands out among the rest in 2014 is the expansion of
McLaren Performance Technologies at 33223 Eight Mile Road. Final approval
occurred in May 2014, and construction commenced in early fall with the
demolition of the former Cushman building. Completion of the project will be in
2016. The new 75,000 square fool facility will be home to the Company's
Engineering and Sales offices. The Planning and Economic Development
Department was key to the projects success, working closely with the MEDC to
deliver a competitive economic incentive package and that prevented the
Company from moving closerlo its headquarters in Canada. The project will result
in over $20M of investment in Livonia, much of which will go to local contractors,
and the creation of over 50 new jobs.
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Looking at other sectors of Livonia's economy, retail occupancy continues to climb
upwards, and currently stands at 89.5 percent. Occupancy in the office market has
remained relatively stable over the past year, fluctuating only slightly in the range
of 84 percent. In terms of properly sales, the most significant transaction of the
year involved the sale of Victor Corporate Center, headquarters of Trinity Health,
for a total of $51,000,000, or approximately $136.00 per square foot. The true
buyer was American Realty Capital Global Trust, Inc. out of New York.
In 2014, the Livonia Economic Development Office (LEDO) provided assistance to
many businesses. Listed below are a few of the companies and a project
summary:
Fortner Gm Powertrain (12000 Middlebeft Road)
Development Agreement/Maintenance Agreement. These documents address
several key items with respect to reuse of the property, including target job
creation, building use restrictions, marketing, economic incentives, and property
maintenance. A number of capital improvements are currently underway at the
facility. Bay Logistics, a distributor of automotive parts, is leasing a portion of the
building.
NYX (38900 Plymouth Road)
Livonia -based Tier 1 Auto Supplier specializing in plastic -injection molded parts.
In Tale summer 2014, NYX opened a new 44,000 square foot manufacturing
plant. LEDO assisted the Company throughout the process, including design,
permitting and construction, and coordinated application and approval of a P.A.
198 tax abatement.
Quality Metalcraft (12001 Farmington Road)
Quality Metalcreft is a Livonia -based manufacturing company that specialized in
stamped metal parts primarily for the auto industry. Currently underway is a
substantial expansion of the Company's Farmington Road production facility
LEDO provided guidance and assistance to QMC throughout the process, and is
working with the Company on fling a P.A. 198 tax abatement application.
David Corporation (38701 Seven Mile Road)
San Francisco -based software firm specializing in risk management. DAVID is in
the process of locating offices in Livonia. Based on the Companys projected
$460,000 in qualified capital investment which will create at least 26 newjobs
over three years, efforts are underway to provide an economic development
package of state and local incentives totaling up to an estimated $152,000,
including $150,000 in funding from the Michigan Business Development
Program.
Quad City Innovations (30933 Industrial Road)
QCI is a unique and innovative company that specializes in ultra -clean, ultra -
efficient waste -to -fuel energy technologies. QCI's patented process extracts the
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hydrocarbons in waste plastics and converts it into fuel. Over the course of
several months, the City worked closely with the Company's CEO, Dean Rose, to
find a suitable building in Livonia. This past June, QCI purchased a building on
Industnal Road. Renovation of the 75,000 square foolformer Kroger meal
packaging plant is underway, and will eventually house several waste -plastic to
fuel conversion machines.
Leapers (32500 Capitol)
Global manufacturer of a wide variety of sporting goods equipment and
accessories. Leapers acquired an additional building on Capitol Road allowing
the Company to consolidate its headquarters, engineering, prototype design,
production and testing, as well as some manufacturing operations. This past
June, Leapers amended previously approved Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption
Certificate to include an additional $750,000 capital investment. Plans are
currently underway to expand the Company's production capacities in Livonia.
Alpha USA (32711 Glendale)
Earlier in the year, Alpha USA purchased a second building located only a few
doors down from its main headquarters and manufacturing plant located on
Glendale. The second building will increase the capacity of Alpha's production
operations. To assist this long-standing Livonia business, the City Council
granted a personal property lax exemption on a planned capital investment in
machinery and equipment totaling approximately $3,000,000.
Liberty Street Brewing Company (11721 Levan)
Livonia Planning and Economic Development assisted this Plymouth -based
brewery with establishing a beer production facility. Being the first of its kind in
the City required coordination between several departments, including
Inspection, Law and Police. City Council approval is the final step in the local
authorization process, anticipated sometime either in December or January.
Gmnd River Academy (28111 Eight Mile)
Grand River Academy is a free public charter school offering grades K-5 (adding
one grade per year through grade 8). The official school opening was fall 2014
after months of construction and preparation. Grand River Academy occupies a
substantial portion of the former Werton Plaza Shopping Center located at the
corner of Grand River Avenue and Eight Mile Road. For years, the shopping
center building once anchored by a Farmer Jack grocery store sat empty. Early
in the planning process, LPED worked with the parent charter organization,
National Heritage Academies, to transform this long -neglected property into a
viable and productive reuse.
Ashley Capital (13000 Eckles)
Ashley Capital is a well-known, well-established industrial development
company, poised to purchase the City's largest remaining vacant property. The
116 -acre parcel is the former General Motors Spring and Bumper Assembly, later
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known as Delco Chassis, located at the northeast comer of Eckles and Amrhein
Roads. LP ED has been working with the buyer during a period of due -diligence
on matters related to the future redevelopment of the property, including zoning
and site plan, site grading and engineering, environmental, and preparation of a
development agreement.
GLR Advanced Recycling (12600 Stark)
GLR recycles metals, paper plastics, and electronics. Not long after opening a
processing facility in Livonia on Merriman Road, the company outgrew the site,
and turned to LPED and the Inspection Departments to find a new location. The
City responded by finding an underutilized properly on Stark Road adjacent to
the railroad that is ready ten times larger than the Company's previous location.
GLR's operations are no longer restricted due to a lack of properly. In addition,
because of the location and size of the property, the companys outdoor
operations no longer pose a potential nuisance to any neighboring businesses.
Linear Mold & Engineering (12926 Stark)
Linear Mold has become synonymous with the tens "advanced manufacturing."
This Livonia -based company specializes in providing tooling for injection molds,
compression molds, and any tooling required for processing of thermoplastic
resins. Linear Mold is America's largest privately owned provider of 3D Metal
Printing services, an additive manufacturing process used in the creation of
functional metal parts for prototyping purposes, as well as creation of conformal
cooled tooling inserts for production injection molds. Plans are currently underway
to expand the Companys 3D Metal Printing capabilities on Stark Road. The
expansion will involve additions to the building and parking areas, as well as a new
basin to manage storm water runoff. The building additions will provide space for
more 3D Metal Printing machinery, a training and classroom area, and additional
manufacturing and storage space to the main plant area. LPED is assisting the
Company in navigating its way through the local approval process, as well as
working with the MEDC to help incentivize the project.
Actuaplast North America, Inc. (31690 Glendale)
French -owned auto supplier that specializing in plastics technology, including 2D
and 3D extrusion blow molding, design and tooling manufacturing, CAD -CAM
design, and plastic welding and assembly. ActuaPlasl's decision to locale its first
production facility in Livonia hopefully will set the stage for future growth and
expansion. The Company has installed a state-of-the-art injection blow -mold
machine with plans to add 3 or 4 more machines by 2016. Livonia Planning and
Economic Department is working jointly with the Michigan Economic Development
Corporation, Detroit Regional Chamber, and the Economic Department of the
Embassy of France to assist ActuaPlast in developing a U.S. growth strategy. The
incentives profile for ActuaPlasl includes participation in the Michigan Business
Growth Fund (Loan Participation Program), PA 198 Tax Abatement, and
Workforce Training.
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MISCELLANEOUS RETENTION AND ATTRACTION PROJECTS
The Livonia Economic Development Office meets regularly with existing and
prospective businesses to learn more about their operations, address concerns
and issues they may have, assist with site selection and planning, provide
information on local incentive programs, and direct them to the proper State,
County and/or City agencies or departments for additional assistance. Below is a
list of some of the companies and organizations that the Economic Development
Office worked with over the past year:
• KTX America, Inc.
• Digital Terrain
• Total Sports Complex
• Optomi, LLC
• Bill Brown Ford
• Roush Industries
• Thixomal
• Plastomer
• Vantage Port
• Allied Commerce Center
• Belfor
• Schoolcraft College
• A123
• Awrey Bakery
• Verizon Wireless
• Livonia Mitsubishi
• Wayne County EDGE
• Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary
• Gel Go (Former Chi -Chi's site)
• Livonia Marketplace
• UPS
• Soave Homes
MAPS
The Planning Department has prepared many new maps for City use and has
revised others. These maps are used al the various public hearings conducted
by the Planning Commission and City Council. The maps are also made
available to other City departments and groups.
GIS
The Planning Department continues to work closely with the Information Systems
Department and other City Departments involved in the development and
maintenance of the City's desktop Geographic Information System (GIS). The
City's GIS is a powerful collection of computer hardware and software designed
to visualize, explore, query and analyze data geographically. The Planning
Department utilizes the GIS on a daily basis for a variety of planning related
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tasks including: mapping, obtaining land use statistics and information,
generating mailing labels for public nofifcafion purposes, and much more. As
part of its responsibility of providing accurate and current land use information,
the Planning Department maintains the following spatial GIS layers and
accompanying attribute information:
Zoning
Liquor Licenses
Existing Land Use
Cell Towers
Future Land Use
Truck Routes
Building Footprints
Act 198 Industrial Districts
Control Zones
PLANNING DATABASE
The Planning Department continues to expand the use of its computer database,
which was designed and developed for the purpose of tracking and storing
information about all of the various petitions that the Department is responsible
for overseeing. The new database was created with several benefits in mind,
including faster and more efficient delivery of information to residents, other City
Departments and developers, better record keeping, and expandability and
compatibility with other computer software programs including the GIS. The
Planning database was developed using Microsoft Access and includes detailed
information on each petition including the type of project, the review procedure,
the applicant, critical deadlines (i.e., public notification), past history, zoning, etc.
Select information can be linked directly with the GIS and viewed in a spatial
context. For example, maps can be generated showing the locations of all
properties involved in certain types of land use proposals (i.e., restaurants), over
a given period of time. As of December 2014, the Planning database contains
detailed information on approximately 3,057 petitions.
ASSISTANCE TO OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS
Hundreds of hours have been spent supplying other departments with technical
help including:
Community Resources Assessor's Office Historical Commission
Engineering/Inspection Legal Department Library Commission
Parks & Rec. Finance Department Historic Preservation
Housing Commission Police Department Mayor's Office
LIVONIA DIVISION OF POLICE
The Livonia Police Department is the ninth largest police department in the State
of Michigan. The Administration Bureau consists of the Chief of Police, one Deputy
Chief of Police, two Captains who are Division Commanders. Two civilians provide
administrative support, including payroll and benefit administration, employee
records, and financial tracking.
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In 2014, the police department added 25 members to its staff; however, the police
department also experienced 18 separations of service. We are committed to
maintaining adequate staffing levels without sacrificing the high standard of
qualifications of candidates.
SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION
Support Services is responsible for the efficient day-to-day operation of the
Department. Important functions include preparing and maintaining the budget,
purchasing, training, personnel, labor relations, contacts with citizens groups, as
well as providing reports to the Mayors Office, City Council and various City
Commissions.
Training
Dunng fiscal year 2014, the Training Division coordinated the attendance of our
officers at more than 150 off-site, in-service training courses and administered the
Slate training resources, as well as the Federal Bullet Proof Vest Grant. The
Training Division also ensured that all officers completed the MCOLES Firearms
Proficiency Standards, including our Reserve Officers, and conducted nearly 50
firearms training sessions throughout the year. All of the Dispatchers attended the
required number of courses to comply with Slate Law and the reporting of the 9-1-
1 funds was conducted in accordance with the grant. Our annual Police Officer
Refresher Training (PORTS) covered MCOLES Firearms Re -certification, Subject
Control, Emergency Vehicle Operation, First Aid/CPR/AED and Cultural
Diversity/Autism. This training was in addition to mandatory training sessions
which covered: Intermediate Weapons, issues specific to each shift, Incident
Command, Body Scanners and Bicycle Enforcement. The Training Division
coordinated with the Civil Service Department on hiring fifteen new Police Service
Aides, four Police Officers, and two Dispatchers. Eight Police Service Aides
attended the Western Wayne County Regional Police Academy and were
promoted to the rank of Police Officer. Additionally, four other Police Service Aides
were promoted to Police Officer during this period.
The Training Division coordinated the attendance of three command officers to the
Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, which carries
prestigious accreditation.
Communications
The Dispatch Center equipment includes the computer aided dispatch terminals,
9-1-1 premise equipment, early warning sirens, cable override capabilities, Law
Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) teletype equipment, etc. In 2014,
research and planning was completed on replacing the city's Enhanced 9-1-1
system which will allow for text to 9-1-1, remote location answering, and additional
redundancy. This project is scheduled to be completed in early 2015. There are
currently 12 dispatchers assigned.
Communications is also responsible for the building's Uninterruptible Power
Supply system and its batterybank, as well as the proper testing and operation of
our emergency generator.
Computer Services
Computer Services is responsible for research and development, maintenance,
implementation, training, support, and purchasing for the Police and Fire
Departments' 300+ computer devices, software and specially equipment. This
includes: desktops, mobile scout car computers, printers, servers, fingerprint
identification equipment, video and audio devices, surveillance equipment, as well
as wireless and Bluetooth devices. Computer Services also supports multiple
networks including all fire stations, the CLEMIS consortium, and mobile scout car
wireless communications. Additionally, Computer Services is responsible for the
9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) Director's duties. In all, over 3500
projects, support calls, and service requests have been completed for 2014.
In 2014, the purchase of a new 9-1-1 system was made, with installation scheduled
to lake place in the first quarter of 2015. All scout cars were equipped with new
laptops and video systems that enabled wireless uploads of the video data.
Electronic document exchange between the 16th District Court was implemented.
Research has also begun on a replacement jail management system, with a
conversion slated for the first quarter of 2015. A no -cost network connection was
acquired and installed between the police department, the gun range, and fire
stations.
Central Records
Central Records is staffed with five full -lime and two part -lime civilians. This
bureau reviews and files all arrest and history information and verifies/updates
information on incident reports, as required by the Slate of Michigan. In addition,
they fulfill Freedom of Information requests, subpoenas and discovery orders,
electronically fingerprint citizens for record checks, and are responsible for the
issuance of pistol purchase permits. Central Records personnel also update
Criminal Records information as necessary.
Property and Licensing
The Property and Licensing Unit is staffed by one Police Officer and a temporary
part-time civilian. The main function of the Property and Licensing Unit is to
receive, document and store evidential and non -evidential property coming inlolhe
possession of the Livonia Police Department. Other work activities include the
control and tracking of impounded and abandoned vehicles; oversight of vehicle
auctions conducted by towing agencies; categorizing and submitting confiscated
firearms and other miscellaneous weapons to the Michigan State Police for
destruction; and licensing taxi cab operators and other licensing investigations
authorized under Title 5 of the Livonia Code of Ordinances.
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INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION
The Investigative Division is comprised of several units, including Detective
Bureau, Crime Scene Unit, Crime Prevention, Special Victims Unit, Court
Services/Liquor Control Enforcement, Internet Crimes Against Children, School
Resource and Crime Analysis. The Investigative Division Lieutenant is in charge
of four Sergeants, 13 Police Officers, one Clerk Typist, and two civilian analysts.
The Detective Bureau is currently staffed with two Sergeants, four Police Officers
and one civilian analyst. Their responsibilities include the investigation of most of
the reported crimes. These include assaults, robberies, burglaries, larcenies and
frauds. One Sergeant, one Police Officer, and one civilian make up the Crime
Scene Unit. This unit is responsible for processing crime scenes, which includes
the collection and analysis of evidence. A Police Officer is assigned to Crime
Prevention and his duties include lours of the police station, as well as leaching
civic groups and businesses crime prevention techniques. In addition, the Crime
Prevention Officer is responsible for research, compilation, analysis, mapping of
crime trends/patterns and the distribution of such findings throughout the
department. The information assists patrol, investigafive and administrative staff
in planning the deployment of resources for the prevention, intervention and
suppression of criminal activities within the city. The Special Victims Unit is
comprised of one Sergeant and two Police Officers. This unit investigates
domestic violence and sexual assault cases. The Sergeant is also our Polygraph
Examiner. One Police Officer and one civilian analyst, under the supervision of a
Detective Bureau Sergeant, are assigned to Court Services/LCC enforcement.
They handle the daily court activity and process all warrants. They also invesfigate
Michigan Liquor Control Commission license applicants and enforce the MLCC
laws.
One Police Officer is assigned to the Michigan State Police Internet Crimes Against
Children (ICAC) Unit. The ICAC Unit investigates individuals who, via the Internet,
attempt to lure minors for illicit acts. The School Resource Unit is comprised of
three Police Officers who are assigned to the middle and high schools. They
provide a liaison between the police and schools and investigate any crimes that
occur at the schools.
The Clerk Typist serves as an Office Manager responsible for daily logs, employee
time records, Sex Offender Registry, canceling warrant recalls and handling writs.
UNIFORM DIVISION
Patrol Bureau
The Patrol Bureau is comprised of one Captain, four Lieutenants, 13 Sergeants,
59 Police Officers, 11 Police Service Aides, 12 Dispatchers, and one Vehicle
Maintenance Coordinator. The Patrol Bureau provides around-the-clock
assistance, protection, and law enforcement to the City of Livonia.
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Traffic Bureau
The Traffic Bureau consists of one Sergeant and four Police Officers, one of which
is a Motor Carrier Officer. All Traffic Bureau personnel have been trained in basic
traffic crash investigation, which is the primary focus of this bureau. Several
officers in this bureau are also trained in accident reconstruction. This bureau
investigates all fatal and serious injury crashes, which are surveyed and
photographed with an extensive technical follow-up invesfigation. The Traffic
Bureau is also comprised of the Motorcycle Unit and a Motor Carrier (commercial
vehicle) Enforcement Officer. Secondary responsibilifies include: investigation
and prosecuton of traffic -related crimes, civil forfeiture of vehicles for drunk and
drugged driving, selective traffic enforcement activifies, traffic crash pattern
analysis, engineering enhancement recommendations for improved traffic flow and
increased safely, breath test instrument calibrations, hiring and supervision of
school crossing guards, training and monitoring of all speed enforcement
equipment, and Planning Board/Zoning Boards' research and recommendations.
The Traffic Bureau Sergeant is an ad-hoc member of the Livonia Traffic
Commission and attends all meetings.
Additional bureau responsibilities include: complefion of numerous injury and
properly damage crash investigations, hit and run crash investigations, reckless
driving complaints, and fleeing and eluding investigations. The Traffic Bureau
reviews all crash reports, tracks and reviews all drunk driving arrests and related
vehicle forfeitures, and manages the Strategic Traffic Accident Reduction
(STAR.) program and the Safe Communities grant program (Click -It or Ticket
and Over the Limit, Under Arrest).
Community Service Bureau
The Community Service Bureau is staffed by one Police Officer, who reports to the
Patrol Operations Lieutenant. This officer serves on the Board of the Livonia
Anniversary Committee, planning and implementing all public safely aspects of the
annual Spree Festival. The Community Service Bureau is responsible for the
administration of the Police Reserve Program, which currently consists of 45
Reserve Officers. Reserve Officers provide police presence at special community
events, such as the Livonia Spree, school functions and miscellaneous civic
events. Reserve Officers also respond to snow emergencies, downed power lines,
and situations where crowd control is required. In addifion, Reserve Officers
function as support personnel at the 16th District Court and serve as vehicle
maintenance officers for the Livonia Police Department. During 2014, uniformed
personnel in this bureau worked 10,350 hours. The total cost of services for the
year is estimated at $172,870.00, with fractional reimbursement at $82,025.00 and
discounted unsubsidized services in the amount of $90,845.00.
This bureau oversees the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The
Livonia CERT consists of 60 members who are trained in disaster response skills,
such as medical operations, light search and rescue, and fire safety. In 2014,
CERT members worked 13 activations throughout Southeastern Michigan.
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The Community Service Bureau also manages Police Explorer Post #213. The
Police Explorer Post, in partnership with the Nalional Learning for Life
Organization, is a community-based group that gives young adults interested in
law enforcement the opportunity to experience both law enforcement and
community service activities. Presently, the Explorer program has been
suspended due to a lack of candidates displaying the commitment necessary to
carry out the principles of the program. It is the intention of this bureau to reinstate
the Explorer program upon increased interest and a willingness among participants
to commit to the mission of the program.
INTELLIGENCE BUREAU
The Intelligence Bureau is staffed by One Lieutenant, five Sergeants, six Police
Officers, and one Clerk Typist. Their responsibilities are as follows:
As the Officer -In -Charge, the Lieutenant supervises all members ofthe bureau and
is responsible for the management and administration of the bureau. The
Lieutenant reports directly to the Chief and Deputy Chief of Police.
One Sergeant directly supervises four Police Officers who are responsible for all
narcotics enforcement and criminal surveillance affecting the City of Livonia. This
team is usually staffed with two Sergeants instead of one and six Police Officers
instead of four. The shortage is due to current budget issues affecting the
department.
One Sergeant handles all of the narcotics evidence for the department and
narcotics case preparation, which includes court presentation and civil forfeiture
actions.
One Sergeant is assigned to the Combined Hotel Interdiction Enforcement
(C.H.I.E.F.) Task Force. This unit consists of our Sergeant, along with officers
from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Michigan State Police, Allen Park,
Brownstown Township, Dearborn, Romulus, Southgate, Taylor, Woodhaven, and
the Wayne County Airport Authority Police Department. This unit is responsible
for disrupting illegal drug trafficking in the Detroit Metropolitan area by detecting
and targeting violators and trafficking organizations that are primarily utilizing
hotels to facilitate drug trafficking.
One Sergeant and one Police Officer are assigned to the Michigan State Police —
Weslem Wayne Narcotics Investigations. This unit consists of our two officers and
officers from the Michigan Stale Police, Plymouth Township, Northville Township,
Canton Township, Huron Township, and the federal Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms &
Explosives Bureau (ATF). This unit is responsible for developing and prosecuting
narcotics cases in the Western Wayne County communities.
One Sergeant is assigned to a United States Marshal Fugitive Apprehension
Team. This unit is responsible for the arrest of felony fugitives who have fled
prosecution in local, state and federal criminal cases.
One Police Officer is assigned to a federal Drug Enforcement Administration
(D.E.A.) Tactical Diversion Task Force, specifically targeting illicit prescription
medications being trafficked in the Detroit Metropolitan area.
The Clerk Typist serves as an Office Manager responsible for daily supplies,
records management and employee time records.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
The City of Livonia is recognized as an independent Emergency Management
Program by the State of Michigan under Public Act 390. The purpose of Livonia's
Emergency Management Program is to allow the City to prevent, prepare, mitigate,
respond to and recover from emergencies, natural disasters and ads of terrorism.
Primary responsibilities include: planning, training, equipment, exercise, and the
management and administration of Livonia personnel and resources charged with
responding to major incidents. Along with these primary responsibilities, Livonia's
Emergency Management Program focuses on being an emergency preparedness
resource for the citizens and business community.
The City's Director of Emergency Preparedness is responsible for the overall
organization and management of Livonia's Emergency Management Program.
A Police Sergeant is appointed as the Director of Emergency Preparedness and
works closely with local, county, regional, state, federal, private and volunteer
partners involved in emergency management and homeland security.
During 2014, significant emergency preparedness activities included enacting
provisions within the City of Livonia Emergency Operations Plan for heavy mins
which resulted in significant flooding in Southeast Michigan. This flooding incident
ultimately led to a presidentially declared disaster for the City, which enabled
Livonia residents the opportunity to receive federal funding for cleanup and
property losses; procuring and managing Justice Assistance Grants (JAG'S) which
provide equipment to enhance the City's emergency response capabilities;
procuring and managing Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grants that provide
for the training and purchase of equipment that increase the interoperability of the
City, as well as the Western Wayne County Mobile Field Force and Western
Wayne County Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) law enforcement specially
teams. During this period, just over $40,000.00 in upgraded radio equipment was
secured for the Western Wayne County Special Weapons and Tactics Team.
Additional activities include: participating in a full-scale hostile action based
exercise at the Fermi II nuclear power plant, which was evaluated directly by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); conducting training for City
emergency response personnel, as well as general employees, as required by the
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Department of Homeland Security, in accordance with the National Incident
Management System (NIMS) and the National Response Framework (NRF);
updating the Emergency Response and Building Evacuation plans for Livonia's
three libraries, as well as conducting "Active Shooter" training for library
employees; representing the City with multiple local, county, regional and stale
homeland security and emergency management organizations; conducted
communications drills with Livonia Publics Schools, Clarenceville Public Schools,
and parochial schools; acquired and oversaw the installation of body scanners into
the Livonia Police detention facility, providing enhanced screening of individuals
entering the detention facility.
Livonia's Emergency Management Program is an all hazard based program that
partners with the community as a whole. This partnership with the citizens and
businesses of Livonia was accomplished by conducting emergency planning
presentations/exercises with public and private partners including: Schoolcmfl
College, Madonna University, St. Mary Mercy Hospital, Marywood Nursing Care,
Livonia Woods Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, the Civil Air Patrol, Livonia
Rotary Clubs, and the Livonia Amateur Radio Club.
Additional community based activities included: partnering with the National
Weather Service to bring "Skywam" training to the citizens of Livonia; providing
assistance to Livonia's long-term care (LTC) facilities with the stale mandates and
fire drill requirements; hosting the Livonia Amateur Radio Club's annual "QSO"
communications drill, as well as partnering with the Wayne County Department of
Public Health to provide resources that will allow Livonia to maintain operational
continuity during a health emergency.
The Emergency Management program continues to maintain oversight of the
citizen based Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The Livonia
CERT continues to be a model program, with members volunteering well over 100
hours to both Livonia and regional activities/emergencies. Livonia CERT members
played a pivotal role during the state flooding disaster, manning many of the stale
coordination centers in Southeast Michigan which provided assistance to residents
devastated by the August flooding.
ACTIVITIES
CENTRAL RECORDS
Activity
2013
Amount
Est 2014
Amount
Accident Reports
648
$8,543
894
$12,100
Incident Reports
264
$1,320
318
$1,590
Fingerprints -City
523
$7,845
567
$8,520
Fingerprints - State
211
$9,811
224
$10,416
Fingerprints -N/C
47
111
LCC
11
$11,400
20
$33,000
Purchase Permits
516
$2,590
393
$1,965
all
Activity
2013
Amount
Est 2014
Amount
Purchase Permits -N/C
3,436
-25%
3,135
275
Record Clearance/Checks
194
$1,158
202
$1,212
Record Clearance/Checks -N/C
715
4,289
1,315
+8%
Public Vehicle License -New
1
$20
0
0
Public Vehicle License - Renew
32
$384
3
$36
FOIA/Discovery
943
$16,089
1,050
$13,400
Miscellaneous (Jail Phone,
148
$34,892
119
$30,969
Vehicle Forfeiture, etc.)
+200%
MLCC Applications Investigated 52
47
-10%
Warrant Processing Fee
625
$6,250
653
$6,530
TOTAL REVENUE
$100,302
$119,738
PROPERTY AND LICENSING
Activity
Public Vehicle Permit Applications/Renewals
2013
36
Est. 2014
4
%Change
-89%
Taxi Cab Ins ecfions
4
3
-25%
Business License Applications
275
197
-28%
Impounded/Abandoned Vehicles Processed
2,007
1,730
-14%
Property Items Received/Processed
4,289
4,638
+8%
INVESTIGATIVE DNISION
Activity 2013
Est. 2014
%Change
Total Cases Investigated 5,705
5,489
4%
Felony Warrant Requests 472
249
-47%
Misdemeanor Warrant Requests 1,202
1,308
+9%
Precious Metal Documents `7,583
26,148
+245%
Crime Scenes Processed 101
Vehicles Processed 79
64
49
-37%
-38%
Pieces of Evidence Processed 2,115
1,119
-47%
Latent Prints Identified 150
136
-9%
Reports by Crime Scene Unit 235
180
-23%
AFIS Cases 707
509
-28%
Polygraphs Administered 18
Referrals to Youth Assistance 29
25
20
+39%
-31%
MLCC Reports 34
33
-3%
MLCC Inspections (on site & decoy) 151
156
+3%
MLCC Violation Reports 2
6
+200%
MLCC Applications Investigated 52
47
-10%
'data adjusted by Leads On -Line from previous year
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PATROL BUREAU
Activity 2013 Actual
2014 Projected
% Change
Calls for Service — Police 33,985
34,248
+1%
Calls for Service — Fire 9,211
9,598
+4%
Reports Taken 8,999
8,386
-7%
Adult Arrests 5,253
4,948
_6%
Juvenile Arrests 160
Use of Force Incidents 46
105
40
-34%
-13%
Vehicle Pursuits 16
24
+50%
TRAFFIC BUREAU
Activity 2013 Actual
2014 Projected
% Change
Drank Driving Prosecutions 295
301
+2%
OWI Vehicle Forfeitures 39
Traffic Crash Data
31
-20%
Property Damage 2,562
3,141
+23%
Injury 687
744
+8%
Fatal 3
3
0%
Tmffrc Crash Totals 3,252
3,835
+18%
Uniform Law Violations 34,191
35,676
+4%
INTELLIGENCE BUREAU
Activity 2013 Actual
2014 Projected
%Change
Assigned Cases 1,288
1,073
-17%
Search Warrants 61
59
-3%
Forfeiture Actions 195
163
-16%
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
The Department of Public Works includes the Public Service Division and the
Engineering Division, which operate under the direction of the Director of Public
Works. The responsibilities of the two Divisions are as follows:
Public Service Division — This Division is responsible for the performance of a
wide variety of maintenance functions. These functions range from in-house
activities such as building maintenance and vehicle maintenance (except Police
and Fire) to the more visible maintenance of public utilities, park sites and
roadways.
Engineering Division —The Engineering Division is underthe direction oflhe City
Engineer and is responsible for all construction operations within public rights-of-
way and/or public easements. The division has provided engineering services as
directed by the Mayor, the City Council, other City departments and various Boards
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and Commissions, as well as for the general public. During the past fiscal year,
the work was handled by 10 full-time employees. The department consists of three
(3) sections: Administrative, Design and Field.
Highlights of the 2014 year's accomplishments include:
ENGINEERING DIVISION
Administrative Section
This section prepares reports for the City Council, subdivision bond establishments
and releases, and various other reports; reviews the design of public
improvements in connection with the development of residenfial subdivisions,
commeroial and industrial site plans; prepares legal descripfions as required by
other departments; and provides technical assistance and advice to administrefive
and legislative groups within the City as well as State and County governmental
units. The Administrative Section is also responsible for the issuance of permits
for work in the public rights-of-way and/or easements, along with fielding
residential complaints on drainage, sidewalk and road issues. Attendance at
Council, Commission and citizen meetings is also a function of this section.
The Adminislrefive Section was involved with the following matters during 2014 in
addition to attending meetings with Stale and County officials, and investigating
citizen complaints:
• Old M-14 (General Drive to Newburgh Road) Microsurfacing Project.
• Dedication of Sanitary, Storm and Water Main Easements.
• DTE Streetlight Outage Reporting.
• DWRF Project 7355-01 Phase I.
• Eight Mile Water Main Improvement Project.
• Coventry Gardens Water Main Project.
• Karen/Haller Water Main Project (Section 36).
• DWRF Project 7356-01 Phase 11.
• 1-96 Reconstruction (US -24 to Newburgh) Coordination with MOOT.
• Levan Road, S. of Five Mile Road Revised Sanitary Sewer SAD.
• Pilot Fooling Drain Disconnect Program.
• PRDA Slreefiighl LED Retrofit Study.
• PRDA Slreefiighl Monitoring in Cooperation with DPW.
• SESC Permits.
• 7 Residenfial.
• 25 Commercial.
• SRF Project #5543-01.
• Manhole Rehabilitation Program.
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• Sanitary Sewer Pipe Rehabilitation Program.
• Sanitary to Storm Disconnection Program.
• Numerous Pavement Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Projects in
conjunction with the Annual Paving Program.
• Numerous Utility Permits for AT&T/SBC Upgrades and Installations.
• Numerous Utility Permits for Consumers Energy Projects.
• Closed out numerous MDOT and Wayne County Projects.
• Updated the City website in regard to the Citywide Pavement Management
Program with the renewal millage for the 2014/2015 Road Programs.
• Annual Permits for Utility Companies performing work in the right-of-way and
upgrades before paving contracts.
Four site condominium projects and numerous commercial and industrial projects
were also reviewed and/or inspected by the Division.
• Applebee's and Del Taco (13301 and 13201 Middlebelt Road).
• Allied Commerce Center Phases I and II (31800 Enterprise Drive).
• Cedarbrook of Northville (West of Section 18).
• Clarenceville School Dist. -2014 Athletic Complex (20155 Middlebelt Road).
• Comcast Utility Installation (Merriman Road N. of Plymouth Road).
• Consumers Energy Livonia Service Center (11801 Farmington Road).
• Contaminated Soil Removal Plan (12633 Inkster Road).
• Culvers Restaurant (13030 Middlebelt Road).
• Demolition of Washington Elementary School (9449 Hix Road).
• Dunkin Donuts (34899 Plymouth Road).
• Fiberlech Networks, LLC (Six Mile Road, Middlebelt Road to Inkster).
• Golf Ridge Site Condominiums (Section 5).
• Goodwill Inc. — Menards Outiol Parcel C (12651 Middlebelt Road).
• Grand River Charter Academy (28111 Eight Mile Road).
• Livonia Commons Re -development (13507 Middlebelt Road).
• Livonia Manor 2 Site Condominiums (Section 3).
• Madonna University Ballfeld Phase II (33600 Schoolcraft Road).
• Manoogian Manor Expansion (15775 Middlebelt Road).
• Marycrest Heights Senior Village — Phase 11 (15475 Middlebelt Road).
• McLaren Performance Tech., Inc. (32233 Eight Mile Road).
• Medore Building Company (13245 Newburgh Road).
• Menards Outiol Parcel A (12691 Middlebelt Road).
• Menards Outparoel Sanitary Sewer Plans (12701 Middlebelt Road).
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• Men ards Outparcel Slormwaler Management (12701 Middlebelt Road).
• MKOS Medical Office Building (36622 Five Mile Road).
• MN Express — Medora Building Company (13520 Merriman Road).
• Mulfi-tenant Retail Building (17108 Farmington Road).
• NYX Inc. (38900 Plymouth Road).
• Outback Steakhouse — Millennium Park (13010 Middlebelt Road).
• Proposed Repaving Plan (34501 Industrial Road).
• Quality Metal Craft— Building Addition (12001 Farmington Road).
• Renovation for Tennyson Chevrolet/Barbershop (32590 Plymouth Road).
• Repair/Replace Culvert and Storm Sewer (28400 Plymouth Road).
• Retail Development— Menards Outol Parcel A(12691 Middlebelt Road).
• Richfield Park Estates Site Condominiums (Section 31).
• St. Jude Convalescent Center Addition (34350 Ann Arbor Trial).
• Sarah Estates Lane Extension (34618, 34619 and 34622 Sarah Beth Lane).
• Schoolcraft College — CEC Demo & Parking Lot (18600 Haggerty Road).
• St. Mary Mercy Hospital— Proposed Parking Lot Imp. (36475 Five Mile Road).
• St. Mary Mercy Hospital — NE Parking Lot (36475 Five Mile Road).
• Soil Borings — Old M-14 (Newburgh Road and Old M-14).
• St. Mary Mercy Hospital — NW Parking Lot (36475 Five Mile Road).
• St. Mary Mercy Hospital — West Road Construction (36475 Five Mile Road).
• Schoolcraft College — Ring Road and E. Parking Lot (18600 Haggerty Road).
• Schoolcraft College — Seven Mile Road Building (36901 Seven Mile Road).
• Temporary Stockpile Area (9340 Richfield).
• Tennyson Chevrolet (32570 Plymouth Road).
• Tim Horton's (31300 Five Mile Road).
• Tim Horton's (37755 Five Mile Road).
Design Section
This section, in conjunction with the Administrative Section, prepares plans,
specifications and bidding documents for the Citys public improvement projects.
It also prepares legal descriptions as needed. In addition, this section provides
utility information to the public, assigns addresses and reviews residential site
plans.
The following major projects were designed and/or built in 2014:
• 2014 Pavement Joint and Crack Sealing Program.
• 2014 Lane Line Marking Program.
• 2014 Pavement and Sidewalk Repair— Water Main Breaks.
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• 2014 Sidewalk Program.
• Levan Road Revised Sanitary Sewer SAD.
Field Section
This section, in conjunction with the Administrative Section and the Design
Section, prepares, administrates and provides all field inspection and survey
services in connection with contract plans and specifications for projects
constructed under the jurisdiction of the Engineering Division, as well as all
subdivision and commercial developments involving the installation of public
improvements.
Inspection and surveying services were provided for projects valued at
approximately $882,432 were handled by the division during the pastyear. These
are summarized as follows:
• 2014 Pavement Joint and Crack Sealing Program = $105,000.
• 2014 Lane Line Marking Program = $62,500.
• 2014 Pavement and Sidewalk Repair —Water Main Breaks= $169,015.
• 2014 Sidewalk Program = $545,917.
In addition to the public improvement contracts, this section was also responsible
for the field inspection and survey services of:
• All inspection of work under permits numbers 14-001 through 14-437.
• 2013 Sidewalk Program.
• 2014 Sidewalk Program.
• Lawsuit Investigations.
• Drainage Complaints.
• Catch Basin Complaints.
• Soil Erosion Perils.
• Grade Inspections.
• Landfill permit renewal and application.
• Ditching and Ditch Cleanouts as Requested by the Department of Public
Works.
• Commercial Site Sedimentation Basin Inspections, including the related
letters and follow up of the clean outs.
• Residential Plot Plan Review and Grade Certificates.
• Installation of Public Utilities.
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PUBLIC SERVICE DIVISION
Administrative Section
• Provided administrefive services for the City telecommunications system.
• Prepared annual budget submittal for Public Service Division.
• Conducted employment interviews.
• Administered safety programs within the Department.
• Maintained an alcohol and controlled substance testing program per
requirements of Federal law.
• Prepared monthly payment submittals for solid waste contract.
• Administered Recycling Center, City Office Paper Recycling Program,
Curbside Recycling Program and Separated Yard Waste Collection Program.
• Conducted a Household Hazardous Waste/Electronic Waste Drop -Off Day at
Ford Field on April 26, 2014 and publicized the Wayne County events and
the Northville event which were held throughout 2014.
• Maintained City Type III landfill in compliance with all Federal, State and
County requirements.
• Prepared and submitted all solid waste reports required by State of Michigan
and Wayne County.
• Continued community solid waste and recycling educational programs
through use of City newsletter.
• Prepared and distributed to all Livonia households a Bulk Leaf Pick -Up
Program brochure.
• Conducted a secure document shredding, electronic waste and fire recycling
event for Livonia residents at the Livonia DPW yard on September 13, 2014.
ROAD MAINTENANCE SECTION
Snow and Ice Control
• Maintained roads on primary salt routes 24/7 throughoutthe 2013-2014 snow
season. Salted the primary salt routes once in November, 14 limes in
December, 21 limes in January, 14 limes in February, and 6 times in March.
We used 3,293 tons of salt.
• Restocked both of our salt storage buildings with salt atthe early season salt
consortium pricing of $46.51 per ton. Private contractors are currently paying
close to $100 per ton.
• Performed seven citywide major snow events (cycles) last season using DPW
forces and contractors. Plowed 370 miles of road each time, salted 69 miles
of primary, industrial and collector roads.
• Spread slag on gravel roads and parking lots when icy and needed for
traction.
• Installed snow fence at the most drift -prone locations to prevent roadway
drifting, reducing salt use and plowing call -ins.
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• Provided plowing and ice control services in conjunction with the Parks
section at municipal buildings, parks and in City -owned public parking lots.
• Filled and maintained citizen—access salt barrels at specific locations
throughout the city.
• Spot salted water break, problem area and house fire locations, as well as
specific locations requested by LPD.
• Will be replacing 2 more badly rusted and wom salt trucks with live bottom,
brine equipped, computer controlled salt applicator dump trucks. These give
a significant boost to the reliability of the snow removal fleet, as well as
reducing even further the amount of salt that needs to be applied for a given
snow and ice situation.
• Made 20,000+ gallons of salt brine. Brine is primarily used to pre -wet road
salt so it sticks to the roadway better and activates faster, giving better
performance at lower salt application rates.
Sweeping, Drainage and Grading
• Graded all parks, alleys and gravel roads 3 times using in-house equipment
and personnel, did additional spot grading and added gravel as needed. The
use of our articulating under blade truck again saved the expense of hiring a
contract grader to reshape the roads again this year.
• Reworked drainage ditches, culverts and gravel road surfaces to improve
road surface longevity and improve drainage. Re -dug 100+ feet ofdilch and
replaced roadway cross tubes where needed.
• Applied brine solution to gravel roads citywide, and spot treated as needed
to solidify the gravel and minimize dust.
• Swept residenfial roads 4 times. Industrial and major roads were done 3
limes.
• Swept City parking lots once.
• Cleaned the inlet grates on the major storm drains throughout the city 18
limes this year to prevent flooding and erosion damage to the surrounding
area.
• Repaired eroded banks, removed overgrown vegetation from the major
drains, maintained and cut back access roads and trails.
• Performed illicit discharge inspections, sampled and lab tested water
samples where needed on 154 storm water outfalls citywide to keep us in
compliance with state storm water regulations.
Landfill, Transfer Station and Recycling Center
• Maintained licensed City landfill, including clay closure cap, underground
leachate pumping system, the "acfive face' dumping area, all exposed
slopes, access roads, drainage pipes and ditches in compliance with State of
Michigan and Wayne County regulations and inspections.
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• Removed small trees from capped area of landfill to prevent the root systems
from breaking the seal of the clay cap.
• Composted 27,310 cubic yards of leaves collected from last year's Leaf
Pickup Program. This years program is in progress.
• Maintained the berm and contact water conveyance system along the limits
of the Glendale licensed landfill area in order to contain and dispose of
leachate.
• Maintained the cardboard, paper, glass, oil, battery and antifreeze recycling
facility per County and State regulations, as well as loading yard waste for
composting off site.
• Maintained the citizen solid waste drop-oft/transfer area to County and State
specs.
• Pumped approximately 2,500,000+ gallons of leachate contact water from
the landfill to be processed at the Detroit sewage treatment plant.
• Monitored the contractor bulk brush and woodchip disposal operation in
conjunction with the transfer site operation.
Brush Pickup
• Conducted a spring cleanup brush sweep of all streets in the city.
• Did a mid-season, citywide brush sweep with almost all of the Roads, Signs,
Parks and Forestry section employees. Brush chippers, leaf claws, dump
trucks, pickup trucks and hand labor were used after 4 different storms
caused significant tree damage.
• Began by -call brush service for the season, responded to requests citywide.
There were 3,562 requests for brush pickup this year, with 10,500 +slops.
• Removed logs from large tree removals and storm cleanups, disposed of
chips resulting from stump grinding using various Roads section heavy
equipment and dump trucks.
Leaf Pickup
• Deployed 40 DPW employees from the Roads, Signs, Parks, Building
Maintenance, Forestry, Equipment Maintenance, Water and Sewer sections
for a period of 6 weeks to provide residents with two scheduled leaf pickups.
We picked up 27,310 cubic yards of bulk leaves last season, this years
program is in progress.
• Provided street sweeping to clean paved streets and clear storm drain grates
after the final leaf pickup was completed.
• Steam cleaned 36 leaf pickup vehicles, removed and stored truck tailgates,
boxes.
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Construction, Road Maintenance and Miscellaneous
• Responded to 5,489 service requests from residents.
• Did a pothole repair blitz after MDOT completed 1-96, removed their
construction zones and gave us access to all lanes of SchoolcraR Rd.
• Monitored the mill and f11 trial asphalt repairs done in Hidden Pines over the
winter/sprang freeze and thaw seasons. Patches worked well, we will add this
as another treatment possibility for our road program.
• Provided 3 foremen and a supervisor to participate in the weekly after hour's
on-call program. This program provides 24/7 on-call coverage for all DPW
activities and areas of responsibility.
• Repaired or adjusted 53 manholes, storm drains, catch basins and water gate
wells.
• Provided and delivered stone and sanitary manhole frames and covers, water
gate castings etc. to Dan's excavating for the 1-96 project, and contactors
doing road replacements in Livonia. These are installed by the contractor
while the pavement is out to repair or upgrade castings on infrastructure that
is normally the City's maintenance responsibility.
• Repaired or replaced 6 sanitary and stone sewer lines.
• Milled concrete streets to eliminate heat pops or water ponding problems at
30 locations.
• Completed asphalt repairs or replacements to utility cuts, water main repair
sites and cracked pavement at 99 locations.
• Ground and chemically treated rust, repainted dump beds on 2 dump trucks.
Frequent snow storms limited the amount of time available for body work this
year.
• Patched potholes on 370 miles of City -maintained roads, parking lots and
some sites excavated by the Water and Sewer section. Repaired potholes
reported on the Pothole Hotline within 2 business days of the report.
• Ramped vertical separations on sidewalks as reported to us by Law,
Engineering, Forestry and field staff to maintain safe walkways until the slabs
are replaced.
• Assembled a scattered location contract to address high pnorilyslructure and
pavement repairs citywide. Provided major road construction zone signing
and barricading when needed.
• Used heavy equipment to clear stone -washed trees and logs from primary
drains.
• Maintained access ways to major drains to minimize flood control response
time and maintain access for regular maintenance activities.
• Picked up and cleaned oil spills, large debits or lost loads from trucks on City
streets 7 times.
• Closed roads, rerouted traffic as needed due to downed power lines, traffic
accidents, water main breaks, fallen trees and stone damage.
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• Provided truck training for 7 employees so they could get commercial drivers
licenses and be available for snow removal and storm damage cleanup in
dump trucks.
• Changed truck and tractor attachments (buckets, blades, boxes, tailgates,
leaf claws, salt spreaders) from construction season/summer mode to leaf
pickup mode, then to winter plowing/salting configuration.
• Cleaned debris from outfalls and inlets of major City storm drains 18 times to
prevent flooding and storm drain backups.
• Repaired or replaced 3 damaged guardrails.
• Cut and cleared brush from city -owned alleyways.
• Made lawn and or sprinkler repairs resulting from Water Dept. and Roads
maintenance activities and occasional snow plow damage at 301 locations.
• Repaired or replaced 21 mailboxes after they were damaged or removed
during various maintenance and snow removal operations.
• Patched vertical separations and holes in sidewalks citywide to maintain a
safe walking surface until the slabs are replaced.
• Worked with the Forestry section picking up logs and slump chips at over 30
locations.
• Programmed and delivered the lighted message board for road projects and
for other City departments when requested.
SIGN MAINTENANCE SECTION
• Traffic and Street Name Signs: Replaced or Removed: 300+
• Traffic Posts: Replaced or Removed: 150+
• Engraved 45 signs for various City departments.
• Created outdoor and indoor signage for golf courses, volleyball courts,
baseball diamonds, soccer fields, parking lots, City roads, entranceways and
buildings.
• Created signs, provided barricading, reconfigured parking spaces at Nehasil
Park.
• Assisted with the delivery, setups, signing, snow fencing, barricading and
traffic control devices as needed for SPREE, Household Hazardous Waste
Day, Passport to Safety, the Save Our Youth run, the electronic waste and
tire disposal event, Fire Dept. Open House, Easter Egg Hunt, Rouge Rescue,
Music From the Heart, several Wilson Barn shows, the flea market, the
cancer walk, the Highland Games plus additional events at Greenmead, as
well as the Memorial Day Ceremony and the Christmas tree lighting event.
• Maintained traffic control signs (stop, yield, one way, etc.) throughoullhe city
in compliance with new retrorefleciivity standards.
• Continued upgrading street name signs to conform to new relroreflectivily
standard.
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• Continued to update the Signview module in our Cartegraph system. Added
road sign information and updated data to reflect ongoing changes made
again this year from Traffic Control Orders to remove slop signs, change
speed limits, etc., as well as sign upgrades.
• Applied or removed reflective striping, vehicle numbers and City seals to 23
new, repaired or scheduled for auction vehicles.
• Handled 212 service requests for making or replacing signs.
• Installed posts in various parks to prevent blow -over or intentional tipping of
porta-johns.
• Provided signs and materials for the advance notification signs at subdivision
entrances for the Leaf Pickup Program.
• Investigated and acted on most non -leaf pickup service requests sent to
Roads and Signs sections during the leaf pickup program, including debris in
road, damaged guardrail, pothole, equipment damaged mailbox, barricading
and flooded road service requests.
• Maintained barricades and construction signs for all City departments.
• Repainted school crosswalks as requested by LPD.
• Restriped numerous City parking lots.
• Maintained and provided barricades for Council -approved citizen block
parties.
• Did emergency road closures and created detours for Livonia P.D., Water
Dept. and contractors working for Engineering.
• Removed graffiti from walls or pavement at 3 locations.
• Installed and removed specialized signage in support of the 1-96 project.
ANIMAL CONTROL SECTION
The City's Animal Control section provides public services for Livonia residents,
businesses and law enforcement agencies. Responsibilities and duties include:
• Maintain community standards for Livonia by monitoring animal treatment
and wellbeing throughout the community and by reducing animal related
nuisances, concerns and dangers.
• Maintain public safety as it relates to animal issues.
• Provide timely response and assistance to request from residents,
businesses, and law enforcement as needed.
• Provide 2417 response to LPD request for Animal Control related
emergencies.
• Maintain awareness of changes in state laws related to animal and enforce
current standards. Consult with legal department as needed.
• Monitor and address quality of animal conditions in Livonia pet stores, and
kennels.
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• Educate and advise the public on animal related issues including; animal
welfare and handling, neighborhood pet and wildlife nuisances.
• Build community through education, assistance and prevention.
• Handling animal biles and enforcing rabies quarantines as it pertains to state
law.
• Provide yearly inspections and monitoring of residences that are found to
have vicious or potentially vicious animals as dictated in Livonia ordinances.
• Participate in regional Animal Control Communilylo share best practices and
assistance when possible.
Performed the following services for the community in Livonia in 2014:
• Patrolled all city neighborhoods, with focus on known problem areas.
• Patrolled all city parks to prevent or address patron complaints of dogs off
leash. Continued increased patrol of Rotary Park to keep the reduced
numbers of dogs routinely off leash.
• Patrolled schools and playgrounds.
• Coordinated with Ordinance Enforcement on animal related ordinance
issues.
• Responded to 799 requests for service. The breakdown of these requests is:
1. 433 dog (42 biles)
2. 151 cat (6 biles)
3. 142 wild life complaints (1 bile)
4. 1 kennel complaint
5. 18 coyote complaints
6. 5 miscellaneous complaints.
• 4 routine rabies testing. Specimens were tested only where there was
exposure to humans or pets.
• Continued cost saving measures, including staggered shifts to reduce
overtime.
• Completed multiple Professional Development classes from organizations
including Michigan Association of Animal Control Officers (MAACO) and
Michigan Partnership for Animal Welfare (MPAW). The Humane Society of
the United States MCOLES registered course, Animal Cruelly & Fighting
Investigations. FEMA Emergency Management training, and ASPCA Field
investigation (FIR) training.
• Provided educational lessons on animal safely to Livonia Little Tots Daycare
and Preschool children.
• Handled one large scale hoarding case where approximately 51 cats were
removed from a residence.
• Provided training and ride -a -longs for 8 new animal control officers for the city
of Westland and Dearborn Heights.
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FORESTRY SECTION
• Achieved Tree City USA status for the sixteenth year and received our
eleventh year "growth award"
• Continued the young tree-training program for newly planted trees with both
City staff and contracted services. Young tree training helps trees with proper
form and strong structure as they mature. Young tree training also helps
reduce the amount of pruning later in the trees mature life. Work was done
on trees planted in 2005 - 2012.
• Forestry personnel removed 25 small trees and slumps.
• Supervised the removal of 650 trees and slumps by one contractor, Greener
Still, Inc.
• Approximately 70 mature trees were removed on three streets associated
with the concrete road replacement program.
• Supervised and administrated the planting of 650 trees associated with the
2014-planting program. Also supervised the warranty replacement of 70
trees from the 2013 program.
• Planted 10 trees received from the Alliance of Rouge Communities based on
their grant reception through the USDA. These trees were planted on the
City Hall campus.
• Planted two trees in connection with the Arbor Day Program. One sweelgum
and one tulip tree were planted in the schools playground area. Also, 400
seedling pine trees were handed out as part of the program to the children at
the school. The trees were donated by the school's PTA, and planted on
school property.
• Treated approximately 50 wasps' nest, mainly in August and September, with
insecticide to kill the wasps. Calls increased exponentially from 2012.
• Completed over 200 storm related tree trimmings. Three main storm events
necessitated several emergency removals in two sections. We had storms
in June, August and September that affected many areas of the City.
• Received and investigated 1,400 requests for service through Oct. 13th,
2014. Of those, 1,250 have been closed as either serviced or answered. 950
of the requests were for tree trims.
• Performed miscellaneous repairs and blade sharpening on the Sections saws
and trimming equipment.
• Assisted other departments (Water, Engineering, Ordinance, etc.) with
emergency tree removals, site inspections, and tree inspections. Opened
several pathways in two areas so the Sewer section could access creek
crossovers.
• Performed snow removal operations to City buildings and Right of Way
sidewalks. Service included plowing, shoveling and salting.
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• Coordinated the City's annual Rouge Rescue Day. This years' event was
held at Goff nature preserve. Native plantings, stream bank stabilization,
trash removal, and invasive species removal were the focus. 15 volunteers
helped in this cause.
• Supervised one contractor who trimmed approximately 5,000 trees in six City
sections. These trees were trimmed to current International Society of
Arboriculture Standards for street tree elevations. Those standards call for
elevations of 16 —18' over the street, and 8 — 10' over the sidewalk.
• Supervised the same contractor doing resident call-out trim requests. Of the
950 tree trim requests through Oct. 13th, 2014, 700 had been trimmed.
• Tracked gypsy moth populations in Sections 10, 11, 22, 23, and 24 as part of
the gypsy moth egg mass survey. No spraying was needed in 2014.
Populations increased in 2014. We also received calls in the northwest
quarter of section 24. One localized area had complete defoliation of several
oak trees.
• Attended these seminars to increase job knowledge: Michigan Nursery and
Landscape Association annual meeting; Michigan Turfgress Foundation
annual Meeting, Arborist Society of Michigan annual meeting, Metro Detroit
Landscape Association annual meeting, Society of Municipal Arborists,
various seminars on chain saw safety; tree climbing, hazard assessment and
aerial rescue training; roping and rigging training and equipment repair
training.
• Responded to 160 tree-planting requests.
• Issued 50 planting / removal permits.
• Continuously updated the TreeKeeper tree inventory program to accurately
reflect our ROW tree inventory.
• Supervised four (4) contractors in the section. The contractors are the
removal contractor, trim contractor, planting contractor and park tree removal
contractor.
• Gather inspection reports, and prepare the 2015 tree removal list. There are
550 trees to be removed, and the program will be bid out on 12/4/14.
• Build the 2015 tree planting contract. There are 750 addresses on the
planting list. The program will replace trees that were removed in 2014.
Included is the 2014 removal program, and the 2014 road construction
program. The goal of this program is to replace trees removed on earlier
removal programs, and to continue to diversify our urban forest. This
program will be put to bid on 12/4/14.
• Plant 90 trees in Coventry Garden this fall. 50 were through the DWRF grant
program. 40 were through forestry.
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PARK MAINTENANCE SECTION
Athletic Field and Park Maintenance Section
• Floated and lined all City baseball and softball diamonds, and painted soccer
field lines on a regular schedule.
• Performed all landscape maintenance activities on a regular schedule to all
City Parks and buildings. Applied fertilizers and pesticides to all City
buildings, Mile road boulevard islands under our care, and prime athletic
fields on an as -needed basis.
• Aerifed prime ball fields, and soccer fields to reduce compaction issues.
• Performed safety inspections, repaired or removed damaged playground
parts in all City parks and installed 1000 yards of "Softfall" under playground
structures.
• Oversaw four contractors doing work for Parks Maintenance. One mowed
twenty-seven parks, and three cemeteries covering 150 acres. Most of these
parks were non -recreational open space. The second contractor maintained
irrigation systems, and applied fertilizers and pesticides at Wilson Barn, Fire
Stations 4 — 6, Sandburg and Noble libraries, and the Six Mile boulevard
islands. The third contractor performed maintenance, and repairs on the
Plymouth Rd. irrigation system. Lastly, a tree removal contractor removed
80 trees in several City parks.
• Monitored trashcans on athletic fields that Waste Management couldn't get
to.
• Continued a cost savings measure instituted in 2009, weekend trash detail
was not done saving over 250 hours of overtime expense.
• Performed snow removal services for City buildings and Right -of -Way
sidewalks leading to Parks on an as -needed basis. This included shoveling,
plowing, and salting sidewalks as well as plowing numerous City -owned
parking lots. 2014 was a harsh winter, and decimated the overtime budget.
Employee response was excellent, and I was extremely proud of the work the
crew performed.
• Continued renovation of planting beds at the Senior Center, Civic Center
Library, Chamber of Commerce, and Veterans Memorial Park. New material
replaced old, overgrown material to ease maintenance requirements. The
process began in 2012.
• Added sand to all sand volleyball courts in the parks.
• Employees attended safety -training seminars for chain saw operations,
athletic field maintenance, and playground safety.
• Set out, and brought in the picnic tables and trash barrels for the picnic
season. Repaired tables as needed, and ordered new trash cans to replace
old cans beyond a useful life.
• Pruned trees and shrubs in Parks, City buildings and Athletic Fields where
needed.
• Assisted with Spree related activities including set-up, takedown, and trash
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clean-up. Also repaired damage to diamonds 3 — 7 as a result of parked
vehicles on the diamonds.
• Completed 130 "Requests for Service" that related to special activities for
other City Departments (entailed delivering, setting up, taking down canopies,
lents, picnic tables and garbage cans), delivering and selling up the
Showmobile, delivering TEFAP commodities for Community Resources,
Wilson Barn, Greenmead activities, and other City activities.
• Repaired and maintained irrigation systems at Civic Center, LCRC, Ford
Field, Bicentennial Park, and Greenmead.
• Maintained the fountain at City Hall. Oversaw the lining project of the fountain
in the fall.
• Maintained the LCRC, including soccer field renovations, and landscape
work.
• Cleared deadfall trees and branches off of Nature Preserve walkways. Major
work was accomplished on the nature trails at Bicentennial Park.
• Continued testing vacuum breakers as part of Wayne County's DEC
requirements regarding irrigation systems.
• Four employees attended the playground safety institute, which recertified
them as playground inspectors.
• Maintained ice on the three outdoor ice rinks through the winter of2014. The
winter mad for excellent ice conditions.
• Plowed the Community Garden once. We were able to plow the garden in
the fall because of weather conditions.
• Worked with two Eagle Scouts on their project. Scouts chose Rotary, and
Bicentennial as their projects.
• Coordinated the maintenance of the PRDA with the 16th District Court work
program. Coordinated maintenance of the irrigation system with a contractor.
• Coordinated the annual port -a -john ordering, and unit placement, with a
contractor.
• Verified all billing from assorted contractors, and input the information into
Carte Graph.
• Worked with the Mayor's office in dealing with unhappy residents, and trying
to salisfactonly resolve their issues.
• Wrote specifications for new equipment that was bid on MITN. Gathered
information on surplus equipment auctioned on MITN.
• Ordered the annual sidewalk ice melt shipment, fertilizers, garbage bags, dog
station waste bags, and chemicals used in the section.
• Assisted with the building / construction of Nehasil Park.
• Removed tree forts / hideouts in parks as we became aware of them.
• Inspected graffiti issues, and asked the 16th District Court for help in dealing
with the issues.
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BUILDING MAINTENANCE SECTION
Miscellaneous Repairs and Improvements
• Closed out 1350 work orders through November 21, 2014.
• Opened, closed, and winterized City out, pool buildings and pumps.
• Start-up, service and shut -down Landfill, Leachate, lift stations and other
pump systems as needed.
• Maintained and relamped City owned outside lighting fixtures at various
locations and buildings.
• Perform preventative maintenance on equipment and appliances.
• Semi-annually replace all flags, unless otherwise requested; maintain flag
poles.
• Strip and finish floors in buildings as requested.
• Spot and clean carpeting in buildings as requested.
• Clean inside and outside first floor windows on all buildings as needed.
• Clean exterior windows at City Hall, Library and Community Center.
• Monitor building automation and climate control systems.
• Monitor and maintain electronic and mechanical access systems.
• Answer environmental complaints.
• Perform yearly shutdown services in addition to daily maintenance and
custodial assignments at Community Center.
• Continue to adjust the custodial job assignments, checklists and service
delivery program based on current resources for all buildings.
• Test and treated all process water systems.
• Assist with all other departmental projects as requested.
• Serviced overhead and pedestrian doors as needed.
• Replaced sump pump at old courthouse.
• Repiped portion of leaking City Hall roof sump. Replaced damaged ceiling
tiles and grid.
• Replaced loose ceramic floor tile in City Hall atrium.
Roof Replacement, Maintenance and Repair
• Repaired roof on Fire # 3.
• Addressed roof leaks at City Hall and Fox Creek resulting from reroof
projects.
• Repaired roof leak at LPD.
• Repaired roof leak at Senior Center.
• Installed pitch pocket covers on roof lop equipment screen wall at LCRC.
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Painting
• Paint hallway by old jail in LPD.
• Painted NW City Hall vestibule ceiling.
Health, Safety and Energy Conservation
• Addressed water back up in buildings as needed.
• Serviced Glendale Landfill and Leachate pumps and controllers.
• Maintained street lighting for PRDA.
• Inspected and cleaned commercial hood and dud systems in Fire Stations.
• Tested fire alarms, sprinklers and suppression systems in City buildings.
• Maintained compliance with Slate of Michigan Boiler and Elevator
inspections, testing and certifications.
• Maintained Employee State required licensing, certifications and training.
• Arranged for annual Blood borne pathogen training for staff.
• Exterminated or remove pests in City buildings as needed.
• PM and load -bank tested generators.
• Reset all clocks, lighting and equipment and automation systems for time
changes.
• Clean debris and growth from building rooftops, sumps and gutters.
• Perform annual required CSD -1 lest and monthly inspections on all boilers.
• Cleaned and maintained sump discharge lines at various buildings.
• Cleaned and PMA City lift stations.
• Tested all seasonal and fire protection backflow devices; maintain database
to track same.
• Maintained lighting on Newburgh bridge underpass.
• Test EM lighting in City buildings, replace lighting as needed.
• Maintained and monitor methane exhausters at Glendale yard.
• Cleaned City buildings as resources permit.
• Rekeyed Water and Sewer building with security cores.
• Rekeyed Building Maintenance building with security cores.
• Repaired bumttfrozen water pipes in DPW Administration building.
• Repaired bumttfrozen suppression lines in aftic of Fire # 3.
• Repaired frozen water line in Whispering Willows riser room.
• Replaced water healer in Building Maintenance building.
• Relamped Bi Centennial comfort station.
• Installed safety viewing peepholes on Library service doors.
• Replaced emergency lighting at LCRC as needed.
• Decommissioned unused boilers in Senior Center and Livonia Aid buildings.
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• Assisted Treasurer's office with installation of counter security curtain.
• Redesigned Custodial service delivery program to reflect budgeted man-
hours and allotted personnel.
• Continued cross training of Custodial staff.
Greenmead
• Assisted with all events held on grounds (Highland Games, Flea Markets, Car
Shows, Fall Harvest, and Holiday Walks).
• Install and remove decorations for Holiday and special events.
• Move and set-up and install furniture, furnishings and equipment as
requested and able.
• Continue maintenance, set-up and custodial service as able.
• Assisted with construction and maintenance projects as able.
• Inspected and cleaned commercial hood and dud system in Blue house.
• Replace furnaces in Church and History house.
• Replaced furnace, water heater and sump pump in Quaker Meeting house.
• Replaced sump pump in City Hall elevator pit.
Renovation and New Construction
• Oversee and track day to day activities of City Contractors.
• Installed new rooftop HVAC unit for Fox Creek Pro Shop.
• Completed cleaning and calibrating all CV boxes in City Hall.
• Re -caulked exterior of center section of LPD.
• Converted Law Library to new conference room.
• Refinished west exterior gable of Devonaire Ice Arena.
• Replaced exterior lawn CT cabinet for City Hall.
• Install new exterior wall pack lighting for Eddie Edgar Ice Arena.
• Demoed wall in New Assessor's office, relocated utilities, installed new ceiling
tiles, missing carpet, touched up paint and rearranged furniture.
Special Projects and Interdepartmental Assistance
• Assisted with various City Hall functions as requested.
• Provide set up and tear downs for meetings and events as requested.
• Maintained facilities leased from the City as per agreements.
• Handle citizen complaints as received.
• Moved furniture, computers, work stations and materials and equipment as
requested.
• Assembled, hung, switched, took apart, repaired and disposed of items in
buildings as asked.
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• Respond to and perform daily maintenance requests on equipment and
physical facilities as requested.
• Assist with Senior Citizen shows and events as requested.
• Regularly cleaned out grease trap in Senior Center and Blue house kitchens.
• Jetted and maintained inside basement drains at Fire Stations and other
buildings as needed.
• Assist with snow removal and cycles as requested.
• TA personnel to leaf pick-up as needed.
• Assist with special facility projects and repairs at LCRC, pools and parks.
• Provide service for golf course buildings as requested.
• Administered Service contracts for trades.
• Seasonally start, shut down, PM and maintain City HVAC equipment.
• Continued ordering, stocking and distributing PPE supplies as needed.
• Continued custodial and safety supply procurement and distribution.
• Monitor and close out City Hall roofing project.
• Assist Community Resources with Cheese Run.
• Installed unit healer in Whispering Willows riser room.
• Assist Parks with maintaining City Hall fountain.
• Support employee and departmental activities or concems as requested.
• Replaced air compressor at Fire # 5.
• Replaced garbage disposal for Fire # 5.
• Replaced water heater at Fire # 3.
• Install and remove festive blue globes for LPD entrance lighting.
• Replaced compressor for Annex chiller.
• Run Kat-5linesand cabling, install boxes and connectors for IS as asked.
• Assemble and install fixtures and plaques for Nehasil Park.
• Replaced regulators on all LFD air lines.
• Assist LPD with building renovations as able.
• Serviced pool boilers as needed.
• Assisted LCRC with lighting upgrades.
• Assisted with energy management upgrade project for LCRC.
EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE SECTION
Responsibilities of the Equipment Maintenance Section include, but are not limited
to, the following:
• Maintain existing fleet of all City -owned vehicles and equipment, other than
Police and Fire, which is approximately 700 pieces.
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• Prep and maintain all seasonal equipment and vehicles, including mowers,
leaf and snow removal equipment.
• Write specifications, order, and put into service new equipment as required
for various departments.
• Maintain City Senior Center Busses.
• Maintain and operate City-wide computerized fueling systems at DPW, LPD,
Civic Center, and Golf Courses.
• Place generators during power outages at required intersections in
coordination with Wayne County and LPD.
• Set up and monitor annual safely inspections for the man lift, bucket trucks
and equipment hoists at both DPW and the Recreafion Center.
• Assist with the radio system for all non-uniform employees. Working with the
Emergency Preparedness Officer to address radio needs such as Inventory,
chargers, batteries and so on.
Highlights of 2014:
Completed specifications on:
• Single axle dump trucks for snow removal.
• Pickup trucks for several departments.
• Service truck for Fleet maintenance.
• Transit conned vans for Housing department.
• Ford F-550 3 yard dump truck for Roads department.
• Reviewed specifications for Water department back hoe and service truck.
• Reviewed specifications for Inspection department Escapes.
• Reviewed specifications for Transit department busses.
Purchased and put into service the following new equipment in 2014:
• Four pickup trucks for use in the DPW.
• One pickup truck for the Court.
• Ford F-550 3 yard dump truck for Roads department.
• Transit conned van for Fleet Maintenance.
• Two gators and two Z master mowers for Parks department.
• One bus and one Caravan for Transit department.
Maintained our snow removal fleet during the record setting winter with only five
employees.
We have hired two equipment mechanic trainees to our staff, this will help us
greatly.
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We have replaced our thirty year old bulk oil storage tanks with new double walled
spill protected tanks and extended the mezzanine catwalk for added safety.
Replaced some outdated shop equipment tire breaker, balancer and nitrogen
inflator.
Our propane site has been up running for a year. We are refueling our busses and
pickup trucks regularly. We are also filling our propane tanks for use on our
mowers, forklifts and grills.
The Gasboy fuel system has completed an upgrade which should prevent data
loss in the event of a computer crash.
Purchased five Escapes from the Inspection department to replace less reliable
vehicles that were being used in the DPW.
Fabricated leaf boxes for our new dump trucks.
Reassigned some equipment to better serve the department needs.
Auctioned off some of our oldest pool vehicles and some out of service equipment.
• Continuing our agreement with Livonia Public Schools which transferred 17
Transit busses and repairs to them to save overtime costs.
• Attended seminars for snow and ice control which focused on safety and
reducing cost using current best practices and equipment.
• Assisted LPD and other various departments throughout the city with a
number of fabrication and modification projects during the year.
• Completed over 1788 equipment repair work orders as recorded in the
Carlegraph system.
Preformed preventafive maintenance work (full vehicle inspection with repairs as
needed of oil change, air filters, coolants, tires) on approximately 20-30 vehicles
each month along with unscheduled work.
WATER AND SEWER OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
Sanitary Sewer System
• Cleaned 202.38 miles in 16 city sections of sanitary sewer lines by hydrant
flushing, power flushing, buckeling, and chemical and power root cutting,
down 106.78 miles from last year due to staffing issues and equipment
problems.
• Cleared 8 sanitary sewer main backups Public Act 222 of 2001 claims, down
3 from last year.
• Investigated 178 sanitary sewer complaints, down 6 from last year.
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• Televised over 5 miles of sanitary sewer.
• Inspected 16 city sections for sanitary lines and structures.
• Assisted with sanitary sewer lining projects for Cast In Place (C.I.P.)
• Assisted with sanitary sewer structure rehabilitation program.
Storm Sewer System
• Responded to 158 storm sewer and perimeter drainage complaints, down 41
from last year.
• Jetted 127 restricted storm sewer lines generated from homeowner
complaints, down 12 from last year.
• Retrieved and replaced 7 catch basin covers, down 19 from last year.
• Started storm sewer catch basin cleaning, cleaned 1,378 -storm sewer catch
basins, up 271 from last year. Worked 71 days, up 18 from last year cleaning
for Storm Water Pollution Prevention Initiative (S.W.P.P.I) program started in
late April, and then ended the last week of November.
Water Distribution System
• Inspected, exercised 392 water gale valves, down 1,057 from last year and
the condition of the structure and updated inspection forms.
• Repaired 56 water gale valves and replaced old gland packing with O-ring
type about 14.2% in need of repair after exercising gale valves.
• Low flow tested, inspected and maintained 268 fire hydrants and exercised
the auxiliary valve down 534 from last year within the, city 36 sections.
• Repaired 77 fire hydrants in the field in these sections above about 28.7%
need repair after exercising fire hydrant and inspection, down 46 from last
year.
• Repaired 163 water main breaks or leaks, which is down 16 from last year.
• Repaired or replaced 176 water curb stop boxes, down 68 from last year.
• Located and marked over 8,913 locations for Miss Dig system for water and
sewer utilities, up 3,312 from last year.
• Located 380 water and sewerservices for the DWRF Project 7355-01 Phase
I
• Made 33 service line repairs for various reasons, up 8 from last year.
• Disconnected and retired 9 water service lines, up 7 from last year.
• Rebuilt 12 fire hydrants in shop, up 3 from last year.
• Installed 2 new water gate valves and 14 new fire hydrants, up 12 from last
year.
• Replaced 4 antiquated lead (Pb) with copper water service lines, up 1 from
last year.
• Eliminated 42 hazards from existing water repair excavations.
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• Assisted the Roads Section with 43 lawn restorations, up 17 from last year.
Water Meter System
• Replaced 8 antiquated large commercial water meters, down 7 from last year.
• Repaired 22 large commercial meters, down 22 from last year.
• Replaced 965 water meters (meter only) for various reasons, down 126 from
last year.
• Replaced (updated) 455 residential water meters and outside readers for
various reasons, down 172 from last year.
• Made 4,691 water related service request; up 20.1 % from last year.
• Completed 4,198 service slips, down 294 from last year.
• Placed 295 note cards placed at residential homes requesting to gain access
to home for internal meter repairs, down 536 from last year.
• Installed 83 (ORD) outside touch read device systems, down 11 from last
year.
• Installed 118 (MXU) radio read device systems, up 24 from last year.
• Installed 128 (M-2) Flex Net 2 -way radio read device systems, new this year.
• Established 28 new commercial accounts, up 22 from last year.
• Established 42 new residential accounts, down 5 from last year.
• Installed and removed 244 seasonal irrigation water meters, up 41 from last
year.
Special Projects
• Repaired the 36 inch Pre -stressed Steel Cylinder Concrete Embedded water
main leaking at Farmington and Seven Mile, was the 8 inch pressure blow
off/line that is also used to drain the 36 inch water main.
• Assisted and supplied new style sanitary, storm, and water casting for the
various contractor and consultants for the road repair program.
• Assisted with complefing the DWRF Project 7355-01 Phase I.
• Eight Mile Water Main Improvement Project (Sections 4 and 5).
• Coventry Gardens Water Main Project (Section 16).
• Karen/Haller Water Main Project (Section 36).
• Currently working on DWRF Project 7356-01 Phase II for 2015 in Old
Rosedale Gardens.
• Administered cross training with the office staff at front desk due to staff
shortages and cross training the water and sewer foremen for handling
emergency situations to improve response time. In addition, the operation
and maintenance field staff have are participating in this job enrichment again
this year.
• Worked with IS Department to setup 2014 desktop computers for staff.
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• Updated computer programs relating to lawn, concrete and asphalt repairs
along with new tap list and Carte Graph 8.0 associate work orders to other
sections for request to repair restorations.
• Assisted with the completion of the SRF Project 554301:
• Manhole Rehabilitation Program.
• Sanitary Sewer Pipe Rehabilitation Program.
• Sanitary to Storm Disconnection Program.
• Updated computer programs relating to GIS Arc Map, Water and Sewer,
Sensus water meter reading system software and hardware for Logos.net
web based system that is operational for future enhancements.
• Coordinated hydrant repair requests for the Livonia Fire Department.
• Assisted Roads with asphalt, concrete, lawn, catch basin and pavement
restorations.
• Assisted the Engineering with water main and fire hydrant replacement and
completed projects for 2014 and planned 2015 water main and sanitary sewer
replacement programs.
• Eliminated 112 homeowner self -read cards and scheduling water meter
appointments to eliminate remaining homeowners' reads and streamlining
the water meter reading, thus lowering water -billing complaints.
• Continue working on updating the water slop box location, seasonal meter
slop box location, and contact information in MS Access database.
• Administered and inspected 62 water taps made by water section contractor
(57 -new construction).
• Administered and the field inspection of 141 O.S.D.S.(on-site septic systems)
city wide for Wayne County Department of Health, this is in conjunction with
the S.W.P.P.I storm water annual report for the M.D.E.Q.
• More flow tests for water model, S.C.A.D.A. system and flow lest with Livonia
Fire Department and water main replacement program that was installed in
2014 and proposed for 2015 water master plan program.
• Assisted with leachate system for the landfill to be processed at the Detroit
sewage treatment plant.
• Worked on inventory updating pricing database for future software changes
to take place with Carte Graph.
• Assisted Engineering with sidewalk, driveway approaches and major road
replacement projects.
• Worked with various contractors for road, water and sewer main installations
and repairs.
• Completed the Terms of Agreement for the Wireless Radio Water Meter
Reading program is setfled, need update to IS security and firewall, billing
LOGOS integration for Sensus LOGIC software, and then place TGB
computer unit at tower for water meter reading remotely -running live test.
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• Checked road structures before road improvements, inspected and cleaned
catch basins after completion throughout the city.
• Completed the West Nile Program, used 10,225 total briquettes used and 48
cans of fluorescent brown paint citywide, start 6-9-2014 finish 7-18-2014.
• Continuedwith the Illicit Discharge Elimination Program(I.D.E.P.) inspections
of storm sewer outfall sampling and GIS mapping program, this is in
conjunction with the S.W.P.P.1 storm water annual report forlhe M.D.E.Q.
• Assisted with water activities for the Livonia Spree, Race for the Cure and
other activities.
• Continue the replacement program for antiquated large commercial
compound Badger, Hershey FM, and Rockwell water meters prepping for
wireless meter reading system.
• Responded to 4 illicit discharge complaints and 1 emergency spill hazard on
public right of way.
• Continue updating the 36 sections ofwater main location maps for duplicating
to Engineering Department, for changes and as built.
• Continuing with the new US EPA mandated water -sampling report for the
Disinfection By -Products (D.B.P.) Program for 2014, mandatory water
sampling for Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Program as required
by EPA and MDEQ on a quarterly schedule, completed.
• Received approval for the M.D.E.Q. 2013 mandated Sanitary Sewer
Operation and Maintenance Program this year, the 2014 report due before
Januaryl5rh 2015.
• City buildings and Golf Courses Storm and Sanitary Sewer Improvements for
MDEQ and Wayne County Illicit Discharge Elimination Program (I.D.E.P.).
• Backflow and cross connection program DELIVERING LETTERS for NON-
COMPLIANCE testing and inspections monthly city wide for Hydro Designs,
also meetings as needed to coordinate containment versus isolation for
protection.
• As needed assisted with the 1-96 Reconstruction (US -24 to Newburgh)
Coordination with MDOT and Dan's Excavating, Inc.
• Levan Road, S. of Five Mile Road Proposed Sanitary Sewer SAD proposed
2015.
• Pilot Footing Drain Disconnect Program.
• Wireless water meter reading system installed May2014, since have installed
128 Flex Net -M2 endpoints (radio readers) at existing commercial quarterly
accounts, for validation meeting 9-30 and 10-1-2014.
• Completed the 8" PRV #10 and 20" PRV #11 rebuild at Stark and Schoolcraft
(LV -14) on B-232014.
• Completed the16" PRV #5 rebuild al Eight Mile and Haggerty (LV -16) on 9-
20-2014.
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• Completed the 16" PRV #4 rebuild at Eight Mile and Newburgh (LV -12) on 10-
18-2014.
• Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule-3(U.C.M.R.-3) quarterly sampling
completed water -sampling program during the months of June and
September 2014, finalized lab results. Next round is December 2014
mandated by the EPA that requires any water system serving over 10,000
persons to monitor for 21 different chemicals.
• Lab results finalized by DWSD for September 2014 mandated watersampling
for lead and copper citywide, sent follow up letters via US post office results
to all that participated in the process.
• Collect data for access database stop box locations and enter into computer
system.
• Finalized the Eight Mile Pressure Enhancement Water Main Project land
easement assessment study from 2013 mid 2014.
• New Construction Projects and Plan Reviews for underground utilities.
In addition to the operation and maintenance of the public water distribution and
sewer collection systems, these sections are also responsible for the fielding
complaints field inspection and investigation services of:
• Assisting Animal Control, Building Maintenance, Building Inspection,
Engineering, Roads, and Water Billing Departments.
• 2015 Pavement and Sidewalk Repair—Water Main Breaks.
• 2015 City Wide Sidewalk Program.
• Continue investigations and documentation regarding claims as needed for
MMRMA and the water and sewer board for the hardship cases.
• Lawsuit and Claims Investigations.
• Storm Drainage and Catch Basin Complaints.
• Soil Erosion and Grade Complaints.
• Miscellaneous Programs as needed.
LIVONIA TRAFFIC COMMISSION
The Traffic Commission is responsible for the planning, coordination, and
determination of proposed traffic control devices to improve traffic flow and to
provide maximum safety for all drivers, pedestrians, and properly.
As provided by the City Charter, the Commission consists of seven citizens who
are appointed bylhe Mayor. The Commission meets once a month to discuss and
implement traffic control measures that are broughtto their attention by cifizens as
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well as other City departments. The Commissioners work in conjunction with the
Traffic Bureau of the Police Department.
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES IN 2014
Again this year, the Traffic Commission did not face many significant issues, as
compared to years past. In general, the commission focused on responding to
constituent concerns and requests this year.
In total, the Commission approved approximately 14 Traffic Control Orders in
2014.
The biggest focus of the commission this year was on advisory signs, such as No
Parking and Speed Limitsigns. The Commission placed several Speed Limilsigns
at subdivision entry points off the major mile roads in the city.
Some examples of Speed Limit sign placement include:
• Levan Road between Six and Seven Mile Roads
• Long Road east of Inkster
The Commission also approved several "No Outlet" signs at appropriate locations
making sure motorists are aware that those particular streets do not go through
and easing concerns of the residents seeing cars turn around in their driveways.
Some examples include:
• Capitol Street at Hubbard Street
• Bainbridge Street at Pickford Street
• Canterbury Street at Seven Mile Road
The Commission also worked closely with the several neighborhood
groups/associations or corporations for signs in strategic locations throughout the
neighborhood or the corporation campus. The signs were approved after
discussion among the commission as well as with the various representatives, to
provide better guidance and information to drivers. Some of these locations
include:
• TRW campus on Tech Center Drive at Plymouth Road, section 36
• Old Rosedale Gardens, section 34
• Levan Road between SchoolcmR and Five Mile Roads, section 20
The Commission, along with the Livonia Police Traffic Bureau, continues to
respond to all numerous citizen inquiries, comments or questions coming into their
respective offices.
The work done by the Commission in conjunction with the Livonia Police Traffic
Bureau continues to benefit the city and its residents. The Traffic Commission will
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continue to monitor the changes it has made over the past several years and
adjust, if needed, accordingly.
The Commission will also continue to monitor traffic and parking conditions within
the City and will be particularly concerned with monitoring areas of re -development
and construction. Ongoing monitoring of traffic concerns by this Commission will
ensure that Livonia's streets and highways will continue to be safe and well
maintained.
The continued support from both the Engineering and Traffic Bureau aided
significantly to the success of the Traffic Commission with meeting the needs of
citizens throughout the city.
The biggest area of challenge during 2014 was managing the on-going traffic flows
and bridge/road closures throughout the city during to the reconstruction of the I-
96 freeway. The Police and Engineering Departments, working with Wayne County
Traffic Bureau, retimed and engineered several traffic devices including signals
throughout Livonia for better traffic flow. Our thanks for all their efforts and their
communications with the Traffic Commission.
We believe the Police and Engineering Departments should continue to evaluate
new traffic technology as it becomes available and determine if it can benefit or
improve traffic studies which would lead to safety improvements. The Traffic
Commission will continue to review and evaluate all traffic control devices
throughout the city continuing to improve traffic safety conditions.
TREASURER
The Treasurers Department is responsible for collection, disbursement and
custody of all revenues belonging to and held in trust by the City. All funds
collected by City agencies are transmitted to the Treasurer, verified and recorded
through cash receipting, deposited and reported dailytothe Finance Department.
In addition, the Treasurer's Office, on instruction from the Finance Director,
transmits instructions for the daily investment of City funds among City banks to
maximize the interest on its holdings.
The Treasurer's Office has strict procedures in place regarding the handling of City
funds. All departments issue numbered receipts and timely deliver collected funds
to the Treasurer's Office for daily processing. Large checks and large cash
transactions are deposited immediately to yield a higher rate of interest.
ADMINISTRATION
The Treasurers Department continues to utilize the BS&A Tax Software for
printing our lax information on the front side of the lax bill allowing better control of
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individualized information. This allows the department to pant additional
information right on the bill rather than include an additional insert with the tax bill.
The department used a local printing/mailing company with capabilities to reduce
the mailing costs and increase the efficiency of mailing. By utilizing the tax bill
printing aspect of the BS&A Tax Software, we are able to print receipts and prior
year tax bill copies on regular copy paper, and print information on the tax bill
pertinent to each taxpayer. By using the same procedure in 2014 we continue to
save over $2,000 for the fiscal year in printing and paper expense, The tax
software also allows us to print a postal bar code to reduce the amount of first class
postage charged for mailing by $.05 per piece resulting in a postage savings of
over $4,000 per year.
The Treasurer's Office sent letters to real and personal property taxpayers whose
taxes for the 2013 lax year had not been paid by February 14, 2014, as has been
our past practice. Atotal of 4,614 reminder letters were mailed.
Letters were also mailed to 2,581 real & personal property taxpayers who had not
paid their taxes after the due date for the summer 2014 season.
The Treasurers Office is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the files on
bankruptcy cases. Proof of Claims for personal property taxes are filed with the
courts by the City Treasurer. In 2014, 6 businesses with locations in Livonia fled
for bankruptcy protection as compared to 5 in 2013, 17 in 2012, 3 businesses in
2011, 9 businesses in 2010, and 15 businesses in 2009.
The Treasurer's Office fled 1 personal property jeopardy tax bill with the Wayne
County Register of Deeds for 2014. In 2013, we issued 6 jeopardy bills, in 2012
we had 2jeopardy bills, in 2011 there were 11 jeopardy bills, and in 2010 we issued
9 jeopardy lax bills and 16 jeopardy lax bills in 2009.
Applications for electronic fund debit forlax payments are available on line, on the
City's Website and also by request as we have indicated on the reverse side of the
lax bill. Again, we have seen a slight decrease in the number of taxpayers utilizing
electronic funds transfer for payment of lax bills. During the summer 2014 season,
1,939 taxpayers participated in this convenient and no -cost service as compared
to 2,017 during the summer of 2013, 2,082 during the summer of 2012, 2,171
during the summer of 2011, and 2,211 during the summer of 2010.
Beginning with the 2011 summer tax season, we instituted credit/debit card
transactions at the counter for lax payments only. Chase Bank retains the fees
which are currently 2.5% for credit transactions, and a flat $3.95 fee for debit card
transactions; there is no transaction fee charged to the City. We have printed the
information on the back of the lax bills referring residents to either call our office or
check the city's website for detailed information for all tax payment options. For the
winter 2013 season, 80 taxpayers used this payment method and for the summer
2014, 65 residents/business owners charged or debited their lax payments,
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compared to 71 for winter 2012 season and 64 for the summer 2013 and 52 for
the winter 2011 season and 49 for the winter 2012 season.
Tax bills can still be paid with a credit card through Official Payments Corporation
by phone and on line and this information is detailed on the City's website. There
is a convenience fee of approximately 3% collected and retained by Official
Payments Corporation for this service. There is no cost to the City of Livonia for
this service to be offered to the residents. During 2014, 489 taxpayers utilized this
option, as compared to 444 taxpayers in 2013, 407 taxpayers in 2012, 438
taxpayers in 2011, and 423 taxpayers in 2010.
TAX COLLECTIONS
There are approximately 45,000 taxpayers in the City, the breakdown follows:
2011 2012 2013 2014
Real Property 39,691 39,690 39,710 39,742
Personal Property 6,197 5,501 4,937 5,537
IFF 102 129 151 152
TOTALS 45,990 45,320 44,798 45,431
Sixty-four percent of residents are responsible for paying their own property tax
bills. Mortgage companies pay 36% of the real properly lax bills.
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The total number of original tax bills mailed for Summer and Winter was 90,229.
The tax levy breakdown is as follows (includes Real, Personal, & IFT for 2013
Winter and 2014 Summer):
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REAL
PERSONAL
IFT
TOTAL
City of Livonia
46,653,914
6,391,276
879,484
53,924,674
Livonia Public Schools
Operating
17,538,075
2,086,032
368,172
19,992,279
Debt
14,664,848
2,026,384
266,373
16,957,605
Sinking Fund
3,570,737
493,374
64,855
4,128,966
Wayne Cly Intnndiale
School District SpEd
10,815,823
1,472,831
182,618
12,471,272
RISD Op
309,737
42,191
5,227
357,155
Clarenceville Schools
Operating
1,044,668
92,121
2,606
1,139,465
Debt
0
0
0
0
Sinking Fund
712,203
53,210
4,349
769,762
Oakland Intermediate
School District SpEd
501,491
37,467
3,062
542,020
OISD Op
31,685
2,367
193
34,245
State Education Tax
20,215,767
1,506,018
117,948
21,839,733
SchoolcraR Comm
Coll
6,054,433
806,986
99,157
6,960,576
Wayne County
22,322,866
2,987,526
373,732
25,684,124
Wayne County Jail
3,117,573
427,083
58,766
3,603,422
Wayne County Parks
817,052
111,932
15,400
944,384
HCMA
713,024
97,684
13,444
824,152
Zoo Authority
332,172
45,515
6,264
383,951
Art Institute
664,428
91,043
12,529
768,000
PRDA (new)
466,600
365,662
62,512
894,774
Special Assessments
3.660.467
0
0
3.660.467
TOTAL
154,207,563
19,136,702
2,536,691
175,881,026
The past few years the Stale of Michigan
has begun fervently auditing tax returns
for principle residence exemptions claimed in error.
Once the Assessor's office
makes the changes to the tax roll, the Treasurers office staff has to
adjust the tax
liability and issue revised
tax bills. Since 2009, the Treasurer's
Department has
seen a major increase in
the number of exemptions removed and thus
increased
the amount of revised tax
bills mailed to city residents.
Beginning 2012, the State has allowed
principle residence exemptions
to be
claimed beginning with the
winter lax season which has added to the number of
revised bills for the Treasurer's
office to process.
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Disabled veterans are now eligible for exemption of property taxes with proper
documentation, also increasing the amount of revisions and refunds due to the
initial implementation of this exemption.
DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTIONS
City Treasurer Dennis Wright began taking a more active role in the collection of
delinquent personal property taxes beginning in 2009. Besides regular visits that
Treasurer Wright continues to make to businesses that are in a delinquent status,
the Treasurers staff has also been more involved in the collection process by
mailing notices and making phone calls that were previously done by a collection
agency. The City has been able to retain the penally and interest collected that
were previously paid to the collection agency. In 2009, the Treasurer and staff
personally collected 41% of all delinquencies recovered. In 2010, he increased
that amount to 48%, 2011 increased to 73%, 77% in 2012 and up to 87% in 2013.
Beginning March 2014, we have retained all the penalty and interest and have
been successfully collecting the delinquencies ourselves. In addition to the City
Treasurer's active role in the collection of delinquent personal property taxes, the
City utilizes the Legal Departmentfor litigation to maximize collection efforts.
Our personal delinquent property taxes, penalty and interest collected from 12-1-
13through11-30-14 were $377,231, lower compared to last fiscal year collections
of $592,276, due to the decreased amount of personal property tax liens generated
by local businesses. Under new guidelines for business personal property, we will
continue to see a decline in this type of revenue.
The collections breakdown is as follows:
Personal Property
Tax Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
# of Parcels 454 459 470 570 817
Amount due as of
11/30/14 438,147 430,272 332,998 452,617 756,906
Amount collected
FY 13-14 24,300 20,585 20,083 13,349 226,401
We are constantly working with the Assessment Department to get the delinquent
personal properly lax roll corrected with site visits to determine if the business is
still operating or if there is any way to collect delinquencies on those that have
relocated or closed.
OTHER COLLECTIONS
Invoices for Council authorized weed cuttings are mailed to taxpayers as well as
any special assessments approved during the year. Invoices for weed cutting are
billed monthly since the 6% interest rete was instituted during FY09-10. The
Treasurer's Office records payment on these assessments and any unpaid
amounts are added to lax bills at year-end. In 2014, the Treasurer's office issued
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734 invoices for weed bills, as compared to 868 for 2013, 821 for 2012, 718 for
2011, and 891 for 2010.
Special Assessment breakdown as follows:
Special
# of Parcels
$ Amount
# of Parcels
$ Amount
Assessment
Billed on
Billed on
Billed on
Billed on
Districts
2013 Tax
2013 Tax
2014 Tax
2014 Tax
Sidewalk
119
33,759
99
36,368
Paving
209
31,197
195
25,877
Lighting
14,061
1,267,286
14,063
1,210,599
Weeds
231
67,033
174
54,296
PRDA Inig
265
n/a
n/a
n/a
Stream Bank
Stabilization
6
10,573
6
10,380
Dlgt Water
1 937
2.252.027
1817
1.907.847
TOTALS
16,828
$3,661,875
16,354
$3,245,367
TELLER COLLECTIONS
The Treasurers two tellers processed $605,088,740 in cash, checks, and credit
cards for the following items during the course of conducting City business:
property taxes, water bills, the greens fees for the City's three municipal golf
courses, Livonia Community Recreation Center memberships and fees, park
permits, fees for swimming and skating, amusement park ticket sales, registration
fees for Parks and Recreation league sports, inspection and engineering permit
and bond fees, licenses, the fees for the City's three libraries, Police Department
adjudicated, non -adjudicated drug and D.A.R.E. funds, fees for City sponsored
special events such as the Highland Games and the Arts & Craft fair, false alarm
charges, accounts receivable items, SMART bus ticket sales, City garage sale,
fees for using the City Dump, Police auction, rent payments for Silver Village,
Newburgh Village, MacNamara Towers and city -owned homes, record duplication
fees, etc. Of the amounts collected, $45,145,048 was for the general deposit items
and $559,943,692 was for properly taxes.
The tellers also receive walk-in water payments from residents. During this fiscal
year, 9,856 water customers were assisted at the Treasurers Office counter, a
small decrease over last fiscal year. The busiest day was December 10, 2013,
with 249 water bills processed. The average amount of water bills processed was
46 per day.
Due to the changes in receipting water bill payments over the last year, the total
dollars collected were processed along with the Water Department's deposits.
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DISBURSEMENTS
All payroll and payable checks are released through the Treasurers Office on
approval of the Finance Director and the City Clerk (internal auditor). Most
employees direct deposit and access their payday information online. The number
of checks processed is as follows:
2011
Payroll Checks 32,797
Vendor Checks -City & Court 13,607
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2012
2013
2014
n/a
n/a
n/a
14,616
14,648
14,444