HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL STUDY - 2015-09-09 CITY OF LIVONIA— CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 9, 2015
Meeting was called to order at 8:38 p.m. by President Brosnan. Present: Brian
Meakin, Laura Toy, Lynda Scheel, Susan Nash, Brandon Kritzman, John Pastor, and
Maureen Miller Brosnan. Absent: None.
Elected and appointed officials present: Todd Zilincik, City Engineer; Mark
Taormina, Director of Planning & Economic Development; Don Knapp, City Attorney;
Judy Priebe, Director of Legislative Affairs; Susan Hoff, City Clerk; and Mayor Jack
Ki rksey.
President Brosnan announced there is new data on Item 3 requesting that it be
removed from the Agenda.
President Brosnan announced the passing of former Mayor Robert Bennett,
arrangements are being handled by R.G. and G.R. Harris Funeral Home, Livonia.
President Brosnan announced there will be a Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting held
on Thursday, September 17, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the Department of Public Works
Building located at 12973 Farmington Road. She said that all are welcome to attend.
AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. REQUEST TO WAIVE THE CITY'S NOISE ORDINANCE: John Paepke, PE,
Traffic Operations Engineer-Taylor, State of Michigan, Department of
Transportation, re: in conjunction with the Plymouth Road (Old M-14)
Resurfacing Project, from Farmington Road to Inkster Road, to allow the
contractor to work during the nighttime hours, tentatively scheduled to begin in
spring 2016.
Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, presented the request to Council. In an effort to
adhere reduce the impact to the motoring public and to allow the Contractor to
maintain an aggressive work schedule, Michigan Department of Transportation
(MDOT) has requested a reprieve from the City of Livonia's Noise Ordinance
regarding work during the night time hours for the duration of the Plymouth Road
(Old M-14) Resurfacing Project from Farmington Road to Telegraph Road. The
portion related to the City of Livonia will be from Farmington Road to Inkster
Road and will allow MDOT to place the noise ordinance waiver into their
specifications for the portion of work performed in the City of Livonia. Work along
Plymouth Road is tentatively scheduled to begin in the spring of 2016.
The Engineering Division in conjunction with the Inspection Department has no
objection to this request and would like to respectfully recommend that the
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Council approve MDOT's request to allow the work to be completed in a timely
manner and in the interest of safety.
Vice-President Meakin asked Zilincik, if it was for just grinding and not
reconstruction. Zilincik replied that was correct and added that reconstruction is
projected for 2022. He said there are some areas of concern with issues of
standing water He said they intentions are to mill and fill along with some
sidewalk repairs. Vice-President Meakin said he assumes they will be using
bright lights and said that could pose a problem for some residences that may be
affected. Zilincik said it could possibly be just daytime work but since they sent a
letter to the City, he is following through with the request. Vice-President Meakin
said this isn't 1-96 it is Plymouth Road and said if they could be convinced to do
the work during the daytime it would be best.
Toy asked Zilincik if they would be leaving some lanes open for the local
businesses during the construction. Zilincik stated yes they would.
Kritzman asked Zilincik was kind of timeframe he estimates for the project.
Zilincik said 40 working days or approximately 2 months for the portion within the
City limits of Livonia. Zilincik suggested perhaps limiting the number of days
permitting working at nighttime, if that would be feasible. He said he is aware of
how disruptive that kind of work can be to residents and said it's his intention to
minimize the disruption to the residents.
Vice-President Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Regular Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR
2. REQUEST TO APPROVE AND RECOGNIZE THE CLARENCEVILLE HIGH
SCHOOL HOMECOMING PARADE TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9,
2015; REQUEST TO APPROVE THE PARADE ROUTE AND THE CLOSING OF
CERTAIN CITY STREETS; AND REQUEST TO DESIGNATE AND AUTHORIZE
SENIOR POLICE OFFICER MICHAEL ARAKELIAN TO SIGN THE WAYNE
COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION PERMIT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY TO
CLOSE A PORTION OF MIDDLEBELT ROAD, WITH THE CITY TO ASSUME
LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE CLAIMS WHICH MAY ARISE AS A RESULT OF
THE ROAD CLOSURE: Kevin Murphy, Athletic Director, re: same
Jason Debrandt, representative for Clarenceville High School presented his
request to Council. He said it's the same route they had for the past several
years and all the paperwork has been submitted.
Pastor offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
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3. APPOINTMENT OF LEO NEVILLE TO THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS:
Councilmember Susan Nash, re: to fill the unexpired term of Robert Bowling,
which expires July 12, 2017.
President Brosnan noted there was new data on this Item. A letter from
Councilmember Nash requesting this Item be moved to the next Regular
Meeting.
At the direction of the Chair, this Item was removed from the Agenda and was
moved to the Agenda of the Regular Meeting of September 9, 2015 as an X-Item
and the letter from Councilmember Nash dated September 4, 2015 requesting
the same will be received and filed.
DIRECTION: RECEIVE & FILE CONSENT
4. REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION AND EXPENDITURE: Livonia
Fire & Rescue, re: for additional work that was outside the scope of original bid
that was repaired during the work on the repair and reconditioning of the bay
floors at Station #1 and Station #6. (CR 147-15)
Keith Bo, Senior Fire Inspector, standing in for Fire Chief Shadd Whitehead,
presented the request to Council. At the Regular meeting, held on May 18, 2015,
the Council accepted the bid and authorized the expenditure to Tercon Systems
for $31 575.00, for the repair and reconditioning of the apparatus bay floors at
Fire Stations 1 and 6 (Resolution #147-15). During the course of the work
performed, the contractors recognized the need for additional repairs due
hazards created from drain grates, standing water issues and threshold changes.
There were also repairs to an increased number of divots and pitting that far
exceeded the number in the original bid. Although this additional work was
outside the scope of the original bid, it was prudent to have the needed repairs
accomplished during the course of the original work and not come back at a later
time in order to address the additional repair needs. The change order for the
additional repairs for Station 1 was $1,400.00 and Station 6 for $3,900.00, for
total of $5,300.00. It is respectfully requested that City Council approve an
additional expenditure in the amount of $5,300.00 to Tercon Systems for the
change order work performed during the original repair and reconditioning of the
bay floors. Appropriate funds have been budgeted and are available.
Toy offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
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5. AWARD OF BID: Department of Parks & Recreation, re: for the fairway
drainage at Whispering Willows Golf Course, from budgeted funds.
Ted Davis, Superintendent, Park and Recreation, presented the request to
Council. The Department of Parks and Recreation has taken bids for fairway
drainage at Whispering Willows Golf Course. Two (2) bids were received. The
bid tabulation has been provided to Council for its review. They are
recommending XGD Systems receive the contract, as the low bidder received an
unfavorable reference on the only golf course project they reported having
completed. Although not the low bidder, XGD Systems has completed several
golf course projects and they feel comfortable with their knowledge and expertise
in this area. They request that City Council authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to
execute a contract in the amount of $25,500 with XGD Systems, LLC, 415
Flagler Ave., Unit #302, Stuart, FL 34994. A copy of their form of proposal and
bid specifications has been provided for Councils review. The bids are good for
120 days from opening. Budgeted funds are available.
Pastor offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
6. REQUEST TO APPROVE PURCHASE: Department of Management Information
Systems, re: of a replacement Wi-Fi infrastructure utilizing a State of Michigan
approved contract under the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) to
replace the current aging system, from budgeted funds.
Dan Putman, Director of Information Management Systems, presented the
request to Council. One of Information Systems major projects this year was to
replace our aging network infrastructure. He said they brought a proposal to
Council for a Dell Network earlier this year. That Dell Network allowed them to
replace our entire network infrastructure with equipment that is easier to use, has
more redundancy/reliability, and came in at 40% less than they were planning on
spending on a similar Cisco solution. They now have an opportunity to use some
of the savings to replace their Wi-Fi network equipment in order to support the
newer faster rates and to enhance their features. Wi-Fi technologies have
changed over the years. As new standards have come out, the theoretical
speeds have increased. Below is a chart that shows the progression
Standard Year Adopted Speed
802.11 b 1999 11 Mbps
802.11 a 1999 54 Mbps
and 802.11 g and 2003
802.11 n 2009 300 Mbps
802.11 ac 12014 1 Gbps
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They have been using Aruba Networks for the past 8 years for their Wi-Fi
networks. This has been a good solution for them and allows them to offer both a
public and a secured Wi-Fi network. Over the 8 years they have used Aruba,
they have upgraded it from 802.11 b and g to 802.11 n. Due to the complexity of
configuring the Aruba equipment, they have had to use consultants to help them
with configuring and upgrading it. They currently have 19 wireless access points
distributed around City Hall, DPW, Housing and Senior Center. They also have 3
access points that run independently at the LCRC that the will need to upgrade
when they complete their fiber project. One downside to the Aruba Networks Wi-
Fi solution is that it uses a physical controller. This controller is what directs each
of the wireless access points. Their controller limits them to 32 access points.
The controller did make it easier to program the functionality of the access points,
but if it fails, the entire Wi-Fi network goes down. Aruba Networks has also been
purchased by another company and time will tell on whether they will continue to
be a strong product. The Aerohive Wi-Fi network that they are now proposing is a
"Cloud" or Software as a Service (SaaS) solution. All of the programming is done
on a secured web site and then downloaded to the Wireless Access Points. They
have done a proof of concept project and have been able to complete all of the
needed programming ourselves without the use of consultants. The wireless
access points are all the new standard of 802.11 ac so they have the increased
speed and capacity. As part of this proposal, they will be able to incorporate the
LCRC into our Wi-Fi network and enhance their coverage, they will be adding the
Housing McNamara Towers, and they plan to expand our Wi-Fi network outside
to Nehasil Park. This proposal includes 30 indoor wireless access points, 2
outdoor wireless access points and five years of support. This purchase is being
done through a State of Michigan approved contract under the MIDWESTERN
HIGHER EDUCATION COMPACT (MHEC) through Dell. It is the
recommendation of the Information Systems Department that Council approve
the purchase of the Aerohive Wi-Fi Network in the amount of $23.742.90 from
Dell Marketing L.P., C/O Dell USA L.P., PO BOX 643561, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-
3561 from budgeted funds.
Toy offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
7. REQUEST TO APPROVE ALLIANCE OF ROUGE COMMUNITIES (ARC)
ANNUAL ASSESSMENT FOR 2015: Public Service Division, re: in the amount of
$28,502.00 from funds budgeted for this purpose.
Don Rohraff, Director of Public Works, presented the request to Council. The City
of Livonia has actively participated in the Alliance/Assembly of Rouge
Communities (ARC) since its inception in 2004. Each year the City has paid an
annual assessment for the City's share based on population and land area to
fund the services for the communities provided by the ARC. The significant
services completed on behalf of Livonia include stream water quality sampling
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and testing, joint projects in watershed management public education, and
representing and advocating for providing representation and advocacy for
communities in discussions and negotiation with the Michigan Department of
Natural Resources and Environment (formerly Michigan Department of
Environmental Quality) on storm water permits. The ARC has and will continue to
solicit grants for storm water initiatives for communities both individually and
collectively. Incidentally, community assessments total fifty percent of the total
annual income for the activities of the ARC. A Federal Clean Water Fund grant
again financially supports the other fifty percent of the budget. The 2015
assessment has been reduced by $511.00 to reflect the 2010 census numbers.
Livonia participation in the ARC is recommended again this year for the following
reasons:
• Preparation/guidance in the required upcoming new MS4 Storm water
permit process due in April 2016.
• Broad participation of the Rouge River communities that eliminates
redundancies and provides cost savings resulting from use of common
storm water management practices used by multiple communities.
• Communication and cooperation between the staffs of Rouge
communities on storm water and related issues has been advanced.
• The ARC has more of a voice when working with the MDEQ on permit
compliance issues.
• Participation in a watershed-wide group of communities and counties
improves the opportunity of the City to receive future storm water grant
awards.
For these reasons, it is requested the Council approve payment to the Alliance of
Rouge, a non-profit organization, in the amount of $28,502.00 for the annual
assessment to Livonia for 2015. No appropriation is required since this amount
was included in the 2014-2015 approved City budget.
Scheel offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None.
As there were no further questions or comments, President Brosnan adjourned the
Study Session at 8:58 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2015.
DATED: September 17, 2015 SUSAN A. HOFF
CITY CLERK