Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL STUDY - 2012-01-04 CITY OF LIVONIA— CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD JANUARY 4, 2012 Meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. Present: Tom Robinson, Maureen Miller Brosnan, Brandon Kritzman, James McCann, Joe Laura, and Laura Toy. Absent: John Pastor. Elected and appointed officials present: Kevin Roney, Assistant City Engineer; Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic Development; Cathryn White, Chief Assistant City Attorney; Terry Marecki, City Clerk; and Jack E. Kirksey, Mayor. President Toy announced there is new data on Item #3. President Toy announced a Public Hearing to be held in the Auditorium of Livonia City Hall, 33000 Civic Center Drive, Livonia, MI for the following item: Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. Matthew Sosin, Vice President, Livonia-IT Building LLC, as owner of the property, requests the establishment of an Industrial Development District at 19401 Victor Parkway, Livonia, MI 48152. President Toy welcomed Councilmember Brandon Kritzman and Councilmember Tom Robinson who were both recently elected to City Council. Mayor Kirksey announced the Livonia Fire & Rescue was awarded a $360,000.00 grant which will be utilized toward the purchase of a new rescue fire truck. This purchase will replace a vehicle that is twenty-four years old. Mayor Kirksey congratulated both Firefighter Phil Kamm who wrote the grant proposal along with Fire Chief Shadd Whitehead who were instrumental in obtaining those grant funds. Letters of support from Congressman Thaddeus McCotter and Senator Debbie Stabenow also helped to secure the grant funds. Livonia's Grant Proposal was selected among 20,000 proposals submitted. AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None. NEW BUSINESS 1. PROPOSED FIRST AMENDMENT TO LEASE AGREEMENT: Beth Henson, Asset Manager, Global Tower Partners (GTP Towers IV, LLC), re: for four (4) additional five (5) year terms for a cellular tower within Jaycee Park, the first extension would begin July 1, 2014. (CR 429-99) This item was removed from the agenda and will be rescheduled. 2 Laura asked that a member from the Council office contact the petitioner and notify them that they need to be present or have a representative present on their behalf. 2. REQUEST TO WAIVE SIDEWALK REQUIREMENT: Rino Soave, Infinity Construction Services, LLC, re: for two homes he is constructing at 18239 Gill Road and 18249 Gill Road. Rino Soave, Infinity Construction Services, LLC, was present to answer any question from Council regarding this request. He noted that there was strong opposition from the neighbors with regard to putting in sidewalks in front of these homes. There were also concerns about drainage and mature trees which was discussed with the Engineering Division. McCann offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 3. APPLICATION FOR MASSAGE APPRENTICE PERMIT: Office of the City Clerk, re: submitted by Daihui Yang in accordance with Chapter 5.49 of the Livonia Code of Ordinances, as amended. Daihui Yang was present with Rick Wong, Wu Xing Massage, 37000 W. Six Mile Road, who will translate for him. President Toy said the Chair would receive and file new data. McCann asked the petitioner to provide documentation that proves he lived in California during the time he went to school there. He noted that the school where the petitioner studied is not a certified school. Wong said he would do his best to provide the information to Council prior to the next meeting. He also stated the petitioner will be continuing his studies in massage therapy here locally. Kritzman asked Wong if he knew what school the petitioner would be attending and for how long. Wong replied a local school on Northwestern Highway in Southfield. McCann offered the approving and denying resolutions for the Regular Agenda. Brosnan thanked the staff of the Inspection Department for looking further into the massage establishments in the City. She stated that the approval process for Massage Therapists, Apprentices and Establishments is currently in Committee for review of the process. She suggested Council invite the Administrative 3 Departments to talk to Council about the processes they are currently using in an effort to make sure that they are as thorough as they can be. DIRECTION: 1) APPROVING REGULAR 2) DENYING 3) RECEIVE & FILE 4. APPLICATION FOR MASSAGE APPRENTICE PERMIT: Office of the City Clerk, re: submitted by Noel E. Carter in accordance with Chapter 5.49 of the Livonia Code of Ordinances, as amended. This item was removed from the agenda and will be rescheduled. Laura asked that a member from the Council office contact the petitioner and notify them that they need to be present or have a representative present on their behalf. 5. APPLICATION FOR MASSAGE APPRENTICE PERMIT: Office of the City Clerk, re: submitted by Xue Yan Wang in accordance with Chapter 5.49 of the Livonia Code of Ordinances, as amended. Xue Yan Wang was present with Rick Wong, Wu Xing Massage, 37000 W. Six Mile Road, who will translate for her. President Toy asked where Wang was from; Wong translated and said China. President Toy asked if she studied massage in China; Wong translated and said no here in the United States. Robinson said all of the paperwork seems to be in order and it is from an accredited school. Robinson offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. McCann asked what Wang's occupation was back in China. Wong translated and said insurance and health and wellness including nutritional supplements. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 6. COLLECTION OF LIVONIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT TAXES FOR THE YEAR 2012: Office of the City Clerk, re: forwarding a communication from the Secretary of the Board of Education requesting the City to continue to collect one-half of their district's taxes with the summer tax collection and the remaining one-half with the winter tax collection, commencing July 1, 2012. President Toy stated this would be received and filed at the direction of the Chair. Laura asked for an updated list of Officers of the Livonia Public School District. 4 DIRECTION: RECEIVE & FILE CONSENT 7. COLLECTION OF THE WAYNE COUNTY REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICE AGENCY (RESA) TAXES FOR THE YEAR 2012: Office of the City Clerk, re: forwarding a communication from the Deputy Superintendent, Administrative Services, requesting that the City continue to collect 100% of their intermediate school property taxes in our summer tax collection. President Toy stated this would be received and filed at the direction of the Chair. DIRECTION: RECEIVE & FILE CONSENT 8. REQUEST TO ACCEPT POLICE COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT OBTAINED UNDER THE 2009 URBAN AREA SECURITY INITIATIVE (UASI) GRANT: Division of Police, re: to have Oakland County Department of Homeland Security purchase communications equipment, with no matching funds required. Acting Police Chief Curtis Caid presented the request to Council and was available to answer any questions Council may have. Brosnan commended Acting Police Chief Caid for the excellent work his staff has done in obtaining this equipment through grants without any matching funds being required. Brosnan offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. McCann asked if this equipment was in addition to what Council had previously approved. Caid said this was for additional radios which will be assigned the Intelligence Bureau. Kritzman asked if these radios would also have the interoperable capability like the other radios previously approved. Caid replied yes they will. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 9. REQUEST TO APPROVE AN ANIMAL SHELTERING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LIVONIA AND THE MICHIGAN HUMANE SOCIETY AND WAIVE THE CITY'S FORMAL BIDDING PROCESS: Public Service Division, re: for the period December 1, 2011 to November 30, 2013, with boarding fees changed from a daily rate to $3,250.00 per month. Brian Wilson, Superintendent of Public Service, presented the request to Council. He stated the City has had a relationship with the Michigan Humane Society for over 27 years to provide services for the City's animal control operations. The contract before Council tonight proposes the City pay a flat rate fee per month 5 rather than a daily boarding fee multiplied by the number of days per animal in a given month. This proposal has several advantages including a certainty in cost which helps with budgeting, savings in administrative and accounting time, and a reduction in cost. He said if the flat rate had been in effect over the past 36 months it would have resulted in a 6.3% cost reduction. Also, the knowledge of when they have to empty a hoarder house of animals or they commence operation to reduce a feral cat population, they aren't going to be hit with a big spike in cost having the flat rate fee. In return for this flat rate the Humane Society seeks the City's assistance to promote their Healthy Pet Community Program through the use of the City's media outlets like City Channel 8, the City Website and the City Newsletter. He noted that the fees for testing for rabies would remain the same. However, he also noted that there would be an increase from $2.00 to $3.00 charged for a pet license through the Humane Society for Livonia residents who adopt pets. Brosnan said it sounds like a well negotiated proposal. It is a win-win for both parties. Brosnan offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. President Toy asked Wilson what a resident should do if their animal is lost and not license. Wilson said contact the City's Animal Control office and give them a description of the animal and also the Humane Society. President Toy said residents can obtain a pet license for their pet through the City Clerk's office. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 10. PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE LIVONIA CODE OF ORDINANCES, AS AMENDED: Engineering Division, re: adding Section 190 to Title 15, Chapter 36 (Grading and Soil Erosion Control), Flood Prevention, to incorporate new regulations required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Kevin Roney, Assistant City Engineer, said currently there are about 40 properties in Livonia that maintain flood insurance. This program has been in place since 1981.The Federal Emergency Management Agency is requiring the City to amend the current Ordinance to incorporate new regulations. Toy asked if this request was to direct the Law Department to prepare the amendment. Chief Assistant City Attorney Cathryn White replied by indicating the amendment is ready for first reading. She said they will be requesting that Council invoke the emergency clause and give Second Reading. She said it has to be in effect by February 2, 2012 in order for them to participate in the program. 6 Robinson asked Roney how many properties would be affected by this Amendment; Roney indicated the same 40 properties affected previously. Several times throughout the year the Engineering Division receives calls asking for flood zone information pertaining to properties. Property owners with property located within specific flood zones may be required to obtain flood insurance which can be a substantial cost. Robinson said he was concerned about waiving a Public Hearing on this matter. Roney added that when the new maps came out about a year and a half ago he and Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, held a Public Hearing on the 5t" Floor with regard to the maps and gave the Public an opportunity to address any concerns they may have had regarding the maps. Roney said several residents attended the meeting. Brosnan said she too was concerned about waiving the Public Hearing process on this matter. Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic Development, said the current flood regulations are embodied within the Zoning Ordinance and as he understands it this is a stop gap measure to prevent people from losing any ability to file a claim under the current flood insurance provisions it is necessary to adopt these regulations as part of the General Code. In the meantime, they are proceeding to modify the language as it exists in the Zoning Ordinance that language amendment is scheduled for a Public Hearing toward the end of this month. There will be an opportunity to go through the Public Hearing process. These will be the same regulations adopted as part of the Zoning Ordinance. He said he believes what is being done here this evening is, in order that there not be a lapse in coverage for these homeowners, that Council adopts these regulations that will then be in place by February 2, 2012. Realizing that it probably won't be until March that Council can adopt the same regulations as part of the Zoning Ordinance and at that time Council will know whether or not they if they want to repeal any of the language as part of the General Code of Ordinances. McCann offered the approving resolutions for both for the Regular Agenda. President Toy asked Roney if there were any minutes taken during the Public Hearing previously held. Roney replied no, he said people just lined up and they addressed their concerns one at a time. DIRECTION: 1) APPROVING REGULAR 2) APPROVING —ADOPT PROPOSED MODEL RESOLUTION 11. REQUEST TO AMEND THE FREQUENCY RECONFIGURATION AGREEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH LIVONIA PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO REBANDING: Department of Law, re: to facilitate compensation for the specialists employed to serve Livonia's interests in this matter. (CR 407-10 and 302-11) 7 Cathryn White, Chief Assistant City Attorney, said this is just a housekeeping matter. This is an amendment to the Frequency Reconfiguration Agreement to ensure that it reflects accurately what will happen. McCann offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None. Laura congratulated President Toy on running the meeting tonight; he said she did an excellent job. As there were no further questions or comments, President Toy adjourned the Study Session at 8:52 p.m. on Wednesday, January 4, 2012. DATED: January 9, 2012 TERRY A. MARECKI CITY CLERK