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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL STUDY - 2011-01-19 CITY OF LIVONIA— CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD JANUARY 19, 2011 Meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. Present: Maureen Miller Brosnan, Conrad Schwartz, John Pastor, Brian Meakin, and Joe Laura. Absent. Laura Toy, and James McCann. Elected and appointed officials present: Mayor Jack Kirksey; Don Knapp, City Attorney; Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic Development; Todd Zilincik, City Engineer; Terry Marecki, City Clerk; Jim Inglis, Executive Director of Housing; and Joan Gebhardt, Wayne County Commissioner. Vice President Laura announced there is new data on item #1. Mayor Kirksey said the City is mourning the loss of Officer Larry Nehasil who lost his life in the line of duty on Monday, January 17, 2011. He commented on the ceremony held earlier tonight in the City Hall Auditorium to celebrate the life of Officer Larry Nehasil. Many family members, coworkers, friends and residents attended the ceremony and recalled what a wonderful person Larry Nehasil was and how he died protecting our society from dangerous criminals. Mayor Kirksey said his prayers and heartfelt thoughts go out to Larry's family. He said the City will do all that it can to comfort them as much as possible. He also mentioned a fund has been established at Huntington Bank, the Larry Nehasil Memorial Fund; the proceeds will benefit Larry's wife and two sons as they move on with their lives after this tragedy. Mayor Kirksey noted the recent weather and recalled the initial snowfall was just less than four inches. Since then there has been more snow on top of that initial snow. He said he did authorize a City-wide plow on a day to day basis during regular business hours. A limited amount of overtime and a limited number of private contractors were utilized. He mentioned that several residents were unhappy with snow being dumped back in their driveway approaches by the snowplow trucks. He said they apologize for that and feel badly about it; it is not the City's intent to make snow removal harder on its residents. He thanked the Livonia residents and business owners for their cooperation in keeping their driveways and sidewalks free and clear from ice. He reminded everyone to drive safely on the roads. AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: Joan Gebhardt, Wayne County Commissioner, said she was here personally as a long time resident and also representing the Wayne County Commission in offering their sincere condolences to the family of Officer Larry Nehasil and also to the great City of Livonia. She said Officer Larry Nehasil worked for the Wayne County Deputies Officers Association prior to coming to Livonia. She once again offered her sympathy and said Officer Larry Nehasil will be recognized tomorrow at the full board of the Wayne County Commission Meeting. 2 Vice President Laura mentioned the City Council received a letter from Senator Glenn Anderson expressing his condolences and sympathy on the death of Officer Larry Nehasil. Christopher Martin, 12275 Inkster Road, said he attended the Celebration of Life Memorial for Officer Larry Nehasil earlier; he said it was a very nice ceremony. He said he had some concerns about the Zoning Board of Appeals procedures. He suggested a change to procedure in an effort to save the City the cost of republishing notices in the newspaper and postage of mailing out notices when an item is rescheduled due to not having all seven members of the Zoning Board present to vote on an item. He suggested using an alternate when a member is going to be absent from a meeting. Brosnan offered the following resolutions in response to Mr. Martin's request. The first is to ask the Zoning Board of Appeals for its report and recommendation on the attendance rates over the last three years. Second would be to request a report and recommendation from the Law Department on the viability of adopting this revision or what steps would be necessary to make the changes. Finally, they could refer this item to the Legislative Committee. Martin said the use of an alternate does not stop the appointment of individuals to vacant positions in the future. DIRECTION: 1) REQUESTING FROM ZBA ATTENDANCE REGULAR REPORT FOR ZBA MEMBERS FOR PAST THREE YEARS 2) REFERRING TO LAW DEPARTMENT FOR ITS REPORT & RECOMMENDATION THE SUBJECT OF THE VIABILITY OF AN ALTERNATE ZBA MEMBER 3) REFERRING TO LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE FOR ITS REPORT & RECOMMENDATION THE SUBJECT OF AN ALTERNATE ZBA MEMBER NEW BUSINESS 1. REQUEST TO PURCHASE CITY-OWNED PROPERTY: David S. Lent, re. the lot located at 36413 Parkdale in Shaffmaster's Parkside Estates, which is adjacent to property he currently owns. (Tax Parcel No. 46-126-03-0015-000) David Lent, stated he owns the property at 36421 Parkdale. The property has a storm sewer that dissects the property almost directly in half. He has no real agenda at the moment of what he would like to do with the property but would like to know if the City would sell the adjacent property to him. He doesn't believe this would make the site buildable but still is interested in obtaining the adjacent parcel. 3 Brosnan offered the resolution to request from the Administration its report and recommendation for the Consent Agenda. This should include input from the Planning, Assessing and Engineering Departments with regard to any future plans the City has for the property, the current value of the property, and the storm sewer issues relative to these properties. DIRECTION: REFERRING TO ADMINISTRATION CONSENT FOR ITS REPORT & RECOMMENDATION 2. REQUEST TO APPROVE LOCATION AND SCHEDULE OF DATES AND TIMES FOR THE 2011 BOARD OF REVIEW MEETINGS, AS WELL AS COMPENSATION RATES FOR MEMBERS. Department of Assessment, re: per the requirements of State statute M.S.A. 7.30 and Act 149 of 1984. Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. Christopher Martin, 12275 Inkster Road, said even though these are open meetings, he has a difficult time getting permission to sit in on these meetings. He read a section of the City Charter which states these meetings are to be held in a location designated by City Council. Mr. Martin suggested Council designate the auditorium as the location so that the public may attend without any difficulties. Brosnan responded to Mr. Martin and acknowledged that this was the second time he approached Council regarding the matter of not meeting the Open Meetings Act. She said she believes the Assessing Department is in compliance with the Open Meetings Act, however, if the Department should find additional space available in City Hall they can post it and announce a new location. She said she presumes there aren't as many guests today as there have been in the past. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 3. REQUEST TO APPROVE RENTAL ADJUSTMENTS FOR CITY-OWNED SCATTERED SITE PROPERTIES: Housing Commission, re: to become effective March 1, 2011, to cover the rising cost of ongoing necessary improvements and to provide for future capital improvements. (CR 13-10) Jim Inglis, Executive Director of Housing, presented the request to Council. He said the Housing Commission has reviewed the rents for the two, three, and four bedroom homes listed in their report and is recommending a $10 per month increase to become effective March 1, 2011. Schwartz offered the approving resolution for the Regular Agenda. 4 Vice President Laura asked Inglis if they are making any effort to try to market these homes and get out of the rental home business. Inglis said that is a very good idea. He said they do have some families that he believes could become homeowners. He said since the market is so depressed at this time he doesn't believe the City would get such a great value on the homes as they would have five or ten years ago. He did say however, that it is in the Housing Commission's long range plan. DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR 4. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO SELL CITY-OWNED PROPERTY PURCHASED FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT'S $1.00 HOME PROGRAM: Livonia Housing Commission, re- located at 18660 Floral for a total sale price of$60,000.00. (CR 518-08) Jim Inglis, Executive Director of Housing, presented the request to Council. He said the property was acquired through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. This was one of their $1.00 HUD homes they acquired. The renovation of the property has been completed and they have a potential buyer who has completed the homeownership training program and is income eligible. They have received an offer from Ms. Donna Page to acquire this property for $60,000. The proceeds will go back into the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Regular Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR 5. REQUEST TO DESIGNATE CONSULTANT, THROUGH THE QUALIFICATION- BASED SELECTION (QBS) PROCESS, TO PROVIDE DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT; AND REQUEST TO AUTHORIZE EXPENDITURE: Engineering Division, re: for traffic signal modernizations at Six Mile Road and Farmington Road, Seven Mile Road and Farmington Road, and Six Mile Road and Haggerty Road, with the breakdown of costs at 80% Federal and 20% City of Livonia. Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, presented the request to Council. They are requesting to designate Spalding Dedecker design engineer to provide design services in the amount of $35,950. They recently did the design services for the intersections of Middlebelt Road at Six Mile and Seven Mile Roads. He said it has greatly improved those intersections. Pastor offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 5 6. REQUEST TO AUTHORIZE SETTLEMENT: Department of Law, re: for injuries sustained by Mr. Daryl Reddick while riding his bicycle on City-owned sidewalk on W. Eight Mile Road. Don Knapp, City Attorney, said the Law Department has provided details regarding this matter to Council and said Council approval is requested to authorize a settlement in this matter. Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None. Brosnan commended Mayor Kirksey and Chief Stevenson on their leadership roles with regard to the death of Police Officer Larry Nehasil. She said they did an excellent job during such a difficult time. As there were no further questions or comments, Council Vice President Laura adjourned the Study Session at 8:35 p.m. on Wednesday, January 19, 2011. DATED: January 24, 2011 TERRY A. MARECKI CITY CLERK