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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL STUDY - 2011-02-28 CITY OF LIVONIA— CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 28, 2011 Meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. Present: Conrad Schwartz, John Pastor, Brian Meakin, Laura Toy, Maureen Miller Brosnan, and Joe Laura. Absent: James McCann. Elected and appointed officials present: Todd Zilincik, City Engineer; Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic Development; Don Knapp, City Attorney; Terry Marecki, City Clerk; Mayor Jack Kirksey; Jim Inglis, Executive Director of Housing; and Michael Slater, Director of Finance. Mayor Kirksey said the quarterly newsletters were sent out. He indicated that in the newsletter he welcomed input from the residents with regard to ideas on how to meet the City's challenging budget for 2012. On the cover is a picture from Larry Nehasil's funeral. The Larry Nehasil Memorial Fund is coming along nicely with a number of local businesses and citizens participating in raising funds. The Mayor stated that Allen Helmkamp, Assistant Wayne County Executive was in the audience and would address the issue about the poor condition of the Wayne County Roads within Livonia city limits during this last snow event; in comparison to neighboring communities, as was mentioned at the Council meeting held on February 23, 2011. Alan Helmkamp, Assistant Wayne County Executive, spoke on the recent snow event and the response from Wayne County. He said Wayne County Executive, Robert Ficano, said the response from the County to plow and salt the roads during the recent snow event was unacceptable. He explained how their crews were initially putting down brine in response to the forecasted ice. He said they outfitted most of their fleet to respond to the forecasted snow/ice mix. The anticipated ice came in the form of rain for approximately twenty minutes which then turned to snow. They called their trucks back in and outfitted them for salt and in some cases blades were added. Secondly, they had anecdotal reports of poor performance by their drivers. He said he spoke with a very credible gentleman that lives near Merriman Road, which happens to be an area where they received many complaints. They had reports of a truck dropping salt in six inches of snow and not blading. Dropping salt in six inches of snow will do absolutely nothing. He said why a truck driver wouldn't be blading is beyond him. He said they are following up on that complaint, along with some other complaints as well. They had thirty nine out of their one hundred and fifty two trucks down countywide. About one third of their fleet is eleven years old and they have had some trouble with some of those breaking down. He said unfortunately, eight of them broke down in a short period of time in the district that serves the Southfield area which includes a portion of 1-75. Some trucks were pulled from their areas and reassigned there to address that high priority area. He said at the bottom line, they had a failure of leadership. He said some people may have seen it in the media, their Roads Director, who was leaving their employment within a week, gave himself a day off without securing permission and was not reachable by phone. According to reports from the media, he acknowledged he was out of town. All of those things combined together turned out to be a poor result for them. He mentioned the 2 measures that are being taken to lessen the chances of this type of mess up from occurring in the future. He informed people they could contact their twenty-four hour hotline which is manned by live people, at 1-888-762-3273 to report any concerns or hazardous conditions or through their website at www.waynecounty.gov by selecting Department of Public Service and clicking on complaints. AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: Susan O'Meara, 37072 Bristol, expressed her desire to have a sign erected to honor the Livonia Pompon Team -- the 2010/2011 State Champions. This is the first time that title has ever been awarded to a middle school group. Lindsay Hickox, Natalie Alcantera, Julia Alcantera, Jocelyn Figures, and Madysen Della, all members of the Livonia Pompon Team, also expressed their desire to have a sign erected to honor their team. Their team made history on February 13, 2011 when they were the first middle school group to win the State Championship title and they feel a sign to honor that achievement is a reasonable request. Diane Hickox, mother of a member of Livonia Pompon Team, said she had e-mailed Council a little over two weeks ago regarding the Livonia Pompon Team winning the State Championship. She indicated she had heard back from the Mayor's office and unfortunately was told that the City would not be erecting a sign. She said she does not understand the hesitation or unwillingness of the City to erect a sign. Last week she also spoke to Kevin Maillard, Director of Public Services, and said he indicated to her that making the signs was not a big deal but rather getting the Council and Mayor Approval is a different story. She said she told Maillard if money was the concern that they (Livonia Pompon) would pay for the signs. She said she was also told that the City has never done anything like this for any of its State Champs in previous history. She said she thinks one sign at the entrance to the City is not asking too much. She said they are willing to pay for it. She would like Council to discuss the matter and come to a conclusion. She added that many nearby communities do this such as Novi, Westland, Farmington, and Garden City; she doesn't understand the unwillingness to help them out. Toy offered the approving resolution referring the subject matter of Athletic Recognition Signs to the Legislative Affairs Committee for its report and recommendation on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: REFERRING SUBJECT OF ATHLETIC CONSENT RECOGNITION SIGNS TO THE LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE FOR ITS REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION 3 Brosnan thanked the young ladies from Livonia Pompon Team for coming to the Council meeting tonight. She assured them that the Council would discuss the subject further and report back with their recommendation on the matter. NEW BUSINESS 1. APPLICATION FOR MASSAGE THERAPIST PERMIT: Office of the City Clerk, re: submitted by Leka Smith in accordance with Chapter 5.49 of the Livonia Code of Ordinances, as amended. Leka Smith, 20557 Northville Place Drive, Apt. 2107, Northville, was present to answer any questions Council may have. Toy offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 2. REQUEST TO WAIVE SECTIONS 8.32.070 AND 12.20.080 OF THE LIVONIA CODE OF ORDINANCES, AS AMENDED: Jessica Schulte, Event Production Manager, Event 360, Inc., Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, re: to allow the playing of music and announcements via speakers, as well as the erection and use of tents on public land (Rotary Park), during their Breast Cancer 3-Day Event/Walk which will take place in Livonia from August 12 through August 14, 2011. Vice-President Laura said Ms. Schulte called the Council office and was unable to attend the meeting tonight and asked to keep this item on the Agenda. Brosnan offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. Brosnan said she is proud of the City employees' involvement in this event each year. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 3. REAPPOINTMENT OF LORA WEINGARDEN TO THE LIVONIA BOARD OF ETHICS: Office of the Mayor, re: for a three-year term, which shall expire on March 1, 2013. Mayor Kirksey said Lora Weingarden is one of the original members of the Board of Ethics. He said she has done an excellent job and recommends her reappointment. Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 4 4. REQUEST FOR INFORMAL APPROVAL OF PROPOSED PROGRAM AND TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR THE 2011-2012 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM: Livonia Housing Commission, re. so that a second public hearing can be held on this matter, after which time a final program and budget will be forwarded to Council for formal adoption. Jim Inglis, Executive Director of Housing, presented the request to Council for their informal approval of the proposed budget for the 2011-2012 Community Development Block Grant Program. He said they haven't been notified of the amount the City will be allocated but said they are anticipating a reduction of seven percent based on discussions of the 2011 Budget in congress. He said they will keep Council informed when they are notified of the amount the City will be allocated. Until then they are proposing a budget of $372,000 and is pretty similar to budgets in the past. The major portion of the budget is the Homeowner Housing Rehabilitation Program. They had a Public Hearing on February 16, 2011 on this matter and had no adverse comments. He said they are seeking Council approval so they proceed and hold a second Public Hearing and then bring the final budget back to Council. Toy offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. Brosnan asked Inglis about last year's budget. She said the expenditures were around $504,000, Inglis confirmed that was correct. Brosnan asked him then if that represented the reduction to $372,000 plus the $125,000. He said no, their annual allocation was $401,000 plus carryover funds from the previous year, that represents the $504,000. Brosnan asked Inglis whether he would have any carryover funds this year. He replied, yes approximately $95,000. She asked him what the biggest single impact in the reduced budget scenario, He said this year they had three or four proposals from community based non-profits that were seeking funds to do very worthwhile community services. However, at this point they are not going to be able to fund those, they're going to set them aside. The biggest hit will be in the Homeowner Housing Rehabilitation Program, which is the largest line item. Meakin asked Inglis how they came up with seven percent for a deficit. Inglis replied stating that the President released his 2012 Budget already and it reflected a seven percent decrease. The proposed budget for 2011 that was already passed by the House of Representatives reflects a sixty-two percent decrease. Inglis said he based his reduction on the President's proposed 2012 Budget. Vice-President Laura asked the Clerk to place the Item on the Regular Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR 5 5. REQUEST TO APPROVE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CHARTER COUNTY OF WAYNE AND THE CITY OF LIVONIA- Department of Parks & Recreation, re: for various improvements at Idyl Wyld Golf Course, as well as baseball/softball diamond renovations at Bicentennial Park, Beverly Park, Castle Gardens Park, Compton Park, Dooley Park, McCann Park and Moelke Park utilizing grant funds, with the City of Livonia share to be $1,722.00. Lyle Trudell, Assistant Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, presented the request to Council. He said this is an Agreement that is required by the County for grant money allocated to the City. He said this will help the City do some much needed work that otherwise would not find its way into the City budget. Brosnan offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. Meakin congratulated Wayne County Commissioner Laura Cox for bring this grant to the City. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 6. AWARD OF BID: Public Service Division, re: for the City's Annual Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Day event for the service years 2011 through 2013, allowing for Northville/Northville Township residents to drop off items at the Livonia event scheduled for Saturday, April 30, at Ford Field this year and allowing Livonia residents to utilize the Northville/Northville drop-off day in September. Brian Wilson, Superintendent of Public Service, said they solicited bids for the three year contract for Household Hazardous Waste/Electronic Waste Drop-off Day. The low bid was from Environmental Recycling Group, a Livonia based business. They have been providing service to Wayne County's event; the County has reported they are pleased with their service. He said they are very pleased with the pricing, for the next three years the price per vehicle will actually be less than what they paid in 2010. Environmental Quality (EQ) was the second lowest bidder. He said they've had a very long term relationship with EQ and they have provided excellent service to the City for many years. He said he recently had a long discussion with EQ about the results of the bid and they are understandably disappointed. He requests that Council give consideration to adding EQ to a Council Resolution that if for any reason Environmental Recycling could not perform the service of if there might be problems with the service that they could go back to EQ potentially. He said they will be continuing their partnership with Northville and Northville Township. They are recommending Council award the contract to the low bidder Environmental Recycling Group. 6 Tim O'Connor, representative for Environmental Quality (EQ) Company, gave some statistical information to the Council on the company. Brosnan asked Wilson to provide Council with information on the proposals received for this bid before the next Regular Meeting. Wilson apologized for not having that information and said he would have it to Council before their next meeting. He did note only two proposals were received. Brosnan offered the approving resolution referring the subject matter to the Capital Improvement, Natural Resource & Waste Management Committee for its report and recommendation. Pastor offered an amended approving resolution to include Environmental Quality as back up, in the event if for any reason Environmental Recycling is unable to perform the service of if there is a problem with the service, at the lowest bid rate. DIRECTION: 1) APPROVING — ENVIRONMENTAL REGULAR QUALITY AS BACK UP AT LOW BID RATE 2) REFERRING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT, NATURAL RESOURCES AND WASTE MGMT COMMITTEE FOR ITS REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION 7. REQUEST FOR COUNCIL TO SET A DATE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADOPTING A RESOLUTION PLACING SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS UPON REFERENCED PROPERTIES WHOSE OWNERS HAVE NOT PAID CHARGES CONNECTED WITH THE 2010 SIDEWALK PROGRAM, CONTRACT 10-G, SINGLE LOT ASSESSMENTS: Engineering Division, re: same. (CR 113-10) Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, presented the request to Council. He said this is just a formality to set a date so that property owners that have not paid charges in connection with the 2010 Sidewalk Program can pay the charges in an alternative manner by placing a special assessment upon the property. Toy offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 8. WAIVER PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2010-12-02-20 submitted by Richard Mancini requesting approval to operate a used auto dealership (Mancini Motors) with outdoor display of vehicles on property located on the north side of Plymouth Road, between Middlebelt Road and Camden Avenue (29074 Plymouth Road), in the Southwest '/4 of Section 25. 7 Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic Development, presented the request to Council. He said the petitioner currently rents a portion of the building and would rent out approximately 75% of the building; the remaining 25% is occupied by another tenant, a janitorial supply business. Some modifications would have to be made to the building to accommodate a showroom for cars. He said the petitioner has agreed to comply with the recommendations of the Planning Commission. Pastor offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. Toy asked Taormina where the vehicles would be parked on the parcel. He said some of them would be parked in the rear of the property within a fenced portion of the property. He said there would be vehicles parked in the front yard of the property and no vehicles on display would be parked within 20 feet from the right of way. She asked if there was residential property along Haller Street. Taormina said there is actually a small utility building that belongs to Consumers Energy, there is a duplex home and some single family homes to the rear and the Lutheran Village Home for the Aged is located to the north and east of this property. Richard Mancini, 31235 Morlock, was present to answer any questions. Toy asked the petitioner if he was going to run the business, he replied yes. She asked if he had run this type of business before, he said yes he had. She asked how many vehicles would be on the property, he replied around 17 outside and maybe a few inside the showroom. She asked him if he felt there was a market for this kind of business here in Livonia, he responded yes. He said the majority of his clients are young kids, their first and second cars. Meakin asked him what kind of financing he would be providing. He said the Credit Union and three or four other financial institutions. Meakin asked if he would be providing financing where his clients could make payments at their facility. He replied, no. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 9. REQUEST TO APPROVE PAY CONNEXIONSM AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LIVONIA AND JP MORGAN CHASE: Department of Law, re: to allow the Treasurer's Office the ability to accept credit and debit card payments. Don Knapp, City Attorney, said the Law Department was approached by the Treasurer's Department to be allowed the ability to accept credit and debit card payments. He did say currently taxes can be paid online but somebody that walks up to the counter is unable to use their credit card or debit card. Toy asked Knapp if the Treasurer had the ability to dial up from the field to make sure that the credit card information will be processed and approved for payment by the card issuer. Knapp referred the question to Dennis Wright, City Treasurer, for the logistics of how payment would be processed in the field. Wright said they could take the information and call it into the office and have the staff enter it. 8 Brosnan asked Knapp how the rates compared to rates charged to people using a credit or debit card at the Livonia Community Recreation Center. Knapp said honestly they did not compare rates to other contracts, they simply reviewed this one. Brosnan said her concern was to make sure charges weren't inconsistent from one City office to the other. Also, she thought combining the number of transactions citywide might get the City a lower rate. Mike Slater, Finance Director, said there is a big difference between the credit and debit card transactions at the Treasurer's office and the credit and debit card transactions at the golf courses or recreation center. He said the fees the City charge at the golf courses and recreation center include the cost of the credit or debit card. They are able to adjust those fees to absorb the costs of the credit card. They don't charge an extra convenience fee. He said with property taxes, they can't adjust the amount of the property taxes, so in those instances the customer pays an additional charge on top of the taxes to cover that cost. Toy offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 10. PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE LIVONIA CODE OF ORDINANCES, AS AMENDED: Department of Law, re: to update various sections of Title 3, Chapter 04 (Financial Procedures), pertaining to contracts and bids. Don Knapp, City Attorney, said part of the Law Department's ongoing efforts is to review the City's Code of Ordinances and by working with the departments that are affected by them to see whether or not changes should be made to improve them. They are recommending a number of changes that have been developed in conjunction with the Finance Director. Brosnan expressed concern about the proposed amendment with regard to the elimination of Council members serving as ex-officio members in the bid process. She is concerned about not being notified when the bid openings will take place, especially on larger bids. Her other concern has to do with the proposed amendment with regard to the increase in amount from $15,000 to $20,000 for bids requiring Council approval. She said there aren't that many items coming before Council and feels they should stay in touch with the ones coming before them. She would like it to remain at $15,000. Toy offered the approving and denying resolutions for the Regular Agenda. DIRECTION: 1) APPROVING REGULAR 2) DENYING 3) REFERRING TO LEGISLATIVE 9 AFFAIRS COMMITTEE FOR ITS REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION 4) APPROVING —AMENDING ORDINANCE TO KEEP $15,000 THRESHOLD AND NOTIFICATION TO COUNCIL ON BID OPENINGS AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None. As there were no further questions or comments, Council Vice President Laura adjourned the Study Session at 9:22 p.m. on Monday, February 28, 2011. DATED: March 8, 2011 TERRY A. MARECKI CITY CLERK