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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL STUDY - 2011-06-13 CITY OF LIVONIA— CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD JUNE 13, 2011 Meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. Present: John Pastor, Brian Meakin, Joe Laura, Laura Toy, Maureen Miller Brosnan, Conrad Schwartz, and James McCann. Absent: None. Elected and appointed officials present: Todd Zilincik, City Engineer; Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic Development; Cathryn White, Chief Assistant City Attorney; Karen Tesner, Assistant City Clerk; Dennis Wright, City Treasurer; and Jack E. Kirksey, Mayor. President McCann indicated there would be three (3) X Items discussed at the end of tonight's meeting. Pastor wanted to remind everyone the start of SPREE is the week of June 21St. Pastor stated this year the SPREE will have its first annual beer and wine tasting event in the Bright House Tent from 6:00-9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21St; Wednesday will be the Family Pizza Night in Eddie Edgar Arena from 6:00-8:00 p.m.; and Thursday, June 23rd will be the Taste of SPREE from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and concludes with the fireworks display on Sunday. Pastor stated pre-sale armbands are available to be purchased at Community Choice Credit Union, Independent Bank, Livonia YMCA, the Parks and Recreation office located within the Livonia Community Recreation Center, the City Treasurer's Office, and Catholic Parishes Credit Union through Friday, June 17tH Pastor wished his friends, Walter and Cathy, a Happy Birthday and indicated Walter celebrated his birthday yesterday and he believed Cathy would celebrate her birthday on Friday or Saturday of this week. AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: Ralph Williams, 18630 Foch, addressed Council to express his concerns regarding the sanitary sewer system and the apparent failed gate that allowed raw sewage to overflow into the river that occurred approximately three (3) weeks before the heavy rains. Mr. Williams stated he was concerned about what the Administration did not do and that was to inform the public the river had been contaminated and how such contamination affects the community and wildlife on the whole. Mr. Williams asked Council to pass an Ordinance to assure the public is notified immediately when the river is contaminated with raw sewage in the future, by whatever means necessary. NEW BUSINESS 1. BLOCK PARTY: Nicole Bush, re: to be held Saturday, July 30, 2011, from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Susanna, between Ross and Donald, with a rain date requested of Sunday, July 31, 2011. 2 Nicole Bush, 14641 Susanna, was present to answer any questions of Council. Toy inquired if a block party had been hosted before on this block and Ms. Bush responded this will be their third annual. Toy offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 2. BLOCK PARTY: Barbara Smith, re: to be held Saturday, August 13, 2011, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Floral, south of Seven Mile between the driveway of Sands Lounge & the party store north to Clarita, with a rain date requested of Saturday, August 20, 2011. Barbara Smith, 18760 Floral St., was present to answer any questions of Council. Brosnan offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 3. REQUEST FOR DESIGNATION AS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION: Laura Zain, President/Founder, Tail Wagger's 1990, re: as required by the State of Michigan to obtain a Charitable Gaming License to allow them to conduct fundraisers for their organization. Laura Zain, 27859 Oakley Street, and Felicia Arnold, 23110 Sagebrush, were present to answer any questions of Council. Ms. Zain explained Tail Wagger's is an organization that is 22 years old and their goal is to help people help animals. Ms. Zain indicated their organization has helped community members for 22 years and have given out over 7,000 pounds of food to people for their pets since December, 2010. Ms. Zain stated Tail Wagger's offers low cost vaccinations and procedures to spay/neuter pets and intends to lease store space at the corner of Five Mile Road and Harrison to meet the needs of the public to help with all animals. Toy offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 4. REQUEST FROM THE MICHIGAN LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE THE REQUEST FROM NEW BIG DADDY'S, L.L.C. TO TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OF AN ESCROWED 2010 CLASS C LICENSED BUSINESS FROM COMERICA BANK; REQUEST TO TRANSFER LOCATION (GOVERNMENTAL UNIT UNDER MCL 436.1531(1) FROM 10300 W. 3 JEFFERSON, RIVER ROUGE, MI 48218, WAYNE COUNTY; AND REQUEST FOR A NEW OUTDOOR SERVICE AREA AND NEW DANCE- ENTERTAINMENT PERMIT: Division of Police, re: for the business located at 19333 Victor Parkway, Livonia, MI 48152. John Kaounas, 20660 Woodcreek, Northville, was present to answer any questions of Council. Laura wished the Petitioner well with his new business and welcomed him to the Livonia community. Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 5. REQUEST FOR ESTABLISHMENT AND USE OF "RECEIVING BOARDS:" Office of the City Clerk, re: pursuant to Michigan Election Law, MCL 168.679a, to be used in administering this year's elections in the City of Livonia. Brosnan inquired as to the purpose of Receiving Boards and what exactly do they do. Karen Tesner, Assistant City Clerk, explained the purpose is to double- check paperwork done at the precincts and to correct any errors so that a precinct cannot be deemed "not recountable" should a re-count be necessary following an election. Ms. Tesner indicated they are comprised of general election workers and/or members of the staff from the Clerk's Office. Brosnan inquired if Receiving Boards create a new financial burden or require an additional designation. Ms. Tesner replied it is not a new financial request or designation and Receiving Boards have already been built into the current budget. Toy offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 6. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO UPGRADE COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND TO APPROVE ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION AND EXPENDITURE: Office of the Treasurer, re: to upgrade their tax system, special assessment system, delinquent personal property tax system and miscellaneous receivables system from BS&A Pervasive Software to BS&A Dot.Net. Dennis Wright, City Treasurer, presented the request to Council and explained the upgrade was being offered to the City at an extreme discount from BS&A Pervasive Software. Mr. Wright explained the discount was offered to go to the Dot.Net system which would increase the efficiency of his department. Mr. Wright stated a community the size of Livonia would typically pay approximately 4 $71,000. However, BS&A is offering the upgrade at a reduced price of $19,000 to move up to the Dot.Net system and would be a savings of approximately $52,000. Mr. Wright recommended the Council approve the upgrade and allow the City to take advantage of this savings opportunity. Laura inquired where the money for the upgrade would come from. Mr. Wright replied he believed the funding was available through the 401 Fund and would have Mike Slater, Director of Finance, send an e-mail to Council explaining same. Laura stated he assumed all municipalities would try to get this upgrade, if at all possible. Mr. Wright replied it would provide long-term efficiencies that would pay off in the long run and his department would benefit greatly from the upgrade. Toy inquired what the difference would be to upgrade to the new Dot.Net system and Mr. Wright explained it would bring the system currently being used into the 21St Century. Brosnan stated the BS&A software issue was discussed last year at budget discussions and she remembered it being discussed at some point that this software was worthy of investing in upgrades, if at all possible. Further, Brosnan stated it was her understanding that the upgrade would benefit other City departments, such as the Assessor's Office, and stated she supported the opportunity to get the upgrade at such a reduced price. President McCann stated the BS&A upgrades would tie the various City departments together and streamline information and therefore would create a far more efficient system to receive and upgrade data used by the various departments. Laura offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 7. REQUEST TO APPROVE 2010 CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LIVONIA AND THE COUNTY OF WAYNE FOR HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM FUNDING; REQUEST TO APPROVE MODIFICATION NO. 1 TO THE 2009 CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LIVONIA AND THE COUNTY OF WAYNE- AND REQUEST TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING TO APPROVE THE 2011 AND 2012 HOME CONTRACT FUNDING: Housing Commission, re: to extend the City's participation in the Wayne County Home Investment Partnership Consortia through December 31, 2012, with 2010 program funding to be in the amount of$154,893.43. (CR 213-09) 5 Jim Inglis, Director of Housing, presented the request to Council explaining the program was approved in 2009 by City Council with Council Resolution 213-09 and the Wayne County Home Investment Partnership Consortia consisted of the cities of Taylor, Lincoln Park, Dearborn, and Livonia. Mr. Inglis explained the program allows the City to obtain federal funding for dollars to give for low income housing rehabilitation to Livonia homeowners. Mr. Inglis stated Wayne County was behind in processing documents and offered to the City the opportunity to extend the current contract to December 31, 2012. In addition, Mr. Inglis stated he was requesting approval of the 2010 contract in the amount of $154,893.43 and authorization to have the Director of Housing approve the 2012 contracts for low income housing rehab projects for Livonia homeowners when awarded the funding from Wayne County. Brosnan inquired what types of repairs are typically accomplished with the funding that is requested. Mr. Inglis explained the Housing Commission typically looks at housing rehabilitation in terms of code violations and works closely with the Building Department to identify code violations and present them to Livonia homeowners. Mr. Inglis stated the program offers no or low interest loans to the homeowners for improvements and stated typical improvements include mechanical, roofing, window replacement, energy improvements, installation of smoke detectors, and added insulation for energy efficiency. Mr. Inglis concluded by stating Livonia homeowners can apply for 2010 and 2011 program funding by completing the appropriate applications and funding is still available for the calendar year of 2010. Brosnan offered the approving resolution for the Regular Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR 8. AWARD OF BID: Department of Parks & Recreation, re: for the removal and replacement of existing backstops at seven (7) municipal fields. Lyle Trudell, Interim Superintendent of Parks & Recreation, was present to request the bid be awarded to the low bidder, American Fence & Supply, to remove and replace backstops at seven (7) fields in Livonia. Mr. Trudell explained that funding is available and is to be paid for through Wayne County Grant funds and the approved Wayne County Intergovernmental Agreement. Meakin noted the second lowest bid for this project was in the amount of $101,000 and the bid being awarded to American Fence & Supply is approximately $15,000 less than that amount. Meakin offered the approving resolution for the lowest bidder on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 6 9. REQUEST TO APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE SUBLEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE MICHIGAN WOLVES AND HAWKS SOCCER CLUB FOR JAYCEE PARK SOCCER FIELDS: Department of Parks & Recreation, re: which would include the option of extending the current lease for two (2) additional five (5)-year terms. (CR 107-10) Lyle Trudell, Interim Superintendent of Parks & Recreation, introduced Ed McCarthy, President of the Hawks Soccer Club, and indicated their organization would like to make a substantial financial investment and put in a turf soccer field at Jaycee Park, and that is why they have requested the option to extend the current lease for two (2) additional five (5) year terms. Ed McCarthy, President of Hawks Soccer Club, 890 Wolverine Drive, Wolverine Lake, addressed Council to explain a turf field allows teams to play in all types of weather and can be used continuously. Mr. McCarthy explained on any given day there are approximately 150-200 youth soccer players on the field at Jaycee Park and with that many players the organization basically has the ability to wear out the grass and does not give way to a quality playing environment. Mr. McCarthy stated his organization has a high level of play and therefore requires a high level of fields to play on. Laura offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda and thanked the soccer clubs for making a substantial financial investment into the City's parks. Brosnan stated she wanted to take a closer look at the matter because this is a field within the City, within a City-owned park. Brosnan inquired if the organization was based out of Livonia and if Livonia residents would have access to the field. Mr. McCarthy explained they are a Livonia based Club whose home has been at Jaycee Park since 1974, but their teams are not limited to Livonia residents only. Further, he replied residents can rent or reserve the field during "prime" times and the field will be readily available to residents during all other times. Brosnan stated the meeting hosted by the Wolves took place the same night as the Town Hall meeting concerning flooded basements and she was not able to attend their meeting. She inquired what the overall feeling of residents who attended and what concerns, if any, were raised by residents. Mr. McCarthy stated most residents favored the organization's endeavor and there were no concerns raised by the residents who attended. Mr. McCarthy explained the long term goal of the organization was to possibly install a comfort station with running water, bathrooms, and a concession stand at Jaycee Park, over the course of the next decade or so. Brosnan inquired if this would put Livonia in a position to host soccer tournaments, similar to those hosted in Canton, at some point in the future. Mr. McCarthy explained that one of the great strengths of their Club was they draw in teams from all over, even as far as 8-10 hours of travel away. However, their Club currently has to go to 7 Wixom or other communities when hosting such teams as they require top-notch facilities for play and the current field at Jaycee Park does not yet offer that. Further, Mr. McCarthy explained it is difficult to host a tournament with only one field but perhaps down the road, given the Club's vision of Jaycee Park, it could possibly open the door to put in a second field which would be more conducive to hosting a tournament in Livonia. Brosnan inquired if the silt fence on the site plan was permanent. Mr. Trudell explained the silt fence is only temporary until the vegetation sets in and then a four foot cyclone fence would go up on a permanent basis and surround the field. Brosnan inquired where the Club stood on funding for the project. Mr. McCarthy explained they are 90% there and hope to be done funding the project within the next few months. Mr. McCarthy added their contractor, Field Turf, has allowed them to make payments up through December 31St Brosnan through the Chair to Cathryn White, Chief Assistant City Attorney, asked if the Law Department had an opportunity to review the contract and whether there are any issues with the two (2) five (5) year extensions. Cathryn White replied no and indicated they agree with the extension and indicated they are comfortable with the Lease Agreement. President McCann inquired if it would impair their funding if the approving resolution for two (2) five (5) year extensions was conditioned on their successful ability to put the field in. President McCann explained the fields are going to be tied up for 15+ years with the current proposed extension and if this should change or not work out as expected, this would leave the City at a loss. Mr. McCarthy explained they need to get the funding completed in order to put in the field but had no issue with the resolution containing that condition. Toy stated she appreciated the time and effort going into this project by the Hawks and inquired of Mr. McCarthy how many of their members were actual Livonia residents. Mr. McCarthy stated he believed nearly 75% of the younger players of the approximately 600 players in that age group (up through 12 years old), were Livonia residents and their members were obtained by try-outs and the player's ability to pay the required fees. Laura offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT X1. REQUEST TO WAIVE THE CITY'S NOISE ORDINANCE: Michael Hudzik, re. to allow a live band to play between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. at his home located at 32974 Grennada for a birthday party to be held on Sunday, June 26, 2011. 8 Michael Hudzik, 32974 Grennada, was present to answer any questions of Council and thanked Council for their time. Brosnan offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT X2. APPOINTMENT OF MICHAEL E. DUGGAN, JR., TO THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS: Maureen Miller Brosnan, Councilmember, re: for a three-year term, which shall expire on July 12, 2014. Brosnan stated it was a great privilege to offer the name of Michael E. Duggan, Jr., to be considered for a three year term on the Zoning Board of Appeals to expire on July 12, 2014. Brosnan stated this would be the third generation in the Duggan family to serve the public and believes he will be a hard working, diligent candidate who will pay close attention to the research needed to be fair in his assessment of the cases that come before the Zoning Board. Michael E. Duggan, Jr., was present to answer any questions of Council and thanked them for their consideration. Brosnan offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT X3. APPOINTMENT OF ELIZABETH H. MC CUE TO THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS: Conrad P. Schwartz, Councilmember, re: for a three-year term, which shall expire on July 12, 2014. Schwartz stated this was his first opportunity to nominate someone for an appointment to the Zoning Board of Appeals and was proud to offer for approval the name of Elizabeth H. McCue to serve a three year term to expire on July 12, 2014. Elizabeth H. McCue was present to answer any questions of Council and indicated she appreciated the opportunity to serve the community and has been a Livonia resident for over 15 years. President McCann noted Ms. McCue has served the Livonia community in numerous volunteer capacities and was a very worthy candidate to serve on the ZBA. Meakin stated Ms. McCue was a banker within the community and an outstanding volunteer one could always count on for help. 9 Laura stated throughout the years and given the changing members of Council over time, there have been many outstanding members who have served on the ZBA and extended a welcome to the two new members who are about to come aboard. Schwartz offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None. Brosnan wished her husband, Sean, a Happy Anniversary and indicated she was celebrating her 19th year of marriage. Brosnan thanked her husband and expressed her love for him. As there were no further questions or comments, Council President McCann adjourned the Study Session at 8:56 p.m. on Monday, June 13, 2011. DATED: June 16, 2011 TERRY A. MARECKI CITY CLERK