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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL STUDY - 2011-09-26 CITY OF LIVONIA – CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 26, 2011 Meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. Present: Brian Meakin, Joe Laura, Laura Toy, Conrad Schwartz, John Pastor, and James McCann. Absent: Maureen Miller Brosnan. Elected and appointed officials present: Todd Zilincik, City Engineer; Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic Development; Don Knapp, City Attorney; and Jack E. Kirksey, Mayor. President McCann announced there is an “X” item that will be discussed following the agenda. Mayor Kirksey mentioned there will be a Candidates Night this Thursday at City Hall at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium. Mayor Kirksey reported a suspicious package was delivered to the Livonia Chamber of Commerce and the building was evacuated this evening and traffic was rerouted until the package was examined by the appropriate authorities and deemed harmless. Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, thanked Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for the road maintenance work done at Plymouth and Stark Roads this past week-end. Pastor wished his nephew, Sean Pastor, Happy Birthday; his birthday was last Friday. AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None. NEW BUSINESS 1. REQUEST TO PURCHASE CITY-OWNED PROPERTY: Ion & Iuliana Gutu, re: one-half of the lot located at 36413 Parkdale in Shaffmaster’s Parkside Estates, which is adjacent to property he currently owns, purchase with a conservation easement. (Tax Parcel No. 46-126-03-0015-000) (CR 16-11) Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic Development, said this request was originally brought to the attention of the Planning Commission by Mr. David Lent who owned the adjacent property. He said the parcel is bifurcated by a 72 inch diameter storm sewer that runs almost directly through the center of the property so it is limited in terms of its construction. The Planning Commission review in this matter felt that there was no need for the City to maintain ownership of the property. Their recommendation to the Council was that the property could be sold. Additionally, there might be a need for review by the Engineering Division and the Law Department. 2 Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, said their disposition is they want to make sure that they maintain access to that 72 inch storm sewer just in case a future repair needs to be done. Don Knapp, City Attorney, said the Law Department has been working with the Assessing Department to try and put a value on the property. The fact that the property has the 72 inch storm sewer running through the property has created some issues for the Assessing Department to try putting a value on the property. Knapp said at this point what has to be resolved is whether it is going to be sold to one or both the interested property owners, the value, and whether or not there is going to be a conservation easement that goes across the whole property or whether there’s an easement that covers the area in the center of the property where the storm sewer is located. At this point, those issues need to be worked out and they need to determine what interest both parties have in purchasing a portion or all of the property. If they can’t come to an agreement about perhaps splitting the property in half, it may just be sold to the highest bidder. President McCann asked Knapp if they were looking for a referral from Council to negotiate. Knapp said that would be appropriate. Toy offered the resolution referring the matter of negotiating the sale of the property to Administration for the Consent Agenda. David Lent, 36421 Parkdale, said he owns property adjacent to the property in question; he has owned it since 1983. He said he has been patiently waiting since he first approached the City last year and still has not received an answer whether or not a decision has been made whether or not the property would be sold. He said he is interested in purchasing the entire lot. He feels since he approached the City first that he should have first consideration to purchase the property should the City decide to sell the property. However, if the City should desire to split the property and sell the lots separately, he would still be interested in purchasing the lot adjacent to his property. Lent said letter of correspondence he received was from Assistant City Attorney Michael Fisher; the letter said he basically had two options available. Option A was to buy the property with a conservation easement where nothing could be done to property but grass. Option B was to buy the property with ordinary permitted uses with the exception of building and easement restrictions. Lent said his response back inquired about the price of the property with Option A and the price of the property with Option B before he made a decision. Lent said that was the last he had from the City until he received notice about attending the meeting tonight. He said he doesn’t have any direct plans for the property other than keeping it up meticulously as he has done in the past. 3 President McCann explained that the City has to follow the procedures and go through the process; sometimes it is cumbersome. Todd Zilinick, City Engineer, commented on one thing that complicates this matter is the possibility that the potential purchaser(s) may wish to build on the property. President McCann said those concerns can be addressed by the Administration. DIRECTION: REFERRAL TO ADMINISTRATION CONSENT TO NEGOTIATE SALE OF PROPERTY 2. REQUEST FOR DESIGNATION AS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION: Laraine Larkin, President, Stepping Up For MS, re: as required by the State of Michigan to obtain a Charitable Gaming License to allow them to hold two fundraisers per year, the first one being held October 21, 2011 at St. Edith Parish Hall, “A Chili Night in October”. Laraine Larkin, 15988 Foch, was present to answer any questions from Council. Larkin gave a brief explanation of the organization and how they provide support for people with MS in the Detroit metropolitan area. Toy offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 3. APPLICATION FOR MASSAGE THERAPIST PERMIT: Office of the City Clerk, re: submitted by Jeffrey Paul Glebe in accordance with Chapter 5.49 of the Livonia Code of Ordinances, as amended. Jeffrey Paul Glebe, 33653 Pondview, was present to answer any questions from Council. Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 4. REQUEST TO ACCEPT THE BYRNE JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT FUNDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF POLICE COMMUNICATONS EQUIPMENT: Division of Police, re: to accept $250,000.00 in funding for eighty-three (83) Motorola APX6000 Model II portable radios, which will be integrated into the larger city-wide Motorola communications system, no matching funds required from the City of Livonia, the City will be reimbursed from the State of Michigan, via Canton Township. (CR 407-10) 4 Mayor Kirksey said there was a scheduling conflict with representatives from the Police Department with knowledge on the matter. Mayor Kirksey asked Council to consider moving the item on to the Regular Meeting with the information provided. However, the Mayor did say if further information is needed and Council decides to move this item to the next Study Meeting so a representative from the Police Department could be present to answer any questions from Council on the matter; that would be fine too. Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 5. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO SELL CITY OWNED PROPERTY PURCHASED FROM FANNIE MAE FORECLOSED PROPERTIES: Livonia Housing Commission, re: located at 12031 Cardwell for a total sale price of $69,900.00. (CR 39-09) Mayor Kirksey said Jim Inglis could not attend tonight’s meeting, however, he did send an e-mail on this item notifying Council that a problem has arose and the purchaser is having some difficulty in getting the financing approved and asked that this item be delayed until further notice. Vice-Present Laura asked that the item be removed from the agenda until further notice from the Housing Commission. DIRECTION: REMOVED FROM AGENDA REGULAR UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE 6. AWARD OF BID: Public Service Division, re: Street Sweeping Services for the Leaf Pickup Program as well as emergency services if necessary for two (2) years, from budgeted funds. Kevin Maillard, Director of Public Works, said they went out for bid and did receive 3 bids. The low bid received was from B & J Parking Maintenance from Taylor, Michigan. They have done work previously for the City and they have found their work to be acceptable. They are recommending Council award a contract for the Street Sweeping Services for the Leaf Pickup Program to B & J Parking Maintenance in the amount of $39,900.00 and also an amount of $10,000.00 for emergency street sweeping as needed. They also requesting authorization to use the second low bidder, Progressive Sweeping from Redford, in the event the low bidder is unable to provide the required service. Vice-President Laura offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. Meakin said some citizens may think that this is an item that should be eliminated from the City’s budget. Meakin asked Maillard to explain to the audience the 5 EPA’s requirement that the City conduct annual street sweeping to keep the dirt out of the storm sewer system . Maillard confirmed that it is a requirement from the State of Michigan and this requirement ties into Act 51 funding that the City receives and failure to perform the street sweeping would cause the City to forfeit that funding. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 7. REQUEST TO ACCEPT PROPOSALS FOR CONTRACTED SNOW REMOVAL SERVICE FOR MAJOR STORMS: Public Service Division, re: to assist in plowing City streets for the 2011-2012 season. Kevin Maillard, Director of Public Works, said the City has relied on contracted services for snow removal during major storm events for years. They requested bids from 5 contractors and only 3 complied. Contractor’s services are normally utilized for the local roads snow program. He said last season they had 3 snow events in February. They are requesting Council approval and authorization to use Stante Excavating of Wixom, Nagle Paving of Novi, and Fiore Enterprises of Detroit. Maillard said based on their submitted unit cost for providing emergency snow removal services for the upcoming season. Vice-President Laura offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. Conrad Schwartz asked Maillard if Fiore Enterprises has done work for the City previously. Maillard replied no. Schwartz asked Maillard to provide additional information on Fiore Enterprises to Council prior to the Regular Meeting. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 8. REQUEST TO APPROVE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF WAYNE AND THE CITY OF LIVONIA: Engineering Division, re: to modernize traffic signals on Farmington Road at Six Mile and Seven Mile roads in connection with the Safely Improvement Project utilizing Federal funds with the City of Livonia share to be estimated at $101,500.00. (CR 18-11) Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, said this project is an effort to improve the traffic signals at the intersections of Farmington Road and Six Mile Road, this is the key intersection for Stevenson High School; a lot of traffic goes through that intersection during the morning and afternoon. It is also for Farmington Road and Seven Mile Road, same thing, a lot of traffic goes through that intersection. Toy offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 6 9. REQUEST TO APPROVE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF WAYNE AND THE CITY OF LIVONIA: Engineering Division, re: to modernize traffic signals at Six Mile and Haggerty Roads and installing countdown pedestrian signals for West Chicago at Middlebelt and Merriman Roads, along with upgrading sidewalk ramps in order to meet ADA compliance in connection with the Safety Improvement Project utilizing Federal funds with the City of Livonia share to be estimated at $51,860.00. (CR 18-11 and 381-10) Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, said this project is an effort to improve the traffic signals at the intersection of Six Mile and Haggerty Roads, and installing countdown pedestrian signals for West Chicago at Middlebelt and Merriman Roads, along with upgrading sidewalk ramps in order to meet ADA compliance in connection with the Safety Improvement Project. Toy offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. Pastor asked Zilincik if Northville was participating in the cost of traffic signal improvements at the intersection of Haggerty and Six Mile Roads. Zilincik responded by stating Northville Township is not and said Wayne County is participating in the cost of the project. Zilincik added that this intersection is one of the top 50 intersections marked for need for improvement. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 10. PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE LIVONIA CODE OF ORDINANCES, AS AMENDED: Department of Law, re: to Section 18.50D(b) of Article XVIII of Ordinance No. 543, (Permitted Signs), to allow the painting of addresses on the curb to assist in locating a home in an emergency. Don Knapp, City Attorney, said recently there was an inquiry made to the Law Department where in the Ordinance was it permitted to paint addresses on the curb to assist in locating a home in an emergency situation. Knapp said this is a proposed amendment to the Code of Ordinances to address this issue and allow that activity. Toy offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING – REFERRING TO CONSENT PLANNING COMMISSION TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING X1. BLOCK PARTY: Chad Aaron Kundinger, re: to be held Saturday, October 15, 2011, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on North Clements Circle between Harrison and Elmira, with a rain date requested of Sunday, October 16, 2011. Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Regular Agenda. 7 President McCann asked the City Clerk to have the petitioner contacted and request their attendance at the Regular Meeting. DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: Marguerite Gwizdala, 9870 Seltzer, expressed her concerns regarding Smart Meters and urged the public to research Smart Meters and say no to having them installed in Livonia. Clara Adams, 9938 Stark Road, expressed her concerns regarding Smart Meters and urged the public to say no to having them installed in Livonia. John Tatar, 16451 Savoie, expressed his concerns regarding Smart Meters and urged the public to research Smart Meters and say no to having them installed in Livonia. As there were no further questions or comments, President McCann adjourned the Study Session at 8:46 p.m. on Monday, September 26, 2011. DATED: October 4, 2011 TERRY A. MARECKI CITY CLERK