HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL STUDY - 2011-11-21 CITY OF LIVONIA— CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 21, 2011
Meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. Present: Conrad Schwartz, John
Pastor, Brian Meakin, Joe Laura, Laura Toy, 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;
Dennis Wright, Treasurer; Sue Hoff, Deputy City Clerk; and Jack E. Kirksey, Mayor.
Councilmember Schwartz presented Madison DeLuca with a Commendation from the
Mayor and Council for becoming the Regional Figure Skating Champion.
Mayor Kirksey announced that with regard to the Target store at Wonderland will not
open until 4:00 A.M. However, the Target store located on Haggerty Road will open at
Midnight for the
President McCann wished Mayor Kirksey a Happy Birthday today.
AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None.
NEW BUSINESS
1. APPLICATION FOR MASSAGE APPRENTICE PERMIT: Office of the City
Clerk, re: submitted by Rene Eid in accordance with Chapter 5.49 of the Livonia
Code of Ordinances, as amended.
Rene Eid, 17675 N. Laurel Park, was present to answer any questions from
Council. She will be working at LaVida Massage located at Five Mile and
Newburgh.
Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
2. APPLICATION FOR MASSAGE THERAPIST PERMIT: Office of the City Clerk,
re: submitted by Kayla Phill in accordance with Chapter 5.49 of the Livonia Code
of Ordinances, as amended.
Kayla Phill, 38127 Summers, was present to answer any questions from Council.
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Toy offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
3. REQUEST TO APPROVE PAYMENT AND EXTEND CONTRACT WITH BS & A
SOFTWARE: Office of the Treasurer, re: to approve payment in the amount of
$18,020.00 for yearly service and support fee for the period November 1, 2011
through October 31, 2012, for providing Equalizer Internet Tax/Assessment
System.
Sharon Dolmetsch, Deputy Treasurer, presented the request to Council. She
stated that BS&A did not increase their yearly service and support fee for the
past 3 years. This year there is an increase of less than 1%.
Toy asked Dolmetsch if she knew how many other municipalities utilize this
software program. Dolmetsch said she believe about 98% of the municipalities in
the state of Michigan have the same software program.
Toy offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
4. REQUEST A TEMPORARY RENT MODIFICATION FOR GEORGE-MURPHY'S-
Department of Finance, re: to reduce the rent payment from December, 2011 to
March, 2012 due to slow times for the business located at 36000 Seven Mile
Road and to increase the monthly rent payment from April, 2012 to July, 2012 to
collect the delayed rent.
Michael Slater, Director of Finance, said they have been contacted by the tenant
and due to a poor spring last year they had reduced business as a result of fewer
golfers. They are asking the City to delay the rent for the winter months and said
they will catch up the delayed rent in the spring 2012. Mr. Slater said the end
result the same amount of rent will have been paid to the City.
Vice-President Laura asked Slater if the City would be getting any remuneration
for the delay; Slater replied no and added this is just an effort to assist a business
in Livonia. Vice-President Laura said he is shocked and asked that this be placed
on the Regular Agenda.
President McCann said this past spring was extremely wet and said nobody was
golfing until mid May.
Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Regular Agenda.
Vice-President Laura asked the Administration to have the business owner at the
Regular Meeting. Mr. Slater said that would not be a problem.
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Toy said at first she kind of felt unsure about this request but they are only asking
for a delay and given the poor golfing season and economic times, she doesn't
have a problem with the request.
DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR
5. REQUEST TO APPROVE RENTAL ADJUSTMENTS FOR CITY-OWNED
SCATTERED SITE PROPERTIES: Housing Commission, re: to become
effective March 1, 2012, to cover modernization, insurance, taxes and general
operating costs.
Jim Inglis, Executive Director of Housing, said each year the Livonia Housing
Commission reviews the rents of the City's scattered site properties. He said they
are seeking a $10.00 monthly increase to be effective March 1, 2012. This will
assist them with keeping the properties up to code and to cover modernization,
insurance, taxes and general operating costs..
Toy offered the approving and denying resolutions for the Regular Agenda.
DIRECTION: 1) APPROVING REGULAR
2) DENYING
6. REQUEST TO APPROVE NEWBURGH VILLAGE RENTAL ADJUSTMENT:
Housing Commission, re: to become effective June 1, 2012, to aid with
preventative maintenance and capital improvements.
Jim Inglis, Executive Director of Housing, said each year the Livonia Housing
Commission reviews the rents of Newburgh Village. They have not had an
increase for the past three years. They are seeking a $5.00 monthly increase to
become effective June 1, 2012. President McCann noted for the record that a
one-bedroom unit will be increased from $505.00 to $510.00 per month and a
two-bedroom unit will be increased from $575.00 to $580.00.
Toy offered the approving and denying resolutions for the Regular Agenda.
DIRECTION: 1) APPROVING REGULAR
2) DENYING
7. REQUEST TO APPROVE SILVER VILLAGE RENTAL ADJUSTMENT: Housing
Commission, re: to become effective June 1, 2012, to aid with preventative
maintenance and capital improvements.
Jim Inglis, Executive Director of Housing, said each year the Livonia Housing
Commission reviews the rents of Silver Village. They have not had an increase
for the past three years. They are seeking a $5.00 monthly increase to become
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effective June 1, 2012. President McCann noted for the record that a one-
bedroom unit will be increased from $355.00 to $360.00 per month and a two-
bedroom unit will be increased from $390.00 to $395.00 for residents who moved
in prior to 1990. He also noted increases for residents who moved in after 1990,
a one-bedroom unit will be increased from $420.00 to $425.00 per month and a
two-bedroom unit will be increased from $475.00 to $480.00.
Toy offered the approving and denying resolutions for the Regular Agenda.
DIRECTION: 1) APPROVING REGULAR
2) DENYING
8. REQUEST TO EXTEND CONTRACT WITH BRENDEL'S SEPTIC TANK
SERVICE, LLC: Public Service Division, re: to provide portable toilet service
through the 2014 season at the unit prices bid in their proposal, dated February
5, 2007 with a $5.00 per unit reduction for monthly handicap units. (CR 348-10
and CR 165-07)
Brian Wilson, Superintendent of Public Service, presented the request to Council.
He said Brendel's has provided the service to the City for the past 5 seasons and
has provided excellent service and the company has been very responsive to
any of our needs.
Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
9. REQUEST TO AUTHORIZE ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION AND
EXPENDITURES: Engineering Division, re: for additional items requested to
improve the facilities during the construction of the Fire Station #1 Drive and
Police Station Rear Parking Lot Improvements Project (Contract 11-E). (CR
#204-11)
Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, presented the request to Council. There were
additional items requested in an effort to improve the facilities during the
construction of the project at Fire Station #1 and the Police Station parking areas
that now require additional funding. The items include upgrades to the irrigation
system, additional concrete at Fire Station #1, concrete pavement for motorcycle
parking at the end of the carport, relocated dumpster with concrete pad and
enclosure as a preventative measure to prevent damage to the newly restored
carport and safer access to dumpsters, undercut quantities, additional conduits,
and sod. Along with these items this increased the plan quantities. Particularly,
for items such as aggregate base, concrete, bituminous and restoration. During
construction, after excavation of the concrete columns under the carports, it was
determined that an additional 11 columns required partial replacement at a unit
price of $1,000 each for a total of $11,000. In addition, the consultant had
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provided construction staking, additional inspection and testing related to the
additional items along with authorization to request as-built drawings of the
recent improvements. They are requesting Council approval for the additional
funding in the amount of$107,872.19.
Toy offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
10. REQUEST TO AUTHORIZE ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION AND
EXPENDITURES: Engineering Division, re: for additional construction
engineering costs and additional sprinkler and landscaping charges in connection
with the Five Mile Resurfacing from Farmington Road to Merriman Road. (CR
#271-06)
Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, presented the request to Council. He said this is a
housekeeping matter that has been put on hold for a while. He said they finally
received some information from MDOT they were waiting for. They are asking
Council to authorize an additional payment of$9,319.17 to close this project out.
Pastor offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
11. REQUEST TO DESIGNATE CONSULTANT, THROUGH THE QUALIFICATION-
BASED SELECTION (QBS) PROCESS, TO PROVIDE DESIGN AND
CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING SERVICES; AND REQUEST TO
AUTHORIZE EXPENDITURE: Engineering Division, re: for the Rennolds'
Ravine Streambank Stabilization Project (RXB-14) not to exceed $40,500.00 with
the opportunity to have 50% of the costs paid for as part of a grant by Wayne
County. (CR #292-11 and #209-11)
Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, presented the request to Council. He said this is an
effort to take advantage of a grant provided by Wayne County. As you may
recall, they had a Public Hearing on necessity. They are requesting Council
approval for Construction Engineering Services and authorize an amount not to
exceed $40,500.00.
Toy offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
12. SITE PLAN PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2011-10-08-10
submitted by Manoogian Manor in connection with a proposal to construct
additions and remodel the exterior of the existing elderly housing facility, located
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on the west side of Middlebelt Road between Five Mile Road and Puritan Avenue
(15775 Middlebelt Road), in the Southeast '/4 of Section 14.
Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic Development, presented the
request to Council. He said Manoogian Manor is proposing to construct additions
and remodel the exterior of the existing facility. The new additions would include
24 additional units, a new dining room, a new lobby and a new parking
maintenance garage. Parking is adequate for the facility. All of the new additions
are one-story in height. He noted that they are well over the landscaping
requirement. He did mention that they are working with the Engineering Division
with regard to the water management of the site.
President McCann asked if the Petitioner was present in the audience; nobody
responded.
Vice-President Laura asked President McCann to move this item to the next
Study Meeting and asked that the Petitioner be notified to be present.
Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Regular Agenda. He asked
President McCann to have the Council Office contact the Petitioner and request
that they be present.
Vice-President Laura offered the denying resolution for the Regular Agenda.
DIRECTION: 1) APPROVING REGULAR
2) DENYING
13. SITE PLAN PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2011-10-08-11
submitted by West Bay Exploration Company in connection with a proposal to
drill an oil and gas exploration well on the Schoolcraft College campus, located
on the east side of Haggerty Road between Six Mile Road and Seven Mile Road
(18600 Haggerty Road), in the Northwest '/4 of Section 7.
Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic Development, presented the
request to Council. He said this is a proposal to drill an oil and gas exploration
well on the Schoolcraft College campus. The Planning Commission is
recommending approval.
Vice-President Laura recognized the Petitioner in the audience and asked him to
answer a few questions.
Tom Baker, West Bay Exploration Company, was present to answer questions
from Council. Vice-President Laura asked Baker if they are successful with the
well, what the life-expectancy of the well would be. Baker said about twenty-five
years based on the performance of other area wells. Vice-President Laura asked
Baker what their future plans are for exploration inside Livonia. Baker said they
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are quite happy with the wells they have discovered in Livonia and they are
working on some other projects in the city.
Vice-President Laura offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
14. PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE LIVONIA CODE OF ORDINANCES, AS
AMENDED: Department of Law, re: to Sections 020 and 030 of Title 15,
Chapter 16 (Fire Prevention Code) to update our ordinance to reflect changes
made in State Law.
Don Knapp, City Attorney, said State Law permits the City to adopt and
incorporate by reference, certain codes, such as a Fire Prevention Code, into its
local ordinance so that our local Fire Marshal can enforce it. The last time this
was done was in 1997. The City currently operates under the 1997 National Fire
Protection Association Fire Prevention Code. There is a new code that has been
adopted by the State of Michigan and it is quite lengthy. Rather than republish
that entire code word for word in the City's ordinance the City is permitted under
State Law to simply indicate in our ordinance that the City is following the State
Fire Prevention Code and as such the City can enforce it. So really the City is
merely updating its ordinance to reflect a change that was adopted by the State
Fire Marshal.
Pastor offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
X1. REQUEST TO IMPLEMENT GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
BOARD (GASB) STATEMENT NO. 54 FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING
NOVEMBER 30, 2011; AND TO APPROVE POLICY FOR SPENDING
PRIORITIZATION OF COMMUNITY RECREATION FUND BALANCES:
Department of Finance, re: to create new classifications for fund balances to
formalize past reporting practices and enable consistent reporting under new
guidelines.
Michael Slater, Director of Finance, presented the request to Council. He said the
Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) has issued Statement No.
54 which redefines fund types and changes the terminology used for fund
balance reporting on balance sheets of Governmental Funds. The City has been
made aware of the new reporting requirements and the Finance Department
recommends that all revenues received by the Cable Television Special Revenue
Fund, except those considered to be restricted for public educational or
governmental (PEG) use, and the resulting fund balance, be committed solely for
the use of providing cable access television. Also, the Finance Department
recommends that for the Community Recreation Special Revenue Fund, when
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multiple components of fund balance are available for the same expenditure (for
example, a project has both restricted and unrestricted funds available for it),
spending will occur in this order — unassigned, restricted, committed, and
assigned. For all other funds, spending will occur in this order — restricted,
committed, assigned and unassigned. He said that he was ready to answer any
questions from Council.
Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
President McCann wished his father a Happy Birthday, his birthday is November 23rd
AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None.
As there were no further questions or comments, President McCann adjourned the
Study Session at 8:52 p.m. on Monday, November 21, 2011.
DATED: November 29, 2011 TERRY A. MARECKI
CITY CLERK