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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL STUDY - 2010-03-01 CITY OF LIVONIA— CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD MARCH 1, 2010 Meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. Present: John Pastor, Brian Meakin, Terry Godfroid-Marecki, Joe Laura, Laura Toy, Maureen Miller Brosnan and James McCann. Absent: None. Elected and appointed officials present: Mayor Jack Kirksey; Don Knapp, City Attorney; Todd Zilincik, City Engineer; Mark Taormina, City Planner; and Maureen Cosgrove, Assistant City Clerk. President McCann announced there is new data for Item #11. President McCann announced a Public Hearing for the following item to be held on Monday, March 29, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium of Livonia City Hall, 33000 Civic Center Drive, Livonia, Michigan: Proposed Water System Improvement Project - The proposed project consists of replacing existing water main in seven (7) geographic areas within the City limits encompassing 36 square miles and the installation of a new water main and PRV to improve system reliability and pressure in an eighth location The eight (8) areas will be phased and construction will occur over a five (5) year period. The project construction will involve excavation within the public right-of-way or within easements in order to install new water main, services, valves, hydrants and related appurtenances. The eight (8) project areas have a combined estimated construction cost of $26,000,000. This equates to an increase of $0.27 per water billing unit. Impacts of the proposed project include traffic routing, restoration, along with dust and noise typical of construction activities. Copies of the draft plan detailing the proposed project are available for inspection during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Livonia City Hall, Engineering Division, 33000 Civic Center Drive, Livonia, MI 48154, or you may call (734) 466-2570 for further information. AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: Christopher Martin, 12245 Inkster, said a recent article in the local newspaper indicated our assessments dropped an average of 15%. He said he would like to read a few comments citizens made regarding the issue. Also, he would like to let them know that tomorrow starts the meetings of the Board of Review. Martin read a comment from a resident that was published in the newspaper about how they bought their home in 2005 for $179,000 and it was valued at $230,000 by the City. They said today they couldn't 2 sell it for $100,000 and it's valued at $185,000. They never did agree with bankruptcy, but now they think some people are pretty smart to just not pay on their mortgages. Mortgages that are overvalued, overtaxed, and the market value of the property is in the toilet. Martin said people that feel that way have an opportunity. If they can present enough evidence to the Board of Review; the Board should consider that evidence in evaluating the property. He said if they look at the prices houses are selling for in their neighborhood and they feel they are being taxed much more than the house is worth, this gives them an opportunity. NEW BUSINESS 1. PRE-AUDIT INFORMATION: Frank W. Audia, Plante Moran, re: pursuant to required auditing standards to communicate certain information to Council with respect to the Annual Audit. At the direction of the Chair, this item was received and filed. DIRECTION: RECEIVE & FILE CONSENT 2. REQUEST FROM THE MICHIGAN LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE THE REQUEST FROM GALAXY WINE DISTRIBUTORS, INC. TO TRANSFER STOCK BY DROPPING VERA KARANA AS STOCKHOLDER THROUGH TRANSFER OF THE 1,000 SHARES TO NEW STOCKHOLDER RANI SHEENA IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE 2009 WHOLESALER LICENSE AND OUTSTATE SELLER OF WINE LICENSE: Division of Police, re: for the business located at 29500 Six Mile, Livonia, MI 48154. Rani Sheena, 48470 Woodridge Ct., Waterford, MI said Vera Karana no longer has an interest in the business and he is buying her shares. He stated that he still has another partner that shares an interest in the business with him. Toy offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 3. REQUEST FROM THE MICHIGAN LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE THE REQUEST FROM LIBERTY ONE CORP. TO TRANSFER STOCK IN A 2009 CLASS C LICENSED BUSINESS WITH ENTERTAINMENT PERMIT WITHOUT DRESSING ROOMS, OFFICIAL PERMIT (FOOD) AND OUTDOOR SERVICE (1 AREA) THROUGH TRANSFER OF STOCK (2004 LICENSING YEAR) BY ADDING SCOTT LePAGE AS NEW STOCKHOLDER THROUGH TRANSFER OF 900 SHARES OF STOCK FROM NORMAN R. LePAGE; TRANSFER STOCK (2005 LICENSING YEAR) WHEREIN NORMAN R. LePAGE TRANSFERS 900 SHARES OF STOCK TO EXISTING STOCKHOLDER, SCOTT LePAGE; ALSO TRANSFER STOCK WHEREIN THE CORPORATION ISSUED AN ADDITIONAL 9,000 SHARES OF STOCK TO 3 EXISTING STOCKHOLDER, NORMAN LePAGE: Division of Police, re: for the business located at 31630 Plymouth Road, Livonia, MI 48150. Scott LePage, 1333 Yosemite, Birmingham was present. He said this was for the East Side Mario's restaurant on Plymouth Road. President McCann asked the petitioner if he was aware of a violation that was issued previously on February 21, 2006 regarding not being in compliance with the parking requirements. Scott LePage responded by saying that was how this all came about; he said when they filed for the transfer they found out their variance they had from 1994 had expired and they never renewed it. It was just signed copies from all of the other tenants in the buildings across the street and next door to them that allow them to share their parking areas. LePage said he wasn't involved from the time that was done originally until now. He said when he took over in 2000, he was not aware of it until now. Toy said she realizes parking there is a bit of a problem. She also has a business on Plymouth Road where they were across the street and had the same kind of issues. Just terrible parking on Plymouth Road, she said that is why the City put in public lots. She said unfortunately they don't have that kind of space there until somebody moves out. She said they have a great business there, they do a great job and she doesn't know what more they could do about the parking unless the Plymouth Road Development Authority could remedy something for them. President McCann asked LePage what he was doing to remedy the situation with regard to the non-compliance of the parking. LePage responded by indicating his lawyers are in the process of drafting new letters to be signed by the neighboring businesses. LePage said he has a good relationship with all of the neighboring businesses. President McCann asked LePage if that was all he needed to provide to the Zoning Board of Appeals to be in compliance. He said yes, that was all that was needed. President McCann asked the City Attorney, Don Knapp if that was correct. Knapp replied that he believes the variance has lapsed and that the petitioner will have to return to the Zoning Board of Appeals and reapply for the variance. He said this resolution should be conditional upon them obtaining the variance. President McCann agreed. Godfroid-Marecki said Council has received correspondence from the Police Department and the Inspection Department requesting the resolution be conditional with the variance. LePage replied the inspector told him he just needed to have everybody sign off again. Godfroid-Marecki said that was good, that it wouldn't be voted on until March 10, 2010 and hopefully it will all be in order by then. President McCann said they would not be able to go to the Zoning Board of Appeals by then. Godfroid-Marecki said she didn't think they had to go back to the Zoning Board of Appeals, President McCann said that due to the lapse in the variance they would have to go back to Zoning Board of Appeals. He said it would have to be conditional. LePage asked if seats were removed from 4 inside the restaurant and reduced the seating capacity would that eliminate the need for the variance and put them within the guidelines. Mark Taormina, City Planner said it may or may not eliminate the need for the variance. It would depend on several factors such as the number of seats he would be removing, the number of employees, square footage and it also includes the adjoining properties if he has lease agreements with them or if their uses have changed and the number of parking spaces they require. He said they would have to take a closer look at that. President McCann said the resolution will have to be conditional upon bringing the parking deficit into compliance. Brosnan said to LePage that it would be in his best interest to talk with Taormina tomorrow about the parking requirement and see what can be done to possibly negate a need to get a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Otherwise he can apply to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a variance to the parking requirement. Toy offered the approving resolution conditional upon bringing the parking deficit into compliance on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING WITH CONDITIONS CONSENT 4. REQUEST FROM THE MICHIGAN LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE THE REQUEST FROM FINE WINE DISTRIBUTORS TO AMEND THEIR REQUEST FOR A NEW WHOLESALER LICENSE: Division of Police, re: for the business located at 30953 Industrial, Unit 29, Livonia, MI 48150 (not unit 6). John Czarnecki, 17723 Maplehill Drive, Northville, MI 48168, was present. He is hoping to open a new business in Livonia as a wine distributor. He said it would be wholesale only. He also said the location of the business is at 30962 Industrial. Toy asked the petitioner if he has experience in this type of business. He replied, no, and said this is a new business venture for him. He said he would be strictly selling wine wholesale to local vendors. Brosnan through the Chair to Taormina asked if there was a limit on the number of wholesale liquor licenses the City has to offer in Livonia. Taormina replied he was not aware of that and would have to check into it. He said this has not been an issue in the past. It does not require any kind of waiver use. He said he will check with the MLCC (Michigan Liquor Control Commission) and report back next week at the Regular Meeting as to if there is any limit on the number of wholesale liquor licenses. 5 Godfroid-Marecki asked the petitioner how big is the building his business will occupy. Czarnecki replied 3,000 square feet. Meakin offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 5. ACCEPTANCE OF PROPOSAL: Water and Sewer Board, re: for small diameter water meters, compound water meters, fire line meters, testers, and meter reading appurtenances through December 31, 2010. Todd Zilincik, City Engineer said this is being brought to Council on behalf of DPW to continue the purchase of meters throughout December 31, 2010 based on the quote provided by Sensus Metering with Etna Metering Systems, Inc. (a distributor for Etna) that was approved by the Water and Sewer Board on February 4, 2010. Their meters are compatible with the City's computerized reading collection system for the past 20 years. He said there is a slight increase in their pricing for 2010. He requests the formal bidding process be waived. Godfroid-Marecki asked Zilincik if most cities have specific companies that they contract. He replied yes, he said Canton Township has the same metering system as Livonia. Godfroid-Marecki asked Zilincik if this was the sole supplier for the equipment needed. He said he believes there may be some other vendors that sell this equipment but Sensus Metering with Etna Metering Systems, Inc. is the one the City has chosen to utilize for the last 20 years. She asked Zilincik if there were any total prices. He replied that it is mostly residential customers but occasionally there are commercial customers which cost more in the range of around $5,000. She asked what the total amount was that the City spent on this type of equipment last year. He said he would check and have that information available at the Regular Meeting. Meakin asked Zilincik to confirm if Sensus Metering with Etna Metering Systems, Inc. is a sole provider or if other vendors are available that could provide the equipment. He said he thinks there are other vendors. Meakin asked when was the last time the City went out for bids for this equipment. Zilincik replied he wasn't sure but thought it was in 2000. Meakin said he is concerned about that during these difficult economic times; especially since their prices reflect a 7% increase without a competitive bid. Brosnan asked Zilincik if there was a way for the City to partner with the other cities that use Sensus Metering with Etna Metering Systems, Inc. to negotiate a better price. If not and the City is stuck with the 7% increase can that price be negotiated for a longer period, perhaps an additional year. He said each community is different, some pay higher than what Livonia is paying. He said usage has a lot to do with it and also the sales representative; they try to keep 6 the cost as low as possible. Zilincik said he believed that if he presented the information at the Regular Meeting with regard to usage and cost from last year, it may help quell some concerns the Council may have as far as the cost. Godfroid-Marecki offered the approving resolution on the Regular Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR 6. REQUEST TO APPROVE FINAL COST INFORMATION FOR THE 2009 SIDEWALK PROGRAM — CONTRACT 09-G: Engineering Division, re. which includes additional appropriations and expenditures for additional work completed and final payment to the contractor, Joe Rotondo Construction. (CR 180-09) Todd Zilincik, City Engineer said the final cost for the 2009 Sidewalk Repair Program was $682,209.69. They were authorized to spend $664,440.70 as part of the program. He said they are slightly over by $18,164.99 which is less than 3% of the overall construction budget. Zilincik explained that part of the overage was due to homeowners requesting additional work at 66 locations in the amount of $20,772.16. Many of the repairs were due to some minor water department repairs and single lot assessments. He said they were seeking different funding methods based on different sources. In addition, they're seeking $22,585.64 to Joe Rotunda for final payment for the 2009 Sidewalk Repair Program. President McCann asked Zilincik to confirm if the $20,772.16 paid for the additional work on behalf of the homeowners requests would be recovered by the City through taxes. Zilincik replied yes they would. Toy offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 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 2009 SIDEWALK PROGRAM, CONTRACT 09-G, SINGLE LOT ASSESSMENTS: Engineering Division, re: same. (CR 180-09) Todd Zilincik, City Engineer said this a formality, they are requesting Council set a date for them to meet for the purpose of adopting a resolution for placing special assessments upon referenced properties. Godfroid-Marecki said she wanted to inform the audience the Treasurer's office will be mailing out billing statements on March 25, 2010 to the property owners of the referenced properties and will have an opportunity to pay them before the Regular Meeting of June 9, 2010. 7 Brosnan offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 8. AWARD OF CONTRACT: Engineering Division, re: for the 2010 Sidewalk and Pavement Replacement Program —Water Main Breaks — Contract 10-F. Todd Zilincik, City Engineer said this is request for Council to award the contract to Soave Landscaping, L.L.C., Livonia, MI, to perform water main breaks from the of Fall 2009 and Spring of 2010 in the amount of $74,234.75. They received seven (7) bids on February 16, 2010. There are two (2) phases. Typically the first phase is the water main breaks which are done by July 12, 2010 and the second phase for the water main breaks will be done by October 1, 2010. He said the good news this year is they have a reduced number of water main breaks. This season so far there are only around 85 at this time. They are looking for Council approval based on the bids that were provided and to authorize minor adjustments as necessary. Meakin offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 9. REQUEST TO APPROVE DESIGN CONSULTANT FOR MIDDLEBELT ROAD (FIVE MILE ROAD TO SEVEN MILE ROAD) TRAFFIC SIGNAL MODERNIZATION PROJECT: Engineering Division, re: in connection with Federal Safety Improvement Funds to reduce the number of accidents at the intersections of Middlebelt Road at Five, Six and Seven Mile Roads, to be funded with 80% Federal funds and 20% Local funds. Todd Zilincik, City Engineer said this is an effort to capture some federal funds received. The City put in an application for federal funding in connection with a traffic signal modernization project in an effort to reduce the number of accidents at the intersections of Middlebelt Road at Five, Six and Seven Mile Roads. These intersections were listed by SEMCOG as some of top 50 dangerous intersections in the City. They are hoping to take advantage of the funding to upgrade the intersections along with the paving improvement program which will provide LED lights which will be more energy efficient for the City and allows for them to be attached to a generator in the event of a power outage along with a battery back- up system. In addition, there will be push buttons for pedestrians so they can cross safely. The City received four (4) proposals. They are requesting Council approval to recommend the lowest qualified consultant which is Spalding DeDecker Associates, Inc., Rochester Hills, MI. They will be teaming with Mansell Associates, Inc., which has designed over 200 box-span configurations throughout Michigan during the past 5 years, in the amount of $35,110.00 to be taken from the Michigan Transportation Fund. 8 Meakin asked Zilincik to explain why the lowest bidder wasn't selected. Zilincik responded, stating they felt one of the proposals received didn't provide the survey work that was necessary to facilitate the work to be done, he said they even called them and confirmed their proposal. He said time is of the essence to move forward with the project to capture the federal funding and take advantage of it. Godfroid-Marecki asked Zilincik if Wayne County was contributing to the funding of this project. He said they are working with Wayne County to hopeful capture a portion of the local share of 10%. They are also working with Wayne County to do the construction engineering portion; they are working behind the scenes to do that. Godfroid-Marecki asked about the mounted cameras to be installed on the new traffic signals and inquired for what purpose will they be utilized. Zilincik replied to monitor the traffic and allow for more "green time" and efficient signal operation. Meakin offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 10. REQUEST TO EXTEND SITE PLAN APPROVAL: Planning Commission, re. in connection with Petition 2009-02-08-03 submitted by Vision Quest Consulting, which previously received site plan approval by the City Council on April 8, 20097 to construct an addition to the office building of Coburn-Kleinfeldt Eye Clinic located on the north side of Six Mile Road between Farmington Road and Francavilla Drive (33400 Six Mile Road), in the Southeast '/4 of Section 9. (CR 151-09) Mark Taormina, City Planner said this is a request to extend site plan approval previously received on April 8, 2009 for an addition of 4,500 square feet to the existing Coburn-Kleinfeldt Eye Clinic. Brandon Kaufman with Vision Quest Consulting, 4657 Wendrick Drive, West Bloomfield, MI, explained that there were basically two (2) reasons why the addition has not been done as of yet. The first being the State of Michigan Health Department approval is still needed. They have applied and are still in the process to obtain the approval. He said in addition, the economic and banking crisis hindered their ability to start the project. They hope to break ground in May. Godfroid-Marecki offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 11. WAIVER PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2009-10-02-15 submitted by Six Mile Properties, L.L.C. requesting approval to utilize an SDM License (sale of packaged spirits over 21% alcohol) in connection with the 9 demolition of the existing building and the redevelopment of the entire site, including the construction of a new building, at property located on the northeast corner of Farmington Road and Six Mile Road (17108 Farmington Road), in the Southwest '/4 of Section 10. (CR 34-10) Mark Taormina, City Planner said this petition was originally reviewed by the Planning Commission last November. The proposal at that time was to convert the existing gas station into a convenience party store. The Planning Commission denied that petition; an appeal was subsequently filed. City Council reviewed the petition on January 20, 2010 and referred the new plan back to the Planning Commission for their report and recommendation. Planning Commission did review the revised information on February 9, 2010 and again is recommending denial of the revised plan. The revised plan basically shows the removal of the existing 2,200 square foot gas station building and the construction of a new 3,900 square foot. The proposed building would be about 75% larger than the existing building on the property. The underground storage tanks, the canopy and two (2) of the existing driveways would be removed from the site. The new site plan does comply with landscaping and parking requirements. A floor plan has been submitted showing the layout of the proposed building. The original plan showed a mezzanine or second story which has subsequently been removed on the revised plan. Taormina said the liquor license would be a transfer of an existing license that is in escrow and was previously used at the former Rite Aid store at the New-Five Shopping Plaza. Godfroid-Marecki asked Taormina the height of the proposed building. He replied 20-21 feet, which is about 5 feet taller than the existing building on the site. She asked if it was similar in height to neighboring buildings. He said yes it is very similar in height to the buildings behind it. Michael Beydoun, NSI Construction, 789 N. Wagner, Ann Arbor, MI and Dennis Jaboro, 24936 Hadlock Drive, Novi, MI were present. President McCann asked the petitioners to explain why they believe they need a beer and liquor license for that location. Jaboro said the type of store they wish to have there would not be your typical liquor store. It would be more of a specialty store carrying specialty liquors, beers and wines. They do a lot with pairing with people having a dinner or gathering or event where they would assist them. Depending on what their cuisine for the evening or event would be they would pair up a certain wine or an after dinner liquor, whatever their need may be. They would deal with a lot of high end imports; products that you would not find in your typical liquor store. They believe there is a need for it in the area and have always been looking in the City of Livonia. They had their eyes on a few different sites and this site became available to them. They also worked with Rite Aid with whom they purchased a license from in the past and they had a license available, that's how it all came about. 10 Laura asked the petitioners if they owned the site or if they bought it on contingency. Jaboro said they tried to extend it where they didn't actually have to purchase the site but because it was in receivership by the court they had no choice but to purchase the property, so they now do own the property. Laura asked Jaboro if he knew if a bottle of liquor sold in the state of Michigan, if there is a set price or if there is a ceiling or a floor on the price for the bottle of liquor. Jaboro replied there is a set minimum. Godfroid-Marecki asked the petitioners for the address to a store in Ann Arbor that they referenced at a previous meeting. She said she hasn't been able to get out there yet but she will be going out there soon and would like to check out the store. Jaboro said he would call the Council office with the address. Toy said she too would like to visit the Ann Arbor store. Beydoun said he lives four (4) minutes away and would leave his phone number and be happy to meet any of the Councilmembers that would like to take a look at the store in Ann Arbor. She asked the petitioners how long they have been in business. Jaboro replied his whole life; said he started working in stores doing bottles when he was a young boy. She asked Jaboro if he was currently involved in this type of business full-time. He replied, currently he is not involved full-time but said he still has ownership and oversees the operation of the business. She asked them why they choose this site. Jaboro said he received a call from a broker that knew he was looking for a site within Livonia. He said he went and visited the site and thought it was a good location. He said he didn't really see the need for a gas station on three (3) corners at that intersection. He felt that may have been a reason why the gas station failed. She asked if all the underground storage tanks are still there and he replied yes and said they would remove them and do all the necessary clean up. He said they have done some environmental testing and submitted all the necessary paperwork to the DEQ but have not heard back from them as of yet. She asked the petitioner what type of customer they were looking for at this site, the average dollar amount they would hope their customer would spend. He said the dollar value would range from $10 to $500. He said they would also carry specialty beers and specialty liquors, unlike the average liquor store. He said they would market the store like their Ann Arbor store as being different the rest of the liquor stores. He said twice a year the have special events at Weber's in Ann Arbor where they have scotch and cognac Castings and wine Castings. They have representatives from all the distributors there. People come in, there are hors d'oeuvres, cigar companies are there passing out cigars, and then people can taste different single malt scotches, wines and cognacs. Then by doing so, they are able to order specialty products. It brands them as being different from the average liquor store. Toy asked the petitioners if they had visited other liquor stores in the community. They replied yes. Jaboro said he visited a few of the stores. He said they had a nice selection but said he would not describe them as unique; they were more like a typical liquor store. He said he believes they would offer a different experience in their store. Toy asked the 11 petitioners if they have talked to any of the neighbors in the areas abutting the property. Jaboro replied no they have not. Meakin said recently there have been quite a few people coming before Council for a packaged liquor license. Meakin asked the petitioners what type of research they had done to determine Livonia needs more packaged liquor dealers. Jaboro responded by saying as far as the research they have done it is not that Livonia needs more packaged liquor dealers but rather they need more of a unique liquor dealer. Jaboro said if someone were to talk to the distributors that distribute to them with regard to the areas that do a considerable amount of volume and areas where they need more distribution for specialty products. He said there were other cities that they were interested in and some of those cities did not have a liquor license available. Livonia was one of the cities where a license was available and they were interested in and when the property came about it all kind of fit together. Meakin asked the petitioners if they would be looking for more specialty wines or specialty liquors. Jaboro replied liquor, beer, and wine; specialty of all. Meakin said he believes the City is well served throughout the entire City. Meakin offered the denying resolution on the Regular Agenda. Pastor asked the petitioners with regard to the environmental concerns regarding the property if they filed their B.E.A. (Basic Environmental Assessment). Jaboro replied yes. Pastor inquired if they did it before they bought the property. Jaboro replied, no they did it right after they purchased the property. Pastor said to Jaboro that they would be responsible for all their environmental clean up and asked Jaboro if he knew that. Jaboro replied by the consultants that did the assessment for them that the B.E.A. must be done and submitted to the D.E.Q. (Department of Environmental Quality) within 45 days in order to make the party that previously owned the property responsible. Pastor said that is a concern of his and just wants to be sure that the site gets cleaned up. Pastor said to Jaboro that he disagreed with him regarding the three (3) gas stations. He said that particular gas station was also a service station which made it different from the other two (2) gas stations. He said he thinks now in this economy there is more of a need for the service stations that do auto repair work. He said he was surprised that the previous business there did fail. It seems like more people are fixing their cars now more than before because financing was easier to obtain previously compared to now. Pastor said A & E Auto located at 6 Mile and Middlebelt where he brings his vehicle told him they are doing more business now than they ever have before. People are putting more money into their cars that probably aren't even worth it but they can't afford it. He said he feels it is more important to have a gas station with the service station that actually fixes the cars. He said he is interested in having the petitioners work with the strip mall to see if they can do something else. Pastor said he is not interested in having a liquor store at that location and thinks the City is well served. He thinks there is a 12 better use for that property and said he would be happy to work with Jaboro in finding something for that corner. McCann said to the petitioners that they said they would have more high-end liquors. He said very close to that location is the Wine Castle and Joe's Produce which has a beautiful wine selection in their store, and there is also the Wine Barrel. He said there are already businesses such as these in the community that have an extensive selection of high-end liquors and wines. He said that the consensus in this economy is that the $80, $60, and $50 bottles of wine are not selling. They are buying the $20 and $25 bottles of wine for the nicer bottles of wine and even the $9 bottles of wine but not the $75 or $150 bottles of wine. Also, the 21 year old bottles of scotch don't come off the shelf as much as they did before, now the 12 year old scotch is good enough. Beydoun replied stating they have invested over $500,000 and said they are willing to spend $1,000,000 to develop the site. McCann said they have concerns about the liquor and the distribution of liquor within the community and said they look at areas that need service and don't need service. He said the Council feels the community is well served. He said if the City allowed all applicants interested in building a liquor store to do so the City would have over 150 liquor stores. Laura offered a resolution to refer the matter to the Committee of the Whole on the Regular Agenda. Godfroid-Marecki said she is concerned with the number of stores that are servicing the community. She does not wish to speculate whether or not their business would make it here in the City given the economy. However, she said she will go out to Ann Arbor and see their store there as she is undecided. Godfroid-Marecki offered the approving resolution on the Regular Agenda. Laura asked Taormina how many licenses were allowed in the City. Taormina replied 35. Laura asked Taormina how many active licenses are there currently in the City. Taormina replied 32 active licenses; there are 3 licenses in escrow. Laura asked if that was determined by the State and how it is determined. Taormina said yes and that it is based on population; it was based on the last census. Laura asked Taormina to find out how many licenses neighboring communities are permitted and how many active licenses they have and send him an e-mail. DIRECTION: 1) APPROVING REGULAR 2) DENYING 3) REFER TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None. 13 As there were no further questions or comments, Council President McCann adjourned the Study Session at 9:10 p.m. on Monday, March 1, 2010. DATED: March 9, 2010 LINDA GRIMSBY, CITY CLERK