HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL STUDY - 2009-05-06 CITY OF LIVONIA— CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD MAY 6, 2009
Meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. Present: Brian Meakin, Tom Robinson,
James McCann, Terry Godfroid-Marecki, John Pastor, Joe Laura, and Laura Toy.
Absent: None.
Elected and appointed officials present: Mayor Jack Kirksey; James Inglis,
Director of Housing; Jim Zoumbaris, City Engineer (Operations); Kevin Roney, Assistant
City Engineer; Todd Zilincik, City Engineer; Don Knapp, City Attorney; Mark Taormina,
City Planner; and Maureen Cosgrove, Assistant City Clerk.
Mayor Jack Kirksey stated that this is the fourth meeting of the evening. They had a
Public Hearing at 6:30 p.m., a closed Committee of the Whole meeting on litigation at
7:00 p.m., and at 7:30 p.m., they had a Special Meeting of the Council. The reason for
the schedule was to attend to some procedural matters that centered on A123 Systems
which petitioned the City of Livonia for tax abatement considerations under Public Act
198 and Public Act 328 at the 6:30 p.m. meeting. The meeting at 7:30 p.m. was a
formal approval of the recommendations made at the 6:30 p.m. meeting. As Mayor, he
will issue some non-veto letters on both of the items taken up in the Special Meeting.
This was done to expedite the negotiations for the lease of the building that will be used
by A123 and their production of batteries and also to serve as headquarters for their
company for Phase I of their operation. There will be a creation of many new jobs, and
they will be offering tax abatements. Mayor Kirksey stated that the newspaper
announced that the Governor issued an executive order to balance the budget that the
State is facing for the deficit. The City of Livonia's portion of cutting back the existing
Fiscal Year was $340,000.00. In this Fiscal Year, which started on December 1St and
will conclude November 30th, dollars from every possible source, including revenue
sharing, were $360,000.00 over what they were the previous Fiscal Year. Also,
Channel 2 publicized that Detroit, Livonia, and Warren had unemployment levels that
were close to the 14% mark. This is erroneous information. In reality, it is about 5.8%.
Dan West, President of the Livonia Chamber, stated that Livonia is continuing to see a
better than average business environment. Since March 1St, they have seen forty (40)
new Chamber members which is nearly double the typical monthly rate. There are a lot
of entrepreneurs in Livonia that are trying to proceed with their businesses and advance
them. This is helping to keep unemployment levels lower than a lot of other
communities are going through. They will be having their biggest event of the year
tomorrow. The Business Expo and College Fair will take place at Burton Manor all day.
They have four (4) programs taking place from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. There are eighty
five (85) exhibitors that will be on display throughout the day. There are eighteen (18)
restaurants for the Taste of the Town program. Tickets are still available for $10.00 a
person and can be purchased at the door.
2
They have between eight (8) and ten (10) colleges that will be at the College Fair
tomorrow. 25,000 people attend college at facilities in Livonia. The Expo hall will be
open between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. which is free and open to the public.
AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION:
James Kish, 34702 Lyndon, stated he lives across the street from Hull School. He
recently returned from forty five (45) days of international travel and was troubled to find
an increase of suspicious criminal activity in the Hull School area. It appears to be a
drug activity, and he has seen cars come, stay a few minutes, make a transaction and
get a package. Then the car would leave at a high rate of speed. This occurred
anywhere between five (5) to fifteen (15) times a day and go on through the evening.
He thanks the Police Department for their quick response, and their patrols have
diminished the activity by 75%. He does not feel the activity will stop altogether, but a
message can be communicated that this type of activity is not wanted in neighborhoods.
The education administration responded when most of the exterior lights had been
damaged on Hull School, and within forty eight (48) hours, they had replaced all the
lights which have helped the situation. When talking to his neighbors, he found out that
this has been going on for ten (10) years.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. BLOCK PARTY: Patrick Szuba, re: to be held Saturday, June 13, 2009, from
12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Blackburn, between Scone and Perth, with a rain
date requested of Sunday, June 14, 2009.
Patrick Szuba, 14102 Blackburn Street, was present to request a closure for a
block party for the times and dates mentioned. They have had these parties
before.
Pastor offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
2. BLOCK PARTY: Richard Groen, re: to be held Saturday, July 4, 2009, from
3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Grennada, between Loveland and Westmore, with no
rain date requested.
Richard Groen, 32953 Grennada, requested a block party for July 4, 2009. They
will be celebrating his mother-in-law's 95th birthday.
Pastor offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
3
3. REQUEST TO WAIVE SECTIONS 8.32.070 AND 12.20.080 OF THE LIVONIA
CODE OF ORDINANCES, AS AMENDED: Dana M. Dziekan, Production
Coordinator, NPT Breast Cancer 3-Day, LLC, 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 14 through August 16, 2009.
Dawn Dziekan, 18963 Milburn Street, is the Coordinator of the NPT Breast
Cancer 3-Day in Michigan. This will be their third year at Rotary Park. They are
requesting permission to walk through parts of Livonia for two of the three days,
and also get the support to be allowed to play music and put up the tents.
Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
4. REQUEST TO AMEND COUNCIL RESOLUTION 370-08: John Del Signore,
Laurel Manor, re: so as to amend condition number five (5) to shorten the time
intervals before a sign message can change.
Petitioner and Owner John Del Signore, 14680 Fairlane, stated that they want to
change the time from twenty (20) seconds to five (5) seconds for the electronic
message sign at Laurel Manor. They have had the sign up for about four (4) or
five (5) months. This sign is a test case example for electronic signs in the
community. He stated that other signs in the area are three (3) seconds.
Godfroid-Marecki stated that Madonna and Schoolcraft College are on public
ground and do not fall under Livonia's ordinances.
McCann stated that there will be a proposal to send to the Planning Commission
to form an ordinance regarding electronic signs at the next Regular Meeting of
May 13, 2009. The Planning Commission needs input. Mr. Del Signore's sign is
the only business in the community with an electronic sign, so his testimony will
be invaluable in setting standards such as the timelines and what works or
doesn't work. He will be able to give his experience on how people react to it,
get feedback, and where he feels it can be improved. The condition of the
Zoning Board of Appeals requires that he comply with whatever proposed
ordinance comes forward. McCann's recommendation is that this be done as
one uniform ordinance and get it right the first time.
Pastor suggested that Council give Mr. Del Signore a temporary approval for the
five (5) seconds up until the new ordinance comes in.
City Attorney Don Knapp stated that if an approving resolution is offered that
would change the condition to five (5) seconds, in essence, that would allow the
Petitioner to change the sign every five (5) seconds until the new ordinance is
enacted. Whatever the new ordinance is, he would have to comply with that.
Then he would have to come back and try to change the condition.
4
He would have to go back to the ZBA to see if they would waive the condition.
Any approval of a resolution would be temporary until the new ordinance is
enacted. He would have to go to the ZBA after Council approved the resolution
to change it to five (5) seconds. There may be a health, safety, and welfare
issue regarding the time change. They rely on experts to advise them on issues
as it relates to the timing of signs, particularly on busy expressways. The
Planning Commission is taking a look at this at the present time, and the time
change is being considered.
Council President Toy stated that the Council is attempting to clarify the proper
channels that the City has to go through. They are just discussing this, as this is
a Study Meeting.
McCann stated that if the Planning Commission comes through and the Council
votes on a new electronic sign ordinance that says five (5) seconds, the
Petitioner would automatically be in compliance with the sign ordinance. If they
come back for ten (10) seconds, the Petitioner would automatically be granted
the ten (10) seconds.
McCann offered a resolution referring to the Legislative Committee for the
Regular Agenda.
Laura offered the approving resolution for the Regular Agenda.
DIRECTION: (1) REFER TO REGULAR
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
(2) APPROVING
5. REQUEST TO ACCEPT PROPOSAL OF PLANTE & MORAN, LLP AND TO
WAIVE THE COMPETITIVE BID PROCESS: Office of the City Clerk, re. to
perform the City's annual audits for the fiscal years ending November 30, 2009
through November 30, 2012.
Frank Audia and Brian Camiller from Plante Moran stated they appreciate the
consideration of their appointment as auditors. They take their responsibility and
duty as the City's external auditor very seriously. All the national firms have
gotten out of serving local governments in Michigan. Their firm remains deeply
committed to serving government. They look forward to continuing to serve the
City particularly through these very challenging times. They have deep expertise
and can bring many benefits during these times. They have had to change the
amount of work they do because of government regulations from the feds. The
requirements for audits have expanded substantially since some of the failures
with Enron. The scope of work has increased since then. They have not
increased their rates, and view their relationship with the City on a long-term
basis and don't try to make short-term decisions on issues. They have a very
competent staff. They are in for the long haul.
5
They understand that there is no new money coming into the City, so they have
frozen some of their fees for the last several years. They have been servicing
the City for about twenty (20) years.
Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
6. REQUEST FROM THE MICHIGAN LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION TO
INVESTIGATE THE REQUEST FROM SELECT HOTELS GROUP, L.L.C. TO
ADD BRE/AMERISUITES PROPERTIES L.L.C. (A DELAWARE LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY) AS CO-LICENSEE IN PROPOSED B-HOTEL
LICENSED BUSINESS WITH OFFICIAL PERMIT (FOOD): Division of Police,
re: for the business located at 19300 Haggerty, Livonia, MI 48152.
Counsel Patrick Howe, Carlin, Edwards, Brown & Howe, stated he was
appearing on behalf of Hyatt Corporation. Both of the entities referenced in the
resolution are subsidiaries of Hyatt Corporation. This matter was before Council
on July 11, 2008 for a waiver use and a license transfer. They handled it in
house and did not license both entities that had an ownership interest in the
hotel. There were renovations to the hotel, and there will be liquor service at the
bar/lobby with food service. This is per the request from the Liquor Control
Commission to get this up to speed.
Godfroid-Marecki offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
7. REQUEST TO RENEW PARTICIPATION IN WAYNE COUNTY HOME
INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP CONSORITA: Housing Commission, re: to
renew consortium with neighboring communities for the purpose of qualifying to
receive HOME funds for an additional three years. (CR 266-06 and 367-08)
James Inglis, Director of Housing, stated that in 2006, the City Council approved
Housing's participation in a HOME Consortia with the County of Wayne, the
Cities of Taylor, Lincoln Park and Livonia. This enabled the City to receive
federal funds through the HOME Partnership Program. To date, the City has
received $371,000.00 in federal funds which were used for housing rehabilitation
for low-income homeowners in Livonia. They have to notify the federal
government (HUD) of the City's intent to continue the HOME Consortia by June
15, 2009 for the program year to begin July 1, 2010. They are asking City
Council to authorize a renewal of the partnership for an additional three (3) years
so that the City can continue to receive these federal funds.
Pastor offered the approving resolution for the Regular Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR
6
8. REAPPOINTMENT OF TONI METTE TO THE PLYMOUTH ROAD
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: Office of the Mayor, re: as a representative of
the business/property owner in the district for a four-year term, which shall expire
on May 16, 2013.
Mayor Jack Kirksey recommended all of the individuals that are up for
reappointments.
Toni Mette stated that she has been on the PRDA and represents the businesses
and property owners for about fourteen (14) years now.
Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
9. REAPPOINTMENT OF GREG MEYER TO THE PLYMOUTH ROAD
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: Office of the Mayor, re: as a representative of
the business/property owner in the district for a four-year term, which shall expire
on May 16, 2013.
Greg Meyer stated that there is a group of dedicated and talented people on the
PRDA board, and they understand the importance of improving the corridor for
retaining and bringing business into the area, as well as visitors. It is good for
the economic stimulus of the area as well as the tax base.
Pastor offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
10. REAPPOINTMENT OF CAROL SMILEY TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION:
Office of the Mayor, re: for a three-year term, which shall expire on June 9,
2012.
Carol Smiley stated that she appreciates the opportunity to serve the City in this
capacity. She appreciates that the Mayor appointed her to replace
Representative John Pastor.
McCann offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
11. REAPPOINTMENT OF ASHLEY VARTOOGIAN TO THE PLANNING
COMMISSION: Office of the Mayor, re: for a three-year term, which shall expire
on June 9, 2012.
Ashley Vartoogian stated that she appreciates the opportunity to serve the
community and thanked the Mayor for her reappointment.
7
Godfroid-Marecki offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
12. REAPPOINTMENT OF IAN WILSHAW TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION:
Office of the Mayor, re: for a three-year term, which shall expire on June 9,
2012.
Ian Wilshaw stated that he is honored to be able to serve the community, its
residents, and the businesses on the Planning Commission, and he looks
forward to continuing to serve.
McCann offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
13. REAPPOINTMENT OF KENNETH HALE TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF:
Office of the Mayor, re: for a term which shall expire on June 7, 2015.
Kenneth Hale had other business and could not attend the meeting.
McCann offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
14. REAPPOINTMENT OF CHARLOTTE MAHONEY TO THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF: Office of the Mayor, re: for a term which shall expire on June
7, 2015.
Charlotte Mahoney stated it is a pleasure to serve the City and thanked the
Mayor for offering her reappointment, and she looks forward to continuing to
serve on the Economic Development Corporation for the City. She just received
an award from Detroit Edison as a retiree for volunteering in the community.
Laura offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
15. AWARD OF BID: Public Service Division, re: for one (1) Wheel Loader from
budgeted funds.
8
Jim Zoumbaris, City Engineer (Operations), stated that a one-wheel loader is a
front-end loader that is used at Glendale for the movement of all of the City's salt,
all the materials delivered to the yard, and is the vehicle that is used across the
street at the recycling center, for the fire station training, and used for
transportation of the material that is stored in the big top when there is street
sweeping.
This piece of equipment is ten (10) years old. They went out for bids. Twelve
(12) sets were sent out, and they received bids from seven (7) companies. The
low bidder, JDE Equipment, did not meet specifications, so they are
recommending the second lowest bidder which is Southeastern Equipment Co.
who did meet the specifications. Mr. Garrison did check out and verify all these
pieces of equipment. The money is in the Capital Improvement account.
Pastor offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
16. PROPOSED COST SHARING OF THE NEW 8-INCH WATER MAIN LOOP
ALONG BROOKFIELD AVENUE (SOUTH OF FIVE MILE ROAD) IN
CONJUNCTION WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE 16TH DISTRICT COURT
BUILDING: Water and Sewer Board, re: to provide additional fire protection and
reliability to the residents in the area.
Jim Zoumbaris, City Engineer (Operations), stated that in the process of going
through the approval for the court building, it was brought up that Brookfield did
not have a loop system, and a number of condos did not have any water in the
rear of their buildings nor was there any fire hydrants if there was to be a fire. It
is approximately 850 feet from Five Mile down to the nearest main. As part of
this process, they requested that a new system be tied in all the way up to Five
Mile on Brookfield and also looped behind the building and come up the drive
and go out to Five Mile. In this process, Plante Moran recommended that since
this improvement was for the benefit of residents in Livonia, the Water & Sewer
Board pick up part of this cost. The Water & Sewer Board concurs with the
recommendations of the City Engineer.
Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
17. REQUEST TO ADJUST WATER AND SEWER CONSUMPTION RATES,
INDUSTRIAL SURCHARGE RATE AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE CONTROL
CHARGE: Public Service Division, re: to become effective with the first billing
on and after July 1, 2009.
9
Kevin Roney, Assistant City Engineer, stated that it is springtime and time to look
at the Water and Sewer fund which is funded by the customer's water and sewer
bills, not tax money. They have to make sure that what is set for the rates is
sufficient to cover the expenses. There are three charges, two of which affect
only industrial commercial customers, and the third is the consumption rate that
affects everyone. The industrial waste control charge is charged through the
commercial industrial customers based on meter size. It helps to fund an
industrial pretreatment program which is a pollution related program. Those
charges will be going down 1.9%, effective July 1, 2009.
To give an idea of the magnitude, if a business is served by a 2" meter, the fixed
charge would drop from $50.96 to $50.00. The revenue collected is for industrial
pretreatment purposes. The second charge is known as the industrial surcharge
rate. This has to do with the nature of pollutants in the sewage and affects only
commercial industrial customers. The pollutants phosphorus, fats, oils and
grease, total suspended solids, and the biological oxygen demand of the sewage
are actually measured by Detroit. They sample, and they figure out how much
that business is giving. There are only six (6) businesses in Livonia affected by
that, and they have to pay a surcharge for the extra amount of sewage. Those
rates are going up this year to the amounts listed in the packet. The third and
final rate is the consumption rate that affects everyone. This is the rate that
customers see their water bills based on the water going through the meter. It is
measured, and they pay so much money per one hundred cubic feet. This year,
there is a need to increase the consumption rate for water and sewer due to
factors on the wholesale side; increases in charges from the Detroit Water &
Sewer Department and Wayne County to the City of Livonia. The consumption
rate is going to go up approximately 7-1/2% because of this. Attachment II in the
packet gets into the reasons why the rates have jumped for Detroit and Wayne
County. The rates were discussed in length with the technical advisory
committees, and they did get thorough background information. Not all charges
on a water bill are related to consumption. There are also meter charges and
maintenance charges that don't have to do with the amount of consumption. To
get an idea what a 7-1/2% increase would be—if a typical customer would
receive a bill of $159.84, they would see that jump to $171.00. Also, in the
packet, are comparison rates of other communities. This shows the City is
managing to keep its rates down in comparison with neighboring communities.
Having looked through all the information, the Water & Sewer Board passed a
resolution asking for the Council to raise these rates, effective July 1, 2009.
Robinson stated that recently the Council was asked to consider renewing a
contract with the Detroit Water & Sewer Board for some thirty (30) years and that
could take effect immediately or we have five (5) years until the current contract
expires. Roney stated that we do not want to wait five (5) years since there are
advantages to keeping the process moving. These rates will be the same July
1St. They have already been set. Under the new contract, if a City is able to
reduce their peak hourly demands as a City, it would have a beneficial affect on
the rates.
10
Effective this July 1St, it is set for the eighty five (85) wholesale customers, but if
the City can get the contract going, it would help with next July 1St
Robinson was not comfortable with the contract which was pretty lengthy. It
referenced things from 1901. If the City was to approve the contract sooner than
five (5) years, he feels that the rates would even be higher.
Roney stated that the new contract does not enshrine a specific methodology for
the rates. It defines the process for the customers working with Detroit each year
to get the rates we established. There is nothing in the contract that in and of
itself will cause the rates to jump up. They are already collecting for debt
retirement and replacing old antiquated water mains. There is nothing new that
would jump rates up.
Robinson stated that if Council approved the contract at this point, these would
be what the rates would be.
Roney stated that the advantage of approving the contract is that any customer
that has a contract, they can shift enough of their customer demand between the
hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. for irrigation water. The new contract states
that Detroit will not use that time period to establish the peak for the rates. They
will use a different part of the day. If a City can get a lot of people to start
irrigating at night, their peak during the day would be a lot lower. The advantage
to the new contract is that a City can work with their customers to get people to
avoid peak times and shift irrigation (outdoor) water to the middle of the night. It
is not in the existing contract. The peak hour and the peak day is always a
summer day with dry weather, and everyone is watering. We won't know the
increases for next July 1St until about January of 2010. The net gain from the
Water & Sewer Fund of $821,926.00 in 2007-2008 is retained earnings. It will be
there until the City has a year where there are less than average water sales,
and the City loses money. It balances out every year when the City sets the
rates. If the rates were not raised, they are projecting that the fund would lose
$847,000.00. It is important to pass these along.
Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Regular Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR
18. REQUEST TO LOCATE A PORTABLE BATCH PLANT ON CITY PROPERTY
LOCATED ON GLENDALE STREET: Public Service Division, re: requested by
Florence Cement Company for the purpose of producing concrete for the 2008
Road Repair Program — Concrete, Contract No. 08-C Reconstruction, 1-275 from
Five Mile to Six Mile Road on the Eight Mile Road 1-275 Interchange for
approximately four (4) months with conditions.
11
Jim Zoumbaris, City Engineer (Operations), stated that Florence Cement Co. is
currently working in the City, but they are doing 1-275, and they had requested to
rent the property. This is the same property that they rented last year when they
were doing the 2008. They have increased the rental fee. The department is
recommending approval for them for four (4) months. They have paid all their
bills and did the restoration after they left last year.
Pastor offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
19. AWARD OF CONTRACT: Engineering Division, re: for the 2009 Sidewalk and
Pavement Replacement Program —Water Main Breaks — Contract 09-F.
Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, stated this is a contract to award for water main
breaks that occurred throughout the winter months. They received approximately
ten (10) bids that vary from $74,000.00 to $118,000.00. The contract calls for the
Phase I project in which repairs are to be done by July 10th including major roads
and residential locations. The apparent low bidder was Jenkins Construction.
They filled out a form to determine their references as they are a new contractor
in the City. Engineering did a due diligence and went out to investigate Jenkins'
previous work in the City of Oak Park and in Detroit. Based on findings, they are
recommending the second lowest qualified bidder which is Padula Cement Co. in
the amount of $77,544.55. Padula has done numerous residential locations, and
they know the City layout so the repairs can be done in a timely fashion. There
were some additional issues with Jenkins.
Petitioner Michael Padula, Padula Cement, 29224 Rayburn, was present.
Pastor offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
20. CONVEYANCE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY TO WAYNE COUNTY: Department of
Law, re: part of Tax ID Nos. 46-129-01-0120-001, 46-129-01-0122-001 and 46-
129-01-229-001 (Farmington Road south of Richland) in connection with the
jurisdiction of the property. (CR 548-01)
Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
21. ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSE TO COUNCIL RESOLUTION 500-08-
Department of Law, re: the subject of ensuring City approval on TURBO
applications prior to Wayne County approval.
12
Don Knapp, City Attorney, stated that the question was raised some time ago
about whether or not Wayne County could provide the TURBO tax incentive
without coming to the City for approval. The answer is yes. Wayne County has
indicated that it will seek to go to each municipality to determine whether or not
they approve of these types of incentives.
Some communities have chosen to have Wayne County authorize all TURBO
incentives. The point of this memo is to indicate that the City Council and the
Mayor want to sign off on any application for a TURBO tax incentive. A Council
Resolution should be adopted to indicate the manner in which the approval is to
be given. It is not necessary for the resolution to go to a Study Meeting first.
Mark Taormina, City Planner, stated that in the case of Linear Mold, the decision
was made at that time that they would go through a formal Public Hearing
process very similar to what is done with the Act 198 IFEC applications. There
are some similarities. This is a tax abatement and generally runs for five (5)
years under the TURBO program. However, the City is required by statute in the
case of Act 198 to go through the Public Hearing process for formation of the
IDD, as well as the actual IFEC. In this case, we don't have that statutory
requirement, so it is up to the Council. This expedites the request, and is
important in bringing companies into the City.
Godfroid-Marecki offered the approving resolution for both the Council and the
Mayor to sign off on any TURBO tax incentive for the Regular Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR
AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None.
Pastor wished his daughter Rachel and the other girls good luck at the Dance
Competition at Mercy High School this weekend.
Godfroid-Marecki offered congratulations to Daniel Lessard and Colleen Burton for
winning the School Board Election on May 5, 2009.
McCann wished all mothers a Happy Mothers' Day.
As there were no further questions or comments, Council President Toy adjourned the
Study Session at 9:41 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, 2009.
DATED: May 12, 2009 LINDA GRIMSBY, CITY CLERK