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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRDA MINUTES 1999-07-15 C MINUTES OF THE 95th REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLYMOUTH ROAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA The 95th Regular Meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority of the City of Livonia, Michigan was called to order at 3:05 p.m., Thursday, July 15, 1999 in the 4th Floor Conference Room of City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Jack E. Kirksey Mr. Raby, Vice Chairman Mr. Stan Anderson Mr. Scott Grace Mr. Lowell Peterson Mr. Bill Pike Mr. Dennis Kujawa Ms. Toni Mette Mr. Jerry Wordhouse Members Absent: Mr. Michael Polsinelli, Chairman Mr. Rod Crider Mr. Marvin Walkon Mr. Duane Wolfgang Others Present: Mr. John Nagy, PRDA Director Mr. Mark Taormina, Planning Director Ms. JoAnn Michaels, BRI Mr. Scott Reinholt, BRI Mr. Ralph Williams, Citizen Ms. Susan Annibal, Secretary 1. Roll was called. 2. Adoption of June 3, 1999 Minutes: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, it was #99-39 RESOLVED that the Minutes of the 94th Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on June 3, 1999 are approved. Mr.Raby,the Vice Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 1 „. 3. Comments from Chairman: In the Chairman's absence, Mr. Raby announced the receipt of a letter from John C. Auffenberg, Vice President of the Livonia Autoplex (Volkswagen/Mazda Dealership) assuring the intent to dedicate the property right-of-way along Plymouth Road. Also received was a communication from the Department of Law with regard to a lawsuit, i.e., Mauti Associates v City of Livonia, Wayne County Circuit Court Case No. 98-820744-AW, relating the prospect of the Plaintiff's sale of the property to a buyer willing to use it for something other than the originally proposed coin-operated car wash. 4. Budget Report — Mike Slater: An update on both Construction Fund and Special Revenue Fund Financial Statements were given by Mr. Slater, per submitted hard copy, concluding that PRDA was financially on track and within the budget. In the year 2000, $95,000.00 would need to have been "spent out” with checks "out the door" of the $7.2 million plus interest. Prior to September 15`h, a proposed budget would be compiled for the PRDA. The water and sewer billing for the sprinkling all along Plymouth Road (Fisher Creative Services) was addressed. Mr. Nagy suggested a discussion of items under consideration for next year's budget, i.e. the bus shelter program and other new things to be considered on the two meeting Agendas in August. Mr. Slater pointed out that a PRDA vote would be needed before September 15th on items to be included in the new budget. Members would vote on the PRDA Budget for 2000 at the meeting of Cle September 2, 1999, the Thursday before Labor Day. 5. Beckett & Raeder — Construction Progress Report: JoAnne Michaels updated Members on the progress along the corridor. Highlights of discussion concerned the City's condition of flower beds at the park at Plymouth and Inkster Roads, which needed weeding. The grass had been cut; a meeting with City staff would reveal whether we'd take over maintenance of that park; it was PRDA's decision. Other topics covered park benches at this park site; lawn maintenance as provided for Public Land and adjoining side streets (the length of the front properties); the City's parking lots (which could be incorporated in the contract); Basile's paving portion of the Plymouth Road project; and issues related to rights-of-way. Ms. Michaels encouraged members to call her, if displeased with anything regarding the Plymouth Road project. Mr. Nagy would pursue the issue of rights-of-way and report back to PRDA. Should members have any questions concerning the project, he asked that he be called. Signage was addressed, required setback, variances when required, particular decorative wall, and gas station signage at intersections, and a necessary permit process. Perhaps PRDA could work with the ZBA and get a blanket policy for every intersection. Mr. Nagy would research the possibility with ZBA of some blanket agreement. Scott Reinholt initiated discussion about prospective bus shelters, offering several types illustrated for consideration, which could be enhanced with decorative benches and trash containers. Kalamazoo, MI was cited as having especially attractive shelter settings, —not totally enclosed and incorporating cast stone columns in the design. Clear removable panels of varying heights was one idea for the shelters providing visibility to those waiting for the bus. One design offered a pitch roof; another would allow the closing off 2 of the rear of the shelter. Shelters provided by MDOT's were priced at about $10,000. Whatever shelters were selected would be installed one per mile on both sides of the street. (What if we did only every other mile?) SMART traffic patterns needed to be looked at. However, passengers could not be expected to run back and forth across the busy street to catch a bus; we needed to know how many traveled east and west. Reinhold was asked to get that information for the Authority, as well as an idea of how soon construction of the shelters could begin and be completed. It was suggested that benches could be used not only by those using the bus shelters, but also for people just out for a walk Handicap access was the concern of one member. Brickpavers were addressed; Mr. Reinholt was asked to submit pricing on three (3) different shelter types at the next meeting. (Mr. Reinhold would also touch base with MDOT on the location of the proposed shelters to provide continuity). The type of shelters and amenities selected would have to compliment the visual impact and appearance of the Corridor. 6. Mark Taormina, the new City of Livonia Planning Director, was introduced to the Board, who heartily welcomed him to the City and introduced themselves. The Board asked Mr. Taormina about the status of the Fountain Park Project. Mr. Taormina indicated that the Petitioner, Steve Schafer, was in the processof responding to the concerns of the MDEQ. Mr. Taormina felt that it was premature to know if the Petitioner needed to go through the appeal procedure. 7. Director's Report — John Nagy stated there had been interest in the House of Maple building west of Fonte D'Amore restaurant by Commercial Lawn Mower. That company was thinking about taking over the property as an additional facility with some parking in the front . Also, the current status of the Terrace Theater was mentioned. Zerbos Health Food wanted to address the Board regarding the removal of an elm tree. Mr. Nagy stated he would work with the petitioner to see if some compromise could be worked out to save the tree. The Legacy Restaurant was progressing very well and doing an outstanding job. Also, grass was not being mowed at some points along Plymouth Road. Did we have a maintenance contract? With regard to parking spaces, they should be all marked and double striped.. 8. Reports from Committees: Public Relations—Stan Anderson: Passed. Vacant Buildings—Scott Grace: Possibly Harmony House was interested in the old Auto Works property. John Pastor is building across from Peregrine (and Deering) is available. The Chamber of Commerce had plans to located on the Bentley grounds; consensus was that it would be nice for the Chamber to be on the Plymouth Road Corridor. Construction—Bill Pike: Phase III was addressed; we need to get Phase IV going. Bus ,, shelters and designs with posters and lights would draw people's attention to the Plymouth Road Corridor. Basile was looking at signs and things like that. The Phase III 3 Project between Middlebelt and Merriman was moving along. Other contractors involved were Jacobs and Harley Boring. Inspection—Butch Raby: Passed. 8. Polling of Board Members: Mr. Wordhouse supported Mr. Pike's comments. He'd watched the progress and felt there was less disturbance in Phases II and III than in the first phase. Other members also voiced their pleasure at the results to date along the Corridor. Mr. Grace spoke about Redford having banners on poles with American flags waving over them at Five Mile and Beech Daly; they were very attractive. Could we include a few of those on our strip? Mr. Anderson said there were a lot of weeds in the area awaiting sod. Mr. Pike passed, Mr. Raby recalled that one of the things Members had talked about was conducting a fkimeeting on the Corridor, possibly in October. Legacy of Livonia was another point of ,r attention. Perhaps there could be an article in the newsletter highlighting the fact that the developer had done so much work on the new facility. The next newsletter would be out sometime in October The Vice Chair asked if there were any old pictures available of Plymouth Road. 9. Adjournment: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the 93`h Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on July 15, 1999 was adjourned at 4:45 PM. The next meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority will be held on August 5, 1999 in the 4th Floor Conference Room of City Hall. • ? 1 Susan Annibal, Secretary 4