HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-04-27 CITY OF LIVONIA — CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD APRIL 27, 2020
Meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. by President Kathleen McIntyre via Zoom
remote technology. Present: Rob Donovic, Jim Jolly, Laura Toy, Scott Bahr, Cathy
White, Brandon McCullough and Kathleen McIntyre. Absent: None.
Councilmember Rob Donovic led the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Elected and appointed officials present: Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and
Economic Development; Todd Zilincik, City Engineer; Paul Bernier, City Attorney; Susan
M. Nash, City Clerk; Judy Priebe, Director of Legislative Affairs; Casey O'Neil, Director of
Information Systems; Ted Davis, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation; and Jacob
Rushlow, Superintendent of Public Service.
President McIntyre stated that she forgot to mention at the Regular Meeting that she is
participating in the Zoom remote meeting from Council Chambers, on the second floor of
City Hall, and the City Clerk from her office in City Hall and Paul Bernier from his office,
and all other Councilmembers are appearing remotely via Zoom, following all of the State
and County guidelines about social distancing and workplace safety.
She wished Councilmember Jim Jolly a happy birthday which he celebrated on April 26th;
Vice President Scott Bahr, who will be celebrating on May 6th, and Mayor Maureen Miller
Brosnan who will be celebrating her birthday on May 8th
Councilmember Donovic wished his younger brother Johnny a Happy 12th birthday. He
then requested to refer an item to the Law Department for report and recommendation,
the matter of opting out of unwanted distribution of newspapers on private property when
owners do not want them and asked that item be put on the Regular Agenda for the
meeting of May 11th
Councilmember Jolly stated that that is an item that has come up quite a bit over the last
four years and maybe before that and that the Law Department was requested to
investigate whether or not there is an opt out option and he believes their determination
at that time was that residents could not opt out but there have been some changes in
the law that now allow residents to possibly do so as other cities have as well. He said
it would be a welcome change for residents in Livonia to not have to pick up the pink bags
from the apron of their driveway daily, or weekly basis, and he supports it being referred
to the Law Department.
Vice President Bahr clarified that the subject matter is for unsubscribed newspapers being
left on driveways and Donovic replied that was his intent, for the unsubscribed distribution
of newspapers to residents.
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Councilmember McCullough stated he does support this and that the City of Ferndale
recently passed an ordinance which was related to basically the distribution of unsolicited
materials and what he learned is that City's cannot ban it, but they can put ordinances in
place that have limitations on them, whether it has to be on the porch, it can't be left on
the road, and that he thinks that would be the direction that would probably eliminate a
lot of the troubles with the distribution of those.
Attorney Bernier stated he agreed with Councilmember McCullough, that there has been
a recent change and that he had read the case a couple weeks ago, but during the
pandemic it took a backseat in terms of what they were dealing with. He said the Law
Department has been asked several times about this from various councilmembers about
the issue and that their hands previously were pretty much tied but there seems to be a
recent case that may untie the City's hands a little bit, so that the Law Department will
look into it for Council.
There was no Audience Communication at the beginning of the meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
1. REQUEST TO RENEW SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT WITH SOLE
SOURCE PROVIDER: Department of Management Information Systems, re. with
ESRI Inc., for the City's Geographic Information System (GIS) for a period of one
year, from budgeted funds.
Casey O'Neil, Director of Information Systems, presented this request to Council.
He stated this item is an annual renewal of their ESRI (GIS), which is the City's
Geographic Information Systems software. This software provides mapping tools
that are used for Engineering, DPW, Planning, Assessing, Inspection, as well as
for the public on the City's website. A recent example of this is our GIS
Administrator, Dan Teodor, recently built the Covid-19 Tracking Dashboard using
these tools and that allowed them to connect the John Hopkins public data, the
County data, and our own City Covid data and put it on one place. This is a sole
source item and the renewal cost is $21,000.00, which is accounted for in
budgeted funds.
Councilmember Toy stated this Agreement has served the City well and since it is
a sole source, she offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
2. AWARD OF BID: Department of Parks and Recreation, re: for Fox Creek Golf
Course Restaurant Drop Ceiling Replacement, from budgeted funds.
Ted Davis, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, presented this request to
Council. He stated this item is a drop ceiling replacement for the Coach's Corner
Restaurant at Fox Creek Golf Course. Bid specifications were put out by
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Purchasing, five bids were received, and they are asking Council to award the
project to the low bidder, Allied Building Services of Detroit, in the amount of
$45,814.00. They are also asking Council to authorize an additional appropriation
from the Unexpended Fund Balance of the Capital Projects Fund 401 for this
project.
Councilmember McCullough stated that there were conflicting schedules in the bid
packet based on construction schedules. On one page it showed it was going to
be eight days but then it showed three to four weeks for submittal, two weeks for
the grid, two weeks for the lighting and three days to pad out the ceiling and he
wanted to confirm that they were going through with the eight days.
Davis replied that he did follow up with Allied as the bid was a little confusing, and
that there is a two-week lead time for supplies and then they are saying they can
hold to the eight-day total project length.
McCullough asked if this is going to be off hours, to allow Coach's to operate, or is
there a plan to work around them.
Davis replied that with the type of work they're doing, once you put in a scaffolding,
it's going to be pretty much impossible to work around them, maybe the restaurant
may still be able to be open and they might be able to work a carry-out somehow
with it, but patrons going in there won't be possible.
McCullough stated he is happy to hear that the timeline of the project length is the
lesser of the two. He then offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
3. REQUEST TO APPROVE A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH
HYDROCORP SERVICES FOR THE CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL
PROGRAM: Public Service Division, re: to perform all work necessary to complete
the program requirements, in an amount not to exceed $63,270.00, from budgeted
funds. (CR 97-15)
Jacob Rushlow, Superintendent of Public Service, presented this request to
Council. He stated this item is in regard to the water system cross connection
control program that's necessary to reduce the risk of contamination to the public
water supply which could occur if there's questionable water that leaves a private
facility's plumbing and enters the public water supply through backflow. This item
is regarding a one-year extension of a current contract with Hydrocorp Services
and this is for that work related to the water system cross connection program
based on their original contract terms. The program itself applies really to private
facilities including industrial, commercial, processed water, pools, for example,
irrigation systems, and that really just includes a periodic onsite inspection and
testing across the City at about 3,300 water accounts. Since 2010 Hydrocorp has
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managed this program for the City, they have very extensive knowledge of the
City's system, and they have gained a very good reputation with these private
facilities that require the inspections and testing on a regular basis. The
recommendation from the Department is to approve a one-year contract extension
with Hydrocorp Services through April 30, 2021 and to authorize an expenditure
from budgeted funds in the amount of$63,270.00.
Vice President Bahr asked with the previous contract being for five years, he
understands the City is getting an extension of the previous rates, is there any
expectation that this extension could be for more than the one year at the current
rate.
Rushlow responded that at this point that has not been explored with the
Contractor to see if they would be willing to go beyond more than one year. They
felt that since it was a five-year contract already that a one-year extension would
be most appropriate at this time.
Vice President Bahr offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
4. AWARD OF CONTRACT AND REQUEST TO AUTHORIZE AN ADDITIONAL
APPROPRIATION AND EXPENDITURE: Engineering Division, re: for Water
Main Improvements which are part of DWRF Project No. 7452-01, Project Areas 1
& 3 with $4,136,851.55, to be reimbursed by the proceeds of the Drinking Water
Revolving Fund Revenue Bonds. (CR 389-19 and 364-19)
Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, presented this request to Council. He stated as
Council is aware, the City has done DWRF projects in the past, the previous one
was done in 2015 in the amount of $7.5 million and before that it was in 2014 for
$3.5 million. They were successful in completing those projects and that he is
looking forward to Council's approval on this particular project. Back in January of
2019, with the assistance of OHM, a project plan for the Water Management plan
was provided to EGLE and they were fortunate to be chosen for the third round of
DWRF Funding which involves basically fourteen different locations over a five-
year period, so they're getting the first round of funding for 2020 which will carry
over into 2021. With that there were three project areas identified for this particular
contract, Project Area 1 and 3 was bid out, it was put on MITN on March 17th and
bids were opened on April 14th. D & D Water & Sewer was the lowest bidder of
the four that submitted bids on MITN, and they are asking Council's approval to
assist in Project Area 1 which is at Six Mile and Middlebelt, and the other Project
Area 3 which is Bonaparte Gardens in Section 35, south of Plymouth Road, in the
amount of $4,136.851.55, again, there are appropriation expenses that will be
required and this is a low interest loan through the State of Michigan from EGLE,
and that Jessica Caters is also on line from OHM, and Jacob Rushlow as well.
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President McIntyre asked if we were required to participate and make updates by
DWRF to our drinking water system, it's something that we're required to do and
pay for, correct?
Zilincik replied correct. The City had a Water Master Plan and as part of this project
requirement the City had an overall project improvement plan that was submitted
in January 2019.
McIntyre then stated that Zilincik had indicated that some of this was going to be
paid for by grant.
Zilincik said he misspoke. The grant is a low interest loan through the State. The
overall project was considered $38 million, and we're only a portion of about just
under $10 million dollars for these three projects out of the fourteen which will
continue in funding if we can get funding through the State in the next round.
McIntyre then asked if getting the low interest loans is a competitive process and
the City had to compete to get those loans, is that correct?
Zilincik replied correct. The City got the project submitted and then was rated
higher on the priority list, and again, with the thanks of OHM Advisors and Jacob
Rushlow who worked with EGLE to get this project plan in and get approval to get
the funding which is about $10 million to help assist us in improving our aging
infrastructure for water main and we are grateful.
President McIntyre thanked Zilincik and stated she wanted to point that out
because she thinks it's important for Council and the residents to understand this,
that the City is required to make these expenditures for the Drinking Water System
but because of the excellent work of the Engineering Department, Todd Zilincik,
his department, Jacob Rushlow, Department of Public Works, and our vendor who
supports a lot of our infrastructure projects, OHM, Jessica Caters, the City was
able to get very advantageous funding to do this required work.
Councilmember White asked if Zilincik is familiar with the company that is doing
the work on this project and has the City used them before.
Zilincik replied yes, they were instrumental with Murphy Pipelines back in 2008,
they did stuff on Terrence, between Middlebelt and Inkster. They just finished up
Five Mile Road Water Main Project, two phases, 2017, from Inkster to Middlebelt,
and then last year from Middlebelt to Merriman, so they're very familiar with them,
they've worked in various communities and we're very fortunate to have a good
bid to move forward with the project. So, again, they know the contractor, well-
known, and can get the job done as he did on Five Mile Road.
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Councilmember White then offered an approving resolution for the Consent
Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
5. AWARD OF CONTRACT AND REQUEST TO AUTHORIZE AN ADDITIONAL
APPROPRIATION AND EXPENDITURE: Engineering Division, re: for Water
Main Improvements which are part of DWRF Project No. 7452-01, Project Area 2
with $3,298,157.70, to be reimbursed by the proceeds of the Drinking Water
Revolving Fund Revenue Bonds. (CR 389-19 and 364-19)
Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, presented this request to Council. He stated this is a
shortened version of the last Agenda item. Basically, we're at the section of Project
Area 2, which is Devonshire Park Subdivision, it's in Section 35 between Henry
Ruff and Middlebelt Road, north of Joy. They're looking to replace those water
mains that run north and south along those side streets there, between Henry Ruff
and Middlebelt. The project cost is $3.2 million as stated, and again, there were
five bids that varied from $3.2 million all the way up $5.4 million. Again, they were
able to get D & D Water & Sewer to bid this project, they'll be doing both projects.
These will be prevailing wages following the protocol that's necessary for DWRF
Funding and looking to start these projects in June. Overall it's encompassing
about seven to eight miles of replacing existing water mains. Typically when our
infrastructure is built, a lot of the streets have six to eight-inch water mains going
down the street, and we'll now be able to replace those eight-inch water mains
through the pipe bursting method and add additional fire hydrants for fire hydrant
protection and make it a reliable water source that will actually go from the water
main, service leading from the water main to the stop box and potentially to the
house if there's a lead service lead.
Councilmember Donovic asked Zilincik with the virus going on right now, does he
anticipate any sort of projects being postponed ever though they're outdoors and
they're essential?
Zilincik replied no, they're looking to start the Road Program for the asphalt next
Monday on May 4t", as long as they follow the guidelines provided by the Governor,
but he's not sure what will take place in June, but again, they will be following
distancing rules and looking to pipe bursting methods on either end of the potential
water main itself but again, it's to be determined what's going to take place and is
fluid with the Covid virus, but don't foresee any delay in this project, it's critical to
the City's infrastructure and like anything else they can't put anything on hold and
we want to make sure we don't impact the safety of the workers and the residents
obviously.
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Councilmember Donovic then offered an approving resolution for the Consent
Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
6. REQUEST TO DESIGNATE CONSULTANT, THROUGH THE QUALIFICATION
BASED SELECTION (QBS) PROCESS AND AMEND ENGINEERING
CONTRACT WITH OHM ADVISORS, TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL
ENGINEERING SERVICES: Engineering Division, re: for the Drinking Water
Revolving Fund (DWRF) Project No. 7452-01, Project Areas 1, 2 and 3, in an
amount not to exceed $594,800. (CR 389-19 and 365-16)
Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, presented this request to Council. He stated on the
previous two bids, the contractor provided Inspector Days for those projects, and
now roll into what you see here before you through OHM Advisors, they're going
to take on the responsibility of working with the City to do testing, inspection and
final close-out and administration of the project to make sure the City is in
compliance with the Davis-Bacon rules and make sure we have certified payroll.
With their assistance we'll be able to hold the contractor accountable and make
sure we meet the goals and expectations when it comes down to the end when
we're being audited and we're looking forward to their inspection reports to make
sure that they follow, the contractor follows the standards and specs of the City.
They have done a great job on the previous two DRWF projects and I'm sure had
the top notch inspectors out there for us as always and look forward to a successful
project in 2020 and carrying over to 2021 to hopefully complete this and look
forward to another opportunity to do more DRWF projects in the future.
President McIntyre asked Zilincik to refresh Council's recollection on what exactly
Davis-Bacon requires as far as prevailing wages.
Zilincik replied that it just wants to make sure that the laborer or operator is paid
those prevailing wages for their particular duties, some people are nonunion so
they want to make sure whoever is working for the contractor is getting that
prevailing wage at that particular job title. So not jumping into an excavator and a
laborer, everyone has a job out there and they want to make sure that they're
getting paid those prevailing wages and there's a certified payroll at the end, the
contractor verifies that those are the people on the job site, those were the titles
they have, and it's actually kept in place so when we come in and have the audits
done by Plante Moran that we are in compliance and make sure that we don't lose
future funding and that's a critical element of this for our contractor.
President McIntyre stated those are required because of the funding that we're
able to obtain, special loans and other funding, correct?
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Zilincik replied that is correct. Due to the requirements of the low interest loan,
they have to make sure that we make those prevailing wages and they provide
that to us and Jessica if you're on board, feel free to speak if you'd like.
President McIntyre said that Jessica Caters from OHM is present via Zoom and
asked if she'd like to comment before it goes to Council or the audience.
Jessica Caters, OHM Advisors, stated she thinks Todd did a greatjob of explaining
and that prevailing wages, there are multiple different requirements that when
you're taking Federal loan dollars which the DRWF Project is, that need to be met
by both the contractor, the suppliers for the materials and then also for any of the
consultants or professional services that you enter into contracts with and OHM
will assist the City in making sure all of those are in compliance and they will also
be inspecting the pipe bursting installation for the new water main, almost eight
miles of water main that is going to be done over the next year and a half.
Councilmember McCullough stated that OHM has a great track record, they're one
of the better engineering firms out there and they've worked with the City for a long
time, so he'd be happy to offer an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
7. WAIVER PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2020-03-02-02 submitted
by Unleashed Pet Care Real Estate L.L.C., to operate a veterinary clinic on the
east side of Middlebelt Road between Joy Road and West Chicago Avenue (9300
Middlebelt Road) in the Southwest '/4 of Section 36.
Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic Development, presented this
request to Council. He stated hopefully everyone can see the graphic that is on
the screen. He said this is a request for Waiver Use approval, it involves the
development of a new veterinary clinic. The site is the former Turowski Funeral
Home, which is on the east side of Middlebelt, it's roughly a block south of West
Chicago Avenue. This site is roughly % of an acre in size, it has 230 feet of
frontage on Middlebelt, and about 140 feet of frontage on Hathaway. The building
that is located on the property today, the former funeral home, as you can see the
building is on the north side of the site, that building is approximately 4,750 square
feet in area. You can see there's parking on the north, the east, and the south side
of the building. The only appreciable amount of landscaping on the site is the area
between the building and Middlebelt Road. The new veterinary clinicwould occupy
the entire building. It is noted that this property is in the process of being rezoned,
First Reading was given by City Council on February 12th. The veterinary clinic
will occupy the entire building, a floor plan was submitted with the application.
What this floor plan illustrates is what the interior layout of the clinic would look like
and you can see from this diagram it would include several exam rooms, as well
as offices, a reception area, waiting room, surgery areas, dog washing area, X-
rays, receiving and storage as well as other various support rooms. The site plan
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as you can see does several things on the exterior of the site. It removes roughly
twenty-four of the existing fifty-four parking spaces along the north side of the
property. This is in order to build an additional grooming space on the property.
There are currently three driveways on the property. The northerly driveway will
be removed as part of this, so just the two southerly driveways, those are the two
that are on the right-hand side of this drawing will remain. Additional landscaping
is also being provided in the southeast corner of the property; a new dumpster
enclosure is also being installed on the east side of the property against an existing
block screening wall. The Planning Commission reviewed this in detail at their
meeting on April 14th and recommended approval.
Vice President Bahr stated he thinks this is going to be a really nice development
for that area and he appreciates the landscaping plans they have but he noticed in
the Planning Commission notes that there was a comment about that they had
wanted to fence in that grass area on the north side but it wasn't approvable, what
is the reason that's not approvable, is that just because it fronts the street?
Taormina replied that the limitation with respect to fencing is that it could not project
any closer to the street than the line of the building. So that's something that we
had notified the Petitioner that they would have to go through hearings for any
additional fencing that would be installed in this area here and they opted just to
remove that fencing, I believe they feel that it's not needed today. They'll be able
to respond more specifically to that fencing.
Vice President Bahr stated he thinks it's a good development and can understand
their need for the fencing but also understand the reason it's not feasible in that
spot.
Councilmember Donovic said looking at some of the conditions he noticed it talks
about the parking lot shall be repaired; does that mean the entire parking lot or
only certain portions of the parking lot?
Taormina replied that typically that means the entire parking lot gets resealed
and restriped, that probably would be typical in this particular project since there's
going to be so much activity being done on the site, they'll probably have to reseal
and restripe the whole parking lot.
Donovic then asked if they will be redoing the lighting fixtures because he lives
next to this property and he is super excited to see this, it's a beautiful building and
to see this building going to a really good use like this, but are the lights in the
parking lot, the fixtures, are those going to be replaced to not affect residents
behind the eastern wall right there?
Taormina replied they're probably not going to be replaced but shielded and
hopefully there's language in the approving resolution to require that those lights
be shielded if they're not currently shielded.
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Councilmember Donovic said he received a call from a resident concerning if there
was an outdoor portion to this where dogs would be barking and affecting residents
next door, and in looking at the description, there is no outdoor portion to this. I
know there was some confusion by the residents on this.
Taormina replied that veterinary clinics are prohibited from having any type of dog
runs, but there is that grassy area where obviously people could go to to use prior
to bringing their pet in for some kind of service. Again, I'll let the Petitioner and the
architect describe that in more detail.
Councilmember Toy stated in the past prior Councils have addressed veterinary
clinics that there was a concern with them being there for 24-hours if you recall
that, and providing outdoor area there perhaps after they perform surgery, etc.,
and the dog is awake or the cat, they can go for a walk and get some exercise and
obviously do their business. So that green area does provide for that kind of venue,
is that correct then, Mark?
Taormina replied that's correct.
Toy then said she had not had any calls from residents but he brought up an
excellent point on the lights. She then asked the veterinarians background that
are moving into the building, have they done work in Livonia before?
Taormina replied he would let them speak but they have an existing clinic in the
Metropolitan Area that they will be either moving that facility into Livonia or
expanding it, they are experienced.
Vice President Bahr offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
8. VACATING PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2020-02-03-01
submitted by Zeimet Wozniak & Associates, on behalf of Schoolcraft College, to
determine whether or not to vacate a section of the existing water main easement
within the Schoolcraft College campus, located on the east side of Haggerty Road
between Six Mile and Seven Mile Roads (18600 Haggerty Road and 17950
College Parkway) in the Northwest '/4 and Southwest '/4 of Section 14. (CR 319-
19)
Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic Development, presented this
request to Council. He stated as everyone knows the college is in the process of
building a sports center on its campus in partnership with St. Joseph Mercy Health
System. Construction of that facility required the relocation of an existing water
main, that water main public was within an easement, it's customary that those
easements get vacated once that new water main is installed. It requires a
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Planning Commission Public Hearing. The Planning Commission reviewed this at
their meeting on April 14th and is recommending approval. I note that the project
engineer is available for any questions if you have any.
Councilmember Toy offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
9. VACATING PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2020-02-03-02
submitted by Woodhaven Retirement Community, to determine whether or not to
vacate a section of the existing water main easement located on the south side of
Wentworth Avenue, west of Middlebelt Road (29667 Wentworth Avenue) in the
Southeast '/4 of Section 14. (CR 62-20)
Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic Development, presented this
request to Council. He stated very similar to the last item, construction at
Woodhaven necessitated the relocation of a water main and a fire hydrant. The
easement is a short section that needs to be vacated and the representative,
Randy Gasser from Woodhaven is present if you have any questions.
Gasser stated that Woodhaven is totally in support for what seems to be needed
and makes good sense and he is present to answer any questions.as well.
Vice President Bahr asked Gasser for the exact coordinates that the easement is
that is being proposed and Gasser answered it's 28.46. Vice President Bahr said
he is kidding, that Mr. Gasser is a good friend of his, and he then offered an
approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
10. SITE PLAN PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2020-02-08-01
submitted by Ventura & Associates, on behalf of Western Wayne Physicians, to
construct an addition and remodel the front entrance of the existing building
located on the east side of Levan Road between Lyndon Avenue and Five Mile
Road (15160 Levan Road) in the Northeast '/4 of Section 20.
Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic Development, presented this
request to Council. He stated this is a site plan petition which involves an existing
medical office building that is on Levan Road. This property is directly across from
St. Mary Mercy Hospital. The site itself is roughly 4/10ths of an acre in size, it's
zoned OS (Office Services), as well as a portion being zone C-2 (General
Business). There's an existing building and this building is L-shaped, with the
addition that will actually square off the building. There's two additions actually,
this is the larger of the two, it's about 590 square feet, it's in the southwest corner
of the building. The second addition is mostly right where the main entryway is
into the building. The purpose of this is to provide an enclosed airlock as well as
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a vestibule for persons that are entering the facility. The smaller addition is only
53 square feet and when you add the two together it's going to bring the total
building area to about 2,866 square feet. So, the proposed additions comply to all
height, area and setback requirements of the OS Zoning District. There is
additional landscaping that's provided around the foundation of the building as well
as the north side of the building. That landscaping addition will bring it up to about
20% of the site so that's more than the 15% that we typically like to see. The
required parking for this facility is 21 spaces; the site plan shows 23 available
parking spaces. This is what the rendering will look like, this is that vestibule area
and this grey material here is a simulated stone material that would go on the
building, you can see the asphalt shingle roof here. This is the existing mansard
roof, that would be extended all the way out to the edge of the new addition. The
larger of the two additions consists of a very similar material as what's shown on
the vestibule. The Planning Commission again reviewed this at their meeting a
couple weeks ago and is recommending approval of the plans as submitted.
Councilmember Toy asked if the wooded area contained wetlands and Taormina
responded there is a flood plane and a creek through here, this is the same creek
that runs behind the gas station and Rennold's Ravine. There are some wetlands
associated with this but that's correct.
Toy then asked if this was going to be used by physicians that practice out of St.
Mary's Hospital and other places and Taormina replied perhaps, he believes
there's some affiliation but he'll let the Petitioner answer that.
Councilmember Toy stated she thinks it's a vast improvement to the building, that
it needs updating and they certainly provided for that in their renderings, and she
then offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
President McIntyre asked Taormina to go back to the street view and pointed out
that the new entryway would be on the front of the building, but there are no plans
to change the current mansard roof or windows or anything else.
Petitioner Doug Valsone replied that the windows on the wall are new and shingles
on the mansard will be re-shingled.
Vice President Bahr asked Zilincik whether there would be any impact on the
adjoining Rennold's Ravine subdivision where there was erosion in the past and
asked him to elaborate if there was any concern there.
Zilincik replied that since they're within the 500 feet of the stream, they're going to
require soil erosion sedimentation control plan from the developer for this, so that
will help protect any erosion into that stream itself. But as you're aware several
years ago we spent $19,500 of the residents and the City probably spent close to
$20,000 per lot to address that with the grant we had, so we obviously want to
protect that wetland and the Bell Creek portion there with the soil erosion control
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plan and to have a bond based on our parameters but that's a great point as we
want to protect that area under construction.
Councilmember McCullough thanked the Petitioner for coming forward with a nice
plan in bringing the building up to 2020, an existing facility that definitely needs a
facelift.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
11. SITE PLAN PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2020-03-08-02
submitted by Lincoln Dental, to construct an addition to the existing building
located on the north side of Joy Road between Inkster Road and Harrison Avenue
(28000 and 28024 Joy Road) in the Southeast '/4 of Section 36.
Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic Development, presented this
request to Council. He stated the site that is the subject of this petition is located
on Joy Road, as you indicated, between Floral and Deering Avenues. You may
recall this site, at least the address, 28024 Joy Road, this Petitioner recently
acquired that site from the City, and has a dental practice located on the property
adjacent to that. The purpose for acquiring that property from the City I think last
year is to expand his practice. This is an aerial photograph so you can see showing
the building as it exists, mostly on the west side, and this is a site that was acquired
from the City by the Petitioner with the express intention of constructing an addition
to this existing building. This is the site plan, what it looks like. This grayish area
shows the size of the addition, that would be about 1,250 square feet, that would
bring the overall building area up to 2,700 square feet. You'll notice that there are
some residential homes that are located to the north of this property. The existing
developed property, the original site, does contain a masonry wall that runs to the
edge of the property about here. With this addition and the improvements to the
site, the masonry wall will be extended all the way to the northwest corner of the
expanded site where they'll provide a full screen adjacent to the residential
properties. There's really no changes occurring to any of the parking lot or any of
the landscaping, it's just the building addition which is going to match the style of
the existing structure. It complies in all respects with the setback requirements,
both the side, the rear, as well as the front. The parking is adequate at 35 spaces
and once again the Planning Commission reviewed this petition in detail on April
14th and they're recommending approval.
Councilmember Donovic asked Taormina in regard to the masonry wall that runs
between the residents and the property we're talking about here, that is going to
be similar material to the existing wall, correct?
Taormina replied that he believes the approving resolution addresses that, if not,
that's something that we can adopt as part of the resolution. I don't have a
photograph showing what that existing wall looks like, maybe the Petitioner or his
architect could shed some light on that.
14
Donovic then said his next question is about conditions 9 and 13, they talk abut
the walls of the dumpster enclosure and asked for information, when you talk about
a medical building like this, it apparently does not have an outdoor trash dumpster
which means there's no wall out there, enclosure for the dumpsters; and number
13 says if it is determined that an outdoor trash dumpster is needed, then the next
step will take place there. What are the rules there, how can a medical company
not have a dumpster enclosure when you're talking about medical waste and what
not.
Taormina replied that many of these facilities have a service that comes and picks
up the trash and general office refuse that could be placed at the curb as part of
their option, but any medical waste obviously is handled through the private
service. That item was addressed during the Planning Commission review. The
Petitioner indicated that at the present time they did not see the need for a
dumpster, that they currently don't have a dumpster on the site. The Planning
Commission thought it was important to address that, nonetheless, as part of the
approving resolution, stating that if and when they decide that any type of dumpster
is needed on the site, that they work with the Planning Department on the details
of that enclosure, Planning and Inspection.
Donovic then offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda with the
condition that the wall that is between the residents and this building is of similar
material and if there is in the future a dumpster enclosure, making sure that the
material used for that dumpster enclosure is decorative or it matches the existing
building.
Councilmember Toy stated she thought Donovic brought up an interest point on
that dumpster. She then asked Taormina how will we know if that building will
need a dumpster in the future? How do we rest assured what type of medical
trash is being put out on the road for safeguarding purposes; is there an inspection
process to check on that?
Taormina responded that he doesn't know the full answer to that question, he
would say if there's any concern expressed by residents as to the safeguards, that
some unsafe sanitation practice, that clearly the Inspection Department would
respond to that. This has been a practice that has been in existence, he's not
aware of there being any problems. Again, the resolution attempts to address the
need for the dumpster in the future should they choose to install one, but beyond
that he doesn't see that the Petitioner is on the Zoom meeting to answer.
Councilmember McCullough asked in terms of items that appear on the Agenda,
are they aware of any timelines associated with these proposed projects,
estimated completion times?
15
Taormina replied he has no information in regard to the timeline on this project,
they'll have to work with Engineering as well as Inspection on permitting, whether
or not they break ground this fall with everything else going on, but site plans are
good for one year and unless they pull a permit then the site plan would expire.
McCullough then stated it's always nice to see the progression of the projects they
approve around town.
Councilmember Jolly stated he would feel more comfortable if this item was placed
on the Regular Agenda since the Petitioner is not present and the issue of going
into potential enclosure that may not materialize, Council should not get hung up
on.
President McIntyre stated she was going to suggest it be put on the Regular
Agenda as well, seeing that the Petitioner is not present. And addressing
Councilmember's Jolly's concerns, she believes that medical waste, the
regulations are controlled at the State level or at the County level, and there's a
built-in compliance mechanism there, the kind of services that he mentioned, so
she agrees with his point on that.
Councilmember Toy stated she was wondering what the process was and was
happy to have it placed on the Regular Agenda.
Councilmember Donovic then asked that it be put on the Regular Agenda as well
since the Petitioner is not here and that the comments about the trash should be
taken into consideration as well.
DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR
There was no Audience Communication at the end of the meeting.
President McIntyre welcomed Director of Legislative Affairs to the Zoom meeting and
hoped her recovery was going well.
As there were no further questions or comments, President McIntyre adjourned
the Study Session at 9:16 p.m. on Monday, April 27, 2020.
For the 1,896t" Regular Meeting of May 11, 2020.
DATED: May 4, 2020 SUSAN M. NASH, CITY CLERK