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HomeMy WebLinkAboutS03132023 MinutesCITY OF LIVONIA – CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD MARCH 13, 2023 8:00 p.m. - City Hall Auditorium 33000 Civic Center Drive Livonia, Michigan Meeting was called to order at 8:10 p.m. by Council President Jolly. Present: Laura Toy, Scott Bahr, Rob Donovic, Scott Morgan, Kathleen McIntyre, Brandon McCullough, and Jim Jolly. Absent: None. Elected and appointed officials present: Susan Nash, City Clerk; Paul Bernier, City Attorney; Todd Zilincik, City Engineer; Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic Development; Josh Sabo, Director of Communications, and Casey O’Neil, Information Systems Director. Vice President Toy led the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance. AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None NEW BUSINESS REQUEST FOR ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF WAIVER USE APPROVAL: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2021-12-02-25, submitted by Portillo’s, previously approved by City Council on February 28, 2022, involving the construction and operation of a freestanding full-service restaurant with drive-up window facility at 13000 Middlebelt Road, located on the east side of Middlebelt Road between the CSX Railroad right-of-way and Schoolcraft Road in the Northwest 1/4 of Section 25. (CR 59-22)Mark Taormina, Planning and Economic Development Director, presented the request to Council.Randy Guse, Vice President of Real Estate for Portillo’s was available for questions.Vice President Toy asked Mr. Guse why he wants us to extend thisrequest. He explained it has taken longer to permit this than expected along with additional questions and calculations from Wayne County such as the storm sewers. Wayne County also wanted additional surveys and traffic improvements. There were some easement issues as well. Vice President Toy offered an approving resolution for the Consent agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVALCONSENT REQUEST FOR ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF WAIVER USE APPROVAL: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2021-12-02-26 submitted by Portillo’s previously approved by City Council on February 28, 2022 involving the utilization of a Tavern license (sale of beer and wine for consumption on the premises) in connection with a full-service restaurant at 13000 Middlebelt Road, located on the east side of Middlebelt Road between the CSX Railroad right-of-way and Schoolcraft Road in the Northwest 1/4 of Section 25. (CR 68-22)Mark Taormina, Planning and Economic Development Director, presented the request to Council.Randy Guse, Vice President of Real Estate for Portillo’s was available for questions. Councilmember McCullough asked if the red tape is thinning out and when they expect to break ground. Mr. Guse indicated their hope is to start construction in the next 30 to 45 days. Councilmember McCullough offered an approving resolution for the Consent agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVALCONSENT SITE PLAN PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2023-02-08-01 submitted by Kozak Construction, on behalf of the HopCat Restaurant Company, requesting to remodel the exterior of the restaurant (former Claddagh Irish Pub) at 17800 Haggerty Road, located on the east side of Haggerty Road between Six Mile and Seven Mile Roads in the Southwest ¼ of Section 7. Mark Taormina, Planning and Economic Development Director, presented the request to Council. President Jolly asked if it would be a problem if it were approved before the changes are implemented for the Livonia Vision 21 plan. Paul Bernier said he didn’t believe there would be. Mark said if the action is to approve it, the resolution will indicate it will go to the Zoning Board of Appeals unless the Ordinance is amended in the meantime. Kevin Kozak, President of Kozak Construction and representative for HopCat was present to answer questions. Vice President Toy asked Kevin Kozak what type of food they would serve and how soon they would like to open. Kevin indicated it is elevated bar food and they are famous for their Cosmic Fries. He indicated about 75 percent of their business is in food sales and 25 percent is alcohol sales. He also said they got their interior building permit last week,so construction has started on the inside and theyhope to be open in June. Vice Present Toy offered an approving resolution for the Regular agenda.Councilmember Donovic asked if the parking would remain the same and if there would be a need for a separate liquor license.Kevin Kozak indicated parking would stay the same and Mark Taormina stated there would be a transfer of the existing liquor license. Councilmember Bahr indicated he feels that the rendering of the building is a step down in materials and appearance from the previous business. Kevin disagreed and indicated the stone on the outside is falling apart and the windows need to be replaced. Councilmember Bahr agrees with putting this item on the Regular agenda and would also like to offer a resolution to put it into the Committee of the Whole for review of the design element. President Jolly told Mr. Kozak that he could use this opportunity to send any changes to Council before the next meeting if they decide on any. DIRECTION: APPROVALCOMMITTEE OF THE WHOLEREGULAR REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO WAIVE THE SEALED BID PROCESS AND PURCHASE COMPUTERS USING THE STATE OF MICHIGAN CONTRACT PRICING: Division of Police and Livonia Fire and Rescue, re: to replace the computers in the police station, patrol vehicles and at the fire stations that are out of warranty and at end of life, from budgeted funds. Livonia Police Chief Goralski introduced Livonia Police Captain Marcotte to Council. Captain Marcottepresented the request to Council.Councilmember McCullough offered an approving resolution for the Consent agenda.Councilmember McIntyre asked if the new technology would step up the voice recognition so that the offices don’t need to type or read while doing their jobs. Captain Marcotte said he would need to do some research to see if Clemis would be compatible with voice recognition and that our Officers are trained in this type of multitasking. He further indicated that the Police Department’s at fault accidents are minimal. DIRECTION:APPROVALCONSENT AWARD OF CONTRACT: Engineering Division, re: for the 2023 Sidewalk and Pavement Replacement Program - Water Main Breaks, Contract 23-F. Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, presented the request to Council. Vice President Toy asked if Livonia gets reimbursed for the issues with Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) depending on the cause of the break. Todd Zilincik said typically when there is a spike in pressure the Director would go back to GLWA to discuss the issue. He said GLWA is trying to make improvements within our city. He indicated most water main breaks are due to weather and aging infrastructure. Vice President Toy offered an approving resolution for the Consent agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVALCONSENT PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO LIVONIA CODE OF ORDINANCE, AS AMENDED: Department of Law, re: to amend Section 010 to Title 10, Chapter 21 (Impounded Vehicles), in order to reflect the requested changes to the vehicle redemption conditions and costs and fees (i.e., towing fees, storage fees, etc.). Paul Bernier, City Attorney, presented the request for a First Reading to Council. Vice Toy offered an approving motion for a First Reading.DIRECTION:APPROVALFIRST READINGREGULAR Councilmember Bahr asked Paul Bernierif we could consider renaming the Livonia Vision 21 Ordinance the Livonia Zoning Ordinance. He asked if this could be included in the Public Hearing on April 3, 2023. Paul Bernier said he doesn’t think it would be a problem and he will check into it. AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION:None For the Regular Meeting of March 13, 2023 SUSAN M. NASH, CITY CLERK NOTICE(S) In accordance with Title II of the American with Disabilities Act as it pertains to access to Public Meetings, the City Clerk’s Office of the City of Livonia, upon adequate notice, will make reasonable accommodations for persons with special needs. Please call (734) 466-2236 or email clerk@livonia.gov if you need assistance. Council agendas are available on the City’s website – www.livonia.gov - under Your Government, City Council, Agendas & Minutes.