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HomeMy WebLinkAboutS052223 MinutesCITY OF LIVONIA – CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD MAY 22, 2023 Meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. by Council President Jim Jolly. Present: Scott Bahr, Rob Donovic, Scott Morgan, Brandon McCullough, Vice President Laura Toy, and President Jim Jolly. Absent: Kathleen McIntyre. Elected and appointed officials present: Susan Nash, City Clerk; Paul Bernier, City Attorney; David Lear, Assistant City Engineer; Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic Development; Ted Davis, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation; Casey O’Neil, Information Systems Director; Connie Kumpula, Chief Accountant; Jacob Rushlow, Assistant DPW Director; and Ermon Sims, Interim Housing Director. Councilmember Bahr led the Pledge of Allegiance. AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: Christopher Martin addressed Council regarding Noble Library. President Jolly announced the absence of Kathleen McIntyre who is at the Mayor's Pension Conference. NEW BUSINESS BLOCK PARTY: Ray Franges, re: to be held Saturday, August 19, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., on Brentwood Street between Meadowlark and Jacquelyn Streets, with a rain date of Sunday, August 20, 2023. The petitioner was not present. Councilmember Bahr offered an approving resolution for the Consent agenda. Councilmember Donovicoffered an approving resolution for the Regular agenda.DIRECTION:APPROVEDREGULAR Councilmember Bahr excused himself from the meeting at 8:05 p.m. due to a family commitment. REQUEST TO AMEND THE PREVIOUSLY ESTABLISHED COMMERCIAL REHABILITATION DISTRICT NO. 4: Paul F. Bohn, Fausone Bohn, LLP, on behalf of Schoolcraft Lodge, Inc., re: for a three-year extension for the redevelopment of property located at 31501 Schoolcraft Road, in the Northeast ¼ of Section 27. (CR 306-19) President Jolly relinquished the gavel to Vice President Toy at 8:05 p.m. to avoid any appearance of impropriety. Brandon Grysko of Fausone Bohn presented the request to Council. Councilmember Donovic asked when they intend to start the project. BrandonGrysko indicated they lost three years due to the pandemic and are asking for three additional years to offset that. He said they are getting their building permit package together and plan to start as soon as possible. Councilmember Donovic explained he would like to see this old building taken down and get the work started as soon as possible. BrandonGryskosaid the same clients have the Holiday Inn Express at 96 and Inkster, which has been very successful. It was previously North American Photo and was vacant for several years before they rehabilitated it. He also mentioned that they have a good relationship with the Livonia Police Department and the cameras on their buildings are frequently used in traffic crash investigations. Councilmember McCullough asked if they intend to break ground this year. Brandon Grysko indicated the finance situation has been challenging with the banks,but the rezoning and site planning was recently approved and this is another step in the right directionHe said Councilmembers are welcome to contact him with any questions they may have. Councilmember Donovic asked Mark Taormina if the Commerical Rehabilitation Exemption Certificate would have gone up since 2018. Mark indicated it freezes the taxable value of a portion of the property and it will remain frozen throughout the duration of the certificate, in this case, if it's extended, he believes would be 2030. The other taxable values will continue to increase with the land value.At the expiration of the certificate, it would go back to taxes being paid on the full value of the property at that time. Vice President Toy asked if there have been many commercial rehabs given out. Mark indicated there have been five districts established and five projects. He said we’re just now nearing the end of our first Commercial Rehabilitation Certificate, and that was the former Frank's Nursery at Levan and Five Mile. Another district established was the hotel on Victor Parkway. He said the petitioner cannot come back and ask for more time in the end as it there is a 10 year maximum and they were initially given 7 years. Councilmember McCullough offered an approving resolution for the Regular agenda. President Jolly resumed the chair at 8:14 p.m. DIRECTION:APPROVEDREGULAR WAIVER PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2023-04-02-03 submitted by Wade Shows, Inc. requesting waiver use approval to conduct a carnival in the parking lot of the former Sears, sponsored by the Livonia AM Rotary Club, consisting of amusement rides, games, and food concessions from July 13, 2023, through July 23, 2023, on the property at 29500 Seven Mile Road, located on the northwest corner of Seven Mile and Middlebelt Roads in the Southeast ¼ of Section 2. Joanna Hardestyof Wade Shows and Pat Zucal of Livonia AM Rotary Club presented the request to Council. Councilmember Toy offered an approving resolution for the Consent agenda. Councilmember McCullough asked who determines what games will be at the carnival. Joanna indicated the owner, Frank, makes that decision. President Jolly asked where the concession rides are kept between the Spree and when they arrive at Sears. Joanna indicated she isn’t sure. Councilmember Morgan asked if Reserve Officers are used or if they hire their own security. Joanna said they do both. Livonia Police Department schedules Reserve Officers and they have a security company they work closely with that knows the midway areas well and it usually keep them event free. DIRECTION:APPROVEDCONSENT SITE PLAN PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2023-04-08-04 submitted by Haidous Brothers Livonia L.L.C., on behalf of Dairy Queen, requesting approval to redevelop the site, including reconfiguring the parking lot and drive-thru facilities, add an outdoor patio area and remodel the interior and exterior of the restaurant (former Steak N Shake) at 17200 Middlebelt Road, located on the east side of Middlebelt Road, north of Six Mile Road, in the Southwest ¼ of Section 12. Alex Haidous and Sam Haidous, owners, were present to answer questions. Mark Taormina, Planning and Economic Development Director, presented the request to Council. Vice President Toy asked how this Dairy Queen will differ from the one on Plymouth and Farmington Roads and what the menu will look like. Alex said this one will be a bigger and will have the best menu that Dairy Queen offers including full food selections from burgers, chicken strips, salads, fries, onion rings, cheese curds, fish sandwiches and seasonal popcorn shrimp. Councilmember Donovic thanked them and asked about the entrance. Alex indicated there will be a two-way entrance. Councilmember McCullough thanked them and asked about the renderings. Alex indicated they will be painting the current brick and it must match the renderings required by Corporate. Councilmember Donovic asked Mark Taormina if we can dictate colors in the site plan process. Mark said there is greater flexibility and discretion with waiver petitions. Councilmember Toy offered an approving resolution for the Consent agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVEDCONSENT REAPPOINTMENT OF PAT CRANDELL TO THE LIVONIA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORP: Office of the Mayor, re: for a three-year term, which will expire on June 7, 2026. Mark Taormina, Planning and Economic Development Director, presented the request to Council. Councilmember Toy offered an approving resolution for the Consent agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVEDCONSENT REAPPOINTMENT OF SAM CARAMAGNO TO THE LIVONIA PLANNING COMMISSION: Office of the Mayor, re: for a three-year term, which will expire on June 9, 2026. Mark Taormina, Planning and Economic Development Director, presented the request to Council. Councilmember Toy offered an approving resolution for the Consent agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVEDCONSENT REAPPOINTMENT OF GLEN LONG TO THE LIVONIA PLANNING COMMISSION: Office of the Mayor, re: for a three-year term, which will expire June 9, 2026. Mark Taormina, Planning and Economic Development Director, presented the request to Council. Councilmember McCullough offered an approving resolution for the Consent agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVEDCONSENT REAPPOINTMENT OF PETER VENTURA TO THE LIVONIA PLANNING COMMISSION: Office of the Mayor, re: for a three-year term, which will expire on June 9, 2026. Mark Taormina, Planning and Economic Development Director, presented the request to Council. Vice President offered an approving resolution for the Consent agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVEDCONSENT REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF THE 2023 CDBG ANNUAL ACTION PLAN, 2023-2024 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) ANNUAL PLAN AND BUDGET, AND REQUEST TO APPROVE HOLD HARMLESS CONTRACTS BETWEEN THE CITY OF LIVONIA AND FIRST STEP, FAIR HOUSING CENTER OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT, WAYNE METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY, CRUZ CLINIC, HEGIRA PROGRAMS, INC., STONEBROOK COUNSELING ASSOCIATES, PLCC, AND THE COLLABORATIVE HEALTH CENTER: Livonia Housing Commission, re: in connection with the operation of a domestic violence victim assistance program; for the purpose of providing fair housing; and for the mental health counseling program provided for through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs for the 2023-2024 program year. Ermon Sims and Madison Bjertness, Housing Department, presented the request to Council. Councilmember Donovic asked why senior transportation went from $35,000.00 to $25,000.00 in the budget. Ermon indicated it is to supplement the drivers. They hadn’t spent the $46,000 in previous budgets so it was lowered. They are currently going to PRC to raise the wages and hope to do a budget amendment. Vice President Toy offered an approving resolution for the Consent agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVEDCONSENT REQUEST TO PURCHASE DUO MULTIFACTOR AUTHENTICATION SECURITY WITH CONTRACT PRICING: Department of Information Systems, re: with People Driven Technology, from budgeted funds. Casey O’Neil, Information Systems Director, presented the request to Council. Councilmember McCullough offered an approving resolution for the Consent agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVEDCONSENT REQUEST TO RENEW SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT WITH SOLE SOURCE PROVIDER: Department of Information Systems, re: with ESRI, Inc., for the City's Geographic Information System (GIS) for a period of one year, from budgeted funds. Casey Oneil, Information Systems Director, presented the request to Council. Councilmember Morgan offered an approving resolution for the Consent agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVEDCONSENT REQUEST TO ADJUST WATER AND SEWER CONSUMPTION RATES, INDUSTRIAL SURCHARGE RATE AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE CONTROL CHARGE: Public Works Division, re: to become effective on July 1, 2023. Connie Kumpula, Chief Accountant, presented the request to Council. Vice President Toy asked when the last time Livonia had no increase in water rates occurred and indicated she hopes to see a year without an increase while she is on Council. Connie said it’s been a while, but we are in an environment of rising costs and inflation. President Jolly explained capital expenditures and that we are directly responsible for maintaining the water system as it lies here in the City of Livonia. This cost is not just for the water that we are physically receiving, but it's the whole system that transports the water as well. This includes the pipes and infrastructure and the cost to maintain it. He also verified with Connie that we are looking into building a water tower in Livonia. Jacob Rushlow, Assistant Director of Public Works, explained that we are exploring the option of constructing a water tower in the City of Livonia. It would be an asset to own and maintain it as a part of our public water distribution system. That process is currently going through two stages. One is preliminary design work and coordination with the Great Lakes Water Authority to assure they can provide the water needed to draw and fill the tank. The communities of Northville Plymouth, and Farmington Hillsalready have systemsthat would connect to the same line we'd be drawing from, and we need make sure we're not over taxing that system at the same time. We are in those design stages, and we should know more in the coming months. President Jolly said we pay different amounts for the water depending on when we receive it. A water tower is effective because it could be filled duringoff-peak hours where the water will cost less,and savings can be passed on to the Livonia residents. Jacob indicated the two factors determining our rate from Great Lakes Water Authority are the maximum day number and the peak hour number. The maximum day number is the maximum amount of water drawn into Livonia on a chosen day of the year when it's hot and dry, typically in July. The second is the peak hour, which is usuallyabout 6:00 p.m. in our community.A water tower would shave that peak hour demand by supplementing the draw of water from the tower, which would help reduce consumption from the delivery system and lower the cost. Councilmember McCullough said he is part of the Owner’sRep Team in Northville and they have a $6,000,000 water tower. They estimate a return on investment in four to five years. He thinks this would be a great addition to Livonia and a lot of people in the city would support it. Councilmember Donovic asked if Jacob could explain how the Western Wayne Counties are currently paying for Highland Park’s share of water to Great Lakes Water Authority. Jacob stated Great Lakes Water Authority has assured us we are not paying a dime toward any costs that are owed to the system by the Highland Park. Councilmember Donovicasked about capital outlay projects and asked for an update on the Englewood project and if that is factoring into this year's increase. He also asked if they expect any more increases this year. Jacob indicated the Edgewood Pump Station project is ongoing and has been on hold due to DTE’s inability to service the site and finish the connections over the last year. The areadditional costs associated with abandoning the old sewer and finishing all the restoration on Edgewood Street.We had a 20-year CIP approved in 2019. We're currently going into year five next year and are putting together aconcrete plan for the most important projects. There are about $15,000,000 in water and sewer projects currently planned for next year. Councilmember Donovic thanked DPW and Accounting for doing a good job in maintaining our water system. President Jolly said the fact that we have been waiting on DTE for a year on a $5,000,000 project deserves more explanation. Jacob indicated DTE has had challenges such as the ice storm on February 24, 2023 followed bya snowstorm. Our transformer has been installed but we are waiting for their meter team to do the service connection. President Jolly verified that there is currently no scheduled date for connection. He said he hopes that we are using all avenues available to us to get this work done. Councilmember McCullough offered an approving resolution for the Consent agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVEDCONSENT REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE TWO (2) DUMP TRUCKS THROUGH THE ROCHESTER HILLS CO-OP AWARD AGREEMENT: Public Works Division, re: for use by the Roads Department, from budgeted funds. Jacob Rushlow, Assistant Director of Public Works, presented the request to Council. President Jolly asked if they will be replacing vehicles that have met their life expentency. Jacob said they will be replacementvehicles and the current vehicles will be sold at auction but is unsure of the value. The new vehicles will be 2025 vehicles. Councilmember Morgan verified that the City doesn’t pay for them until they are received. Christopher Martin, resident, asked if there is a covering device on the back of the trucks. He said he has seen our city dump trucks without the tops covering sand, gravel, and brush. He asked who oversaw this and is not in favor until it is resolved. Councilmember Morgan offered an approving resolution for the Consent agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVEDCONSENT AWARD OF CONTRACT: Department of Public Works, re: for all labor, materials, and equipment to complete the 2023 roof replacement projects in an amount not to exceed $681,853.00, from budgeted funds. Jacob Rushlow, Assistant Director of DPW, presented the request to Council. President Jolly asked what portion of the money is dedicated to the Senior Center. Jacob indicated it is a small repair and patch due to a low section that needs to be covered and it will be $53,135. That was planned and in the 2021 budget. Councilmember Donovic asked who contacts references when bids are taken. Jacob indicated the HRC architects checked references and warranties on this project. Councilmember McCullough asked if there is any way to patch it and get by for the next three or four years. Jacob stated it would be a gamble as to whether or not we could make it last. Councilmember Morgan offered an approving resolution for the Consent agenda. Councilmember McCullough offered an approving resolution for the Regular agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVEDREGULAR AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None *The start time of the Study Meeting may be delayed if the 7:00 PM Regular Meeting has not yet adjourned. NOTICE(S) In accordance with Title II of the American with Disabilities Act as it pertains to access to Public Meetings, the City of Livonia Clerk’s Office, upon adequate notice, will make reasonable accommodations for persons with special needs. Please call 734-466-2236 or email clerk@livonia.govfor assistance. Council agendas are available on the City’s website, www.livonia.gov(Your Government, City Council, Agendas & Minutes). For the Regular Meeting of May 22, 2023SUSAN M. NASH, CITY CLERK