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HomeMy WebLinkAboutS110123 MinutesCITY OF LIVONIA – CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 1, 2023 Meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. by Council President Jim Jolly. Present: Brandon McCullough, Kathleen McIntyre, Vice President Toy, Scott Bahr, Rob Donovic,Scott Morgan, andPresident Jim Jolly. Absent: None. Elected and appointed officials present: Susan Nash, City Clerk; Paul Bernier, City Attorney;Eric Goldstein, Assistant City Attorney; Todd Zilincik, City Engineer; Mark Taormina, Planning and Economic Development Director; Doug Moore, Assistant Director of Public Works;and Ted Davis, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation. Councilmember McCullough led the Pledge of Allegiance. There was no audience Communication. NEW BUSINESS SITE PLAN PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2023-09-08-07, submitted by Soave Homes, requesting to develop a site condominium (Baci’s Estates) consisting of five (5) single-family homes on the properties at 36143, 36155 and 36167 Parkdale Avenue, located on the south side of Parkdale Avenue between Arthur Avenue and Levan Road in the Northeast ¼ of Section 32. Mark Taormina, Planning and Economic Development Director, presented the request to Council. Brian Duggan, representative for Soave Homes, was present to answer questions. Vice President Toy asked what roads this is at and if the homes will be brick. She also asked what the square footage and cost of the homes will be and if Mr. Duggan will be listing them. Mr. Duggan indicated it is south of Plymouth on the east side of Levan. They plan to use brick on all four sides to the Beltline. The homes will be 1400 to 1900 square feet and will be somewhere in the $300,000 to $400,000 range. He confirmed that he will be listing the homes. Councilmember Donovic indicated he is in support of this addition to Livonia. President Jolly asked if there will be a Monument Marker for this condominium development. Mr. Taormina indicated there isn’t one shown on the plans. Mr. Duggan said they are notplanningto use a Monument Marker. President Jolly said he feels that monuments look out of place and we should avoid putting them up when we can. Councilmember Bahr asked if a Monument Marker not being a requirement should be included in the resolution. Paul Bernier, City Attorney, said he doesn’t believe we need to include it since it’s not shown on the plans. Councilmember Bahr asked if the homes will be14 feet apart and if this compares to the existing homes across the street. He confirmed the lot sizes across the street were 60 feet and asked if Mr. Duggan was involved with the initial proposal. Mr. Duggan said he believes they are 14 feet. He indicated he was present for the previous proposal in 2017 and believes they were working out the logistics of the storm sewers and the cost at that time. He also indicated it was not approved at that time. Councilmember McCullough asked Mr. Taormina about the zoning and if we have any leverage to ask that the lot sizes conform to the ones across the street instead of being smaller with the homes closer together. Mr. Taormina indicated it’s a standard of compatibility thatcould be put in the ordinance to apply in these situations,but it doesn’t currently exist. Councilmember Bahr said the ordinancedictates a minimum requirement but that doesn’t prohibit the Council from asking for something more. He indicated he remembers Council doing this in the past. Mr. Bernier indicated it has been done previously with the agreement of Council and the developer. Councilmember Bahr asked that this be put on the Regular agenda to further discuss the lot sizes conforming to the existing homes. Mr. Taormina pointed out the distinction between the project that Councilmember Bahr was referring to and this one isthe previousone was developed under the single-family clustering requirements, where there is specific language in the ordinance that requires compatibility wherever a cluster development is immediately adjacent to or abutting an existing single-family subdivision.In that case, the ordinance did require the wider lots adjacent to that existing subdivision and that differs here since it's not a PRD or a cluster development. He indicated this isa conventional development. Councilmember Bahr asked if Law could let Council know if they could specify a wider width based on the way this is zoned. Councilmember Donovic confirmed that zoning here permits 50-foot lots and asked if the next step would be 60-foot lots. Mr. Taormina indicated the next zoning classification is N2 which allows a minimum of 70-foot lots. Councilmember Donovic indicated the zoning requirement is 50-feet and anything above that would be determined by the developer of the site itself. He doesn’t feel it’s appropriate for Council to start increasing size requirements unless they change the zoning classification. Councilmember Morgan asked why there is 33-foot area reduced on the plans and if the landowner could have used that to allow for bigger lot sizes. Mr. Taormina indicated the 33-foot area along the western edge of the property is dedicatedto the public right of way for road purposes. The ordinance would not recognize that portion for development purposes. President Jolly explained the first time they reviewed this site, they got the history of the property. The house to the south was ownedby the same family for about 100 years and they owned the surrounding neighborhood as well. Little by little the area that was once their land became the neighborhood. And he feelsthe streetmay have been there as aprivate access to the property. Mr. Taormina agreed that the land area was part of the property to the south and this property was effectively split in half. It does serve another house or two further to the to the south, butit is basically an easement on those properties. Councilmember Bahr noted that there is not a zoning classification between 50-foot minimum and 70-foot minimum. Vice President Toy offered an approving motion for the Consentagenda, but Councilmember Bahr asked it be put on the Regular agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVINGREGULAR REQUEST TO WAIVE THE FORMAL BIDDING PROCESS AND AWARD OF CONTRACT: Office of the City Clerk, re: to provide an annual Financial Statement Audit, for a period of five years, ending November 30, 2027, from budgeted funds. Michael Slater, Finance Director, presented the request to Council. Stacey Reeves, Plante Moran, was present to answer questions. Vice President Toy, Councilmember McIntyre, and President Jolly complimented Plante Moran on their service to the City of Livonia. Vice President Toy offered an approving motion for the Consent agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVINGCONSENT PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS TO CLASSIFICATIONS AND WAGE INCREASES: Civil Service Department, re: to approve wage rate adjustments and new classifications for part-time Parks and Recreation employees. Jeanine Laible, Human Resource Director, presented the request to Council. President Jolly asked Ms. Laible to outline the new wage structure. Ted Davis, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, explained that several positions are being moved to different levels within the department based on the importance of their overall operations. Also, some classifications were raised 25 to 50 cents per hour. Vice President Toy offered an approving motion for the Consent agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVINGCONSENT REQUEST TO APPROVE BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 2023: Department of Finance re: same. Michael Slater, Finance Director, presented the request to Council. Councilmember McIntyre said she was happy to see the budget item for the Governmental Affairs position has been reallocated. Councilmember Bahr offered an approving motion for the Consent agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVINGCONSENT REQUEST TO APPROVE FIVE-YEAR EXTENSION WITH TYLER TECHNOLOGIES (NEW WORLD): Department of Information Systems, for New World ERP financial management, human resource management and utility management software, from budgeted funds. Michael Slater, Finance Director, presented the request to Council. Councilmember McIntyre asked if Council could getadditional data as to who Tyler Technologies’ clients are and what other companies are in this space. Councilmember Morgan offered an approving motion for the Consent agenda. Councilmember McIntyre asked that this item be put on the Regular agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVINGREGULAR REQUEST TO WAIVE THE FORMAL BIDDING PROCESS AND AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT THROUGH OMNIA PURCHASING GROUP: Department of Parks and Recreation, re: for the renovation of Mies Park playground and play area, from budgeted funds. Ted Davis, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, presented the request to Council. Councilmember McIntyre confirmed that waiving a bid doesn’t mean it is going to a specific company. Vice President Toy offered an approving motion for the Consent agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVINGCONSENT AWARD OF BID: Department of Parks and Recreation, re: for various types of clothing for a two (2) year period, from budgeted funds. Ted Davis, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, presented the request to Council. Councilmember McCullough offered an approving motion for the Consent agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVINGCONSENT REQUEST TO AMEND AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CANTON AND THE CITY OF LIVONIA: Department of Parks and Recreation, re: for reimbursement of day pass use of the Jack E. Kirksey Recreation Center by Summit on the Park members beginning November 1, 2023, until project is completed. Ted Davis, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, presented the request to Council. Councilmember Donovic said he supports this kind of mutual aid. Councilmember McCullough asked how many guests we have had to date and when they expect their pool to open. Mr. Davis said we started this program in August and have had over 1300 visits. They hope to open by the end of this calendar year. Councilmember Donovic offered an approving motion for the Consent agenda. Vice President Toy asked that this item be put on the Regular agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVINGREGULAR REQUEST TO CONSIDER RENAMING CITY PARK SITES: Department of Parks and Recreation, re: in order to recognize the Livonia Lions Club, John T. Dufour, and Ronald Reinke for their contributions to the City of Livonia. Ted Davis, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, presented the request to Council. Paul Bernier, City Attorney, relinquished his position to Eric Goldstein, Assistant City Attorney, at 8:48 p.m. to allow him to speak on this item as a resident. Councilmember Bahr asked if it would make more sense to change Devonaire Park to Dufour Park. Mr. Davis explained the origin of the name Devonaire. Vice President Toy said she appreciates naming Parks after important people in this instance but cautions to be careful due to history. Councilmember McCullough thinks this is a great idea and it will help people learn more about history. Paul Bernier, Livonia resident,gave some history and thinks we often lose sight of people that built this city. He is pleased to have a park named after his uncle, John Dufour. Councilmember McIntyre thanked Paul Bernier for the history given to Council. Councilmember McIntyre offered an approving motion for a First Read of the Ordinance on the Regular agenda. Paul Bernier, City Attorney resumed his seat at 9:01 p.m. DIRECTION: APPROVINGFIRST READREGULAR AWARD OF BID: Public Works Division, re: for supplying the Road Maintenance Section with hot and cold Bituminous Materials for the period of September 1, 2023, through August 31, 2024. Doug Moore, Assistant Director of Public Works, presented the request to Council. Vice President Toy offered an approving motion for the Consent agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVINGCONSENT REQUEST TO APPROVE 2024 ROAD REPAIR PROGRAM: Engineering Division, re: as reviewed by the Citizens Advisory Committee on Roads for the second year of the ten-year paving millage approved by the Livonia residents. Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, presented the request to Council. Councilmember McIntyre thanked Mr. Zilincik, the Road Advisory Committee, and the citizens for their work. Councilmember Donovic offered an approving motion for the Consent agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVINGCONSENT REQUEST TO AMEND THE ENGINEERING CONTRACT THROUGH QUALIFICATION BASED SELECTION (QBS) PROCESS WITH OHM ADVISORS FOR DESIGN ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE 2024 ASPHALT ROAD PROGRAM (CONTRACT 24-A): Engineering Division, re: same (CR 336-21) Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, presented the request to Council. Councilmember Morgan offered an approving motion for the Consent agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVINGCONSENT REQUEST TO AMEND THE ENGINEERING CONTRACT THROUGH THE QUALIFICATION BASED SELECTION (QBS) PROCESS WITH ANDERSON, ECKSTEIN AND WESTRICK, INC. FOR THE 2024 CONCRETE ROAD PROGRAM (CONTRACT 24-C): Engineering Division, re: same (CR 336-21). Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, presented the request to Council. Councilmember McIntyre offered an approving motion for the Consent agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVINGCONSENT REQUEST TO AMEND THE ENGINEERING CONTRACT THROUGH QUALIFICATION BASED SELECTION (QBS) PROCESS WITH ANDERSON, ECKSTEIN AND WESTRICK, INC. (AEW) FOR DESIGN ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE 2024 CONCRETE ROAD MAINTENANCE /SELECTIVE SLAB PROGRAM (CONTRACT 24-J): Engineering Division, re: same (CR 336-21). Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, presented the request to Council. Councilmember Morgan offered an approving motion for the Consent agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVINGCONSENT REQUEST FOR ADDITION TO THE LOCAL STREET SYSTEM FOR THE 2024 ACT 51 COMPUTATIONS: Engineering Division, re: for streets or portions thereof, newly opened in 2023. Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, presented the request to Council. Councilmember Donovic offered an approving motion for the Consent agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVINGCONSENT REQUEST TO PREPARE ORDINANCE LIMITING CITY MAILINGS PRIOR TO ELECTION DAY: Councilmember Scott Bahr, re: in order to avoid the appearance of city resources being used to benefit current elected officials during campaign seasons. Councilmember Bahr presented the request to Council and asked that this item be put into Committee of the Whole. Vice President Toy noted that we do have an Ethics Board that could be used when needed. Councilmember Bahr offered an approving motion for the Consent agenda. DIRECTION:APPROVINGCONSENT There was no audience communication at the end of the meeting. Adjourned at 9:25 p.m. For the Regular Meeting of November 13, 2023.SUSAN M. NASH, CITY CLERK