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Home My WebLink AboutS03202024 Minutes CITY OF LIVONIA – CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD MARCH 20, 2024 Meeting was called to order at 8:29 p.m. by Council President Brandon McCullough. Present: Vice President Martha Ptashnik, Carrie Budzinski, Scott Morgan, Laura Toy, Jim Jolly, and President Brandon McCullough. Absent: Rob Donovic. Elected and appointed officials present: Lori Miller, City Clerk; Paul Bernier, City Attorney; and Todd Zilincik, City Engineer. Vice President Ptashnik led the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Steve King, 33950 Coventry, spoke about the annual report from December of 2023 that was distributed at the State of the City. Robb Drzewicki, Government Affairs Director, reminded everyone of the dance party Anastasia and Katies Coffee Shop & Cafe on 3/21/2024 and asked people to wear their fun and funky socks. NEW BUSINESS REQUEST TO WAIVE THE CITY’S NOISE ORDINANCE: Rev. Dr. Rodrigue Constantin, Saint Rafka Maronite Catholic Church, re: in order to hold a cultural festival with music played by a DJ and live bands at Saint Rafka Maronite Catholic Church located at 32765 Lyndon Street on Friday, August 9, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., Saturday, August 10, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. and Sunday, August 11, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Linda Akouri, Festival Chairperson, presented the request to Council. Councilmember Toy offered an approving motion for the Consent agenda. DIRECTIONAPPROVALCONSENT Councilmember Jolly stepped down at 8:35 p.m. to avoid any potential conflict of interest. REQUEST TO WAIVE THE CITY'S NOISE ORDINANCE: Wafi Barshini, Festival Chairperson, The Basilica of St. Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church, re: in order to host a festival from Thursday, August 15, 2024, through Sunday, August 18, 2024, in the rear parking lot at 18100 Merriman Road. Wafi Barshini, 18100 Nina, presented the request to Council. Vice President Ptashnik asked if they plan on using similar amplification as they have in the past. She also asked if they would have the same band, monitor the decibels, and would be able to make any modifications to the bass. Councilmember Toy and Councilmember Morgan commended them on last year’s festival and their efforts to comply with Council’s requests. President McCullough indicated Council has a letter from a resident regarding the bass. He asked that they really watch the bass, since that is what most complaints are about. Mr. Barshini said they will be using the same band and amplification system. They will have the same company monitor the decibels. He indicated they have made improvements with the bass and will continue to improve. Jill Robinson, 30774 Bobrich Street, commented that she is little more than a quarter mile away from the church. In the last six years the noise level has been out of the roof. It is very disturbing, and she feels something more needs to be done with the decibels and not just the bass. She also suggested times could be changed. Paul Condon, 31115 Hillbrook, said he feels that St. Mary’s did comply with the requests last year and it was appreciated. He feels the bass issue still needs to be addressed and would like to know the hours they will be open. He thinks we do need to support them as a community. Councilmember Budzinski shared the times listed in council packet which are Friday, 8/16/24 from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; Saturday 8/17/24 from 12:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.; Sunday, 8/18/24 from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m;with a soft opening on Friday, 8/15/24 and takedown on 8/19/2024. President McCullough said they will include the festivaltimes and decibel maximums in the request for the approval on the Regular agenda. Mr. Condon said they only went about 5 minutes pastthe 11:59 p.m. closingtime last year. Councilmember Toy offered an approving motion for the Regular agenda. DIRECTIONAPPROVALREGULAR Councilmember Jolly resumed his chair at 8:45 p.m. Councilmember Budzinski stepped down at 8:45 p.m. to avoid any potential conflict of interest. REQUEST FOR DESIGNATION AS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION: Akanebashi Foundation, re: as required by the State of Michigan to obtain a Charitable Gaming License to allow a raffle fundraiser in the future. Stephanie Parker,Akanebashi Foundation Board Member, presented the request to Council. Councilmember Jolly said it is very interesting to see the difference between their schooling and his children’s schooling at Livonia Public Schools. The school brings a different context to the community, and he feels it is an attraction that is appreciated. Councilmember Toy offered an approving motion for the Regular agenda. DIRECTIONAPPROVALREGULAR Coumcilmember Budzinski resumed her chair at 8:49 p.m. REQUEST TO WAIVE THE SIDEWALK REQUIREMENT: Chuck McHenry, 4Clover Realty, re: for the four (4) homes to be constructed at 15235, 15251, 15273 and 15287 Fairlane Avenue. Councilmember Jolly presented the request to Council since the petitioner wasn’t present. Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, asked that the Council be aware of the letter from his department regarding of denial of the request. Councilmember Morgan asked Mr. Zilincik if there are currently sidewalks in the area. Mr. Zilincik said four houses will be built along 5 Mile Road, and then a gap in the sidewalkand then several more pieces of sidewalk. The Engineering goal is to have a walkable and bike-able community and that requiressidewalks for connectivity, Councilmember Morgan asked if there are existing houses there without sidewalks. Mr. Zilincik said there are existing homes without sidewalks and then several homes down there are additional sidewalks thattraverse to Lyndon. Councilmember Morgan asked if we are planning on connecting them or if that would be up to the homeowners. Mr. Zilincik said Council has ability to do special assessments. He indicated it would provide one side of the street where people would have the ability to walk on sidewalks instead of inthe street. Councilmember Jolly asked if there is a site plan for these 4 sites and if they would be standard home sites. Mr. Zilincik said they would be standard home sites. Councilmember Jolly offered an approving motion for the Regular agenda and asked that the petitioner be present at the next Regular meeting. DIRECTIONAPPROVALREGULAR REQUEST TO APPROVE CONTRACT WITH ETNA SUPPLY COMPANY, THE SOLE SOURCE PROVIDER OF SENSUS METERS IN MICHIGAN: Public Works Division, re: for water meters and supplies in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000.00 annually; from budgeted funds. Don Rohraff, Director of Public Works, presented the request to Council. Councilmember Toy offered an approving motion for the Consent agenda. DIRECTIONAPPROVALCONSENT REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE TWO (2) 2024 FORD F150 SUPER CAB XL PICKUP TRUCKS AND TWO (2) 2024 Ford F250 SUPER CAB PICKUP TRUCKS THROUGH THE STATE OF MICHIGAN AND MACOMB COUNTY BID PROCESS: Public Works Division, re: for use by the Water Department, from budgeted funds. Don Rohraff, Director of Public Works, presented the request to Council. Councilmember Jolly asked if there has been any conversation about going back to bi-fuel converters on these trucks. He recalls these discussions early in his career on Council. Mr. Rohraff indicated that they may bring Roush or other companies in to discuss that option in the future, to see if it isworthwhile. Councilmember Budzinski said she would like to see electric, or flex fuel vehicles explored as well. Councilmember Jolly offered an approving motion for the Consent agenda. DIRECTIONAPPROVALCONSENT REQUEST TO WAIVE FORMAL BIDDING PROCESS AND APPROVE THE 2024 ASPHALT ROAD PROGRAM BY EXTENDING CONTRACT 23-UNIT PRICES WITH NAGLE PAVING COMPANY: Engineering Division, re: for Contract 24-A in the amount of $4,233,939.70. (CR 94-23) Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, presented the request to Council. Councilmember Jolly shared his feelings about the project and the scenario. He asked if we could do some sort of marking or device/separation between the newly paved portion and the roadway. Peopleputting their leaves in that area is dangerous for those who try to use the bike and walkway. He would like to see it marked for pedestrians. Mr. Zilincik said it will be marked once the portion from Buchanan to Five Mile is complete. He also mentioned trying to get DPW to make additional runs along Stark and Hubbard roads to do early or extra leaf pick up. Councilmember Toy offered an approving motion for the Regular agenda. DIRECTIONAPPROVALREGULAR REQUEST TO AMEND THE CONTRACT WITH OHM ADVISORS FOR CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE 2024 ASPHALT ROAD PROGRAM (CONTRACT 24-A): Engineering Division, re: for same. (CR 336-21) Todd Zilincik, City Attorney, presented the request to Council. Councilmember Morgan offered an approving motion for the Consent agenda. DIRECTIONAPPROVALCONSENT President McCullough announced that the visitor in the back of the auditorium is attending to study the Council meeting for a class. He invited her to speak with any Councilmembers if she has any questions. There was no audience communication at the end of the meeting. Meeting Adjourned at 9:09 p.m. For the Regular Meeting of April 1, 2024.LORI L. MILLER, CITY CLERK