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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL STUDY - 2010-02-17 CITY OF LIVONIA— CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 17, 2010 Meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. Present: John Pastor, Brian Meakin, Maureen Miller Brosnan and James McCann. Absent: Terry Godfroid-Marecki, Joe Laura and Laura Toy. Elected and appointed officials present: Mayor Jack Kirksey; Cathryn White, Chief Assistant City Attorney; Todd Zilincik, City Engineer; Mark Taormina, City Planner; Paul St. Henry, Superintendent of Public Service (Operations); and Jim Inglis, Housing Director. President McCann announced there is new data on Item #8. Council President McCann announced a Public Hearing for the following items to be held on Monday, March 8, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium of Livonia City Hall, 33000 Civic Center Drive, Livonia, Michigan: Petition 2009-11-01-02 submitted by McLaren Performance Technologies requesting to rezone a portion of the property located on the south side of Eight Mile Road, between Parker Avenue and Hubbard Road (32233 Eight Mile Road), in the Northeast '/4 of Section 3 from R-3 to P (One Family Residential — 80' x 120' Lots to Parking). Petition 2009-11-01-03 submitted by Kucyk, Soave and Fernandes, P.L.L.C. requesting to rezone property located on the west side of Henry Ruff Road, between Schoolcraft Road and Lyndon Avenue (14401 Henry Ruff), in the Southwest '/4 of Section 23 from RUF to R-3 (Rural Urban Farm - '/2 Acre Lots to One Family Residential — 80' x 120' Lots). AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: Eileen McDonald, Chairperson of the Livonia Chapter of the Optimist International Club, said the club is looking to recruit new members. Their next meeting is Tuesday, February 23, 20107 7:30 a.m. at the Senate Coney Island located at 34359 Plymouth Road, Livonia. Their club meets every 2nd and 4t" Tuesday of the month. They would like to invite members of the community to attend. They are still working on getting a website. Any inquiries can be sent to their e-mail address livoniaoptimistclub(a)-live.com. People can also visit the club's Michigan Chapter website at www.michiganoptimist.org and their national website at www.optimist.org . Diane Washington a teacher at ITT Tech said she teaches classes on State and Local Government. She brought her class here tonight to observe and learn how local government works. 2 NEW BUSINESS 1. APPLICATION FOR MASSAGE THERAPIST PERMIT: Office of the City Clerk, re: submitted by Liping Meldrum in accordance with Chapter 5.49 of the Livonia Code of Ordinances, as amended. Liping Meldrum and Ron Meldrum, 23291 Crystal, Clinton Township were present to answer any questions. Meakin offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 2. APPLICATION FOR MASSAGE APPRENTICE PERMIT: Office of the City Clerk, re: submitted by Ke Zhang Tang in accordance with Chapter 5.49 of the Livonia Code of Ordinances, as amended. Ke Zhang Tang and his sister from Macomb Township were present to answer any questions. Meakin offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 3. APPLICATION FOR MASSAGE THERAPIST PERMIT: Office of the City Clerk, re: submitted by Catina Jariett in accordance with Chapter 5.49 of the Livonia Code of Ordinances, as amended. Catina Jariett, 21513 St. Francis, Farmington Hills was present to answer any questions. Brosnan offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 4. REAPPOINTMENT OF JAMES R. MCCANN TO THE LIVONIA BOARD OF ETHICS: Office of the Mayor, re: for a three-year term, which shall expire on March 1, 2013. Mayor Kirksey said this is a reappointment of one of the original board members. He said all of the individuals serving on the board are the original members that were appointed some years ago. They have done a fine job and he commends the members of the board. He is recommending to Council the reappointment of James R. McCann to the Livonia Board of Ethics. 3 Pastor offered the approving resolution on the Regular Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR 5. REAPPOINTMENT OF RICHARD W. MCDOWELL TO THE LIVONIA BOARD OF ETHICS: Office of the Mayor, re: for a three-year term, which shall expire on March 1, 2013. Mayor Kirksey said Richard McDowell has served as Chairperson of the Board of Ethics and prior to taking that position he was President of Schoolcraft College. Mr. McDowell comes well prepared with good experience and credentials. The Mayor is recommending to Council the reappointment of Richard W. McDowell to the Livonia Board of Ethics. Christopher Martin, 12275 Inkster, asked Council President McCann to spend a few minutes and explain the duties and responsibilities of the members of the Board of Ethics. He inquired exactly what does the Board of Ethics look into, as far as ethics. Cathryn White, Chief Assistant City Attorney, responded saying basically anytime anybody has a concern about somebody having a conflict of interest or some kind of ethical consideration that they would like to bring to an independent board, they would bring it to the Ethics Board. She said there is an Ordinance in Livonia that gives the details of the duties of the members of the Board of Ethics and that can be viewed on the City's website. President McCann pointed out that this is not an enforcing body; they make recommendations. He said they do not have authority over employees or elected officials. It is an advisory board and the nice thing about this board is that they are all community volunteers and activists. Mayor Kirksey said elected officials and people working for the City that are in decision making roles are asked to declare any conflicts of interests that they have on an annual basis. These forms are reviewed by the Board of Ethics. Barbara Scherr is the ongoing legal advisor for the City's Law Department. Those are reviewed and if there are any potential conflicts of interest the person with the potential conflict has an opportunity to have an interview with the Board of Ethics to determine if there is a problem. This is the process and then there are other things that come up on occasion and the Board of Ethics reviews them. Pastor offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 4 6. REQUEST FOR INFORMAL APPROVAL OF PROPOSED PROGRAM AND TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR THE 2010-2011 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM: Livonia Housing Commission, re. so that a second public hearing can be held on this matter, after which time a final program and budget will be forwarded to Council for formal adoption. Jim Inglis, Housing Director said Council has been provided a copy of the proposed budget for the 2010-2011 Community Development Block Grant Program. He said the City has yet to receive from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development our actual allocation amount but Congress has approved the Community Development Budget for the next fiscal year. He said he is anticipating an increase of approximately 7% in federal funds. The allocation the City is anticipating receiving from the federal government for the activities outlined in the budget and program is $400,000. He said they also anticipate receiving program income from the return of loans that have been issued through the Housing Rehabilitation Program to homeowners in our community. The budget before Council is in the amount of $525,000. They have a process by which they conduct a public hearing, then come to the City Council and obtain a formal approval, go out and conduct a second public hearing for citizen comment and then come back to the City Council for final review by this body. He said they did conduct a public hearing on February 4, 2010 and there were no adverse comments. They are seeking a formal approval from Council after which they will proceed with holding a second public hearing. Brosnan said in looking at last year's budget there was nothing allocated for Neighborhood Revitalization and Initiative, yet this year there is $50,000. She asked Mr. Inglis if there was a specific program he was envisioning. He replied yes. He said in the last fiscal year the Capital Improvements Committee asked the Housing Department to consider taking a look at Section1 in our community. Specifically looking at some of the vacant and abandoned buildings in the Grand River and 8 Mile area, and all along the Inkster and 7 Mile and Middlebelt corridor and take a look at what the City can possibly do to improve the commercial businesses in that area and also look at the residential structures as well so we can give them some special attention. This was an item that was kept in the budget and this year they'd like to fund that activity so they can possibly do a consulting study or survey to actually come back to the Council with some concrete ideas of some the activities they can undertake up in Section 1. Brosnan inquired about the difference in amount budgeted for acquiring tax reverted property which has $40,000 budgeted for this year as opposed to the $76,000 budgeted last year. Mr. Inglis responded saying the reason was due to their Neighborhood Stabilization Program which is federally funded and they are using that grant to acquire a lot of the FHA Fannie Mae foreclosed properties so they have another financial resource right now and thought they would give a little bit of a budget relief to the Community Development Program. Brosnan asked Mr. Inglis if those were the two biggest changes this year with regard to this year's budget compared to last year's budget for Community Development. 5 He said yes, but in addition to them, in Section 5 under public services they are increasing their public services to non-profit corporations from $71,000 to $78,000 which provides service to programs such as First Step and Utility Shut- off Assistance. He said there is also another one they added, there is $10,000 allocated under Economic Development Initiative which is for the Fast Forward Main Street Project. He said that's an initiative that is gaining strength and getting attraction. This is program in which small businesses within the community, up to 30 of them, will be identified and given coaching assistance to help make them more financially viable in the future. Meakin offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 7. AWARD OF BID: Water and Sewer Board, re: for water service parts and fittings for the City's 2010 calendar year requirements. Paul St. Henry, Superintendent for Public Services said they took the bid before the Water and Sewer Board. He said this is for water service parts and fitting used when attaching water lines to water mains. Pastor offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 8. RECOMMENDATION TO CHANGE SERVICE PROVIDER FROM WAYNE COUNTY TO HYDRO DESIGNS, INC.: Water and Sewer Board, re: for existing Cross Connection Control Program to protect the public drinking water supply from contamination. President McCann said a new letter from Todd Zilincik, City Engineer was received on this item and he would receive and file the letter if there were no objections. Todd Zilincik, City Engineer said this is an effort to save the City some money. He gave a little history on the subject stating back in 1980 the City of Livonia along with 20 other communities signed a contract with the Wayne County Health Department to provide inspections for cross contamination to provide a safe drinking supply for the City of Livonia. They took their recommendation to the Water and Sewer Board on February 1, 2010. He said Wayne County failed to provide a cost proposal to the City and they have elected to proceed forward with Hydro Designs, Inc. and are seeking Council approval based on the recommendation of the Water and Sewer Board. The expended funds have been budgeted in the water and sewer account. 6 Brosnan asked Zilincik about the providers available that provide this service. Zilincik responded by indicating he had representatives from Hydro Designs here in the audience to answer any technical questions. He said in addition to Hydro Designs there is another company called Backflow Solutions that is based out of Illinois. In doing some reference checks on Backflow Solutions they had three (3) references here in Michigan. Those references were the City of Lansing which is about the same size as Livonia, the City of Mt. Clemens which is about 17,000 residents and encompasses about 4.2 square miles and also the City of St. Clair which is about 5,000 residents and encompasses about 3.4 square miles. Backflow Solutions is a young firm, doing business for about 10 years and their presence in Michigan is not well known; most of their work is based out of Illinois. Hydro Designs has done work for several local municipalities specifically Canton, Northville Township, Garden City and Plymouth. They have been around for 17 years and have a well presence in Michigan. He is recommending the City utilize Hydro Designs for this program. Brosnan offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 9. AWARD OF BID: Public Service Division, re: for emergency power and generator transfer switches. Paul St. Henry, Superintendent of Public Services said they went out for bid for the emergency power and generator transfer switches. He said these are the components that determine what will be powered inside different buildings when the power is hooked up to a generator. They went with an outside consultant to do the designing and actually bid it. They are also included in their recommendation as far as the observation of the actual work if it is indeed approved. They received six (6) bids and after they broke them down into three (3) different categories it was determined that one (1) company was the low bidder for both the Recreation Center and the Fleet Maintenance Facility and another company was the low bidder for the Water and Sewer Building. Two (2) of these, the Water and Sewer Building and the Fleet Maintenance Facility, would be coming out of the Water and Sewer Fund. They were taken to the Water and Sewer Board at their last meeting and they concurred with their recommendations. The third one at the Recreation Center would be coming out of Recreation Funds and all those funds have been budgeted. Pastor asked St. Henry why it was necessary for them to observe the work when the City has in-house staff. He said they were not comfortable with the level of knowledge with their in-house staff with regard to this work nor do they feel they would have the adequate time to observe the actual work. They feel it is a pretty good bargain for the price. 7 Brosnan said to follow-up to Pastor's concern, this is the area she had trouble with, not with the bidders but with the oversight of the work. She asked St. Henry what qualifies JFR, as an architectural firm, to then oversee the project itself. St. Henry responded by indicating Mr. Renault who is part of JFR Architectural Firm, designed the project himself. He said Mr. Renault will go out to the different sources he has and they will provide him with the design specifications. Once that is established, then he comes in and observes the actual operation. If there are any questions and our staff can answer, they answer. If there are questions and he has to get professional help on, he would do that. They have utilized him in a couple of other projects and are fairly comfortable with his ability at being able to make sure the paperwork is processed before we make payments. Brosnan offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 10. REQUEST TO ADOPT UPDATED PERFORMANCE RESOLUTION: Public Service Division, re: as requested by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) as verification that a governmental body will fulfill permit requirements for work performed on State highways. Paul St. Henry, Superintendent of Public Services said this is an annual housekeeping item. It's a permit that they have to file with the State of Michigan in order to do any work, whether it is an emergency or a final restoration on State trunk lines which the City would have, primarily Plymouth Road. Brosnan offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 11. REQUEST TO LOCATE A PORTABLE BATCH PLANT ON CITY PROPERTY LOCATED ON GLENDALE STREET: Public Service Division, re: requested by Florence Cement Company for the purpose of producing concrete for MDOT, Contract No. 82457-106884, for the reconstruction of Schoolcraft Road from over 1-96 to Scone Court for approximately four (4) months with conditions. Paul St. Henry, Superintendent of Public Service said Florence has come to them before, they came last year. Since they had another project with the City of Livonia they approached them this year about establishing a batch plant over on the Glendale property and it affords us to be able to assist with a project that is within the City, as well as earn a little bit of money for the rental of the Glendale property. He said they haven't had any issues with clean and recalled a time when they actually donated materials to the City. Brosnan asked St. Henry about the dust containment for the location. He responded saying it would primarily be contained utilizing a water source. 8 Anthony Seratti, Florence Cement Company, 34046 Northwick, Farmington Hills, said any dust they create will be watered down. Pastor offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 12. REQUEST TO EXTEND CONTRACT WITH R. S. CONTRACTING INC.: Engineering Division, re: for the 2010 Lane Line Marking Program — Contract 10- H at the unit prices from 2009. (CR 126-09) Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, said this was a request to extending to 2009 unit prices by R.S. Contracting for 2010 to provide bright lane line markings and turn legends. He said over the last couple of years they spent approximately $100,000 in proving our network through the lane line markings and legends. This is a formal request to hold our unit prices. He said there are basically two (2) vendors in town, R.S. Contracting and P.K. Contracting. P.K. Contracting is a big contractor and normally doesn't bid on this type of work but you see them a lot in the communities and on the highways. They are asking for Council approval to award a contract in the amount of $105,000 to help keep up the major streets throughout the City utilizing budgeted funds. Meakin asked Zilincik if the City went out to bid in 2009. He replied yes, but only one (1) person picked it up two (2) days before the bid was due and filled it out. He said there are smaller venues out there but the two (2) big companies are R.S. Contracting and P.K. Contracting. Meakin offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 13. REQUEST TO APPROVE PROPOSED 2010 SIDEWALK REPAIR PROGRAM: Engineering Division, re: which includes a target area in Section 34, as well as a number of scattered locations throughout the City. (CR 784-82) Todd Zilincik, City Engineer said this is a formality for their 2010 Sidewalk Repair Program. They are seeking Council approval to allow them to notify residents that work will be done in their area. The target area is Section 34 in the state streets which are north of Joy between Farmington and Merriman and south of West Chicago. In addition, there a numerous scattered locations throughout the City that people have called in previously. They'll start in Section 1 and work their way down to Section 36. 9 Brosnan asked Zilincik how this compares to what has been done in the past, in terms of the size of the program. He said last year they did approximately $605,000 worth of sidewalk repairs. Typically, once the contractor is in the area doing the work some of the residents request additional work. They are usually always in alignment with their estimated cost. Pastor asked if when the City goes out for bid are they going to try to get the same prices for the residents if the residents so choose to do the extra work. Zilincik responded by saying they could go with unit prices from last year or they could go out for bids. They anticipate about the same amount of work as last year. They are still gathering some of the final information before they make a determination. He said typically they'll hold their prices but each driveway is different, so it all depends. President McCann said when they were doing work on his street they walked up and down. He said approximately 7 out of 20 houses got new driveways and other people got extra work done, like porches. They just quoted each one. He said they discussed this last year and recalls there were some issues form the Law Department regarding trying to contract for the residents. Meakin pointed out that the City is not paying for this extra work and that it's the responsibility of the residents. The City may possibly be able help them with pricing but the City is not paying for any additional concrete repairs. Pastor offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 14. REQUEST FOR ADDITION TO THE LOCAL STREET SYSTEM FOR ACT 51 COMPUTATIONS: Engineering Division, re: for streets, or portions thereof, newly opened during 2009. Todd Zilincik, City Engineer said this is a result of their road network. They're looking to add approximately 1,000 lineal feet of road for Hunter's Park Court at the end of the year 2009. Basically, as a formality they are required by the State of Michigan by April 6t" to go ahead and add this portion to the road network in order to gain funding from Act 51 funds. They are asking for a Council Resolution, prepared by the Law Department to go ahead and add this portion and then submit it to the State of Michigan to add it to the road network. Brosnan offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 10 15. REQUEST TO APPROVE LANDSCAPE PLAN: Planning Commission, re: in connection with Site Plan Petition 2005-03-08-05 submitted by EDCO Real Estate Ventures, L.L.C., to construct an addition and renovate the exterior of the service station on property located on the southwest corner of Wayne Road and Ann Arbor Trail (34901 Ann Arbor Trail), in the Southwest '/4 of Section 33, which previously received City Council approval on September 9, 2009, pursuant to Council Resolution 385-09. Mark Taormina, City Planner said this property is located at the corner of Ann Arbor Trail and Wayne Road. This is a call back item it involves approval of the landscape plan. It was approved by the Planning Commission on January 26, 2010 with slight modifications with some additional trees to be planted adjacent to the rights of way. The owner is here this evening. They are nearing completion of the new gas station facility. They're scheduled to open, hopefully next week, of course the landscaping will not be completed by that date and there will be a requirement by the Inspection Department as a condition of issuing the temporary Certificate of Occupancy that a bond be posted. The landscaping plan is complete with those minor exceptions of the trees. He'll be adding landscaping to the site to bring it up to the minimum fifteen percent (15%). There is also the requirement for a fully irrigated system to be installed as well as new sod in any areas that are disturbed. Tahrik Alcodray, 330 River Lane, Dearborn, MI, 48124 was present. He said when the weather breaks they will begin the landscaping and will complete it according to the plan. Brosnan asked through the Chair to Taormina if the trees would comply with the recommendations of the Tree City Committee. Taormina responded by stating he had this discussion with Mr. Alcodray and said he has agreed to three (3) medium sized deciduous trees to be added. Taormina said they are going to assess the area come spring. There were some existing trees on the site that were scheduled to be removed. They're going to take a look at those prior to him doing the work to see which ones can be saved. Those that can be saved, they'll work around but if they have to be removed they'll be looking at something a little more substantial going on the corners of the site, medium size deciduous. Meakin offered the approving resolution on the Regular Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR 16. WAIVER PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2009-12-02-18 submitted by Walgreen Company requesting approval to utilize an SDM license (sale of packaged beer and wine) on property located on the west side of Newburgh Road, between Mallory Drive and Six Mile Road (17001 Newburgh Road), in the Northeast '/4 of Section 18. 11 Marcus Jones, 4495 Northberry Ct. S.E., Kentwood, MI, was present on behalf of Walgreen Company. He said they are requesting an SDM license to sell packaged beer and wine simply in response to their customers' requests. He said they are not looking for liquor store status. They would be selling 6-packs and 12- packs; no single serves and no drive thru sales. It would not change the nature of their store; they would be just adding a product line. Taormina said this would require a waiver because there is a requirement for a separate resolution that would modify the requirement to have this store within 500 feet of another existing SDM license business which is the Rite Aid across the street. Meakin offered the approving resolution on the Regular Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR 17. WAIVER PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2009-12-02-21 submitted by Leidal & Hart Mason Contractors requesting approval to operate a contractors yard in an M-1 district on property located on the east side of Globe Road, between Plymouth Road and Amrhein Road (12100 Globe), in the Southwest '/4 of Section 29. Mark Taormina, City Planner said this property is zoned M-1 and all of the surrounding properties are similarly zoned. The site is just less than five (5) acres in area and includes 270 feet of frontage on Globe and has a depth of 700 feet. The request is to operate a contractor's storage yard. Under the provisions of pertaining to waiver uses, this section does allow for the approval under the special requirements for special trade contractors where the equipment and vehicles and materials can not be wholly contained within a building. The petitioner would be moving his operation from Schoolcraft Road. They are a long- time Livonia business here in Livonia. They are planning on staying in Livonia, they would be moving to this facility; it has a 23,000 square foot building on the westerly side of the site. They would occupy the majority of that building. They would like to utilize a significant portion of the rear yard as their contractor's storage lot that area is about 69,000 total square feet in size. It is fully fenced and it backs up to an easement on the easterly boundary. There would be gated access going into and out of the facility. It is gravel; they would like to keep it gravel. This was an issue that was reviewed by the Planning Commission. A plan was submitted by the Petitioner indicating they would periodically apply a calcium chloride solution to the area in order to keep the dust level down. One stipulation he will mention this evening is there is a special requirement of the Ordinance that all stockpiled material be kept to a height of 8 feet or less as measured from the ground surface; that can be waived or modified by Council Resolution. Planning Commission is recommending approval of this Petition. 12 Pastor asked the Petitioner if 8 feet was too low for the stockpiling of their materials. Brad Leidal, representing Leidal and Hart Mason Contractors, 32225 Schoolcraft replied that they would like to have around 10 to 12 feet. Meakin wanted to recognize Mr. Leidal, he said they were the mason contractors that did the new Courthouse. He said they did an outstanding job and he recalled an anniversary celebration last year for their company. Mr. Leidal responded saying this May they will be celebrating their 53rd Anniversary as well as their 53rd Anniversary as a corporate citizen of Livonia. Pastor offered the approving resolution with 12 feet on the height limitation, on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 18. REQUEST FOR REFERRAL TO A COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Councilmember Maureen Miller Brosnan, re: to discuss the future use of the former 16th District Court Building. Brosnan said after receiving many inquiries from the public she feels that now is a good time to assign this subject to an appropriate committee for discussion. She said the Capital Improvement Committee is the one she is going to suggest this evening. As the date of the grand opening of the new Courthouse nears she anticipates we'll hear from more residents. She said she as a Councilmember is not interested in sinking a lot of money in rejuvenating or reinventing the building, especially due to the current economy. However, she does feel that now is the time to talk about plans for the future because this economy is not going to stay the way it is right now and at the moment which we find that we have grant money to move ahead or the City finds itself in a little bit better financial position she wants to make sure that the City is ready to take advantage of that. She hopes the rest of the Councilmembers will agree that this item is worthy of that kind of discussion and exploration and continued thought. She feels by putting in a Committee they give themselves an opportunity to engage in that discussion quickly. Meakin wanted to let everyone know that the Courthouse is almost done and that it will be brought in under budget. He appreciated Brosnan for bringing it up and said he would bring it out as quickly as possible. Mayor Kirksey added that there will be mention of some interest in the current Courthouse building soon to be the old Courthouse in the quarterly newsletter that will be distributed in March and at that point in time the City will announce a Town Hall meeting that will be scheduled some time in April. The City will invite interested citizens and organizations to come into the existing court building so 13 they can see how it is currently configured. The City is inviting citizens to offer their suggestions. As far as the funding of any future attention that will be paid to the building, the City would not be recommending the use of any money from the General Fund or any other budgeted funds. The City will be investigating available grants and there is some money left from the actual construction of the new court building that has been dedicated to closing out the existing court building which needs a new boiler and some other items, so there is some initial funding. He said the most challenging aspect will be finding additional funding to do what potentially will be a quite expensive renovation. The building is not really configured for anything other than a courthouse. It has very few load bearing walls and the entire basement once the Magistrate's office is removed is a huge open space. The Mayor said there is ADA compliance in the building already. He stressed again, the major challenge will be to find ongoing consistent funding available. He said there has been some interest in expanding the senior center, but speaking hypothetically, if that were done the City would then have to staff the building as well as maintain the building. He said the building does have much to offer and if the challenges can be met, he feels this could have a great place in the City's future. Brosnan offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None. President McCann wished his mother a happy birthday coming up on Monday, February 22, 2010. He wishes her the best and loves her. As there were no further questions or comments, Council President McCann adjourned the Study Session at 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 17, 2010. DATED: February 22, 2010 LINDA GRIMSBY, CITY CLERK