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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL STUDY - 2009-09-28 CITY OF LIVONIA— CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 28, 2009 Meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. Present: Brian Meakin, Tom Robinson, James McCann, Terry Godfroid-Marecki, John Pastor, Joe Laura and Laura Toy. Absent: None. Elected and appointed officials present: Mayor Jack Kirksey; James Inglis, Director of Housing; Karen Kapchonick, Superintendent of Parks & Recreation; Todd Zilincik, City Engineer; Mark Taormina, City Planner; Cathryn White, Chief Assistant City Attorney, Maureen Cosgrove, Assistant City Clerk. Council President Toy announced a Public Hearing to be held in the Auditorium of Livonia City Hall, 33000 Civic Center Drive, Livonia, MI for the following item: Monday, October 5, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. Proposed Budget for the City of Livonia for the Fiscal Year ending November 30, 2010, and the property tax millage proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget. (CR 386-09) Council President Toy announced new data on Agenda item #4. Pastor reminded everyone about the 15th Annual Senior Celebration on Friday, 9:00 a.m. Tickets are $5.00 and can be purchased at the Senior Center. They will be offering flu shots, bingo and food. This years host is State Representative John Walsh. AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None. NEW BUSINESS: 1. REQUEST TO WAIVE THE CITY'S NOISE ORDINANCE: Renee M. Vargo, re. to allow a live band to perform in connection with a party scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2009 from approximately 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at 38141 Lancaster. Renee M. Vargo, 38141 Lancaster, was present to ask that the Noise Ordinance be waived for a live band to perform in connection with a surprise birthday party scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2009 from approximately 7:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Robninson offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 2. PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE CITY'S COMPENSATION PLAN: Civil Service Department, re: overtime compensation for non-represented employees. McCann offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. 2 DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 3. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE PULSAR BRIQUETTES FROM SOLE SUPPLIER: Department of Parks & Recreation, re: for the period through November 30, 2010, from B & B Pools and Spas at 2008 pricing. (CR 455-08) Karen Kapchonick, Parks and Recreation Superintendent, requested the purchase of Pulsar Briquettes at the 2009 price for 2010 at $105.00 per bucket. They anticipate ordering 300 buckets which would take care of their three (3) outdoor pools and the Community Center pool. Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 4. PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF FANNIE MAE FORECLOSED PROPERTIES: Livonia Housing Commission, re: to acquire four (4) houses (15813 Deering, 18981 Melvin, 18231 Middlebelt and 28614 Seven Mile) for appraisal price less a 1% discount from funds available through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). James Inglis, Director of Housing, was present to explain that there are four (4) properties the City would like to acquire through the Federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). These properties are being sold by Fannie Mae. In the past, the City has acquired properties through property tax reversion, and also through the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Federal Housing Administration. This program is through the Federal Fannie Mae Program and utilizes local brokers to dispose of obsolete properties. There are four (4) properties listed that have been on the market for some time and have not had any offers to purchase. Council has the initial listing price that was listed by Fannie Mae pursuant to their appraisals. Under the Fannie Mae Program, the City has their own appraiser, who has evaluated these properties. In addition the City receives a 1% discount on the properties. These homes would be utilizing Federal Neighborhood Stabilization Dollars. Pursuant to Council Resolution 332-09, the adjacent property owners were notified by letter of these acquired homes and a copy of the letter has been forwarded to Council. The residents that were notified were approximately 500' east, west or next door and also the adjacent property owners behind the homes. They have been made aware the City has filed a purchase agreement on these homes, subject to City Council approval. He would like to report that the City is moving quite well with the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Building permits have been issued for the demolition of three (3) homes. Those homes should be coming down within the next week. The City also has extensive rehabilitation going on in three (3) homes. Those homes should be wrapped up anywhere from 30 - 45 days and ready for re-sale. McCann asked if Mr. Inglis' intent was to put the remodeled homes up for sale. 3 Inglis replied yes. Robinson stated they have come a long way in their debate and some of the discussions they have had regarding the use of NSP monies. They both recognize they have good intentions, but disagree with the role of the Federal Government. He would like Inglis to elaborate a little more on the issue of re- sale. He said the resale issue is something he would be more supportive of as oppose to the long term rental of the properties. Inglis said that when they applied for the Neighborhood Stabilization dollars, they indicated in their application they wanted to keep it as broad as possible including demolition, acquisition for demolition and rehabilitation for rental. All three (3) activities were put in the initial grant and all were approved by the Federal Government and Council. He believes that these properties would be better served for the resale, to get them back on the tax roles. He thinks this will be their intent in the future so they can stimulate neighborhoods. Robinson thought that was fair. He asked if it's likely that the three (3) homes they purchased in the past will be sold. He also asked Inglis if he could give them an idea of what the four (4) homes they are buying tonight will be used for. He wants to know if they will be re-sold. Inglis said that the Middlebelt property is in such bad condition that they will probably be razing that property. They are in the process of doing a serious evaluation on the others. It is their intent, at this point, to keep them in the resale program. Robinson said he likes the letter that was sent out to everyone within a 500' radius of these homes. He said that it's typically a 300' radius. He appreciates and likes the effort they put into the letter, but he would like to make two (2) recommendations for future letters. He would like an understanding between now and the next Regular Meeting when Council votes on this. He would like to incorporate these two changes in future letters. He said in the body of the letter in the second paragraph, it says that Livonia's NSP is a multi-faceted approach to buying, demolishing and/or renovating vacant or sub standard properties for re- sale or re-development. He clearly hears the City is going to re-sell some of these, and he understands re-development, but he thinks it would be fair to put rental as another option in the notification. He also said the letter points out some previous approvals on the larger, broader picture here. But ideally, the final decision on these four (4) homes, and any in the future, has not really been made yet. He would like to notify the residents of the date of the meeting. He said these two (2) adjustments or tweaks in the notification would continue to make him feel comfortable about the direction they are heading. He would also like this item placed on the Regular Agenda. Inglis said that he would redo the letter and have the Mayor approve it. 4 Godfroid-Marecki asked Inglis if he heard from any of the neighbors after sending out the 80 letters. Inglis answered that he did not. Robinson understands Godfroid-Marecki's point, but said that they have come a long way — and he doesn't want to take any backwards steps. He just wants to be clear. The letter reads more of a notification about something that has been done, as oppose to some opportunity to provide input. That's why he feels the date is so important. He feels that there should be a date in the letter of the next meeting — and that the final decisions are still pending. That way the residents can give their input, and if they don't he thinks that's great. Maybe more people approve of this type of program than he understands, but he just wants to be sure that their role is clear transparency with clear intentions. DIRECTION: (1) APPROVING REGULAR (2) DENYING 5. AWARD OF CONTRACT: Public Service Division, re: for the 2009 Tree and Stump Removal Program from budgeted funds. Brian Wilson, Department of Public Service, said that the Department solicited bids for their Tree and Stump Removal Program. The work consists of approximately 344 trees and 346 stumps removed from the City right of way. Patterson Tree Service, 5400 Washington Road, Carsonville, MI 48419, was the low bidder. The department has had previous positive experience with the owner, and they are recommending the contract go to them. Meakin offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 6. AWARD OF CONTRACT: Public Service Division, re: 2009 Street Tree Planting Program from budgeted funds. Brian Wilson, Department of Public Service, said that the Department solicited bids for their Street Tree Planting Program. The work consists of planting of approximately 382 street trees. Greg Davis Landscape Services, 471 Renaud Rd., Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236, was the low bidder. This company has performed the service for them several times in the past. They are recommending the contract go to them. They also recommend the second low bidder, R. C. Turtle Refinishing Co., 2475 S. Hickory Ridge Tr., Milford, MI 48380, be available in the event the low bidder cannot come up with certain species of trees. Council President Toy asked what species of trees they were planting. She asked if they were planting an ash trees. 5 Wilson said that they have been planting a variety of trees because of the potential for diseases. He said they are not planting any ash trees. Pastor offered the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 7. REQUEST TO EXTEND CONTRACT WITH BRENDEL'S SEPTIC TANK SERVICE, LLC: Public Service Division, re: to provide portable toilet service for the 2010 season at the unit prices bid in their proposal, dated February 5, 2007. Brian Wilson, Department of Public Service, said that the Department solicited bids in 2007 for the portable toilet service. This is for the City parks as well as the special events the City has throughout the course of the year. Brendel's Septic Tank Service, LLC, 9481 Highland Road, White Lake, MI 48386, was actually the second low bidder in 2007. The low bidder was a company the City had in place for a number of years, but ran into a number of service issues with them. They had discussions with them back in 2007 and they withdrew their bid. Brendel's has been the service vender now for three (3) seasons. They provide excellent service and have been responsive to any of their needs. This is the type of service if you hear nothing, you know things are going well. In the past, they have had issues out there and many Monday mornings they heard about the conditions of these units. This is really a reflection on the City's parks and recreational facilities. So when you have a good company like Brendel's, who is actually 5'/2% under the next low bidder, you want to keep their services. Wilson recommends an additional one (1) year extension. Council President Toy asked if there was anyone in Livonia that performs this service. Wilson said that in 2007 there was not. Meakin agrees with the department's recommendation. He noticed in the past three (3) years a drastic improvement at Bicentennial Park and some of the other ball fields throughout the City. He said they are cleaner and kept up better then they were in the past. He is happy to offer the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 8. REQUEST TO APPROVE PROPOSED LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LIVONIA AND THE LIVONIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Department of Law, re: for the building located at 33233 Five Mile Road. Dan West, Director, Chamber of Commerce, said that for the last six (6) years the Livonia Chamber of Commerce has been housed on the Civic Center property. They have loved the opportunity to be right in the heart of Livonia. He thinks it has been good for the City and good for the Chamber. They have a three 6 (3) year lease. The Law Department made the initial proposal. They made another offer that he discussed briefly with the Mayor and his staff. It essentially reduces a little bit of outlay for both the City and the Chamber. They are proposing a reduction of dues to the City at $474.00. Currently the City pays $1,747.00 per year for Chamber dues. They are proposing they lower that to $1,300.00 per year for each of the next three (3) years. This would save the City $1,422.00. They are asking the City to freeze the lease at the current monthly rate of $1,501.30 for the next three (3) years of this lease. This is in the neighborhood of a wash depending if CPI is really low. Right now the Law Department proposed freezing the lease in the first year, and then doing a multiplier of up to 4% or CPI (whatever is lower) in the 2nd and 3rd year. The Mayor was favorable to this suggestion. He asks Council approval on this as well. McCann asked if this would assist the Chamber dramatically in making the rent and being able to provide services. West said that it's not drastic. It just helps a little bit. It's less money out of the City's pocket and less out of theirs. Instead of them paying the City a big check and the City paying them a big check it just saves on having to spend a little bit of money. McCann asked if they decided to raise the City's dues when they heard the City was raising their rent. West answered no. McCann said that he reviewed the contract and contacted the Mayor prior to this meeting. He thinks it's appropriate. He said the Chamber does a lot of good stuff for the City of Livonia. It's a good source for local businesses. It helps advertise for local businesses and keeps them in contact with City Hall. He offers the approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. Council President Toy thanked Mr. West for helping out with the community groups. She appreciates their cooperation. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None. As there were no further questions or comments, Council President Toy adjourned the Study Session at 8:30 p.m. on Monday, September 28, 2009. DATED: October 1, 2009 LINDA GRIMSBY, CITY CLERK