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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL STUDY - 2008-01-23 REVISED CITY OF LIVONIA— CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD JANUARY 23, 2008 Meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. Present: Terry Godfroid-Marecki, James McCann, Joe Laura, Brian Meakin, Tom Robinson, Don Knapp, and Laura Toy. Absent: None. Elected and appointed officials present: Sean Kavanagh, City Attorney; Paul St. Henry, Superintendent of Public Service (Operations); Mark Taormina, City Planner; Kevin Roney, City Engineer (Utilities & Engineering); Sherron Schultz, City Assessor; Felicia Cross, Community Resources; Alex Bishop, Assistant Director of Inspection; James Inglis, Housing Director; and Maureen Cosgrove, Assistant City Clerk. Council President Toy recognized the Honorable State Representative Judy Emmons in the audience and thanked her for being at the meeting. Judy represents about 95,000 people in Ionia and many other areas. AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None. NEW BUSINESS: 1. REQUEST TO PLACE SIGNS AT REFERENCED LOCATIONS: Cathy Shook, MOPS Representative, re: to advertise a "Mom to Mom Sale" sponsored by the Mothers of Preschoolers of Bell Creek Community Church to be held at Franklin High School on Saturday, March 1, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The petitioner was not present, but the application is appropriate, and Council has received an updated attachment with the locations of the display signs. McCann offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 2. REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE OF A PERMIT FOR WADE SHOWS TO HOLD CARNIVAL AMUSEMENT RIDES AT FORD FIELD AND VETERANS' PARK JUNE 24-297 2008, DURING REFERENCED HOURS; A PERMIT FOR A FIREWORKS DISPLAY BY AMERICAN FIREWORKS, INC. TO BE HELD AT 10:15 P.M. ON JUNE 297 2008 AT VETERANS' PARK; AND AUTHORIZATION TO USE AND LEASE THE FACILITIES AT FORD FIELD, EDDIE EDGAR ARENA AND VETERANS' PARK DURING SPREE '58: Rich Skaggs, President, Livonia Anniversary Committee, Inc., re: same. 2 Bill Fried, representing President Rich Skaggs of the Livonia Anniversary Committee (SPREE), was present and stated that they are looking forward to the entire community participating in this year's SPREE. It is a chance for many local organizations to raise money for various groups (the Livonia Orchestra, St. Matthew's Church, the Livonia Rotary Club) and other organizations to raise money for their activities. The Livonia Anniversary Committee has put about $11,000 back into the PTA's for presale tickets which has a significant discount. The regular price is generally around $23, but if you buy the tickets through the local PTA or at the City, they are $15 for presale. The entertainment is still in the process of being lined up, and they cannot say until they are booked, but they plan on having Steve King and the Dittilies back again. They are in negotiations with different groups, but they cannot say who they are because the contracts have not been finalized yet. The American Fireworks and Wade Shows have signed their contracts. The SPREE Committee also plans for a Battle of the Bands as they did for the first time last year, but the contract has not been finalized yet. The promoter has agreed to work on it for this year. As requested, Mr. Fried will drop off a list of civic associations that will be participating in SPREE to the Council Office. Robinson worked on the SPREE several years ago and can testify to the amount of work that is done, and he thanked the Committee for their time and effort and always hears positive feedback on the Committee. Bill Fried thanked the City and everyone for their joint efforts and cooperation. Robinson stated that at SPREE `57, there were comments on some of the music selections on the rides, particularly in the back corner, and at times were not exactly family-friendly tunes. Bill Fried said they will address this issue with Wade Shows. McCann is the designated Council Representative on the Board of Directors of the Livonia Anniversary Committee (CR 08-08). It was suggested that the Livonia website be updated to read SPREE '58 instead of SPREE '57. Knapp offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 3. REQUEST TO CLOSE STARK ROAD FROM THE FAMILY Y (14255 STARK ROAD) TO LYNDON AND LYNDON FROM FARMINGTON ROAD TO STARK ROAD TO TRAFFIC FROM 8:00 A.M. JUNE 23, 2008 THROUGH 12:00 NOON ON JUNE 30, 2008 (MONDAY THROUGH MONDAY); AND TO REQUEST THAT THE CITY SEEK PERMISSION FROM THE WAYNE COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION TO ALLOW THE CLOSURE OF FARMINGTON ROAD BETWEEN THE 1-96 OVERPASS AND FIVE MILE ROAD FROM 8:30 P.M. THROUGH 11:30 P.M. ON JUNE 29, 2008 (SUNDAY) IN CONNECTION WITH SPREE '58: Rich Skaggs, President, Livonia Anniversary Committee, Inc., re: same. Toy commented that the road closures are for the SPREE event and the spectacular fireworks on Sunday night. 3 Meakin offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 4. REQUEST TO DISPLAY BANNERS ON FARMINGTON ROAD AND FIVE MILE ROAD AND 4' X 8' SIGNS AT CITY HALL AND FORD FIELD FROM MAY 26, 2008 THROUGH JUNE 29, 2008 IN CONNECTION WITH SPREE '58: Rich Skaggs, President, Livonia Anniversary Committee, Inc., re: same. McCann offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 5. COLLECTION OF THE WAYNE COUNTY REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICE AGENCY (RESA) TAXES FOR THE YEAR 2008: Office of the City Clerk, re: forwarding a communication from the Executive Director, Administrative & Financial Services, requesting that the City continue to collect 100% of their intermediate school property taxes in our summer tax collection. At the direction of the Chair, this item was received and filed. DIRECTION: RECEIVE & FILE CONSENT 6. AWARD OF BID: Housing Commission, re: of purchase and installation of 107 apartment entry doors at the Silver Village housing community. Jim Inglis, Housing Director, was present and stated that on December 13, 2007, they received five (5) bids for the purchase and installation of 107 apartment entry doors for Silver Village. The current entry doors are the original doors installed in 1978, and they need to be replaced. They are requesting that the award go to low bidder Michelini Custom Building for a total of $58,310.00 from budgeted funds of the Silver Village operating account. Michelini has done work for the City in the past, and they are a very good contractor. Godfroid-Marecki offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 7. REQUEST TO APPROVE SPECIALIZED SERVICES TRANSPORTATION OPERATING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THIRD PARTY CONTRACT FOR THE PERIOD OCTOBER 1, 2007 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 BETWEEN THE CITY OF LIVONIA AND SMART: Department of Community Resources, re: with grant funds to be used for the Livonia Community Transit Program to provide lift-equipped transportation to the senior and disabled residents of the City. 4 Felicia Cross, Community Resources Department, stated that the contract is for $18,486.00 from SMART State funds and is renewed every year. There has been a little bit of an increase in the number of residents using SMART, and the figures on the paperwork that she brought to the meeting was from January 14th to 20th. They range from 800 to a 1,000 riders per week which is a cross between disabled residents and senior residents. Knapp offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 8. REQUEST TO EXTEND WEED CUTTING CONTRACT 99-A: Inspection Department, re: with Michigan Grounds Management for the 2008 season under the same rates, terms and conditions that were approved in 1999. (CR 173-99) Alex Bishop, Assistant Director of Inspection, stated that they are requesting an extension of the contract with Michigan Grounds Management for the 2008 season at the 1999 rates. Mr. Hesskamp, owner of Michigan Grounds Management, surprised the City by extending the prices one more year. He has done a fine job for the City, and the business has been expanding exponentially considering the amount of foreclosures and other cuts that he has to make. Inspection is also requesting that the Council authorize an advance in the contract amount from the Municipal Refuse Fund for the purpose of making payments to the contractor as he completes the work. McCann offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 9. PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE LIVONIA CODE OF ORDINANCES, AS AMENDED: Departments of Inspection and Law, re: to Title 8 (Health and Safety), Chapter 40 (Noxious Weeds and Refuse) of the Livonia Code of Ordinances to assist in covering costs of administering this program and to put the City in line with the cutting date established under state law. Alex Bishop, Assistant Director of Inspection, stated they are recommending changing the weed cutting date to start May 1St instead of May 15th and that would be in keeping with the state law cutting date. This would also help the cutting contractor as cuts need to be made before May 15th. Starting May 15th is always brutal for the contractor for the first two weeks until he gets caught up. For a number of years, an administration fee was charged for the amounts which probably averaged $30, $40 or $50 for each lot cut (10%), so we are getting $3.00 to administer this. It is not even beginning to cover our costs, so they are proposing to change that to $20 or 10% of the cost, whichever is greater. This will help in the administration of it, and perhaps it will make people think twice about having us cut their grass. 5 They would like to do housekeeping to keep the language of the Ordinance consistent throughout, so everyone will know when the cutting will take place. In March, to keep in compliance with the laws, a weed notice gets published twice in the Livonia Observer. At the first time of the year, the officers will generally leave a notice stating that the weed contractor is coming. The grass and weeds are very long by waiting until May 15t", so the date needs to move to May 1St Godfroid-Marecki said she was surprised the State has a law when to cut weeds. She thought it was up to the individual city what date to cut weeds. Kavanagh stated that there is a lot of state highway along trunk lines and expressways that falls outside of a City's right-of-way. Sean Kavanagh, City Attorney, stated that Law has prepared the Ordinance for First Reading. McCann offered the approving resolution for First Reading on the Regular Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING - REGULAR FIRST READING 10. REQUEST TO APPROVE PURCHASE: Public Service Division, re: of three (3) John Deere Utility Tractors utilizing pricing obtained through the State of Michigan bid process. Paul St. Henry, Superintendent of Public Service (Operations), said they utilize the State of Michigan bid process to purchase equipment needed for maintaining the parks in the City. The requested background regarding the history of the purchase and replacement schedule of equipment (Item 10, 11 and 12) has been received by Council and was very helpful. Godfroid-Marecki offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 11. REQUEST TO APPROVE PURCHASE: Public Service Division, re: of five (5) John Deere Gators utilizing pricing obtained through the State of Michigan bid process. Paul St. Henry, Superintendent of Public Service (Operations), explained that this is another item utilizing pricing obtained through the State of Michigan bid process. Annually the State of Michigan will take a number of items that are utilized by agencies throughout the entire state that are common, and they will go out for a bid. 6 Occasionally the State (like the City of Livonia) will extend the bids beyond one particular year, but they get one low bid that will establish the price for that particular piece of equipment or vehicle. That is utilized by different agencies throughout the State to procure their equipment and vehicles which is always a pretty decent price. It was stated that Commercial Lawnmower is a Livonia business, and also owner John Murphy is a Livonia resident. The Gators will be used by the Public Service Division (Parks Section). These will be utilized for a number of different activities, primarily for transporting items necessary for ball diamonds, moving weed whips around, or moving mowers and transferring fuel for the different pieces of equipment, etc. These are used primarily for transportation and as a hauling mechanism. Meakin offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda for low bidder, Commercial Lawnmower. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 12. REQUEST TO APPROVE PURCHASE: Public Service Division, re: of one (1) Toro Groundmaster mower utilizing pricing obtained through the State of Michigan bid process. Meakin offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda for low bidder, Spartan Distributors. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 13. REQUEST TO APPROVE PURCHASE: Public Service Division, re: of three (3) zero-turn mowers utilizing pricing obtained through the State of Michigan bid process. Paul St. Henry, Superintendent of Public Service (Operations), stated that these mowers are mostly used for the parks in the City. Knapp questioned the trade-in value of a 1995 Toro mower and a 2005 Toro mower being the same price. The bidder would be able to answer this question. It might be that one was utilized more and one was in better condition or it may be that is how they break it out. The different vendors will bid on the price, and they have to match the state bid. The vendors' profit may be in the trade-in value that they obtain from the different pieces of equipment. Knapp stated that in 2005, the City got a quote about repairing the machine as it had a bad hydrostatic motor and a bad pump, so when the cost of about $1,800 was added, it was decided to get a new unit rather than try and repair it. John Murphy, 32320 Cambridge Street, Livonia, MI 48154, owner of Commercial Lawnmower, was present and stated that some of the other 2005 mowers are performing great. 7 There are lots of reasons that could cause a pump to go bad. It could be someone driving with the brake on or there could be a lot of different reasons. Other than the engine, the pump is the major component on the mower. Knapp offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 14. REQUEST TO APPROVE FINAL CHANGE ORDER AND ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION: Engineering Division, re: for final payment to Century Cement, Inc. for the 2007 Concrete Paving Program due to additional work requested of them. (CR 196-07) Kevin Roney, City Engineer (Utilities & Engineering), said that last summer the City had two (2) contracts associated with concrete repairs for the streets. One was for Century Cement and one was for Hard Rock Concrete. The amount that was spent on the concrete program last year was within budget and amounts approved by Council; however, they adjusted the two (2) contracts. Hard Rock ended up being less than they thought at the first of the year, and they gave Century more work. It is time to pay Century the additional $69,011.82 for the extra work, which is about a 4% increase in their contract; however, this needs Council authorization for the extra amount. Funds are in a budgeted account from the Road Millage. Godfroid-Marecki asked about the work at Schoolcraft and Levan that was removed from Hard Rock's contract and added to Century. Roney stated that when they pulled the sidewalk ramps at the intersection, there were hand hold boxes or utility type boxes, and looking at the grades they had to work with, it became clear that they would have to be pulled and could not be lowered immediately. Hard Rock used that as an opportunity to go work in another town. When the boxes were lowered, they were going to ask Hard Rock to come back, but they were not moving to the City's satisfaction, and Century Cement was right there and gave good prices, so Century was given the work. McCann noticed that the combined projects between the two (2) contractors even with the added increase came in $51,000.00 lower than the estimate. McCann offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 15. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF APPRAISAL SERVICES: Department of Law, re: for the appraisal of property owned by General Motors in the City of Livonia for the pending Michigan Tax Tribunal real property appeals. Sean Kavanagh, City Attorney, stated that Sherron Schultz, City Assessor, was in the audience. He said that the appraisal firm did a fine job in 2006 regarding Ford Motor Co. on tax tribunal matters. 8 Now Law is asking to use the same outfit (Heinowski Appraisal and Consulting, LLC) to prepare for a similar appeal regarding the General Motors Engine Plant on Middlebelt Road and a vacant piece of property that is a part of it also. The total amount is $33,000.00, with $28,000.00 being appropriated for the first year and $5,000.00 for a re-up for the second calendar year. Godfroid-Marecki offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 16. REQUEST FOR REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION FROM THE ADMINISTRATION AND REQUEST FOR REFERRAL TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE: Councilmember Joe Laura, re: update on Community Recreation Center. Laura spoke about the number of comments he received from residents regarding the Community Recreation Center which is funded by millage within the City, and a report is needed back. Laura said he wanted to modify the request a little bit, and instead of referring this to the Committee of the Whole, he wanted this item to go to the Public Safety, Education and Recreation Committee, which Robinson chairs. Laura offered the resolution on the Consent Agenda referring to the Administration and the Public Safety, Education and Recreation Committee for their reports and recommendations on the Community Recreation Center. DIRECTION: (1) REFER TO ADMINISTRATION CONSENT (2) REFER TO PUBLIC SAFETY, EDUCATION AND RECREATION COMMITTEE AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None. As there were no further questions or comments, Council President Toy adjourned the Study Session at 8:33 p.m. on Wednesday, January 23, 2008. DATED: January 28, 2008 LINDA GRIMSBY, CITY CLERK