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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRDA MINUTES 1998-02-19 MINUTES OF THE 69TH REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLYMOUTH ROAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA ' 7 The 61Ith Regular Meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority of the City of Livonia,Michigan was called to order at 3:30 p.m., Thursday,February 19, 1998 in the 4th Floor Conference Room of City Hall. Members Present: Mr. Mike Polsinelli Mr. Bill Pike Mr. Scott Grace Ms. Toni Mette Mr. Adelard Raby Mr. Lowell Peterson Mr. Stan Anderson Mr. Jerry Wordhouse Mr. Dennis Kujawa Mr. Donald Gelinas Members Absent: Mr. Marvin Walkon(excused) Mayor Jack E. Kirksey(excused) (hre Others Present: Mr. John Nagy, Director Mrs. Doris Urbanski, Secretary Mr. Jack Engebretson, Council President Mr. Scott Veldhuis, Westland Economic Development Director Mr. Roland Carleton, 28722 Plymouth Road Mr. Ralph Williams, Livonia resident 1. Roll was caned. 2. Adoption of February 5, 1998 Minutes: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, it was #98-4 RESOLVED that, the minutes of the 68th Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on February 5, 1998 are approved. Mr. Polsinelli, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 3. Comments from Chairman: Chairman Polsinelli reported on a letter from MDOT to Mayor Kirksey noting that although the ISTEA program has made funds available for the first phase of the 1998 program, Livonia is not included in this phase. There is a chance Livonia may be included in the second phase. The new PRDA stationery and business cards were presented to the Board. 4. Roland Carleton, 28722, 24, 26 Plymouth Road. Mr. Nagy introduced Roland Carleton, the landlord on the named properties. Mr. Carlton owns an approximate 90'x27' ROW in front of his properties and is aware that the PRDA is interested in having a full width ROW. He is willing to sell this property to the PRDA for the appraised value amount given last year for the property at Laurel and Plymouth Roads. At $1.96 a sq. ft., this amount would be approximately $4800. Mr. Raby noted that in previous discussions on the matter of purchasing right-of-ways, the cost would be in the neighborhood of $750,000. Also, in view of the fact that the businesses would be receiving free improvements and enhancements for the properties, it was the PRDA's position that the Board would accept donations, but would not purchase ROWs. Mr. Carleton asked what the improvements would be and was informed that trees, grass, irrigation and maintenance, new light poles and, where appropriate, low screening walls would be installed the length of Plymouth Road. On a motion duly made by Mr. Raby, seconded by Mr. Peterson and unanimously approved, it was #98-5 RESOLVED that, the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby reject the offer from Roland Carleton to purchase the right-of-way in front of properties at 28722, 28724 and 28726 Plymouth Road. (iw Mr. Polsinelli, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. Mr. Pike suggested that Allstate, as a business in this location, might be willing to buy the right-of-way from Mr. Carleton who could in turn donate it to the PRDA. 5. Scott Veldhuis, EDC Director of Westland. Dennis Kujawa introduced Mr. Veldhuis to the Board. Mr. Kujawa has been in touch with Mr. Veldhuis regarding the City of Westland's DDA program and that the PRDA was giving consideration to creating a position of Director of the Plymouth Road Authority in Livona. Mr. Veldhuis works for Mayor Thomas of Westland. The DDA is an 11 member board plus the Mayor. The DDA was approved in May of 1996. Beckett&Raeder was hired to do a Ford Road/Wayne Road study for Westland for streetscape improvements similar to Livonia's plan. Hyett Palma was then hired to do an economic enhancement strategy. They found that acquiring easements was very difficult. At present the City staffs the DDA,but would like it to be independent. Mr. Veldhuis is of the opinion that the DDA can be better served by keeping it as a City department. Their DDA did a mailing to each business on Ford Road,but did not get a good response. Signage is another problem the City wishes to address particularly with regard to removing unattractive signs. Mr. Veldhuis was asked about Westland's program and he replied that it includes Newburgh Road widening, numerous road improvements, the new library, and working with the T1FA tax authority. He works with a consultant in Westland and believes that the Livonia Director would be a (60, full time job. When asked if the City had any plans for marketing promotion such as Dollar Days or an art fair, etc., he replied that there was discussion about a Dream Cruise, but there are no committed plans for any marketing promotion. He thought it would be a good project for a DDA Director. Mr. Veldhuis passed out copies of the Westland DDA newsletter which is published twice a year. 6. Beckett& Raeder Construction Progress Report: In the absence of a representative from Beckett& Raeder, written easement and progress reports were distributed to the Board. The Bodner Center and Wonderland Auto Wash easements have not been signed. 7. Reports from Committees: Public Relations Committee: Mr. Anderson said the new stationery was printed by Mette Printery at a substantial savings in printing costs. The Board was shown a copy of the Livonia City Spring Newsletter with Mr. Anderson's article on the PRDA on the front page. Vacant Buildings: Scott Grace distributed his recent list of vacant buildings. He reported that Val Pak is moving into the Spectrum building, work has started on the "Legacy of Livonia"restaurant, and the closed Hi Fy gas station is now owned by Ashland (1, who is considering reopening it as a Marathon Gas Station. Construction Committee: A Construction Committee meeting is scheduled with Beckett and Raeder and Peter Basille& Sons to discuss outstanding issues. Mr. Anderson suggested raising the issue of the little progress that has been made. Mr. Pike received a letter from Abrams Aerial Survey Corporation stating they were waiting for the right conditions to fly for the Plymouth corridor aerials. Mr. Grace commented on the cracked sidewalks and curbs near the Royal Motor Inn. The plan for the street signs show a place for a logo and Mr. Grace asked what logo would be in there. The committee will check on this although this plan was only done as a concept. Inspection Committee: None Search Committee: Absent. 8. Update on Plymouth Road Projects. The Public hearing for the approval of the Amendment to the PRDA district is scheduled for February 23 at 8:00. The Mayor's State of the City address is on February 26 at 11:30 AM at Laurel Manor and will be televised. The PRDA members are invited and will be introduced by the Mayor. 9. Polling of Board Members: Mr. Anderson reported on the proposed 6 bay car wash to his Civic Association Board meeting which expressed their opposition. As Cro president of that Association, Mr. Anderson will write a letter to the Planning Commission requesting a denial of this petition by Angelo Mauti. Mr. Grace commented on the nice renovation of Wall Street Travel but thought they needed a sign on the blank east wall of the building. He also asked how long Bill Brown Ford is allowed to park their vehicles on the George Burns parking lot. Mr. Nagy said he thought they would be there until the property is developed, and there is an offer for that property. There was discussion on the stones in front of Woodland Lanes bowling alley with regard to their being a safety hazard and the legal limit on the size of the stones. Mr. Grace also commented on the excessive amount of"For Lease", "For Sale", "Help Wanted"and other signs of this type and asked if there were an ordinance defining regulations. Mr. Nagy said such signs are regulated by the zoning ordinance. 11. Adjournment: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the 6th Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on February 19, 1998 was adjourned at 5:10 PM. The next meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority will be held on March 5, 1998 in the 4th floor conference room of City Hall. Doris Urbanski, Secretary L