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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRDA MINUTES 1999-08-19 t MINUTES OF THE 97th REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLYMOUTH ROAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA The 97th Regular Meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority of the City of Livonia, Michigan was called to order at 3:10 p.m., Thursday, August 19, 1999 in the 4th Floor Conference Room of City Hall. Members Present: Mr. Michael Polsinelli, Chairman Mr. Rod Crider Mr. Duane Wolfgang Mr. Lowell Peterson Mr. Bill Pike Ms. Toni Mette Mr. Jerry Wordhouse Members Absent: Mayor Jack E. Kirksey Mr. Raby, Vice Chairman Mr. Marvin Walkon Mr. Stan Anderson Mr. Scott Grace Mr. Dennis Kujawa Others Present: Mr. John Nagy, P.R.D.A. Director Ms. JoAnn Michaels, BRI Mr. Scott Reinholt, BRI Ms. Christine Pearce, Sales Rep, Holophane Corporation Mr. Kishor Muzumdar, Field Service Dept. Mgr., Holophane Corporation Mr. Ralph Williams, Citizen Ms. Susan Annibal, Secretary 1. Roll was called. 2. Adoption of the August 5, 1999 Minutes: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, it was #99-43 RESOLVED that the Minutes of the 96th Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on August 5, 1999 are approved. Mr. Polsinelli, the Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 1 �. • 3. Comments from Chairman: None. Progress Construction Pro 4. Beckett & g s R eport: Holophane representatives addressed light poles, components and light fixtures. The goal was to have installations completed by September 1st. Holophane representatives, Christine Pearce and Kishor Muzumdar, addressed various issues of concern on the street lights, i.e., aluminum versus steel poles and brackets with aluminum versus steel poles and brackets with aluminum anchor plates for the P.R.D.A.'s 30"x 96" banners, as well as the potential corrosion of steel parts and remedies to prevent corrosion. . This was a unique design. The only other city using this type banner arm had been installed in Atlanta, GA at the time of the Olympics; there was no problem with those banner arms. Due to the weight of the large banners, it was suggested by the Vice President of Holophane, the banner arm brackets were steel. The problem is a threaded joint attaching the bracket to the pole, which does not hold, due to faulty manufacturing. After installation, two of those brackets had failed, although the contractor, Jacobs Electrical Construction Inc., had done an excellent job on the installation was suggested that aluminum brackets and aluminum threads wouldn't rust. It was pointed out that the aluminum brackets weren't strong enough to hold our large banners. Discussion covered various options regarding methods of attachment, as well as various methods to remove banners. Wind and weather in our area were chief concerns of Holophane regarding the threaded fixture failures, thus the option for steel. The manufacturer had steel arms and couplings installed in various places, which could be protected with anti-corrosion materials. Only part of the banner arm was exposed, upon which anti-seize-type materials could be used. Could a quick-connect coupler be used? The poles were manufactured by Holophane in Texas and the components and fixtures in Ohio. Mr. Pike requested suggested to be a 5-year warranty on the poles and the component parts and fixtures. Holophane currently has a 5-year warranty on the poles, but would agree to only 2 years for the component parts and fixtures. Mr. Polsinelli recalled that this was all based on the assumption from Holophane that the design/materials would work. Ms. Pearce felt that if Holophane could get approval this week, they could still get them in by September 1, 1999 as planned. Mr. Muzumdar stated that these products was project-based, not manufactured as standardized units. Ms. Pearce pointed out that there were other tear-drop type fixtures, but the pole was different. The banner arm support bracket was integral with the pole, 80% of those being manufactured of aluminum. One of the Company's reasons for changing the material from aluminum to steel was due to their large size and the periodic removal and changing of the banners several times each year. Ms. Pearce stated that most poles with banner arms were aluminum. In our case, the aluminum pole with the threaded joint is not holding the banner arm itself. Most banners were 18" to 24" wide; ours were 30"x 96". There had been a problem with the welding of the threaded portion of the bracket; only one side had been welded in two poles examined. Various options were then addressed as to the removal of the banners from the bracket/pole. In going to a steel pole with raw steel at the joint, there was the problem of rust if improperly installed, the rust washing down on our banners (it would be a mess). Holophane utilized a zinc phosphate coating. Another option was that the exposed steel parts be galvanized. Perhaps a magnesium anode could be implemented to attract rust particles. Steel banner arms and 2 couplings were available. The cost would be borne by the manufacturer; they "wouldn't walk away from this." Were there other options for the banner arm construction/design or a different type connection to the pole? Present design was a pole fixed in place by a removable more decorative finial, which had been removed because. In the event of the pole being damaged (auto accident or such), how long was replacement turn-around time? Probably it would be ten (10) weeks. Also addressed was water getting into the light fixtures, which necessitated the replacement of gaskets. Tests on the component parts would be done, the results of which would be brought back to the Board at the meeting of September 2. The current installations were aluminum poles and aluminum arms, the new fixtures now installed from Inkster west to the west end. The Construction Committee would meet with the banner people. A problem-solving sketch by Mr. Wordhouse was copied and distributed to the Board. A motion was made by Mr. Pike, seconded by Mr. Wordhouse and unanimously approved, it was #99-44 RESOLVED that the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby to agree to a warranty period of five (5)years for the poles and five (5)years, for fixtures and components, which period is to commence at the time of of installation. 5. Director's Report — Mr. Nagy distributed the 1999-2000 Preliminary Annual Budget to the members, stating that the matter would be scheduled for a vote at the September 2nd try meeting. 6. Beckett & Raeder-- Construction Progress Report: JoAnn Michaels reported that the Phase II schedule would be finished in about two weeks Phase I covered the new sewer via change order. Phase III seemed to be finally falling into place. MDOT is in agreement, and landscaping and irrigation begins on August 30th. Jacobs Electrical was aware of the work on the sidewalks that needed to be done and would go ahead with the driveway at Bill Brown. Peter Basile & Sons had been given the required information on seven (7) items for the Mette Center storm sewer. Jacobs Electrical was paid. We'd made progress on finishing Phase II, and it would be finished in two weeks. Work on two of the piers remains. Retainage on the construction contact has been reduced to $5,000.00. Scott Reinholt asked the Board to look over the revised budget. He'd done some research on bus stops, but hadn't received any response from SMART on their locations. SMART's recommendation had been that we have three (3) shelter sites, all eastbound on the south side of Plymouth Road designated at Merriman, Middlebelt, Farmington Roads with Wonderland as a fourth location. He had also looked into pricing for the shelters in our price range of up to $50,000.00. The next level would be a plaza with Brickpavers, a bench, trash receptacle. The next thing to go in would be the flowers. The Wonderland shelter site — the largest shelter site -- went to the street and would need a fairly large shelter. There would be two levels of shelters: 1) A large shelter, Brickpavers, a bench, trash receptacle and flowers would be provided at Wonderland Mall; 2) the remaining sites would simply include flowers, a bench and trash receptacle. The bench would be an 3 all-steel unit with a powder coat finish. There was $4 million left for the final phase of this project. BRI's budget was to be incorporated with our budget. The subject of the sprinkler system came up; it was pointed out that the sprinkler heads needed redirection, in that all the grass was not being covered. Ms. Michaels assured that they would be adjusted. 7. Reports from Committees: None. 8. Polling of Board Members: Mr. Pike addressed the subject of the Holiday Parade, budgeted at $3,000.00, as well as the P.R.D.A. Newsletter, budgeted at $2,700.00. It had been suggested that there be another event, such as a "dream cruise"; the Board considered the additional personnel and budget figures to be anticipated. There was a potential opportunity for temporary help, efforts and some of the costs absorbed by Wonderland. Past expenditures were noted. Now, we'd have two events and two mailings. $250,000.00 was added in the event that P.R.D.A. wanted to purchase substandard building on Plymouth Road. Added into the budget were expenses including the watering, banners, and lawn care. There was a possibility that the P.R.D.A. could build a building for the Chamber of Commerce, who would then lease the space. A particular site was mentioned wherein the Chamber could be housed, as well as a meeting room, which could subsequently open onto another room. The Parade Committee would meet on August 26th at 3:00 p.m., 4th Floor Conference Room.. 9. Adjournment: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the 93`(1 Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on August 19, 1999 was adjourned at 5:00 PM. The next meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority will be held on September 2, 1999 in the 4`" Floor Conference Room of City Hall. 4.4*--7tY /% Susan Anni sal, Secretary 1 4