HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRDA MINUTES 1999-12-02 MINUTES OF THE 104TH REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLYMOUTH
(iire ROAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA
The 104th Regular Meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority of the City of
Livonia, Michigan was called to order at 3:35 p.m., Thursday, December 2, 1999 in the 4th Floor
Conference Room at City Hall.
Members Present: Mr. Michael Polsinelli, Chairman
Mayor Jack E. Kirksey
Mr. Stan Anderson
Mr. Scott Grace
Mr. Rod Crider
Mr. Dennis Kujawa
Ms. Toni Mette
Mr. Lowell Peterson
Mr. Bill Pike
Mr. Jerry Wordhouse
Members Absent: Mr. Raby,Vice Chairman
Mr. Marvin Walkon
Mr. Duane Wolfgang
Others Present : Mr. John J.Nagy, Director,P.R.D.A.
Mrs. JoAnn Marshall,BRI
Mr. Scott Reinholt, BRI
Mr. Larry O'Connor,Livonia Observer
Mr. Joseph Pellerin,Catholic Central Student
Ms. Susan Annibal, Secretary
1. Roll was called.
2. Adoption of the November 18, 1999 Minutes: On a motion duly made, seconded and
unanimously adopted, it was
#99-58 RESOLVED, that the Minutes of the 103rd Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth
Road Development Authority on November 18, 1999 are approved.
Mr.Polsinelli, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted.
3. Comments from Chairman: Comments were made regarding past parades compared to this
year's Winter Wonderland Holiday Parade. P.R.D.A. was recognized for the work it had done
on the Plymouth Road Corridor and its participation in this year's Holiday Parade. Appreciation
was expressed to the Livonia Plymouth Chrysler Dealership who provided coffee, donuts and
bleacher seating for parade spectators. Noted, too, was the fact that the entire dealership staff
was in the parade. They also offered another car when it was discovered there was one car short
for participants. The bottom line on costs would be announced after a final accounting. It was
determined during discussion that the next scheduled meeting of the Board on December 16th
will be cancelled due to the busy schedules of many Board members. The next Regular meeting
will be held on January 6, 2000. The 4th and 5th Floors were being redecorated. The Mayor has
extended an invitation to the Board to hold meetings in the Gallery, if desired, which will be
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(be coordinated by the P.R.D.A. Director, John Nagy. With regard to the matter of excessive help
wanted signage on the Corridor, it is suggested that a letter be sent to the Planning Commission
requesting a review of the sign section of the Zoning Ordinance and regulation of excessive
signage. Currently, this includes the necessary yet temporary help wanted signage so abundant
and visible at such sites as Taco Bell at Merriman and Plymouth Roads. The need for adequate
help is a critical need for many similar businesses. The Chair introduced and welcomed Larry
O'Connor, reported for the Livonia Observer,who will be taking over Marie Chestney's vacated
spot at the Livonia Observer covering the Plymouth Road Corridor and other areas in the City.
4. Beckett & Raeder—Construction Progress: Both Mark Dutton and Tom's Landscape plan to
continue to lay down sod to finish both sides of Plymouth Road. Jacobs will be done much
sooner then expected in January, because we are holding off on all lights until spring on the west
of Middlebelt. Both of those are the end of circuits. We are just talking about six (6) lights on
the south side and ten (10) on the north side. We are sure lights will stay in place. Edison
wouldn't be an issue at all. It's an issue for getting the other controllers energized. As a whole,
circuits are energized and complete. The old lights would be taken down. There are six(6) lights
maybe that are still in place that are holding Edison up from coming in. Old poles would be
coming down in the spring. There were also some lights running east and west not north and
south. There are some lights facing away from the roadway that got in the way of existing
power lines and have had to be left from Newburgh and Stark and as far as Farmington. With
regard to the Naimola's property, they have been promised a schedule. All they want is a rough
sketch. They should have that in terms of a schedule in a week. It was suggested that BRI
develop a schedule for Phase V. For any concerns regarding that, get in touch with John Nagy or
(1611 Bill Pike. For the second meeting in January, we are going to want a date that you're going to be
complete with the drawings. We would like to bid this work out early while contractors plan the
work for the new season.. Probably in spring they'll want to get to work. The earlier the project,
the more competitive it will be, and. the better off we are going to be. We've accelerated more
of what we've started and had greater success to anticipate. In terms of the ISTEA money we
got at the end of the Phase II project, they denied it in Phase IV and then, they've accepted it in
Phase V. We were able to realign it. All the banner arms were up for the banners that we have.
As soon as we get some more in stock, we'll get the rest of the banners. There were 260
outstanding banner arms up. It is really difficult to do as the weather gets colder; they'll have a
problem with that. After contacting the company's distributor, he didn't know how long it
would be.
5. Reports from Committees
Public Relations: Nothing to report.
Vacant Buildings:. The Dragon Garden between Merriman and Hubbard looks like it's empty.
They had been in operation earlier.
Construction Committee: Joseph Pellerin, a student from Catholic Central,was introduced; he is
here to observe the Board meeting for his government class. Nothing to report other than what
had been covered at this meeting. The Committee expressed its appreciation for the work BRI,
JoAnn Marshall and Scott Reinholt have done for the P.R.D.A. this year. The crew had been out
digging. Were they putting in more foundations for poles? They were digging particularly deep
at Bill Brown Ford and the VW-Mazda areas and also from Merriman for conduit and sleeves
and at Ameritech.
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Inspection: Nothing to report.
Development Assistance Committee: A meeting would be scheduled following this meeting
before members left. There were rumors that Wards was holding an easement agreement. Mr.
Nagy would look into exactly what the proposal was. If there was legitimacy to what they
wanted done to the outside. Maybe we shouldn't penalize Wards, since they had done so at the
beginning of the project. Improvements had been made to the property itself. One case cited
was the old nursing home. We could start a rotating loan fund to see how we could effect such a
program. How to dress it up would be dealt with more at the next meeting. The Committee was
going to research this and we've looked for it at one of our meetings. Did we have a limit? With
respect to the nursing home, they had estimated an $80,000 figure. We did allow 50% in the
estimate of $40,000. Further discussion followed on the Ward renovation, 30' easement and
other issues. Basically, Wards did make the submission and they did do the work. Also,we said
we'd review the proposal and get back to them. What he submitted was a demolition figure of
$348,300.00. Of that, $137,000 was inside, $211,000 was outside. Outside signage was about
$10,000, with $15,000 in demolition and parking lot canopies. Possible maximum figures were
estimated. The easement issue was also discussed pertaining to the sidewalk and that we would
be going 12' to 14' inside the sidewalk for the plaza and intersection improvement. Was there
an easement problem at the intersection? No, at that point it is still MDOT's property. Perhaps a
resolution could be entertained concerning the policy matter. As soon as there was a proposal
that all could agree on, some restoration or whatever could get done. There needed to be some
consistency in policy and it should be followed strictly. We have consistently done it in the
past with a full building. It was suggested that a communication be sent, so the Board would
(1110f have time to look at the new policy once criteria was established. The policy that is going to be
developed is definitive for Wards. We had extended the offer to Wards. We could say, 'The
policy that was to be reached would include you,' for all the instances in the past that needed
those policies it would include them. The existing business would be awarded these
reimbursements. The intent and reason for P.R.D.A.'s being is to increase the visibility along
the Plymouth Road Corridor. Closure really needed to be brought to this Wards matter. The
policy that will likely be developed would only include businesses that are existing and being
renovated,as well as an existing purchase where they are tearing it down and building something
new. The change is relief to help with a low interest loan. We do thank them for what they've
done and approve of the nice improvement for the Corridor, as well as the work they will be
doing.
6. Director's Report: There is a change in ownership at the Shelden Center. There had been a
meeting during the prior week with the new owner. The new owner is located in Southfield in
the development business, and he is now trying to put together some plans. He was trying to
look at some new use for their surplus property There was previous discussion about taking a
sidewalk and moving it back from the curb because it is only about 2' from the curb. There was
discussion as to if this a good time to get in touch with the new owner to get their approval for
the decorative wall and move that sidewalk back and make it pedestrian friendly for the
neighbors? A copy of the George Burns Theater was provided to the new owner to show them
what we accepted in the way of landscaping and greenbeltWetlands on the Phoenix Land
Development site will be the subject of a public hearing scheduled for December 21, 1999, an
area of 7 acres of wetland. Resurfacing of Plymouth Road was to be done in the spring. With
the consultation of Orchard,Hiltz&McClimant and MDOT, a brochure would be created on the
preparation of the street. The project would be up in the spring. The brochure would cover the
construction project details and would identify the three entities involved in the project which are
the City of Livonia,MDOT and P.R.D.A.
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(w' 7. Polling of Board Members
Mr.Peterson: Passed..
Mr. Anderson: A request was made that sometime in the next year that the P.R.D.A. would
approve the distribution of the P.R.D.A. Newsletter to the entire City (residents/business
owners). There were many new businesses that had opened up, and it is a good idea to get the
Newsletter throughout the whole City. The list could include new businesses that have opened
up since P.R.D.A. came into existence. Not only would it help the businesses, but it would
reflect what the Plymouth Road Development Authority has accomplished.
Mr. Crider: Passed.
Mr. Pike: Passed.
Mayor Kirksey: The Authority's border goes to the railroad north of Awrey Bakery property.
The building south of Awrey Bakery that has been vacant for quite some time and will be
occupied by a new auto parts firm. Larry O'Connor has written a nice article on the fire
emergency follow-up and current status of the company involved in the recent chemical spill..
The Phoenix project has been moved on through by the Planning Commission. It's now before
Council. The Farmington-Six Mile project is moving along quite well, as the people surrounding
that area seem to support the proposal. Those that closely abut the property appear to be less
concerned because the intensity will be far less than any prior proposal for that property.
Although proposed for 128 units, it will be downgraded to a smaller number.
Mr. Grace: He advised the Board that he had received some promotional material from the City
of Farmington D.D.A. He thought some of their promotional plans might have application to the
Plymouth Road Corridor.
Mr.Kujawa: Passed.
Mr. Wordhouse: Passed.
Ms.Mette: Passed.
Mr. Polsinelli reminded members that there would be no meeting on December 16th, but we
would be together on the evening of the 16th for the P.R.D.A. holiday get together. On the 6th
of January according to the P.R.D.A. bylaws an election of officers will take place.
8. Adjournment: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted,the 103rd Regular
Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on December 2, 1999 was
adjourned at 4:25 p.m.
The next meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority will be held on January 6, 2000.
Car' Susan Annibal, Secretary