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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRDA MINIUTES 2000-03-16 MINUTES OF THE 110TH REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLYMOUTH ROAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA The 110th Regular Meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority of the City of Livonia, Michigan was called to order at 3:10 p.m., Thursday, March 16, 2000 in the 4th Floor Conference Room at City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Jack E. Kirksey Mr. Michael Polsinelli, Chairman Mr. Jerry Wordhouse,Vice Chairman Mr. Rod Crider Mr. Scott Grace Mr. Dennis Kujawa Ms. Toni Mette Mr. Lowell Peterson Mr. Bill Pike Mr. Adelard Raby Mr. Duane Wolfgang Members Absent: Mr. Stan Anderson Mr. Marvin Walkon Others Present : Mr. John Nagy,Director, P.R.D.A. Mr. Robert D. Bennett, Former Mayor of the City of Livonia Mr. Mark Taormina, Planning Director Mr. Mike Slater, Finance Director Mr. Michael P. McGee, President,Rosedale Gardens Homeowners Association Dr. Robert Auth,Rosedale Gardens Homeowners Association Mrs. JoAnn Marshall,BRI Mr. Scott Reinholt, BRI Mr. Larry O'Connor, Livonia Observer Ms. Lisa Pionk, President and CEO,Parkside Credit Union Mr. Rick Bondy, Office Manager,Parkside Credit Union Mr. Ralph Williams, Citizen Ms. Susan Annibal, Secretary 1. Roll was called. 2. Adoption of the March 2, 2000 Minutes: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, it was #2000-71 RESOLVED,that the Minutes of the 109th Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on March 2, 2000 are approved. Mr. Polsinelli,Chairman,declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 2 3. Comments from Chairman: The Chairman advised the board of a letter received from Ronald Reinke, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, requesting that the Plymouth Road Development Authority place banners on street light poles commemorating Livonia's 50th Anniversary celebration. A drawing was circulated showing the suggested banner design for the banners that will be placed on the light poles in the Civic Center. His request is for the Authority to pay for them, and the City would install them on P.R.D.A. poles. This might be a good alternative in keeping our money on the Corridor and yet participate with the anniversary party. We will design it ourselves, although a rendering was submitted along with the request. Our banners are done by Banner Sign out of Ferndale, whereas Beverly White is the person used by the City. The idea would be to put them up as soon as possible to begin celebrating at the beginning of May and leave them up for the year. The major portion of the celebration will be starting in May and concentrated during SPREE week. After SPREE, plans weren't clear. JoAnn Marshall said BRI is still ironing our details on our banner arms. Recently, John Nagy had appeared before the City Council to offer a brief description of improvements going in on Plymouth Road. After delivering a concise, yet detailed summary, a Mr.Nagy was given a standing ovation. The P.R.D.A. Chairman joined with board colleagues in congratulations, commending Director Nagy's excellence in promoting P.R.D.A.'s presence on Plymouth Road and improvements achieved to date on behalf of the Authority. Next, the Chairman welcomed Plymouth Road Development Authority founder, Mike McGee. Mr. McGee is here in his capacity as President of the Rosedale Gardens Homeowners Association. Apologizing for not being able to attend P.R.D.A. meetings more frequently, he offered his admiration for the work being done, adding that it's exciting to see the improvements and progress on Plymouth Road now that Mr. Nagy is the P.R.D.A. Director. Daly's is one of the Plymouth Road businesses he visits. Stating that he'd thought about having a more direct link with the Board, he introduced Dr. Robert Auth, a representative of the homeowners association, who will be able to attend on a fairly regular basis. Dr. Auth said he would be actively participating in these meetings, although a silent observer reporting back to the Association. 4. Budget Report — Mike Slater: Mr. Slater went over Construction and Special Revenue Financial Statements as of December 31, 1999, January 31, 2000, and February 29, 2000. Within about a month Construction Fund total liabilities of$162,802.51 will be used up. Due to the depletion of the Fund, the Board will no longer be getting this report. The Special Revenue Fund is the fund that generates taxes within the Authority. We have average assets of about $2 million. A statement is made that P.R.D.A. needs to go to City Council to talk about the business development program. It was also suggested that this not be done in a public forum,but perhaps at the Committee of the Whole. The Board would be apprised of further developments. 5. BRI — Construction Update: Scott Reinhold addressed the matter of a bus shelter for Wonderland on Plymouth Road. Plymouth Road was SMART's 3rd choice, because of the long walk to the bus stop. Mr. Polsinelli suggested that he'd trade SMART three enclosures for one bus stop at Wonderland; he preferred the stop be just outside the mall. JoAnn Marshall reported two bids for grounds maintenance, the award to be made next week. Discussion followed concerning the best shelter design for Plymouth Road. Two designs were selected varying in size and roof style, Nos. 1 and 3. Two estimates have been obtained, each about $5,000.00 apart. (re Until a decision can be reached on shelter preference, we are at a standstill. Four shelters are planned and could be upwards of $20,000.00 each. No. 1 and No. 3 seem to be the shelter designs favored by the Board, the major difference being roof style and best shelter size. 3 Another issue was whether or not we want to consider lighting the shelters. Former Mayor Robert Bennett stepped in for a few minutes and said he didn't know how many shelters we were planning or to what extent we expected them to be used and commented that he had been a SMART rider for many years. His preference of the displayed shelter design options that offers a wider space and roof extension over the sides, adding that we should provide the users the most protection possible. Consensus was to use Design No. 1 incorporating a hip roof and lighting. Mr. Reinholt would come back with a final design rendering. Also desired was a unit that could be fabricated and merely bolted to the concrete pad on site. The lingering problem concerning banner arms is still unresolved, although Holophane insists the new steel component will work. Mr. Reinhold is still a bit skeptical as to its efficiency for our purposes. Ms. Mette suggested putting the banner arms up for a few years and test them out. Mr. Reinhold commented he'd like to put up the original 50 banner arms and see how they do. They are under 100% warranty for five (5) years. BRI's recommendation is to put them up, and a year from now take them down and see how they're doing. We will let Holophane know that we're going to test them for a year. BRI will write the letter to Holophane. Regarding wayfinding banners,the idea is to help people realize they are in various blocks along Plymouth Road. The Construction Committee agreed this is the direction to take, and not have street addresses on the banners. With drivers going so fast, they won't pick up addresses that easily. It was recommended not to go ahead with the addresses. We already have the banners; they're on the shelves. We'll wait until summer to decide when to put them up. This is a big banner. BRI is directed to add to the letter sent to Holophane that we are putting the banner arms up. If anything happens, we'll address it as we go along. With the new mast arms that will be going up, the street name signs are being added. With regard to intersection improvements, Harrison and Deering will wait until June. (kor Farmington and Middlebelt is waiting to go out for bid, hopefully next week. Phase IV will be out to bid next week. Regarding Phase V, MDOT has drawings for final review now. This is scheduled to go out for bid the week of March 20. Phase IVA is just bus plazas and curb repair, which was recently awarded to Basile, who was told they could start now. Shelden Center has been sold. A new wall will be installed and a decorative fence on top of the wall for the length of the property all the way down to the driveway. The Mayor commented that there were some plans for the Center, including a freestanding food establishment. Having met with them, Mayor Kirksey said the new owner wanted to upgrade that site. 6. Parkside Credit Union: Lisa Pionk, President and CEO of the Parkside Credit Union located at 36525 Plymouth Road, addressed the Board. The architect has been working with the Planning Department on a proposed remodeling. Basically, the roof facing Plymouth Road would be changing. Roof materials will be black shingles. A detailed site plan was displayed for the site, located between the Riverside Arena and Belle Tire. Parkside Credit Union serves the Ford Motor Transmission Plant. Another significant change is a proposed expanded drive-up facility, increased to four lanes and relocating the parking spots. The entrance of this facility is at the rear of the building. Brick will be used on the Raleigh Avenue side, and dryvit material also will be used. Planning Commission tabled this item at their March 14,2000 meeting. A concern was the proximity of the ATM to the driveway, which the Credit Union is working on with the City. Accompanying Ms. Pionk was the vice president of the credit union, Rick Bondy. It is suggested that the handicap sign be changed, which is facing the wrong way and needs to be blue. The landscaping in the "front" (at the rear of the building) is on the Credit Union property. It will be shrubbery and flowers, although the benefit of landscaping improvements seemed to be lost, as no one will be able to see if from Plymouth Road. The planting and maintenance will be (Iire done by the Credit Union. Scheduled start date is sometime in May; it will depend on how quickly City Council approval is obtained, and it is expected to be completed in September. 4 On a motion by Mr. Wordhouse, supported by Mr. Pike, and approved, it was: #2000-72 RESOLVED,that the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby support the conceptual renovation plans proposed by Parkside Credit Union, for their existing building and site 36525 Plymouth Road. Mr. Polsinelli, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 7. Reports from Committees: Public Relations: Nothing to report. Vacant Buildings: Nothing to report. Inspection: Nothing to report. Construction Committee: Nothing to report. Development Assistance Committee: The Committee will get together regarding what the program consists of and how to administer it and then go to the City Council. 8. Director's Report: With regard to the proposal by Horizon/SEMCA for a one-stop job and employment facility, there is still much concern by neighboring residents that the old Lasky Furniture is not the right location for this facility. It was stated by SEMCA at the City Council meeting they did not want to go into a hostile location as a tenant and, thus, will not go ahead with this proposal. They are withdrawing their petition. It is going to the City Council Regular Meeting with a recommendation of denial. Council action will close the petition. About 175 to 200 people, primarily opposed were present at the Council meeting. The audience participants stated their case very well, bringing a very emotional presence to the auditorium in addressing the issues that are mentioned above. The street leading into that area of Clements Circle is the only street leading into those streets back in there. To have 600 potential clients coming into that area in addition to the residential traffic and students riding school buses walking up through that area would be a stressful situation. The meeting was handled very nicely. Mr. O'Reilly, representing SEMCA, said that the hostility among the residents toward the facility will impede SEMCA coming into this site. As it turns out, this may not be the right use for the property, although the petition's lack of success wouldn't help in finding a tenant for that old Lasky Furniture building, which has been vacant for so long. The Corridor's first new light pole was struck by a car recently in front of the George Burns Theater site. The car took out a street sign, as well. On a different subject, as part of our participation in the Livonia 50th Anniversary celebration, Mr. Reinke has suggested some banners being installed on our poles. P.R.D.A., through Mr. Nagy, will come up with a design that fits our poles and an installation time. It was suggested that students in both Clarenceville and Livonia schools come up with a design. Upon further review time may not permit such a design contest by the students. We will pattern our design after what the City is doing. After a selection is made, it can go to our banner company for cost and manufacturing. 9. Polling of Board Members Ms.Mette: Passed. 5 Mr. Pike: Passed. Mayor Kirksey: The meeting on road construction is coming up on the morning of March 29th and meeting down on Plymouth Road at the Wonderland Community Room with MDOT, although he wouldn't be able to attend Val Vandersloot would be there, as well as Mr. Nagy. Inviting residents will bring this to a "heads up" on the paving of the road with 3" of asphalt, a major resurfacing project. Also of notable mention, the Mayor commented on a recent emergency on which the Livonia Fire Department had responded in good time to a fire at the Livonia Ford Transmission Plant. Mr. Peterson: Mr. Nagy was again complimented on his presentation to the City Council and reflecting P.R.D.A.'s improvements on Plymouth Road. Mr. Raby: In timely fashion, Mr. Raby thought it might be in order to change his name to O'Raby for St. Patrick's day,the 17th. Mr. Wolfgang: Agreeing with the Mayor, Mr. Wolfgang commented on the Fire Department's quick response time to a local emergency recently. Mr. Polsinelli reminded members that a table is reserved for the Mayor's State of the City address to be held on March 22nd at 11:30 a.m. at Laurel Manor Banquet facility. Ralph Williams, a regular attendee at P.R.D.A. meetings, commented on the need for the many car dealerships to improve their sites, especially regarding the beautification of their grounds. Livonia Buick seemed to be only one maintaining their site next to the sidewalk. Dr. Robert Auth addressed irrigation possibilities of the areas planted with flowers in front of the Rosedale Gardens Subdivision pillars along Plymouth Road. Mr. Nagy responded that feeder lines were in for the sprinklers,and it was planned to irrigate those areas. Easements are actually in the right-of-way there. P.R.D.A., however, does want the assurance that we have a right to go upon it. Whether Rosedale Gardens goes to the City and gives it to us or we do it directly, we will maintain the area. We will not only irrigate it, but we will maintain it. This year they might want to touch base with Mr. Nagy. Dr. Auth could take this good news back to the homeowners association. 10. Adjournment: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted,the 110th Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on March 16, 2000 was adjourned at 4:35 p.m. The next meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority will be held on April 6, 2000 in the 4th Floor Conference Room at 3:00 p.m. )24.4t-A../ Susan Annibal, Secretary