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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRDA MINUTES 2003-04-17 MINUTES OF THE 145th GENERAL MEETING OF THE PLYMOUTH ROAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA The 145th General Meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority of the City of Livonia,Michigan was called to order at 3:15 PM, Thursday, April 17, 2003 in the 4th floor conference room of City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Jack Kirksey Mr. Scott Grace, Chairman Mr. Lowell Peterson Mr. Bill Pike Mr. Stan Anderson Mr. Dennis Kujawa Members Absent: Mr. Duane Wolfgang (excused) Mr. Marvin Walkon(excused) Mrs. Toni Mette(excused) Mr. John Walsh(excused) Mr. Jerry Wordhouse(excused) Others Present: Mr. John Nagy, Director Mr. Michael Slater, Finance Director Mr. Michael Fisher, Assistant City Attorney Ben Baker&Tim Knutsen, Beckett &Raeder Mr. Wes Graff, Chamber of Commerce Mr. Steve Levesque, Commercial Mowing Services Mr. Charles Irish, Irish Landscaping Co. Mr. Mark Frankel,Attorney for Mr. Irish Mr. Ralph Williams, Citizen Dr. Robert Auth,Rosedale Gardens Homeowners Association Mrs. Robby Williams, Secretary 1. Roll was called. A quorum was not present. A general meeting was held. Mr. Irish attended the meeting along with his attorney in regard to the trees installed in 2001 and the ash borer disease problem on Plymouth Road and the warranty provided to cover these trees. The question is, "Who is responsible for replacing the trees?" Mr. Fisher,the City's Assistant Attorney, was on hand to answer questions and review the warranty covering the replacement of the trees. There was discussion regarding implied improper maintenance of the newly planted trees and when the disease from the ash borer first appeared. The State of Michigan and Michigan State University came out to take a look at the trees to make a determination as to their condition. There was a report, dated 2001, from Irish Landscaping that the trees were stressed and not maintained. Irish Landscaping will provide a copy of this report to Beckett and Raeder. The City of Livonia Law 1 Department may have a copy of this report but it was not readily available at the time of this meeting. Mr. Knutsen reported to the Board that Beckett& Raeder was advised that the trees were not doing well and that deep root watering should be done. Mr. Levesque reported that beginning of the 2002 season he loosened the burlap that encased the roots and at that time saw the squiggle marks left by the ash borer. Mr. Pike replied that at that time the trees were still under warranty and Mr. Irish replied, "As long as they were properly maintained". There was a letter dated May 25, 2001 accepting the trees. The first letter to Irish complaining that the trees need to be replaced was dated June 13, 2001 and identified 15 specific trees. Mr. Fisher advised that this was the beginning of a long series of correspondence. Mr. Levesque insisted that the trees were properly maintained. Mr. Fisher reviewed the contract and stated that he did not find the wording Mr. Irish was referring to: "If this tree is not properly maintained etc.". The PRDA Board and Mr. Irish are agreeable to working out this problem and making some concessions in order to come to an agreement to replace the trees covered under the warranty. Mr. Slater advised that Chris Pargoff of the Forestry Division of the Department of Public Works has an inventory of trees that we do not want to plant in the City. He has a list of trees that should be planted as well. 2. Finance Report—Michael Slater reported that as of the end of March, 2003, the total assets were $2,390,632.21, liabilities were $47,453.43 which left a total fund balance of$2,343,178.78. This is about where our expenses should be. The disbursements made during the month of March totaled$16,267.19. Mayor Kirksey inquired if the lights for Plymouth Road and tied into the entire DET system for the City of Livonia or if they are on separate meters. Mr. Slater advised that he would look into it and report back. He also advised that they are continually negotiating with them because of the lights that are out. 3. Construction Report—Beckett&Raeder: Ben Baker and Tim Knutsen discussed in general the feelings of the Board and the issue with Irish Landscaping regarding the maintenance issue. Mr. Grace responded that when the trees were planted nobody had heard of the ash borer disease. Mr. Baker advised that a letter should be written to Steve Potocki of Peter Basile advising that he has been informed that there is a list of items that need to be repaired. If they are not repaired by a certain date that the P.R.D.A. will hire someone to go out and fix these items and charge them back to Peter Basile. The letter should state that the P.R.D.A. Board has authorized you to either fix them or we will have someone else fix them. Mr. Knutsen suggested that as the contract administrator that they would write the letter. Mr. Pike suggested that since the construction season has begun that someone from Peter Basile should attend one of our meetings, either in May or June in case there are any questions. Mr.Nagy advised that PRDA would lie to have the 2 maintenance contractor plant some annual flowers in the spring time. PRDA made a donation of annual flowers to go in the plaza areas and Old Rosedale where the pillars are. The cost is approximately$1,525 including flowers and labor. Mr. Anderson requested if arborvitae could be planted at Harrison at the entrance to the subdivision instead of flowers. Mr. Nagy said that they would see if there is something more consistent with the P.R.D.A. landscape theme that could accomplish the same thing. Mayor Kirksey introduced Wes Graff as the new President of the Livonia Chamber of Commerce and the board members likewise introduced themselves. As soon as Wes is approved by the City Council he will become an active member of the P.R.D.A. board. Mr. Graff gave a little history of his background to the board. He is returning to Livonia where he and his family lived for four years before moving to Goshen, Indiana. 4. Committee Reports- Public Relations: Mr. Anderson reported that FCS is putting labels on the latest newsletter right now. The plan is to give Bret Miller of eWave our copy of the disc to update the web site. Mr. Nagy also advised that in connection with the Great Race road rally that an insert would be going into the newsletter as well as in all the Observer papers. We are going to have page to promote the corridor in connection with the Great Race. That is something the marketing committee has stepped forward to do. Mr. Anderson felt that the PRDA web page in its current state is not an asset but a detriment. It needs updating as soon as possible. Mr. Grace echoed the same sentiments along with the suggestion that we need to give people a reason to go there. Also, that to have the web page address showing at the bottom of the banners would be one way to promote the web page. Mr. Nagy advised that at the time interviews were made, FCS was interviewed and they were a little more expensive than eWave but since they have done so much for us maybe we should have them host the web page. Vacant Buildings: Mr. Grace reported that Auto Zone is closed. Nothing more to report. Construction Committee—Mr. Pike—Nothing more to report. Inspection—Toni Mette— absent Development Assistance—Mr. Grace—Nothing to report. Banner Committee- Mr.Nagy—The Committee did not meet. Great Race—Mr. Nagy—The Great Race is being advertised via the PRDA newsletter and the Observer papers. 3 5. Director's Report- John Nagy—Regarding the EXPO—the food vendors that (re were there did a good job. Those that attended seem to enjoy it. The attendance seemed to be way down. 6. Polling of Board Members— Scott Grace—At the main corners I see remnants of the old power lines for the lights. They have the new lights up and the old street signs are still there. When we have the main intersections completed with our new traffic signals and poles, we don't need the old posts there. I think we probably should make sure those are pulled out. There is a sign up at the George Burns site that has been there for a couple of years west of the closed Modern Supply building. This is actually not part of the PRDA site but construction is to begin soon by someone else and the sign will be in the way. Mr. Nagy—The Livonia Community Prayer Breakfast will be held May 1 from 7:15 to 9:00 AM at the Burton Manor. Frank DeStella will be the featured speaker. He is a good speaker. Regarding the holiday parade in view of the status of the Wonderland Mall, I talked to Jim Lamphier of the Schostak Company. He said the building would be available to us for next year. There will be enough room there and they will make arrangements to have coffee and doughnuts and Santa Claus will be able to entertain there. Regarding the streetscape at the (iv Wonderland Mall, Target has asked us not to install our brick piers this year. They are planning on enlarging their building. They do not want streetscape in front of their property at this time. Mr. Kujawa reports that there was an article in the Detroit Free Press on the George Burns theater and the Mai Kai theater. Mayor Kirksey—The project for the George Burns property is just getting started this week. It is happening. They have begun. At long last there is something that is going to occur on that site. The City is watching with great care to make sure the site is developed and we don't want them to have Walgreens coming in without the housing being constructed as well. On the Wonderland issue coming all the way down with the streetscape,perhaps it should be delayed until the new development comes to fruition. It is a massive project dealing with the entire site. The only two buildings that will remain are Target and the old K-Mart. The new plan will be to place a new strip of stores right up to the streetscape and the last of the Wonderland Mall will be taken out. There will be more than one big business there and Wards will come down. Schostak now owns that. Maybe we should invite Schostak to come in and talk to this group. I would also like to mention that we will be having a seminar on terrorism and homeland security at the new rec center on May 1. The new rec center opened on Monday of this week, April 14, 2003. There were approximately 8,000 people came in. Maybe we could hold one of the PRDA meetings there. The Great Race will be held June 21, 2003 starting at the new rec center. 4 Mr. Anderson talked to some of the business owners at Wonderland. If they are looking for a place to set up their business while Wonderland is undergoing redevelopment, maybe our EDC Director could talk to some of the people and give them a little help. Also, I would like to know if the items on my list of repairs that need to be made are going to be made this summer or delayed until next fall. Mr. Nagy responded that there would be a meeting with Basile regarding these repairs and that these are safety issues that need to be taken care of right away. 7. Adjournment: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the 145th General Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority was adjourned at 5:05 pm. The next meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2003. 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