Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRDA MINUTES 2003-09-18 MINUTES OF THE 150th REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLYMOUTH ROAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA C The 150th Regular Meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority of the City of Livonia, Michigan was called to order at 3:05 p.m., Thursday, September 18, 2003 in the 4th floor conference room of City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Kirksey* Mr. Scott Grace, Chairman Mr. John Walsh, Vice Chairman* Mr. Jerry Wordhouse Mr. Bill Pike* Mr. Lowell Peterson Mr. Stan Anderson Mr. Dennis Kujawa Mrs. Toni Mette Mr. Duane Wolfgang Mr. Wes Graff Members Absent: Mr. Marvin Walkon Others Present: Mr. John Nagy, Director Mr. Michael Slater, Finance Director C Mr. Michael Fisher, Assistant City Attorney Mr. Howard Nauboris, Beckett&Raeder Mr. Steve Levesque, Commercial Mowing Services Mr. Bob Zschering, Schostak—Wonderland Presentation Mr. Gary Tressel&Mr. Don Biegle, Hubbell, Roth&Clark Mr. Erich J. D'Andrea(Attorney) -Representative of Giulio Ledda (Italian Acquisition Restaurant)/(DePalma's) Mr. Ralph Williams, Citizen Mrs. Robby Williams, Secretary * Left before meeting was over 1. Roll was called. 2. Adoption of 149th Regular Meeting Minutes: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, it was #2003-30 RESOLVED, that the Minutes of the 149th Regular Meeting, held on August 21, 2003, by the Plymouth Road Development Authority are hereby approved. Mr. Grace, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 1 3. Comments from the Chairman: I spoke to all of the members and looked at all of the committees. In most cases I have combined the committees and increased the size of the committees. I have also created one new committee to be known as the Executive Committee. It is suggested that you take a look at it and if you have any changes you think should be made or suggestions, give me a call. I have combined the Web Site committee with the Public Relations committee. I would like for that committee to come up with ideas to promote Plymouth Road; some formats for newspapers or radio spots. Something we can use and perhaps project Plymouth Road as a shopping corridor possibly teaming with local businesses. I would like for them to look at the web site for periodical changes. The public Relations Committee can decide that. Mike Slater passed on the concerns of a Council person asking if there is a list of future construction phases as he is not sure what projects are left. He asked for a list showing Phase I through Phase 5B of projects completed and what is left to be done could be provided to him. Mr. Nagy responded that he had recently prepared a letter to the Mayor containing most of the information requested and that he would be happy to provide him with a copy. Mr. Grace advised the board that he has received a letter from the Livonia Sympathy Orchestra regarding their program for the upcoming season. I don't think we should make donations to nonprofit organizations. We promote Plymouth Road, unless the board feels there is a good merit for taking out an ad promoting Plymouth Road. Mr. Peterson responded that he didn't think our finances are such that we could do it this year but maybe next year. The deadline for advertising for LSO is tomorrow (Friday, September 19). We would need more notice the next time. The ad would be for the full season. The cost for a full-page ad is$500.00. Mr. Nagy said that he would advise them of the board's decision. 4. Chas F. Irish Company, Inc. —Mike Fisher, Assistant City Attorney—brought the board up to date regarding the possible litigation towards Chas. F. Irish Company regarding the warranty involving the trees planted along Plymouth Road that died. There was communication between Mr. Fisher, Mr. Frankel and Mr. Irish regarding this issue. Mr. Irish has agreed to replace 70 of the 140 dead trees with no warranty being provided. The board was not agreeable to this offer for the reason that no warranty was being provided. Mr. Irish did provide in his letter to Mr. Fisher, dated September 5, 2003, information regarding an offer to furnish and plant the remaining portion of 70 trees including labor, mulching, additional topsoil needed and remove the dead trees with a price list to do this work. Again, no warranty would be provided. Mr. Fisher recommended to the board that the trees be seen before they go into the ground. Mayor Kirksey said that the City has a very good arborist and that he could take a look at the trees. The Mayor also feels that without a guarantee there is no control of quality. Mr.Nauboris also advised the board that Beckett&Raeder would need to make sure that the trees are acceptable. Mr. Fisher feels that if the board goes along with this proposal that they need some type of fall back mechanism. On a motion by Jerry Wordhouse, seconded by Mayor Kirksey, and unanimously approved, it was C 2 • #2003-31 RESOLVED,that the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby agree with the offer made by Chas. F. Irish Company, Inc. to replace 70 of the 140 trees provided that a warranty of one year is provided for these 70 replacement trees to be planted in the spring of 2004. Mr. Grace, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 5. Finance Report: Mr. Slater presented the financial report. The monthly statement for August 31, 2003, shows Total Assets of$1,085,775.04, Total Liabilities of $106,601.37 and a Total Fund Balance of$979,173.67. The largest payments went to Peter Basile for Phase VB. The next five pages show a breakdown of each account. Mr. Slater also provided a copy of his letter dated September 18, 2003, regarding revisions to the proposed 2004 Fiscal Year Budget. Mr. Slater,the Mayor and others held a meeting and went over the budget. The Mayor advised the board that they had a bunch of difficult decisions to make. One of the casualties was that they were not going to be able to have a balanced budget without an effect on the PRDA. This revised budget will be going to Council for a committee meeting on September 22. We hope this situation is temporary. Mayor Kirksey reported to the board that there is a cover letter that goes with the budget but not all of the Council people have seen it to date. It will be discussed next Monday at the Council meeting. The revenue stream has pretty much dried out. When we look at the total budget we have to give public safety type issues the majority of our focus. We are trying to keep the ship afloat until the economy recovers. Since the hiring freeze went into effect the City has saved $3,000,000.00. We are trying to go straightforward but it is very painful. On a motion by Jerry Wordhouse, seconded by Lowell Peterson, and unanimously approved, it was #2003-32 RESOLVED,that the Plymouth Road Development Authority has seen and does hereby approve the revised budget for the Fiscal Year 2003-2004 as prepared. Mr. Grace, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 6. Wonderland Presentation - Bob Zschering, Vice President of development with Schostak—There is redevelopment going on all around us. There is a trend to"de- mall"the malls. The redevelopment of the Wonderland property will be done in phases. Phase I will start in the spring and open in the fall of 2004. Phase I represents a new look with new buildings and landscaping along Plymouth Road in front of Wonderland Mall. Since Schostak has acquired the K-Mart building, they will be updating its look also during Phase I. Gary Tressel and Don Biegle from Hubbell, Roth&Clark, a professional engineering firm, gave a presentation of the site plan that will go along with the same theme as the Plymouth Road streetlights and landscaping. The focus is to soften up the area with trees and plantings and to remove the asphalt. There will be approximately 20 to 25 retail outlets available. On a motion by Mr. Pike, seconded by Mr. Wordhouse and unanimously approved, it was 3 #2003-33 RESOLVED,that the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby approve and support the request by Schostak Bros. to construct and redevelop Phase I of the Wonderland Mall, which includes the construction of three new structures along with the redevelopment of the K-Mart building and specialty store and shall fully comply with all other applicable rules,regulations and ordinances of the City of Livonia. Mr. Grace, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 7. Giulio's Acquisition Restaurant—Erich D'Andrea, attorney, gave a presentation regarding the demolition of DePalma's Restaurant, destroyed by fire, and the construction of a new restaurant, Giulio's Ristorante Italiano. The DePalma building was destroyed by fire on February 16, 2003 and condemned by the City on February 19, 2003. The new restaurant will be situated in the same location and will have a more open interior and atmosphere. The entry door will be moved around to the side for valet parking. They will have an issue with parking but are hoping to make some kind of arrangements with the surrounding businesses to allow them space for additional parking. They will be going before the Planning Commission for a Public Hearing to be held September 30, 2003. There were concerns about the asbestos removal that will be discussed during a Development Assistance Committee meeting and brought forward at a later time to the PRDA board. 460, On a motion by Mr. Peterson, seconded by Mr. Anderson and unanimously approved, it was #2003-34 RESOLVED,that the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby approve in concept the proposed construction of a new restaurant as proposed by Giulio Ledda, on behalf of Italian Acquisition Restaurant, LLC, subject to City compliance with all City codes and ordinances, as such may be modified by action of the Planning Commission, ZBA and/or City Council. Mr. Grace, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 8. Construction Report—Beckett & Raeder: Mr. Howard Nauboris reported that on September 10, 2003, Peter Basile reached substantial completion. Approximately 90%of all construction items are completed. They will be doing the punch list items tomorrow and should be completed in two to three weeks. Mr. Nagy interjected that the Mobil sign will be relocated by the end of this month. Mr. Levesque reported that as far as the punch list items were concerned that they were proceeding about normally and that the sprinklers are working better. Members of the board commented on what a good job was being done and also how nice the flowers look that were planted at Farmington and Plymouth. Mr. Anderson said he would like to include something about what PRDA accomplished this construction season. He will be getting help from Howard Nauboris, Steve Levesque and John. 4 9. Committee Reports: (sw Inspection—Mrs. Mette reported that in front of the Furniture Liquidation building there are six dead shrubs and who will replace them? Mr.Nauboris reported that that was from Phase 5A and they will be replaced. Mrs. Mette also reported that in front of the Roush facility that there is a tree that is slanted and needs to be taken care of. It is a big tree. Mrs. Mette also commented about the flowers planted at the major corners and how nice they look. The light unit on the north side, east of Merriman,the whole unit is missing. Mr. Nagy advised that the electrical contractor would take care of it. Also,there is a telephone pole between Inkster and Middlebelt on the north side, about 1/8 of a mile west of that one, there are no wires on it. Mr.Nagy has advised that it has been over looked but it has been reported to Edison. Public Relations— Mr. Anderson—we have started our next issue. The holiday parade will end up again at the Wonderland Mall. Mr. Nagy reported that the holiday banners would go up the third week of October. Mr. Anderson feels that there should be some radio coverage lace the Wilson Barn has for the up coming"pumpkin fest". Vacant Buildings—Mr. Grace - has a new list and it is substantially smaller than the old list. I have updated the old list. These are some of the Clov changes: Modern Building Supply - Custom Stone Works Bill Knapp's Restaurant - Future Day Care Center Olson Olds - CAT Rental V.I.S. Center - Orchard, Hiltz&McCliment Pageway Communication- has been added Pastor Building - now leased by a roofing company Laskey Furniture - office furniture store Cockrum's Market - will be removed from the list as it is an on going business Development Assistance- Lowell Peterson reported that they have had two requests; (1) was from Giulio Ledda, on behalf of Giulio's Ristorante Italiano. We recommended that they come back with an asbestos removal proposal. We recommended that they be put on hold until the next meeting. (2) Town Peddler - there was some difficulty distinguishing between the remodeling and the demolition. What we would recommend is not the full$13,730 requested, the committee reduced the amount of$7,650.00 as the legitimate amount under the demolition portion of our program. We would eliminate the sidewalk and the pavement portion. If we go along with 50%of the reduced amount as allowed under the guidelines,the grant would be fore $3,825.00. Mr. Wordhouse felt that they deserve the grant. The figure we are looking at is$7,650 and 50%of that is $3,825 provided they give us paid bills. 5 On a motion by Mr. Wordhouse, seconded by Mr. Peterson and approved, it was fbar #2003-35 RESOLVED,that the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby approve and authorize a grant to be paid to Town Peddler in the amount of $3,825.00 representing 50% of the demolition cost incurred provided that all paid invoices are supplied to the PRDA. A roll call was taken with the following result: AYES: Wordhouse, Peterson, Kujawa, Mette, Graff, Grace NAYS: Anderson, Wolfgang ABSENT: Mayor Kirksey, Pike, Walsh, Walkon Mr. Grace, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. Banner Committee- No report. Director's Report- John Nagy—The sponsors for this year's holiday parade will be Schostak along with a cash donation of$1,000, St. Mary Hospital and the Livonia Observer. The Social Security Administration will be moving into a proposed building on vacant land situated between the Legacy Restaurant and Orchard, Hiltz&McCliment's new office facility. The developer still will have to go for site plan approval. Polling of Board Members: Mr. Anderson questioned the status of the property next to the sewing machine company. Mr. Nagy reported that it is at the Council level and that it has to go before the Zoning Board of Appeals due to deficient set backs. There were no further comments. 10. Adjournment: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the 150th Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority was adjourned at 5:30 pm. The next meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2003, in the Fourth Floor Conference Room of City Hall. Ro•by W: • , Secretary /rw v` 6