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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRDA MINUTES 2012-08-16 MINUTES OF THE 234TH REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLYMOUTH ROAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA The 234TH Regular Meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority of the City of Livonia, Michigan, was called to order at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, August 16, 2012, in the 4th floor conference room of City Hall. Members Present: Wayne Glass Scott Grace Jack Kirksey, Mayor John Hiltz, Vice Chair Betsy McCue, Chair Greg Meyer Toni Mette Lowell Peterson Absent: None Others Present: Mark Taormina, Economic Development & Planning Director Robert Auth, Resident Margie Watson, Secretary 1. Roll was called. A quorum was present. 2 Adoption of the Minutes. On a motion made by Hiltz, seconded by Glass, and unanimously adopted, it was #2012-04 RESOLVED, that the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby approve the Minutes of the 232nd Regular Meeting held on January 19, 2012, and the Minutes of the 233rd General Meeting held on May 17, 2012. Ms. McCue, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 3. Proposed Changes to Bylaws. Mr. Taormina presented a proposed amendment to the Authority's bylaws to reflect a minimum of one annual meeting and to reduce the number of members required for a quorum from seven to five. The reason for the changes reflects the reduced amount of business needed to be transacted by the Board and the lower number of current Board members. State statute requires a minimum of eight Board members, which is the current number sitting on the Board. C August 16, 2012 2 On a motion made by Glass, seconded by Peterson, and unanimously adopted, it was #2012-05 RESOLVED, that the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby request the City Council to amend Article II, Meetings, Section 2 and 4 of the Plymouth Road Development Authority Bylaws to read as follows: Section 2. The board shall meet at least annually on the third Thursday of January except as otherwise provided from time to time by resolution of the board. Section 4. Greater than fifty (50) percent of the board's active members, with a number of no less than five (5), shall constitute a quorum. A majority vote of those present shall be deemed necessary for the transaction of any and all business or the passage of any resolution. Ms. McCue, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 4. Proposed Changes to Meeting Schedule. Discussion also took place regarding the need to change the current schedule from monthly to quarterly meetings. It was agreed that the Executive Committee is authorized to make decisions on business items when the full Board does not meet. The entire Board will be notified of meeting dates and agenda items as they arise. All board members are invited to attend the Executive Committee meetings The Committee will meet on the third Thursday of the month, when needed. The Executive Committee may offer resolutions to be considered by the full Board. The Executive Committee consists of the Chair, Vice Chair and immediate Past Chair. On a motion made by Glass, seconded by Grace, and unanimously adopted, it was #2012-06 RESOLVED, that the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby amend the Regular Meeting Schedule to reflect meetings on a quarterly basis to become effective in October, 2012: The meetings shall take place each January, April, July and October on the third Thursday of the month at 3:00 p.m. in the fourth floor conference room of City Hall. Ms. McCue, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 5. Proposed Changes to PRDA District Boundaries. In response to questions raised at an earlier Executive Committee Meeting, the Law Department was asked to provide a report to City Council as to whether the August 16, 2012 3 PRDA could levy a millage to pay for the debt service and other expenses incurred in the District as a result of tax revenue losses. The Law Department provided its opinion and taxing options in its letter dated August 10, 2012 address to the Council. The letter stated that a tax levy of up to 2 mils could be imposed without holding an election. Further, the letter stated that "if Council wished to spare the residents from paying off debts incurred in an effort to boost the area's attractiveness to commerce and industry, it could modify the district boundaries to exclude residential uses." Mr. Taormina informed the Board that the original boundaries of the District were established up to Newburgh Road. The boundaries were amended to expand the area to Eckles Road, which included the GM site and all commercial zoned properties and individual parcels up to the railroad. There are residential properties on Stark, Merriman, Lutheran Homes for the Aged, and scattered homes next to Richard George's property. The rezoning of the Mai Kai property and construction of the Fountain Park Condominiums added further residential properties. Overall, only a small percentage of area within District is residential and could be removed from the District. To do this, only Council action is required, but support of the PRDA Board is encouraged. Mayor Kirksey advised that his letter to Council dated August 13, 2012, requested the Council to begin the process of amending the boundaries of (lise the Authority's District in order to facilitate the removal of all residential properties. The PRDA District presently contains approximately 22 residential properties, including single family homes as well as multiple family developments, such as Fountain Park Condominiums. The Mayor stated that it is important to have the support of PRDA Board, even though it is ultimately the Council's decision as to how the PRDA is funded. The current amount of the City's obligation is approximately $700,000 a year for bond repayment and public lighting, and the City cannot assume that amount of debt from the General Fund. Messrs. Grace and Hiltz observed that an increase in the corridor's tax would now make Plymouth Road property more expensive. It was also mentioned that at this time it is not clear how the new tax would affect the Special Assessment District that was established in 2011 to operate the existing irrigation system and water costs to maintain landscaping along the corridor. On a motion made by Peterson, seconded by Glass, and adopted, it was #2012-07 RESOLVED, that the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby support amending the boundaries of the Plymouth Road Development District in order to facilitate the removal of all residential properties. C August 16, 2012 4 (re A roll call vote on the foregoing resolution resulted in the following: AYES: Peterson, Glass, Grace, Kirksey, Meyer, Hiltz, McCue NAYES: Mette ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None Ms. McCue, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 7. Polling of Members. John Hiltz advised that the delay in road construction at Plymouth and Farmington Roads is due to a box culvert issue, and that although the road is being improved, a total reconstruction is need. Mr. Hiltz also advised that in the last election, almost 80 percent of the voters supported the Livonia road millage renewal. Toni Mette advised that a light pole has been completely destroyed at the Plymouth Road Tech Center, just east of Harrison Road. Adjournment: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the 234th Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on August 16, 2012, was adjourned at 4:30 p.m. Margie Watson, Secretary C