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Home My WebLink AboutPRDA MINUTES 2012-10-25 MINUTES OF THE 235TH REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLYMOUTH ROAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA The 235th Regular Meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority of the City of Livonia, Michigan, was called to order at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, October 25, 2012, in the 4th floor conference room of City Hall. Members Present: Ruth Ann Brown Omar Faris Scott Grace John Hiltz, Vice Chair Jack Kirksey, Mayor Betsy McCue, Chair Greg Meyer Toni Mette Lowell Peterson Absent: None Others Present: Mark Taormina, Economic Development & Planning Director Michael Slater, Finance Director Todd Zilincik, City Engineer Michael Jones, Dickerson Group Benefits Co., L.L.C. Mark M. Ward, Dickerson Group Benefits Co., L.L.C. Robert Auth, Resident Margie Watson, Secretary 1. Roll was called. A quorum was present. 2 Welcome New Board Members. New Board Members Ruth Ann Brown and Omar Faris were welcomed to the PRDA. Ms. Brown, Vice President and General Manager for Bill Brown Ford, stated that she was happy to be a member, and that the PRDA has done wonderful things for Bill Brown Ford and the renovation of the corridor. Mr. Faris advised that he has been a business owner on the corridor for 13 years and was glad to have the opportunity to serve on the Board and to give back to the City. Betsy McCue responded that the Board is excited to have new members. 3. Adoption of the Minutes. On a motion made by Kirksey, seconded by Meyer, and unanimously adopted, it was #2012-08 RESOLVED, that the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby approve the Minutes of the 234th Regular Meeting ,,, held on August 16, 2012. October 25, 2012 2 Ms. McCue, Chairperson, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing �r resolution adopted. 4. Financial Reports. The Financial Statements of the Authority's Special Revenue Fund for the months ending May 31, June 30, July 31, August 31 and September 30, 2012, were presented by Michael Slater, Finance Director. The September 30, 2012, Balance Sheet reflects total assets in the amount of$544,824.21, total liabilities in the amount of$706,732.90 and a total fund balance of($161,908.69). Mr. Slater stated that the total liability amount represents business tax appeals for the years 2009 through 2011, and it is an estimate of what may be paid. The Assessor initially tries to settle appeals. If she is unsuccessful, the appeal then goes to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. Regarding payments to Techseven, the irrigation maintenance contractor, a large portion of the cost of the irrigation repairs were due to road re-construction and have been billed back to Cadillac Asphalt, the road construction contractor, for reimbursement. In response to Mr. Hiltz' inquiry, City Engineer Todd Zilinick advised that there will be no additional costs to the City for mast arm installations and streetscape repairs because these anticipated costs were included in the contractor's bid. On a motion made by Hiltz, seconded by Peterson, and unanimously Ce adopted, it was #2012-09 RESOLVED, that the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby accept and approve the Financial Statements of the Authority's Special Revenue Fund for the months ending May 31, June 30, July 31, August 31 and September 30, 2012. Ms. McCue, Chairperson, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. Mr. Slater also advised that the City's 2013 budget was approved by the City Council and it will have an impact on the PRDA. Since the PRDA does not have the means to pay its debt service, it was determined that a levy of 2 mils will be assessed on business owners within the PRDA District. The district boundaries will be re-drawn to eliminate all residential properties, and the irrigation special assessment will be suspended. The Mayor stated that more than 50% of this new assessment will fall on the City's largest taxpayers, such as TRW, Roush, Ashley Capital, Walmart, Ford, T-Mobile, TRW and General Motors. It is anticipated that the new assessment will be added to the Summer 2013 tax bills, after all public hearing proceedings have taken place. The millage will need to be approved on a yearly basis. The Mayor also advised that a refuse millage increase will also take effect next year for all Livonia citizens. October 25, 2012 3 5. New Business. (a) Presentation by Dickerson Group Benefits Co., L.L.C. In an effort to reduce electricity consumption and to lower the cost of maintenance and repair of the corridor's street lights, Todd Zilinick, City Engineer, suggested that the use of LED lighting could be the answer. Mr. Zilinick advised that currently we are maintaining about 460 streetlights along Plymouth Road, and anticipated savings of 30% to 70% may be possible by switching to LED lights because they burn less kilowatts and provide for a better quality of light. Further, the current lights could be retrofitted with LEDs as they do not require ballasts. Mssrs. Michael Jones and Mark Ward, Dickerson Group Benefits Co., L.L.C./Kimberly LED Lighting, presented their proposal to the Board, with an option to either directly purchase the LEDs or take advantage of a lease plan. The Board advised that they would like to observe what the illumination looks like at night, and that they would look to City Administration for guidance on how to proceed. The Mayor stated that the potential savings and flexibility of financing could provide an opportunity to reduce annual payments and suggested that the Board continue to look at the proposal. (b) Irrigation Sprinkler Maintenance Contract. Mark Taormina presented a proposal by Techseven Company, dated August 6, 2012, offering to extend the current contract with the PRDA for servicing the irrigation system along the Plymouth Road corridor for two years at the current pricing. Mr. Taormina reported that Doug Moore, DPW, Parks & Forestry Supervisor, supported the contract renewal, and Todd Zilinick stated that the company promptly made irrigation repairs. On a motion made by Hiltz, seconded by Grace, and unanimously adopted, it was #2012-10 RESOLVED, that the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby accept the proposal submitted by Techseven Company, P.O. Box 182247, Shelby Township, Michigan 48318, as detailed in their proposal dated August 6, 2012, to provide Plymouth Road Irrigation Sprinkler Maintenance pursuant to the original Specifications and Contract Documents, dated April 21, 2011, at an estimated cost of $26,300.00 per year, for an "at will" term of two (2) years. Ms. McCue, Chairperson, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 6. Executive Committee. (a) Hertz Proposed Used Car Sales Operation at 33910 Plymouth Road (Petition 2012-09-02-20). On September 20, 2012, the Executive Committee reviewed the request submitted by Hertz to October 25, 2012 4 operate a used car sales lot in conjunction with an existing rental car business located on the south side of Plymouth Road between Farmington and Stark Roads. The Committee ascertained that it was unable to support the proposal, based on the following concerns: 1) The area is currently well-served with used auto sales operations; 2) Ingress/egress is inadequate to handle the additional traffic that would be generated by the proposed use; and 3) The plans provide no additional landscaping along Plymouth Road, which is lacking on this site. Mr. Taormina advised that the Planning Commission tabled this matter at its October 9, 2012, Public Hearing until such time as Hertz provides additional information. Ruth Ann Brown stated that Hertz as a rental company has no need to retail used cars and that the venture would be unlikely to last long. (b) Review of Proposal by Custom Stone Works at 32910 Plymouth Road. On September 20, 2012, the Executive Committee updated the Board on the review of the request submitted by Custom Stone Works. 7. Polling of Members. All of the Board Members individually welcomed Ruth Ann Brown and Omar Faris to the PRDA. 0. Greg Meyer advised that everyone should vote "no" on Proposal #3 which lkof will be on the ballot in the upcoming State General Election on November 6. Lowell Peterson inquired about the AT&T building that is for sale. Mr. Taormina responded that there is a party interested in purchasing the building. Adjournment: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the 235th Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on October 25, 2012, was adjourned at 5:00 p.m. Margie Watson, Secretary