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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRDA MINUTES 2016-04-21 MINUTES OF THE 244th REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLYMOUTH ROAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA The 244th Regular Meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority of the City of Livonia, Michigan, was called to order at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, April 21, 2016, in the 4th floor conference room of City Hall. Members Present: Dennis Wright, Mayor Greg Meyer, Chair Ruth Ann Brown Jeremy Curtis John Hiltz Betsy McCue Lowell Peterson Absent: Omar Faris, Vice Chair Others Present: Mark Taormina, Economic Development & Planning Director Michael Slater, Finance Director Barbara Gamber, Economic Development Coordinator Robert Auth, Resident Margie Watson, Secretary Mike Hamieh, Dalton Floorz Representatives from Stevenson High School Student Senate: Kelsey Corr, Ryan Burk, Maddin Gannon, Mikaela Padgen and Clare Buntan 1. Roll was called. A quorum was present. 2. Introductions: As this was the first Board Meeting attended by Mayor Wright, the Board introduced themselves and the entities they represent. 3. Adoption of the Minutes. On a motion made by McCue, seconded by Curtis, and unanimously adopted, it was #2016-01 RESOLVED, that the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby approve the Minutes of the 243rd Regular Meeting held on October 15, 2015. Mr. Meyer, Chairperson, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 4. Financial Reports. The Financial Statements of the Authority's Special Revenue Fund for the months ending September, October, November and December, 2015, and January and February, 2016, were presented by Michael Slater, Finance Director. The February Balance Sheet reflects Total April21, 2016 2 Assets in the amount of $441,098.96, Total Liabilities in the amount of $6,351.51 and a Total Fund Balance in the amount of $434,747.35. Mr. Slater advised that PRDA debt will be paid off in 2018, and he does not expect any new tax capture monies to become available because of the personal property tax law changes. The 2 mils assessed PRDA businesses will be available for PRDA use, and Mr. Slater would encourage the City Council to extend the life of the Authority after 2018. The Tax Increment Financing Authority Report for the City of Livonia DDA Plan #1 and the 2015 Annual Report were received and filed. On a motion made by Hiltz, seconded by McCue, and unanimously adopted, it was #2016-02 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 September, October, November and December, 2015, and January and February, 2016. Mr. Meyer, Chairperson, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 5. Election of Officers. Lowell Peterson, on behalf of the Nominating Committee, contacted all members and advised that John Hiltz has agreed to accept the nomination for Chair and Omar Faris has agreed to accept the nomination of Vice Chair. The floor was open for additional nominations. None were received. On a motion made by Peterson, seconded by McCue, and unanimously adopted, it was #2016-03 RESOLVED, that the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby elect John Hiltz as the Chairman and Omar Faris as Vice Chairman of the Authority for the term January 1 through December 31, 2016. Mr. Meyer, Chairperson, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 6. Update on DTE Plymouth Road Street Lighting. In September, 2015, DTE acquired the street lighting system along Plymouth Road from the PRDA. The conversion to LED is complete and the controller boxes have been changed out. There were four different LED configurations on various poles which cost DTE an additional $90,000. DTE will assume responsibility for all future maintenance of the street lights, including outage repairs, pole painting, and underground staking services when the changeover is finalized. Painting of the light poles will begin next month. The PRDA will continue to be responsible for pole replacement costs, but DTE will provide April 21, 2016 3 a credit of $610.00 for each pole replaced. Mr. Slater will follow up with DTE to get a firm date for the complete changeover so the contract with I.S. Fiber Services can be terminated. 7. Landscape Improvement Request by Dalton Floorz. A landscaping modification request, dated April 16, 2016, was received from Mike Hamieh, owner of Dalton Floorz. Mr. Hamieh plans to purchase the property at 32104 Plymouth Road, which was the former Tenpenny furniture store. Mr. Hamieh is requesting to remove two mature trees on the north side of Plymouth Road that he feels are negatively impacting the visibility of the current sign from eastbound and westbound traffic. He would replace the trees with perennial shrubs and maintain the new landscaping. The PRDA objected to the tree removal because they have tried to maintain landscaping consistency on Plymouth Road and feel it would have a negative impact on the corridor. Possible alternatives include trimming the trees, moving the sign beneath the tree canopies, and a possible Zoning Board of Appeals variance to install a monument sign closer to the sidewalk than is permitted by ordinance. The Mayor requested an opportunity to visit the site. It was decided that the Executive Committee would meet after viewing the location and provide their report and recommendation. 8. Around the Table John Hiltz thanked the Board for his election as Chair, and thanked Greg Meyer for serving as Chair for the past two years. Mark Taormina advised the following: (1) Ashley Capital has purchased the GM facility on Middlebelt Road for light assembly operations. They plan to invest $10 million for improvements including adding dock doors, a new roof and landscaping. (2) The renovations at Tony's Kitchens are progressing, and they will be expanding their Class C liquor license. The restaurant will be called the Black Label Tavern. (3) There are potential buyers for the old Herc's Roast Beef restaurant. The plans include a micro distiller and restaurant and expansion of the liquor license. (4) Kickers has closed because of back tax issues. (5) The remodeling of Antonio's is progressing very slowly but there are open permits. Lowell Peterson inquired about the construction of the new Clements Circle swimming pool. At this point, General Fund monies are being used as the lawsuit is ongoing. 9. Adjournment: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the 244th Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on April 21, 2016, was adjourned at 4:10 p.m. Margie Watson, Secretary