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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRDA MINUTES 2017-09-21 MINUTES OF THE 248th GENERAL MEETING OF THE PLYMOUTH ROAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA The 248th General Meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority of the City of Livonia, Michigan, was called to order at 3:03 p.m., Thursday, September 21, 2017, in the 4th floor conference room of City Hall. Members Present: John Hiltz Greg Meyer Lowell Peterson Dennis Wright, Mayor Members Absent: Ruth Ann Brown Omar Faris, Chair Jeremy Curtis, Vice Chair Betsy McCue Others Present: Mark Taormina, Economic Development & Planning Director Michael Slater, Finance Director Todd Zilincik, City Engineer Barbara Gamber, Economic Development Coordinator Debra Cain, Account Manager, DTE Energy Robert Auth, Resident Margie Watson, Secretary 1. Roll was called. A quorum was not present. 2. Status of Plymouth Road Street Light Replacement. Mr. Taormina stated that the purpose of the meeting was to get direction from the PRDA Board as to which of the three options suggested by DTE is preferred. All three options involve removing and replacing a total of 457 light poles that DTE has determined are deteriorated to a point where it is no longer feasible or cost-effective to repair or restore them to a long-term safe condition. The PRDA reserves are currently insufficient to pay for any of these improvements. Instead, the City will include the cost of replacement in the 2018 Road Fund budget. Because the City is paying for the cost of the pole replacements, the final decision as to which option to choose will rest with City Council. Below is a brief description of each proposal including the total cost to the City. Option #1. Replace the existing light posts and arms with DTE's standard Code 06 poles and install new teardrop luminaires. An example and prototype of this option is available to view on the south side of Plymouth Road just west of Fairfield Avenue. The total cost to the City under Option #1 is $1,065,801. The higher-than-anticipated cost is due to the need to replace the existing teardrop luminaires with new luminaires, since DTE was unable to retrofit the existing fixtures to fit the Code 06 poles. September 21, 2017 2 Option #2. Replace the existing poles, arms and luminaires with DTE's standard Code 06 poles and light fixtures. At a total cost of $571,444, this option is the cheapest, namely because there are no custom parts and DTE is willing to discount the total cost by offering a credit in the amount of $200,000. Aside from being black, these poles would be identical to most new LED light poles being installed along the City's major thoroughfares. Option #2 is preferred by DTE. Note that both Option #1 and Option #2 include the same small cast aluminum base. Option #3. The third option introduces a replacement pole and luminaire similar in style to the existing light poles. However, unlike the original steel poles, the new light posts (shaft and base) would be all aluminum, one- piece construction. The same company that provided the PRDA with the original light poles—Holophane—would be the supplier at a total cost of $1,312,349. Mr. Slater stated that last winter we were under the impression that eventually all the poles would be replaced, but only a portion upfront would be replaced and that the luminaires could be retrofitted with slipfitter attachments so they could be reinstalled. Debra Cain, DTE, stated that there was no way to make that happen. If the poles were moved, it would cost $200,000 and they would still need to moved again in the future. She stated that this was DTE's first big acquisition, and they are willing to offer huge incentives to go with stock poles. Mr. Taormina asked why DTE is pushing for Option 2, and if the same incentives can be used for Option 1. Ms. Cain replied no, that they need to eliminate any special orders so that repairs can easily be made. Mr. Hiltz stated that the City met their portion of the purchase agreement, and he feels that DTE has led us along and not stood up to its original proposal. We are also relying on DTE to do proper maintenance. The PRDA wants to maintain as much of the original streetscape as possible using our luminaries on DTE poles. Since DTE has changed their options, John Hiltz is uncomfortable with that. He prefers Option 3 but not the cost; Todd Zilinick and Lowell Peterson prefer Option 2 for safety and long term maintenance; Greg Meyer preferred Option 1 for aesthetics and to maintain the integrity of the corridor. Mark Taormina stated that the aesthetics of the corridor is a worthwhile discussion to determine if the City should be moving in a different direction or adhere to the original PRDA vision. It was decided that another study session was needed to review the background information and available options. It was also suggested that the PRDA Board meet with City Council Members in a committee meeting before the item goes to a Council voting meeting. September 21, 2017 3 Dr. Auth mentioned that a pole needs to be replaced near the Parkside Credit Union on the south side of Plymouth near Levan. 3. Update on work being done on the plaza at the northeast corner of Plymouth and Middlebelt Roads Todd Zilinik provided a photograph of the completed plaza work at the northeast corner of Plymouth and Middlebelt Roads. Comments were made that the stamped concrete portion looked sloppy, but Todd said the pavers have since been cleaned up. Use of the stamped concrete at other intersections needed to be discussed with the full PRDA Board. Greg Meyer said that Consumers will also be cleaning up the West Chicago and Middlebelt areas, and he distributed a Consumer Energy flyer highlighting improvements made in Wayne County and future commitments to renewable energy, environmental quality and energy efficiency. 4. Adjournment: The 248th General Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on September 21, 2017, was adjourned at 4:30 p.m. Margie Watson, Secretary