City Council Minutes

Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:05 p.m. in the Northville City Hall Council Chambers, 215 West Main Street, Northville, Michigan.

Present: Mayor Christopher Johnson, Mayor Pro Tem Carolann Ayers, Councilmembers Kevin Hartshorne and Jerome Mittman.

Absent: Councilmember Thomas Swigart (excused).

A. Citizen Comments None.

This item was delayed until a representative from PHHA could be present.

Motion Hartshorne, seconded by Ayers to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Parks and Recreation Fund:

The second community center at Hillside will provide new and increased indoor recreation program opportunities. Although the Parks and Recreation Department operations will relocate to Hillside, use of the Community Center will continue as alternate future uses of this facility are being explored. Millennium Park will be turned over to the Parks and Recreation Department in summer 2001.

Revenue items reflecting a change from last year’s budget include a brick paver sale as part of the Community Park improvements, brochure advertising to offset printing expenses, and the use of Block Grant funds to pay for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan update. Expenditure items reflecting a change from last year’s budget include the addition of the Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation position, the addition of new accounts to assist in identifying services provided by DPW, an increase in Field/Park Maintenance temporary straight time to reflect the use of part-time seasonal staff, and Community Center building improvements.

Council Comments: A question was asked regarding whether landmark trees were removed from Ford Field (no) and further clarification on the policy for removing trees from City-owned property. City Council commended the Parks and Recreation Director for her ability to coordinate the visions of and answer to three boards of authority.

Senior Citizens Services Fund:

The Senior Citizens Program relies heavily on grant money. An additional bus from SMART, at no cost to the City, will assist in the expanded transportation program. The only significant capital improvement item is an upgraded copier used to reproduce numerous event flyers and marketing materials.

Council Comments: Questions included the projected lifespan of the senior bus and the proposed use of the Northville Youth Assistance space. Additional comments focused on the possibility of renovating the Community Center for use as a Senior Center. A brief discussion ensued over eliminating the $1.00 card-playing fee, which generates approximately $2,500 used to provide refreshments and cards to the seniors.

Motion Hartshorne to eliminate the $1.00 fee for playing cards at the Senior Center. Motion died due to lack of support.

The Pheasant Hills Homeowners Association (PHHA) has implemented a subdivision improvement plan, with significant improvements currently underway at the entrance and at each creek crossing in the subdivision. PHHA is proposing to upgrade 47 streetlights with natural gas fixtures installed and serviced by Consumers Energy. The purchase and installation costs are approximately $80,000, with the monthly cost for gas to these fixtures at a cost of $9.80 per fixture. PHHA is requesting the City share the cost of this proposed improvement on a 50/50 basis. This is the first request by the Association for financial assistance on one of their projects. The City’s cost for this project is estimated to be $50,000, which includes an additional cost from Detroit Edison to remove the existing electric streetlights. Funds have not been included in the proposed budget to cover this request.

Council Comments: A discussion ensued regarding the proposed gaslights, with primary concern focused on setting a precedent with funding assistance and not being able to offer the same benefit to other neighborhoods. Questions were asked regarding light maintenance, energy consumption, and repair and replacement costs. Further comments focused on safety concerns regarding the possibility of an explosion due to gas leaks. Although Consumers Energy claims the lights are as safe as electric powered lighting, City Council directed staff to obtain this disclaimer in writing.

Further discussion focused on previous PHHA funded subdivision improvements including upgraded street signs, elimination of sidewalk gaps, and tree planting throughout the subdivision. Council noted that sidewalks were a requirement included in the site development agreement and, therefore, should have been installed at the expense of the developer.

It was the consensus of the Council to place this request on the non-budgeted item "wish list", with a condition that the City might consider funding assistance, at a smaller amount, if the majority of the expenditure were absorbed by PHHA.

Refuse and Recycling Fund:

The residential program is operating under a four-year contract that became effective July 1, 2000. For FY 2002, there is no increase in the contract cost; therefore, no rate adjustment is proposed for the residential program. In April 2001, the City Council awarded the bid for commercial refuse collection. Based upon the bid, the contractor rates will decrease; however, no rate adjustment is proposed for FY 2002 as the program has operated at a loss in the current and prior fiscal years.

Water and Sewer Fund:

As the financial condition of this fund continues to improve, it is proposed the City again absorb the increase from Detroit and Wayne County. In addition, due to the decreased debt load for the sewer operations, a rate decrease is proposed effective July 1, 2001. The effect of the proposed adjustment would be a net decrease of 3%. A 5% rate adjustment is proposed for the dual meter sewer rate.

Council Comments: A discussion ensued regarding sanitary sewers and future costs to communities to address compliancy issues. It is hoped that federal, state, and county funding will be available to assist in the liability and correction of sanitary sewer issues. Early estimates indicate that compliance with the Clear Water Act will total nearly eight billion dollars.

It was further commented that Council should consider holding a public hearing regarding water and sewer rates to inform residents that the rates are decreasing.

Equipment Fund:

The proposed operating expenditures for general vehicle maintenance is expected to be consistent with the previous year. Operating expenditures include the purchase of an upgraded fuel system and entrance card reader. Proposed equipment purchases include a street sweeper, sign post driver, and a sidewalk salt spreader. The DDA is contributing $50,000 toward the street sweeper purchase.

Council Comments on Budget:

A discussion ensued regarding the millage rate for this year. Council reviewed the non-budget items "wish list" and determined that, with the exception of two items, Public Improvement Funds could be used to address most items on this list. By consensus of the Council, staff was directed to publish the public hearing notice and millage rate as proposed in the budget document. Further, Council will continue to investigate items discussed during the budget review, reconsider non-budgeted "wish list" items, and consider funding certain items from this list through the use of the Public Improvement Fund, if the funds are available.

Mittman: Complimented Nickie Bateson and staff for their work in preparing an excellent budget document

Johnson: Stated that Councilmember Swigart’s father-in-law had passed away on April 24^th.

B. Staff Communications None.

There being no further business to come before Council, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Dianne Massa

City Clerk