City Council Minutes

Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:30 p.m. in the Northville City Hall Council Chambers, 215 West Main Street, Northville, Michigan.

Present: Mayor Christopher Johnson, Mayor ProTem Carolann Ayers, Councilmembers Kevin Hartshorne, Jerome Mittman, and Thomas Swigart.

Absent: None.

Also Present: Assistant City Manager Nicolette Bateson, DPW Director James Gallogly, Deputy City Clerk Carol Kasprowicz, Kent Early of Orchard, Hiltz & McCliment, Reporter Lon Huhman, and three citizens.

A. Citizen Comments. None.

It was requested to move Item 4K, Request to Solicit / VFW Auxiliary, May 10-12, 2001, to under "New Business" Item 9F.

Motion Hartshorne, seconded by Swigart to approve the agenda and consent agenda as amended. Consent agenda as follows:

- City Council Minutes:

Regular Meeting of April 2, 2001

Special Meeting of April 4, 2001

Special Meeting of April 23, 2001

Special Meeting of April 25, 2001

- Approve Bills List: Checks #20769 to #20976, #20977 to #21216, and #21217 to #21413

- Receive Board and Commission Minutes:

Beautification Commission: 12/7/00

Downtown Development Authority: 12/19/00, 1/9/01, 2/13/01, 3/12/01

Youth Assistance: 2/13/01

- Receive Departmental Reports:

Youth Assistance: 3/01

- Boards and Commission Appointments: None

- Request to Solicit / Moslem Shrine Temple

- Street Closure Request / Main Street for Annual Flower Show

- Traffic Control Order 01-01 / Parking in Lower City Hall Lot

- Traffic Control Order 01-02 / "Right Turn Only" at Randolph and Center

- Senior Housing Awareness Week Proclamation

The City had partnered with Phoenix Land Development to extend a 12-in. watermain on Baseline Road from Novi Street to and through the new River Park Condominium Development. To compliment this project and as called for in the City’s 1997 "Water System Improvement Report," a 12-in. watermain extension is proposed to connect the aforementioned project. Eleven bids were received for the proposed project. Upon review of the bids, the City’s engineering consultant, McNeely and Lincoln Associates, has recommended that Duffy & Harte, Inc. of Pinckney, Michigan be awarded a construction contract for the project.

Council comments: It was suggested that the watermain extension project and the reconstruction of S. Morgan Circle and Larry Drive be combined for a more advantageous price. It was explained that the requirements of the two projects are too diverse to combine them under one bid.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Hartshorne to award a construction contract in the amount of $226,217.25 to Duffy & Harte, Inc. of Pinckney, Michigan and authorize the City Manager to sign the contract on behalf of the City of Northville. Motion carried unanimously.

As proposed in the FY 2002 budget process, City Staff is recommending the reconstruction of South Morgan Circle (Morgan Boulevard to Larry Drive) and Larry Drive (Morgan Circle to Jeffery). To accelerate the schedule of this project, and attempt to receive and award construction bids this spring, City Staff has asked Orchard, Hiltz & McCliment of Livonia (OHM) to provide engineering services for this project. At the City’s request, OHM has submitted a proposal to perform engineering services, full construction inspection, construction management, and also schedule an informational meeting with the neighborhood directly affected by this project. The proposal submitted by OHM is for $44,000 which is approximately 20% of the estimated $210,000 project. The funding for OHM is proposed to come from existing funds in the Local Street account. Funding for the actual construction contract (approximately $210,000) will not be required until the FY2002 budget takes effect on July 1, 2001.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Mittman to award an engineering contract to Orchard, Hiltz & McCliment, Inc. of Livonia, Michigan in the not to exceed amount of $44,000 for engineering services related to the reconstruction of South Morgan Circle and Larry Drive and authorize the City Manager to sign an agreement with OHM for these services. Motion carried unanimously.

The City has received notice from the Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes asking if the City desires to adopt and enforce the Michigan Building, Mechanical, and Plumbing Codes. The intent is to provide a single set of statewide codes as per amendment to the State Construction Code in 1999. City Staff has reviewed the notice and finds that it is in the best interest of the City to cooperate with the state initiative on code adoption and enforcement. If the codes are adopted, an ordinance amendment will be introduced at a later date.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to adopt the Michigan Building, Michigan Mechanical, and Michigan Plumbing Codes and authorize the Mayor to sign the Notice of Adoption and Intent to Enforce. Motion carried unanimously.

In November 2000, City voters approved a bond issue to purchase a new pumper truck and rescue unit for the Northville Fire Department. The vehicles have been ordered and the rescue vehicle was delivered during the week of April 23^rd. To accommodate the new equipment, it is proposed that the 1956 pumper truck and the 1977 step van be sold. Under the City Charter and City Code, the City Council must declare property to be disposed of as surplus and authorize disposal by trade-in, competitive bidding, or outright sale. In this instance, it is suggested that a competitive bidding process be initiated. The van is proposed to be disposed of soon, with the 1956 pumper truck to be sold following delivery of the new pumper.

Council comment: A question was raised regarding the monetary value of the equipment.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Swigart to declare the 1956 American LaFrance pumper truck and the 1977 Chevy Step van as excess or surplus property, and authorize staff to seek competitive bids on the equipment at the appropriate time during the current year. Motion carried unanimously.

It is the policy of the City of Northville to recognize the unique position of a city manager in the City’s total employee group when establishing overall compensation for this position. Further, the City Council recognizes and takes into account both local and nationwide competitive basis and compensation practices for city managers when establishing manager compensation. The compensation package is not, nor is it intended to be, neither a simple repetition of, nor a model for other employee compensation packages. It is recommended the City Manager’s compensation package include salary, bonus, purchase of service credit, provision for full coverage of post retirement health care, and a commitment to working toward an employment contract.

Council comments: Apologized for the lateness in the raise for fiscal year 00-01 due to the protracted negotiations with the unions. It was stated the following fiscal year’s raise will be addressed in the coming months. Questions were raised regarding the health care coverageand the MERS service credit. Compliments and high praise to the City Manager and a wish for a continued successful relationship with the City.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Swigart to identify the City Manager’s compensation package as:

1. The manager’s yearly salary will be $86,500 retroactive to 7/1/00.

2. A bonus in the amount of $1000 will be paid.

3. One year generic service credit under MERS will be purchased, and the use of all purchased service credits for all City vesting schedule purposes will be granted.

4. A letter of understanding will be authorized that provides a schedule for post retirement health care graduated to a maximum of full coverage in ten years.

5. A commitment to continue working toward an Employment Agreement.

A resolution indicating the granting of additional credited service is to be adopted by the Northville City Council as provided by the MERS Plan Document.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Ayers to adopt the resolution as provided by the MERS Plan Document to grant the additional one year generic service credit for the City Manager. Motion carried unanimously.

The VFW Auxiliary of Post 4012 requested permission to distribute poppies to benefit disabled veterans on various corners in the City of Northville. The dates requested for solicitation were May 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th.

Council comment: Concern was expressed regarding safety of those soliciting. It was explained that the VFW stated they would stay on the sidewalks at the various corners.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Ayers to approve the request of the VFW Auxiliary to distribute poppies for disabled veterans at various corners on May 10^th, 11^th, and 12, 2001. Motion carried unanimously.

Johnson: As the possible expansion of the present Post Office is generating concern in the adjoining neighborhood, it has been decided to form an ad hoc citizens committee to facilitate in the communication process, examine every factor involved, and assure that all issues are being addressed. The members of the committee include: Michelle Fecht of 324 S. Wing Street, Susan Haifleigh of 308 S. Wing Street, Maureen Osiecki, Planner of Northville Township, Greg Presley of 412 W. Dunlap, Phil Smith of 989 Novi Street, Dan Shutt of 245 S. Wing Street, and Jay Wendt of 317 St. Lawrence. Additionally, staff members, Jim Gallogly, Nickie Bateson, and Gary Word, are to assist the committee in their mission.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Hartshorne to appoint the above-mentioned to the Post Office Citizens Ad Hoc Committee for the purpose of reviewing all factors associated with the expansion of the existing Post Office and present their findings sometime in the fall of 2001. Motion carried unanimously.

Mittman: Complimented City Manager Word on the update of various issues that was filed in the Council packet. Mittman encouraged more of the same.

City Manager Word: Extended an invitation to any Councilmember or City Staff member to attend the Police Driving Class which is held periodically as a guest of the Police Chief. The two dates available are September 17, 2001 and October 15, 2001.

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz

Deputy City Clerk