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.

A. Citizen Comments None.

New Business 9A – Proposed Permit for Use of Right of Way / Adelphia Business Solutions Operations, Inc. was moved to Public Hearings 5B.

Consent Agenda 4I – Proposed Extension of Collection Agency Services was moved to New Business 9E.

The minutes of the May 21, 2001 regular meeting, page three, were corrected to read as follows:

As a good will gesture, the Mayor ProTem offered her next council payroll check to the Senior Center to assist those who cannot afford the $1 card-playing fee, on the condition that the card-playing fee was not mentioned during the next three months. The offer was graciously refused.

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

City Council Minutes:

Regular Meeting of May 21, 2001, as corrected

Approve Bills List: Checks #21653 - #21796

Receive Board and Commission Minutes:

Arts Commission: 5/15/01

Historic District Commission: 4/18/01

Receive Departmental Reports:

Police Department: 1/01, 2/01

Planning Commission: Reappointment of Richard Birdsall, Marc Russell

NCBA Bargain Bazaar / July 27-28, 2001

Northville/Novi Colts Parade Request / Sunday, October 7, 2001

Street Closure / Art in the Sun / June 16-17, 2001

The Water and Sewer Fund financial analysis has been completed as part of the FY 2002 budget process. Based upon that review, the following rate structure is proposed, with an effective date of July 1, 2001.

*(One unit = 1,000 gallons)

Council Comments / Discussion: Clarification was requested relative to the increase in Wages and Salaries reflected in the Water and Sewer Fund budget for FY 2002.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Ayers to adopt Resolution #01-019 providing for the following rates with an effective date of July 1, 2001.

Water: $3.82/unit

Sewer: $3.50/unit

Sewer (Dual Meter): $1.34/unit

Service Charge: $4.92/monthly

The City received a request from Adelphia Business Solutions Operations, Inc (ABSO). to obtain access to and ongoing use of the public rights-of-way to install a telecommunications system in the City of Northville. Detroit Edison has granted a permit to ABSO to use the existing Detroit Edison poles for placement of an aerial system. A significant portion of the system will be constructed in the "back yards", within easement areas. The contractor will notify affected property owners in advance of the installation. ABSO telecommunication service will primarily focus on businesses as opposed to residential service. The City Attorney has reviewed the permit and finds the application to be in conformance with the City’s Telecommunication Ordinance.

Council Comments / Discussion: A question was asked relative to the installation route plan. A further comment questioned whether the applicant had ever encountered a municipality whose ordinance placed a limit on the number of telecommunication providers allowed in the right-of-way (no).

Motion Ayers, seconded by Swigart to adopt Resolution #01-020 approving a permit application for Adelphia Business Solutions Operations, Inc. to install a telecommunications system in the City of Northville, as proposed, in accordance with the City of Northville Telecommunications Ordinance. Motion carried unanimously.

On May 21, 2001 City Council introduced for first reading the Wayne County Storm Water Management Ordinance. The Ordinance extends legal authority to Wayne County to require stormwater management standards in development and redevelopment projects. In 2003, all Wayne County communities will be required to manage stormwater for development and re-development projects.

Adopting the Wayne County Storm Water Management Ordinance as a City Ordinance would allow the City of Northville to delegate the responsibility of plan review, permits, and long-term maintenance commitments to Wayne County, saving the City the cost of stormwater management activities. The ordinance would encompass the entire City, enabling developers to work with one set of regulations. The City Attorney reviewed the ordinance and recommends approval in the format submitted to the City Council on May 21, 2001.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Swigart to waive second reading and adopt the Wayne County Storm Water Management Ordinance for the City of Northville, with an effective date within ten days, upon publication (June 14, 2001). Motion carried unanimously.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Hartshorne to waive second reading and adopt the Wayne County On-Site Sewage Disposal System Evaluation and Maintenance Ordinance for the City of Northville, with an effective date within ten days, upon publication (June 14, 2001). Motion carried unanimously.

A. Proposed Permit for Use of Right of Way / Adelphia Business Solutions Operations Moved to Public Hearings 5B.

The Parks and Recreation Commission is continuing the renovation of certain sections of Hillside Middle School for community recreation purposes. A lease document, modeled after the Community Center lease agreement, has been prepared for the Recreation Center at Hillside. In summary, the lease document reflects the following:

A 15-year lease, 2001-2016, with two 10-year extensions.

Use of the pool and adjacent locker rooms, multipurpose rooms 183 and 187, former weight/fitness room, former concession stand, activity center gymnasiums, and surrounding offices.

Identification of annual rental charges that include utilities, supplies, custodial and maintenance services (except for custodial service on weekends and holidays).

Motion Swigart, seconded by Mittman to concur with the Northville Township Board of Trustees and approve a lease agreement with the Board of Education for use of the Recreation Center at Hillside for years 2001-2016, with two ten-year extension provisions. Further, the City Manager is authorized to sign the document on behalf of the City of Northville. Motion carried unanimously.

The City is proposing to reconstruct East Cady (between Griswold and Main Street) and Randolph Streets. During a working session held by the City Council, Planning Commission, and the Downtown Development Authority, it was suggested the City consider relocating the east end of Cady Street. Further investigation of the traffic flow issues indicates the existing alignment of roadway is preferred. On May 14, 2001 bids were received as follows:

The City’s consultant recommends the low bid for both projects as submitted by Peter A. Basile Sons. However, if the City does not wish to proceed with reconstruction East Cady, the low bid for Randolph Street as submitted by Thompson-McCully is recommended.

Council Comments / Discussion: Discussion ensued regarding removal and relocation of a retaining wall located near the property located at 610 Randolph. It is proposed this wall be moved back, away from the curb, in anticipation of placement of sidewalk at a later date. However, it was noted that moving the retaining wall impacts the front lot of the home located on this property. It was suggested that the retaining wall be replaced in its current location and the sidewalk gap not be closed on this side of Randolph as pedestrians could use the sidewalk located on the southwest side of the street. It was argued that the proposed Davis/Ray Development requires the placement of sidewalk, which would tie into the sidewalk on the northeast side of Randolph. City Council policy requires sidewalks to be placed for new construction as well as focusing on closing sidewalk gaps whenever possible.

The absence of sidewalk at the Marino property located at 528 Randolph was noted as well. It was stated that at that time, inspection services were contracted and this issue was not enforced. The Building Official has contacted Mr. Marino who indicated he would install sidewalks. However, no further progress has been made.

Council favored a "stacking" lane to allow room for vehicles making a right turn from Randolph onto eastbound Eight Mile. Staff was directed to proceed with placing sewer leads at the proposed Davis/Ray Development during the reconstruction of Randolph Street in order to save the cost of digging and replacing the road at a later time.

Further discussion focused on Cady Street relative to the car wash parking lot and proposed curbing to delineate the street and provide for proper drainage. A final comment requested that staff provide the City Council with additional information when improvement projects include elements that change the original street and surrounding area (i.e. addition of sidewalks, boulevard traffic islands).

Motion Mittman, seconded by Ayers to award a construction contract in the amount of $488,608.17 to Peter A. Basile Sons, Inc for the reconstruction of Cady Street (Griswold to Main) and Randolph Street (Eight Mile Road to Center Street). Further, the City Manager is authorized to sign a contract on behalf of the City of Northville. Motion carried unanimously.

The City is preparing to extend the water system by placing a new 12" watermain on Baseline Road between Center and Novi Streets. The watermain will be placed under an existing 30" watermain in two locations and run parallel to it for several hundred feet. This watermain is owned and maintained by the Detroit Water and Sewer Department (DWSD). The watermain extension project calls for a Construction Approval Agreement, which requires the City to follow certain specifications, provide extensive insurance, and pay for DWSD inspection if necessary. Duffy & Harte, Inc., the project contractor, will provide the necessary insurance.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Hartshorne to approve the Construction Approval Agreement with the Detroit Water and Sewer Department for the Baseline Road Watermain Extension Project. Further, the City Manager is authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the City. Motion carried unanimously.

This item was deferred to the regular meeting scheduled on June 18, 2001 to afford interested Councilmembers the opportunity to review the delinquent parking ticket list and balances owed to the City.

Ayers requested clarification on the council packet information item from the Michigan Department of Transportation. This correspondence confirmed the award of an Enhancement Grant, which will assist in funding a walkway to be located on the north side of Eight Mile (Center to Taft) and the south side of Eight Mile (Center to the pedestrian bridge).

Mittman will be out of town for the June 18, 2001 regular meeting. He noted that the Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing on June 5, 2001 regarding Cambridge Place (formerly known as The Venetian). Discussion will focus on the new proposal, planned unit development, and site plan application.

Swigart commented on the substantial increase in cable television rates by Comcast. There was concern that frustrated citizens may question why the City Council allowed the company to increase their rates. However, it was noted that the City does not have local control over cable rates. The City Clerk was directed to contact Comcast, with a request that the company be more direct with their rate structure and provide complete information to the residents.

B. Staff Communications

Word requested that the e-mail survey be returned to his attention as soon as possible.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Dianne Massa

City Clerk