City Council Minutes

Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:30 p.m. in the Activity Room of Allen Terrace, 412 High Street, Northville, Michigan.

Present: Mayor Christopher Johnson, Councilmembers Kevin Hartshorne, Jerome Mittman, and Thomas Swigart

Absent: Mayor ProTem Carolann Ayers (excused)

Also Present: City Manager Gary Word, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Nicolette Bateson, DPW Director James Gallogly, Police Chief James Petres, Fire Chief James Allen, Deputy City Clerk Carol Kasprowicz, Bob Warner of McNeely and Lincoln, Heather Shymanski of Orchard, Hiltz, and McCliment, and 30 citizens.

A. Citizens Comments - Members of Troop 777 were acknowledged and welcomed to the meeting. It was explained by the troop’s merit badge counselor that the Scouts were present as a requirement of one of the badges.

B. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony / Allen Terrace Elevator - All those present left the Activity Room and proceeded to the new second elevator that has been successfully installed at Allen Terrace. Mayor Johnson and Housing Commission Chairman Butch Casterline joined in the ceremonial ribbon cutting of the elevator.

It was requested that information be provided regarding the Community Development Block Grant Funds with respect to the spending restrictions and guidelines, and allocations of the past.

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

City Council Minutes:

Regular Meeting of October 15, 2001

and Checks #23983 to #24220

Arts Commission: 10/16/01

Receive Departmental Reports: None

Board and Commission Appointments: None

Hometown Holiday Parade / November 16, 2001

Call for Public Hearing / FY 2002 Oakland County CDBG Funds

Request to Conduct Goodfellows Paper Drive / December 8, 2001

The City has received a request from TCG Detroit, a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T, to obtain access to and ongoing use of the public rights-of-way to install a telecommunications system. The permit application would be processed under the City’s Telecommunications Ordinance (#08-03-98). It was pointed out that the aerial system would be utilizing Detroit Edison poles. The City has reviewed the placement route and finds it acceptable, liability insurance will be provided, and construction will commence within 30 days of securing the necessary permits.

Public comments: None.

Council comments: Questions were asked regarding the specific route of the placement of lines, and the amount of fee paid.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Hartshorne to adopt the attached resolution approve a permit application for TCG Detroit to install a telecommunications system in the City of Northville as proposed and in accordance with the City’s Telecommunications Ordinance (# 08-03-98), with the proviso that all appropriate documentation and insurance requirements be obtained prior to the issuance of the permit. Motion carried unanimously.

Jack Goodnoe of Land Planning and Design Associates reviewed the master plan for expansion of Rural Hill Cemetery, to be presented to the Northville Township Planning Commission in the near future. Mr. Goodnoe reviewed the topography of the site including the trees, grade, and ridgelines, and indicated the placement of future roads. He indicated buffer plantings, mausoleum positioning, and proximity to existing ponds and nearby residences. He further explained the phases of development over a 25 to 40 year period of time.

Council comments: Questions were asked regarding Northville Township’s tree ordinance, protection of existing ecological features, cost of development, and an endowment fund for future caretaking needs of the cemetery.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Hartshorne to approve the cemetery master plan in concept as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

The Planning Commission has been discussing private road standards and definitions in addition to lot split changes within the R-1B zoning district. Private road/driveways definitions and regulations and lot split modifications will serve to assure quality development that has characterized Northville in the past.

The Northville Planning Commission has also recommended revised standards for front setbacks for "new" construction in R-1A and R-1B zoning districts. Since the implementation of these standards, there has been confusion as to whether "new" means totally new structures or renovation of existing buildings. To address the ambiguity, the Planning Commission has considered revised language to Article 15, Footnote 16 by eliminating the word "new" from the language of the footnote. As such, with the revision, the standard would apply to all construction, which was the original intent.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Hartshorne to introduce for first reading an ordinance establishing new regulations for the schedule of regulations (R-1A, R-1B), regulations for private roads and driveways, and new definitions, with second reading and possible adoption scheduled for November 19, 2001. Motion carried unanimously.

In May 2001, City Council approved a resolution that supported the goals of the Middle One Subwatershed communities in restoring and improving the water quality of the Rouge River. These goals were contained in the Middle One Subwatershed Management Plan. The Plan is an important element in the Voluntary General Storm Water Permit process. Each community is required to develop a plan to address the goals set forth in the Subwatershed Management Plan. This document is known as the "Storm Water Pollution Prevention Initiative" or SWIPPI ("swippy"). Northville’s SWIPPI must be approved by City Council prior to submission to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) in early December 2001. Failure to submit the SWIPPI and/or follow through on the promised action plan will result in the community being placed under the control of a federally mandated program.

Council comments: Discussion ensued over the salt management program, the City’s commitment to the Mill Pond project, possible funding sources to help with objectives, and preventive measures such as identifying and marking stormwater basin covers to help prevent erroneous dumping of contaminants.

Motion Hartshorne, seconded by Mittman to adopt the resolution approving the City of Northville’s Storm Water Pollution Prevention Initiative for submittal to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality in December 2001. Motion carried unanimously.

In May 2001, approval was given to MCI Metro Access to place fiber optic telecommunication lines along Center Street. This line was to have been placed in existing Ameritech conduit thereby alleviating the need for underground construction on recently renovated Center Street. MCI Metro Access has been informed by Ameritech that there are no vacant ducts available. Understanding the City’s desire not to dig up Center Street, MCI Metro Access has proposed an alternate route of Grace, Rayson, Hutton, Dunlap, Wing, and Seven Mile. The type of construction proposed is called a "directional bore" method whereby actual excavations will only occur at every bend in the line and in problem areas.

Council comments: Questions were asked regarding the boring operations, leasing space in the conduit to other providers, and the risks of digging up Center Street versus the side streets as proposed.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Hartshorne to approve the request to reroute MCI Metro Access telecommunication lines from Center Street to Eight Mile, Grace, Rayson, Hutton, Dunlap, Wing, and Seven Mile, all within the City of Northville. Motion carried unanimously.

As a regular practice, the City of Northville issues permits and charges fees to residents who wish to park overnight on City parking lots and streets. These permits are handled annually by the Police Department and the fee charged is $1.00 per month. It is believed this fee was established in 1969. It is proposed that the fee be increased to cover the costs of issuing the permit and providing and maintaining a parking space for this use. Additionally, it is proposed that the fees be increased over a three year period and vary between location outside and in the Central Business District.

Council comments: Questions were asked regarding the practice of other communities of similar size, designation of funds generated by the increase, and the inequity of hardship between residents in the central business district and outside the business district.

Motion Hartshorne, seconded by Mittman to establish the following schedule for overnight parking fees:

$ 5.00 per month $2.50 per month January 1, 2002

$10.00 per month $5.00 per month January 1, 2003

$15.00 per month $5.00 per month January 1, 2004

Council directed Administration to place any revenue generated by the parking fees into the Parking Fund.

The purchase of a speed trailer has been discussed in the past and, at the end of FY 2001, $14,000 in surplus funds was allocated for this purchase. Four sealed bids were received from three vendors.

Speed Alert Trailer (demonstration model)

MPH Industries, Owensboro, KY $11,016

Speed Monitor Trailer

Kustom Signals, Lenexa, KS $11,490

Smart LP Trailer

Kustom Signals, Lenexa, KS $13,215

Smart Model II Trailer

After review of all bids, reference checks of the equipment, and investigation of service response, the purchase of the Smart Model II radar speed trailer is recommended.

Council comments: Questions were asked regarding specific features of the trailer, storage of the trailer, and the purchase of additional options.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Swigart to approve the purchase from Kustom Signals of the Smart Model II radar speed trailer and data collection package with the axle lock, the overspeed blanking feature, a spare tire, the direction radar unit upgrade, and the tamper alarm option in the amount of $13,920. Motion carried unanimously.

Over the past several months, a subcommittee of the Planning Commission and Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has been working on a conceptual model of future downtown Northville. The committee has completed its tasks and would like to present its findings to the larger leadership bodies of the City, including City Council, Planning Commission, and the DDA. In addition, the findings of the City’s traffic consultant will be available for reporting. The suggested date of the joint meeting is Monday, December 10, 2001.

Council comments: It was suggested the Historic District Commission be included in the meeting.

Motion Hartshorne, seconded by Swigart to set a special joint meeting of the Northville City Council, Planning Commission, Downtown Development Authority, and Historic District Commission for Monday, December 10, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of considering reports from the downtown subcommittee and the traffic consultant. Motion carried unanimously.

Swigart: Spoke of the recent meeting with City and Township planners regarding recreational activities. Stated the need for unorganized activities, pedestrian pathways, green space, and dog parks. Expressed the need to make informed decisions on utilizing the limited recreational space available.

Also stated the lack of information from Comcast is continuing despite promises to the contrary.

Word: Reminded Council of his scheduled absence during Thanksgiving week. Reminded Council of the Employee Recognition Reception on Monday, December 3^rd at 6:00 p.m.

It was suggested and concurred that City Council would gather informally at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, November 17^th at the Fire Hall to inspect the new fire equipment and possibly obtain a ride on the new fire truck.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz

Deputy City Clerk