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, Councilmembers Kevin Hartshorne, Jerome Mittman, and Thomas Swigart.

Absent: Mayor ProTem Carolann Ayers (excused).

Mary Ellen Patterson Hollis, 114 Walnut, questioned whether the practice of stapling special event "no parking" signs directly into tree trunks would damage the tree.

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

City Council Minutes:

Regular Meeting of November 5, 2001

Approve Bills List: Checks #24221 - #24489

Receive Board and Commission Minutes:

Board of Zoning Appeals: 10/3/01

Downtown Development Authority: 9/11/01

Historic District Commission: 9/19/01

Housing Commission: 10/10/01

Parks and Recreation: 10/10/01

Planning Commission: 9/18/01, 10/10/01

Receive Departmental Reports:

Fire Department: 9/01

Parks and Recreation: 10/01

Resolution 01-035 Recognizing the Mother’s Club of Northville as a Non-Profit Organization

2002 City Council Meeting Schedule

Sub-recipient Agreement Between Oakland County and the City of Northville for Community

Development Block Grant Funds Program Year 2002

The City of Northville is expected to receive $8,000 from the Oakland County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for fiscal year 2002. Recommendations for uses for the FY 2002 Oakland County CDBG funds were as follows:

- Public Services – Senior Transportation $4,000

- Senior Center Renovation - site to be determined $2,400

- Program Administration $1,600

Council Comments / Discussion: It was noted that a map identifying the location of senior populated areas in the community would assist Council in the decision process. It was suggested that $1,400 of the funds marked for the Senior Center renovation be used for barrier-free improvements, such as curb cuts, and the remaining $1,000 be used toward senior programs. Wayne County CDBG funds, which are expected to be higher, could be appropriated toward the Senior Center renovation project.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Hartshorne to adopt Resolution 01-036 authorizing the use of the FY 2002 Oakland County Community Development Block Grant funds as follows:

- Barrier Free Improvements (Sidewalk Curb Cuts) $1,400

- Senior Programming $1,000

- Program Administration $1,600

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/driveway 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 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. At its regular meeting on November 5, 2001 City Council introduced for first reading an ordinance amendment incorporating the proposed changes.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Swigart to waive second reading and adopt an ordinance establishing a revised schedule of regulations (R-1A, R-1B), regulations for private roads and driveways and new definitions. Further, the ordinance shall become effective within ten days upon publication. Motion carried unanimously.

Swigart commented on discussion during the last Parks and Recreation meeting relative to the Hillside Recreation Center and Community Center renovation projects. The original project called for the renovation of both sites. When the project was split, it was believed that the Community Center renovation would begin after the Hillside project was completed. Brief discussion focused on moving the project forward, forming a committee to revisit the design as a senior center, and the Township’s interest and commitment in the Community Center renovation project. It was noted that there was some Township interest in relocating the Senior Center to the Township.

Mittman stated that Matthew Cowles had resigned from the Parks and Recreation Commission and that the Selection Committee would be interviewing applicants in December or January. The committee reviewing the various open spaces designated as parks on the Master Plan are waiting for further information and documents on the land parcels before determining their best use. On Tuesday, the Planning Commission will be reviewing the Cambridge Proposal for final approval as a PUD.

B. Staff Communications

Bateson stated that Canton Township was hosting a meeting for the Conference of Western Wayne relative to State-Shared Revenue on Monday, November 26, 2001. Mayor Johnson stated that he would attend the meeting.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Dianne Massa

City Clerk