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.

Darrell Harris, 146 N. Center St. Debra and Gary Simmons, 137 N. Center Street

Each stated their concern regarding the increase in fees for permits to park in the public lots, passed by the City Council at their November 5, 2001 regular meeting. Comments included a feeling that downtown residents were being singled-out as they have no other place to park and that the fee increase was neither warranted nor necessary.

The Mayor explained that the parking permit fee had not increased since it was established in 1969 and that the increase was reasonable and assisted in the cost to maintain the lots. One Councilmember stated that people are encouraged to live in the downtown and the fee increase might be a little excessive. Following further discussion relative to dedicated parking on the lower level of the "MAGS" parking lot and the necessity of an increase, it was determined that the parking permit fee structure should be placed on a future agenda for a more detailed review. The DDA Executive Director offered to present this issue to the DDA Subcommittee on Downtown Parking to include it in its report to the City Council.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Hartshorne to defer implementation of the increase in parking fees for a period of three months, through March 2002, to allow for a sufficient review of the parking fee structure. Motion carried unanimously.

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 13, 2001

Regular Meeting of November 19, 2001

Approve Bills List: Checks #24490 - #24630

Receive Board and Commission Minutes:

Arts Commission: 11/20/01

Beautification Commission: 10/9/01

Receive Departmental Reports:

Youth Assistance: 10/01

In an effort to continue to obtain bids and begin early construction on street improvement projects, Staff requested a proposal from Orchard Hiltz and McCliment, Inc. (OHM) to perform professional services on the 2002 (FY 2003) local street improvement program. Improvements proposed in this program include most of the streets and sidewalks in the Pheasant Hills and Abbey Knoll subdivisions. Though the streets are fairly new, spot repairs and joint sealing would return the streets to an as-good-as-new condition and extend their life for many years. The proposal from OHM estimates the construction cost of this project at $235,000. The engineering fees would be approximately $56,000 (24%) and testing costs are estimated at $6,000 (2%). To get an early start on this project during FY 2002, a budget transfer from the Street, Drainage, and Sidewalk Fund – Fund Balance Reserve to the Local Street Fund – Street Improvement Program is requested.

Council Comments / Discussion: Questions were asked regarding the priority of this project as opposed to improving more deteriorated streets such as Springfield and S. Lexington Boulevard, justification on repairing newer sidewalks ahead of older sidewalks in other areas of the City, sidewalk gaps in Pheasant Hills, a suggestion to review Eight Mile Road sidewalk with this project, and the existing drainage issues on Jeffrey Street. It was noted that as a part of the OHM study, the engineers would determine the cause of the drainage problems and offer solutions to correct the problem in order to prevent a reoccurrence.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Swigart to approve the not-to-exceed fee of $61,500 to Orchard Hiltz and McCliment, Inc. for professional engineering and testing services on the 2002 Local Street Program. Further, a budget transfer from the Fund Balance Reserve of the Street, Drainage, and Sidewalk Improvement Fund to the Street Improvement Program of the Local Street Fund to cover this cost in

FY 2002 is authorized. Motion carried unanimously.

The FY 2001 budget provides for a program to replace most of the street name signs in the City of Northville, with the exception of those found in Northville Estates, Abbey Knoll, and Pheasant Hills Subdivisions. Funding for this project, in the amount of $12,000, comes primarily from the Leo E. and Ann June Manville Fund. Funding beyond the grant amount would come from the current Local and Major Street Fund.

The proposed signs are green with white Century Schoolbook font reflective lettering, and contain the City logo. The new signposts will be compatible with the current signpost system and will be painted dark green. The DPW staff will place the new signs in the spring of 2002. Proposals for the street signs and support system were as follows:

Callendar & Dornbos, Inc. $ 7,879.56 (signs)

Huron Sign Company $11,795.00 (signs)

Unistrut Detroit Services $ 7,547.60 (sign support system / single source)

Council Comments / Discussion: Comments included a suggestion to sell the old street signs, a request to the traffic engineer to review the excessive amount of "no parking" signs posted on many streets, the need to remain consistent in labeling Eight Mile and Baseline Roads, the use of an "arrow" to reflect street name changes within a subdivision, and the general sign shape and design. There was a consensus to keep the sign shape, font, and design as proposed.

Motion Hartshorne, seconded by Ayers to award a contract to Callender & Dornbos, Inc. for new street name signs in an amount not-to-exceed $7,879.56 and to accept the price quote from Unistrut Detroit Services, for a complete sign support system for the new street name signs, in the not-to-exceed amount of $7,547.60. Further, the City Manager is directed to devise an appropriate method of sale for the old street signs. Motion carried unanimously.

In October 2001 City Council reprogrammed funds for the Oakland County Community Development Block Grant program to fund the handicap lift for the New School Church at Mill Race Village. This is the final phase of the barrier-free modification needed for this building. Bids received were as follows:

Action Rental and Sales $12,500 (Alternate Bid $11,500)

Michigan Accessibility Lifts, Inc. $10,800

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to award the bid for the purchase and installation of the Handicap Lift for Mill Race Village to Michigan Accessibility Lifts, Inc. in the amount of $10,800. Motion carried unanimously.

The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) staff has been exploring the concept of developing and marketing a website for downtown Northville and has reviewed several proposals for website design and development over the past several years. Each option presented problems, which hindered the DDA’s quest to develop a website.

In 2001, the City selected Municipal Web Services (Muniweb) to assist in developing the City’s website. During the discussions with Muniweb, it was determined that DDA needs were beyond what the City’s site will offer. As such, Muniweb submitted a proposal for the development of a DDA site that could be accessed from the City’s site or from the DDA’s own domain name. The proposal allows the DDA to provide a comprehensive website for the entire DDA district, while at the same time coordinating with the City’s website. At their August 14, 2001 meeting, the DDA voted to retain Muniweb to develop the DDA website. The DDA has been budgeting for website development for three years and has accrued funds totaling $17,000. The website proposal costs are as follows:

Website development $11,900

Total Amount $16,310

Council Comments / Discussion: There was a question relative to website maintenance and brief discussion on the proposed highlights of the DDA website.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Ayers to approve the DDA request to hire Municipal Web Services to develop the DDA website in conjunction with the development of the City’s site and to provide ongoing maintenance and marketing services for the site in the amount of $16,310. Further, the City Manager is authorized to execute the contract on behalf of the City. Motion carried unanimously.

As part of the construction and development of Cady Street, in August 2001 the development team for the Cady Church Development (New Victorian) appeared before the City Council to request the purchase of 17 parking credits. The development team agreed to pay for the construction of 25 on-street parking spaces along Cady and Church Streets and the City Council gave the developer credit for half of these spaces, or 8 spaces. As the spaces are located half on private property and half on public property, the developer’s attorney has requested that an easement be executed that would provide for the use of their private property as public parking. In addition, the easement would require the City to maintain and repair the parking spaces consistent with its existing maintenance standards. The proposed easement agreement was drafted by the City Attorney and reviewed by the City Manager, the developer and his attorney, as well as the City’s Regional Risk Manager.

Motion Hartshorne, seconded by Swigart to approve the easement between Cady Church Development (New Victorian) and the City of Northville for the use of the on-street parking spaces along Church Street as public parking, and authorize the execution of the easement. Motion carried unanimously.

At its regular meeting on November 20, 2001 the Planning Commission reviewed a revised final PUD, site plan, and draft PUD Agreement for Cambridge Place. Following deliberations, the Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of the PUD and site plan to the City Council. Final review of the plan by the Historic District Commission is scheduled for December 19, 2001. As part of the PUD process, it is suggested that the City Council schedule a public hearing on December 17, 2001.

Council Comments / Discussion: As it appears that there have been design changes in the proposed PUD project, a new, complete presentation from the developer was requested.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Swigart to hold a public hearing on the proposed Cambridge Place final PUD and site plan at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, December 17, 2001. Motion carried unanimously.

As part of the FY 2002 budget process, City Council requested that staff inspect and prepare a report on the condition of existing sidewalks, sidewalk gap locations, estimated costs for repairs and placement of new sidewalk, along with appropriate recommendations. The "Report of City of Northville Sidewalks" was submitted to City Council for their consideration.

Council Comments / Discussion: Discussion ensued over the location of sidewalk gaps in various neighborhoods, past neighborhood opposition to sidewalks because of the special assessment district process, the need to publicize the sidewalk report in order to receive resident input during the budget session discussions, and the overall concern with pedestrian safety over the desire of the neighborhood. Further comments included a suggestion to contact the railroad to determine what is needed to get a pedestrian crossway at the railroad tracks new the River Park Condominiums, the possibility of connecting sidewalks to current and proposed Township bike paths, a request to move several projects up in priority, and suggested revisions to the maps accompanying the Sidewalk Report.

There was further discussion pertaining to a letter written by a Hillside Middle School student who lives in the Township. The student was concerned with the lack of sidewalk leading to the middle school on the south side of Eight Mile Road. It was noted that, through the grant process, a pedestrian pathway will be constructed on the north side of Eight Mile Road, which would be accessible to the middle school students by use of the pedestrian bridge over Eight Mile Road. Brief discussion followed relative to constructing the pathway on the south side of Eight Mile Road. Since a change in the project scope would require going back to MDOT, it was proposed that a new grant be submitted to address the south side of Eight Mile Road.

The DPW Director was commended on presenting an excellent and comprehensive report showing the priorities and costs for each project.

Ayers commented on the street trees removed from in front of the Stampeddler and raised questions relative to the DPW winter tree-trimming program.

Mittman suggested reviewing a tree plan at the end of March in preparation for the upcoming planting season. Brief discussion followed relative to failing downtown trees and the DDA landscape budget. Further comments included the status of the installation of the downtown drinking fountains and bike racks, as well as the status of the public restrooms. Ward noted that the Buckhave project provides for two restrooms with exterior entrances. The Buckhaves have offered to designate the facilities as public restrooms in exchange for appropriate maintenance costs. It was noted that the Downtown Conceptual Plan and the Downtown Traffic Study would be discussed during the joint meeting on December 10, 2001.

B. Staff Communications

Word reminded the City Council about the special joint session of the City Council, Downtown Development Authority, Historic District Commission, and Planning Commission scheduled for Monday, December 10, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. Items to be discussed include the Downtown Conceptual Plan and the Downtown Traffic Study.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Dianne Massa

City Clerk