City Council Minutes

Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:32 p.m. in the Northville City Hall Council Chambers, 215 West Main Street, Northville, Michigan.

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

Absent: None

A. Citizen Comments None

Establishment of FY 2002-2003 Goals, Objectives, and Priorities was added to the agenda as New Business 9C.

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

Approve City Council Minutes:

Regular Meeting of January 22, 2002

Approve Bills List: Checks #25301 - #25534

Receive Board and Commission Minutes:

Arts Commission: 1/15/02

Historic District Commission: 12/19/02

Parks and Recreation: 12/12/01

Planning Commission: 11/20/01, 12/18/01

Receive Departmental Reports:

Fire Department: 12/01

Police Department: 8/01, 9/01

2002 Homecoming Parade Request / Northville High School

Proposed Amendments to the 2001-02 Budget through December 31, 2001 and Investment

Report/Resolution #02-01

At its regular meeting on January 22, 2002, the City Council introduced for first reading an ordinance amending the City of Northville Zoning Ordinance, providing for Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning for the proposed Cambridge Place mixed-use development project. In addition to the introduced ordinance, City Council postponed action on the final PUD Site Plan and PUD Agreement, pending additional negotiations. At the time, the developer and City staff had not reached an agreement on the payment reversion to Northville Downs in the event of default by the developer. During the interim between meetings, the developer and City staff have agreed that a revised PUD Agreement be considered to allow for a delay in closing on the property until the developer is ready to begin construction. The developer would need to return to the Planning Commission for an extension should construction not begin within one year. If the developer fails to obtain an extension, the property would revert to the City. After construction has begun, the developer would be responsible for any reversion payment to Northville Downs should the project default.

Because the closing on the property would be delayed from the original purchase agreement, the developer and the City would share equally in interest earnings on the $600,000 purchase price until closing occurs. Additionally during the period up to construction, the City would maintain the Cady Street parking lot as a public parking facility. The City Attorney has reviewed the agreement and finds no objection.

Council Comments / Discussion: A comment expressed concern relative to "losing the war" on overbuilding within the City.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to waive second reading and adopt an ordinance amending the City’s Zoning Ordinance providing for Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning for the proposed Cambridge Place mixed-use development, due to the many benefits that would not be realized without a PUD, which include the Cady Street streetscape, pedestrian linkages, and a public plaza, as well as the project’s overall architectural detail and quality. Yes: Ayers, Mittman, Swigart, Johnson. No: Hartshorne. Motion carried.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to approve the PUD and revised PUD Agreement as proposed. Further, the Mayor is authorized to sign the PUD agreement on behalf of the City. Yes: Ayers, Mittman, Swigart, Johnson. No: Hartshorne. Motion carried.

East Cady Street and Randolph Road are currently scheduled for street improvements as proposed in the City’s 1997 Street Improvement Program Report. The East Cady Street project is covered in the current FY 2002 budget, and in 2001 the section between Griswold and E. Main Street was completed. Due to a significant amount of private development along East Cady Street, City Council directed staff to delay reconstruction of the remaining section of East Cady Street until the development projects were substantially complete.

The Taft Road improvement project is proposed for FY 2003. The City’s engineering consultant has offered three construction proposals for the Taft Road project, with the removal of existing pavement and replacement with a two-lane boulevard roadway, estimated at $900,000, as the recommended option. The addition of a boulevard would assist in addressing increased traffic concerns due to new developments in the City of Novi. The FY 2003 budget does not provide enough revenue to reconstruct Taft Road as a two-lane boulevard. Therefore, staff recommends that this project be delayed until FY 2004.

Council Comments / Discussion: Comments focused on the addition of a boulevard on Taft Road to assist in addressing increasing traffic concerns, with discussion centering on tree plantings, boulevard size, and location. Concern was expressed that too wide of a boulevard would place the road closer to the homes and increase road and traffic noise for the residents; therefore, a smaller boulevard was preferred. Further questions were raised relative to exiting the existing gas station located at Eight Mile and Taft should a boulevard be constructed.

Council directed staff to delay the Taft Road project for one year in order to assemble sufficient funding. As Council agreed with the concept of a boulevard on Taft Road, staff was directed to develop a design to reconstruct the road as a two-lane boulevard and present the same for Council review at a future study session. Staff was also directed to proceed with the design for the reconstruction of East Cady Street in 2002 from the east property line of the Cambridge project to Griswold, and to report back to the Council with the proposed road design for the East Cady Street reconstruction project.

For the past six years, the Parks and Recreation Department has solicited bids for lawn mowing, irrigation maintenance, and fertilization services for community parks maintained by the department. This year, proposals were solicited for three consecutive years of service and are summarized as follows:

Werner Landscape is the low bidder and has provided these services for the Parks and Recreation Department for the past four years. The services received have been good; however, their operation is small, and several times over the past few years, the Parks and Recreation staff has been called to assist with several larger irrigation repair projects due to lack of available Werner personnel. recommended

Council Comments / Discussion: A question was raised relative to the type of fertilizer used. It was noted that the Parks and Recreation Department would work with the vendor to find fertilizer that is environmentally friendly and compatible with the Johnson Creek initiative.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Swigart to award a three-year contract to Davey Commercial Grounds Management for lawn mowing, fertilization, and irrigation maintenance in the amounts submitted in their bid documents, as outlined in the bid summary, due to the higher level of service offered. Motion carried unanimously.

During the Special Meeting held earlier this evening, City Council heard staff review their goals, objectives, and priorities for FY 2002-03. Brief discussion followed, with focus on the pros and cons of increasing the fund balance percentage to 35 – 40%, use of the budget stabilization fund, striving to keep water and sewer rates at a nominal increase, and proposed federal funding to assist in water treatment plant protection. Following their discussion, Council consensus determined the following goals, objectives, and priorities for Fiscal Year 2002-2003:

Water and Sewer System Improvements, with a continuation of efforts to control debt, improve the City’s utility infrastructure, control water loss, control inflow and infiltration to preserve sewer capacity, building working capital, and minimizing or preventing future water and sewer rate increases.

Retention of the Northville Post Office Within the Central Business District, with a primary effort to convince the USPS to maintain a full-service retail store in the CBD and construct a carrier annex facility in Northville Township. Discussions have been halted due to the September 11, 2001 events and a moratorium on capital expenditures is in effect until at least May 2002. It was noted that the City does not control the situation but is ready to work with USPS officials when the moratorium on capital expenditures is lifted.

Long-Term Financial Stability, with the goal to achieve and maintain a general fund balance accumulation of 30% of the City’s annual budget. Upon reaching the desired fund balance, it was suggested that the City add to its financial position through use of the Budget Stabilization Fund.

Street and Sidewalk Improvements, through the continuation of street and sidewalk improvement program approved in 1997. It was noted that Taft Road improvements scheduled for 2002 will be moved to another fiscal year in order to accumulate sufficient funding for road reconstruction as a two-lane boulevard.

City, Township, and Schools Facilities Development Plan for Future Recreation Needs in the Northville Community, through a continuation of working together to develop a plan to maximize the use of existing facilities for growing recreation and senior citizen programs, as well as an expanded senior center.

Parking Management / Coordination Plan, by continuing to revisit parking in general, and placing an emphasis on long-term parking needs and parking management within the downtown.

Lower Priority Projects: None

Projects On Hold: None

Projects to be Closed Out: None

The City Manager was directed to revise the City Council goals, objectives and priorities for FY 2002-2003 and place this item on the next meeting agenda for City Council review.

Ayers questioned a letter she received from Aerie Networks. It was explained that Metricom, which is a telecommunications provider, has declared bankruptcy and is being bought out by this company. Although Metricom paid the required permit fee, installation of the system was never completed. The letter has been forwarded to the City Attorney for review.

Mittman commented on the Dubuar Lot Split case that will be heard by the Planning Commission on Tuesday, February 5, 2002. Should the lot not be split, it was questioned whether the City was required to construct a street through to the City limits. It was explained that the applicant has made a request to split the lot into three parcels. It appears that the applicant conforms to the ordinance; therefore, the City cannot legally deny the lot split request or access. Further, Wayne County would not issue a permit or allow access unless the street goes all the way through. It was further noted that the City has some discretion on the street width; however, the proposed plan would require removal of many landmark trees.

Johnson stated that he would be attending the MML Conference in March. Councilmember Mittman will be attending as well.

Word stated that he would be out of the office next week.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Dianne Massa
City Clerk