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 J. Johnson, Mayor ProTem Carolann Ayers, Councilmembers Kevin Hartshorne, Jerome Mittman, and Thomas Swigart

Absent: None

Also Present: City Manager Gary Word, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Nicolette Bateson, DPW Director James Gallogly, DDA Director Lori Ward, Deputy City Clerk Carol Kasprowicz, Planning Commissioner Marc Russell, DDA Commissioner Lynda Heaton, and two citizens.

A. Citizen Comments: None

John Bueter, local businessman and member of the Johnson Creek Protection Group (JCPG), spoke of recent activities, developments, and concerns regarding efforts to clean and protect Johnson Creek. He expressed gratitude for past support by the City of Northville, and encouraged awareness of the issues and a continuance of their support. He extended a commitment to keep Council informed of future JCPG activities and any pending legislation. Council discussion centered on the effects of recent legislation and judicial directives on the Creek and local water systems. Council extended compliments to the JCPG group for their efforts.

Item 3B (Conceptual Downtown Development Plan) was moved to Petitions, Requests and Communications, Item 6C. John Bueter, Johnson Protection Group Creek, was placed under Presentations, Item 3B.

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

Approve City Council Minutes:

Regular Meeting of February 19, 2002

Approve Bills List: Checks #25710 to #25874

Receive Board and Commission Minutes:

Arts Commission: 2/6/02

Board of Zoning Appeals: 1/2/02

Historic District Commission: 1/16/02

Housing Commission: 1/9/02

Planning Commission: 1/15/02, 2/5/02

Youth Assistance: 1/8/02

Receive Department Reports:

Youth Assistance: 1/02

Board and Commission Appointments: None

FY 2002-03 Project Priorities

Annual Parade / Proclamation / April as Month of the Young Child

The City has received a request from Barbara Davies of Mail Boxes Etc. requesting that a portion of the lower downtown parking deck on Cady Street be designated as "2-Hour Limit." It has been determined that many parking spaces near the business entrances are used by employees of downtown businesses, resulting in less available parking spaces for customers. Staff is recommending approval of the request.

Council Comments / Discussion: Discussion centered around the current number of 2-hour parking spaces, the lack of use of uncovered parking areas, the installation of parking meters, and the timing of the parking study currently being conducted.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Swigart to grant the request and approve Traffic Control Order

02-01 designating the parking spaces along the west and south walls of the lower level of the downtown parking deck as "2 Hour Limit." Motion carried unanimously.

The City has received a request from the Arthritis Foundation, Michigan Chapter, to hold the Arthritis Walk through the streets of Northville, on Sunday, April 14, 2002 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Approximately 150 walkers are expected to travel one of three different routes through the City of Northville. Walkers will remain on the sidewalks and observe all traffic regulations. The placement of water stations and temporary directional signs are planned along the route on City-owned property. Insurance arrangements are to be finalized prior to the event. Mary Sue Lanigan of the Arthritis Foundation was present for any questions.

Council Comments / Discussion: Council asked and received assurance that the walk is confined to the sidewalks on the route.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Hartshorne to approve the request from the Arthritis Foundation, Michigan Chapter, to hold the Arthritis Walk in the City of Northville, on Sunday, April 14, 2002 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., authorize the placement of water stations on City property as requested, and authorize the placement of temporary directional signs, with the stipulation that a certificate of insurance, naming the City of Northville and Northville Township as additional insured, with a minimum coverage of $1M, be presented prior to the event. Motion carried unanimously.

DDA Director Lori Ward, Planning Commissioner Marc Russell, and DDA Member Lynda Heaton were present to review the conceptual downtown development plan and receive feedback and direction on the plan. Russell reviewed the significant features in the development of various quadrants of the City. Several features included:

- expansion of the DDA boundaries

- termination of Dunlap on Center Street

- continuation of Randolph to Hutton Street

- extension of Beal Street to Center Street

- creation of a larger block bordered by Main, Center, Randolph, and Hutton

- possible use of overlay districts

- parking areas/facilities for each quadrant

- creation of a grocer / farmers’ market / shops area in the Belanger / Foundry Flask area

- north-south pedestrian walkways

Several principles were adhered to in formulating this plan:

- maintain north/south pedestrian spine

- encourage public spaces and art areas in downtown

- develop pedestrian linkages to the neighborhoods

- encourage mixed use projects with residential use

- encourage on-street parking

- complement and reinforce the current downtown business area

Council Comments / Discussion: Discussion ensued with comments and questions including:

- Concern regarding size of the large Main/Center/Randolph/Hutton block. Too large of a block for pedestrian convenience.

- Extensive discussion of parking needs and potential configurations with present resources and future possibilities. Need for effective parking management. Need to establish the parking requirements of second floor office businesses. Need for creative solutions to parking problem behind Marquis Theatre.

- Concerns regarding the extension of Randolph into the Cabbagetown neighborhood.

- Possibility of establishing overlay districts versus rezoning.

- Request for background information and discussion prior to time of actual decision making.

- Questions regarding the timing of the expansion of the DDA boundaries.

- Question of timing of when to approach the stakeholders (CVS, Northville Downs, Belanger’s) regarding the plan.

Council directed the DDA Director to modify the plan on the northside, contact CVS regarding their future plans, bring back to Council a list of ideas to facilitate laying the groundwork for a "Cady Town," and bring to Council the expansion of the DDA boundaries.

At the regular meeting of February 19, 2002, City Council reviewed and took comments on a proposed "Moving of Buildings" ordinance. The proposed ordinance was created in an effort to clearly set down procedures for obtaining a moving permit, establish standards for the safe moving of buildings, outline general insurance requirements, and ascertain acceptable fees for the moving of private buildings across and along public rights-of-way. In conjunction with the ordinance, a resolution has been prepared establishing the application fee and insurance requirements as outlined in the ordinance. The proposed fee of $250 will cover the City’s cost for the application process, and the proposed insurance limits have been set at levels recommended by the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority.

Council Comments / Discussion: One entry of "he/she" in the ordinance was corrected.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to waive the second reading and adopt the "Moving of Buildings" ordinance as amended. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Swigart to approve the resolution setting the recommended insurance requirements and an application fee of $250. Motion carried unanimously.

Explanation was given regarding the evaluation method. Each Councilmember used a five-point scale in order to apply a numerical score to each category. A score of one is considered unsatisfactory and a score of five is considered outstanding. The City Manager received a combined score of 4.6.

The City Manager’s performance level continues to be well above average. Council is pleased with the continued level of excellence in the area of Fiscal Management, and Relationship with Public. Areas for possible improvement are Program Development and Follow Through, Relationship with Employees, and Professional Development. It was noted that Council values Mr. Word’s services and looks forward to a continued relationship.

Mr. Word thanked the Council for their evaluation and comments. He stated his pride at being the City Manager of Northville and his appreciation of Council’s support

Ayers: Will be out of town for the March 18^th Council meeting.

Mittman: Will be out of town for the April 15^th Council meeting. Noted the Parks and Recreation Director, Traci Sincock, was elected as President of Michigan Recreation and Parks Association. Requested in-depth information at a budget session regarding the water and sewer rates of Northville.

Hartshorne: Announced the City of Northville will host the monthly meeting of Wayne County CDBG Advisory Council in April.

C. Staff Communications None.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz

Deputy City Clerk