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, Deputy City Clerk Carol Kasprowicz, State Representative Bruce Patterson, Oakland County Commissioner Hugh Crawford, Kent Early of Orchard, Hiltz & McCliment, and four citizens.

State Representative Bruce Patterson introduced himself and spoke of his bid for the State Senate seat to be vacated by Senator Thaddeus McCotter. Representative Patterson spoke of his record and his views on several issues and welcomed comments from Council. Council reiterated the City’s concern over the depleting state-shared revenue, and the need for stability of receiving the racetrack breakage funds.

County Commissioner Hugh Crawford once again offered his services for any issue of concern of the Council. He also spoke of the arts tax that has yet to to be placed on the ballot in Oakland County.

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

Approve the City Council Minutes:

Regular Meeting of March 18, 2002

Approve Bills List: Checks #26063 to #26214

Receive Boards and Commission Minutes:

Arts Commission: 3/13/02

Historic District Commission: 2/20/02

Planning Commission: 2/19/02

Receive Department Reports: None

Board and Commission Appointments: None

Request to Solicit / Clean Water Action

Proposed Memorial Day Parade / May 27, 2002

In accordance with the City Charter, the proposed budget document is to be presented to the City Council at the first meeting in April. The proposed budget is presented with a slight decrease in the total millage, continues to provide street and sidewalk improvements, technology advancements, and resources to address increased demand for parks, recreation, and senior citizen programming. The document provides for the continuation of the 5-year format of projected revenue and expenditures. The water and sewer rates are projected to increase due to the mandated increase by the City of Detroit. The budget hearing dates are: April 8 at 7:30 p.m., April 18 at 7:30 p.m., and April 22 at 7:00 p.m.. The public hearing will be held Monday, May 20, 2002.

Questions: Elaine Haas-Bannon, a resident of Northville Township, inquired as to how much was put aside for the cemetery expansion (answer: $242,660).

The City has initiated steps to build out the last remaining undeveloped portion of Rural Hill Cemetery. Although completely owned by the City of Northville, approximately two-thirds of the 20-acre cemetery lies within the corporate limits of Northville Township. As such, both the Township and City have been working to approve and effectuate a master plan for the undeveloped portion. However, the Township had determined that it is unable to exempt the City from the Township Woodland’s Ordinance which would add hundreds of thousands of dollars to the development costs and also require substantial "clear cutting" to reduce costs. Nevertheless, the Township notified the City that it would be open to the annexation of Rural Hill Cemetery land by the City. The attorneys of both communities have worked out a process to accomplish the annexation.

The process would include the adoption of appropriate resolutions by both communities and the filing of the resolutions to the Office of the Great Seal at the Secretary of State’s office and to the Wayne County Clerk. The annexation of the cemetery land to the City would alleviate the financial burden of applying the Township Woodland Preservation Ordinance, alleviate the site plan approval process through the Township Planning Commission, and give the City full control over the City-owned cemetery.

Comments/discussion: Discussion took place regarding the responsibility of fostering and maintaining the landscape integrity already established in the cemetery, as it is further developed.

Ms. Elaine Haas-Bannon, 617 Fairbrook Drive, read a statement outlining her beliefs that the annexation of the cemetery to the City of Northville will lead to the City setting a zero-foot setback to the neighboring residences, and to the City exempting itself from their own woodlands protection ordinance. She requested a written confirmation or denial of these assertions. She also requested a gate be installed at the entrance of the Rural Hill Cemetery to prevent cars from driving through the cemetery at night. She asked for a written response to this request.

Mayor Johnson responded by stating a fence and gate had not been previously requested until now and the request would be taken under advisement. Additionally, he stated a decision on exempting the cemetery from the Woodlands Ordinance has not been made and any discussion and decision will be made at an open meeting of the City Council. Further, the setback requirements will be consistent with the rural atmosphere of the present cemetery and in accordance with the master plan as it was presented to both the City Council and Township Board in late 2001.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Hartshorne to adopt the resolution describing Rural Hill Cemetery, noting that it is contiguous to the City of Northville, that the City is the owner of such property, and that the City desires to annex such property with the cooperation of Northville Charter Township. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Swigart to direct staff to forward a signed, certified copy of the resolution to Northville Charter Township. Motion carried unanimously.

The FY2003 capital improvement plan proposes improvements to streets located in Pheasant Hills and Abbey Knoll subdivisions. Orchard, Hiltz & McCliment, Inc. was retained to design improvements to these roadways and advertised for bids this spring. They reviewed, checked, and tabulated the bids and recommended the City award the low bid submitted by Hartwell Cement Company. Additionally, as a result of a significantly lower bid than was estimated, it is proposed that less critical repairs be added to these streets based on the unit prices bid by Hartwell Cement Company for this project. The additional work would not exceed the $250,000 budgeted for this project. Furthermore, City Council had previously directed staff to place new sidewalk on Potomac between Lexington and N. Rogers Street. Hartwell Cement Company has agreed to add it to the project at a rate of $4.00 per square foot for a total of $14,000.

Comments/discussion: Concern was expressed over the new sidewalks destroying the plantings on Potomac. It was stated all affected residents were notified and efforts will be made to accommodate the existing trees. Discussion took place with regards to using the surplus budgeted money for additional work in the project or for work in other areas.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Ayers to award a construction contract in the amount of $193,069.53 to Hartwell Cement Company of Oak Park, Michigan for concrete improvements to curb, pavement and sidewalk in Pheasant Hills and Abbey Knoll subdivisions. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Swigart to approve Change Order #1 with Hartwell Cement Company of Oak Park, Michigan for additional spot repairs to streets in the Pheasant Hills and Abbey Knoll subdivisions, based on as-bid unit prices, in a not-to-exceed total project amount of $250,000. Yes: Ayers, Johnson, Swigart. No: Hartshorne, Mittman. Motion carried.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to approve Change Order #2 with Hartwell Cement Company of Oak Park, Michigan for new sidewalk on Potomac in the amount of $14,000 ($4 per square foot). Motion carried unanimously.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Swigart to authorize the City Manager to sign a contract and proposed change orders for the above-described work on behalf of the City of Northville. Motion carried unanimously.

It was suggested that money budgeted for sidewalk repair/placement and not used in this fiscal year be carried forward for sidewalk repair in the following fiscal year.

In an effort to expand and enhance the present household hazardous waste program, Staff has investigated the possibility of joining with other communities to form a household hazardous waste coalition. The purpose of the coalition will be to offer to its citizenry two opportunities for disposal of hazardous materials. The City of Livonia, Northville Township, and the City of Northville propose to contract directly with Environmental Quality Company of Ypsilanti to conduct two events in 2002. The first event will be held Saturday, May 4^th at the City of Livonia; the second event will be held at the City Yards on September 21, 2002. A reciprocal arrangement of charging $31 per visitor vehicle by the hosting governmental entity is planned.

Comment/discussion: It was urged that extensive advertising be done to inform the residents of the changes, and to urge neighbors to carpool their hazardous materials. Staff was complimented for efforts in providing an additional collection day of hazardous materials and joining with other governing entities.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Swigart to:

1. Approve the City of Livonia, Northville/Northville Township coalition plan in offering household hazardous waste collection services.

2. Approve a change order to the City’s Residential Solid Waste collection contract eliminating household hazardous waste collection from the Painter and Ruthenberg contract for 2002.

3. Waive the formal bidding process and award the City’s household hazardous waste collection services directly to the Environmental Quality Company of Ypsilanti, Michigan in the amount of $10,230, and authorize the City Manager to sign a contract on behalf of the City.

4. Authorize payment to the City of Livonia, not to exceed $4,000, for Northville residents’ use of Livonia’s household hazardous waste drop-off event.

Over the past year, Fire Department representatives from the Conference of Western Wayne, of which the City of Northville is a member, have reviewed the mutual aid agreement in effect. It was determined the existing agreement required updating. The Western Wayne Fire Department Mutual Aid Association has prepared a revised draft agreement that defines the purpose, authority limitations, terms of withdrawal, intergovernmental relationships, and recording keeping of finances during emergency and non-emergency situations. A resolution has been drafted to approval of the agreement.

Comment / discussion: It was asked if there were any significant changes between the old and new agreement and it was stated the new agreement is more specific regarding definitions and responsibilities. The new agreement also establishes a formal interlocal entity.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Swigart to adopt the attached resolution approving the proposed Interlocal Agreement between participating Western Wayne municipalities and creating the Western Wayne County Fire Department Mutual Aid Association. Motion carried unanimously.

Additional comment: Question: Is there direct financial budgetary support to be given to the new entity? Answer: Support will be given through the contribution of men and material.

From time to time, City Council has met to discuss or act on items that require lengthy discussion and/or public input. It is suggested a special meeting be called on May 13^th to discuss improvements to Allen Terrace and funding options, and emergency preparedness as it relates to terrorist activities.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Hartshorne to call a special meeting for Monday, May 13, 2002 at 7:30 PM. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Hartshorne to change the location of the special meeting of May 13^th to Allen Terrace. Motion carried unanimously.

Ayers: Complimented the DPW on the plantings on Randolph Street. Also requested the cleaning people clean the main floor of City Hall at a time other than during the Council meeting.

Hartshorne: The April 16^th Wayne County CDBG meeting has been cancelled. The May 16^th meeting is scheduled to be held at Northville City Hall at 7:30 PM.

B. Staff Communications None

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

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz

Deputy City Clerk