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 Pro Tem Carolann Ayers (excused).

A. Citizen Comments None.

It was suggested that the order of the budget review be changed and that the Beautification and Arts Commission budgets be reviewed prior to continuing with the General Fund portion of the budget.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Hartshorne to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried unanimously.

Beautification Commission: The revenues and expenditures are expected to be consistent with the current fiscal year. Funding has been included to host the Beautification Council of Southeastern Michigan meeting in Northville in FY 2002.

Arts Commission: Commissioners Ken Naigus and Kathleen Tabaczynski outlined the Northville Arts Commission 2002-2003 plan, which includes a focus on fundraising, increased awareness of "who they are", youth-related activities, and collaborations with other community groups. New items in the budget include the Youth Performing Arts Show, Michael Farrell Detroit Tours, inclusion of two Saturday night Clock Concerts, informational brochures, and purchasing NAC logo envelopes and display panels. The Ornament Sales continue to lose money and have been discontinued.

Council Comments: Comments regarding Township funding and revisions to the Articles of Organization to open membership to other communities.

Buildings and Grounds: The budget remains consistent with last year. An increase in Cemetery Materials is mainly due to DPW activity in the cemetery. Parks and Playground Contractual Services is increased in order to replace unsafe equipment in the "Carpenter Tot Lot". It was noted that 315 Griswold is in need of painting; however, this item was cut in order to balance the budget.

Council Comments: A comment suggested exploring the use of the well at Allen Terrace for watering plantings throughout the City in exchange for DPW service. Discussion regarding utilities and the New Trees and Tree Maintenance line items, with a suggestion to move any remaining balance in Tree Maintenance to the new fiscal year New Tree budget as opposed to the Fund Balance.

Department of Public Works: The proposed expenditures for operation and maintenance remains consistent with the previous year.

Council Comments: Discussion regarding Words From Works, Engineering, Equipment Rental, and Fringe Benefits.

Planning, Zoning and Inspection Services: The budget allows for improved department services and efficiencies. The implementation of the proposed Rental Registration and Inspection Program is planned for this fiscal year, with program administration and cost to be shared with the Fire Department.

Council Comments: Questions regarding the proposed Rental Inspection Program. It was reiterated that community landlords should be involved in creating an ordinance and other aspects of the proposed program prior to presenting the program to the City Council.

Shared Services: The proposed budget is increased due to the increased maintenance costs for the Recreation Department.

Contributions to Other Funds: Current year activity consists of operating transfers to the Major Street Fund, Local Street Fund, transfer to the Public Improvement Fund for municipal building renovation and fire station addition payments, final debt payment for the acquisition of 315 Griswold, and an operating transfer to the Fire Equipment and Replacement Fund. It was noted that replacement of the City entrance signs was placed on the "cut list".

Debt Service: This activity represents payment of principal and interest related to bonds issued in 1990 for street improvements, the 2000 Public Safety bonds, the Parks and Recreation installment purchase of equipment, and the installment purchase of the City Hall copier to be issued in FY2003.

Council Comments: Discussion relative to the 1990 Street Improvement Bonds and retirement of the debt in FY 2005-06. Suggestion to consider reinvesting these funds for on-going maintenance.

Insurance, Central Supplies, and Unallocated Reserve: This activity provides for an anticipated 30% insurance premium increase due to the first hard market in ten years.

Council Comments: Discussion focused on the insurance industry and rising insurance costs due to a weakened economy, poorer return on investments, and the lingering effects of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Street, Drainage, and Sidewalk Improvement Fund: This activity executes capital projects as outlined in the City’s 20 Year Street Improvement Plan. Improvements include East Cady, Dubuar, Pheasant Hills and Abbey Knoll improvements, sidewalk repair and replacement, and improvements to Potomac. It was noted that the 20 Year Street Improvement Plan is a managed approach to maintaining and improving the City’s streets.

Council Comments: Questions regarding S. Rogers, Taft Road, and Potomac, crack sealing, and sewer backups. Suggestions included placing a temporary island on Potomac as a "test" prior to actual boulevard construction, reviewing the 20 Year Street Improvement Plan (five year projection) in order to determine if the plan requires any revisions to continue to meet the community’s needs. It was noted that improvements to S. Rogers tie into a major watermain utility project to upgrade a loop.

Major Streets Fund: Expenditures for routine operating and maintenance activities are expected to be consistent with the previous year. East Cady Street improvements, from the parking deck to Griswold, are proposed for the summer of 2002.

Council Comments: Question regarding Winter Maintenance, Routine Street Maintenance, Contractual Services, Wages and Salaries Overtime, and current and projected salt use.

Local Streets Fund: Expenditures for routine operation and maintenance activities are expected to remain consistent with previous years. Capital improvements include a traffic island at N. Rogers and Potomac, improvements to Dubuar, Glenhill, Elmsmere, Whitegate, Abbey Court, Portsmere, Mill Pond Court, McDonald, and Coldspring.

Parking Fund: This activity is used to receive special assessment revenue and pay for lease payments of land used by the City as public parking lots and to earmark funds for future parking expansion projects. The activity in this fund is consistent with previous years.

Council Comments: Questions regarding the DDA parking fund, parking study, the Parking Committee, and the Downtown Conceptual Plan.

Budget Stabilization Fund: Due to the City’s plan to continue to build the General Fund fund balance, no appropriation to this activity is recommended for FY 2003.

Public Improvement Fund: As the City’s policy is to not budget for the receipt of racetrack breakage revenue, no revenue is budgeted or projected for future years.

Council Comments: Questions regarding on the plans for future projects, vacancies in the City-owned properties on S. Wing Street, and Randolph Drain and the RPO Grant. Further discussion ensued relative to the cemetery expansion project, with a focus on long-term costs, perpetual care, and project costs. A final question regarding the Mill Pond restoration and the Mill Pond restoration fund, as well as the City’s commitment to the state and county relative to SWIPPI.

Mittman suggested that the proposed improvements to the Eight Mile and Novi Roads entrance should be included on the "cut list" in order to receive future project funding consideration. Noted that the recent article in the Northville Record regarding water and sewer rates was misleading.

Johnson stated that the next meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 22, 2002 at 7:00 p.m.

B. Staff Communications None

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

Respectfully submitted,

Dianne Massa

City Clerk