City Council Minutes

Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:00 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

Also Present: City Manager Gary Word, Assistant City Manager Nickie Bateson, Director of Public Works James Gallogly, Deputy City Clerk Carol Kasprowicz, Parks and Recreation Director Traci Sincock, Fire Chief James Allen, Downtown Development Authority Director Lori Ward, Accounting Supervisor Sandi Wiktorowski, Parks Superintendent Matthew Wiktorowski, Reporters Scott Spielman and Pauline Campos, and three citizens.

A. Citizen Comments None

It was requested that Consent Agenda Item K, Request to Solicit / Northville Lions Club, be placed under New Business, Item D.

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

Approve City Council minutes of:

Regular Meeting of April 1, 2002

Special Meeting of April 8, 2002

Special Meeting of April 18, 2002

Approve Bills List: Checks #26215 to #26752

Receive Boards and Commission Minutes

Arts Commission: 4/10/02

Downtown Development Authority: 3/12/02

Parks and Recreation: 3/13/02

Youth Assistance: 3/12/02

Boards and Commission Appointments:

Senior Citizens Advisory Council: Lorraine Steimel (R)

Building Authority: James Gallogly (R)

Arbor Day Proclamation / Tree City USA Recertification

Request to Solicit / VFW Auxiliary / May 9-11, 2002

Amendments to Fee / Fines / Penalties Schedule

2002 "Welcome to Northville" Signs

Elevated Water Storage Tank Inspection

Street Closure Request / Main Street / Annual Flower Show

It has come to the attention of the City that a portion of Ford Field, north of the present Water Wheel Center, is zoned PR-1 (industrial). This is inconsistent with the existing land use. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on a proposed rezoning change from light industrial to residential. No public comments were received, and the Planning Commission moved unanimously to recommend rezoning to the City Council provided it would not interfere with the environmental clean-up efforts. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has advised City Staff that there would be no negative aspect of the rezoning that would impact the clean-up endeavors.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to introduce for first reading an ordinance amending the Northville Zoning Map for a parcel of land zoned PR-1 (Light Industrial) to be changed to R1-B (Residential) and schedule second reading and possible adoption for May 6, 2002, with effective date ten days after adoption upon publication on May 16, 2002. Motion carried unanimously.

Every three years, counties are required to renew their cooperative agreement with communities that participate in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs. Earlier, the City had recommitted to the Oakland County CDBG program for the period 2002-2005. Wayne County has requested a resolution be adopted, certified, and sent to the County notifying it of the City’s decision.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Hartshorne to adopt the resolution committing to participating in both urban county programs for an indefinite period of time or until it is in the best interest of the City of Northville to terminate the cooperation agreement. Motion carried unanimously.

It is proposed to conduct an aerial survey and accompanying ground control and mapping of the downtown area and the projected expanded DDA boundaries. Drawings will be produced for every segment of street and parcel of land in the target area. The survey will be an aid in the planning of development possibilities, street modifications, and parking expansion options that are proposed in the downtown conceptual plan that is currently being reviewed by the Planning Commission, Historic Commission, and City Council. McNeely & Lincoln have proposed to provide the data for a cost of $14,950. Sufficient funding is included in the DDA’s FY 2002 budget.

Council comment: A request was made for an updated photo of the aerial view of the City.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Ayers to approve a contract in the amount of $14,950 to McNeely and Lincoln Associates, Inc. of Livonia, Michigan for professional engineering services necessary to provide aerial mapping of downtown Northville. Motion carried unanimously.

The current six-year-old heavy-duty municipal building copy machine has made over 1.5 million copies and is in frequent need of service and repair. It was made known that the City of Farmington Hills had developed and solicited an Invitation to Bid for several types of copy machines, one of which matched the needs of the replacement for the municipal building copy machine. The successful vendor was Albin Business Centers, based on price and quality. The successful vendor indicated its willingness to extend their prices to members of the Tri-County Purchasing Cooperative. The City of Northville has joined this Cooperative.

The Konica 7165 is capable of printing 65 copies per minute, has digital scanning capabilities, and is networkable. The final price of $19,425.30 includes one Konica 7165 copier with finisher, networked, image processor, postscript, hard drive, additional memory, and a large capacity paper try.

Council comments: Questions were asked regarding the old copy machine and a comparison in cost per copy.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Ayers to declare the existing copy machine as surplus property and approve the purchase of a Konica 7165 digital networked copier from Albin Business Centers at a cost of $19,425.30. Motion carried unanimously.

Financing for a replacement municipal building copy machine was included in the FY 2002 approved budget. Requests for financing was solicited and two proposals were received: Comerica Bank at 3.75% and BankOne at 9.0812%. After approval of a proposal, the next step would be the presentation of a financing resolution and related documents at the May 6, 2002 meeting.

Council comments: Questions were raised regarding the disparity between the two proposals, and the option to finance versus purchase the copy machine.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Hartshorne to accept the Comerica Bank proposal of a 3.75% finance rate for the digital networked copier, with a financing resolution to be presented at the May 6, 2002 meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

The Northville Lions Club has requested permission to solicit in the City for White Cane Week on Friday, April 26^th and Saturday, April 27^th from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with weather dates of May 3^rd and 4^th. The Lions Club has conducted this event in the past with no reported problems.

Council comments / discussion: Discussion took place regarding the safety of persons collecting at the intersections.

Motion Mittman to approve the request of the Northville Lions Club to solicit in the City for White Cane Week on April 26^th and 27^th, with rain dates of May 3^rd and 4^th, with the condition that no solicitation take place in the streets or roads. Motion died for lack of support.

Further comment: It was suggested a policy be formulated at a time when discussion can take place with representatives of the various charities that request permission for solicitation.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Swigart to approve the request of the Northville Lions Club to solicit in the City of Northville for White Cane Week on Friday, April 26^th and Saturday April 27^th with rain dates of May 3^rd and 4^th, 2002 with a request to strongly consider not being in the street for the collection activity because of safety concerns. Motion carried unanimously.

A. Mayor and Council Communications: None

B. Staff Communications: Word: Introduced the new Northville Record reporter, Pauline Campos.

Parks and Recreation Fund: Significant factors listed for FY 03 for this fund include the opening of a fifth community park, Millennium Park in May 2002, and the reopening of the renovated Ford Field in Fall 2002. Growth in facilities and programming has strained the existing manpower and resources. The revenue from the communities has increased by 4% while the operating costs have increased by 20%. Offsetting operational costs is heavily dependent on program revenue. Capital improvement projects and additional staff hiring have been delayed until FY 2004. An additional contribution to the fund balance has also been delayed.

Parks and Recreation – Capital Outlay Fund: This is a newly created fund to record the capital improvement projects, property development, and related expenditures for the Parks and Recreation Department. Items covered for FY2003 include park improvement purchases for Millennium Park, Ford Field, and Fish Hatchery Park, and debt service to Northville Township for Community Park Bonds of 1993 and the Hillside Community Center renovation loan.

Council comments: Questions were asked regarding a Ford Field update. A discussion took place regarding the park land behind the Ford plant. It was suggested to reevaluate the cost-sharing formula with Northville Township. A long-range plan is needed to handle the increased operational costs due to the acquisition of additional park land and facilities.

Senior Citizens’ Services Fund: No additional staff is proposed for FY 2003. Until a decision is made about an alternative facility, capital improvement items proposed are those which can be easily relocated: computer and printer purchases, office chairs, brochure display rack, and additional communications for the transportation program.

Council comments: A discussion took place on the fee charged for card playing.

Downtown Development Authority: FY 2003 capital improvement projects include brick repair and maintenance, improved pedestrian lighting along Cady Street, repair and maintenance of the City’s parking structures and surface parking lots, and ongoing landscaping and acquisition of street furnishings. Additionally, public restrooms are expected to be opened, a parking management plan to be implemented, and a DDA website will be launched. A new category, Downtown Operations and Maintenance, has been created to reflect the expenses incurred relative to ongoing downtown activity.

Council comments: Questions were posed regarding activities directed at business retention, parking deck maintenance, and equipment rental. Discussion took place regarding the time of DDA meetings, reports, and minutes of the meetings, and it was suggested that the DDA meeting packet be sent to Council members.

Downtown Development Authority Debt Service Fund: This fund continues to capture taxes to finance the debt service of $3.8M in bonds over 15 years. The debt service requirements for FY 2003 are $393.339. The amount transferred from the DDA is equal to that amount, net of other revenues in this fund. The final payment is due October 1, 2008.

Refuse and Recycling Fund: No rate adjustment is proposed for the commercial refuse program. As part of a four-year contract, the residential rates will increase for FY 2003 which results in a 6% increase in the residential refuse program. The Household Hazardous Waste program will have an additional day, which will be held in Livonia due to a cooperative arrangement for this year.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to schedule a public hearing on May 6, 2002 regarding the 6% rate increase in the residential refuse program. Motion carried unanimously.

Water and Sewer Fund: In recent fiscal years, the City has been able to absorb rate increases imposed by the City of Detroit (water) and Wayne County (sewer) due to a decreased debt load for sewer operations. The City of Detroit will impose a 13.7% water increase as of July 1, 2002, and a sewer increase of 10% is expected from Wayne County. The following rates are proposed as of July 1, 2002: Water 9.5%, Sewer 7.5%, Dual Meter-Sewer 9%, and no change to the bi-monthly service charge. FY 2003 budget also includes a capital improvement project of replacing the water main and sanitary sewer on Caldwell, aggressive sewer cleaning, and the continuation of building reserves for a potentially mandated excess flow facility.

Council comments: Discussion ensued regarding septic systems in Northville Estates, sewer backup legislation, projected construction of the wastewater control facility, replacement of shallow lines, and water leaks in the system.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Hartshorne to schedule a public hearing on June 3, 2002 regarding the proposed rate increase in the water and sewer rates. Motion carried unanimously.

Equipment Fund: The major source of revenue for this fund, which provides for the maintenance, repair and replacement of City-owned equipment, is the interfund equipment rental charges. Two new revenue sources are proposed for FY 2003: land rental income from the Police Department and Park and Recreation for the proposed storage facility to be constructed in the Yards, and a surcharge on fuel used. Capital improvement projects for FY 2003 include a one-ton dump truck, a zero turn radius mower, a weed whip and leaf blower, and power washer.

Maryann Anusbigian, President of the Friends of the Mill Pond, spoke of her continuing concerns regarding the health of the Mill Pond. She stated how grateful and encouraged she and the Friends were regarding the inclusion of the Mill Pond in the FY 2003 budget.

Council Discussion: A list of items that were cut from Departmental Budget Requests was examined in light of possible millage increases and/or designation as expenditures from the Public Improvement Fund (racetrack funds). It was pointed out that the Public Improvement Fund has traditionally been used for capital outlay items and not for ongoing expenditures. Extensive discussion took place regarding a possible Benefit E adjustment for current retirees.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to use Public Improvement Funds to do the painting of 315 Griswold, reserve funds for the new firing range facility at Department of Corrections, add insulation to the City Hall building (Amend Ayers, seconded by Mittman to add the renovation of the City Entrance signs) for a total cost of approximately $34,000. Motion carried unanimously.

City Council was directed to an additional "cut" list generated by the Parks and Recreation Department, and it was stated that there is a need for more discussions regarding the prioritizing if needs and resources.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to publish a notice of public hearing to be held on Monday, May 20, 2002 regarding the total City millage for operations, debt, and improvements at a rate of 15.8946 mills in 2002. Motion carried unanimously.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz

Deputy City Clerk