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

Also Present: City Manager Gary Word, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Nicolette Bateson, Deputy City Clerk Carol Kasprowicz, DPW Director James Gallogly, Parks and Recreation Director Traci Sincock, Housing Director Joanne Inglis, Senior Adult Services Coordinator Sue Koivula, Senior Citizen Advisory Council Members John Rae, Bob Russell, Peggy Meyer, and Jim Nield, members of Girl Scout Troop 46, Reporter Pauline Campos, and eight citizens.

A. Citizen Comments: None.

B. Ben Marks, MML Past President - Mr. Marks reiterated the Michigan Municipal League’s mission to educate and guide the elected representatives of Michigan in procedural, administrative, legal, financial, and ethical matters through the Elected Officials Academy. Additionally, he urged members of Council to attend the regional meetings and legislative conferences of the MML.

Bob Russell, 42512 Lake Success, Northville Township, Chairman of the Northville Area Senior Citizens Advisory Council, began the presentation with a brief description of the present conditions at the Senior Citizens Building located on Cady Street. He stated the condition of the building is inadequate to the growing senior population and precludes any expansion of activities.

Peggy Meyer, 19709 Cardene Way, Northville Township, member of Senior Citizen Advisory Council enumerated factors favorable to the Community Center being retained as a senior citizen center. Factors listed included the central location to downtown facilities, pedestrian and bicycle accessibility, the availability of computer infrastructure in the building, and the current lease of $1 for a total of 45 years.

Jim Nield, 18234 Arselot Drive, Northville Township, explained the proposed renovation and addition, which included four meeting rooms that be opened into two rooms, a front and back entrance controlled by one desk, a double fireplace that acts as a room divider, and an outdoor patio area that could be used for special activities.

John Rae, 731 W. Main Street, Vice Chairman of Senior Citizens Advisory Council, spoke of the financial considerations of construction and renovation of the Community Center. He stated a study of the building conducted in 2000 revealed mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and heating/air conditioning problems. A projected cost of repairing and renovating the existing building, and the building of a new addition for the seniors, is roughly estimated at $1.5M. Potential financing sources include block grant funds, racetrack breakage, private contributions, and Township millage fund balance.

Council comments / discussion: Questions were posed regarding the physical condition and use of the present building, and possible future utilization of the building. It was suggested that the renovation include configurations to allow for a banquet facility. Discussion took place regarding sources of revenue after renovation, and statements of encouragement and support were presented.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Ayers to concur with the Northville Township Board of Trustees and endorse the concept to use the Northville community Center for senior adult activities. Motion carried unanimously.

It was suggested to move item 9D, Proposed Sale of Street Name Signs, as the next item of business.

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

Approve City Council minutes of:

Special Meeting of April 18, 2002

Special Meeting of April 22, 2002

Approve Bills List: Checks #26753 to #26935

Receive Board and Commission Minutes:

Downtown Development Authority: 4/9/02

Housing Commission: 3/13/02

Senior Citizens Advisory Council: 11/16/01

Receive Departmental Reports:

Police Department: 1/02, 2/02, 3/02

Boards and Commission Appointments: None

Proclamation / Senior Housing Awareness Week

The street name signs are being replaced through special funding from the Leo E. and Ann June Manville Fund. City Council had directed staff to create a program to dispose of the old signs in such a manner that would enable residents to purchase the signs. In an effort to garner the revenue and eliminate any labor costs involved in the program, staff has worked out a proposed program with Girl Scout Troop 46 of Northville. The proposed program will allow Troop 46 to sell the street signs during the Northville Flower Show and additional downtown events until the signs are gone. Troop 46 will retain half of the proceeds received from the sale. The Scouts are planning on selling the signs at a price of $5 to $10.

Council comments / discussion: Efforts should be made to ensure an equal opportunity for residents to obtain the sign of their choice.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Swigart to declare the old street name signs as excess material and approve an arrangement with Girl Scout Troop 46 for administering the sale and clearance of the signs. Motion carried unanimously.

The residential solid waste program is in the third year of a four-year contract. Under the terms of the contract, costs remained fixed for the first two years, with a price increase scheduled for the third year. There is no increase scheduled for the fourth year. Factoring in the proposed contract price increase, staff has performed an analysis of the projected costs and revenues for this program and proposes a 6% price adjustment be implemented in FY 02-03. The proposed rate would be $12.72 per month; the fee for removal of a freon bearing appliance is proposed to be $21.20.

Council comments: It was suggested to round off the fee for removal of the freon bearing appliance to either $21.00 or $25.00.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Swigart to adopt a resolution increasing the City’s residential solid waste collection fee by six percent to $12.72 and the fee for removal of freon bearing appliances to $21.00, effective July 1, 2002. Motion carried unanimously.

The Parks and Recreation Department is in the initial stages of organizing a community 5K run that would start and fiish at Ford Field, act as a potential fund raiser for the Parks and Recreation Department, and is proposed to be held, next year, on Saturday, June 21, 2003. Although the course of the run is incomplete, it is the intent that the majority of the run would be through the downtown neighborhoods. Endorsement of the preliminary planning efforts is being sought.

Council comments: It was suggested that all residences and businesses along the route be informed prior to the event.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Swigart to endorse the preliminary planning efforts of the Summer Solstice 5K committee to bring a fun run event to the Northville community in 2003. Motion carried unanimously.

The City has received a request from the Northville High School Rotary Interact Club to conduct a 5K run in the City on Saturday, May 18, 2002 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. City Staff has reviewed the request and suggests the run be routed on Dunlap or Cady rather than Main Street. Runners will be asked to use sidewalks where available. On-duty shift personnel will be used to assist with traffic control and part time officers and fire personnel will be of assistance. The Club has asked that the fees be waived.

Council comments: Discussion took place regarding the route of the race and expenses incurred through use of City personnel.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Ayers to approve the request of the Northville High School Rotary Interact Club to hold the 3^rd Annual "Heart ‘N Sole" Race on Saturday, May 18, 2002 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. subject to a route change acceptable to City staff. Further, the costs associated with the race will not be waived and the Club will provide general liability insurance in the amount of $1M with the City named as an additional insured. Motion carried unanimously.

At the regular meeting on April 1, 2002, the Northville City Council adopted a resolution noting that the City desires to annex that portion of Rural Hill Cemetery that is currently not within the City limits. At a special meeting on April 25, 2002, the Northville Township Board of Trustees unanimously adopted a resolution approving the annexation of Rural Hill Cemetery by the City of Northville. In order to effectuate the annexation, a resolution accepting the property must be adopted by the City. Once adopted, all three resolutions will be filed with the office of the Great Seal of the State of Michigan at the Secretary of State’s Office and with the Wayne County Clerk.

Motion Hartshorne, seconded by Swigart to adopt the resolution confirming the annexation of a portion of Rural Hill Cemetery and authorize City staff to file the resolutions with the appropriate agencies. Motion carried unanimously.

At a special meeting on April 22, 2002, the City Council introduced for first reading an ordinance amending the City’s zoning map for a parcel of land currently zoned PR-1 (Light Industrial) to R1-B (Residential). The parcel, used for park purposes, would be a permitted use under R1-B zoning.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Ayers to waive second reading and adopt the ordinance amending the Northville Zoning Map for a parcel of land zoned PR-1 (Light Industrial) to be changed to R1-B (Residential), with the change becoming effective within ten days upon publication (May 16, 2002). Motion carried unanimously.

A change in the traffic signal at the corner of Main and Hutton is required due to the reconstruction of Hutton Street from Main Street south to Cady Street. This portion of Hutton, which is presently a one-way street, will become a two-way street. It is proposed to replace the existing traffic signal with a new traffic signal designed to match the signals placed at Main and Center, and Center and Dunlap. The signal improvements will also include the green, backlit street name signs. To assure that the new traffic signal equipment is identical to those used at Main and Center, the supplies should come from the same supplier, Carrier & Gable Inc. Also, there is a 60-90 day delivery time for the traffic signal poles. The City has received a price quote from Carrier and Gable Inc. for $43,849.60. However, an additional $2,500 is necessary for the painting of all equipment and poles to match the other intersections, for a total cost of $46,349.60. The DDA has contributed $90,000 for traffic signal improvements to the Hutton/Main intersection.

Council comments: A request was made for a line drawing of the parking and sidewalk configurations of the Hutton/Main Street intersection and Hutton Street from Main to Cady.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Swigart to waive standard purchasing requirements and unanimously approve the purchase of traffic signal poles, equipment, and appurtenances from Carrier and Gable, Inc. of Farmington Hills, Michigan in the not-to-exceed amount of $46,349.60. Motion carried unanimously.

The Mainstreet ’78 project established the standards used for downtown lighting by selecting a decorative fixture manufactured by the Herwig Lighting Company. At present, E. Cady Street has these street lights placed on Center to the First Presbyterian Church. The street improvement project for E. Cady Street includes electrical conduit behind the curb for street lighting which will enable the Department of Public Works to place new streetlights on both sides of the roadway. To provide the identical fixture as the streetlights throughout the downtown, the City will need to purchase 25 new streetlights from Herwig Lighting Inc. A price quote has been received in the amount of $46,475. The DDA is providing funding in its FY 2003 budget. As there is a five-month delivery time upon ordering the lights, it is desirable to order the lights at this time to allow for installation before the winter months. As a 50% deposit is required with the streetlight order, a budget amendment is required to move $23,238 from the FY 2003 DDA budget to the FY 2002 DDA budget.

Council comments: Discussion took place regarding the timing of new development with placement of new street lights.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to waive the City’s standard purchasing requirements and unanimously approve the purchase of 25 new decorative streetlights from Herwig Lighting, Inc. in the not-to-exceed amount of $46,475 and, further, to approve the necessary budget amendment to cover the required deposit for this purchase. Motion carried unanimously.

The parking lot at Allen Terrace, built in 1978, has been blacktopped and seal coated but never replaced. In October 2001, the Housing Commission hired a firm to take soil borings and make recommendations for a rehabilitation project. Using this data, the Housing Commission solicited proposals from engineering firms to oversee the project. Two proposals were received with McNeely and Lincoln Associates submitting the lower priced proposal at $22,500.

Council comments: It was noted extra effort would be required due to excessive water runoff because of the extreme elevations inherent in the site. The cost of rehabilitation is approximately $119,000, not including the reconfiguration.

Motion Hartshorne, seconded by Swigart to award the engineering contract in the amount of $22,500 to McNeely and Lincoln for the Allen Terrace parking lot rehabilitation project. Motion carried unanimously.

A replacement for the six-year-old copier at the Senior Center is being proposed. Heavier use of the copy machine and advancements in technology warrant the replacement. The City of Northville is a member of the Tri-County Purchasing Cooperative and as such is able to participate in a bid award for copy machines. Albin Business Systems was the successful vendor for the purchase of several copiers for the City of Farmington Hills, based on price and quality. The Konica 7045 copier meets the needs of the Senior Center at a cost of $8,621.45.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Hartshorne to approve the purchase of a Konica 7045 digital copier from Albin Business Centers at a cost of $8,621.45. Motion carried unanimously.

On April 22, 2002, the Northville City Council approved the purchase of a municipal building copy machine. In addition, the Northville city Council authorized City Staff to proceed with the installment purchase financing with Comerica Bank at a rate of 3.75%. The City’s bond counsel has drafted a resolution approving the municipal purchase contract with Comerica Bank.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to adopt the resolution for the financing of the municipal building copy machine with Comerica Bank at a rate of 3.75%. Motion carried unanimously.

Johnson: Requested dates for a special joint meeting with the Downtown Development Authority for the purpose of reviewing a proposed downtown parking management plan.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Swigart to hold a special joint meeting with the DDA on Monday, May 20, 2002 at 6:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.

Ayers: Spoke of the timing of the signals at the Eight Mile / Taft / Randolph intersection. She asked if the appropriate parties could investigate this.

Mittman: Requested a study be done with regard to solicitation in City street. City administration was directed to formulate a policy for City Council review and bring it to Council in due time.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz