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 Johnson, Mayor Pro Tem Carolann Ayers, Councilmembers Kevin Hartshorne, Jerome Mittman, and Thomas Swigart.

Absent: None.

A. Citizen Comments

Members of Girl Scout Troop #46 thanked the City Council for the opportunity to sell the old city street name signs. Currently, $6,005 has been raised, with half of this amount going to the Girl Scouts.

Mary Ellen Patterson Hollis, 114 Walnut St., questioned whether there was an alternate method to posting temporary signs other than stapling them to the trees.

In 2001, City Council authorized staff to work with Municipal Web Services to establish an initial website presence for the City of Northville (including shared services) and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). Staff is prepared to publicly launch and market both sites on June 17, 2002. Nickie Bateson, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director, and Curt Anderson of Municipal Web Services, provided tours of each website.

Council Comments / Discussion: Questions were asked pertaining to the website newsletter subscriptions, the ability to post special information where it is readily seen, City Council email, enhancing the new resident information section, and website maintenance. It was noted that, overall, the information on the website is complete and thorough.

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

Approve City Council Minutes:

Special Meeting of May 13, 2002

Joint Meeting with DDA of May 20, 2002

Regular Meeting of May 20, 2002

Approve Bills List: Checks #27147 to #27155

#27156 to #27269

Receive Board and Commission Minutes:

Youth Assistance: 4/9/02

Receive Departmental Reports:

Fire Department: 3/02

Police Department: 4/02

Youth Assistance: 4/02

Specialized Services Operating Assistance Program Agreement

Contract Change Order / 2002 Local Street Program

Request to Solicit / International Order of Alhambra

Senior Alliance Implementation Plan (FY 2003)

Sale of Used Police Cars

On April 22, 2002, City Council reviewed the Water and Sewer Fund financial analysis as part of the annual budget study process. Based upon the budget plan and other key factors, including a 13.7% rate increase from the City of Detroit and a 10% rate increase from Wayne County Sewage, the following rate structure was proposed, with an effective date of July 1, 2002.

Council Comments / Discussion: Brief discussion followed relative to the water and sewer analysis for the various communities.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to adopt Resolution 02-16 for the following water and sewer rate adjustments with an effective date of July 1, 2002.

Water: $4.19/unit

Sewer: $3.78/unit

Sewer (Dual Meter): $1.46/unit

Service Charge: $4.92/monthly

In October 2001, the Pheasant Hills Homeowners Association (PHHA) requested that the City Council consider a special assessment program to finance an upgraded lighting project in the subdivision. PHHA circulated petitions and approximately 85% of the residents support the request. As part of the special assessment process, a public hearing is needed regarding the proposed improvement and assessment.

Christine Zecman, 989 Elmsmere, stated she supported the proposed special assessment.

Dennis Engerer, 999 Coldspring, stated he supported the proposed special assessment.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Ayers to adopt Resolution 02-17 "Resolution of Determination of Need of Special Assessment" for the Pheasant Hills Subdivision lighting project. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Ayers to adopt Resolution 02-18 "Resolution of Notification of Special Assessment Roll" for the Pheasant Hills Subdivision lighting project. Motion carried unanimously.

The City received a request from the Northville Chamber of Commerce to close certain streets for the annual "Art in the Sun" event to be held on June 15 – 16, 2002. The streets would be closed at 5:00 a.m. on June 15^th and reopened at 7:00 p.m. on June 16^th. Affected streets include Main Street, from Wing to Hutton, and Center Street, from Mary Alexander Court to Dunlap. The Chamber also requested permission to place 25 signs (12" x 24") in the public rights-of-way advertising this event. Following discussion with City staff, the Chamber reduced the number of signs requested to six.

Council Comments / Discussion: Discussion relative to the sign request followed. There was concern with granting the request, thus setting precedent for other events requesting additional signage. It was noted that the Chamber of Commerce did receive permission to use the "Welcome to Northville" entrance signs to publicize this event. Use of the "Welcome" signs has been allowed as an alternative to placing signs throughout the City.

Motion Hartshorne, seconded by Swigart to authorize the closure of Main Street, from Wing to Hutton, and Center Street, from Mary Alexander Court to Dunlap, as requested by the Northville Chamber of Commerce for the 13^th annual "Art in the Sun" event being held on June 15 – 16, 2002. Motion carried unanimously.

On May 20, 2002, City Council reviewed the Parking Management Plan proposed by the Parking Committee, which was comprised of DDA members, City Staff, and several downtown merchants. Based on their analysis, the following recommendations were made:

Limit parking lots #1, #2, and #3 to 3-hour parking.

Limit all on-street parking (where currently identified, plus Wing Street between Main and Dunlap) to 2-hour parking.

Offer a free employee-parking permit that would allow downtown employees to park in identified spaces (orange dot) all day without being ticketed. Should an employee choose to park in a non-orange dot space, they must vacate the space in 3 hours or run the risk of being ticketed.

Utilize the lot south of MGM and the MainCentre upper deck as overflow lots for employee parking, and sign for long-term customer parking

Employee permits would be distributed through the employers, who would be responsible for keeping a record of the employee’s name and license plate numbers. Parking permits would be identified with a different color each year so that enforcement officer can easily identify out-of-date permits.

It was noted that a thorough public relations campaign would be needed to inform merchants and employees of the new and improved parking management program. Costs in implementing this plan include enforcement, new signage ($400), and an extensive public relations campaign ($3,000). Signage and public relations would be funded by the DDA.

Council Comments / Discussion: Discussion followed relative to parking and parking permits, the orange dot program, and the need for adequate signage that publicizes the orange dot program and the parking restriction days and hours. It was questioned whether the number of reserved "overnight" spaces is adequate to allow residents with overnight parking permits to secure a space during peak-use hours.

As several businesses in the downtown have changed uses, it was questioned whether the buildings and businesses have had a change of use without the appropriate number of parking credits being purchased. The administration was directed to review the ordinance and determine whether businesses have purchased the appropriate number of parking credits based on the use of the building or the business. City Council also directed the administration to work with the City’s Planning Consultant to review the ordinance relative to the density of office use.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Swigart to accept the Parking Committee’s recommendations for improvements to the Parking Management Plan as outlined in the plan. Further, the following Traffic Control Orders are approved:

#02-03 Parking, Downtown Parking Deck, Lot #1

#02-04 Parking, City Lot #1, between East Main and Mary Alexander Court

#02-05 Parking, Mary Alexander Court

#02-06 Parking, City Lot #2

#02-07 Parking, City Lot #3

#02-08 Parking, City Lot #4

#02-09 Parking, South Center

#02-10 Parking, West Dunlap

#02-11 Parking, North Wing

#02-12 Parking, West Cady

#02-13 Parking, East Dunlap

Yes: Ayers, Swigart, Mittman, Johnson. No: Hartshorne. Motion carried.

In November 2001, City Council deferred increasing overnight parking permit fees for residents parking overnight on city streets and parking lots. At the direction of the Council, a Parking Committee, comprised of representatives of downtown businesses and City Staff, was formed to review parking issues. Downtown residents were invited to the meetings to discuss overnight parking in the downtown. Although staff demonstrated how overnight parking presents an increased cost and liability to the City, residents continue to maintain that an increase in fees is not necessary. The current fee of $1.00 per month does not cover the administrative cost of issuing permits as well as increased operational and insurances costs. The Parking Committee recommended an increase in parking permit fees for overnight parking on City streets and parking lots.

Richard Kirkoff, owner of the Inn on Main Street, questioned the need for his tenants to purchase a parking permit, the purpose of purchasing parking credits, and the practice of his tenants paying to use the parking lots during "non-prime time" hours. He supported designated parking spaces for overnight parking.

Mary Rea, Starting Gate, 135 N. Center Street, questioned the need for a fee.

Gary Simmons, 137 N. Center Street, was opposed to the fee increase and stated that an increase will force people to leave the downtown.

Council Comments / Discussion: Discussion focused on the parking lot located to the south of the MGM building, overnight parking permits, and designated overnight parking spaces. It was suggested that the number of designated overnight spaces to the south of the MGM building be increased from 15 to 20 and that a "two-tiered" parking permit system be considered. Parking permits purchased at $5 per month would allow the permit holder to park closer to the downtown core area, while parking permits purchased at $1 per month allow the permit holder to park farther away, in the lot to the south of the MGM building, for a lower fee. Staff was directed to review and increase the number of designated overnight spaces, revise the resolution to recognize a two-tiered system, and report back to the City Council at the regular meeting scheduled for June 17, 2002.

In April 2002, the City accepted bids for a four-year custodial service contract covering janitorial services for City Hall administration, police, and the DPW facility. The new contract would begin July 1, 2002 and include increased insurance, security, and performance requirements over the City’s current janitorial services contract. The following bids were received.

Staff recommended rejecting the bids submitted by Clean White and Jani King of Michigan, as they did not provide the required bid bond with their bids. H & K Janitorial Services is considered the lowest qualified bidder for the advertised work. This company currently provides custodial services for City Hall and the contractor has adjusted their staff in order to address certain performance issues. The new contract addresses performance issues with specified penalties to assure quality work and contract compliance. Budget Funds for City Hall custodial services was estimated at $4,733 less than the bid amount, which requires a budget amendment to cover the contract cost.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Hartshorne to award a four-year contract to H & K Janitorial Services, Inc. in the total amount of $112,032 and authorize the City Manager to sign the contract on behalf of the City. Further, a budget amendment for FY2003, transferring $4733 from the General Fund Contingency (101-997-956) to City Hall Janitorial Services (101-263-801.01) is approved. Motion carried unanimously.

Traditionally, and by collective bargaining agreements, City Hall is closed for the Independence Day holiday on Thursday, July 4, 2002. City Staff has approached the City Manager to request that City Hall be closed on Friday, July 5, 2002 as well. All City Hall personnel has agreed to use vacation or compensatory time. A similar request was granted in 2000 with the understanding that the closing would not be considered a precedent.

Council Comments / Discussion: It was noted that the restrooms on the lower level of City Hall would be available for public use during the July 4^th parade.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Swigart to authorize the closing of City Hall for business purposes on Friday, July 5, 2002, implemented as follows:

1. The Police and Public Works Departments would not be affected by the closure and would remain on duty at their regular rate of pay.
2. City Hall personnel are required to use vacation or compensatory time.
3. Proper advance posting of the closure at the entrances to City Hall and on the automatic telephone greeting.
4. Future requests would be addressed on their own merits independent and separate of City Council action on this request. Motion carried unanimously.

Mittman noted that he had attended the Oakland County Trail and Path Project meeting on May 21^st, which was a workshop focusing on exploring different avenues to connect the various trails, as well as connecting key points of interest in the various communities to existing trails.

B. Staff Communications

Word provided the Council with instructions on utilizing the backdoor addresses to the City and DDA websites. Comments are to be forwarded to Nickie Bateson, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Dianne Massa

City Clerk