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 Jerome Mittman and Thomas Swigart

Absent: Councilmember Kevin Hartshorne (excused)

A. Citizen Comments None

Approve City Council Minutes:

Regular Meeting of June 17, 2002

Approve Bills List: Checks #27432 to #27736

Arts Commission: 6/12/02

Housing Commission: 5/13/02

Receive Departmental Reports:

Fire Department: 4/02

Police Department: 5/02

Arts Commission: Kenneth Naigus, Kathleen O’Brien

Board of Zoning Appeals: Connie Cronin, William Lokey

Housing Appeals Board: Gary Paver

Planning Commission: John Kaloustian

Southeast Michigan Criminal Justice Training Consortium Agreement

In October 2001, the Pheasant Hills Homeowners Association (PHHA) requested that the City Council consider a special assessment program to finance an upgraded gas lighting project in the subdivision. PHHA circulated petitions and approximately 85% of the residents support the request. On June 17, 2002, the City Council held a public hearing for those affected by the proposed special assessment. No comments were received. The City Council called a public hearing for July 1, 2002 for confirmation of the special assessment roll.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Swigart to adopt Resolution 02-22 "Resolution of Confirmation of Special Assessment Roll" and publish the Confirmation of Special Assessment Roll #2002-1 on July 11, 2002. Motion carried unanimously.

The City received a request from the Arthritis Foundation, Michigan Chapter, to hold the Jingle Bell Run & Walk for Arthritis 5K-charity race in the City of Northville on Sunday, December 15, 2002. The event would begin and end at the main entrance (S. Center Street) of Northville Downs, and utilize downtown and neighborhood streets. The proposed route is as follows: north on Center Street, east on Rayson, east on Lake, north on Novi Street, east on Rouge, west on Baseline, south on Grace, west on Lake, south on Center, west on Dunlap, south on Linden, east on Main, south on Wing, west on Cady, south on First, and east on Fairbrook.

The Arthritis Foundation will distribute notices to residences and businesses along the proposed route on the Friday before the event. The Foundation has also requested placement of temporary barricades, directional signs along the route, placement of an event banner on the wall of Northville Downs, and placement of water station near the intersection of Rayson and Horton. The event organizers will station volunteer marshals at each intersection of the proposed route, provide the City with required insurance and a hold harmless agreement, and reimburse the City for direct services.

Council Comments / Discussion: Questions arose regarding directional signs and reimbursement to the City for direct services.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Swigart to approve the request as submitted by the Arthritis Foundation, Michigan Chapter, to hold the Jingle Bell Run & Walk for Arthritis 5K-charity race on City of Northville streets on Sunday, December 15, 2002 between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Further, the streets on the 5K-race route, as noted above, will be temporarily closed under the direction of the Northville Police Department. Motion carried unanimously.

The Police Department has been a member of the Western Wayne Narcotics Enforcement Team (WWNET) for many years and is a signatory to the 1991 agreement creating the unit. WWNET involves

multiple agencies and creates concept teams to deal with criminal activities that cross local borders. Member agencies may participate by assigning an officer to the unit or by a contribution based on population. Due to Police Department staffing levels, Northville’s current annual assessment is $3,229.50. Participation provides the City with drug investigation, auto theft, and community response team resources.

Prior to 1999, concept teams handled their own funds. Following an audit, the Treasury Department determined that this was not appropriate since the teams were not separate legal entities. As a result, new agreements were drafted, designating one of the participating units of government as the public entity with budget responsibility for the team. Canton Township is accepting this responsibility for the WWNET.

Council Comments / Discussion: It was commented that concern with previous litigation and future civil liability prompted representatives of Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority (MMRMA) to be involved in several meetings regarding the language of the revised agreement. Staff was cautioned to confirm that 1) the Michigan State Police (MSP) is training the officers involved in the concept teams and that the training actually occurs; and 2) that supervision is done by the MSP Commander. If this is not the case, the Command Board should understand that, under this proposal, the officer giving the supervision assumes the risk and liability.

Should the MSP fail to honor their end of the agreement, Staff should immediately advise the City Council, and the City may withdraw from the agreement.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Mittman to approve the Western Wayne Narcotics Interlocal Agreement and authorize the Mayor and Police Chief to sign the agreement on behalf of the City. Motion carried unanimously.

At their June 3, 2002 meeting, City Council authorized staff to seek bids for the sale of two 1996 Ford Crown Victoria police vehicles which were no longer in service. The following bids were received on

June 25, 2002:

Motion Ayers, seconded by Swigart to accept the bids from Grace Quality Used Cars of Morrisville, PA in the amounts of $2,467.00 for each of the two (2) used police cars, authorize City staff to sell said vehicles at the bid amount, authorize the Police Chief to sign the vehicles titles on behalf of the City, and transfer possession and title to the authorized representative of Grace Quality Used Cars. Motion carried unanimously.

As a point of information, it was noted that the Fire House had been sold since the fire program had run its course.

The City Charter requires that one member of the City Council, who shall not be a candidate for elective office at the election for which he would be appointed, shall serve on the Election Commission. A Commissioner is needed for the August 6, 2002 Primary Election.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Mittman to appoint Mayor Pro Tem Carolann Ayers to serve as an Election Commissioner for the August 6, 2002 Primary Election. Motion carried unanimously.

Ayers had questions relative to the intersection at Randolph and Center Streets, primarily regarding "left turns" and "through traffic". Further comments focused on the City Council’s participation in the Independence Day Parade.

Mittman had questions regarding the proposed legislation to expand gaming at local racetracks. Following a brief discussion, the City Clerk was directed to prepare a resolution for consideration at the City Council meeting of July 15, 2002. The DPW Director was commended regarding the new sidewalk at Eight Mile and Novi Streets.

Mittman and Swigart commented on their attendance at last week’s Western Wayne/Oakland County Association of Realtors meeting and noted that the association expressed great interest in the City’s temporary real estate sign ordinance.

B. Staff Communications None

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

Respectfully submitted,

Dianne Massa

City Clerk