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

George Mans, Candidate for State Senate – 7^th District, introduced himself to the City Council.

A. Citizen Comments None

Resolution Requesting Wayne County Permit / Eight Mile Road Bicycle Path was added to the agenda as New Business 9H.

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

Approve City Council Minutes:

Joint Meeting with DDA of June 26, 2002

Regular Meeting of July 1, 2002

Approve Bills List: Checks #27737 - #27921

Beautification Commission: 11/12/01, 4/16/02, 5/17/02

Parks and Recreation: 6/12/02, Study Session 6/12/02

Youth Assistance: 6/11/02

Receive Departmental Reports:

Parks and Recreation: 6/02

Youth Assistance: 6/02

Historic District Commission: Thomas Gudritz (Appointment)

Request for Proclamation / Week Without Violence / October 13-19, 2002

Request to Hold Street Dance / First Presbyterian Church / August 24, 2002

Resolution of Support / Proposal 2: Funds for the Future

At the May 6, 2002 City Council meeting, the Parks and Recreation Department presented a proposal to sponsor a community run on June 21, 2003. The event was endorsed by the City Council, with the racecourse plan to be presented at a later date. The volunteer committee continues to plan the details of this event and staff has reviewed the preferred racecourse presented this evening. Galyan’s, a local sporting goods retailer, has contributed $5,000, which entitles them to have their name on the event.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Ayers to approve the racecourse for the Galyan’s Northville Solstice Run on June 21, 2003 as submitted on the revised Attachment A. Further, the streets will be temporarily closed under the direction of the Northville Police Department. Motion carried unanimously.

At the June 17, 2002 City Council meeting, the City Council directed Staff to proceed with the process to present a ballot question on the November 5, 2002 election ballot. The ballot question would ask voters to support the issuance of $1,375,000 in Unlimited Tax General Obligation (UTGO) bonds to finance the proposed improvement program at Allen Terrace. It is intended that the bonds would be self-supporting from Allen Terrace operations; however, by issuing UTGO bonds, the lowest interest cost would be obtained.

Council Comments / Discussion: Questions arose regarding the revisions to the Allen Terrace Trust Fund subsidy qualifications with concern that the revisions were contingent upon the approval of the bond issue. It was clarified that the subsidy revisions were not tied into the bond issue and that the ATTF Board of Trustees intended that the revisions would be effective prior to the November election.

Further comments focused on the required ballot language, which does not explain that the millage would be levied only if Allen Terrace revenues could not support the bond payment. Council noted that voter education would be necessary to convey this message.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Swigart to adopt a resolution authorizing the placement of a ballot question in conjunction with the November 5, 2002 General Election for the purpose of issuing Unlimited Tax General Obligation bonds in an amount not-to-exceed $1,375,000 for capital improvements at Allen Terrace. Further, as stated in the resolution, it is the intent of the City Council that the bonds will be repaid with revenues generated from Allen Terrace. Yes: Ayers, Swigart, Mittman, Johnson.

No: Hartshorne. Motion carried.

At the July 1, 2002 City Council meeting, the City Council discussed recent newspaper articles relative to proposed legislation to expand gaming at the state’s seven horse racing tracks. Following their discussion, the Council directed Staff to prepare a resolution that outlined the City Council’s position regarding the proposed legislation.

Council Comments / Discussion: Comments included concern that the proposed resolution did not support the benefit of slot machines to the race track, a request for funding to be set aside for problem gamblers, and concern that the resolution could damage the City’s relationship with Northville Downs. Further comments noted that the City Council is only opposed to expanded gaming that is not "horse race track gaming" and requested that staff amend the resolution to reflect the Council’s position.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to adopt a resolution opposing the expansion of "non-horse racetrack gaming" at horse racetracks in the State of Michigan, as amended. Yes: Ayers, Mittman, Swigart, Johnson. No: Hartshorne. Motion carried.

The DDA continues to work with the Buckhaves, the owners of Old Church Square, to form a partnership to provide public restrooms in the downtown. The Buckhaves have constructed two restrooms that can be accessed directly from the public plaza of Old Church Square. In addition, the Buckhaves have agreed to make a third restroom available that is ADA compliant and located within the adjacent Stampeddler Building. The total cost of providing the three public restrooms is $25,600 and the DDA would reimburse the Buckhaves for the construction costs associated with these restrooms. The City continues to work with the Buckhaves to reach an agreement regarding restroom use, maintenance, and rents. As such, the agreement before the City Council this evening is not in a form for approval and a revised contract will be presented to the City Council at a later date.

Council Comments / Discussion: Questions arose regarding certain elements of the proposed contract, including the possible deletion of parking credit language and other minor typographical errors. It was noted that the water usage in these restrooms would be metered. No action taken on this item.

At the July 1, 2002 City Council meeting, the City Council approved the Pheasant Hills Subdivision Special Assessment Roll regarding the placement of new natural gas lighting throughout the Pheasant Hills Subdivision. Consumers Energy presented a proposal to the City for the purchase and installation of the new fixtures, totaling $95,947.50. In addition, Consumers Energy presented the City with a standard "Natural Gas Services Maintenance Contract", which covers the monthly operation and maintenance costs associated with these fixtures. The City Attorney is in the process of reviewing this agreement.

The actual purchase and installation costs of the new gas streetlights exceed the estimated amount cited in the special assessment hearings. However, Section 70-27 of the Special Assessment Ordinance permits the individual assessment to be increased to cover actual cost, provided that the increase does not exceed 25% of the original estimated figure.

Council Comments / Discussion: It was noted that the revised amount was increased to approximately $16,000 due to rising costs and the addition of a turndown device.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Swigart to approve a sole-source bid of $95,947.50 from Consumers Energy for the purchase and installation of new natural gas streetlights in the Pheasant Hills Subdivision. Further, the Public Works Director is authorized to sign a Natural Gas Services Maintenance Contract with Consumers Energy, covering the annual operation and maintenance of the streetlights, subject to the City Attorney revising the warranties and disclaimer of indemnity provisions (Sections 2 and 3) to more favorable terms. Motion carried unanimously.

Following the recommendations of the City’s 1997 Water Study, an 8-inch watermain is proposed on Caldwell Street from Main Street to Dubuar. In addition, it is proposed that an 8-inch sanitary sewer line be placed on Caldwell from W. Main Street to Bloomcrest in order to provide future sewer service to Lots 48 and 54 of Hillcrest Manor Subdivision. Although Hillcrest Manor is a Township subdivision, Lots 48 and 54 are now part of the City of Northville. The sewer and water system improvements are being proposed in advance of the street improvement schedule for this area in FY 2004. Making this connection eliminates two dead end watermains and creates a desired loop, which will greatly improve the distribution system’s reliability and fire flow to the homes on Caldwell, Bloomcrest, and West Dubuar. At the City’s request, McNeely and Lincoln Associates, Inc. submitted a proposal to perform the final design of the utility extensions on Caldwell along with the design of Caldwell and Bloomcrest located within the City.

Council Comments / Discussion: It was clarified that a part of Caldwell, up to the Dunlap right-of-way, is City property. Further discussion focused on the utility extension. It was noted the utility extension on these streets would not begin until the Dubuar Project has been approved.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Hartshorne to award a contract in the not-to-exceed amount of $34,500 to McNeely and Lincoln Associates, Inc. for professional services necessary for the final design and construction management of sewer and watermain extensions and street improvements on Caldwell Road and Bloomcrest Drive. Motion carried unanimously.

Wayne County levies 1/10 mil to provide support for youth assistance programs for Wayne County communities. The Conference of Western Wayne (CWW), in which the City and Township are members, contracts with Wayne County to receive and administer the 1/10-mil funds. In the past, individual CWW member communities have had subcontracts between themselves and Growth Works, which mirror the CWW/Wayne County contract. Earlier this year, the CWW Board of Directors determined that, due to the expanded scope of the program, it would contract directly with each member community rather than with Growth Works. The City Attorney has reviewed the agreement and finds it acceptable for execution.

Council Comments / Discussion: Comments included a need to clarify to the CWW that our youth assistance program serves the Northville School District and a question regarding the distribution of the 1/10 mil to the Northville Youth Assistance program. It was suggested that Marsha Bianconi, Executive Director of the Conference of Western Wayne, be present at a future City Council meeting to address this issue.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to approve the agreement with the Conference of Western Wayne relative to youth assistance programs. Further, the Mayor is authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the City. Motion carried unanimously.

On July 2, 2002, the Parks and Recreation Department received the following bids for the annual printing and mailing of the Parks and Recreation activity catalog.

Webco Press submitted the low bid. Webco has printed the Parks and Recreation catalog since 1999 and has performed well.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Hartshorne to award the bid for the printing of the Parks and Recreation catalog for FY 2003 to Webco Press in the amount of $5,520 per run. The bid award includes the responsibility of advertisement sales at a 40% commission rate. Motion carried unanimously.

The Old Church Square project was before the City Council on May 20, 2002 for the purchase of 12 parking credits. At the same meeting, Staff recommended that City Council approve a public/private partnership with the Buckhaves for the rental and ongoing maintenance of three public restrooms contained in the Old Church Square project. The second motion adopted by Council did not accurately reflect the actual terms of the contract. As such, it is recommended that City Council correct the minutes of the May 20, 2002 City Council meeting and amend the second motion to reflect the contract terms.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Swigart to correct the minutes of the May 20, 2002 City Council meeting and amend the second motion to read as follows: "to approve a contract for the purpose of leasing three restrooms from the Buckhaves for a period of 25 years, subject to renewal under the same terms and conditions. Additionally, the City shall reimburse the Buckhaves $25,600 from DDA funds for the cost of constructing two public restrooms and remodeling the existing ADA compliant restroom located in 145 N. Center Street. Further, the designation of unisex or specific sex restrooms is to be determined by City Staff." Motion carried unanimously.

The Michigan Municipal League (MML) requested that the City designate, by official action, the City of Northville’s official representative at the business session of the Annual Business Meeting scheduled for September 11, 2002.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to designate Mayor Christopher J. Johnson as the official representative of the City of Northville and Mayor Pro Tem Carolann Ayers as the alternate at the Annual Business Meeting of the Michigan Municipal League to be held on September 11, 2002. Motion carried unanimously.

The City will be accepting bids for the construction of a new bicycle path along Eight Mile Road between Taft Road and Center Street. As much of this work will be on the public right-of-way along Eight Mile Road, which is under the jurisdiction of Wayne County, it is necessary to obtain a construction permit from the Wayne County Department of Public Services.

Council Comments / Discussion: Comments included the anticipation of increased foot traffic in this area and the consideration of designating a "no left turn" at this intersection when pedestrians are present. The Police Chief was directed to review this matter with Wayne County.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Swigart to adopt a resolution authorizing the Public Works Director to make application with the Wayne County Department of Public Services for a construction permit to construct a bicycle path along Eight Mile Road from Taft Road to Center Street. Motion carried unanimously.

Swigart commented on two outdoor seating locations near the Bandshell. He expressed concern with the serving of customers during public events, the storage of table and chairs, and alleged complaints that parked vehicles did not allow outdoor seating patrons full enjoyment of the concerts. The Council further discussed the issue and directed the City Manager to address concerns with table/chair storage and food service during public events with the business owner.

Ayers commented on the new Volunteer Mentor Card, noting that the card is an excellent resource that outlines the many services available to the community through the Youth Assistance program.

Mittman questioned the state of the new trees along Eight Mile Road, noting that they may need additional watering during the hot weather. Further comments questioned the status of the downtown newspaper boxes. The DDA Director was directed to report back to the City Council regarding the progress in securing newspaper boxes in the downtown area.

B. Staff Communications None

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

Respectfully submitted,

Dianne Massa

City Clerk