City Council Minutes

Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:30 p.m. in Meeting Room A, Northville City Hall, 215 West Main Street, Northville, Michigan.

Present: Mayor Christopher Johnson, Mayor ProTem Carolann Ayers, Councilmembers Kevin Hartshorne, Jerome Mittman, and Thomas Swigart

Absent: None

Also Present: City Manager Gary Word, Director of Public Works James Gallogly, Chief of Police James Petres, Parks and Recreation Director Traci Sincock, DDA Director Lori Ward, Deputy City Clerk Carol Kasprowicz, Housing Director Joanne Inglis, Planning Commissioner Marc Russell, Reporters Scott Spielman and Pauline Campos, Bill Pike of Consumers Energy, and two citizens.

A. Citizen Comments: Mr. Dante LaManna of Helen’s Uptown Café reiterated his understanding that the overnight covers for the tables and chairs set up in the Band Shell area for his patrons be removed by 10 a.m. each day. He disagreed with the decision to have the tables and chairs removed from the area prior to any scheduled special event, specifically the Friday night concerts. As a compromise, he offered to cease service to patrons by 5:00 p.m. on the Fridays of the band concert. After discussion, Council directed the City Manager to consult with the Art Commission as to the acceptability of Mr. LaManna’s compromise. Mr. LaManna was cautioned that compliance with the terms of the outdoor seating permit and cooperation between all parties is key to a successful outcome.

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

Approve City Council Minutes:

Regular Meeting of July 15, 2002

Approve Bills List: Checks #27922 to #28154

Receive Board and Commission Minutes:

Historic District Commission: 6/19/02

Housing Commission: 6/12/02

Planning Commission: 3/19/02, 5/7/02

Receive Departmental Reports:

Fire Department: 5/02

Board and Commission Appointments: None

Liquor Control Commission / Local Approval Resolution / 146 MainCentre

DPW Equipment Purchase / Zero-Radius Mower

Proposed Cemetery Walk / Sunday, October 13, 2002

NCBA Bargain Bazaar / August 2-3, 2002

In 1972, the Northville City Council adopted an ordinance granting Consumers Power (now Consumers Energy) a gas franchise in the City. The franchise was for a period of 30 years. The gas franchise expired on March 6, 2002 and Consumers Energy contacted the City to request renewal of the gas franchise agreement for an additional 30 years. City Charter stipulates that the City Council cannot enact the franchise ordinance until a notice is published stating that the proposed ordinance is on file, in its complete form, in the City Clerk’s office and is available for public inspection for at least four weeks.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to introduce for first reading an ordinance granting a revocable gas franchise to Consumers Energy for a period of thirty years. Further, the City Clerk is directed to publish a notice that a copy of the proposed ordinance, complete in its form, is available for public inspection in the office of the City Clerk, for a period of thirty days. Second reading and possible adoption of the proposed gas franchise ordinance is to be on September 16, 2002. Motion carried unanimously.

The City had adopted the Uniform Traffic Code (UTC) as its local traffic ordinance. Over the past several months, the State Police have been in the process of amending the UTC. A major focus of the revision has been to eliminate the need to revise the UTC each time the Legislature amends the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code (MMVC). To accomplish this, the revised UTC will not contain provisions that deal with the operation of a vehicle that are identical to sections of the MMVC. The remaining provisions of the UTC will be those that are local in nature.

In 1999, the Legislature allowed cities to adopt the MMVC as the local traffic ordinance. In order to have an enforceable traffic ordinance, the City could adopt the MMVC as the basic traffic ordinance and also adopt the revised UTC (after receiving State approval) with any appropriate changes.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to introduce for first reading an ordinance adopting the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code by reference and to schedule second reading and possible adoption for Monday, August 19, 2002. Pending its adoption, the ordinance would become effective ten days upon publication (August 29, 2002). Motion carried unanimously.

A subcommittee of the DDA and the owners of the Old Church Square have reached an agreement regarding a public/private partnership to make public restrooms available within the Old Church Square. The owners have constructed two restrooms that can be accessed directly from the public plaza and a third restroom that is ADA compliant that is located within the adjacent Stamppeddler Building. The cost of constructing the three public restrooms is $25,600. The DDA would be responsible for reimbursing the Owners for the construction costs associated with the public restrooms.

Additionally, the DDA has agreed to cover the cost of renting the public restrooms and for supplies needed to maintain the restrooms. A total rent on the space occupied by the three public restrooms shall be $325 per month, and the costs for supplies and maintenance will be reimbursed to the owners at a rate of $585 per month, subject to review and adjustment.

Council Comments / Discussion: Objection was raised to the language regarding parking credits being included in the contract. Discussion led to directing Staff to revise the contract to reflect the parking credit history as it relates to the public plaza, and the removal of the parking credit language as it relates to the change of use of the building. A suggestion was also made to include the words "...and Public Plaza" to the title of the contract; the title would read "Contract for Public Restrooms and Public Plaza." A question was raised regarding the use of the public plaza for private functions.

The FY 2003 capital improvement program includes the complete reconstruction of East Cady Street from the Cady Street parking structure east to Griswold. Additionally, Hutton Street is to be widened from Main to Alexander Court to allow two-way traffic flow, and to be extended south to East Cady Street.

On July 16, 2002, the City accepted bids for these improvements. Three bids were submitted:

Thompson McCully Company - $385,803.60

ABC Paving Company - $324,419.05

Cadillac Asphalt - $372,893.00

The City’s engineering consultants, Dietrich, Bailey and Associates, have reviewed the bids and recommend the award to the low bid submitted by ABC Paving Company.

Council Comments / Discussion: A request was made to present schematic drawings of projects prior to Council approval of expenditures. It was suggested the drawings of anticipated projects be available for informal examination either prior to or after Council meetings.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Hartshorne to award a construction contract in the amount of $324,419.05 to ABC Paving Company for the reconstruction of East Cady and Hutton Streets in downtown Northville, with authorization given to the City Manager to sign the contract on behalf of the City of Northville. Motion carried unanimously.

Included in the FY 2003 capital improvement plan is a project to place a bicycle path on Eight Mile Road between Taft Road and Center Street. The project will begin in August and is expected to take approximately eight weeks to complete. On July 22, 2002, the City accepted bids for this project. Two bids were submitted:

Summit Transport Inc. - $186,450.00

ABC Paving Company - $289,247.94

Council Comments / Discussion: Questions were raised regarding the landscaping and maintenance costs of the project.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to award a construction contract, subject to MDOT approval, in the amount of $186,450 to Summit Transport, Inc. for the Eight Mile Road Bicycle Path Project, and authorize the Director of Public Works to sign the contract and any MDOT paper work related to the project on behalf of the City of Northville. Motion carried unanimously.

Since 1997, the City has been performing an annual program of sidewalk improvements since the voter-approved millage for streets, sidewalks, and storm sewer went into effect. For FY 2003, the City proposes a small amount of improvements to the City’s sidewalk system. The scope of work for this project includes the spot repair of sidewalks at various locations throughout the City. The selections were made as a result of concerns raised by residents as well as inspections and recommendations by staff.

On July 30, 2002, the City accepted bids for this project. Two bids were submitted:

McCarthy Construction - $49,520.00

Hartwell Cement Company - $34,882.25

The bids were reviewed and checked and it was recommended the low bid submitted by Hartwell Cement Company be accepted. Additionally, the funds included in the FY2003 budget for this project totaled only $30,000. Consequently, the project scope was reduced by approximately 160 feet of 5-foot sidewalk.

Council Comments / Discussion: It was suggested to transfer funds from one of the two previous budget items previously approved at this meeting to make up the difference between the bid amount and the budgeted amount.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Swigart to award a construction contract in the amount of $34,882.25 to Hartwell Cement Company for the 2002 Annual Sidewalk Replacement Program, and further direct the Administration to transfer funds of $4,882.25 from other projects that were under bid. Motion carried unanimously.

The FY 2003 Parks and Recreation budget included the replacement of the gym divider curtain at the Recreation Center at Hillside. The existing curtain, a roll up unit, is 12 years old, and has had several mechanical repairs during the past year. Two bids were received during the competitive bidding process.

C&M Associates, Inc. $21,157

Jos. A. Copperstone Co. $12,000

An alternate bid of a fold up curtain was submitted by Jos. A. Copperstone for $9,000.

The amount budgeted for the replacement of the curtain was $8,000. However, the alternate bid of a fold up curtain is acceptable to the Parks and Recreation Department. The difference of $1,000 between the bid price and the budgeted price is to be rectified with a budget amendment in the Hillside operating budget. The amendment will be achieved by reducing the amount of equipment purchased for the building during FY2003.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Hartshorne to approve the purchase of a gym divider from Jos. A. Copperstone Company in the amount of $9,000. Motion carried unanimously.

The FY 2003 Parks and Recreation budget included the replacement of the 5-year-old copier used by the 14 full and part time employees of the Parks and Recreation Department. The City had recently purchased two copiers through a bid granted to Albin Business Systems by the City of Farmington Hills and offered to members of the Tri-County Purchasing Cooperative Program, of which the City of Northville is a member.

The Konica 7155 copier is capable of copying 55 copies per minute, has digital scanning capabilities, provides stapling and hole punch features, and can be connected to the computer network. The purchase price for the Konica 7155 copier is $15,047.30.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Swigart to approve the purchase of a Konica 7155 Digital Networked copier from Albin Business Centers at a cost of $15,047.30. Motion carried unanimously.

The FY2003 budget of the Housing Commission included the replacement of a 6-year-old copier. City staff solicited proposals from various vendors and found Albin Business Systems provided the lowest bid in the bid provided to the Tri-County Purchasing Cooperative Program. The purchase price for a Konica 7022 is $5,052.51. The Housing Commission has budgeted $150 per month for the next five years.

Motion Hartshorne, seconded by Swigart to approve the purchase of the Konica 7022 copier from Albin Business Centers at a cost of $5,052.51. Motion carried unanimously.

City Council has approved the purchase of a copy machine for both the Northville Parks and Recreation Commission and for the Northville Housing Commission. The budgets for those funds provided for the copy machines to be financed over multiple years. For this reason, City Staff has solicited financing rates utilizing an installment purchase financing. Comerica Bank has provided a rate of 3.48%, which is favorable. 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 copy machines and authorize the City Manager and Finance Director to execute the related documents. Motion carried unanimously.

The current rules and regulations governing Rural Hill Cemetery have been enforced for several years and, from time to time, adjustments are warranted. It is proposed that several rules and regulations be added at this time. The revisions include specifics regarding burial of cremains, cemetery hours, grave decorations, repurchase of unused graves by the City, and the prohibition of horses, motorized personal recreational vehicles, and alcoholic beverages in Rural Hill Cemetery.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Swigart to approve the revised Cemetery Rules and Regulations as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

MERS holds an annual business meeting for the purpose of electing officers, forwarding new information to its membership, and presenting an overview of the state of the system. MERS recommends that each participating government entity send one employee representative and one officer delegate to the annual meeting. The employee election was concluded July 31, 2002 with David Fendelet elected as representative and Melissa Wyman elected as alternate. In the past, the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and City Clerk were designated as the employer representative for MERS.

Motion Hartshorne, seconded by Swigart to direct the City Manager or his designee to be designated as the officer delegate at the MERS Convention and that necessary arrangements be made for the officer and employee delegate to attend the 2002 MERS Annual Meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Ayers inquired as to the closing of the Allen Terrace office on Fridays during the month of August. Ms. Inglis explained that the office has been traditionally closed on these days for many years, and the staff uses vacation or comp time. Ayers also inquired as to the poor landscape conditions of North Center Street. Gallogly stated the restoration of the landscaping was the responsibility of MCI/WorldCom and he would follow up.

Mittman mentioned his observance of the waste and yard products being picked up by the same truck. He also inquired as to any promotional efforts being undertaken to promote the City’s website and requested a report in six months regarding the use of the website.

Hartshorne inquired as to the orange dot parking program recently launched. He asked that, initially, there be more warnings issued before a more stronger response be given to violators.

Johnson gave a brief update on the threat of the Governor to cut the state shared revenue to cities, villages, and townships. He urged all to contact the State Senators and Representatives regarding this issue.

B. Staff Communications None

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

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz

Deputy City Clerk