City Council Minutes

Mayor ProTem Carolann Ayers called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:30 p.m. at the Northville City Hall Council Chambers, 215 West Main Street, Northville, Michigan.

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

Absent: Mayor Christopher Johnson (excused)

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, and Northville Record Reporter Maureen Johnston.

A. Citizen Comments – None

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

Approve City Council Minutes:

• Regular Meeting of April 7, 2003
• Special Meeting of April 8, 2003

Approve Bills List: Checks #31480 - #31606

Receive Board and Commission Minutes:

• Downtown Development Authority: 3/19/03
• Historic District Commission: 2/19/03
• Housing Commission: 3/12/03
• Parks and Recreation: 3/12/03
• Senior Citizens Advisory: 3/20/03
• Youth Assistance: 3/11/03

Receive Departmental Reports:

• Parks and Recreation: 3/03
• Police Department: 2/03
• Youth Assistance: 3/03

Board and Commission Appointments: None

Eight Mile / Novi Road Entrance Park

2003 "Welcome to Northville" Signs / Northville Post Office Food Drive

Proclamation / April as Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month

At the April 7, 2003 City Council meeting, the first reading was accepted of a proposed amendment to Chapter 10, Animals, Article I, Section 10-2 Dogs Running At Large, of the City Ordinance. The proposed amendment allows for off-leash dogs on City property designated by City Council as "off leash" property.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Mittman to waive second reading and adopt the proposed amendment to Article I, Chapter 10 Animals, Section 102 Dogs At Large, by the addition of item "(c): Provided, however, that Section (a) and (b) above do not apply to any piece of city property designated by the City Council as "off leash" property." Motion carried unanimously.

At the January 21, 2003 City Council meeting, approval was granted for a temporary off leash area (dog park) located in the area behind the Scout/Senior Center Building on Cady Street. It was requested that operating rules be finalized and brought to Council for review prior to the opening of the dog park.

Discussion/comments: Questions were asked regarding liability of mishaps in the park (dog owners will be held liable), time period of the pass ( 18-month pass equals the time period approved by Council for the temporary park), and lack of dog toys and restrictions of specific types of dog collars (park site is too small for specific activities).

Motion Mittman, seconded by Swigart to approve the proposed Dog Park Rules as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

The Randolph Street Drainage Board assesses the cost for any improvements or maintenance to the Randolph Street Drain based on the area of land draining into the watercourse. Entities held liable for the costs include Wayne County, Oakland County, the City of Northville, and the City of Novi. The City of Northville contributes approximately 62.19% of the storm water runoff to the watercourse and is therefore assessed this percentage of the costs. A $400,000 project was initiated which included culvert improvements, pond dredging, stream bank stabilization, and general streambed cleaning. A grant of $200,000 was received from the Rouge Program Office to cover approximately one-half of the expenses. However, the City has received an invoice from the Oakland County Drain Commission for $183,433.45, which includes 62.19% of non-project expenses, projected 2003 maintenance costs, and project expenses. Oakland County, who has taken the lead on this project, may allow the City to pay $100,000 now with the remainder due in 2004.

Discussion/comments: Specific improvements and their location in the community were discussed.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Hartshorne to approve payment of $100,000 to the Oakland County Drain Commission, with a commitment to readdress the remaining amount when Council next allocates Public Improvement funding in 2004. Motion carried unanimously.

Mittman informed Council of an upcoming meeting, hosted at Genitti’s, with members of the DNR regarding Maybury State Park. Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 26^th at 10:30 a.m.

Ayers praised the work being done by the tree contractor in removing and replacing the ash trees destroyed by the Emerald Ash borer. Gallogly informed all of the Arbor Day activities at the Eight Mile and Novi Road park on Friday, April 25^th.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz
Deputy City Clerk