City Council Minutes

Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of the 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, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Nicolette Bateson, Deputy City Clerk Carol Kasprowicz, DPW Director James Gallogly, Accounting Supervisor Sandi Wiktorowski, Housing Director Joanne Inglis, Youth Assistance Director Mary Ellen King, Parks and Recreation Director Traci Sincock, Police Chief James Petres, Fire Chief James Allen, Arts Commissioners Ken Naigus and Kathleen Tabaczynski, Housing Commissioners Butch Casterline, Charles Jerzycke, Sue Hooper, and Bill Robertson, and Beautification Commissioner Linda Lestock.

A. Citizen Comments: None.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Hartshorne to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

The City’s five-year plan for financial software applications includes conversion from Fund Balance to the newer BS&A software. The current fiscal year budget provides for the upgrade of the General Ledger and Accounts Payable modules.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to authorize City Staff to proceed with the implementation of BS&A General Ledger software program at a cost of $3295, an Accounts Payable program at a cost of $2795, data conversion at a cost of $500 for each program, and related support services. Motion carried unanimously.

The City’s four-year-old computers are unable to handle the needs of current software programs, which has resulted in some critical programs crashing during memory intensive uses. The cost of upgrading the components is not cost beneficial when compared to replacing the computers. The five-year budget plan has included the computer upgrade in FY 03. Twenty-two bids were received on Thursday, April 17, 2003 for the acquisition of workstation computers. DynTek submitted the lowest bid at a unit price of $932. Based on the DynTek bid, the total cost of replacement of 39 computers is $37,780.

Due to recent budget constraints, the current five-year plan was amended to change from a direct purchase of the computers to financing over a three-year period. Comerica Bank has offered an interest rate of 2.97% for an installment purchase loan. City Staff is recommending an internal loan from another City fund to the General Fund for three years at the 2.97% interest rate.

Comments: Question on the reliability of Compaq computers.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Mittman to authorize City Staff to purchase replacement computers from DynTek in the amount of $37,780 and to finance the purchase through the establishment of an interfund loan program based upon a 2.97% rate for three years. Motion carried unanimously.

The City Charter and City of Northville Code of Ordinances provide guidance for the disposal of City property. A schedule of used equipment including computers, printers, and a digital camera has been prepared. Disposal methods will be used in the order that yields the best financial benefit to the City.

Comment: The proper discarding of computers and computer accessories can be handled at the Household Hazardous Waste site in Livonia on May 3^rd.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to authorize the disposal of used equipment as shown on the attachment submitted. Motion carried unanimously.

Housing Commission Fund – A rent increase of 1.5% is proposed from $556 to $564 for one-bedroom apartments and from $935 to $950 for two-bedroom apartments. Capital improvements funded from the Allen Terrace operating budget include waterproofing the elevator pit, carpet replacements and bathroom floor replacements as apartments are vacated, bathtub reconfiguration for walk-in accessibility, and duct cleaning.

Comment: Questions were asked regarding the Allen Terrace Trust Fund rent subsidy, the bathtub reconfiguration, utility bills, and the feasibility of additional two-bedroom apartments.

Motion Hartshorne, seconded by Ayers to approve the rent increase of one-bedroom apartments from $556 to $564 and two-bedroom apartments from $935 to $950. Motion carried unanimously.

2002 General Obligation Debt Retirement – This fund was created to handle the repayment of the new Allen Terrace General Obligation Unlimited Tax Bonds of $1,375,000. The final payment on the bonds is due April 4, 2023.

Arts Commission Fund – Arts Commission Chairperson Ken Naigus spoke of the past accomplishments and future plans of the Arts Commission including a fund-raising membership program, and possible sculpture from a local artist. Requested an additional $1000 to offset the cost of the bandshell concerts.

Comment: Questions were asked regarding the winter band concerts, fund balance, and the artwork donations for next fiscal year.

Beautification Commission Fund – Questions were asked regarding plantings around the new "Welcome to Northville" signs, and the recipient of the fringe benefits listed in the budget.

Youth Assistance – Because the Youth Assistance budget is formulated by Northville Township, it was unclear as to what specifically is meant by "Capital Outlay." It was determined that the amount was not earmarked for capital improvements such as equipment but is the amount budgeted and approved for programs, speakers, and events.

Street, Drainage & Sidewalk Improvement Fund

An observation was made that, while there are no street improvements projected for FY05-06 because of Taft Road expenses, it might be possible to alter that plan depending on the projected costs. Taft Road is proposed to be reconstructed in FY06-07. Questions were asked regarding the use of General Fund monies for Major Streets Funds, and the use of Community Block Grant Funds for sidewalks.

Parking Fund – A discussion ensued regarding the cost of parking credits, and if a review of

the fee structure is warranted. It was suggested that a review be initiated in the middle of the

FY03-04 fiscal year.

Budget Stabilization Fund – Questions were asked regarding the value and purpose of this fund.

Discussion ensued regarding the demand on resources in developing and maintaining the additional parks being acquired. It was pointed out that the "pay for play" revenue source is inadequate. It is hoped that the Strategic Plan, being presently formulated, will offer some answers to where revenue increases may be achieved. Discussion proceeded to the City and Township financial realities of acquiring land and the accompanying development and operational costs. Further discussion led to the suggestion of a possible special millage in the future for recreation purposes. It was mentioned that the structure of funding for Parks and Recreation between the City and the Township would have to be revisited. Questions were raised regarding the proposed increase in fees, and the breakdown of the soccer and baseball fees.

Senior Citizens’ Services Fund – Questions were asked regarding the fund balance, the bus drivers’ salaries, and capital improvement allocations.

Public Improvement Fund – Questions were asked regarding the status of the police carport.

A discussion ensued regarding the two police patrol cars and the new full time dispatcher position that was on the "cuts" list. The full time dispatcher position led to a discussion of reintroducing the possibility of combining police dispatch and/or lockup with Northville Township. It was noted that several years ago, when the issue of dispatch consolidation was presented to the residents, it resulted in a severe negative and emotional reaction from the residents. Chief Petres was directed to inquire as to whether the Northville Township Police Department would be interested in exploring the possibility of lockup and/or dispatch consolidation.

Staff was directed to incorporate into the budget one of the items on the list: Operating Transfer to Arts Commission for Bandshell Concerts, $1000.

Swigart: Reported on the meeting held Saturday, April 26^th at Genitti’s with the MDNR regarding Maybury State Park. Arson was eliminated as a cause for the recent fire at the Maybury State Park barn.

Ayers: Reported on a recent meeting held for elected officials with the new Wayne County Executive Ficano.

Mittman: Requested that staff share comments generated from the website. Also requested the placement of picnic tables in the park behind City Hall.

Staff: None.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz
Deputy City Clerk