City Council Minutes

Mayor Christopher Johnson 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 Christopher Johnson, Mayor ProTem Carolann Ayers, Councilmember Kevin Hartshorne, Jerome Mittman, and Thomas Swigart

Absent: None

Also Present: City Manager Gary Word, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Nicolette Bateson, DPW Director James Gallogly, Deputy City Clerk Carol Kasprowicz, Reporter Maureen Johnston and two citizens.

A. Citizen Comments – None

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

Approve City Council Minutes:

Regular Meeting of May 19, 2003

Approve Bills List:

Checks #32149 to #32229

Checks #32230 to #32328

Receive Board and Commission Minutes:

Beautification Commission: 4/15/03

Housing Commission: 4/9/03

Youth Assistance: 4/8/03

Receive Departmental Reports:

Fire Department: 4/03

Police Department: 3/03, 4/03

Youth Assistance: 4/03

Board and Commission Appointments: None

Request to Close Streets / Linden Street / 4^th of July

Request to Close Streets / Art in the Sun / June 14-15, 2003

Request to Close Streets / Abbey Knoll / June 29, 2003

The City provides five dumpsters for trash and five for cardboard disposal for use by commercial establishments. Rates are based on the type of business services. In FY03, the expenditures are projected to exceed the revenue by $5,000 and in FY04 by $8000. The increased expenditures are primarily due to DPW labor costs incurred in the daily cleaning of the areas around the dumpsters. The increased labor costs have been necessary due to inappropriate and careless placement of trash by the commercial clients. To assure that the program remains self sustaining without a general fund subsidy, a 15% increase is proposed. Additionally, it is proposed that annual letters be sent to the commercial establishments regarding the rules and regulations, and the posting of the regulations near the dumpsters.

Comments / Questions: It was noted that any surplus of funds in the Refuse and Recycling Fund would be retained in the fund to offset any future increases in the contracts.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to approve the bi-monthly rate increase in the commercial solid waste program to be effective July 1, 2003 as follows:

Restaurants $338.50

Restaurants (special) $264.00

Retail Food $145.00

Church, Theaters, and Halls $145.00

Retail Sales $109.00

Service Providers $ 87.50

Residential $ 36.00

At the special FY04 budget meeting of April 30, 2003, City Council reviewed the Water and Sewer Fund financial analysis and the proposed rate structure. In addition to the analysis, other key factors are to be considered when evaluating the proposed rate increase. They include:

Maintaining an acceptable level of working capital funds.

The ability to absorb a portion of the annual rate increases from the City’s two system supplier.

Rate requirements of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

The five-year capital improvement plan which identified $919,000 of proposed projects through FY07.

Closely monitored water loss.

The institution of the dual water meter program.

Comments / Questions: A question was asked on the use of the automatic payment program. It was noted that 200 accounts out of 2600 use the program, and efforts will be made to increase the number of accounts.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Swigart to adopt the resolution providing for the following rates with an effective date of July 1, 2003:

Water: $4.19 / unit

Sewer: $3.91 / unit

Sewer (Dual Meter) $1.55 / unit

Service Charge: $5.12 / bi-monthly.

On February 3, 2003, City Council reviewed a design and approved a $35,000 budget for the replacement of four entrance signs found along the major roadways into Northville, The signs are proposed for the following locations:

Novi Road and Eight Mile (in the new entrance park)

Randolph Street at Eight Mile Road

South Main Street near Seven Mile Road

S. Center Street at Seven Mile Road

Like the existing signs, the new entrance signs will incorporate the ability to hang special event signs on them. Additionally, the new signs have been designed to allow the welcoming message to be seen over the special event sign. In addition, Staff will attempt to provide lighting to the signs. Construction and placement of the new signs will be advertised for bids, and it is expected that the signs will be in place by January 1, 2004. A final design was proposed that included a group of photographs depicting specific sites of Northville to be placed on the sign.

Comments / Questions: A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the photographs on the sign including the subject matter, their placement, quality of print, manufacturing process, and artistic appropriateness. Additionally, discussion ensued regarding the size of the signs, what to place on the back of the signs, vandalism, lighting, and the use of the City’s logo. An alternative design was presented, which had three distinct photos on the sign instead of a collage of photos.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Swigart to approve the design of the "Welcome to Historic Northville" signs as presented in the alternate design with the three distinct photographs. Yes: Ayers, Hartshorne, Johnson, Swigart. No: Mittman

In the mid-1990s, the City constructed a new 8-in. watermain on West Seven Mile Road which replaced a 1 ½" water pipe that serviced five Township residences. The City informed the residents at the time that, because the City had no way to assess the improvements to Township residents, they would have to absorb half of the cost of the improvement. The residents then appealed to the Township who agreed to assume the cost of replacement provided the Township residents became Township water customers.

Because the Township wishes to control the watermain placed in the Township, they have requested that the City officially turn this portion of the watermain over to them. They have requested this official action so that they can acquire the five Township water customers and obtain from them standard water connection fees to help pay for the watermain placement. To officially give ownership of this 8-in. watermain located outside the City of Northville to Northville Township, the City Attorney advises that this requires unanimous approval of City Council.

There is no financial impact to the City for this action. Although the Township residents will become Township water customers, the City will continue to charge the Township for the water these customers use, until such time that the Township can supply water from their own system.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Ayers to approve the transfer of ownership of the 8-in. watermain of W. Seven Mile Road (Northville City limits to Clement Road) from the City of Northville to Northville Township, and that this transfer be made effective June 1, 2003.

On May 21, 2003, the City accepted bids for the demolition of a house and garage at 226 S. Wing Street. These structures are to be removed and the site is to be returned to a seeded lawn area. The City accepted bids from six demolition contractors:

- N. American Dismantling $ 4,900

- S & V Contractors, LTD $ 6,500

- Capital Wrecking Company, Inc. $ 6,500

- Blue Star Inc. $ 9,600

- Adamo Demolition $14,500

- Mario Facione $18,000

Comment / Questions: After questioning, it was noted that the entire structure is to be removed from the premises, the basement is to be filled, and the area is to be seeded. All trees will remain as is.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Swigart to award a demolition contract in the amount of $4,900 to North American Dismantling Corporation of Lapeer, Michigan for the 226 S. Wing Building Demolition Project. Motion carried unanimously.

On March 3, 2003, City Council awarded contracts for the removal and replacement of Ash trees impacted by the Emerald Ash Borer. After the spring blossoming of the trees, it was discovered more trees were impacted than was tagged in the fall. The cost of removal of the additional trees is $8,275. It was proposed that this amount be covered by the Tree Maintenance Fund. It was further proposed that an additional $10,000 be allocated from the Public Improvement Fund (the savings resulting from the low 222/226 Wing Street Demolition Project) to fund additional tree removals and plantings.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Hartshorne to approve the extra payment to Stuart Leve, Inc. for tree removals in the amount of $8,275, and further approve the reallocation of $10,000 in the Public Improvement Fund to fund additional tree removals and plantings relative to the Emerald Ash Borer problem. Motion carried unanimously.

On May 28, 2003, the City accepted three documents for tree removal, stump removal, and tree pruning within Phase One of the Rural Hill Development project. Of the three documents, only one bid, Urban Foresters, Inc. of Ann Arbor, was submitted. As part of the bid document, unit prices were requested for tree and stump removal of various size trees. As the total bid amount was lower than budgeted, additional trees have been identified for removal in the Phase One area, as well as several hazardous trees in the existing developed portion of the cemetery Upon completion of this project, the City will receive a complete listing of all trees greater than six inches in size that were removed.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Hartshorne to award a contract to Urban Foresters, Inc. of Ann Arbor, Michigan for the Rural Hill Tree Removal Project in the bid amount of $21,500 and increase this amount up to but not exceeding $30,000 based on the as-bid unit prices in the bid document. Motion carried unanimously.

Swigart gave a report on the successful opening day of the new Dog Park that was held on Sunday, June 1^st .

Mittman informed Council members of an invitation he had received for all members to tour the sculpture garden of David Barr, a renowned local artist who is willing to contract for a sculptured piece for the City.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Ayers to call for a special meeting on Monday, June 16^th at 5:30 p.m. to view the sculptured garden of David Barr at 22600 Napier Road, Northville. Motion carried unanimously.

Mittman also congratulated staff on having the City’s website be chosen to be in the top ten websites of the State. He also reminded all of the Solstice Run which will take place on Saturday, June 21^st.

Word reminded Council of the joint meeting with the Planning Commission and DDA which is scheduled for Thursday, June 5^th at 7:00 p.m.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz
Deputy City Clerk