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 Christopher Johnson, Mayor Pro Tem Carolann Ayers, Councilmembers Kevin Hartshorne, Jerome Mittman and Thomas Swigart

Absent: None

A. Citizen Comments

Mary Ellen Patterson Hollis, 114 Walnut, stated that she had noticed the presence of gypsy moths in her trees and questioned what the City was doing to address gypsy moths. The Department of Public Works was directed to inspect the trees in question.

Michael Stafford, 364 S. Wing Street, expressed concern with semi-truck traffic on S. Wing Street relative to the post office. He asked the City Council to consider designating S. Wing as a "no thru" street for trucks or to ask the post office to reroute evening and early morning semi-trucks in order to avoid using S. Wing Street. Discussion ensued relative to the post office, semi-truck traffic, and post office operations and expansion. It was noted that the City cannot legally ban the truck if it is heading to a destination, such as the post office. Staff was directed to contact the post office to determine the number of trucks using S. Wing Street for deliveries, including a breakdown of use for day/evening, and to request that the post office again consider re-routing semi-truck traffic through the downtown, minimizing the use of S. Wing Street.

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

Approve City Council Minutes:

Regular Meeting of August 18, 2003

Approve Bills List: Checks #33574 to #33717, Checks #33718 to #33787

Receive Board and Commission Minutes:

Downtown Development Authority: 7/8/03

Historic District Commission: 7/16/03

Planning Commission: Special Meeting of 6/10/03

Youth Assistance: 6/10/03, (notes from 7/8/03)

Receive Departmental Reports:

Police Department: 7/03

Youth Assistance: 7/03

Electronic Transactions of Public Funds

At the August 4, 2003 City Council meeting, the Arts Commission presented a concept for a regional art project involving local artist David Barr. The proposed project involves placement of sculpture in several locations along Baseline Road, throughout the state, highlighting the road’s historical significance in Michigan. The site proposed for the Northville sculpture is the southwest corner of Center Street and Eight Mile Road. As the site is adjacent to Hillside Middle School, the Arts Commission discussed the project with the Northville Public School District, and the District has given their approval. Ken Naigus, Arts Commission Chairperson, provided additional information on the project. He noted that the proposed sculpture would be an obelisk shape of alternating black and white color and stand at a height of approximately ten feet. It is estimated that the project’s total cost would be $17,000 and fundraising would begin once the project is approved.

The Arts Commission is also proposing to place a sculpture with a water feature at the plaza located at the northwest corner of Main and Hutton Streets. The DDA landscape master plan, developed approximately five years ago, called for a fountain in this location. However, due to limited funding at that time, the element was eliminated from the landscape plan. As DDA funds are now available to assist in funding this project, the Arts Commission and the DDA Executive Director have discussed the possibility of placing a sculpture with a water feature, as opposed to a fountain, in the plaza.

Council Comments / Discussion: Brief discussion ensued relative to the proposed plaza sculpture and/or fountain. Questions were raised regarding the bank sign impeding use of the plaza. Concern was expressed regarding the safety of children in choosing a particular sculpture or fountain. It was noted that the plaza has become a gathering spot and there was concern that the placement of a fountain in the plaza would prohibit this practice. It was suggested that the Arts Commission consider placing the proposed piece off to the side rather than in the center of the plaza. Consensus was reached to direct the Arts Commission to review the plaza area, determine the approximate dimensions of the proposed sculpture, consider placing the piece outside of the plaza circle, and present the Council with themes being considered.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Swigart to approve the request from the Arts Commission authorizing them to proceed with plans to place a sculpture at the corner of Center Street and Eight Mile Road. Motion carried unanimously.

Over the last few years, the state legislature has made changes to various statutes dealing with firearms. Recent court decisions have struck down local ordinances that are more restrictive than state law. A review of Section 54-184 of the Northville Code of Ordinances indicates that the language is not consistent with state law and local custom. On August 18, 2003, the City Council introduced for first reading an ordinance amendment for the purpose of adding and deleting text in order to comply with provisions in state law pertaining to concealed and confiscated weapons and also to regulate the use of firearms in the City of Northville.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Hartshorne to waive second reading and adopt Ordinance #8-18-03A amending Chapter 54, Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions, Article VI Offenses Against Public Safety, Division 1, Generally, Section 54-184 Firearms, of the Northville Code of Ordinances, Further, the ordinance shall become effective in ten days upon publication (September 12, 2003). Motion carried unanimously.

For many years, the City has used the Uniform Traffic Code (UTC) as the primary traffic ordinance. In 2002, the Michigan State Police revised the UTC. Previous editions of the UTC provided for local governments to incorporate changes in their local code of ordinances; the revised UTC adoption process does not provide for this. The Police Department is recommending that the revised UTC be adopted in the Northville Code of Ordinances, by reference, as promulgated by the State Police. On August 18, 2003, the City Council introduced for first reading an amendment to repeal sections of the ordinance that are duplications of provisions of the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code, and retain sections previously adopted as additions to the Uniform Traffic Code that pertain to parking restrictions, which are not included in the revised Uniform Traffic Code.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Ayers to waive second reading and adopt Ordinance #8-18-03B amending Chapter 82 Traffic and Vehicles, Article IV Standing, Stopping and Parking, Division I Generally, of the Northville Code of Ordinances. Further, the ordinance shall become effective in ten days upon publication (September 12, 2003). Motion carried unanimously.

For many years, the City has used the Uniform Traffic Code (UTC) as the primary traffic ordinance. In 2002, the Michigan State Police revised the UTC, which created problems for local government whenever the legislature enacted changes to the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code (MMVC). The UTC was not revised to reflect the changes in the MMVC, leaving local governments with a local ordinance inconsistent with state law. The UTC revision process eliminated sections of the UTC that duplicated the MMVC and left the provisions that were important to local jurisdictions. The revised UTC has been promulgated by the State Police and in order to have a complete set of traffic ordinances, local governments must now adopt the revised UTC as well. On August 18, 2003, the City Council introduced for first reading an ordinance amendment adopting the revised Uniform Traffic Code for Cities, Townships and Villages by reference.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to waive second reading and adopt Ordinance #8-18-03C amending Chapter 82 Traffic and Vehicles, Article II Regulation of Traffic, Division 2 Uniform Traffic Code, of the Northville Code of Ordinances, by adopting the Uniform Traffic Code for Cities, Townships, and Villages by reference. Further, the ordinance shall become effective in ten days upon publication (September 12 2003). Motion carried unanimously.

The City of Northville Downtown Development Authority (DDA) was created in 1978 by ordinance of the Northville City Council. Subsequently, the DDA and the City Council adopted the original Development and Tax Increment Financing Plan (Plan). In the following years, the Development Area described in the original plan was expanded and in 1993, the DDA and the City Council adopted the 1993 Amendments to the Downtown Development and Tax Increment Financing Plan. The current plan specifically lists the two decks built with the current bond debt, which will be discharged in 2004. In order to expand parking in the Downtown, the City plans to issue general obligation limited tax bonds to finance the proposed parking deck. The DDA has committed to pay debt service on bonds issued by the City through their final maturity in 2024. As such, the Plan should be amended to maintain the DDA’s existence until 2024.

The Assistant City Manager/Finance Director reviewed the projected tax increment revenues anticipated to cover the proposed bond issue. The financial data submitted assumed a 3% annual growth in homestead and non-homestead property in the DDA District. In configuring the issuance of a 20-year bond debt of $5M at an interest rate of 4.18%, it was projected that the tax increment revenues available exceed the estimated debt service on the proposed bonds.

Council Comments / Discussion: Discussion ensued relative to the assumed growth in homestead and non-homestead property in the DDA District, the criteria used to determine whether to issue limited or unlimited tax general obligation bonds, and a request for further explanation of the exhibits pertaining to the projected tax increment revenues. The incentive for the various taxing jurisdictions to continue to participate in the extended TIF capture was questioned. It was explained that Northville is a statewide example of what a DDA can accomplish. A progressive and viable downtown benefits the entire community, enhancing the value of the City as a whole, which appeals to the various taxing jurisdictions.

A final comment noted that DDA revenues must be spent within the DDA boundaries, on projects outlined in the DDA Plan.

It was proposed that the public hearing be scheduled for Monday, October 6, 2003. Councilmember Mittman stated that he will be out of town on that date.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to receive the Downtown Development Authority’s proposed 2003 Plan Amendments to the Downtown Development and Tax Increment Financing Plan of the City of Northville and call a public hearing for Monday, October 6, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. to consider the Plan Amendments. Motion carried unanimously.

The City is proposing to place decorative street lighting on Griswold and East Main Street, adjacent to R&D Enterprises, formerly known as the old Ford valve plant. The light fixture proposed for this area and currently used by the city was selected during the Mainstreet "78" project. In order to provide a fixture identical to the existing decorative street lights in the downtown, the City will need to purchase new streetlights from Herwig Lighting, Inc., which is the only manufacturer of this fixture. The cost of the new fixtures is quoted at $28,425, and is to be funded through the Public Improvement Fund as approved by the City Council on August 18, 2003.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Swigart to waive the City’s standard purchasing requirements and unanimously approve the purchase of 15 new decorative streetlights from Herwig Lighting, Inc. of Russellville, Arkansas, in the not-to-exceed amount of $28,425. Motion carried unanimously.

Mittman noted that D&D Bicycles and the Senior Center/Community Center Renovation project are two key items on the Planning Commission meeting agenda for this evening.

Hartshorne commented on the Lexington Boulevard street improvement project, mentioning that a few residents were concerned with the damage to the sprinklers placed on the public right of way. He questioned who was responsible for repairing or replacing the damaged sprinklers. The City Manager stated that property damage occurring during construction projects is taken care of by the City at the City’s expense. The Council expressed concern with the City taking responsibility for residents placing sprinklers on public property, with a suggestion that this policy be revisited. Hartshorne also requested an explanation of the assessing term "Economic Condition Factor."

Johnson reminded the City Council that the 2003 Boards and Commission Appreciation Event wold be on Thursday, September 4, 2003, at 7:00 p.m.

B. Staff Communications

Word noted that preliminary work has begun on the Allen Terrace renovation project; the Lexington Boulevard project was approximately 90% complete, and that the Wayne County Road Commission has begun mill work on S. Main Street.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Dianne Massa
City Clerk