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, Councilmembers Kevin Hartshorne, Jerome Mittman, and Thomas Swigart

Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Carolann Ayers (excused)

A. Citizen Comments

Planning Commissioner Nancy Chiri asked the City Council to consider approving funds to allow the Planning Commission to receive training on the Religious Land Use Act/Religious Freedom Act, as this Act might impact the proposed renovation and expansion of Our Lady of Victory Church/School. The City Council noted that funds for training are included in the budget; however, it was felt that any training request should come from the Planning Commission and be directed to the City Manager.

Mike McClish, 647 Thayer, questioned the City’s next step in addressing parking expansion since the DDA parking bonding proposal was defeated. The Mayor noted that the Downtown Development Authority scheduled a meeting on Monday, December 8, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. for comments and public input on parking expansion.

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

Approve City Council Minutes:

Regular Meeting of November 3, 2003

Regular Meeting of November 10, 2003

Approve Bills List: Checks #34748 to #34833

Receive Board and Commission Minutes:

Board of Zoning Appeals: 10/1/03

Downtown Development Authority: 10/13/03, 10/14/03

Housing Commission: 9/24/03, 10/8/03

Parks and Recreation: 10/8/03

Receive Departmental Reports:

Parks and Recreation: 10/03

Board of Zoning Appeals: Larry Jensen

Senior Citizen Advisory Council: Theodore Tucker

Bank Depository Resolutions

Disposal of Used Equipment / Heating-Cooling Units

Request to Canvass / Clean Water Action

The City of Northville is expected to receive $8,000 from the Oakland County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for fiscal year 2004. The category of senior citizens qualifies as a presumed benefit group eligible for CDBG expenditures. Recommended use is as follows:

Council Comments / Discussion: City Council questioned and it was clarified that $2,000 would be allocated to Senior Center Operations, which would not include senior center renovation, as stated in the resolution presented to City Council.

Motion Hartshorne, seconded by Mittman to adopt the resolution authorizing use of the fiscal year 2004 Oakland County Community Development Block Grant funds, with the amendment that $2,000 be allocated for Senior Center Operation (not Senior Center Operation and Renovation). Motion carried unanimously.

In October 2003, a routine inspection of the original Allen Terrace elevator performed by the State of Michigan Elevator Division resulted in the discovery of some deficiencies that require correction. The renovation of the original elevator is a part of the Allen Terrace renovation project and since the elevator renovation is planned for March 2004, the State agreed to grant an extension to correct the deficiencies if the City secured a renovation contract. As such, the Housing Commission published a request for proposals for the elevator renovation project, receiving one proposal from ThyssenKrupp, Inc. in the amount of $79,654. The Housing Commission also sought the services of Elevator Inspection Company for limited professional services to inspect the elevator and review the ThyssenKrupp proposal, at an amount not-to-exceed $1,000. The amount budgeted for the Allen Terrace elevator renovation project is $100,000.

Council Comments / Discussion: The City Council expressed concern in awarding a contract to ThyssenKrupp prior to having the proposal reviewed by Elevator Inspection Company. It was explained that the State would not grant an extension on correcting the deficiencies unless the City immediately awarded an elevator renovation contract. However, ThyssenKrupp is aware that the City is securing the services of Elevator Inspection Company to review their proposal and that their contract is contingent upon the outcome of that review. It was noted that the recommendations of Elevator Inspection Company might require an amendment to the ThyssenKrupp proposal, which could include the need for additional funds, requiring further action by City Council. It was questioned and answered that the elevator deficiencies were not of a nature to prevent the safe operation of the elevator and that the elevator is currently in use.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Swigart to award the elevator renovation contract to ThyssenKrupp, Inc. in the amount of $79,654, procure the services of Elevator Inspection Company for limited professional services to inspect the elevator and review the ThyssenKrupp proposal in an amount not-to-exceed $1,000, and authorize the City Manager to sign the contract. Motion carried unanimously.

The City received a local approval notice from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (LCC) for the transfer of ownership of a Tavern license from a Detroit business to La Manna Enterprises, L.L.C. (Helen’s Uptown Café), at 160 E. Main Street. La Manna Enterprises is also requesting a classification change from the Tavern license to a Class C license. The current license also includes a dance-entertainment permit; however, the applicants are not requesting this permit.

Due to the building configuration, the application includes a direct connection permit, which is necessary as the restaurant shares a common building entrance with other building tenants. In addition, Helen’s has use of a second floor room and the Building Department determined that, in its current existence, the room may only be used for storage. A change of use of the second floor area would require the owners to obtain LCC approval to serve or allow alcohol consumption in that area. Use of the second floor for food service only would require restaurant staff to be vigilant to prevent patrons from bringing alcohol into the area.

The license request does not include an outdoor seating permit. If the owners continue the outdoor seating operation in the plaza adjacent to the business, with City approval, alcohol consumption would not permitted in the outdoor seating area.

Investigations by the Building, Fire, and Police Departments were completed. Fire code deficiencies have been corrected; however, the Building Department is waiting for detailed plans for the bar and liquor storage area, which require approval prior to beginning any sale of alcohol operations.

Council Comments / Discussion: Questions were raised pertaining to changing license classifications from Tavern to Class C, outdoor seating, use of the building’s second level, the final building layout, and the license approval process. Discussion ensued relative to license quotas and it was noted that the City is allotted five licenses based on the population quota. However, the population quota does not apply to the other types of licenses available, including escrow licenses. Due to the various license types, the City has double the number of liquor licenses allowed by the population quota, and concern was expressed that approval of another license might suggest that the current quota placed on the City was inappropriate.

Dante and Frank La Manna addressed the City Council, stating that they were aware of, and agreed with the conditions noted by the Building Department, as well as the fact that alcohol consumption would only be allowed in the licensed area.

Motion Hartshorne, seconded by Swigart to adopt the resolution approving the request for transfer of ownership of a 2001 Tavern licensed business located in escrow at 6495 W. Warren, Detroit, MI 48210, Wayne County, from United Automobile Workers of American C.I.O 174, to LaManna Enterprises, L.L.C. doing business as Helen’s Uptown Café at 160 E. Main Street, with a change of classification to a Class C license with one direct connection permit, subject to final approval and inspection by the Building Department. Yes: Hartshorne, Swigart, Johnson. No: Mittman. Motion carried.

The approval of the revised Historic District Ordinance, new demolition guidelines, and Historic District Commission (HDC) procedural rules, as well as proposed developments in the Historic District, has prompted the need to hold a joint meeting with the HDC to discuss the changes and their impact on the City.

Council Comments / Discussion: It was suggested that the Planning Commission be invited to this meeting.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Hartshorne to call a joint meeting with the Northville Historic District Commission and the Planning Commission on Tuesday, December 9, 2003, at 7:00 p.m. at the City Hall. Motion carried unanimously.

Swigart noted that the Arts Commission expressed an interest in using the Senior Center/Scout Building and questioned if a new user would be responsible for code changes. The City Manager was directed to research and report back to the City Council.

B. Staff Communications

Word noted that the Employee Recognition Reception would be held on Monday, December 1, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. Also, the City Manager will be out of the office from November 24 – 26, 2003.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Dianne Massa
City Clerk