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 None

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

Approve City Council Minutes:

Regular Meeting of November 17, 2003

Approve Bills List:
Checks #34834 to #34924
#34925 to #35092
#35093 to #35177

Receive Board and Commission Minutes:

Youth Assistance: 9/25/03

Receive Departmental Reports:

Police Department: 9/03, 10/03

Youth Assistance: 10/03

Proposed Telecommunications Right-of-Way Access Permit / Michigan Bell Telephone

d/b/a SBC

In April 2003, the City Council approved a request from residents to create a temporary dog park, for a period of up to 18 months, in the open space behind the Scout Building at 215 W. Cady Street. The Parks and Recreation Director provided a six-month update on the dog park project, and noted:

• The Dog Park Advisory Committee developed a 40 minute education seminar and attendance at one education seminar was a mandatory prerequisite to become eligible for a dog park pass. The sale of passes to residents that attended an education seminar began in May 2003. Education seminars for new park users are offered monthly.
• The system allows for 250 dogs and 226 dog passes have been sold to date, with 138 passes to Township residents, 66 passes to City residents, and 20 passes to School District residents.
• The Parks and Recreation Department has received three registered complaints, which included excessive barking, aggressive dog behavior, and park use "after hours" at 4:00 a.m. It was noted that most areas of conflict are worked out among the park users themselves and have never escalated to a formal complaint with the Recreation Department.
• Recent activities include: August "A Dog with a Dog" hot dog luncheon, November microchip insertion fundraiser, the placement of a carved dog statue at the park entrance, and the donation of a hand sanitizer unit.
• Revenues received to date from donations and user fees have exceeded the maintenance expenses for the dog park.

The results of a user survey, as well as video showing daily happenings at the dog park, were presented.

Council Comments / Discussion: Discussion ensued pertaining to the dog park and the results of the user survey. Comments included:

• As more than 60% of dog park passes were issued to Township residents, it was suggested that the next dog park be located in the Township. City Council recommended that the Dog Park Advisory Committee work with the Township Board of Trustees to secure a dog park site in the Township.
• Concern was expressed relative to the wearing of grass in the dog park. It was explained that the practice of resting worn areas is not possible in a park of this size.
• As most park users drive to the dog park, park users continue to be cognizant of keeping the Scout Building parking lot free for Senior Center use.

Linda Dzwigalski, 631 Fairbrook, questioned what dog park users could expect from the City Council relative to finding a site for the next dog park, including assistance in communicating with the Township Board to consider locating a dog park in the Township. A further comment noted that dog park users also frequent the downtown businesses, which is an additional benefit to the community.

Shirley Halas, 1198 Concord Ct., stated that she enjoyed using the dog park and asked the City Council to make a formal effort to secure an additional dog park site.

Scott Bashur (City resident), questioned whether the post office is still considering an expansion at this site. It was responded that, at this time, the post office is not actively pursuing expansion.

Brenda Roth, (Township resident), noted that she had heard of the dog park through a neighbor and enjoys using the park.

As part of the "No Stoppin’ Northville" fitness program, City and Township employees challenged each other to walk the most steps during the three-month period of December 1, 2003 to March 1, 2004. At its regular meeting of November 21, 2003, the Northville Township Board of Trustees challenged the City Council to a similar competition. A resolution accepting the challenge was offered for City Council consideration.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Hartshorne to adopt a resolution accepting the challenge of the Northville Township Board / "No Stoppin’ Northville" Challenge. Motion carried unanimously.

In 2002, legislation was passed allowing the law enforcement use of "Tasers," as a non-lethal weapon for the purpose of temporarily incapacitating a combative person. The Taser emits electrical current, which shocks the person, and the Taser itself causes no permanent injury. The Tasers have computer interface capabilities that provide specific information regarding the use of the weapon, including date, time and number of shocks delivered.

Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority (MMRMA), the City’s liability insurance carrier, endorses the use of the Taser. When compared with other intermediate weapons (aluminum batons, pepper spray), they are more effective and there is less likelihood of injury, resulting in a lower liability risk. As such, MMRMA will help fund the purchase of Tasers through the Risk Avoidance Program (RAP), by paying up to $250 for each Taser purchased. As part of the RAP grant program, MMRMA requires adoption of their model policy and submission of use of force reports to MMRMA any time the Taser is used other than for training purposes. As such, Police Department policies and procedures are being updated to include provisions regarding Taser use.

The Police Department intends to purchase eight Tasers, which would provide one Taser for each officer normally on duty during the racetrack operation. The cost of this project, including Tasers, carriers, computer interface, and cartridges for training and duty use is $7,456.78. As funding for this project is not included in the current budget, it is suggested that RAP grant monies of $2,000, along with $1,689.79 in drug forfeiture and PA 302 training monies be used, which leaves an amount of $3,766.99 to be funded. Since six of the Taser units will be used by officer positions related to the racetrack operation, it is suggested that Public Improvement Funds be used to fund the remainder of this project. The suggested vendor, used by MMRMA, is Michigan Taser Distributing, the vendor for Taser International. They are the single source in Michigan.

Council Comments / Discussion: Discussion ensued relative to pain levels and recovery time, effectiveness of Taser darts through clothing, examples of situations which would warrant the use of Tasers over guns, and the need for adequate officer training. An explanation of the "force continuum" was given. There was concern with subjects being hurt during the "fall," it was explained that the training provides officers with guidance on helping the subject during the "fall." It was further explained that Tasers would be carried at all times, which would provide an alternate step below the use of lethal force. A final comment noted that Tasers are currently being used by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department and that many other communities, including Detroit, have ordered Tasers for use by their police departments.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Swigart to waive the competitive bid process and approve:

1. The purchase of eight Tasers, with related accessories and equipment in the amount of $7,456.78 from Michigan Taser Distributors.
2. Participation in the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority (MMRMA) Risk Avoidance Program (RAP) to secure a RAP grant for partial funding of the purchase of the Tasers.
3. A budget amendment appropriating an additional $3,767 from Public Improvement Funds for Tasers and equipment for use in connection with racetrack police services. Motion carried unanimously.

Mittman noted that, in January 2004, the Northville Senior Advisory Council will begin a fundraising campaign to offer different ways that local residents can contribute to the new senior center to assist in funding items such as artwork and landscaping, which were not included in the funds designated for the renovation project. Donor contributions of $100 would be recognized with engraved brick pavers, and donations over $250 would be acknowledged with plaque designation levels. He also noted that the Arts Commission is meeting on December 2^nd to receive public input pertaining to art programs and art in the Northville community.

B. Staff Communications

Word noted that the Baseline Road sculpture, created by local artist David Barr, would be dedicated at 3:00 p.m. on December 14, 2003, at the base of Hillside Middle School. The Northville sculpture is the first of several monuments planned to describe the importance of Baseline Road in the surveying of Michigan.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Dianne Massa
City Clerk