City Council Minutes

Mayor Christopher Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:40 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 ProTem Carolann Ayers (excused)

Also Present: City Manager Gary Word, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Nicolette Bateson, DPW Director James Gallogly, Deputy City Clerk Carol Kasprowicz, Fire Chief James Allen, Police Chief James Petres, Parks and Recreation Director Traci Sincock, Housing Director Joanne Inglis, Youth Assistance Director Mary Ellen King; Housing Commissioners Bill Robertson, Sue Hooper, Charles Jerzycke, and Bob Buckhave; Arts Commission Chairperson Ken Naigus, Beautification Commission Chairperson Linda Lestock, State Representative John Stewart (arrived 8:10 p.m.).

Citizen Comments: None.

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

Competitive bids were solicited for the purchase of audio equipment for the Senior Community Center. Two bids were received:

The proposed purchase is within budget.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Hartshorne to approve the purchase of audio equipment for the Senior Community Center from Sound Engineering, Inc. of Livonia, Michigan in the not-to-exceed amount of $25,000. Motion approved unanimously.

Competitive bids were solicited for the purchase of service pantry equipment for the Senior Community Center. The equipment included work tables, sink, storage cabinets and shelves, refrigerator, freezer, warming oven, dishwasher, microwave oven, and ice maker. Three bids were received:

The bids were reviewed with the service pantry equipment consultant and it was recommended the low bid was appropriate. The proposed purchase is within budget.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Swigart to approve the purchase of service pantry equipment for the Senior Community Center from Great Lakes Hotel Supply of Detroit, Michigan in the not-to-exceed amount of $29,597. Motion carried unanimously.

Competitive bids were solicited for the purchase of furniture for the social area of the Senior Community Center. The selection included a sofa, two fireside chairs, an arm chair, writing desk, and a buffet with china cabinet. Only one bid was received prior to the advertised deadline. Merkel Furniture of Chelsea, Michigan submitted a bid of $8,834 which included delivery charges. The proposed bid is within budget.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Hartshorne to approve the purchase of furniture for the living room area of the Senior Community Center from Merkel Furniture of Chelsea, Michigan in the not-to-exceed amount of $8,834. Motion carried unanimously.

Beautification Commission: Proposed budget reflects the continued support of additional funds from the DDA of $1,000. No special projects are planned for this fiscal year. However, there is a need for more volunteers.

Arts Commission: Increase in projected revenues is a reflection of a contribution from the DDA toward the purchase of a sculpture in the Main/Hutton park. A reduction in the number of funded summer band concerts is hoped to be alleviated by sponsorship of organizations or businesses.

Housing Commission: The Housing Commission will successfully complete capital improvements funded by the renovation bond in FY 04. Capital improvements for FY05 include carpet and bathroom floor replacement as apartments are vacated, community bathroom renovation, bathtub reconfiguration for walk-in accessibility, new office telephone system, 3^rd floor carpet and wall covering replacement, and attic insulation. It is proposed that rent at Allen Terrace be increased by 1.5%.

Discussion ensued with Representative Stewart regarding the current problems with the General Property Tax Act as it affects the ability of the City to manage its millage rate. Rep. Stewart pledged his time and energy toward building a coalition of legislative support toward solving this problem. Representative Stewart leaves at 8:45 p.m.

Street, Drainage & Sidewalk Improvement Fund: This account records revenue received from a dedicated millage approved by the voters on March 4, 1997. The funds are then transferred to Major and Local Street Funds for capital improvements as needed. Long term planning is focused on a Taft Road $900,000 improvement project, and an accumulation of $300,000 for cemetery roads.

Major Streets: Funds are earmarked for the local match to resurface Griswold, and for the continuing joint and crack sealing program. The annual contracted pavement marking will not be done for FY05 at a savings of $6,800.

Local Streets: Funds are earmarked for the improvement of Lexington Court and Springfield Drive, the resurfacing of Grace Street, and the continuing sidewalk repair and replacement program.

Council Comments:

- It was suggested that design studies be done early on Taft Road to assist in estimating the cost of reconstruction.

- It was also suggested to update the sidewalk repair program.

- Discussion ensued regarding the rescheduling of the local street projects as dictated by the 20-Year Street, Drainage & Sidewalk Improvement Plan. It was reconfirmed that the judgment of the DPW Director will hold, barring unforeseen circumstances.

- It was speculated that a bond sale is a less desirable method of funding street repairs as compared with using dedicated millage funds on a "pay as you go" basis.

Parking Fund: This fund is used primarily to collect revenue for parking credit special assessments and parking permit fees. It is anticipated that these funds would be used for a future parking expansion project. It is anticipated the year-end fund balance will be approximately $220,000.

Council Comments: Discussion took place regarding reimbursement for the use of privately-owned land for public parking. Past history of specific arrangements was reviewed.

Parks and Recreation: In FY05, the following assumptions have been made:

- One additional full time park maintenance position delayed from FY04 is proposed.

- A part time park scheduler position is proposed to hire in Spring 2005.

- The City and Township will continue to provide subsidy for the youth soccer and youth baseball programs.

- The Scout and Recreation Building becomes a third Parks and Recreation facility, operated in cooperation with the Northville Arts Commission on a one-year trial basis.

- The Senor Community Center building operation remains a function of the Parks and Recreation Department.

- The Community Dog Park property use is extended beyond the original expiration date of 12/31/04.

- The Community Park expansion project will begin in Spring 2004 and will be opened in Fall 2005.

- A new 3.9-acre park on Sheldon Road in Northville Township is opened.

- The new activity areas constructed at Millennium Park are opened.

- Proposed facility fees are approved and implemented.

- Internet registration options will allow the department to reduce office hours to M-F 7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on a year-round basis.

- A 6% annual contribution increase from the City and Township is included and distributed per the shared services formula.

As recommended by the Shared Services Committee, the following assumption is also included:

- Northville Township will contribute additional revenue for the operation of the Community Park expansion through the operating millage expiration of 2006.

Council Comments: Extensive discussion took place regarding the effect of youth soccer and youth baseball activities on the Parks and Recreation budget. It was urged that a policy of pay-for-play be enforced with these two activities as it is with other activities. It has been suggested that a joint City-Township millage be proposed to voters to fund the increased costs of these

activities. A phasing out of the present subsidy was suggested. It was unanimously concurred that the language in the budget be changed to read: "It is recognized that there has been a past subsidy of the youth baseball and soccer programs; however, within the next two years, program revenues will need to increase unless another revenue source is located." Further issues of administration and scheduling also have to be addressed with regards to soccer and baseball activities.

Parks and Recreation Capital Outlay Fund: Included in the budget for FY05 is the purchase of the DPW 1993 backhoe and a pickup truck; removal of ash trees, parking lot striping, and debt service.

Senior Citizens’ Service Fund: With the move to the newly expanded and renovated Senior Community Center will be increased operating costs for the new facility. Additionally, the Office Manager/Marketing Specialist position is proposed to increase from 20 hours per week to 30 hours per week.

General Obligation Debt Retirement Fund: This fund provides for the debt service of the General Obligation Unlimited Tax Bonds to fund the improvements to Allen Terrace. The fund will continue in existence until the debt is retired in 2023.

Public Improvement Fund: This fund was originally created to receive state shared revenue under the Cities with Racetracks program. Racetrack breakage revenue is recorded in this fund when received to the extent that it exceeds the cost of providing police service at the racetrack. The breakage revenue in this fund is used to finance public improvement projects. This fund is also used to record various capital improvement projects, property acquisitions and the related rental revenue and expenditures. Grant activity is also recorded in this fund. The funds received for a given fiscal year are designated after that year’s annual audit is presented to the City Council in October.

A. Mayor and Council – None

B. Staff – None

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

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz, Deputy City Clerk