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 and Thomas Swigart

Absent: Councilmember Jerome Mittman (excused)

Ron Bodnar, Northville Central Business Association, made a request to close certain downtown streets in conjunction with the August Sidewalk Sale. Mr. Bodnar was directed to submit his request in writing for consideration at the next City Council meeting

James Stuart, 761 Thayer, voiced opposition to approving consent agenda "4E – Reappointment of Rolland Stapleton to the Board of Zoning Appeals."

The Mayor requested that New Business 9B "Update of 1997 Commercial Planning Study" be moved to New Business 9C and that "Tree Removal on Orchard Street" be added to the agenda as New Business 9B.

Brief discussion followed regarding consent agenda "4E – Reappointment of Rolland Stapleton to the Board of Zoning Appeals."

Motion Ayers, seconded by Hartshorne to approve the agenda and consent agenda as amended. Voice Vote. Yes: Ayers, Johnson. No: Hartshorne, Swigart. Motion failed.

Motion Hartshorne, seconded by Swigart to remove consent agenda "4E – Reappointment of Rolland Stapleton to the Board of Zoning Appeals" and approve the agenda and consent agenda as amended.

Consent agenda as follows:

Approve City Council Minutes:

Regular Meeting of June 7, 2004

Approve Bills List: Checks #37872 to #38057, and #38058 to #38252

Receive Board and Commission Minutes:

Downtown Development Authority: 4/20/04, 5/4/04

Housing Commission: 5/20/04

Youth Assistance: 5/11/04

Receive Departmental Reports:

Fire Department: 4/04

Youth Assistance: 5/04

Arts Commission / three year terms expiring 6/30/07: Laurie Fowler, Mary Lou Greene,

and Kathleen Tabaczynski

Beautification Commission / three year term expiring 7/1/07: Rosemary Tague

Housing Appeals Board / three year terms expiring 7/1/07: Robert Krueger, Bruce Turnbull

Planning Commission / three year terms expiring 6/30/07: David Mielock, Marc Russell

Revision to the City of Northville Charitable Organization Solicitation Policy

Street Closure / Linden Street / July 3, 2004

Street Closure / Abbey Knoll Subdivision / July 4, 2004

FY 2005 Millage Rate / Street, Drainage & Sidewalk Improvement Fund

Proposed Amendments to the 2003-04 Budget through May 31, 2004 and Investment Report

Local developer Jim Long has proposed construction of a mixed-use development at 120 W. Main Street. A portion of the property is contaminated from a prior use gas station. Mr. Long is seeking a Michigan Brownfield Single Business Tax (SBT) Credit through Wayne County’s Brownfield Development Authority. In order for Mr. Long to proceed in obtaining the SBT, a resolution of support must be adopted by the City Council.

Council Comments / Discussion: Discussion took place regarding the proposed resolution language, which stated "…that support of The Project and its pursuit of an SBT furthers the planning and development goals of the City…" It was voiced that this language endorsed a project that does meet the recommendations in the 1997 Gibbs Green Report and will have a negative impact on the downtown parking problems without offering a solution. It was countered that the City has not adhered to every recommendation of the 1997 Gibbs Green Report. This project adheres to the City’s ordinances and was approved by the Historic District and Planning Commissions. It was voiced that the resolution, as proposed, was appropriate.

Jim Long, Developer, spoke in support of the project, noting that the resolution was a necessary procedural step required in order to appear before the Wayne County Brownfield Development Authority. Although he was seeking tax relief from Wayne County to clean up the contaminated ground at this site, he stated that the project would move forward whether or not he received the Single Business Tax Credit.

It was suggested that the resolution language be amended to state "…that support of The Project and its pursuit of an SBT furthers the goal of cleaning the environment in the City…"

Motion Swigart, seconded by Hartshorne to adopt a resolution in support of the 120 W. Main Street Project’s pursuit of a Michigan Brownfield Single Business Tax Credit, with amended language to state: "…that support of The Project and its pursuit of an SBT furthers the goal of cleaning the environment in the City…" Voice Vote. Yes: Swigart, Hartshorne, Johnson. No: Ayers. Motion carried.

On April 26, 2004, the City Council authorized the Parks and Recreation Commission to proceed with the purchase of an F-250 pick up truck from Signature Ford in the amount of $19,980. Delivery will not occur until after July 1, 2004 to coincide with the FY 2005 approved budget. Consistent with the multi-year budget, the purchase would be funded as an installment purchase paid over a four-year period. A favorable rate of 3.45% was received from Comerica Bank.

Motion Hartshorne, seconded by Swigart to adopt a resolution for the financing of the Northville Parks and Recreation equipment and authorize City staff to execute the related documents. Motion carried unanimously.

At its regular meeting on June 7, 2004, the Northville City Council indicated that a special meeting dedicated to the proposed transfer of public dispatch operations and lock up services to Northville Township would be scheduled in July and the date and time would be determined at the June 21, 2004 meeting.

Council Comments/Discussion: Dates of July 6^th and July 19^th were discussed. Following citizens comments and concerns that sufficient time be given for the residents to review the proposed draft agreements, it was suggested that the meeting be held on Monday, July 26, 2004.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Hartshorne to call a special meeting of the Northville City Council on July 26, 2004 at 7:30 p.m., with the designated location being the Northville Senior Community Center, 303 W. Main Street, Northville, Michigan 48167, for the purpose of considering the matter of joint dispatch and lock-up services. Motion carried unanimously.

At its June 7, 2004 regular meeting, City Council considered a request made by Donald Samhat to remove five street trees to accommodate the relocation of the house at 132 Orchard Street. The house is planned for removal as part of the proposed Our Lady of Victory School relocation/expansion. The "Moving of Buildings" ordinance does not address tree removals. However, Article IV, "Trees, Plants and Shrubs in Public Places" of the Code of Ordinances allows tree removals if done by resolution of the City Council or by the order of the City Manager. The City Manger denied the tree removal permit; therefore the request was made to City Council. The City Council voted three/two to grant the tree removal permit.

Following the June 7, 2004 meeting, area residents expressed concern with the City Council’s decision to grant the tree removal request, voicing concern that the City Council had granted the permit without receiving input from the neighborhood residents. City Council received and filed a petition containing the names of approximately 120 residents opposed to the tree removal on Orchard.

Council Comments/Discussion: Discussion took place regarding the tree removal, the loss of the house, and the uncertainty of whether all three homes will be moved or demolished. The City Manager was directed to contact OLV to determine if the Church is removing one or all three houses for this project. It was noted that a majority of the residents present at the meeting supported saving the trees.

It was commented that, as a general rule, destruction of houses is an anathema and that the same people that support the preservation of houses are not supporting efforts to save this house.

Further comments from City Council clarified that the June 7, 2004 "no" votes were because one house was not worth the character of the neighborhood, and that taking action to grant a tree removal permit was premature when the project had not received final approval.

Jennifer Luikart, 521 W. Cady, questioned the City Council’s decision to grant the tree removal permit, and stated that residents do not wish to see neither the trees nor the houses destroyed.

Segfried Roeck, 355 Orchard, supported saving the trees and suggested that alternate solutions to move the house be explored. He suggested that SBC Customer Growth Group be contacted to do an engineering study to determine the costs involved to remove the telephone poles in order to accommodate the house relocation.

Paul Bacigal, 302 Orchard, stated that OLV is making the decision to destroy the houses and that the neighborhood wants the houses and trees to remain. He voiced that trees are an important part of a community, which is one of the reasons he chose to live in Northville. He submitted a letter on behalf of Chris and Penny Poulos, 795 Thayer, requesting that City Council reconsider the June 7, 2004 tree removal permit approval.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Hartshorne to rescind the June 7, 2004 City Council approval for the removal of five trees on Orchard Street. Voice Vote. Yes: Swigart, Hartshorne, Johnson. No: Ayers. Motion carried.

At the June 7, 2004 City Council meeting, the DDA submitted a proposal from Gibbs Planning Group in the amount of $14,500 to update the 1997 Commercial Planning Study for the downtown. After lengthy discussion, City Council deferred action on the contract, and staff was requested to solicit a revised proposal that would include the development of a public participation process for the planning effort and a retail market study. The DDA met on June 15, 2004 to review the revised proposal and reached a consensus that the revised proposal of $38,500 was excessive and that the original proposal was comprehensive and acceptable. The DDA voted to accept the original proposal submitted by Gibbs Planning Group. The DDA would also attempt to negotiate with Gibbs to find a more cost effective method to gain the information requested by City Council.

Council Comments/Discussion: Discussion ensued regarding the two proposals, the importance of finding a process to receive community input to determine the vision of the City, the suggestion to entertain other proposals in an effort to find other ways to involve the community, and a feeling that the $38,500 proposal was not excessive.

There was concern that the DDA would have one view of the downtown and that the original proposal would exclude the community in determining what the City should be. It was countered that the Gibbs report is funded by the businesses and gives specific business information to the downtown. It was voiced that the broader idea of community involvement to determine the vision of the City falls under the purview of the Planning Commission.

Further comments expressed concern that the study would recommend additional developments without addressing parking concerns. Discussion ensued regarding building height requirements and the maximum growth model.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Swigart to defer action on the proposed update of the 1997 Commercial Planning Study to the July 6, 2004 regular City Council meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Hartshorne noted that the City Hall drinking fountain located near the elevator was in need of repair.

Mayor Johnson reminded everyone that the Independence Day Parade will be held on Saturday, July 3rd.

B. Staff Communications None

Motion Ayers, seconded by Hartshorne to recess the regular meeting to hold a Closed Session for an update on labor negotiations. Motion carried unanimously.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Dianne Massa
City Clerk