City Council Minutes

Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:35 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, Reporters from Northville Record and Northville Journal, and 18 citizens.

Citizen Comments –

Larry Parks, 632 N. Center Street, in referencing the City Charter, asked Council for the difference between an initiatory and referendary petition, what type of petition was recently put before the voters regarding the parking deck, and the nature of a binding advisory petition. Answers: an initiatory petition is a citizen request; a referendary petition deals with a recently passed ordinance; the parking deck question was an initiatory petition provided for by State law; and a binding advisory petition with funding attached could possibly be placed before the voters. It was suggested that the City Attorney would have to be consulted before giving any definitive answers regarding each of the petitions available under the City Charter and State Statute.

Ron Bodnar, co-chair of the Northville Central Business Association, stated the markings on Main Street and Center Street, recently made to facilitate the Sidewalk Sale, was successfully removed by a number of volunteers. He assured City Council that the damaging material would not be used in the future.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Hartshorne to approve the agenda and consent agenda as presented.

Consent agenda as follows:

Approve City Council Minutes:

Regular Meeting of August 16, 2004

Special Meeting of August 30, 2004

Approve Bills List: Checks #39260 to #39376, and #39377 to #39493

Receive Board and Commission Minutes:

Board of Zoning Appeals: 8/4/04

Historic District Commission: 7/21/04

Planning Commission: 8/10/04

Youth Assistance: 7/13/04

Receive Departmental Reports:

Youth Assistance: 7/04

Board and Commission Appointments:

Housing Commission: William Robertson, reappointment, term expires 9/15/09

Robert Buckhave, reappointment, term expires 9/15/09

Novi-Northville CROP Walk / September 26, 2004

Proposed Revision to Parks and Recreation Mission Statement

Disposal of Used Equipment / Laserjet 6P Printer

Request for Passage of "Local Governing Body Resolution for Charitable Gaming License" / New Home Center for Grief Support

Proclamation / October as Dyslexia Awareness Month

The City had received a letter from the Adrienne Dresevic, 970 N. Center Street, requesting an exemption from the City’s policy requiring sidewalk with the construction of their new home. The residents recently demolished the existing home and constructed a new house at this address. The site is heavily wooded and the placement of City sidewalk would lead to the loss of several mature trees along this segment of N. Center. Written statements of support for the exemption have been submitted by nearby neighbors.

Council Comments / Discussion: Discussion ensued regarding the topography of the area and the present difficulty of having sidewalk south of this specific property. It was suggested the property owner pay into the City’s sidewalk fund an amount equal to what the sidewalk would have cost if installed at the City’s 2004 sidewalk unit price bids. Ms. Dresevic offered to obtain three independent bids from private contractors.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Hartshorne to waive the sidewalk requirements due to the following factors: the support of nearby neighbors, the desire to not lose trees, the fact that there is alternative pedestrian accommodation across the street, and the topographical impediments. Additionally, the petitioner is required to pay into the City sidewalk fund the amount that would have been charged for placement of the sidewalk, at a unit price obtained from the lowest of three bids consistent with City specifications. Motion carried unanimously.

The Public Works Department has scheduled this year’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) program to take place in conjunction with Livonia on October 2, 2004. The event will take place at City Yards from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The City has used Environmental Quality Company (EQ) for all previous HHW events, as has Livonia and Northville Township. A negotiated price from EQ has been set at the 2003 price of $31 per vehicle; a price agreeable to Livonia and Northville Township.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Hartshorne to approve a contract with Environmental Quality Company at a cost of $31 per vehicle participating in the City’s Household Hazardous Waste Day. Motion carried unanimously.

On August 18, 2004, the City accepted bids for the purchase of two 2005 4x4 pickup trucks for daily use by the DPW. Six bids were received.

Jorgensen Ford of Detroit $50,050.00

Blackwell Ford of Plymouth $54,638.10

Tom Holzer Ford of Farmington Hills $55,656.00

McDonald Ford of Northville $60,438.00

Jack Demmer Ford of Wayne $64,410.95

In reviewing the low bid, it was determined that one of the units specified did not meet the City’s specifications and if it was modified to meet the specifications, the additional cost would exceed the second low bid by approximately $800. The second low bid submitted by Jorgensen Ford met City specifications. Based on the bids received, the purchase of the trucks is within the approved budget of $60,000.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Swigart to approve the purchase of two 2005 Ford F250 pickup trucks in the amount of $50,050 from Jorgensen Ford of Detroit, Michigan. Motion carried unanimously.

Over the past several months, during public discussion regarding the joint dispatch endeavor, the City Council has repeatedly stated that there is no effort to further consolidate public safety services. As a means to formally solidify that position, a resolution has been drafted reflecting the City Council’s public stance on further public safety consolidation efforts. Adoption of the resolution would place the City Council’s position on this matter in the record.

Council Comment / Discussion: Swigart expressed his reluctance to support the resolution because of his concern that the policy would prevent any future consideration of consolidation. It was pointed out that the policy statement reflects the Council’s intention at the present time and does not preclude any future investigation and possible action.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Hartshorne to adopt the resolution stating the City Council’s collective position not to consider consolidation of any other police and fire services with Northville Township or any other entity. Yes: Hartshorne, Johnson, Mittman. No: Swigart. Motion carried.

At a special meeting of the City Council held in executive session, the City Council was briefed on the status of pending litigation regarding Our Lady of Victory vs. the City of Northville. Additional information and updates require that the City Council meet again to receive additional briefing from legal counsel.

Motion Hartshorne, seconded by Swigart to call a special meeting on Monday, September 13, 2004 at 7:00 PM for the purpose of receiving additional briefing from legal counsel regarding pending litigation between Our Lady of Victory and the City of Northville. Motion carried unanimously.

Mittman spoke of a "walkable communities" seminar he had recently attended, and enumerated the various points brought out at the seminar. Further, he questioned the progress being made toward the dispatch and lockup consolidation. In response, City Manager Word detailed the various actions taken thus far. Mittman requested a written update be submitted monthly regarding the progress of consolidation.

Word requested direction from Council regarding the submission of matching grant funds toward the development of a Master Heritage Trail Plan under the direction of the Motor City National Heritage Area. Additionally four team members are asked to attend a kickoff meeting on September 17^th from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Canton Summit Place.

The consensus of the City Council was to decline any direct participation in this project.

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

Very truly yours,

Carol T. Kasprowicz
Deputy City Clerk