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, Meeting Room A, 215 West Main Street, Northville, Michigan.

Present: Mayor Christopher Johnson, Mayor ProTem Carolann Ayers, Councilmembers Kevin Hartshorne, Jerome Mittman, and Thomas Swigart

Absent: None

Also Present: City Manager Gary Word, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Nicolette Bateson, Police Chief James Petres, DPW Director James Gallogly, Deputy City Clerk Carol Kasprowicz, Housing Director Joanne Inglis; Housing Commissioners Bill Robertson, Sue Hooper, Jacqueline Bousha, Bob Buckhave, Charles Jerzycke; DDA Director Lori Ward, DDA Board Member Greg Presley, Reporters from the Northville Record and the Northville Journal, and 25 citizens.

A. Citizen Comments: Gary Nelson, 875 Main Street, questioned the legality of the large home being built on the corner of Thayer and Eaton. It was answered that the home was legal according to the current ordinance. It was stated that a review of the ordinances will be conducted by the Planning Commission and Planning Consultant.

Larry Parks, 632 N. Center, asked who sets the meeting times of boards and commissions and, specifically, the DDA meetings. It was answered that each board/commission sets its meeting time. It was stated that, although the DDA generally meets in the morning, it has been proposed that the DDA conduct an evening meeting at least once a year.

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 October 18, 2004

Approve Bills List: Checks #40384 to #40555, and #40556 to #40656

Receive Board and Commission Minutes:

Downtown Development Authority: 9/21/04

Historic District Commission: 8/18/04, 9/15/04

Planning Commission: 9/21/04

Receive Departmental Reports:

Police Department: 7/04, 8/04, 9/04

Youth Assistance: 9/04

Board and Commission Appointments: None

Temporary Sign Placement / Annual Scouting Food Drive

Goodfellows Newspaper Drive / Saturday, December 11, 2004

Allen Terrace / Purchase of Security Camera System

Proposed Resolution / Watershed Alliance Legislation

The City of Northville is to receive $8000 from the Oakland County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for fiscal year 2005. It is recommended that the $8000 be allocated for the following:

Terrace Repairs at Allen Terrace $5000

Community Senior Center Operation $2000

Program Administration $1000

Motion Ayers, seconded by Hartshorne to adopt the resolution authorizing the use of the FY2005 Oakland County Community Development Block Grant funds as proposed. Motion carried unanimously.

In the past, the City of Northville administered the Community Rehabilitation Loan Program, a revolving loan program funded with Wayne County CDBG funds, and comprised of two components: Downtown Development District business loans, and housing rehabilitation loans. The DDA loans were issued during the 1980s, and the last housing rehabilitation loan (to low income families) was issued in 1994. Currently, the City has $54,205.97 in returned funds. The Wayne County Community Development program classifies these returned funds as program income, which can be allocated for other eligible CDBG uses.

Research of housing rehabilitation programs found that both Wayne and Oakland counties continue to administer county-wide housing rehabilitation programs for residents of cities that do not have an established rehabilitation program. These programs are similar in regard to income limits and rehabilitation requirements. They differ in that the Oakland County program is administered by County staff, and the Wayne County program is administered by City staff.

It is proposed that the program funds of $54,206 be used for the following purposes:

City Hall Ramp Replacement $10,000

Allen Terrace Wall Covering Replacement $37,206

Allen Terrace Public Restroom Renovation $ 7,000

Council Comments / Discussion:

• With regard to the Oakland County program, it was questioned as to whether the funds could be used to convert a septic system to the City’s water/sewer system. It was noted that the funds are earmarked for low-income families and the septic systems in the City are found in the higher-income neighborhoods and most probably would not qualify.

• Funds returned to the City from DDA loans are no longer eligible to be used for DDA purposes.

• A discussion ensued regarding the availability of housing rehabilitation loans from the

counties, and the method of administering the funds. Concern was voiced that the county funds would cease to be available, thus it was warranted to keep the present funds for housing rehabilitation within the City’s control.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Ayers to allocate the Wayne County Community Development Block Grant program income funds as proposed. Voice vote: Yes: Ayers, Johnson, Mittman, Swigart. No: Hartshorne. Motion carried.

In August 2002, a comprehensive downtown parking management plan was approved by City Council. Several modifications have since been made in an effort to continue to improve downtown parking. Suggested changes to the plan now include the removal of all orange dot (employee) parking spots in Parking Lot #2 (Wing and Main) and Parking Lot #3 (behind Marquis Theater). It was also suggested that residential overnight parking be permitted only in the block where the resident resides. A third recommendation included the enforcement of a three-hour parking per parking lot versus a parking space.

Comments and discussion generated by members of the audience included the objection to the removal of orange dots due to physical constraints of some employees, and fears of walking in inclement weather. Suggestions included the retaining of the orange dots, and the use of a shuttle bus for employees.

Council Comments / Discussion::

• Council requested the expansion of the existing downtown parking committee to include representatives of the retail and professional businesses, specifically those found in the northeast and northwest quadrant of the downtown.

• It was suggested that the issue to be dealt with is community development and infrastructure, which would require the help of a strategic planner to formulate a solution. A strategic planner would enable the development of community consensus regarding where and what type of parking structure is needed.

• It was suggested that direction from Council would be needed to expand the scope of the parking committee to include the creation of an RFP for a long term strategic planner for infrastructure issues.

• A discussion ensued on the merits of a table-top deck, and the reasons for the public rejection of the proposed deck of last year.

Administration was directed to look for a specialist regarding infrastructure. Budget amendments would have to be made from either the City budget or the DDA budget to fund the specialist.

Discussion took place regarding the recruitment of specific members to the existing downtown parking committee. It was emphasized that a timely report was needed from the committee to help alleviate the parking situation prior to the onset of the holiday shopping season.

At a meeting on July 6, 2004, the City Council voted to accept a recommendation from the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to enforce the time limits for parking in a lot, not a particular space in the lot. The current ordinance regarding time limit restrictions, 82-131, specifies "parking space" or "parking spaces." An argument could be made that this language does not prohibit the parking of a vehicle in a lot if it has not remained in the same "parking space" for more than the time limit. Additionally, the current ordinance lacks language to deal with parking on private property not posted by signs. A proposed ordinance revision has been drafted to eliminate any uncertainty in the legislative intent of the ordinance.

Council Comments / Discussion: In discussing the difficulty of enforcing a time-limit parking lot versus a parking space, it was pointed out that the Police Department is investigating the purchase of computer hand-held equipment to enable accurate accountability of specific vehicles. The second reading of the amendment to the ordinance will not be scheduled until recommendations are received from the Parking Committee.

Motion Hartshorne, seconded by Swigart to introduce for first reading an ordinance amending Article IV "Standing, Stopping and Parking" of Chapter 82 of the Code of Ordinances with no second reading scheduled at this time. Motion carried unanimously.

The labor contracts recently ratified with the MAPE and AFSCME union groups include changes to the City-provided health insurance program which will become effective January 1, 2005. The open enrollment period for insurance plan selections and cafeteria plan decisions typically occurs in early November of each year. The insurance plans offered to the non-union employee group are typically consistent with the MAPE unit. Accordingly, a medical plan summary is proposed for the non-union employees as shown below.

Blue Care Network Plan E ($5 / $30 drug card)

M-Care P.O.S. ($15 / $30 / $60 drug card)

Community Blue II ($15 / $30 / $60 drug card)

Premium co-payment per pay period effective January 1, 2005 with an annual increase of 5% per year is according to the schedule below.

Drug reimbursement is at $5 per eligible prescription for the three City Plans. The City may eliminate M-Care if necessary to avoid the "load" to the Blue Cross rates as a result of participation levels. Also future pre-Medicare retirees will have the same plan options as those offered to active employees.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to authorize City Staff to proceed with implementation of the 2005 non-union insurance program. Motion carried unanimously.

Johnson urged all to vote in the general election being held Tuesday, November 2, 2004.

Mittman reminded all of the Planning Commission meeting to be held at the Community Center at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 2, 2004. The Our Lady of Victory site plan is to be presented for final approval.

Johnson stated that special meetings are to be called regarding the selection of the City Attorney.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Ayers to call a special meeting for Monday, November 8, 2004 at 7 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers for the purpose of establishing the criteria for selection of the City Attorney. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Ayers to call a special meeting for Monday, November 15, 2004 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the purpose of interviewing candidates for the position of City Attorney. Motion carried unanimously.

Housing Director Inglis stated there was a 2-bedroom apartment available at Allen Terrace.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz
Deputy City Clerk