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

Also Present: City Manager Gary Word, Assistant City Manager / Finance Director Nicolette Bateson, DPW Director James Gallogly, Police Chief James Petres, Parks and Recreation Director Traci Sincock, DDA Director Lori Ward, Reporters from the Northville Record and Northville Journal, and five citizens.

John Colizzi, 841 West Main, inquired as to the progress of several issues that have been raised to the Planning Commission. Specifically, Colizzi mentioned an ordinance prohibiting dumpsters in residential front yards, a review of the City Ordinance language regarding special use permits, and modifications to the Woodland Ordinance. It was answered that City Staff has received no direction from the Planning Commission regarding the dumpsters. Regarding the review of special use permit language, it was stated the Planning Commission will most likely look at the language after the present controversy is resolved. The Woodland Ordinance will be reviewed sometime in February by the Planning Consultant Wortman.

Consent Agenda Item "Proposed Changes to Articles of Organization / Northville Arts Commission" was moved to New Business Item 9E.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to approve the agenda and consent agenda as amended.

Consent agenda as follows:

Approve City Council Minutes:

Special Meeting of November 15, 2004 (9:00 AM)

Regular Meeting of November 15, 2004 (7:30 PM)

Approve Bills List: Checks #40873 to #41006, #41007 to #41087, and #41088 to #41181

Receive Board and Commission Minutes:

Board of Zoning Appeals: 11/3/04

Historic District Commission: 10/20/04

Planning Commission: 11/2/04

Youth Assistance: 9/14/04

Board and Commission Appointments: None

Proposed Purchase of Salt Spreader

Motion carried unanimously.

At the November 15, 2004 City Council meeting, the DDA agreed to explore the creation of a shuttle system that would transport individuals requiring long-term parking from a remote lot (Northville Downs parking lot) to the downtown area. The proposed plan for a shuttle system was presented to and received support from the Parking Committee (a subcommittee of the DDA) and the DDA.

The shuttle system is proposed to be in service from December 1, 2004 to January 22, 2005, Monday through Saturday, with pickup from 7:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. and evening return from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. There will be no charge to riders during the holiday season; however, a $1 per round trip ride will be charged after January 3, 2005. It is proposed that there will be approximately seven drop off / pick up sites in the downtown. The daily cost of the program, including bus rental, gas, personnel, and administration is approximately $175 per day.

Council Comments / Discussion: Questions were asked regarding current downtown employee parking, enforcement, and the arrangement with Northville Downs.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Swigart to approve the trial downtown shuttle program as proposed. Motion carried unanimously.

The Parks and Recreation Department solicited bids for park maintenance functions such as mowing and chemical treatments. Staff solicited bids for a three-year agreement. Vendors were asked to submit bids for mowing and chemical treatments (fertilizer, weed control, round up) for park properties totaling 81.75 acres. Three bids were received:

With accepting the lowest bidder for these services, the FY05 budget will experience a shortage of $5,151. However, beginning with the 2005 baseball season, the Northville Baseball/Softball Association will provide funds for mowing and fertilizing the baseball fields. In addition, Northville Township has committed additional funds toward the operation of Community Park until the operating millage expires at the end of 2006. Future budgets will reflect the agreement expenses.

Council Comments / Discussion: Questions were asked regarding the amount of play surface versus passive areas in the parks. Staff was encouraged to pursue innovative methods in lawn care and park design.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Swigart to award the mowing services to Maple Ridge Landscaping of Northville, Michigan in the annual amount of $74,200 for each Fiscal Year 2005-2007, and the chemical treatment services to J & P Lawn Care of New Boston, Michigan in the annual amount of $24,147 for each Fiscal Year 2005-2007. Motion carried unanimously.

The Parks and Recreation Department solicited bids for transportation services for programs including Ski Club, the annual Cedar Point trip, Shanty Creek weekend trip, Seniors Mackinac Trip, family trips, and Summer Day Camp field trips. Two vendors responded: J. R. Charter Service and Bianco Tours Inc. J. R. Charter Service was the apparent low bidder for most of the trips; however, they did not submit a bid for the Disney on Ice trip, leaving Bianco Tours, Inc. as the only bidder for that trip.

* Plus $250 per day for any days over three, and driver’s lodging. Total cost would be $2350 and lodging unknown.

The Mackinac trip does not occur until FY2006 which will enable staff to obtain quotes for this specific trip when exact trip dates are known.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Hartshorne to award J. R. Charter Services of Novi, Michigan a transportation agreement for all Ski Club trips, Shanty Creek trip, Cedar Point trip, Summer Day Camp field trips, and the College Hockey at the Joe trip in the amounts indicated above. Further, Bianco Tours, Inc. is to be awarded the transportation agreement for the Disney on Ice trip in the amount of $500; and reject both bids for the Seniors Mackinac trip. Motion carried unanimously.

Traditionally, the Northville City Council has met in late January or early February to determine goals, objectives, and priorities in preparation for the next fiscal year budget. Over the next few weeks, City Department Heads will be working on their respective department goals and objectives. A summary of their efforts will be presented to the City Council prior to the date selected by City Council for this purpose.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Mittman to call a special meeting on February 7, 2005 at 6:00 PM for the purpose of discussing the goals and objectives for FY 2005-06. Motion carried unanimously.

The Northville Arts Commission made several changes to their Articles of Organization and submitted them to the Council for approval. Arts Commission Chairperson Ken Naigus was present at the meeting to answer any questions regarding the changed language.

Council Comments / Discussion: Discussion ensued regarding some of the language that was proposed. This included mention of eligible commissioners being from neighboring communities, the issue of accountability and responsibility of the commissioners, and the inclusion of the Commission, on a more formal basis, in the selection and approval process of new commissioners. It was suggested that the Articles of Organization be resubmitted at the next Council meeting with the agreed upon language.

Ayers stated she had received several complaints from citizens who had attended the focus groups generated for the Gibbs Planning Group study. The complaints centered on lack of advance notice of the meetings. She asked as to the time and date of the Gibbs final presentation. Word stated it was scheduled for Thursday, December 9, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

Swigart briefly reported on the Plante & Moran audit of the Parks and Recreation Department. The report mentioned concerns over future funding and future deficits of the Parks and Recreation function.

Mittman complimented Northville Downs for their support of the recent Jingle Bell Run and the downtown shuttle.

Word reminded everyone of the Open House of the new Charter Township of Northville building which will take place Thursday, December 16^th.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz
Deputy City Clerk