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, Councilmembers Jerome Mittman and Thomas Swigart

Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Carolann Ayers (excused), Councilmember Kevin Hartshorne (excused)

Also City Manager Gary Word, Director of Public Works Director James Gallogly,

Present: City Clerk Dianne Massa, and Reporters from the Northville Record and Northville Journal. No citizens were present.

A. Citizen Comments None

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

Consent agenda as follows:

Approve City Council Minutes:

Regular Meeting of December 6, 2004

Approve Bills List: Checks #41182 to #41280, and #41281 to #41439

Receive Board and Commission Minutes:

Downtown Development Authority: 10/26/04

Housing Commission: 11/10/04

Parks and Recreation Commission: 11/10/04

Parks and Recreation: 11/04

Police Department: 10/04

Downtown Development Authority: James Long - reappointed with term expiring 9/30/08

Youth Assistance: John Bernardo - reappointed with term expiring 12/31/06

Liquor License for Grand Opening for the Art House

Liquor License Transfer / Tirami Su Restaurant, 146 MainCentre

Proposed changes to the Northville Arts Commission Articles of Organization were reviewed during the December 6, 2004 City Council meeting. Responding to City Council feedback, the Northville Arts Commission resubmitted proposed changes to their Articles of Organizations for Council consideration.

Council Comments / Discussion: After brief discussion, the following amendments to the proposed changes were suggested (amendments to the proposed changes noted in italics):

Section 2: This Commission shall be open to residents of City of Northville, Northville Township, Northville School District and surrounding communities.

Section 3: Members of this Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of City Council, following the recommendation of the Chairman of the Commission.

Article IV OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

Section 4: Vacancies on the Commission shall be filled by Mayoral appointment with the approval of City Council, following the recommendation of the Chairman of the Commission.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Mittman to adopt the proposed changes to the Northville Arts Commission Articles of Organization as amended. Motion carried unanimously.

Rotary International celebrates its 100^th anniversary in February 2005 and all clubs were asked to take on a special Rotary Centennial Project. The Northville Rotary project involves the old town clock.

In 1999, the old town clock was hit by a car and was replaced with an identical "1890 Town Clock." Although the old clock sustained significant damage to its base, the actual working parts of the clock seem to be undamaged. Northville Rotary proposes to fund the entire cost related to the replacing the damaged cast iron base with masonry and place the old town clock in Ford Field. This effort is estimated to cost $3,000 and would be considered a gift to the Northville community in recognition of Rotary’s 100^th anniversary.

Council Comments / Discussion: It was noted that the new base would be of brick materials and that the clock would be set at grade level and would not chime. As the clock location is near the baseball/softball diamonds, the DPW Director was directed to check on the durability of the clock "glass" in case it is hit by errant foul balls. Weather permitting, the clock would be installed by February 2005.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Swigart to approve the restoration and placement of the old town clock in Ford Field and accept the $3,000 gift from the Northville Rotary Club. Motion carried unanimously.

Swigart spoke to the problem of residents shoveling and blowing snow into the street. Although this problem will be addressed in the next issue of "Words from Works," it was also suggested that citations be issued to those residents that violate the ordinance.

B. Staff Communications None

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

Respectfully submitted,

Dianne Massa
City Clerk