City Council Minutes

Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:30 p.m. in the Northville Municipal Building 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 City Manager Gary Word, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Nicolette Bateson,

Present: Housing Director Joanne Inglis, Parks and Recreation Director Traci Sincock, City Clerk Dianne Massa, Representatives from Ambassador Capital Management, Reporter from the Northville Journal, and nine citizens.

A. Citizen Comments

Charles Toussant, 528 Horton, voiced his unhappiness with the new policies that appear to be directed at those playing cards at the Senior Community Center. His concerns included restrooms that are locked while the center is open, not being allowed to use the refrigerator to store beverages and other food items, not being allowed to use the microwave to make popcorn, and having to use unisex restroom facilities. He requested a change in policy. Toussant also questioned the disparity on popcorn provided free for Friday movies, yet not provided as part of the $1 charge to play cards.

Eugene Cole, no address given, echoed the comments of Mr. Toussant. Cole also addressed the issue of seniors only being allowed to play cards on certain days and questioned why seniors must rent a room in order to play cards past 4:30 p.m. when the center is open until 10:00 p.m.

Councilmember Mittman, liaison to the Northville Area Senior Citizen Advisory Council, noted that the concerns raised this evening would be added to the next Senior Advisory Council meeting agenda for further review. The Northville Area Senior Citizen Advisory Council meets at 1:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at the Senior Community Center. Mittman invited the seniors to attend the meeting.

Ron Bodnar, 342 E. Main Street, voiced concern with the downtown merchants that abuse the commercial solid waste removal program by placing trash on the ground instead of in the dumpsters. He offered four photographs to support his comments. Bodnar noted he was not critical of the City but of the merchants taking advantage of the service and requested ordinance enforcement to resolve the matter.

John Colizzi, 841 W. Main Street, voiced his dissatisfaction with the manner in which the City administration and elected officials managed the Our Lady of Victory school expansion project. He commented on the devastation caused by tree removals and house demolitions at Orchard and W. Main

Streets, the unresolved lawsuit, the fact that one Planning Commissioner has sold their home and moved out of the community, and the allowance of big foot developments in residential areas. Colizzi stated his belief that the City did not support the Orchard Heights Homeowners Association (OHHA) and conveyed OHHA’s resolve to focus on the November election to ensure there are elected officials that support the residents and neighborhoods.

"Proposed Amendment to the October 4, 2004 City Council Meeting Minutes" was added to the agenda as New Business 9B.

Consent Agenda Item 4E – "Boards and Commission Appointments" was moved to the main agenda as New Business 9C.

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

Consent agenda as follows:

Approve City Council Minutes:

Regular Meeting of February 22, 2005

Approve Bills List: Checks #42408 to #42469, and #42470 to #42571

Receive Board and Commission Minutes: None

Receive Departmental Reports:

Police Department: 12/04, 1/05

Youth Assistance: 1/05

Proposed Sixth Annual "Heart ‘N Sole" 5K Race / May 7, 2005

2005 Homecoming Parade Request / September 23, 2005

Resolution / MERS Benefit Change for NPOA

On February 22, 2005, the City Council received a report from City staff related to proposed investment advisory services. In addition, the recommended firm of Ambassador Capital Management presented the City Council with additional information about the firm and its approach to being an investment advisor. During this meeting, questions were raised relative to fee structure, past performance, performance benchmarks, sample accounts, and performance information of other Ambassador Capital Management accounts. Information was presented this evening to address those questions and concerns.

Council Comments and Discussion: Discussion pertained to past performance and performance benchmarks information provided for Ambassador Capital Management account, the "laddering approach" for fixed income investments, and the need to take a longer term approach to investing.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Ayers to utilize the investment advisory services of Ambassador Capital Management with a one year evaluation process, and authorize the Mayor to sign the investment advisory agreement. Motion carried unanimously.

In 2004, the City Council approved the use of $54,206 from the Wayne County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Income funds for specific program eligible projects. However, when these funds were approved, it was not realized that the funds were already included in the Senior Center renovation project budget. Therefore, the funds should be reallocated to the Senior Center project. A public hearing was held on February 22, 2005, with no public comment being received. The City Council deferred action on the reallocation of the Program Income funds until the March 7, 2005 meeting.

Council Comments and Discussion: Brief discussion ensued pertaining to the proposed reallocation. There was opposition to the reallocation as the Program Income Funds were meant to remain on hold and available for home rehabilitation. Once the funds are reallocated, the avenue for those qualified to request funds for home rehabilitation would be exhausted. It was countered that there have been no requests for these funds, indicating the funds are not needed for home rehabilitation and would be better used for the Allen Terrace project.

Motion Swigart, seconded by Ayers to reallocate Wayne County CDBG Program Income Funds as follows:

Project Description Amount

Senior Center Renovation $10,973

City Hall Ramp Replacement $ 9,000

Allen Terrace Wall Covering Replacement $34,233

On October 4, 2004, the City Council approved the sale and purchase of the property located at 116 E. Dunlap Street and parking credit purchase for 120 W. Main Street. While reviewing the closing documents for this property purchase, it was discovered that item four of the motion addressing the

116 E. Dunlap property purchase stated the seller’s (Long) commitment to relocate Edwards Caterer into the new development at 120 W. Main Street. However, the minutes do not reflect that this relocation commitment is based upon the potential desire of Edwards Caterer to relocate the business to this location.

Motion Hartshorne, seconded by Swigart to amend the October 4, 2004 City Council meeting minutes related to the "Proposed Sale and Purchase of Property at 116 E. Dunlap Street and Purchase of Parking Credits for 120 W. Main Street" to clarify the purchase terms as follows (amendment noted in italics):

4. Approve the purchase of the building and property located at 116 E. Dunlap Street (Edward’s/Long) at a price not to exceed $425,000, with the seller (Long) committing to relocate Edward’s Caterer into the new building located at 120 W. Main Street, provided Edwards Caterer desires to relocate the business to this location, and pay for certain public improvements (street lights, trees, brick pavers) to the public area along Wing Street and Main Street at 120 W. Main Street. The City Manager is authorized to enter into a purchase agreement with Mr. Long reflecting the above components, subject to review by the City Attorney.

Discussion ensued pertaining to the proposed appointment of Mark Ernst to the Board of Zoning Appeals and the reappointment of James DeHaan to the Downtown Development Authority. It was expressed that the Boards and Commission Selection Committee recommendation did not provide sufficient data to make an informed decision. It was requested that future recommendations include an applicant summary, including the reason this candidate should be appointed above the other applicants. It was also felt that the board and commission members should be included in the applicant interview process. It was countered that all boards and commission applications are forwarded to each councilmember for their review. It was also stated that there is a need to strive for balance on each commission. Having the commission members’ interview potential board members would create boards and commissions with the same vision, which would not be representative of the differences of opinion in the community.

Motion Hartshorne, seconded by Swigart to approve the following Board and Commission appointments:

1. Appointment of Mark Ernst to the Board of Zoning Appeals, to fill the vacant term expiring on July 1, 2005.
2. Reappointment of James DeHaan to the Downtown Development Authority, to a four year term expiring on September 30, 2008.

Swigart voiced concern with the Recreation Commission by-law amendments as proposed by the Shared Services Committee, which would reduce the role of the Recreation Commission to a review board. Swigart felt this would lessen the Commission’s ability to effectively serve the community. This prompted brief discussion pertaining to the Shared Services Committee. It was suggested that further discussion be delayed until the proposed by-law revisions are presented to City Council for review and possible adoption.

Swigart also commented on the well-attended grand opening of the Art House.

Mittman spoke to the Planning Commission’s intent to establish its own goals and objectives for the budget process relative to the master plan and zoning ordinance review.

B. Staff Communications None

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

Respectfully submitted,

Dianne Massa
City Clerk