City Council Minutes

Mayor Pro Tem Ayers requested a moment of silence to honor the memory of Sonia Swigart, first as a person, and second as a vital contributor to the community.

Mayor Pro Tem Ayers called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:31 p.m. in the Northville Municipal Building Council Chambers, 215 West Main Street, Northville, Michigan.

Present: Mayor Pro Tem Carolann Ayers, Councilmembers Kevin Hartshorne and Jerome Mittman

Absent: Mayor Christopher Johnson (excused), Councilmember Thomas Swigart (excused)

Citizen Comments

Ron Bodnar, 342 E. Main Street, requested an update on the status of placing public parking signs in the parking lot between Main Street Bank and the building located east of the bank, placing additional signage in the downtown to direct people to the public restrooms located in the Buckhave plaza, and the legality of the Real Estate One sign located on the corner of N. Center and Rayson as it is a visual obstruction to drivers.

The City Manager was requested to report back on the parking lot and public restroom signage. It was noted that the Real Estate One sign predates the current zoning ordinance and is legal until the sign is changed. City Council suggested the business owner be approached to determine if they would voluntarily change the sign.

John Colizzi, 841 W. Main Street, expressed his displeasure with the City Administration pertaining to its handling of the Our Lady of Victory (OLV) school expansion project. He spoke about the devastation at the corner of W. Main and Orchard, and the constant construction noise heard at his home. Colizzi alleged that past administrations worked with the Northville residents and that the City Council, elected by Northville residents, should have given the same consideration of "fairness" to the Orchard Heights subdivision as it did to OLV. He reiterated that 90% of Orchard Heights residents, including those that are Catholic, opposed the OLV development.

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 March 21, 2005

Approve Bills List: Checks #42790 to #42877, and #42878 to #42989

Receive Board and Commission Minutes:

Youth Assistance: 3/1/05, 3/8/05

Receive Departmental Reports:

Police Department: 2/05

Board and Commission Appointments:

Arts Commission: Arlene Catrett – appointment to fill vacant term expiring 6/30/07

BOCA Appeals Board: James Allen, Donald Hansen – reappointment with terms expiring 3/1/10

Planning Commission: Declare position held by Nancy Chiri to be vacant and appoint Tim Conder to fill vacant term expiring 6/30/05

Senior Citizens Advisory Council: Lorraine Steimel – reappointment with term expiring 3/31/08

Award of Weed Control and Fertilizer Contract / Parks and Recreation

Arbor Day Proclamation for Tree City USA Recertification

Request to Canvass / The Fund For Public Interest Research

Request to Solicit / Northville Lions Club / April – May 2005

Request to Solicit / VFW Auxiliary / May 5 – 7 and July 4, 2005

At its regular meeting on March 21, 2005, City Council reviewed the project priorities summarized by the City Manager. Following brief deliberations, the City Manager was directed to revise the portion of the proposed FY2005-2006 priorities pertaining to High Priority Project #3 "parking management/coordination plan" as this project was to be part of a broader vision of the issue of future development of the downtown. A revised copy, including modifications to High Priority Project #3 (renamed "downtown coordination plan") was presented to the City Council for further review and comment.

Council Comments and Discussion: It was suggested that high priority goal number four (review/revision of city zoning ordinance by Planning Commission) be amended to include ordinance review pertaining to the ratio of house size to lot size coverage.

It was suggested the report brought back to Council at the next meeting.

In accordance with the City Charter, the City Manager must submit a proposed fiscal year budget at the first meeting in April. The proposed fiscal year 2005-2006 was submitted for Council consideration. Specific points of the budget mentioned at this time included:

It is a balanced budget with the same operating millage as last year, and with a slight total millage decrease, resulting in the lowest millage level in 10 years. The operating millage rate recommended for FY2005-2006 is 13.30 mills. The total millage rate is set at 15.7382 mills, the lowest millage rate in over ten years.

Budget preparation was especially difficult due to the reduction in state shared revenues and increases in other expense categories. Staffing decisions in certain departments have been altered or delayed. As a further cost control and improved service measure, the City transferred two dispatchers to Northville Township as part of the merged emergency dispatch operation. The proposed budget reflects a full year under the joint emergency dispatch operation.

The City of Detroit mandated 43.14% increase in wholesale water rates to the City of Northville and Wayne County decreased its rate for sewer treatment increase by 0.63%. This water rate increase was due to peak flow demands when both the City of Detroit was distributing water and the City of Northville was refilling its water reservoir to maintain consistent pressure in the system. The water rate increase from Detroit necessitates a proposed increase of 16.71% for City of Northville customers. Increases in the dual sewer rate of 6% and the service charge of 5% are proposed due to the costs of those individual programs.

Public hearings for the FY05-06 budget are scheduled for Wednesday, April 6^th; Monday, April 11^th; and Tuesday, April 12^th; all at 7:00 p.m.

Nickie Bateson, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director, and Sandi Wiktorowski, Assistant Finance Director, were complimented on their hard work and attention to detail, to provide a budget that is accurate, orderly, and concise.

City Council noted that the budget sessions are important meetings and hoped that citizens would attend.

Wayne County plans to reconstruct Griswold Road between Main Street and Baseline Road. This is a Wayne County project funded through federal funds, with a request to the City to share a portion of the local cost. The county received bids and plans to award the project to Six S, Inc. The new road will have a concrete surface, and for the most part, will be constructed under traffic. There will be a short period of time when the roadway will be closed to reconstruct the intersection of Main Street and Griswold. However, Wayne County has agreed this closure will not occur over the July 4^th weekend or when other large events are planned in Ford Park and Mill Race Village. As part of the local funding request, the City of Northville received a standard intergovernmental agreement for project approval.

The City Attorney reviewed the agreement and will negotiate with Wayne County on certain sections of the agreement that might not be in the best interest of the City.

Questions were raised pertaining to the closure of the Main Street and Griswold intersection. It was noted that the intersection would be closed and traffic would be rerouted to Cady Street.

Additional questions and discussion ensued pertaining to City utilities requiring removal (none identified), the condition of the water main located under Griswold (good condition), and the abandoned sewer pipe lines in the area.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Hartshorne to adopt a resolution approving an intergovernmental agreement between the County of Wayne and the City of Northville for the surfacing of Griswold Road from Main Street to Baseline Road, authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the agreement, and authorize payment of $29,704 to Wayne County for this project. Motion carried unanimously.

Review of the City’s Zoning Ordinance was identified as a high priority project during the City Council’s goals, objectives, and project priorities process. The Planning Commission and the City’s Planning Consultant identified a number of areas needing review and possible revision. The proposal submitted by Carlisle/Wortman contains two groups of proposed reviews. Group One includes a review of minor language modifications such as photometric studies, placement of dumpsters, traffic requirements, etc. The proposed fee for this group is estimated at $1,500 - $2,000.

Group Two might require greater scrutiny and discussion, and would include matters pertaining to special use evaluation, relationship of the site plan when considering special use permit applications, and clarification of parking requirements and parking terminology. The proposed fee for this group is estimated at $3,500.

Council Comments and Discussion: A discussion took place regarding the proposed zoning ordinance revisions. It was suggested that, due to the BZA overturning the Planning Commission on the Our Lady of Victory special land use permit decision, the OLV law suit, and the neighborhood appeals, that the Planning Commission might react on emotion rather than need, suggesting it might be appropriate for the Planning Commission to wait until some time had passed before reviewing and suggesting possible ordinance revisions. It was countered that the Orchard Heights Homeowners Association pointed out valid weaknesses and grey areas in the ordinance that warrant the Planning Commission’s immediate attention. It was also reminded that any Planning Commission recommendations would be reviewed by the City Council prior to adopting any proposed ordinance amendments.

Motion Mittman, seconded by Hartshorne, to accept and approve the proposal dated March 31, 2005, submitted by Carlisle/Wortman Associates, Inc. for review and revision (as necessary) of the identified Zoning Ordinance provisions, with Group One to be funded in FY2004-2005 and Group Two to be funded in FY2005-2006, and further, the proposal to accomplish the identified tasks should not exceed $5,500. Motion carried unanimously.

D. Contract Award for the City Hall Sidewalk and Sewer Improvements Project

On March 16, 2005, the City received bids for the City Hall Sidewalk and Sewer Improvement Project as follows:

Goretski Construction, Inc. $29,832.50

Hartwell Cement Company $40,027.50

McCarthy Construction Company $52,257.50

Margolis Nursery, Inc. $70,859.50

The project includes replacing the concrete sidewalk, handicap ramp, and curbs in front of City Hall and the connecting of existing floor drains in the Fire Hall to the sanitary sewer in W. Main Street. The project will impact use of the front entrance to City Hall for approximately seven days and residents and visitors will be advised to use the south entrance during the construction period. Two bays in the fire hall will be unusable and arrangements have been made to place the fire trucks at the City Yards for the seven day project period.

The low bid submitted by Goretski Construction is within the approved combined project budget of $50,000. Funding for this project was approved as follows:

Approved Budget Anticipated Cost

City Hall Sidewalk Improvements

1. Community Development Block Grant Funds $ 9,000 $ 6,500

2. Public Improvement Funds $11,000 $ 6,700

Sanitary Sewer Connection

1. Public Improvement Funds $30,000 $16,700

Council Comments and Discussion: A question was raised pertaining to the adjustment to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. It was responded that the City must justify the percent of the project cost that can be charged to CDBG and those amounts are outlined in the bid document/contract.

Motion Hartshorne, seconded by Mittman, to approve a contract for the City Hall Sidewalk and Sewer Improvement Project with Goretski Construction Company of Milford, Michigan, in the amount of $29,832.50 and that the Director of Public Works is authorized to sign the contract. Motion carried unanimously.

On March 16, 2005, the City received bids for the fence replacement project to replace fencing around the underground water reservoir and pump building, along with the replacement of fence along the east property line (Gerald Street) of the City Yards property. The following bids were received:

Upright Fence $49,988.50

Ace Fence $54,254.00

Due to the high cost of steel, the cost of fencing has significantly increased than when the project was estimated a few years ago. The City’s FY2004 budget included $12,000 for the water reservoir fencing; however, the cost for this project, as submitted by the low bidder, is $20,486. The City’s FY2005 budget included $15,000 for fencing at the City Yards site; however, the cost for this part of the project, as submitted by the low bidder, is $29,502.50. The Water and Sewer Fund and the Equipment Fund operate with a working capital reserve. There are sufficient funds carried forward from the prior year to cover the cost of this project. A budget amendment is needed for the project to proceed.

Council Comments and Discussion: Discussion ensued pertaining to the fence project at the DPW yard, suggesting that this part of the project is not an immediate need and should be delayed. It was responded that the fencing on Gerald Street was falling down, making the yard insecure and open to further theft. It was also noted that funding for this project was included as part of the FY2004-2005 budget. Additional questions pertained to the security gate located at the City Yards entrance.

Motion Hartshorne seconded by Mittman, to approve a contract for the 2005 Fence Replacement Project, with Upright Fence, Inc., of Westland, Michigan, in the amount of $49,988.50; approve a budget amendment to the Water and Sewer Fund and the Equipment Fund, and authorize the Director of Public Works to sign the contract on behalf of the City. Motion carried unanimously.

The Election Commission consists of the City Clerk, City Attorney, and a member of the Council who shall not be a candidate for elective office at the election for which he is appointed. The Clerk serves as the chairperson and two members of the Election Commission shall be a quorum.

The City Attorney reviewed State law and advised that the Election Commission begin meeting in an official capacity to appoint election inspectors, review ballot layout (if applicable), and authorize the Clerk to perform certain election responsibilities on behalf of the Commission.

An Election Commissioner is needed for the May 3, 2005 election. The Commission will meet at

8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 at City Hall.

Motion Hartshorne, seconded by Mittman, to appoint Councilmember Mittman to serve as the Election Commissioner for the May 3, 2005 election. Motion carried unanimously.

Hartshorne expressed deep regret on the passing of Sonia Swigart.

It was reminded that Ayers and Mittman will not be at the April 18^th meeting.

B. Staff Communications None

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

Respectfully submitted,

Dianne Massa
City Clerk