City Council Minutes

Mayor Christopher Johnson called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Northville City Hall Council Chambers, 215 W. Main Street, Northville, Michigan

- Appointment to Northville Housing Commission / Genie Nehs / Term expiring September 15, 2009

- Appointment to Downtown Development Authority / David Cole / Term expiring September 30, 2007

Four firms were invited to review their proposals, present further information and clarification, and answer any questions posed by the City Council. The four firms and their representatives were:

• Beckett & Raeder, Ann Arbor, Michigan

- John Iacoangeli, Connie Pulcipher, and Elizabeth Knibbe

• Grissim Metz Andriese Associates, Northville, Michigan

- John Grissim, Randy Metz, Cynthia Eggleton, Deborah Schutt

• The Chesapeake Group, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland

- Howard S. Kohn, Marc Russell, Brad Strader

• Poggemeyer Design Group, Inc., Temperance, Michigan

- Randy Melnick, Martin Jarret, Danielle Steinhausen

All firms were questioned regarding their methods of building consensus in the community, developing parking data, past projects, methods of communication, and availability to the public of the collected data.

Council Comments / Discussion:: Discussion centered on the value added by hiring a planner, the length of time proposed for completion of the project by the firms, comfort level in dealing with Beckett & Raeder, possible difficulties in having a current Planning Commissioner on the strategic planning team, and the financial considerations of each proposal.

Upon the selection of a strategic planning firm, it is important for the consultant to work with community representatives as they proceed to prepare the strategic plan. City Council is urged to give some thought to what group or what individuals should be the contact / guidance focal point for the consultant. City staff suggested that the Downtown Steering Committee (DSC) would be the group most knowledgeable in this regard.

Council Comments / Discussion: It was suggested that the group should contain representatives from a cross section of the community and, as such, several members of the DDA presently on the DSC should be substituted with other members of the community. It was further suggested that Beckett & Raeder be consulted regarding the make up of the guidance committee. City staff was directed to contact Beckett & Raeder and submit their recommendation to Council at the next meeting.

Mittman wished City Manager Gary Word a "Happy Birthday" who was summarily serenaded by all present.

Ayers complimented all involved with the Independence Parade on a very successful and happy event.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz
Deputy City Clerk