City Council Minutes

Mayor Christopher Johnson called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:30 p.m. in the Northville City Hall Council Chambers, 215 W. Main Street, Northville, Michigan.

Mike Stafford, 364 S. Wing Street, complained of the articles being stored in his neighbor’s yard located at 350 S. Wing. Mr. Stafford stated his requests for action by the City have not been addressed. The City Administration was directed to investigate the matter, contact Mr. Stafford, and report back to Council.

Sue Hooper, Housing Commission, thanked the City Council for appointing Genie Nehs, the newest Housing Commission member.

Annette McGowan, 508 Fairbrook, requested permission to place signs advertising the enrollment dates for the Northville Co-Op Preschool. Her request was placed as New Business Item, 9B.

Howard Payne, 211 St. Lawrence Boulevard, St. Lawrence Estates, presented a petition to the City Council asking for support in petitioning Wayne County to place pedestrian crosswalk markings across Seven Mile at Wing Street. After a brief discussion, City Council directed the City Administration to forward the request and petition to Wayne County, which has jurisdiction over Seven Mile.

Approve City Council Minutes:

Regular Meeting of July 18, 2005

Approve Bills List: Checks #44586 to #44759, Checks #44760 to #44849

Receive Board and Commission Minutes:

Art Commission: 5/11/05, 6/8/05

Downtown Development Authority: 6/21/05

Historic District Commission: 6/15/05

Senior Advisory Council: 3/24/05, 4/21/05

Receive Departmental Reports

Fire Department: 6/05

Board and Commission Appointments: None

Disposal of Used Equipment / Desk / Allen Terrace

50^th Anniversary Banner Placement

Ms. Laura Williams, owner of Pamplemouse, 116 E. Main Street, received notification from the City that a plant found hanging in front of her shop was in violation of the City Ordinance. The plant is hanging less than seven feet above the sidewalk. Ms. Williams requested that the plant be permitted to hang as it brings many compliments and attention to her shop. She pointed out that the plant hangs directly above a sidewalk sandwich sign which mitigates any possibility of injury by pedestrians.

Council Discussion: Concern was expressed for allowing actions that are prohibited by the City Ordinance. Further discussion centered on the placement of the sandwich board sign, the length of the plant, and additional examples of planters in the downtown area. It was suggested that the plant be allowed if it is placed above the sidewalk sign and is removed at closing time along with the sidewalk sign.

City Administration was instructed to request the Planning Commission to review the ordinances in question to assure that the provisions were not too restrictive.

Gail and Tom Wodowski, 314 Buchner Hill Drive, requested that a City-owned paved area of approximately 20 ft. by 20 ft. located off High Street be designated as a "no parking" area. Presently, it is signed as "public parking" with the usual overnight parking restrictions. The Wodowskis stated that this area is used as a parking lot by neighbors and, as it is located near the rear of their property, the parked cars spoil the view of the nearby wooded area.

Sam and Beth Russo, also of the Buchner Hill Condominiums, supported the Wodowskis request for a no parking restriction on this parcel. Sally Clune, 570 High Street, gave a historical review of the use of the parcel and stated it was created as a turnaround and is used as a parking space very sporadically. Clara and Massimo Fracchia, 600 High Street, urged neighborly cooperation in resolving this problem.

Council Discussion: Discussion arose on the specific location of the parcel in question, and the history of parking at the parcel. It was suggested that the use of the parcel by private individuals for limited parking be arranged with the Police Department. A phone call from the requesting party would suffice. It was noted that traffic and parking problems in this area have changed significantly since the high school was converted to a middle school.

DTE Energy is requesting that the City of Northville grant a 10 foot by 110 foot easement across City property from an existing electrical pad to a new transformer and then into the new Long Building located at the corner of Wing and Main Street. The Department of Public Works has reviewed this request and noted that the easement requested is across areas the City has already granted to power and phone companies in the past, which results in no additional impact to the City. Additionally, there is no budget or staffing impact resulting from this request.

On July 27, 2005, the City of Northville received bids for pavement marking along major streets within the City. The work called for in this project includes a certain amount of centerline striping, crosswalks, turn arrows, and legends. Although several companies were sent notice of the project and an advertisement was placed in the Northville Record, the City received only three bids for the work. The bids were:

While all three contractors have successfully performed work for the City in the past, the only contractor that fulfilled all the directions of the bid document was P. K. Contracting. The City Attorney has advised against waiving this irregularity in the bid process.

The FY06 budget contains $6,800 for this work. The contract amount is greater than the budgeted amount; however, a budget transfer for $248.25 from the Major Street – Routine Street Maintenance fund can be made to cover the shortfall.

Council Discussion: Questions were asked as to why the bid bonds were not included. A suggestion to reject all three bids and re-bid was declined. It was stated that there is no guarantee of equal or lower bids. The waiver of the irregularities was discouraged in view of the possibility of eroding the integrity of the entire bidding process.

Annette McGowan, 508 Fairbrook, requested permission to place lawn signs at various locations in the City advertising the enrollment period for the Northville Co-Op Preschool from August 21^st through September 1^st.

Council Discussion: Reluctance was voiced in granting approval of placing the signs in the City right-of-way. Reasons given included adherence to the City ordinances, and the inability to control the probable proliferation of signs upon the first admission.

A report was generated for DDA review regarding the recommendations generated in the recent Gibbs draft report. This report was given to City Council for information.

Council Discussion: It was suggested that a review of the listed recommendations be made to identify those items that require Council action and/or direction. Discussion ensued over specific items in the memo, and the need for coordinated discussion with other Commissions. It was noted that action on many recommendations would necessitate waiting for the results of the Beckett & Raeder’s (B&R) report. It was countered that many items could be undertaken without jeopardizing the plan to be submitted by B&R. The DDA’s input was requested regarding which items could be initiated prior to the B&R report. Further discussion led to the consensus that a special study session be held for the purpose of reviewing the list of recommendations.

City Administration was directed to inform the various boards and commissions of the special meeting.

Further questions were asked regarding the timeline and kickoff meeting scheduled by Beckett & Raeder. A request was made for a more detailed timeline to enable appropriate calendar blocking.

Mittman reiterated his objection to the vacation of land that was granted at the last Council meeting.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz
Deputy City Clerk