City Council Minutes

Larry Parks, 632 N. Center Street, voiced his belief that the City Council should authorize a parking study. He commented on Chapter 82 of the Code of Ordinances, which allows the City Council to establish a parking authority, and the need to have quarterly parking data as noted in the DDA’s October 18^th minutes. Parks referenced Section 17.03 of the Zoning Ordinance and questioned whether the City Council could assure that adequate parking exists for future needs.

It was noted that a formal parking study had not been initiated. At this time, City staff is working on updating the last parking study. The Department of Public Works is conducting a count of physical spaces. The Tax and Assessing Department is gathering updated information on business square footages and building uses through mailings and department field work.

Further discussion centered on the need for a parking study and outside assistance in parking management. It was the consensus of the Council to add further discussion on parking to the Council agenda.

Commissioner Laura Cox addressed the City Council and offered updates on the status of the Wayne County Parks comfort station demolition and renovation project, the status of the Medicaid prescription program and the efforts to facilitate informational meetings on this program, and the status on funding the state-mandated county hearing and vision programs. She wished everyone a happy holiday.

Discussion centered on the need to provide seniors with accurate and updated information on the new Medicaid prescription program, with a request for the county to work with the federal government to provide simplified, consistent, and updated information relative to the Medicaid prescription program.

Discussion of Parking Study and Parking Management was added to the agenda.

Consent agenda as follows:

Approve City Council Minutes:

Regular Meeting of November 7, 2005

Approve Bills List: Checks #46472 to #46592 and #46593 to #46681

Receive Board and Commission Minutes:

Downtown Development Authority: 10/18/05

Parks and Recreation: 10/12/05

Receive Departmental Reports:

Parks and Recreation: 10/05

Board and Commission Appointments: None

Proposed 2005 City Council Meeting Schedule

Proposed Award of Transportation Services / Parks and Recreation Department

Allen Terrace Lobby Furniture Replacement: The lobby furniture requires replacement due to normal wear and tear. The existing furniture has lost the support mechanisms needed for senior citizens.

Senior Center Operation: Funds may be used for operation of senior citizen centers, electricity, maintenance costs, and staffing.

Program Administration: 20% of funds may be allocated for CDBG program administration.

Allen Terrace –Lobby Furniture Replacement $5,000

Senior Center Operation $2,000

Program Administration $1,000

Total Estimated Allocation FY 2006 $8,000

Northville Rotary submitted an additional request for approval to solicit funds in these intersections. However, the request states that volunteers will not solicit on Eight Mile Road, but instead will stand on the intersecting streets of Taft, Center and Novi. Rotary has agreed to comply with the City’s policy and provide the required insurance for this event. Robert Buckhave was present on behalf of Northville Rotary and was available for questions.

Council Comments and Discussion: It was noted that this revised request allows for a safer soliciting event.

The City received a request from the First Presbyterian Church to restrict parking on the north side of East Cady Street between Church and Hutton and designate the area as a student drop off area for their preschool operation. This area is immediately adjacent to the entry doors to the school portion of the building and would accommodate five cars. Parent volunteers will escort the children between the cars and the building. Parents wishing to conduct business in the preschool will be expected to park in other areas and walk to the building.

Similar drop off areas are posted near Amerman Elementary, Old Village, and Our Lady of Victory Schools. These other areas are posted to prohibit parking between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on school days. The overall impact of this parking restriction should be minimal. The cost to implement the school drop off zone would be approximately $200, excluding DPW labor costs.

Traffic Control Order 05-07 would implement the change as well as update the parking regulations for East Cady Street. Parking was previously prohibited along East Cady and the recent reconstruction project widened portions of the road, adding parking lanes.

Council Comments and Discussion: Discussion ensued pertaining to traffic back ups in this area, the number of students in the preschool program, and the need to have preschools and drop off areas included as part of the site plan review. As the preschool predates the recent building addition and was not part of the Planning Commission discussion and site plan review, it was believed that the internal operations within the church have changed, prompting the need for a drop off area. It was also suggested that parents be requested to use Griswold to alleviate the traffic back up at E. Main and Church Streets.

A comment voiced concern in designating public right-of-way for the exclusive use of the church and its preschool operation. It was countered that other schools, along with other commercial uses, use public right-of-way as loading zones and the zones are used by taxpayers as it is their right-of-way. A final comment noted that the overall concern is child safety.

The Traffic Control Order was amended to change the designation of "North Center" to "South Center."

The proposed text amendments include:

Council Comments and Discussion: It was voiced that this ordinance amendment is the first step in strengthening the overbuilding regulations. It was also noted that Planning Commissioner Wendt opposed the ordinance modifications as he considered them to be a "band aid" approach in strengthening the overbuilding regulations.

At the November 7, 2005 meeting, the City Council introduced for first reading an ordinance amending the City of Northville Zoning Ordinance. Key modifications to the Zoning Ordinance as it relates to the site plan approval process include:

Council Comments and Discussion: It was reiterated that the ordinance amendment before the City Council this evening is considered "phase one" of a two phase process. Article 16 – Special Land Use requires more in-depth discussion. It is the Planning Commission’s intent to implement the amendments in phase one and complete an extensive review of Article 16 and offer proposed text amendments by early spring.

The proposed system would include three field units: One unit for downtown parking enforcement and two units for patrol officers. The units are a durable handheld PDA type device with a separate thermal printer. Data would be downloaded to the City network, eliminating individual entry of violations notices by City staff. Additional discussion with the 35^th District Court found that future expansion of the system for the issuance of other citations in addition to parking notices is possible.

The purchase would include software, hardware, training, and support services, subject to the completion of the development of software meeting the City’s needs, as follows:

The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) voted to fund 50% of the purchase of an automated parking enforcement system up to $25,000. In addition, $27,000 was allocated from breakage funds for the balance of the purchase. The cost of maintenance and support, totaling $3,757 is included for the first year. The level of support desired in future years will need to be determined. The initial cost would be distributed as follows:

Council Comments and Discussion: Discussion ensued pertaining to the operation of the automated parking enforcement system, the method to be used to determine which vehicles are parked beyond the time limit, and the possibility of implementing a graduated fine system for repeat offenders.

The City’s defined benefit retirement program, Municipal Employees Retirement System (MERS) offers a "Benefit E" cost of living adjustment. This one-time adjustment provides eligible retirees with a 2% increase multiplied by the number of calendar years since the last adjustment date, or the effective date of retirement, whichever is shorter. The benefit may only be adopted with an effective date of January 1^st each year and the City Council must adopt a resolution authorizing this adjustment. The City received letters from eight retirees requesting the City Council’s consideration of the benefit adjustment.

The FY 2006 Budget and Five Year Plan included funds for a Benefit E adjustment effective January 1, 2006 for the following reasons:

The proposed retiree benefit upgrade impacts 42 retirees. The enhancement is an annual contribution of $52,796 for 24 years, which would increase the City’s unfunded pension liability by 6%.

Council Comments and Discussion: Extensive discussion ensued regarding the proposed benefit adjustment. The following was noted:

Following deliberations, City staff was directed to work with MERS to obtain additional information on the new "Flexible E" benefit adjustment, which would provide the City with some control on the adjustment amount and to apply for an extension to the January 1, 2006 deadline.

It was suggested that City Council consider calling a study session for the new Councilmembers to assist them in understanding the City’s unfunded pension and post retirement healthcare liabilities.

Additional comments and questions from Larry Parks included:

Extensive discussion ensued regarding:

It was noted that while the Beckett and Raider, Inc. (BRI) study will address parking, it likely will not be to the degree needed. The need to remain open-minded and see what comes from the BRI study in order to determine the appropriate path was reiterated.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Dianne Massa, CMC
City Clerk