City Council Minutes

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City of Northville
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
November 28, 2005 – 7:00 PM

Mayor Christopher Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Northvlle City Hall Council Chambers, 215 W. Main Street, Northville, Michigan.

ROLL CALL

Present: Mayor Christopher Johnson, Mayor ProTem Carolann Ayers, Council members James Allen, Michele Fecht, and Thomas Swigart

Absent: None

Also Present: City Manager Gary Word, Assistant City Manager Nicolette Bateson, Deputy City Clerk Carol Kasprowicz, and Reporter from the Northville Record.

CITIZEN COMMENTS None

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion Ayers, seconded by Allen to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

REVIEW OF SEARCH FIRM PROPOSALS

Mayor Johnson opened the discussion with a request for Council to choose from one to three firms for interviews on Thursday, December 1, 2005. He solicited feedback from the Council members. Comments and discussion included

• The variation in proposed timelines and fees of the firms,
• The known style of the Mercer individual and the absence of a preferred individual in the MML proposal,
• The level of significance of firm follow-up and warranties,
• The comfort factor of firms having a Michigan presence,
• The desire to have the search firm do more than what the Council would do on its own.

It was decided to invite the following firms for interviews: Colin Baenziger & Associates, The PAR Group, and Slavin Management Consultants. It was suggested to change the time of the special meeting on December 1, 2005 to accommodate the three firms.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Fecht to move the interview meeting time from 7 p.m. on December 1, 2005 to 5 p.m. on December 1, 2005. Motion carried unanimously.

City Manager Word was asked for and gave direction as to what questions should be asked of the selection firms. Council members were directed to send possible interview questions to Word, who will formulate the interview questions to assist Council in the process. It was also suggested that staff organize information that would be helpful to the search firm in preparing a profile of the city.

COMMUNICATIONS

A. Mayor and Council Communications – None

B. Staff Communications:

City Manager Word stated the City has received notification from the State that a grant will be available for the reconstruction and repair of the Beal Street Bridge. Discussion ensued regarding receiving information from Northville Downs on the traffic flow from specific destination points. It was also suggested that public meetings be set up with Beal Street neighbors. More information will be needed regarding the grant.

Ayers spoke of her concern of a suggestion made to make Mary Alexander a two-way street. She suggested a review of a study previously made regarding this possibility.

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

Adjournment: 7:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz
Deputy City Clerk