HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL MINUTES 2009-0-06 SPECIAL 37196
MINUTES OF THE TWO HUNDRED FORTY-FIFTH
SPECIAL MEETING OF JUNE 6, 2009
On June 6, 2009, the above Special Meeting was held at the City Hall,
33000 Civic Center Drive, Livonia, Michigan and was called to order by the President
of the Council at 10.01 am
Roll was called with the following result: Brian Meakin, Thomas
Robinson, John Pastor, Joe Laura, and Laura Toy Absent: James McCann and
Terry Godfroid-Marecki
Elected and appointed officials present: Don Knapp, City Attorney;
Maureen Cosgrove, Assistant City Clerk, and Mayor Jack Kirksey
There was no Audience Communication at the beginning of the meeting
it was On a motion by Meakin, seconded by Pastor, and unanimously adopted,
#241-09 WHEREAS, the core of Livonia automotive franchise
dealerships is facing elimination at an alarming pace, placing
residents, businesses, neighboring communities and the entire state
in the path of further economic devastation,
WHEREAS, the City of Livonia objects to the plans of the U S
Automotive Task Force, Chrysler and General Motors to shut down
three successful dealerships in our Plymouth Road Corridor and
endanger a fourth dealership in the process,
WHEREAS, these family dealerships have long stood as part of the
fabric of our community, not only by servicing customers and
providing jobs but also contributing to local charities and
participating in civic groups and activities,
WHEREAS, the economic health of neighboring businesses and
restaurants depends on these dealerships,
Special Meeting Minutes of June 6, 2009 37197
WHEREAS, the redistribution of dealerships to other locations will
harm the economy of Livonia and is not consistent with our Free
Market form of economy;
WHEREAS, Livonia consumers benefit from greater choice, better
service and competitive prices when the automotive dealership
marketplace is driven by competition,
WHEREAS, given the chance, Livonia automotive dealerships
would benefit from government policy that creates a fair free market
environment based on performance instead of politics,
WHEREAS, the decision to close these dealerships will have a
continuing major negative impact on the people of Livonia,
Michigan's eighth largest city,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City
of Livonia encourages Livonia residents to immediately contact
lawmakers who are making decisions on these issues to ensure
their objections to these forced dealership closings are registered
before the decisions are irreversible, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of
Livonia encourages other communities being disadvantaged by the
forced closure of dealerships that have been successful, and could
continue to be successful, to register their opposition, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Livonia urges
Michigan State Governor Granholm, the U S Automotive Task
Force and President Barack Obama to alter the course of events
now taking place, and
BE 1T FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be sent
to President Barack Obama, the U S Automotive Task Force,
Senator Jay Rockefeller (Chairman of the Senate Commerce,
Science and Transportation Committee), Senator Debbie Stabenow,
Senator Carl Levin, Congressman Thaddeus McCotter, Governor
Jennifer Granholm, State Senator Glenn Anderson, State
Representative John Walsh, State Representative Andy Dillon and
the Michigan Municipal League State and Federal Affairs Division
During Audience Communication, Maria Marino, 8942 Wormer, Redford,
expressed her belief that people who purchased foreign-made cars have contributed
to the problems negatively impacting the auto industry
Special Meeting Minutes of June 6, 2009 37198
On a motion by Meakin, seconded by Robinson, and unanimously
adopted, this 245th Special Meeting of the Council of the City of Livonia was
adjourned at 10.28 a m , June 6, 2009
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Linda Grimsby, City C4k