HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-2008 Annual ReportCITY OF LIVONIA
ANNUAL REPORT
FISCAL YEAR
2007.2008
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
JACK E. KIRKSEY 33000 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE
MAYOR LIVONIA, MICHIGAN 481543097
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VM) 4662201
FAX. (734)4214870
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December 30, 2008
Honorable Members of the City Council
City of Livonia, MI 48154
Dear Council Members:
The Annual Report for fiscal year 2007-2008 reflects activities of the Livonia City
Departments, Commissions and Boards. The following reflects a sampling of the
information contained in various reports and some personal observations.
Finance and Information Systems
In 2008, these departments continued implementing a new financial
management system called Tiagos.neC which will provide increased data
management capabilities and online services for residents and employees when
fully implemented. A wireless network was expanded in city facilities, and
wireless was also offered to the public at the Civic Center Library and Livonia
Community Recreation Center. A new website, www.Filml-ivonia.oro was added,
an effort done jointly with the Mayor's Office, in order to draw film companies to
Livonia. In the first three months of operation, this website had approximately
84,000 page views.
Parks and Recreation
The Community Recreation Center, in its fifth year of operation, continues to
serve the community averaging over 3,000 visitors per day. Although the
Center's membership has declined due to economic factors, the overall selection
of programs and facilities there continue to out perform any other facility in the
region.
Police Department
During the fiscal year 2008, the Training Division coordinated the attendance of
their officers at 144 offsite training courses and oversaw the hiring of two Police
Service Aides. As of the fall of 2008, the City has become compliant with the
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices adopted by the Stale of Michigan in
2005, and, despite the inilial negative reaction from some citizens, traffic flow has
improved, traffic speeds and numbers of accidents have decreased, and overall
safety has increased. The Traffic Commission, Police Sergeant Dave Studt,
Mayors Office staff, and the Planning Department staff deserve a tremendous
amount of credit for the implementation and completion of this project.
Treasurer
This year the Treasurer's Office opened on Saturday, September 13, to enhance
our customer service capabilities. The Office anticipates future Saturday hours
as due dates for property taxes necessitate. The printing of summer and winter
tax bills in-house has continued resulting in a significant printing cost savings of
$4,600 per tax season, along with greater control and efficiency of mailing bills in
a more timely fashion.
Summary
Our nation, region and community are facing challenging economic times, and
forecasts are not bright for our immediate fiscal future. As we hope and work
toward recovery, the City leadership staff continues looking for ways to reduce
operating costs while, at the same time, trying to deliver an undiminished level of
service.
Our lop priority will continue to be providing the essentials — police, fire,
advanced life support, homeland security and other critical services. Other vital
work is provided by dedicated City employees who make sure our trash is
collected, our elections run smoothly, our parks are clean, our ordinances are
upheld, our streets are maintained, and all other services residents expect. For
those employees who contribute to this mission of quality, I am truly grateful. My
thanks go also to the members of City Council, the City Boards and
Commissions, and all the hundreds of volunteers whose hard work has been
evident this past year.
Livonia may soon face even more difficult financial times. As a City, it will be
necessary to once again look for new ways to do more with less. That may mean
finding ways to trim City services in ways that are imperceptible to our residents.
It will also mean that we redouble our efforts, as a City Administration, to retain
and attract businesses here. I am confident we will succeed.
Maintaining excellent service is our goal. We will continue to rely on the
collaborative efforts of our entire team to keep the City's complex service
organization providing for the needs of our wonderful community.
Sincerely,
Jack E. Kirksey
MAYOR
CITY OF LI VONIA, MICHIGAN
ANNUAL REPORT
Fiscal Year 2007-2008
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No.
Assessing Department...................................................................................1
Review, Board of
2
City Clerk
2
Civil Service Department
7
Trustees, Board of
16
Community Resources Department and Cade
19
Aging Commission
24
Arts Commission
24
Historical Commission
25
Historic Preservation Commission
27
Human Relations Commission
28
Youth Commission
29
District Court
30
Finance Department
36
Information Systems.........................................................
39
Fire Department
44
Housing Commission
53
Inspection Department
55
Building Code Board of Appeals
58
Law Department
58
Library Department & Commission
62
Parks and Recreation Department & Commission
67
Planning Department& Commission
79
Police Department and Emergency Preparedness .........................85
Public Works Department
92
Engineering Division
93
Public Service Division
96
Traffic Commission
112
Treasurer
114
Zoning Board of Appeals
118
ASSESSING DEPARTMENT
The 2008 Stale Equalized Valuation of the City real and personal properly was
$5,625,059,120 which relates to the following statisfics:
CLASS PARCELCOUNT VALUATION
Residential 38,190 3,560,611,990
Commercial 1,413 918,517,840
Industrial 868 602,713,080
Personal 4,558 543216210
$ 5,625,059,120
In addition, valuation under the Industrial Facilites Act 198 provided total
valuation of $94,130,070 as follows:
IFF Real
37,395,870
F - Personal
56,734,20
$94,130,070
All property appeared on the assessment roll at 50.00% of true cash value as
mandated by Slate Law. Annual sales studies are conducted in order to
determine market growth by neighborhood. The results of these studies are
utilized to adjust area values to the required 50% of true cash value.
The appraisal and maintenance of all residential field data is the responsibility of
this department. Records for 20 new homes were created and revisions to
approximately 553 existing property field sheets were made. Commercial and
Industrial new buildings, alterations and additions numbered 142 and were
reviewed for value for the 2008 assessment roll.
The citywide canvass continues this year with the entering of the data gathered
in prior years and the continuation of the field review of property record cards.
This is an ongoing project with the goal of bringing the assessing office in closer
compliance with the requirements of the State Tax Commission with regard to
assessing procedures.
Homesteads, Transfers, Rescissions and Uncapping Affidavits are being
interpreted and processed on a daily basis. In 2008 this generated
approximately 2,699 forms.
Lots splits and combinations are processed by this department. This office
reviews petitioner's applications and departmental correspondence for
compliance to city ordinances and procedures. If a split is nonconforming
Council action will be required. Approximately 18 splits and combinations were
completed in 2008. Of these, 1 required Council action.
Prior years Michigan Tax Tribunal appeals were finalized, 31 full tribunals and 17
small claims,for the years 2000 — 2008.
Over 5,200 personal property statements were processed for the 2008
assessment roll. A continual inspection of properties in the city is being done to
verify the fixed assets in the business as of lax day of each year. This year Tax
Management Associates has completed 82 audits to date which have generated
approximately $18,000 in additional city lax dollars. Total tax revenue generated
for all taxing entities was $78,545.
The December Board of Review meeting was held on Tuesday, December 9,
2007 in accordance with Section 211.53b of the General Property Tax Law of
Michigan to correct all mutual mistakes of fad and clerical errors.
The Livonia City Council, on February 13, 2008 (CR#42-08), set the place and
dales for the 2008 March Board of Review meetings as scheduled by the
Assessor and notice was given and published in the local newspapers.
The Board of Review meetings convened Tuesday, March 4, 2008 for a len (10)
day session of public hearings, which included an evening session. Members
Conrad Gniewek, Jollietta Coleman and Linda Trewin were in attendance. The
Board heard 589 taxpayer appeals and acted on 173 mail -in petitions.
Determination notices were mailed on April 4, 2008.
The regular session of the 1985 83rd State of Michigan Legislature has amended
Section 53b of Public Act 206 to induce a July Board of Review meeting to
correct clerical errors and mutual mistakes of fact. This meeting was held on
Tuesday, July 21, 2008.
CITY CLERK
This office is administered by the City Clerk, elected for a four-year term at an
odd year election conducted by the City of Livonia.
The powers and duties of the City Clerk are set forth in the City Charter and
statutes of the State of Michigan. The Clerk is assisted by an Assistant City
Clerk and a staff of seven who are trained specialists in delivering a variety of
services to the citizens of Livonia and the several departments of the City
administration, i.e.:
(a) 'The Clerk shall
be clerk of
the Council and shall attend
all
meetings of the
Council and
keep a permanent record of
its
meetings ..."
Special Meetings
0
0
This responsibility involves receiving all correspondence and
communications fled with the Clerk for transmission to the Council;
preparing official agendas for both Council Regular and Study
Meetings; taking and transcribing complex minutes of all Council
proceedings for the official journal as well as for all Public Hearings
conducted by the Council as required by law; notification and
publication of Notices and Public Hearings and Council
proceedings in the official newspaper as designated by the City
Council; preparation and forwarding of true copies of Council
actions to the parties affected; maintaining the official record of all
Ordinances enacted by legislative actions.
FUNCTION STATISTICS: LEGISLAWE DEPARTMENT
City Council
2007
2008
Study Meetings
24
24
Regular Meetings
24
24
Special Meetings
0
0
Council Resolutions Recorded
583
506
Ordinances Adopted
19
20
Public Hearings Conducted
46
26
(b) "The Clerk shall perform such other
duties as are required of that office
by State or Federal law, the City Charter,
the Council or Ordinances of
the City."
Required by Stale Statute to record and file a record of all deaths and births
occurring within the City for subsequent transmittal to the Stale and County
Department of Health and make available for certification copies of such records,
as can be legally released.
2007
2008
Births Recorded 1,460
1,370
Deaths Recorded 1,560
1,550
$140,000.00 $136,000.00
(c) "The City Clerk shall issue and sign all licenses granted and shall
register same.
LICENSING
During 2008 new software was implemented for processing of business, garage
sale, bicycle and pet licenses.
During the fiscal year this office of the City Clerk accepted and processed, etc.,
under Title 4 of the Livonia Code of Ordinances the following licenses:
TYPE 2007 2008
Gas Stations, Dry Cleaners, Amusement
Places, Taxi, Trailer Rental, Solicitors,
Vending Machines, Restaurants, Caterers,
etc. 1,490 1,400
FEES COLLECTED $58,100.00 $56,600.00
Garage, Basement, Rummage Sales 3,734 3,900
FEES COLLECTED $18,670.00 $19,500.00
Pel Licenses 2,948 3,119
FEES COLLECTED $22,918.00 $24,952.00
Bicyde Licenses 11 24
FEES COLLECTED $33.00 $72.00
(d) "The City Clerk shall receive for filing: zoning petitions,
subdivision plats, security bonds, etc. Comprehensive files
covering all phases of development of new subdivisions
from the Public Hearings of the City Planning Commission in
proposed plats, to the fling of all bonds and payment of
financial assurances established in the City Council's Master
Bond Resolutions to the final signatures of the City Clerk
after the final plat approval is given by the Council."
NUMBER AND TYPE OF PETITIONS FILED
2007 2008
Zoning 9 8
Vacating 0 1
Miscellaneous (Waivers) 39 30
New Plats Authorized (Preliminary) 0 0
Final Plats 0 0
4
Extensions
(e) Publica0on and Legal Notices
The City Clerk is responsible for the publication of the City
Council's proceedings in the official newspaper of the City and the
insertion of Public Notices required by law of Public Hearings and
all Ordinances duly adopted.
In addition, Ordinances are printed, collated and distributed to all
departments and interested parties. A complete file in excess of
2,806 separate Ordinances is maintained, and the Livonia Code of
Ordinances is continually updated, as amended, and on file in the
City Clerk's office.
(f) Duplicating and Mailing Figures
The City Clerk's office produces copies of the following materials
for meetings of the City Council.
All City Departments' outgoing mail is handled through mailing
equipment in the City Clerk's office and the required postage in
2008 totaled $126,133.00. All incoming mail is handled daily by the
Clerk's office and is distributed to the various departments of the
City.
2007•
2008•
Council Regular Agendas
5,304
4,800
Council Study Agendas
5,640
5,040
Special Regular Agendas
0
0
Special Regular Minutes
0
0
Council Regular Minutes
1,632
1,608
Council Study Minutes
528
528
Attorney Notes for Council Regular Meetings
1,272
960
Synopsis of Regular Council Minutes
2,256
1,944
Council Public Heanng Notices
0
0
Public Hearing Minutes
1,196
576
'Tables indicate number of sets required per year for distribution
for
each activity; number of pages varies by event
and is not induced
in total. (Agenda totals include copies for the
public.)
All City Departments' outgoing mail is handled through mailing
equipment in the City Clerk's office and the required postage in
2008 totaled $126,133.00. All incoming mail is handled daily by the
Clerk's office and is distributed to the various departments of the
City.
(g) Election Commission of Livonia (Authority - Slate Statute)
The City Clerk presides as Chairperson of the three-member
Election Commission consisting of the Clerk, Mayor and City
Attorney, charged with the responsibility of conducting all elections
within the City. The compensation of election personnel shall be
determined in advance by the Election Commission. In any case
where Election procedure is in doubt, the Election Commission
shall prescribe the procedure to be followed.
STATISTICS RELATING TO THIS FUNCTION
2007 2008
Elections Held in City 1 Primary 1 Presidential Primary
1 General 1 Primary
1 School 1 General
— 1 School
2007 2008
New Registrations 4,377 7,419
Total Registered Voters 72,022 75,083
Change of Name 512 563
Change of Address 1,457 2,015
Cancellations 3,918 4,825
Registrations by Mail 273 1,153
Number of Absentee Ballots Issued 13,351 29,961
AV Applications Issued 13,351 29,961
Notices of Election Inspectors 806 1,735
Notice of Cancellation of Registration 403 102
Sale ofVoler Registrations Lists $2,682.82 $2,851.05
(h) Other Duties and Responsibilities of the Clerk
The Clerk shall have power to administer all oaths required by
Slate Law, the Charter and Ordinances of the City.
The Clerk shall be custodian of the City Seal and shall affix it to all
documents and instruments requiring the Seal, and shall attest the
same.
The Clerk shall be custodian of all papers, documents and records
pertaining to the City of Livonia, the custody of which is not
otherwise provided for by the Charter.
As custodian of records, the office of the City Clerk, in 1985
insfituted a program of microfilming the birth and death records of
the City. In 2007 all birth and death records were scanned to
create CD-ROM's.
The Clerk shall give the proper officials of the City ample notices of
expiration or termination of any official bonds, franchises, contracts
or agreements.
The Clerk shall examine and audit all accounts and claims against
the City.
In 2008 the Clerk examined, pre -audited and signed approximately
17,529 vouchers issued by the Department of Finance for
transmittal to the City Treasurer.
The Clerk shall possess and exercise the powers of a Township
Clerk so far as the same are required to be performed within the
City.
The Clerk shall certify by signature all Ordinances and Resolutions
enacted or passed by the City Council.
The Clerk, as custodian of the cemeteries under City jurisdiction, is
in charge of all burial procedures and in 2008 there were two
authorized openings and closings at the cemeteries.
CIVIL SERVICE DEPARTMENT
The Civil Service Commission held twelve (12) Regular meetings and three (3)
Special meetings during fiscal year2007-08.
During fiscal year 2007-08, the City of Livonia completed negotiations with
AFSCME Union Local 192 and AFSCME Supervisory Union Local 1917 for
renewal of their contracts for the period December 1, 2007 to November 30,
2010; and the Livonia Police Officers Association (LPDA) for renewal of their
contract for the period December 1, 2006 to November 30, 2010.
The City and the Livonia Fire Fighters Union (LFFU) completed Act 312
Arbitration proceedings for a contract for the period December 1, 2005 to
November 30, 2008.
A tentative agreement was also reached with the Livonia Fire Fighters Union
(LFF(J) for a contract for the period December 1, 2008 to November 30, 2012,
however the Union backed out. Negotiations continue.
Negotiations continue with the Livonia Lieutenants and Sergeants Association
(LSSA) for renewal of their contract for the period December 1, 2006 through
November 30, 2009.
The organized effort to unionize Parks and Recreation employees resulted in an
election in early 2008. The employees overwhelmingly voted not to be organized
into a collective bargaining unit.
Labor -Management Committee meetings have been held to resolve employee
grievances or concerns fled by members of the AFSCME Union Local 192, the
Livonia Police Officers Association, the Livonia Police Lieutenants and Sergeants
Association and the Livonia Fire Fighters Union. These Committees consist of
representatives of the Union and the City. In the event the employee grievance
cannot be resolved through committee, the procedure permits appeal to the Civil
Service Commission and, if not resolved, through mediation and/or formal
arbitration.
The Personnel Review Committee, comprised of the Human Resources Director,
the Director of Finance, and the Director of Administrative Services met eighteen
(18) times during the current fiscal year and reviewed and made seventy-five (75)
recommendations to the Mayor on all new hires, replacement personnel and
promotions.
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PROGRAMS
HOSPITALIZATION -MEDICAL INSURANCE PLANS
Since December 1, 1994, newly hired general employees who subscribed to
hospitalization/medical insurance were required to pay a portion of their premium
costs at $30.00 for single coverage, $35.00 for two -person coverage and $40.00
for family coverage per month.
Effective December 1, 2006, all general employees and District Court TPOAM
employees hired on or after December 1, 2004, who subscribe to
hospitalization/medical benefits are required to pay a portion of their premium
costs at the above rates per month.
The annual Health and Wellness Fairwas held on three (3) separate afternoons
during February 2008 atvarious City locations, including the Police Headquarters
Training Room, the Department of Public Works Administrative Conference
Room and the City Hall Fifth Floor Gallery. Employees and retirees, along with
their immediate family members, were encouraged to attend. Representatives of
the City's occupational health services providers were present to answer
questions. In addition, representatives from the Blue Cross/Blue Shield (BCBS)
hospitalization/medical insurance plans, sponsored by the City, were present to
permit employees to review and compare plan descriptions and obtain
assistance with health care questions or problems. The meetings were well
attended with more than sixty (60) employees and family members.
Effective April 1, 2006, BC/BS became the City's only hospitalization benefit
provider, offering the BC/BS Blue Preferred Plan (PPO) and Point of Service
plans. The PPO was replaced by the Community Blue 2 (PPO) for LPOA
members effective October 1, 2006; and general employees (excluding District
Court) effective December 1, 2006,
At the end of the fiscal year, the employee and retiree hospitalization/medical
insurance enrollments are:
BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD 21 Employee subscribers
BC/BS Preferred Plan 447 Retiree subscribers
324 Retirees on Medicare
0 COBRA
BC/BS 427 Employee subscribers
Blue Choice Point of Service 126 Retiree subscribers
48 Retirees on Medicare
1 COBRA
BC/BS 116
Employee
subscribers
COMMUNITY BLUE 16
Retiree
subscribers
5
Retirees on Medicare
0
COBRA
A total of ffty4wo (52) full-time employees 'opted out" of insurance coverage
during the February 2008 open enrollment period and received $1,000.00 in lieu
of hospitalization/medical coverage. Two employees opted back in due to loss
of coverage.
The City of Livonia currently contracts for group life insurance with the Mutual of
Omaha Insurance Company at the rate of $245 per $1,000 per month volume.
Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) group insurance coverage is also
provided by Mutual of Omaha at a rate of $.02 per $1,000 volume per month.
Currently, a total of six hundred sixlyone (661) employees have life insurance
coverage in the aggregate amount of $35,442,431.20. In addition, Wenly-six
(26) retirees have a $3,000 death benefit coverage totaling $78,000; one
hundred thirty4ghl (138) retirees have a $3,500 death benefit coverage totaling
$483,000 and one hundred forty-nine (149) retirees have a $5,000 death benefit
totaling $745,000 for a total retiree group of three hundred thirteen (313) having
aggregate life insurance in the amount of $1,306,000. During the fiscal year, a
total of $104,810.96 life insurance premium and a total of $7,947.56 AD&D
premium were paid to Mutual of Omaha. There were three (3) death claims fled
during this fiscal year (1 employee and 2 retirees) totaling $75,000.
WEEKLY DISABILITY INCOME PLAN
The City of Livonia is self-insured for the weekly disability income coverage.
Effective December 1, 2006 through November 30, 2009, the disability claims are
administered by the Accident Fund Insurance Company of America for a monthly
charge of $1.00 per eligible employee. This benefit provides $250/wk to disabled
general full-time employees and $125.00 to disabled part-time employees for up
to 45 weeks; $125/wk for disabled Police Dispatcher full -lime employees for 45
weeks; and $42/Wk forlhe first 12 weeks and $100/wk for the 40 week balance of
52 weeks for disabled police and fire employees. The total premium paid to
Accident Fund was $7,726.00 for this fiscal year.
During the Fiscal Year 2007-08, there were a total of twenty-six (26) weekly
disability income claims for employees. A total dollar volume of $19,809.06 was
paid by this self-insured program.
The Civil Service Department staff administers the general employee union
tuition reimbursement programs. Twelve (12) members of AFSCME Union Local
192 expended $3,041 out of the maximum allocation of $10,000.00 during the
fiscal year. Three (3) members of the AFSCME Supervisory and Technical
Chapter of Union Local 1917 expended $875 out of the maximum allocation of
$3,475 during the fiscal year.
OPTICAL PLAN
The City offers a optical benefit program with two providers: Suburban Eye Care
(a private Livonia optometric practice), and retail provider, Coop Optical who has
multiple area locations. Employee usage and costs incurred during the fiscal
year at these centers or through the reimbursement option were as follows:
10
Safety Glasses 3 $ 173.00
Direct Reimbursement 37 3,419.50
Co -Op Optical 69 5,272.00
Suburban Eye Care 207 17,372.00
Total 316 $26,236.50
DENTAL PROGRAM
All employees have a dental reimbursement or direct payment program to the
Dentist as the expenses are incurred. Billings for services rendered during the
fiscal year must be submitted within 30 days of the November 30" fiscal year end
for consideration. A summary of the employee reimbursements and hardship
advances during the fiscal year to dale are:
Number of Total Average
Transactions Amount Paid Paymen
Reimbursement/Direct Payment 1139 $315,952.16 $277.39
The dental reimbursement may also include payment for Dental Insurance
premiums.
General employees (excluding District Court) are eligible for 50% of the fees for
orthodontic services for a lifetime maximum of $1500 per family limited to the
employee, their spouse and dependents until the end of the year they reach age
19. Police, Fire and Court employees are eligible for 50% of the fees for a
lifetime maximum of $1000 per family.
The summary of the orthodontic service claims received this fiscal year is:
Number of Claims Total Amount Paid
Police/Fire 9 $ 7,616.50
General 15 $16767.58
Total 24 $24,384.08
The City of Livonia contracts the self-insured worker's disability compensation
program with the third party administrator, Accident Fund Insurance Company of
America. The contract for these services is effective December 1, 2006 through
November 30, 2009. The net total incurred loss on open claims from December
1, 2007, through November 30, 2008, is $351,543.47, which is down from the
11
2006-07 loss of $905,490.47. This loss includes weekly wage loss indemnity
benefits, medical services, related legal, vocational rehabilitation and other
miscellaneous expenses for approximately one hundred fourteen (114) employee
claims. Employees receive treatment for work-related injuries or illnesses at
Providence Corporate Health Services and Midwest Health Center.
The City of Livonia participates in the Michigan Municipal League Unemployment
Compensation Group Account. The firm of TALX UC Express is the service
agent of this group account. The Civil Service Department responded to
approximately forty-nine (49) former employee claims for unemployment benefits
fled with the Michigan Employment Security Administration (MESA). To dale, a
total of $101,376 benefit charges have been received for this fiscal year.
CIN PHYSICIAN AND MEDICAL CLINICS
Pre-employment, return -to -work and occupational injurylllness medical
examinations and treatment are provided by the authorized City Physician, Sl.
John Providence Corporate Health Services. Also, Sl Mary Mercy Hospital has
provided medical services for Police and Fire personnel and emergency services
only for general employees. Our records indicate forty (40) regular employee
preemployment (full -lime and part -lime) examinations, seventy (70) pre-
employment physicals for temporary employees, and one hundred seven (107)
physicals for return to work. Dr. Lyle Danuloff, Ph.D., the Citys Consulting
Psychologist, conducted three (3) MCOLES examinations for Police Service
Aides entrance into the Police Academy. Dr. Danuloff also completed twenty-
one (21) evaluations for Public Safely new hire positions. In addition, there were
medical consultations with regard to employee health and occupational safety
matters as it related to infectious diseases and worker's compensation claims,
including continuation of preemployment auditory, TB and pulmonary function
examinations for fire fighter and police officer new hires in compliance with
MIOSHA requirements. Alcohol and drug testing for employees assigned to
drive specific types of Department of Public Works vehicles are being
coordinated in compliance with federal regulations.
SAFETY
A representative of the Accident Fund Loss Prevention Division, the third party
administrator of the City's self insured Worker's Compensation Program,
conducted four (4) loss prevention facility lours with Civil Service and Public
Works staff during the fiscal year. The facilities reviewed were the Public Service
Garages, DPW Administration office, Vehicle Maintenance Garage Office and the
Civic Center, Sandburg and Noble Libraries.
12
One hundred nineteen (119) employees received service recognition awards in
FY 2007-08.
The Civil Service Department has continued an affirmative recruitment program
through newspaper advertisements in the Observer/Eccentric, the Detroit
News/Detroit Free Press, and notices to various colleges, training schools,
MESA, handicapper rehabilitation services, and minority community based
organizations. The total number of advertisements published during Fiscal Year
2007-08 were: the Detroit News — 8; Livonia Observer — 8; Michigan Municipal
League — 1; several professional association publications, the Internet
recruitment service Falcon Associates (government jobs), the City of Livonia
Spring and Fall News, and Cable Channel 8.
In accordance with the Affirmative Action policy adopted by the Civil Service
Commission, the Civil Service staff continued its efforts to make examinations
and position descnpfions as job-related as possible. Proposed qualifications for
each new examination were reviewed by the respective Department staff and the
Civil Service Commission in order to establish prerequisites which were
appropriate to the positions being filled. In addition, the Civil Service staff
completed several state and federal equal employment opportunity reports,
surveys from other communities and prepared a monthly summary report to the
Civil Service Commission concerning the race and gender characteristics of all
applicants for open -competitive examinations, the resulting eligible lists, and all
regular employee hires and terminations.
13
Service
Awards
Level of Service
Presented
Five Years
13
Ten Years
37
Fifteen Years
18
Twenty Years
37
Twenty -Five Years
8
Thirty Years
6
Thirty -Five Years
0
Forty Years
0
Forty -Five Years
0
Total
119
The Civil Service Department has continued an affirmative recruitment program
through newspaper advertisements in the Observer/Eccentric, the Detroit
News/Detroit Free Press, and notices to various colleges, training schools,
MESA, handicapper rehabilitation services, and minority community based
organizations. The total number of advertisements published during Fiscal Year
2007-08 were: the Detroit News — 8; Livonia Observer — 8; Michigan Municipal
League — 1; several professional association publications, the Internet
recruitment service Falcon Associates (government jobs), the City of Livonia
Spring and Fall News, and Cable Channel 8.
In accordance with the Affirmative Action policy adopted by the Civil Service
Commission, the Civil Service staff continued its efforts to make examinations
and position descnpfions as job-related as possible. Proposed qualifications for
each new examination were reviewed by the respective Department staff and the
Civil Service Commission in order to establish prerequisites which were
appropriate to the positions being filled. In addition, the Civil Service staff
completed several state and federal equal employment opportunity reports,
surveys from other communities and prepared a monthly summary report to the
Civil Service Commission concerning the race and gender characteristics of all
applicants for open -competitive examinations, the resulting eligible lists, and all
regular employee hires and terminations.
13
EXAMINATION PROGRAM
The Civil Service staff continued to prepare and administer open -competitive and
promotional examinations as requested by City Department Heads. During
Fiscal Year 2007-08, a total of 13 open -competitive and 21 promotional
examinations were announced. The Civil Service Department received 854
applications for open -competitive examinations and 128 for promotional
examinations during the fiscal year. In addition the Department received 505
applications for temporary employment opportunities in various Parks and
Recreation positions; 113 applications for Seasonal Laborer; 7 applications for
Seasonal Laborer -Engineering; 31 applications for Seasonal Clerk; 88
applications for Student Page; 123 applications for Library Page; 5 applications
for Substitute Librarian; 49 applications for Temporary Clerical; 18 applications
for School Crossing Guard; 37 applications for Police Reserve Officer; and 2
applications for Police Matron.
TRAINING
During FY 2007-08, the Civil Service Department sponsored several employee -
training activities.
Between December 2007 and November 2008, Civil Service Staff coordinated
multiple educational presentations sponsored by financial representatives from
the Deferred Compensation 457 Plan providers including Nationwide Retirement
Solutions, ICMA Retirement Corporation and Community Choice Credit Union.
Over 125 employees scheduled individual appointments with the Deferred
Compensation 457 Plan on-site representatives.
Great West Retirement Services is the Plan Administrator for the 401(a) Defined
Contribution Plan. The Account Representative, Greg Wood, conducted
numerous on-site meetings and training sessions in 2008. Approximately one
hundred sixty-nine (169) employees attended the sessions in which enrollment,
investment education and training on the new investment product 'Reality
Investing' was reviewed..
It should be noted that the City's contract with Great West was scheduled to end
in September 2007, however, a month to month extension of the current
agreement has been authorized by City Council until the Request For Proposal
(RFP) process is completed. Additionally, this matter has been referred to the
Finance, Insurance and Budget Committee to allow for presentations to City
Council from the highest rated vendors.
In November 2008, Civil Service staff coordinated Citywide day long training on
"How to Handle the Upset Citizen" for thirty-seven (37) employees.
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EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
A subcommittee comprised of a police/fire union representative, a general
employee union representative, the Youth Assistance Program Supervisor, two
(2) behavioral health service EAP providers and the Human Resources Director
continue to oversee the Emergency Behavioral Health Service Referral Network.
For the FY 2007-08, a total of 11 employees, 2 employee family members and 2
residents received crisis intervention individual counseling sessions at the limit of
5 sessions totaling $400 per individual. In addition, EAP providers have been
called upon to assist Departments with group conflict resolution exercises.
Services totaled approximately $3,840.00.
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program has mirrored their
behavioral health -counseling program to the City's EAP and uses many of the
same referral network of providers. A total of $1,688.60 in CDBG funds has
been expended during FY 2007-08 provided to 15 I ow -income residents.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
1. The Civil Service staff coordinated one (1) Employee Blood Drive in 2008
and assisted in the coordination of two (2) additional drives at the
Community Recreation Center. A total of six"even (67) pints of blood
were donated by City employees during the drives, conducted in March,
May and in September.
2. The Critical Incident Response Team (GIRT) comprised of members from
Police, Fire, Law, Public Service, the Mayor's Office, the Council Office,
the Director of Emergency Preparedness and Civil Service continued its
mission during the past year. The Team continues to evaluate potential
violence problems and recommends assessment or intervention plans.
The members of the Team have not responded to any possible workplace
violence situations this year.
3. Dr. Kenneth Wolf continues to work with the Police Department on their
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Program and work in DPW investigating
confrontational situations.
4. The Civil Service staff continued the on-site "Flu Shot" program in
cooperation with Providence Hospital Corporate Health Services. Sixty
(60) employees and immediate family members received inoculations for a
nominal fee at several City worksite locations.
15
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Following is a report on the activities and accomplishments of the Board of
Trustees of the Livonia Employees Retirement System for the period December
1, 2007 through November 30, 2008:
1. DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN
a) The Board of Trustees held twelve (12) Regular Meetings during this
period.
b) As of November 30, 2008, the retirement system Defined Benefit
Plan had five hundred thirty-seven (537) retirees or surviving
spouses plus seven (7) Eligible Domestic Relations Orders (EDRO's)
(Divorced Prior to Retirement) and five (5) Alternate Payees
(Divorced after Retirement) for a total of five hundred forty-nine (549)
receiving pension checks. Twelve (12) City retirees died during fiscal
year 2007-2008. The total pension payroll fiscal year to date is
$11,863,219 through November 2008.
c) The team of David Sowerby and Kenneth Johnson, Loomis -Sayles
and Company, advises the Board on investments for the Defined
Benefit Plan and uses discretionary power regarding investments
subject to confirmation by the Board. The Board approved
investment transactions by Loomis -Sayles and Company at regular
meetings. The Defined Benefit fund had a value of $148,560,368 as
of October 31, 2008.
d) In May 2008, the Board reviewed the fifty-fifth (551h) annual actuarial
valuation as of November 30, 2007, for the Livonia Employees
Retirement System, prepared by the Board's Actuary, Rodwan
Consulting Company. The Plan covered five hundred forty-seven
(547) retirees, twenty-six (26) deferred and two hundred forty-three
(243) employees for a total of eight hundred sixteen (816). The
Actuary reported that the accrued actuarial condition of the
Retirement System is "very good".
e) The funded ratio of actuarial value of assets to actuarial accrued
liability for the Retirement System Defined Benefit Plan was 124.3%
as of November 30, 2007.
f) Merrill -Lynch continues to provide quarterly performance evaluation
of the Defined Benefit Plan.
g) The 2007-08 annual soft dollar expense for the Merrill Lynch
Performance Measurement Report was $57,000.
16
h) Effective July 5, 2000, the Board entered into a Securities Lending
Agreement with Comerica Bank. Total earnings from the Securities
Lending Agreement with Comerica from December 1, 2007 through
October 31, 2008 were $94,625.94.
i) In June 2001, the Board approved a $5 million investment with
MuniMae Midland LLC, in the Midland Multifamily Equity Real Estate
Investment Trust (REIT) offering, In April 2002, the Board approved
an additional $5 million investment for a total of $10 million invested
in the Midland Multifamily Equity REIT. Total interest earnings from
December 1, 2007 through November 30, 2008 were $954,448.18.
j) In March 2002, the Board approved a $5 million investment with
Cohen & Steers Capital Management Inc., in a Real Estate
Investment Trust (REIT), separately managed account. The account
market value reported as of October 31, 2008 was $3,281,466.
k) Approximately seventy-five (75) requests for retirement estimates
under the Defined Benefit Plan were processed by the Civil Service
Department Staff.
1) The Board of Trustees continues to distribute monthly pension
checks directly to members of the Defined Benefit Plan with these
checks being processed by the staff of the Civil Service Department
m) Members of the Board attended the Michigan Association of Public
Employees Retirement System (MAPERS) Conferences at Soaring
Eagle, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, from May 31 to June 3, 2008; and at
the Grand Traverse Resort, Acme, Michigan, from September 13 to
September 16, 2008.
2. DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
a) The Board of Trustees held twelve (12) Regular Meetings during this
period.
b) The Defined Contribution Plan Administrator continues to be Great
West Refirement Services.
It should be noted that the City's contract with Great West was
scheduled to end in September 2007, however, a temporary
extension of the current agreement on a month to month basis has
been authorized by City Council until the Request For Proposal
(RFP) process is completed. Additionally, this matter has been
referred to the Finance, Insurance and Budget Committee to allow
forpresentations to City Council from the highest rated vendors.
17
c) The Defined Contribution Fund had a total account ending balance of
$40,077,076 as of September 30, 2008, for four hundred thirteen
(413) active participants; sixty-six (66) participants who terminated
employment and have an ending account balance; and two (2)
participants with a zero ending account balance.
d) As of November 30, 2008, a total of eighty-six (86) employees have
retired under the Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.
3. LIVONIA RETIREE HEALTH AND DISABILITY BENEFITS PLAN (VEBA)
a) The Board held twelve (12) Regular Meetings for the VEBA Plan.
b) Mr. Sowerby and Mr. Johnson advised the Board on investments for
the VEBA. The VEBA had a value of $42,172,036 as of October 31,
2008.
Note: The VEBA was established at the recommendation of the
former Actuary to the Board of Trustees, Gabriel, Roeder, Smith and
Co., forpurposes ofplacing in a tax free trust hospitalization -medical
insurance benefit funds for members of the DB and the DC Plans, as
well as to permit separate funding for DC Plan member disability
retirements.
c) In May 2008, the Board reviewed the tenth (10"' annual actuarial
valuation as of November 30, 2007, for the VEBA, as prepared by
the Board's Actuary, Rodwan Consulting Company. The Actuary
reported that the amortization periods adopted by the Board of
Trustees for the funding purposes of this Plan are 30 years for
disability benefits and 40 years for health insurance benefits. The 40
year amortization period produces a conlnbution that is less than the
Annual Required Contribution (ARC), and results in a contribution
deficiency in the Plan's financial report.
d) The funded ratio of actuarial value of assets to actuarial accrued
liability for the City of Livonia Retiree Health and Disability Benefits
Plan and Trust (VEBA) was 45.6% as of November 30, 2007. The
unfunded liability is $62,882,965.
e) Effective April 1, 2006, BC/BS became the City's only hospitalization
benefit provider, offering the BC/BS Blue Preferred Plan (PPO) and
Point of Service plans. The PPO was replaced by the Community
Blue 2 (PPO) for LPOA, LFFU and all general employees (excluding
District Court employees).
lD
f) Effective December 6, 2007, all general employees (excluding
Distract Court employees) are contributing 2% of pension eligible
wages to the City's Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association
(VEBA) Retiree Health and Disability Benefits Plan. Effective
December 1, 2006, all LPOA and LFFU employees are contributing
2% of pension eligible wages to the VEBA. This does not include
overtime earnings and this contribution is in pre-tax dollars.
g) The Board received $270,978.88 from the Centers of Medicare
Retiree Drug Subsidy Program. This payment represents a return to
the retirement system for prescription drug costs under Medicare
Part D for retirees and covers the period December 1, 2006 through
November 30, 2007. The funds were electronically deposited into
the VEBA account on November 14, 2008.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND CABLE
PUBLICATIONS
• City Newsletter — four (4) issues published and mailed to approximately
43,000 residences and businesses
• Brochures, newsletters and flyers were prepared for specific programs
COMMUNITY GARDENS
• Cash collected for Garden Plots $5,580
• Plots available for planting 257
• Plots purchased 202
• Plots purchased by 100 residents 149 at $25.
• Plots purchased by 50 non residents 53 at $35.
Richard Strzalkowski hours for 2008: 294.5 hours
In January of 2008, the gardeners from 2007 were contacted to pay for their plots
ifthey wished to continue gardening in 2008. We added a Hold Harmless
Agreement to the Community Garden sign-up this year. We also met with the
City of Hazel Park to help them establish a Community Garden in their city.
Open enrollment became available to all the Iasi week of March. The gardens
were plowed by the Department of Public Works in May and slaked by the 16th
Distract Court Probation Department. The Department of Public Works delivered
six truckloads of mulch and four loads of wood chips. This was supervised by
Richard Strzalkowski, the Garden Supervisor. Richard repaired and purchased
hoses, helped all gardeners find their plots, and answered and resolved all
garden issues. Richard was available three to four days a week during the entire
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time the garden was open in order to assist gardeners with any issues that might
arise. There were very few complaints this year. In September, we held the
annual Gardeners' picnic, which was well attended. In October, we closed the
Gardens, and once again the Department of Public Works plowed the gardens
under after the 16"' District Court's Probation program cleaned up the gardens.
VOLUNTEER & SPECIAL PROJECTS
Information & Complaint Center — four (4) volunteers handled 801
telephone calls. There were no TTY/TDD calls or formal complaints
processed.
City Hall Tours — There were six (6) tours conducted with nine (9) various
groups, for a total of 65 participants.
• Rouge Rescue — Rouge Rescue activities, in conjunction with Take Pride
in Livonia Day, were held at Moelke Park on May 3rd. These activities
were coordinated by 17 staff from Public Service and three (3) Community
Resource staff. They were assisted by 65 volunteers (Cub/Boy Scouts,
Gid Scouts and Brownie Troops, Tiger Cub Scouts, Livonia Jaycees,
Wolverine Sports & Conservation Club of Livonia, Livonia Rotary Club,
Catholic Central High School, Franklin High School Interact Club, Holmes
Middle School, Taft Elementary School, Sl. Damian School, Churchill High
School, Stevenson High School Environmental Class, National Honors
Society, Global Ed Class, and the Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church
Youth Group). Activities focused on trash, debris, and invasive species
removal. Volunteers filled 121 plastic garbage bags and removed six (6)
shopping carts, three (3) appliances (washer, dryer and wood stove), a
vacuum cleaner, plastic pool, car bench seat, roll of carpeting, metal barrel
and an electric toy car. We acknowledge Stan's Markel, Busch's Market,
Korca's Coney Island Restaurant and Larry's Foodland for their generous
donations of refreshments and snacks.
RESIDENT ASSISTANCE
• Emergency Certificates — assisted 76 families with $3,050.00 in Stan's
Markel and Larry's Foodland gift certificates thanks to the generous
donations of local businesses, organizations and individuals
• Utility Assistance - CDBG funds assisted nine (9) low-income
households with utility shutoff bills totaling $ 4,193.56. Police -
Forfeiture funds assisted four (4) low-income households with utility
shutoff bills totaling $1,998.81
Clerical, technical
and budgetary assistance
was provided to the
Aging, Arts,
Cable, Historical,
Historic Preservation,
Human Relations
and Youth
Commissions.
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LIVONIA COMMUNITY TRANSIT (LCT)
Community Resources has the administrative responsibility of providing
transportation for Livonia senior citizens and disabled residents. Livonia
Community Transit also provides "to work" transportation for people using the
SMART and D -DOT bus systems by picking them up from hubs located at
Millennium Park and near Botsford Hospital and then taken to predetermined
work locations. Riders are picked up beginning in the morning at 6:00, 7:00 and
8:00 a.m. and again for the return trip in the afternoon a14:00, 5:00 and 6:00 p.m.
Municipal contracts and applicable grants, which are administered by SMART,
are monitored and prepared by the Community Resources staff. The Livonia
Community Transit system has a fleet of 15 vehicles (small buses and vans).
The vehicles are driven by 27 part-fime bus drivers with Commercial Drivers
Licenses. The Transit office is supervised by an Assistant Grant Manager and
four (4) other part-time employees, who help coordinate the drivers and their
schedules. The system provided over 40,000 rides. These rides totaled over
289,000 miles and over 17,000 service hours.
CIVIC PARK SENIOR CENTER
Participation in activities during 2008 totaled approximately 130,000 seniors.
14,455 congregate meals were served. Activities included: health screening,
educational classes, support groups, fitness classes, cards and games, arts &
crafts, senior sports, Medicare counseling, etc. Volunteers logged 15,393 hours.
SUPPORT SERVICES, GIFTS, GRANTS, AND TRANSPORTATION
Senior Center Staffing Grant, Michigan Office of Services to the Aging Grant and
C.D.B.G. funds totaled $151,488. Donations in the amount of $13,000 were
received.
Federal and State grants and donations provided:
175 hours of Telephone Reassurance to 10 seniors
1,000 hours of Information and Referral to 1500 seniors
Home maintenance service to 48 homes
15,740 one-way rides through the senior transportation program
38,736 meals were delivered by volunteers to home bound seniors
REFERRAL SOURCES:
2008 Referrals: 77 New Cases — (38 Male and 39 Female)
Carry Over Cases from 2007: 106
21
Total Cases served in 2008: 183
2008 NEW CASES REPRESENT THE FOLLOWING
REFERRAL AGENCIES:
Livonia Police Department
34
Third Circuit Court -Juvenile Division
09
Surrounding Police Departments
33
(Westland and Novi)
Voluntary Referral
01
40 parents completed the Alternative Parenting Skills group.
Program youth performed 770 hours of Community Work Service.
42 youth completed "Project Impact' (social Irving skills) group (12 hours
each).
31 males participated in the JAG (Juvenile Awareness Program) at Milan
Federal Prison.
29 males and 31 females attended the Wayne County Jail tour.
456 Youth used the services of the Youth Employment Resource Center
that listed over 652 job openings with 350 employers
Wayne County grants: Child Care Fund $ 4,500.
1/10r" Mill Fund $18,300.
LIVONIA CABLE TELEVISION
Produced 179 programs (4,066.45 production hours) for City Channel 8,
including the live coverage of City public meetings: City Council Study and
Regular meetings and Planning Commission meetings.
Utilized 241.75 hours of volunteer assistance from certified residents in the
production of City Channel 8 programs.
Logged 68 Bright House Networks and 45 AT&T complaints/inquiries re: rates,
reception, programming choices and the desire of competition for cable television
and internet access using cable modems.
Channel 8 staff maintained radio station WPZY, 1670 AM, providing up-to-date
information regarding road closures, snow emergencies and other vital
information relating to the public safety and well being within our community.
Channel 8 staff produced Website streaming media and updated monthly.
Upgraded Cable staff workroom Avid Computer -Based Editor.
In cooperation with' LPD, using Homeland Security funds, purchased and
installed new router for cable over -ride of Emergency Warning Signal.
22
Upgraded City Hall Auditorium to more efficient and cooler television lighting.
Community Resources has administrative responsibility for the Historical and
Historic Preservation Commissions. The reports pertaining to these activities can
be found under the Historical Commission and Historic Preservation
Commission.
In addition, the Community Resources staff at Greenmead:
• Conducted day -today operation of Greenmead
• Maintained Historical Commission records including minutes, volunteer hours,
caretaker reports, contracts, and budgets
• Coordinated weekday tours, Sunday lours, Gift Shop operations, Newburg
School usage, Newburg Church, Alexander Blue House and Meeting House
rentals. Properly usage includes weddings, meetings, luncheons, and private
parties.
• Implemented Historical Commission resolutions
• Assisted with the development, planning and implementation of 20 special
events, fundraisers and community projects sponsored by the Historical
Commission, Friends of Greenmead, Livonia Historical Society, Queslers, St.
Andrew's Society of Detroit, Greenmeadows — Native Lands, 17" Michigan
Civil War Re -enactors, A.M.C. Car Club, Mustang Car Show and Garden
Club.
• Worked with D.P.S. to define and prioritize maintenance work including
replacement of side door at the Alexander Blue House, and the replacement
of the furnace at Farmhands House. Assisted with oversight on roof repair
and ceiling replacement at the Hill House. Coordinated location and
placement of additional outdoor lighting
• Coordinated the painting of the General Store, and replacement of the light
fixtures at Newburg School
• Assisted Building Inspection with the coordination of the finish work and
painting of offices on the second floor of the Blue House, installation of
security cameras, intercom security -entrance system, and purchase of
furniture for the Blue House.
• Coordinated Greenmead's volunteer program, published issues of the
Volunteer Voice Newsletter, and scheduled volunteers for lours and special
events
• Provided work site and supervision for community service probationers and
community service projects
• Hosted several professional and volunteer gatherings such as a Volunteer
Reception, Friends of Greenmead Luncheon, Historical Society, and Police
Reserves Picnic
• Provided a project site for the Master Gardener Program and support for the
volunteer gardeners program
23
• Provided a site and support for several Eagle Scout Projects
The Commission continues to publish the "Heritage' as part of the City
Newsletter. It is distributed to all homes and businesses in the City of Livonia.
Commission funds are used.
In April, the Commission helped organize the annual Senior Center Consumer
Fair.
In June, the Commission co-sponsored the annual Senior Citizens Picnic held at
the Eddie Edgar Ice Arena. The Commission paid for entertainment and a
portion of the food. The Commission was in charge of bingo and a 50/50 rattle.
In October, the Commission provided handouts and worked at Senior
Celebration Day. Commission funds were used.
In November, the Commission provided transportation for a holiday event for the
Senior Center volunteers. Handouts were purchased for the holidays.
Commission funds were used.
At its November 2008 meeting, pursuant to its by-laws, the Commission held its
annual election. The following officers were unanimously elected to one-year
terms commencing December 1, 2008.
Chairperson: Clara Karr
1"Vice Chairperson: Joan O'Brien
2n° Vice Chairperson: Josephine Smith
Treasurer: Florence Yeomans
Secretary: Robert Carris
LIVONIA ARTS COMMISSION
The Livonia Arts Commission held its meetings on the 4"' Tuesday of each month
in the Mayor's Conference Room of Livonia City Hall.
The 2008 officers were: Chairperson: Donna Eno; Vice Chairperson: Dan
Spuding; Secretary: Vivienne Manwaring/Grace Karczewski; Treasurer: Virginia
Bosak.
During the year, a resignation letter was received from Vivienne Manwaring.
24
Active Commission members include Virginia Bosak, Jason Claypoole, Donna
Eno, Mary Fisher-Smith, Conrad Gniewek, Grace Karczewski, Frank Petersmark,
Came Spuding, and Dan Spurling. The years newest appointed commissioners
were returning commissioners Fred Aceni and Seymour Le Vine. At this time,
the Commission has four open positions.
Budgeted Free-Admission Activities: The Commission appropriated $2,000 to
co-sponsor the monthly Noontime Concerts held at the Civic Center Library.
Music from the Heart was held at Civic Center Park and at the Community
Recreation Center in July and August and included the Livonia Youth Symphony.
Three Garage Band music concerts for teens were also held at Civic Center
Park. The Youth Commission donated $500 toward the series. Total expenses
for both series were $13,200.
Commission Sponsored Community Activities: A $500 grant to the Visual
Arts Association of Livonia and a $300 to Emily Poppenger for Fine Arts Camp
were awarded. Scholarships were awarded totaling $4,000 in an art-related field
at a post high school learning institution.
Commission Donations: Livonia Symphony, $5,000; Greenmead's Garden and
Christmas Walks, $100 each.
The Commission held its 11" Annual Fine Arts Exhibition in September. The
selected artwork was displayed in the 21d floor Art Gallery of the Civic Center
Library. Ninety two entries were chosen for exhibifion from the over 300
submissions. Prize money awarded totaled $2,950. A $250 corporate
sponsorship donation was received from Eastern Michigan University.
Artwork from regional artists was displayed monthly in the Civic Center Library
Gallery and in the City Hall Atrium. The Library-sponsored Teen Camp appeared
in the Gallery in February. Arts Commissioners displayed their artwork in July
and City employee art was displayed in November in the City Hall Atrium.
Commission-Sponsored Receptions: The Fine Ads Exhibifion was held in
September at the Civic Center Library. Greenmead was the site of a reception for
scholarship winners, and individual artist receptions were held monthly in the
Civic Center Library Gallery.
Art from the Heart in 2008 consisted of approximately seventy five exhibitors, and
was held in Civic Center Park. Dollars generated from the fesfival allow for the
continued art and cultural experiences that the Commission works to host each
year.
Seymour Le Vine secured a grant in the amount of $1,050 from Michigan's Arts &
Humanities to present Jazzistry, a louring company that includes jazz music and
25
history. This event will be presented to the public in the Civic Center Library
auditorium on January 21, 2009.
Seymour Le Vine attended Arlserve's Arts and Advocacy Day in Lansing in
March.
Dan Spurling, Donna Eno, and Seymour Le Vine attended a seminar on the
Cultural Data Program in October.
Livonia Public Schools PTSA asked the Commission to judge its entries in their
Reflections competition.
The Commission co-sponsored the Martin Luther King, Jr. art contest, along with
the Human Relations Commission, during the January celebration event.
The Commission maintains a website, artsaci.livonia.mi.us
The Livonia Arts Commission's mission statement is: 'To preserve, promote,
sponsor and develop the Arts in Livonia. To continue community access to art
experiences, opportunities and improving community awareness"
LIVONIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION
The Livonia Histoncal Commission was established by ordinance in June of 1958
and has celebrated its 50"' anniversary this year.
One hundred and thirty eight volunteers have helped the staff and the
commission to hold 17 activities at Greenmead Historical Park this year. Teas
were held this year in December, February, April and July. About 80 women
attended the Catherine's Table luncheon was held in November. Peter Rabbit's
adventure was held in May, and a Halloween Walk was held in October. A Flea
Markel was held by the commission in June and by the Livonia Historical Society
in September. Greenmead is one of the starting points for the Friend's of
Greenmead Garden and Christmas Walks. Sl Andrews Society held their 159"'
Highland Games in August. The Mustang and American Motors clubs each held
car shows in August. Green Meadows rented the grounds for their Native Lands
program in the sprang. About three thousand children and adults attended that
event. Two nights of candlelight tours closed out the season. There were 25
Church rentals, and the Alexander Blue House was rented 55 times.
Twenty three gardeners cared for the flower gardens around the Hill House and
two gardens in the historical village. In May the gardeners held a plant sharing.
26
The Geer Store was painted and rotted wood was replaced, where needed. The
original part of the Alexander Blue roof was reroofed with wood shingles. The
Historical Society helped pay forthis project.
Eagle projects: The walkways up to the Geer store were redone, and the area in
front of the building was regraded. Porches were painted at the Kingsley,
Bungalow and the Farm Hands houses. The Hill House basement was cleaned
out.
Lindy Donigan, a granddaughter of the Hill's, held a fund raiser on the back lawn
in late summer to raise funds for the restoration of the Hill House.
The Michigan One -Room Schoolhouse Association held its stale conference at
the Alexander Blue House in May.
In the fall, the Greenmead office was moved from Hinbern to the 2n° floor of the
Alexander Blue House. The gift shop at Hinbern was expanded and the back
area is being used for processing and cataloging of the artifact collection.
A staff person and a commissioner attended the spring MOMCC (Midwest
Outdoor Museum Coordinating Council) Conference in northern Indiana. Two
staff members and four commissioners attended the fall MOMCC conference at
Spring Mill State Park in southern Indiana. Kathie Glynn, Historic Preservation
Commissioner, also attended both the spring and fall conferences and is helping
to plan the March 2009 conference, which will be hosted by Greenmead.
HISTORIC DISTRICT RESOURCES:
The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) meets the first Wednesday of the
month in the Blue House at Greenmead, Livonia, Michigan. A website is in
development to highlight the historic districts in Livonia on the City Website.
KATOR— SHAY HOUSE
Exterior changes to the house in 2005 are in the process of being resolved with
the HPC. The changes (paint and front porch railings and paint) were not
reviewed by HPC per the local ordinance. The owner has been in contact with
the commission to resolve the issues (paint and front porch railings), and has
received commission approval in 2008 to repaint the house and trim with
approved commission colors.
GREENMEAD
The HPC recommends that a Master Plan (Cultural Resource Management Plan)
be developed for Greenmead before any future decisions are made.
27
Alexander Blue House
The Blue House was reroofed with appropriate cedar -shake shingles as
approved bythe HPC in 2007.
Hill House
The HPC has representafives on the restorafion committee to renovate the Hill
House. The committee is reviewing the requirements of the Historical
Commission and the necessary repairs to the structure, while considering
alternate fuel sources for healing and cooling.
NEWBURG CEMETERY
The Commission was contacted by Boy Scout Eric Mlynar of a Westland Troop
to clean up the cemetery located on Ann Arbor Trail for an Eagle Scout project.
The Commission approved the proposal and requirements for the clean up with
Eric. The boy scouts removed old brush and debris and repainted the fence
along Ann Arbor Trail.
COMMISSIONERS
The Commission is actively pursuing the appointment of another commissioner
with a preservation background to fill the vacant commission seat.
Commissioners James Kline and Ralph Bakewell were reappointed by the Mayor
to the commission for another three year term.
OFFICER ELECTION
Election of officers held in November, results as follows:
• —Chairperson— Kathleen Johnson Barlshe
• —Vice Chairperson—Don Knapp
• —Secretary— Ralph Bakewell
• -Treasurer — James Kline
On January 21, 2008, The Livonia Human Relations Commission, along with the
Arts Commission and PLAID (People of Livonia Addressing Issues of Diversity)
celebrated Martin Luther King Jr's. birthday with a formal program held in the
Livonia City Hall Library Auditorium. Our keynote speaker was Warren C. Evans,
Wayne County Sheriff.
On April 17, 2008, the Human Relations Commission presented Kathy La Combe
and Livonia Public Schools, Webster Elementary with Honor Roll Awards for their
promotion of diversity and distinguished community service. The awards were
presented by Mayor Jack E. Kirksey at a reception held in their honor.
28
The Commission was represented at the Mayor's State of the City address on
March 11, 2008.
On November 12, 2008, Deputy Chief Curtis Caid from the Livonia Police
Department reported to the Commission on Hate Crimes in the City of Livonia for
2008.
Officers for 2008 were
George Saba — Chairperson
James Roye— isr Vice Chairperson
Catherine Starks —2nd Vice Chairperson
Secretary—Ronald Amen (Elaine Livingway, Christopher Deal)
LIVONIA COMMISSION ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH
In 2008, the Livonia Commission on Children and Youth continued the
administration of the scholarship program sponsored by the Livonia Anniversary
Committee. The Commission distributed brochures advertising the scholarships
to the local high schools and libraries. Information about the scholarships was
presented in the Winter News, on City Channel 8, the City's website, and was
also made available at the Department of Community Resources office. More
than thirty applications were submitted for the eight $2,000 awards.
Commissioners Dan Spurling, Jeff Nork, Jessica Claypoole, and Jerry Krause
reviewed and selected the most deserving recipients. Awards were presented
during the Spree Breakfast in June.
Acknowledging that Back to School is a costly time of the year for parents, the
Commission held its school supply program for the third consecutive year. The
Commission dslribuled more than 300 backpacks and school supplies, which
were purchased with its funds as well as donations, to families whose names
were provided by the Livonia Goodfellows. Commissioners Dan Spuding and Jeff
Nork were primarily responsible for this project and were assisted by other
Commissioners and City staff.
The Arbor Day Project, coordinated in cooperation with the Livonia Public
Schools and the Clarenceville Public Schools, was repeated again. Seedlings
were packaged and distributed to all fourth grade classes in the two school
systems. Global Releaf and the Youth Commission shared the cost ofsupplying
more than eighteen hundred trees. Commissioner Kenneth Balcoff chaired the
committee this year.
The Youth Commission again monetarily supported the "All Night Senior
Graduation Parties" at the high schools that requested our help through
29
donations of $250 to each requesting school
The Youth Commission presented Honor Certificates to all graduating seniors
who had achieved a 3.0 grade point average or higher from all five high schools
in Livonia-- Churchill, Franklin, Stevenson, Clarenceville and Ladywood.
Emergency stickers, which are to be placed on the bedroom windows of children,
senior citizens and/or handicapped individuals, continue to be available at City
Hall and also from the Livonia Fire Department. Information on obtaining the
stickers is shown on City Channel B.
The Youth Commission joined with the Livonia Arts Commission to put on the
garage band concert series, Music from the Garage. The Youth Commission
donated $500 toward t -shirts.
The Commission, in an effort to reach out to the needy youth of Livonia, hosted a
holiday party on two consecutive Saturdays in November for families who
registered with the Goodfellows. While the parents were interviewed by the
Goodfellow representatives, approximately 800-900 children in attendance were
invited to enjoy snacks, crafts, gifts, and to visit and have their photograph taken
with Santa at the Senior Center. While many items were donated, the
Commission ensured that every child Teff with a gift bag of goodies for
themselves and family members. Commissioners Dan Spurling and Jeff Nork
headed this project and were aided by Commissioners and volunteers from the
community.
An informational pamphlet or CD entitled, "Who You Gonna Calf' is being
updated. The project should yield a list of helpful phone numbers and website
addresses that could be distributed to troubled teens or made available to
concerned parents.
Commission Officers for 2008-2009 will be: Dan Spurling - Chairperson; Jeff
Nork -Vice Chairperson; Jim Keller— Secretary.
W JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
NEW CASES FILED
ANNUAL REPORT: 12/01107 —11130108
CRIMINAL
1. Felony (FY) 414
2. Ordinance Misdemeanor (OM) 1665
30
3.
Statute Misdemeanor( SM)
276
TRAFFIC
4.
Felony Drunk Driving (FD)
40
5.
Felony Traffic (FT)
15
Total Felony Traffic
55
(#4 + #5 =)
6.
Ordinance Drunk Driving (OD)
243
7.
Ordinance Civil Infractions (OI)
33309
8.
Ordinance Traffic Misdemeanor (OT)
2582
9.
Statute Drunk Dnving(SD)
30
Total Drunk Driving
273
(#6 + #9 =)
10.
Statute Civil Infractions (SI)
1591
Total Civil Infractions
34900
(#7 + #10 =)
11.
Statute Traffic Misdemeanor (ST)
205
Total Traffic Misd.
2787
(#8 + #11 =)
MISCELLANEOUS
12.
Criminal/Traffic Juries Selected
7
13.
Criminal/Traffic Cases Perfected to Appeal 5
NON -TRAFFIC CIVIL INFRACTIONS & PARKING
14.
Ordinance Parking (OK)
1568
15.
Ordinance Nor-Traffic(ON)
7
16.
Statute Parking (SK)
1
Total Parking
1569
(#14 + #16 =)
17.
Statute NorvTraffic(SN)
2
Total Non -Traffic
9
(#15+#17 =)
31
Felony
Guilty Plea (reduced charge)
CIVIL DIVISION
Bench Verdict
18.
General Civil (GC)
2665
19.
General Civil Miscellaneous (GZ)
2
20.
Landlord Tenant (LT)
623
21.
Land Contract Summary Proceedings (SP)
6
22.
Small Claims (SC)
508
MISCELLANEOUS
23.
Civil Division Junes Selected
3
24.
Marriages
35
25.
Motions
1670
26.
Discovery/Debtor Exams
154
27.
Gamishmenls
4380
28.
Orders to Seize/Orders of Eviction
399
PROBATION
1.
Number of Placements on Probation
1938
2.
Pre -Sentence Investigation Reports
1406
3.
Violation of Probation Warrants Issued
880
4.
Show Cause Summons Issued
2546
5.
Probation Cases Closed
1900
6.
Number of Open Probation Cases
1237
7.
Total Number of Days Worked on the
Voluntary Work Program (in lieu of jail)
4196
Felony
Guilty Plea (reduced charge)
8
Bench Verdict
0
Bindover to 3"Circuit Court (after Examination held or wa ived)
391
Dismissed by Party
2
Dismissed by Court
25
Inactive Status (Warrant)'
263
Local Diversion
0
Case Type Change
0
Total 687
32
Misdemeanors (Ordinance and Statute)
Jury Verdict
1
Bench Verdict
17
Guilty Plea
1517
Dismissed by Party
328
Dismissed by Court
120
Inactive Status (Warrant)`
516
Local Diversion
0
Case Type Change
1
Total 2500
Felony, Misdemeanor and Civil Infraction
Jury Verdict
0
Bench Verdict
3963
Guilty Plea/Admission
24256
Bindover to 3'd CircuilCourt(afer Examination held or waived)
50
Dismissed by Party
853
Dismissed by Court
3336
Default Judgments
8444
Inactive Status (Warrant)'
934
Local Diversion
0
Case Type Change
11
Total
41847
'Note: Warrant/Bench Warrant/On Appeal/Pending Forensic Examination
Non -Traffic, Civil Infraction and Parking
Verdict at Hearing
77
Admission/Waivers
1033
Dismissed by Party
6
Dismissed by Court
98
Default Judgments
465
Case Type Change
0
Total 1679
33
CIVIL DEPARTMENT
Civil, Landlord/Tenant and Small Claims
Jury Verdict
2
Bench Verdict
160
Unconlesled/Defaults/Settlements
2258
Transferred
47
Dismissed by Party
652
Dismissed by Court
856
Inactive Status"
58
Other Disposition
0
Case Type Change
0
Total
"Note: Bankruptcy Slay
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Due to City of Livonia General Fund
$3,701,428.50
Escrow Accounts:
Bonds $1,186,350.30
Restitution $ 19852.16
Work Program $ 140 564.00
Miscellaneous' $ 25008.20
• includes garnishment payments, escrow rent, refunds,
etc.
Due to Stale of Michigan
$1,710,885.40
Due to County Library
$ 103 427.07
Other Miscellaneous Payments
$ 52.796.20
Court Building Improvement Fund
$ 426.207.00
Drug Court Fund (set-aside effective 10/01/05)
$ 24 940.00
UNAUDITED YEAR'S REVENUE TOTAL
(excluding interest income) $7,391,458.70
34
4033
2007-2008 Protects
1. Since last year, the W District Court has developed a fully operational
"Drug/Sobriety Court' that was recognized by the State Court
Administrative Office (SCAO). The mission of this program is to protect
the community by reducing impaired and drug related offenses and their
cost and providing comprehensive program of treatment and intensive
supervision of high risk offenders addicted to drugs and /or alcohol. The
Honorable Kathleen J. McCann takes great pride in the program and has
dedicated her efforts for its continued growth.
a. The grant applications that were filed last year to help launch the
program were accepted by SCAO and the court is pleased to
announce that that we received a grant in the amount of $30,000
from the Michigan Drug Grant Program (MDCGP) administered by
the State Court Administrative Office. This grant will help
supplement the additional probation officer needed to efficiently
supervise the probation population.
The court also established our 501C-3 recognition of exemption
status for this program which will allow the members of the Livonia
Drug/Sobriety Council to reach out to the community to supplement
the mission of the program. Contributions to the Livonia
Drug/Sobriety Council by government agencies and private
individuals will allow the program to pay for drug and alcohol
testing, counseling services, psychological, parenting and other
support services that otherwise would not be provided due to lack
offunds.
c. The program currently has 26 participants who are being required
to adhere to strict intensive regimen of reporting to probation, the
judge, attending support groups, counseling and drug testing in an
effort to aid them in reaching and maintaining sobriety.
2. The court has also engaged in the implementation of electronic integration
with Secretary of State for license suspensions (a process that was
previously performed manually). This acquisition and installation has
permitted the Court to realize several significant operational advantages,
including less labor-intensive case processes, and reduced cost of
processing.
3. In 2007, collections program efforts resulted in the payment of
$896,915.55 in revenue on approximately 4,717 delinquent cases. Since
35
the program inception in 2005, the Court has realized $2,389,499.54
revenue on over 11,903 delinquent cases.
a. The 16" District Court collections program has generated
significant results with a minimal increase in expenditures. The
additional work to administer the program has been absorbed by
current staff and the hard work and commitment of the staff have
made the program such a success.
b. The court also continues the use of a third -party credit card service
through Government Payment Exp (Gov Pay EXP) formerly
Government Payment Services ). This service offers customers a
user-friendly credit card payment option available 24 hours per day,
seven days per week via a loll -free number. A 5% service fee is
paid by the cardholder to service.
4. The Court is currently in negotiations with the MAPE (Supervisory Union)
and we anticipate ratifying a contract in the near future. The clerical
representative union, TPOAM has been replaced by a vote of its
members.
5. The court is currently looking at the initial phases of utilizing electronic
citations in collaboration with the Livonia Police Department. This system
will help improve the officer's ability to issue a ticket via the use of inlemel
based system and provide the ticket information electronically to the court.
In tum this will increase the efficiency of the court clerks and will eliminate
the backlog of tickets to enter. The electronic citations can immediately be
transmitted to the court or jurisdiction, reducing the amount of data entry
required now by court personnel. This system will also allow for full
featured online intemet payment of tickets.
6. After 37 years of service to the citizens of Livonia, the 16"' District Court
Judge Robert Brzezinski is retiring at the end of this year. Mr. Sean P.
Kavanagh is the newly elected Judge to succeed Judge Brzezinski
starting January of 2009. Judge Brzezinski has been a pillar in this
community who helped build the very foundations that have made this
court such a success. This organizations will miss him and we all wish
him the very best. Also, we congratulate Mr. Kavanagh and wish him
much success althe i 6"' District Court in the new scope of his duty.
The Department of Finance consists of Accounting, Management Information
Systems, Water and Sewer Usage Billing, and the Division of Budget and
36
Purchasing with a total staff of twenty-five people. The Director of Finance
serves as administrative assistant to the Mayor in financial matters and is under
the direct supervision of the Mayor. The function of the Department of Finance
includes:
Supervision overthe administration ofthe financial affairs oflhe City.
Keeping of accounts and financial records of the City and all departments,
commissions and agencies of the City government.
Maintenance of payroll records for all City employees.
Preparation of checks for all financial obligations of the City.
Billing and collection of over 150,000 water and sewer bills.
Responsibility for all computerized reporting and budget analysis for City
Departments.
Responsibility for evaluating and recommending computer hardware and
software systems City-wide.
Preparation of the annual budget forthe Mayor.
Taking of bids for all major purchases made by the City.
Responding to City Council questions and providing additional reports and
information as requested by Council.
The Finance Director serves on a three-person Personnel Review
Committee, which is responsible for review and evaluation of the hiring,
placement and replacement of all employees for the City.
Performs Treasurer function for the Plymouth Road Development
Authority.
Membership on the Community Development Block Grant Committee.
Responsible for risk management of casualty and liability, workers
compensation and medical insurance for the City and is the City's
representative to the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority
(MMRMA).
Representation at over 50 meetings oflhe City Council.
Preparation of all debt issued by City.
Responsible for investment of City funds in interest earning accounts in
accordance with State law.
37
Manage ment of City -owned properties leased to third parties.
BUDGET -PURCHASING
The Budget -Purchasing office is under the supervision and direction of the
Director of Finance who also acts as Purchasing Agent for the City. The Budget -
Purchasing activity processed a total of 10,556 requisitions for the purchase of
goods and services for the City of Livonia. A total of 616 supply orders and
printing requests were also filled for City Departments.
ACCOUNTING
The volume of the Accounting Division activity is listed by comparative figures for
the past two years:
FISCAL YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30
2007
2008
4,275
General Fund & Other Fund Payables Checks
20,277
17,232
Payroll Items '
22,478
34,540
Journal Entries "
10,613
6,277
Retirement Checks (Payroll and Payables)
7,312
8,268
The 2007 figure is for payroll checks only. The 2008 figure includes both
payroll checks and electronic fund transfers.
Journal entry volume was decreased as a result of a new methodology
used to process journal entries in the recently upgraded financial
management system.
Accounts Receivable Invoices:
False Alarms
Rescue Runs
Other
Water Bills Mailed
Water Bills Paid by EFT
1,036
983
4,250
4,275
2,100
2,150
155,326
155,066
16,656
16,632
Temporarily idle General Fund cash was invested in Certificates of Deposit and
daily savings deposits, resulting in a total interest earned of $1,077,285 or 1.99%
of City General Fund Revenue.
38
SPECIAL PROJECTS
1. In 2008, the Finance, Accounting and Information Systems departments
continued implementation to a new financial management system called
"Logos.nel" from New World Systems, Inc. When fully implemented, this new
system will provide increased data management capabilities and online
services for residents and employees.
2. The Finance Department spent a significant amount of time in the evaluation
and eventual implementation of a new Brownfield Authonty to encourage
economic development.
3. The Finance Department continued to work with City Council and the Mayors
Office to maintain the City's excellent bond ratings, which currently are rated
AA3 at Moody's and AA at Standard and Poor's. Because of these excellent
bond ratings, more people will invest in City of Livonia bonds resulting in more
competitive bidding from brokerage houses. Savings will continue into the
future for the City due to these ratings.
4. The City of Livonia audit was completed and, once again, the City's auditors
found no significant audit adjustments.
5. The Finance Department participated in several cooperative bids with
surrounding communities that resulted in more competitive bids and reduced
costs to the City.
The Information Systems Department is responsible for the computer hardware
and software used by the City. The IS Department assists other City
Departments in evaluating, selecting and implementing computer systems. It
also sets the standards for City computer systems. The Information Systems
Director is appointed by the Mayor and reports directly to the Finance Director.
The staff of the Information Systems Department consists of six (6) employees.
The Information Systems Department has five primary areas of responsibility.
These are Computer and Network Support, Application Software Support,
Training and End User Support, Website and Internet, and Geographic
Information Systems.
39
COMPUTER AND NETWORK SUPPORT
The IS Department maintains the following hardware:
2005- 2006- 2007-
2006 2007 2008
IBM AS/400 Midrange Computer 1 1 1
Windows 2000/2003 Server 17 20 20
Personal Computers 298 309 323
We replaced two older tape library units used for backing up our data with 2
newer units that are faster and hold a much larger capacity. The newer units are
also much less expensive to maintain. This change also reduced the number of
backup tapes uses on a daily basis from 5 to 2.
In 2008, we expanded our wireless network in city facilities. We previously
installed equipment covering the main City Hall, and this year we added the
Senior Center, Emergency Operations Center at Police HQ and the
Administration Building at DPW. This wireless equipment offers two different
networks, a highly secured one for city employees and a public one that is
available for everyone else. The City also offers wireless to the public at the
Civic Center Library and Livonia Community Recreation Center.
We added an e-mail archive appliance this year to comply with new legal and
stale archive requirements. This unit allows us to keep all e-mail for two years
and provides the ability to search by keywords to extract data or retrieve
individual e-mails.
We replaced our Symantec Antivirus software with Trend Micro. This new
software has a much smaller footprint and has not caused any conflicts with our
hardware and software. We had problems with the previous product causing
conflicts and slowing down the computers. We also assisted the Library with
replacing their Antivirus software under our license with Trend Mcro to lower
their cost.
We moved the computers and printers at Greenmead from the old office area to
the new office area of the Blue House.
We worked with City Council to replace their leased laptop computers from HP
with leased laptop computers from Dell. The new computers have proven
themselves to be easier to use and more reliable.
We replaced our Firewall with a new unit from WatchGuard that provides better
security and protection for our network, data and computers.
40
APPLICATION SOFTWARE SUPPORT
We continued the project this year to replace our Financial, Payroll and Human
Resouroe, Utility Billing and all of our Licensing Systems with New World
Logos.Nel systems. The old Logos/400 systems were written back in the mid
1980's and updated several times. We have completed implementing the Utility
Billing system. The AS/400 will be returned in December 2008 to the leasing
company. We also completed an upgrade to version 5.2 of this software.
We also worked with the Clerk's Department to implement all new licensing
software for Business Licenses, Animal Licenses and Garage Sale Permits. The
old software ran on the AS/400. The new software is windows based and comes
from BS&A Software.
At the Civil Service Department, we installed and helped implement a new ID
system.
Al DPW, we upgraded the Gas Boy and Compu-Spread systems to new versions
that are supported on Windows XP.
Al Livonia Community Recreation Center, we upgraded their Safari Membership
and Activity software package to a newer version (4.2).
We upgraded the Transit RouleMatch System to a new version.
TRAINING AND END USER SUPPORT
The IS Department provides in-house training for City employees on how to use
computers and software packages. Classroom training was resumed this year
after having to mostly suspend it last year due to the implementation of the new
financial software system.
2005- 2006- 2007-
2006 2007 2008
Number of Classes Conducted 40 6 36
Number of Employees Trained 109 58 185
We implemented our new Help Desk this year. The help desk is now handling
approximately 40 phone calls per week for assistance. This has had a significant
impact on relieving interruptions from senior staff and provided faster resolution
of problems with the desktop computers.
1,645 user support issues were recorded and resolved this year.
41
The Information Systems Department also manages the City Website
(http://www.ci.livonia.mi.us), which continues to find new uses and grow in
usage. This year our website was recognized as being tie Best Government
Website in Michigan by Mi-GMIS.
This year we did major renovations on the Housing and Parks and Recreation
portions of the website. On the Housing pages we added virtual lours and many
pictures of the Housing facilities in an effort to try and help them to improve their
marketing efforts. On the Parks and Recreation pages, we modified the look/feel
of their pages to give them a much friendlier appearance. We also added a
number of slideshows and videos showing the facilities in use.
A major project this year was our www.FilmLivonia.org website. This was an
effort done jointly with the Mayor's Office to develop a marketing tool to draw film
production companies to Livonia. This project was brought forward in a very
rapid fashion, going from a concept to a completed project in less than six (6)
weeks. In the first three months of operation, this website had approximately
84,000 page views.
We also worked with the Cable Department to offer video streaming of City
Council meetings. We had 14,730 sessions of video streaming this year.
Website statistics include
2005-2006
2006-2007 2007-2008
Number of Page Views 1,107,921
1,947,426 5,591,853
The Department also provides e-mail and
Internet access to City Employees
2005-
2006- 2007-
2006
2007 2008
Number of E-mail accounts 296
268 281
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
The Information Systems Department also manages, operates and maintains a
Geographic Information System (GIS) to help manage its maps and spatially
referenced data.
2008 GIS Accomplishments
1. SDE enhancements - Enhancements to SDE (a relational database
management system for our GIS) continued during 2008. Most notably,
changes have been made to our data editing procedures that take
42
advantage of SDE's data management capabilities. Rather than having all
GIS editing done by a single individual as it had been in the past, SDE
allows the GIS editing/maintenance load to be distributed to various
departments within the City. The Planning Department, for example, now
maintains the different data layers that concern zoning and current land
use, while DPW maintains our various utility layers (stone, sanitary, and
water). SDE manages the simultaneous editing of all layers in the
database by creating different "versions" of the database. Once a data
layer has been successfully edited, SDE is used to "reconcile" and "post'
the new edits to the database for use by everyone.
Parcel Update - This year marks our departure from using AutoCAD -
derived drawings to generale our parcel layer updates. Unlike the
previous parcel update procedure that required the use of Aro Macro
Language scripts (AML's) to convert data from AutoCAD formal into
something that the GIS could work with, SDE has allowed us to produce
our first parcel layer update without using the AML's. This has resulted in
a considerable savings of time. Due to the nature of SDE (as a relational
database), updates now flow smoothly and GIS users enjoy continuously
updated parcel data.
New Data Layers - Several new data layers were added to our GIS during
2008. These layers included a large -type road annotation layer for small-
scale maps (1:12,000 scale), an address grid file, a DTE circuit layer, a
"view" file containing all of our ancillary data merged with our parcel data,
feature -linked annotation for our parcel lot numbers, and a new lot
dimension layer. Other layers were modified as needed, most notably our
leaf pickup schedule layer was changed to reflect the 2008 pickup dates,
and our voter precinct layer was changed to depict new polling places
caused by the closing of several school buildings.
Mapping Support - Several "series' of maps have been updated and
distributed during the past year. Most notably our quarter -section lax
maps (144 maps), quarter -section existing lard use maps (144 maps),
and quarter -section zoning maps (144 maps) have all been updated. On-
line PDF versions of these maps have been produced for use by various
departments within the City. A set of section -based maps were generated
for the Fire Department (36 maps). Additional maps produced during
2008 including a series of large-scale park maps, Livonia voter precincts
and polling places, leaf pickup schedule, soccer fields, ball diamonds, and
future food pantry.
EOC Activities - Over the past year -and -a -half the IS Department
assisted in the planning and development of the Emergency Operation
Center's GIS. Recommendations were made regarding required
computer resources, scanners and printers, network connections, and GIS
software. The GIS computer and software have been installed and tested
in the EOC.
Registration Issues - Registration between our parcel layer and existing
aerial photography has caused problems when generating maps depicting
43
both data derived from our parcel layer and aerial photography.
Registration between the two data sources vanes across the City, with
some portions of the City spot -0n, while others may be off by as much as
50 feet or more. During 2008 changes were made to correct most of
these alignment problems. The parcel layer was modified to better fit the
aerial photography by visually adjusting 'blocks' of parcel data. Simple
translation and rotation were used to fix most of the registration issues
within the city. Unfortunately any layers derived from the parcel layer (split
lines, combination lines, zoning boundaries, land use boundaries,
subdivision boundaries and annotation layers) all required adjustment as
well. While most of these layers have been identified and adjusted, there
are still a few that will require additional work. Most notably work
continues on the subdivision layer.
ArcGIS Server - During 2008 work has begun on converting our intemet
mapping service (ArclMS) to the next generation of map server software
(ArcGIS Server). Unlike the current ArcMS system which utilizes a
custom piece of software to generate web maps, ArcGIS Server will allow
the City to serve up maps on our web site using our "normal' GIS
software. This is a big plus as it makes it easier to publish maps on the
web and makes the web site easier to manage as there are many more
GIS users available to create and modify maps for our web pages. A
system design is nearing completion for implementation next year.
New Software: MapAPP - During 2008 new software was purchased to
make generating a large "series' of maps easier. MapApp will first
generate a map template for the map series, then, utilizing a second layer
such as section line boundaries, or quarter sections, it will generate the
entire series of maps automatically. This software has been used
extensively by DPW.
LIVONIA FIRE & RESCUE
During the fiscal year 2008, Livonia Fire & Rescue responded to 8,610 incidents,
80% involved emergency medical services, while fire related responses
accounted for 20%. The following statistical breakdowns refiect the departmental
activity for the current fiscal year.
Incidents
Emergency Medical
7,176
Fire
207
Fire (other)
1,227
Total
8,610
m
For the Fire Incidents (other) category, carbon monoxide alarms accounted for
89 of the responses, 519 were false fire alarm calls and 208 for downed wire
incidents.
Incidents by day of week
Sunday
1,101
13%
Monday
1,288
15%
Tuesday
1,261
14.7%
Wednesday
1,259
14.7%
Thursday
1,254
14.6%
Friday
1,261
14.7%
Saturday
1,186
13.8%
The busiest time (hour) ofdayis 11.00 a.m. through 12:00 p.m.
Throughout the year, in addition to the related activities listed below, this Division
is responsible for updating technical knowledge, maintaining job efficiency and
state certification for the departments Fire Inspectors. This is accomplished by
attending numerous seminars, job related schools and other continuing
education programs. These schools would include but are not limited to:
Schoolcraft College, the National Fire Academy, Michigan State Police Arson
School, Michigan Fire Inspectors Conferences, Metro Detroit Fire Inspectors
Society and the various (I.A.A.I.) International Association of Arson Investigators
arson schools and seminars.
Inspections
Although not all encompassing, the following categories reflect the majority of
inspections conducted by the Fire Prevention Division:
Advice
130
Liquor License
17
Alarm
41
Liquid Propane Gas
10
Complaint
20
Life Safety Inspections
20
Chemical Surveys
100
New Construction
33
City License
52
Site Plan/Preliminary Plan
31
Carnival/Spree
12
Re -occupancy
103
False Alarms
50
Revision
3
Interior Alterations
99
System Report Deficiency
100
First Tenant
14
Suppression
105
Fireworks
30
Temporary Structure
14
Hydrant/Flow
20
Exterior Alterations/Construction
13
45
History File 32
Total 1049
Plan Reviews
Alarm 41
Construction 132
Site 31
Fire Suppression 105
Total 309
The above plan review totals reflect the number of projects received / assigned in
the Fire Prevention Office and do not include the actual number of inspections
made. Multiple site visits are required when inspecting various fire alarm,
suppression or structural systems to insure compliance with the adopted codes
and standards installation practices. A consewafive esfimale of site visits
needed to complete a project would be four inspections. More complex jobs
would require additional inspections, in some instances 10-20 site visits.
The Fire Marshal and his Inspectors regularly go to the fire stations and review
false alarms with the station Officers. This allows the Fire Prevenfion Division to
address those occupancies that are having multiple false alarms. Dialogue with
the suppression personnel gives the inspection division a second avenue for
finding and corecting building deficiencies.
This division also provides fire investigations for determination of odgin and
cause. Whenever a question adses from a fire officer that a fire may not have
started accidentally, we are requested to respond. Also, any large loss or fatal
fres are also examined and documented. We responded to approximately 150
fres in 2008. Nearly 25% of these fires required extensive documentation and
follow-up varying from simple photography to exhaustive research and interviews
as in the case of our Webster School arson investigations.
The focus of the training office for fiscal year 2008 was to continue to assure
compliance for the ongoing educafion (CEU) requirements for both EMT and
Paramedic within the department. The number of overall CEU's for Paramedics
is higher than that of an EMT and thus requires a more diligent training program
in order to ensure that the department's personnel are always compliant with
licensing requirements. New State of Michigan standards require the obtaining
of both lecture and practical credits, which brought on additional challenges, but
were met without major problems. The training office continues to improve its
record management system related to training activities, which in tum ensures
compliance with OSHA, ISO and nationally accepted standards on training and
46
documentation. The training division continues to provide training commensurate
with the mission of our department. Although EMS training takes up large
amounts of resources and time, this office still facilitates training in fire
suppression, specialized rescue, hazardous materials, utility emergencies and
risk reduction.
The training office continues to be forward thinking in regards to capturing
available grant funding and alternative ways to finance departmental capital
needs both in training programs and equipment. Enhancing relationships with
both local businesses and community educational institutions has also been a
priority in hopes that a mutual sharing of resources increases overall operational
effectiveness. Grants through State Farm, MMRMA, and Belfour construction
have allowed the department to move ahead with programs that have left
unfunded due to budgetary constraints over the last three years.
Fire Officer training commensurate with the CBA continues to be a top priority as
it pertains to off-site training and in preparing our Company level officers for each
new position. Our Livonia Fire & Rescue Company Officer Development
program rolled out in October of 2007, which will consist of 8 modules of training
for our Drivers and Engineers, as they look ahead to temporary and permanent
appointment to officers in the department in the future. This was completed in
June of 2008, as the program was well received.
The RAFT (Regional Alliance for Fire Training) organization has developed a
new Company Officer II course. Several of our members were involved in the
development and teaching of the classes. RAFT continues to offer firefighter
training that many of our members have taken advantage of.
This office continues to look at ways to improve our overall service and maintain
the highest level of pre -hospital care to the citizens of Livonia. The department's
EMS Quality Assurance (QA) program continues to strive to comply with
stringent county and stale requirements regarding QI/QA. The training office
continues to administrate and facilitate the Medical Priority Dispatch system that
is used in dispatching EMS calls city-wide. The system has proven to be
extremely effective in risk reduction for responders, as well as the public, by
assigning a priority to the medical call. Because of the increasing EMS run call
volume each year, the MPD system allows the prioritizing of all EMS related calls
to ensure that the most life threatening emergencies receive assistance above
those of a lesser degree. The Training Coordinator and Engineer Jon Unruh
continue to provide the needed continued education units (CEU) required for
recertification of dispatchers every two years. This office was also responsible
for tracking and fulfilling the MPD Quality Assurance requirements as outlined in
county Medical Control protocols. Since the MPD program came on line in May
of 2001, the training office meets and discusses QI related issues quarterly, as to
ensure compliance within county and stale guidelines.
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The "Quick Drill" program has armed our station officers with training information
that can be used easily. The program grew from our first year (2006) of 12 drills
to an additional 20 drills added in 2007. In 2008, year has saw this popular
program increase to 25 issues.
The focus of the training office in 2008 will be to establish updated company level
drills, continue efforts in the monthly "Quick Drill" program, revise and implement
a new Driver/Operator program, and continue in-house Company Officer training
program. With continued changes in the slate's Fire Officer programs, new
records and additional training will be required in order to fulfill the CBA and meet
the new state requirements.
With the addition of Tower 1 to our fleet (2006 American LaFrence Aerial Tower),
training took place for many weeks during the summer to get our members ready
to move into this vehicle.
The Livonia Fire & Rescue Maintenance Division is comprised of one Fire
Apparatus Supervisor and one Senior Fire Equipment Mechanic who are
responsible for specification writing, ordering, care, maintenance and repair of all
mechanized and related fire, rescue and paramedic equipment. The division
provides firefighters, Livonia cifizens, and visitors of Livonia with safe and reliable
ambulance, rescue and fire fighting vehicles and related equipment.
This year the responsibilities of the Maintenance Division included the following:
Completed 465 work orders/requests
Inspected pumpers, rescue vehicles, aerial lower, administrative cars, and all
equipment on each vehicle on a semi-annual and annual basis. Installed
equipment on the USAR trailer. Worked on WWC Hazmat trailer as well as the
new Hazmat trucks.
Annual Pump Tests on all Fire Pumps.
Finalize blue prints for the new Pumper and Squads.
Worked with American La France and Medic Master on warranties of vehicles.
Specified and ordered new Battalion Chiefs vehicle, including all installed
equipment and graphics.
Made ready used Farmington Hills truck for use as reserve
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Worked with American LaFrance for modifications to new Platform. Flew to
Pennsylvania for final inspection ofAmencan LaFrance platform before delivery.
In coordination with the Training Division, instructed Firefighter and E.M.T.D's on
the operational requirements of vehicles. Also aided in training exercises when
necessary.
Responded to major fires to assist the department in set up of equipment, filling
of SCBA bottles, repair and refueling of vehicles.
Provided assistance, as needed, to neighboring fire departments and members
of Western Wayne Mutual Aid Association.
Provided assistance to the following Project Mangers
• SCBA Officer - ordering parts, repairing SCBA air packs.
• Hose Officer - specification writing, ordering and mounting of nozzles,
adapters, and hose.
• Building Maintenance Officer- repair of vehicle electrical drop lines.
• EMT Officer- installation of ALS equipment.
• Communications Officer — mounting hand held prep radio vehicle chargers
and installation of new radio and complete computer systems for ALS and
relocation of some radios in pumpers, and repair of same.
• Apparatus Officer - ordering and mounting of new equipment/hand tools
and mounts.
• Public Relations Committee - equipment.
This Division provides maintenance on all of the following items:
Vehicles
• 1 -1976 Sutphen Aerial Tower, 1250 GPM Pump
• 1 -1994 Ford F350/Horton Swat Squad
• 1 -1988 Pierce Arrow 1250 GPM Pumpers
• 1 -1988 Pierce Dash Heavy Duty Rescue
• 1 — 1997 Navistar/Horton Water Rescue/Technical Unit
• 1 -1994 Smeal/Spartan 1250 GPM Pumper
• 1 -1995 Ford Horton Fire Investigation Unit
• 1 -1996 GMC 3/4 -Ton Pick -Up
• 1 -1997 Chevrolet Lumina
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• 1 -1997 Intematonal/Horton Reserve Alpha Unit
• 1 -1998 Chevrolet Lumina
• 1 -1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
• 2— 2000 Freightliner/Medic Master Alpha Units
• 1— 2001 Freightliner/Medic Master Alpha Units
• 1-2006 Freightliner/Medic Master Alpha Unit
• 1-2007 Freightliner/Medic Master Alpha Unit
• 1 — 2001 Ford Crown Vic Sedan
• 1 — 1992 E -One 1250 GPM Pumper
• 1 —2002 American LaFrence 2000GPM 75FT. Aerial
• 1 —2006 American La France 2000GPM 100FT. Aerial Platform
• 3-2003 American LaFmnce Eagle 1250 GPM Pumpers
• 1- 2003 Ford 450 Maintenance Truck
• 1 — 2003 Mercury Marine Inflatable Rescue Boal, Motor and Trailer
• 5— 2003 Ford Crown Vic Sedans
• 1— 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer
• 1 —2007 Chevrolet 2500 Pick-up
• 1 — 2009 GMC 2500 Yukon XL
• 1 — 2003 Club Car Ambulance and Hauling LS Enclosed Trailer
• 1— 2006 Haulmark Trailer(C.B.R.N.E.)
• 1 — 2006 Spartan Spencer HAZMAT Truck
• 1-28R USAR Trailer
• 1 — 2007 Fire Safety Unit
• 38—Total Vehicles
Equipment on Vehicles
• Thousands of feet of fire hose
• Fire hose nozzles
• Axes and adapters
• Foam equipment, hand and vehicle mounted
• Deluge equipment
• 110 V electrical lighting
• Tools (hand and fire fighting)
• 9- auxiliary generators
• 43 - ISI Viking Air Pack
• 94 -Air Bottles
• 89 — ISI Viking Masks
• Bauer Air Compressor Cascade System
• 1 - 6000psi 4 Air Bottle Cascade System
• 1 — K-950 Saw
• 2-K-12 Saw
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• 7 -Chain saws
• 2- Amkus Power Tools
• 2 -TNT Power Tools
• 7- Life Jack PPV fans
• 1 - Hose repair tool and parts
• Medical equipment on Alpha Vehicles
• Various hazardous material and confined space rescue equipment.
Garage Equipment
• 1 — Hose test Pump
• 2 - In -ground garage hoist hydro -testing
• 1 - Garage tool replacements
• 1 - Pumper pump lest tool as needed to comply with NFPA 1911.
The 2008 fiscal year was an exciting year for our Public Education division. The
division is tasked with educating our citizens on all fire and life safety topics at
different places and times that will have the highest impact.
Each year Livonia Fire & Rescue responds to numerous requests from the public
for Fire Safety Education programs. These requests are forwarded to either the
on -duty Battalion Chief or to the Fire Safely Education Committee, based on the
needs of the requesting person or group. If the caller is requesting to visit a fire
station or have a fire apparatus visit them as part of the educational effort, the
on -duty Battalion Chief handles the request. If the group requests an individual
to speak at a prearranged time and location that does not require firefighting
apparatus, the Fire Safety Education Committee is contacted. Currently, most
requests are handled by on -duly crews at the fire stations, while remaining in-
service to respond to emergency calls in our area.
Fire Prevention records indicate that we responded to approximately 200
requests during this fiscal year, reaching thousands of our citizens. These
requests are handled routinely by the Battalion Chiefs office and are conducted
by the on -duty crews working out of all five of Livonia's fire stations.
Our firefighters who also do public education have teamed up with Livonia Police
Department to deliver one C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Teams)
class this year. We helped with leaching fire safety, fire extinguisher use and the
basics of light rescue, victim removal and first aid. Our C.E.R.T. volunteers have
given back by offering to help us man some of our educational events held
throughout the year.
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In June of 2008, we held our annual "School's Out, Safety's In" Open House.
This summer safety event reaches out to our community and invites them into
our fire station # 3 and gives them an opportunity to meet many of our
firefighters.
In October of 2008, Livonia Fire & Rescue held its annual Fire Prevention Week
Open House'. The Open House has proven to be a highly anticipated event by
our community, reaching a crowd estimated at 2,000. While in attendance,
visitors received information on fire and life safetyand are given an opportunity to
practice life safety skills. In addition, the Department showcased our award-
winning extrication team, who practiced their skills on two cars. The scenario
was that of laking an injured victim out of a car that cannot be opened the
conventional door method. There was an area where kids can practice their fire
safety behaviors, as well.
Livonia firefighters participated in a September event held at Laurel Park Place
Mall called the "Passport to Safely". This project was a huge success- crowds
were estimated in the thousands who attended the event. After being involved in
the four-year annual event, more effort is being directed into this area. The large
number of children that attend the indoor event is encouraging.
Our dedicated efforts to educate our citizens are among the best anywhere. Our
ideas were shared with the fire service community in one article that appeared in
"Fire Engineering" magazine, (July 2008 issue), the nation's premiere fire training
magazine. Other ideas were presented to firefighters seen at the website for Fire
Engineering magazine, that has weekly featured articles. We had seven articles
appear on the web, showcasing our efforts.
This is the fourth year we took on the project of creating a Fire Safety insert that
was carried along with the Livonia Observer newspaper. The eight -page insert
was designed for elementary -age students and families, and went out with the
21,000 copies of the Observer on October 5, and they were handed out to our
Open House attendees on October 11.
The newsletter "Couplings" came out twice this year, for the third year in a row.
The newsletter is an 8 -page newsletter designed for adult fire and life safety. It
appears in electronic formal on the city website, and copies went out with the
Observer as well.
Several informational articles were prepared and ran in the Livonia Observer
Newspaper, to further reach out to our adult audiences with messages of fire and
life safety. This year, six articles appeared in the Observer written by Livonia
Firefighters.
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We were also able to distribute our fire and life safety messages to the citizens of
Livonia through the use of the following sources:
Livonia Public Schools
City Channel 8
Time Warner Cable
Livonia Observer
The Livonia Housing Commission submits the following information on its
activities and accomplishments for Silver Village, Newburgh Village, Community
Development Block Grant Program, McNamara Towers #1 and #2, Section 8
Rent Subsidy Program and Brashear Tower.
SILVER VILLAGE -33780 LYNDON
Silver Village occupancy was at 100% at all times. The waiting list consists of 52
"Livonia residents" and 45 "parents of Livonia residents"
Activities and Accomplishments
1. Silver Village had a turnover of 12 units in 2008
2. All apartment entry doors were replaced
3. All apartments received a new range
4. The asphalt throughout the parking lots and Lyndon Ave. was resurfaced
5. 6 dead trees were replaced
6. All the apartments have been inspected and necessary repairs were made, in
order to insure decent and safe housing, whereby maintaining resident
satisfaction
:I AU -111 YH: VII I UCH off l -TTI N WA:111 *33 Z107a1 V3
Newburgh Village occupancy was at 100% at all times. The wailing list consists
of 47 "Livonia residents" and 26 "parents of Livonia residents."
Activities and Accomplishments
1. Newburgh Village had a turnover of 15 units in 2008
2. All apartments received new electric ranges
3. 102 apartments received new dishwashers
4. A storage garage was constructed
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5. All the apartments have been inspected and necessary repairs were made, in
order to insure decent and safe housing, whereby maintaining resident
satisfaction
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
The Community Development Office administered the following programs during
the 2007-2008 fiscal year, which began on 7/1/07 and ended 6/30/08, through
the Community Development Block Grant Program. Total CDBG expenditures for
the year were $726,838.21. Below please find the accomplishments produced by
each of these programs.
Activities and Accomplishments
1. Major Home Rehabilitation Loan Program
2. Emergency Home Rehabilitation
Loan Program
3. Minor Home Repair Program
4. Emergency Utility Shut -Off Assistance
5. Senior Van Transportation Program
6. Mental Health Counseling Program
7. First Step (Western Wayne County
Project on Domestic Assault)
8. Fair Housing Initiative
9. Scattered Site Rental Homes (Mngt./Main(.)
10. Help Source
13 Households Served
7 Households Served
100 Households Served
19 Households Served
390 Persons Served
15 Persons Served
81 Persons Served
Not Applicable
15 Households Served
7 Persons Served
Total Served: 647 Households/Persons
McNAMARA TOWERS #1 & #2 -19300 PURLINGBROOK
Activities and Accomplishments
1. McNamara Towers #1 & #2 had a turnover of 24 units from 1/1/08 to 11/07/08
2. 20 new refrigerators were installed
3. 21 new window a/c's were installed
4. Custom stone address numbers were installed on the buildings exteriors
5. Vinyl siding and dimensional shingles were installed on the garage
6. Dimensional shingles were installed on the shelter
7. All the apartments have been inspected and necessary repairs were made, in
order to insure decent and safe housing, whereby maintaining resident
satisfaction
The Public Housing Program was awarded a High Performer designation
according to HUD guidelines.
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SECTION 8 RENT SUBSIDY HOUSING PROGRAM
The Livonia Housing Commission Section 8 Fbntal Subsidy Program currently
administers a Housing Choice Voucher Program consisting of 909 families.
Fiscal Year 2007 Section 8 Management Assessment scored as a High
Performer. An audit was conducted on the Section 8 program and no findings
were found.
The Housing Choice Voucher program has 541 applicants on the wailing List.
The current Section 8 Voucher Leasing rate is 99
WILLIAM W. BRASHEAR TOWER, 17841 N. LAUREL PARK DRIVE
The waiting list consists of approximately 20 applicants as of November 1, 2008
for the one -bedroom list, and three (3) applicants for the two-bedroom list.
196 units were inspected for health, quality and safety by the Livonia Housing
Commission on October 15 and 16, 2008. Annual inspections were performed to
the generator, fire suppression equipment, fire alar system and the elevators.
Activities and AccomDlishmenls
1. Brashear Tower had a turnover of 34 units in 2008.
2. Upgraded smoke detectors and GFCI electrical outlets in kitchens in 196
units.
3. Installed front load washers on Floors 3, 6, and 7 to accommodate handicap
residents.
4. Completed repairs to exterior building panels from July -October 2008 to
correct exterior leaks to units and common areas.
5. Installed new supplemental boiler for heating system.
INSPECTION DEPARTMENT is responsible for all construction operations on
private properly. Included in its jurisdiction is building inspection, plan review,
sanitation and ordinance enforcement. Areas of involvement include Zoning
Board of Appeals, Building Code Board of Appeals, CDBG, Cost Recovery
Appeal Hearings, and various civic groups. Coordination with Stale government
agencies involving building construction is handled by this department. Plan
Review for new buildings, alterations and additions, pools, demolitions, zoning
compliance and signs is an integral part of the department's function, as well as
the issuance of permits, sanitation and enforcing the City's Code of Ordinances
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designated as Inspection's responsibility. Inspections were made and permits
issued for the rehabilitation of homes for the Community Development Block
Program. Additionally the Inspection Department reviews lot splits for the
Department of Assessment and reviews site plans and waiver use petitions for
the Planning Department and provides support to all other departments as
needed.
BUILDING INSPECTION issued approximately 6227 permits in 2007/08 for
buildings, signs and mechanical installations, including new construction,
additions, renovations and alterations. 19 permits were issued for new
residential homes and 12 permits were issued for new commerciallnduslnal
structures. In other activity, 4 single-family condominium units were constructed
or are currently under construction. No permits for apartment buildings were
issued this year. Mechanical permits (plumbing, electrical, heating and
refrigeration) numbered approximately 3651 for the year. Residential
additions/alterations, garages, decks/patios, fire repairs, pools, signs, zoning
compliance, commercial/industrial additions, demolitions and moving permits
comprised the remainder of permits issued. 33 demolition permits were issued
during the year, 12 of which were residential structures. Permits for Christmas
tree sales lots, pennant and banner displays, awnings, underground storage
tanks and various special inspections were issued as required. Certificates of
Occupancy are issued for all new residences, commercial and industrial buildings
upon completion. State building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and sign
contractor licenses are registered in this office. Additionally, official records are
retained on fence contractors, excavators and demolition contractors.
The systematic annual inspection of existing commercial buildings for compliance
with B.O.C.A. National Property Maintenance Code 1996 continued through
2007-2008. In connection with this program, 656 inspections were made,
violations issued when necessary and compliance obtained. This program is
designed to maintain health and safety standards in the city. In addition to the
annual inspection program the Inspection Department requires that all one, two
and multiple family rental dwelling units be licensed and inspected on an annual
basis. This year 1,101 rental units were inspected by this Department.
Additionally, 242 formal complaints were received and responded to throughout
the year as they related to property, zoning and ordinance code violations. There
were approximately 736 rental inspection violations and 859 annual inspection
violations that were issued for various code infractions during 2007/08.
This office also provides the enforcement of special conditions of approval by the
Zoning Board of Appeals, Building Code Board of Appeals, Planning Commission
and City Council relative to site plans, variances, waiver uses and grants,
The valuation of new building activities for 2007/08 is $152657047. The
revenue collected from all building activities was approximately $1 889 249.
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SANITATION AND ORDINANCE ENFORCEMENT is responsible for compliance
with the City Zoning Ordinance #543 and also the Code of Ordinances #1688 as
it pertains to the majority of all nuisance and noncriminal violations. These
responsibilities include those things that affect the health, safety and welfare of
the residents of the City, such as pollution, hazardous waste, trash and debris,
vacant buildings, weed cutting, including direct supervision of the city weed
contractor, basic properly maintenance and supervision of the collection of
municipal refuse. The enforcement of special conditions of approval made by the
Zoning Board of Appeals, City Council and the Planning Commission relative to
site plans, variances, and waiver uses are also the responsibility of Ordinance
Enforcement.
STATISTICS
2007-08
Total General Inspections Made 25,785
Building Maintenance and Repair
486
Parking Lot Repairs
45
Trash and Debris
2310
Junk Vehicles
1482
Noxious Weeds'
3041
Noise/Air/Odor
111
Nuisances
443
Illegal Signs on Commercial Property
470
Illegal Signs Removed from Public Property
3873
Illegally Parked Recreational Vehicles
517
Illegally Parked Commercial Vehicles
726
Illegal Sales, Use and Occupancy
130
Misc. Illegally Parked Vehicles
281
Right of Way encroachments
354
Vacant Buildings (Re-inspected/Posted)
76
Snow on Sidewalks
711
License Violations
175
Sanitation activities included 1,440 citizen complaints regarding the collection of
municipal refuse and the delivery of 854 recycling bins.
Enforcement of the Noxious Weed Ordinance included the investigation of
citizen complaints and the abatement of violations through the mowing of weeds
and removal of debris from 1,108 properties by the City Weed Mowing
Contractor.
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The Building Code Board of Appeals provides any person the right to appeal a
decision of the code official refusing to grant a modification of the building code
covering the manner of construction or materials to be used in the erection,
alteration or repair of a building or structure. An application for appeal shall be
based on a claim that the true intent of the code or the rules legally adopted there
under have been incorrectly interpreted, the provisions of this code do not fully
apply, or an equivalent form of construction can be used.
A summary of the activities of the Building Code Board of Appeals for the fiscal
year 2007-08 is as follows:
Meetings Scheduled
2
Appeals Filed
2
Hearings Held
2
Re -hearings
0
Appeals Granted
2
Appeals Denied
0
Appeals Dropped
0
Appeals Tabled
0
All records are on file in the offices of the Inspection
Department.
DEPARTMENT OF LAW
LITIGATION
There are five (5) cases pending in the Circuit Court for the County of Wayne,
where the City of Livonia, and/or City officials, are involved either as plaintiffs or
as defendants. One (1) other case was resolved in 2007-08 either pursuant to a
stipulation or by final judgment of the Wayne County Circuit Court. One (1) case
was resolved in the Wayne County Probate Court. There are no civil cases
pending in the 16th District Court. Seven (7) civil cases were resolved in the
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16th Dislnct Court and two (2) of these cases had money judgments granted by
the Court which remain unpaid. In addition, we (1) case which had a money
judgment granted in 2007 was paid in full in 2008. There are no cases pending
in the Michigan Court of Appeals or the Michigan Supreme Court. One (1) case
was resolved in the Michigan Supreme Court. Three (3) cases are pending in
the United Slates District Court, and one (1) other case was resolved.
One hundred forty-two (142) cases are pending before the Michigan Tax
Tribunal. Forty-four (44) other cases were disposed of. (NOTE: Settlement
agreements may have been reached in some of the cases reported as pending.
It is the practice of the Law Department to keep a case open until the Tax
Tribunal has entered a final order; the Tribunal often takes several weeks to
enter final orders after receipt of the stipulation of the parties.)
The foregoing does not include any appeals taken in ordinance violation cases
from the Dislnct Court to the Circuit Court, and/or the Court of Appeals, and/or
the Supreme Court.
1II6111 Nlot iK6111a1
From December 2007 through November 2008, the following number of cases
were disposed of in the Livonia District Court.
Criminal Traffic Jury Trials
Ordinance
Misdemeanor 1665 2582 0
Ordinance
Drunk Driving 243 0
One (1) case which was appealed from the 16th District Court to a higher court
was resolved.
OPINIONS
No formal opinions were issued by the Department of Law during 2007-08. Upon
request, the Department issued a substantial number of recommendations in
correspondence to the various City Departments, Boards and Commissions and
the City Council by members of the legal staff upon various subjects and matters.
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ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS
This office represents the City and its officials from time to time in formal appeals
and grievance proceedings before the Civil Service Commission. We also
appear in matters involving the City before various Stale agencies, including the
Michigan Public Service Commission, the Michigan Employment Relations
Commission and the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.
ARBITRATION
At present there are no arbitration cases pending in which this office is involved.
No civil rights complaints are pending before the Michigan Civil Rights
Commission or EEOC. One (1) civil rights complaint before the U.S. Department
of Justice was resolved. One (1) civil rights/EEOC complaint before the Michigan
Civil Rights Commission was resolved.
The Law Department fled a Petition for Contested Case with the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality with regard to an NPDES permit which is
currently pending.
ORDINANCES
The following number of ordinances, prepared by the Department of Law, were
submitted to the City Council and were adopted by the Council during the year
2007-08:
5 amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map;
1 amendment to the substance of the Zoning Ordinance;
0 vacating ordinances; and
12 amendments to the Livonia Code of Ordinances.
In addition, two (2) proposed ordinance amendments have been prepared and
submitted to the City Council and the same are now awaiting Council action.
One (1) additional rezoning ordinance amendment was submitted to Council but
failed for lack of support.
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1. The property at 18301 Farmington Road in Section 9 was split into two
parcels. Pursuant to Council Resolution 324-07, the City sold one parcel
to Terrence Shay in 2007. The remaining parcel was sold to D'Orazio
Investment, LLC for $10,000 on May 19, 2008.
2. Pursuant to Council Resolution 345-08, lax foreclosed property located at
9001 Hugh in Section 35 was purchased from Wayne County for
$9,7346.81, using CDBG funds. This property will be added to the Cilys
low-income housing program
NOTE: Not included in this report are the numerous transactions involving the
acquisition of easements without monetary consideration.
OTHER BASIC FUNCTIONS
1. Preparation and drafting of proposed resolutions in connection with City
Council meetings.
2. Providing a representative at meetings of the Zoning Board of Appeals,
the Board of Ethics and, upon request, at meetings of the City Planning
Commission, the Civil Service Commission, the Board of Trustees of the
Employees Retirement System, as well as other City commissions and
agencies.
3. Preparation and review of all contracts entered into between the City and
other persons, as well as approving "as to form" all legal documents that
are processed in the City.
4. Approval, typing, and transmission to the District Court warrant requests
(765) as submitted by the Police Division and the Inspection Department
in addition, 62 warrant requests were reviewed and refused.
5. Provide assistance to other departments in the collection of delinquent
fees, charges and taxes by laking whatever steps may be necessary,
including the institution of litigation.
6. Refer to the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority for
disposition all lawsuits and claims of action against the City which would
be covered through the City's agreement with the Authority.
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Provide legal assistance to various City department heads and
supervisors with respect to labor matters, including review of proposed
disciplinary actions.
Citizens' disputes and problems requiring the advice and counsel of this
office are increasing and require more time than ever before.
LIBRARY COMMISSION
DIRECT SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC
Activity and service levels have remained high, but the size of the collection,
number of citizens with library cards and overall circulation of materials have all
increased significantly. New services this year include the creation of a new local
obituary index and the microfilming of a portion of the Livonia Observer not
covered by the newspaper itself. Oral history projects were launched to
document Livonia history, as well as to record experiences of local veterans for
the National Veteran's History Project. A personal donation also allowed the
Library to start a circulating book discussion kit collection to help small local book
clubs. The Livonia Public Library maintains a large set of professionally selected
and organized links to make using the internet even easier. Patrons can still
search the library catalog and check their record from home, as well as having
the ability to renew items online, with staff assistance by phone, and via 24-hour
toll-free automated phone renewal service as well. Citizens can still apply for
their library card and update their information online. Two years out the
"wireless" service at the Library continues to be popular, giving library users the
opportunity to make more efficient use of library resources, by being able to
interact directly with their laptops at the same time. New furniture has been
ordered for the library atrium and has started to arrive. The Library is finally
realizing its goal of providing business people, job hunters and students the
benefit and convenience of a special area for laptop users to take advantage of
the Library's computer and other services. Onsite public internet stations and
electronic card catalogs continue to serve citizens who may not have access to
technology at home, especially during these difficult financial times. The Sam
internet management system continues to provide more efficient sharing of the
Library's public access computers by the many users of the service and has
finally been implemented system wide with the addition of Noble Branch in 2008.
This allows fair and equal use of library computers with minimal staff intervention.
Patrons enjoy the ability to self -serve and staff can devote more time to assisting
citizens with more complicated research questions. The Library is going into its
second year of participation in the MAP (Museum Adventure Pass) program.
The pilot season of this project was so popular that Macy's has agreed to
underwrite another year of this service which offers free passes to a variety of
62
area cultural institutions, by checking them out at your local library. The Librarys
E -newsletter still remains popular and can also be viewed on the Library's
website, along with an interactive schedule of upcoming events. The Library still
offers quick and efficient automated phone call notification that requested books
have arrived.
Public meeting rooms provided at Civic Center, Noble and Sandburg branches
continue to be in high demand as a venue for performances and a forum for
community events and informational meetings, as well as the many library -
sponsored programs that are offered. Numerous small cifizen groups, clubs, and
associations, as well as other City departments look to this significant public
resource as a vital and valuable public service. Civic Center branch is always in
particularly high demand with the public. The long -planned repairs and
improvements to the auditorium finally began this year and include upgrades to
the auditorium's light and sound systems.
The Library enjoyed positive coverage from multiple media outlets again this
year. Local papers featured articles on library programs and services, including
pieces on children's and teen programs like the "Library Card Gift for the
Holidays' and the Prom Dress exchange, as well as general interest services like
the regional MAP museum pass program. The Livonia Observer once again
generously printed the names of the lop -performing Summer Reading
participants. City Channel 8 taped some of the Noontime Concerts again this
year, broadcasting free musical entertainment to the community.
The display areas at all three branches were busy again this year with all kinds of
colorful and informative exhibits. The Livonia Arts Commission booked monthly
art exhibits into the Civic Center gallery, while display cases maintained by library
staff at all of the branches showcased items like hockey pucks, Olympic
memorabilia, dolls, rocks and gems, Elvis collectables and a display of "Golden
Books" in honor of the 50"' anniversary of the beloved children's books.
Library programs were very popular with our community again this year. There
was not a special set of grant funded events at the beginning of the season to
boost attendance like last year, but there was a wonderful series of author events
to celebrate the Civic Center Branch Library's 20"' anniversary. Despite the slow
start to this year, attendance at Library programs has increased incredibly in
recent months, peaking with a 60 % increase in September. Impressive
attendance continued for events like the Summer Reading Program, which keeps
up students' reading skills over the summer and encourages children and teens
to enjoy the Library and to embrace reading as a lifelong skill. The Library offers
something for all ages, starting with Mother Goose, Pied Piper, Melody Lane and
other storytime sessions designed to help develop pre -reading skills in toddlers
and young children, continuing through older children with programs on bats,
bugs, Pokemon tournaments and the "Write a Soldier" project. Teen programs
included practical information like college planning and personal safety, as well
63
as fun programs like Hip Hop and Salsa dance lessons and "American Idol" style
karaoke and video game events all bring teens into the library and gives the staff
a chance to let them know what else the Library has to offer. The economy has
made free family entertainment especially appealing. Movie programs at all
locations and for all different ages have proven extremely popular, including the
new "Books to Film" series. There were additional offerings for the older crowd,
inducing instructional classes on using MS Office and the Internet, book
discussion clubs and informative speakers on retirement planning, astronomy,
travel, free music concerts and an English as a Second Language discussion
group. A new series called "History Lives at the Library' started this year
including programs on the Titanic and the Edmund Fitzgerald, as well as a
special traveling bus exhibit called "Behind Barbed Wire' about the WWII
experiences of prisoners of war. The Library also does obituary searches and
proctors exams for institutions like CMU, Jackson Community College, Indiana
State University, Pennsylvania State University, Brigham Young University and
the Atlanta Arts Institute.
The Livonia Public Library has been fortunate in its many partnering relationships
with various organizations. Bright House donated the use of the costumed
"Froggy" character for children's programming. Local high school students have
begun doing one -0n -one computer tutoring for seniors at the Civic Center
Branch. The Library hosted exhibitions of student artwork from both Livonia and
Clarenceville Public Schools again this year. Entertainment and craft programs
were also provided in conjunction with the City's Tree Lighting Ceremony and in
cooperation with the Livonia Parks and Recreation Department and the Livonia
Rotary Club. The Library also worked with the Livonia Public Schools through
the Perinville Parent -Preschool Jamboree and other programs highlighting the
importance of reading to preschoolers, and by giving library tours and making
numerous classroom visits. The Library also partnered with the Livonia Public
Schools on a number of other projects, including ELVs (Early Literacy Volunteer
— a volunteer tutoring program), the "Young Author" program, and the "Author in
Autumn" outreach program, all of which benefit local school children. Once again
the Library received generous cooperation and support from many local
businesses that provided incentives for the Summer Reading Program. The
Library was fortunate in having the Livonia Arts Commission co-sponsor the
popular Noontime Concert Series again this year. The Livonia Observer
cooperated with us again by graciously making room in their pages for the names
of the lop readers in our Summer Reading Program. A number of programs
throughout the year were co-sponsored by the Rising Stars Youlheatre and the
Detroit Story League, encouraging performance, creativity and storytelling as an
important part of the educational process. The Library supported City employees
and other City departments by providing meeting room facilities for various
meetings and events. The Library also assisted with collections for the Livonia
Goodfellows and the Gift of Reading program.
64
FACILITIES
Major improvements this year included an ADA accessible family bathroom at
Noble and a new quiet study room enclosure. The parking lots at both Noble and
Sandburg were repaired and resurfaced in 2008. Work finally commenced on
the Civic Center Branch Library's auditorium and furniture for the wireless
internet area in the atrium has started to arrive. The Civic Center Branch
celebrated its 20"' Anniversary this year. New firewalls telecommunications
switches were installed this year and a number of public access computers were
upgraded. Patrons love the ability to use their laptops and access the Librarys
internet and other services at the same time. Civic Center Branch also installed
special workstations in the public area to make training patrons more efficient
and less intrusive to our regular internet users. The library also acquired a
laminatorto assistwith children's programs and other departmental needs.
Hours of Library service were maintained at the same slightly reduced level as
the past several years at Noble and Sandburg and Civic Center Branch
completed its first full year of restored operating hours at Civic Center including
Sunday and Thursday morning hours. This has allowed us to provide even
greater service and convenience to the community.
Library Commissioners Elizabeth Newlon and Trudy Pinto were reappointed to
serve anotherlenn beginning in October. Richard Joyner and Anna Weidnerboth
retired from the Commission in 2008, but we are happy to welcome Donna
Anagnoslou and Dianne Policelli as new members of the Livonia Library
Commission. Longtime employee Dianne DelVecchio left her position with us as
a Library Aide II, but was gracious enough to continue on in a part-time
temporary capacity until her position could be permanently filled. This set off a
chain of transfers and promotional opportunities that have worked to the
advantage of both the staff and the Library alike. Sadly, after 13 years of service,
Library Page William Majeske passed away in 2008. He will be missed by his
friends and co-workers at the Library. We menlored a paraprofessional library
student from Oakland Community College this year. Staff also instituted a
LibraryWiki to assist in our internal communications.
FUNDING
The millage continues to be the major source of revenue for the Library at
approximately 83.2% (82.5% last year). The portion of the Library's budget that
comes from the millage has shifted in recent years due to reductions in the
contributions from the City's general fund and State Funding issues. Slate Aid to
Libraries was distributed this year, but once again at an even further reduced
level. Direct State Aid to Livonia Public Library has dropped by over 17% within
the last year alone. 2008 also witnessed the first significant downward swing in
65
Penal fines that lelp fund public libraries. Penal fine revenue to Livonia Public
Library dropped over 21% in the last year. State Aid reductions not only impact
Livonia directly, but also indirectly through the TLN library co-op that is our
service organization. Unfortunately, this area of funding continues to be under
threat of reduction or elimination at a time when the economy causes citizens to
need and use our services all the more. Unique Management Service continued
to function as our collection agency, recovering funds that allow the Library to
replace lost and stolen items.
The Library continues to seek outside funding and support to help supplement
services to the community. The Livonia Arts Commission approved another
generous grant to help underwrite the costs of the Noontime Concert Series.
The Children's Department received a grant from The Michigan Humanities
Council to cover programs during National Library Week. Local businesses
generously donated incentives to the Library for its Summer Reading Program to
help encourage young readers. The Library extends its heartfelt thanks to the
many citizens who donated money to the Library in honor or in memory of their
loved ones over the past year.
The Friends of the Livonia Public Library awarded three $1500 scholarships to
worthy staff members pursuing their college educations this year. The Friends
continue to work tirelessly to organize and carry out their Book Sale events and
the Friends Used Bookstore has proven to be extremely popular. The Library is
especially appreciative of their hard work and generous donations, as we have
moved through a period of continuing economic hard limes. We are grateful for
the funds that the Friends donate to us every year, but the labor and revenue
attached to this wonderfully supportive volunteer group cannot be guaranteed or
planned on as part of the regular budget planning process of the Library as a City
Department.
Registered borrowers and total items in the collection are both up, but
circulation statistics are up almost 9%, indicating that citizens continue to need
and use Library services even more in these difficult economic limes.
66
October 2007
October2008
Library Program Attendance
29,305
21,984
Meeting Room Attendance
66,388
64,593
Registered Borrowers
44,831
46,601
Items in the Collection
312,472
327,915
Circulation
751,641
818,193 `
Library Website Usage
246,489
197,671 "
Internet Workstations
88,310
79,498 "
Registered borrowers and total items in the collection are both up, but
circulation statistics are up almost 9%, indicating that citizens continue to need
and use Library services even more in these difficult economic limes.
66
" Due to a major crash and significant downtime of the shared automation
system in early 2008, some statistics were lost, so these figures are low and do
not accurately reflect computer usage in 2008.
We Create Community Through People, Parks and Programs
A strong commitment to Parks and Recreation services is a key component to
the success of our community. We provide facilities, programs, classes and
opportunities where one's leisure time can: become wholesome, where
memories are created, skills are developed and where the quality of life of our
residents, theirfamilies and friends are enhanced.
With the assistance of 14 full-time staff and 300 dedicated and enthusiastic part-
time staff, including the Department of Public Services, Building Maintenance,
and Park Maintenance, we recorded:
? 27,270 individuals who participated in registered classes, programs, and
leagues.
? An average of 3,000 individuals visited the LCRC daily.
? 121,084 rounds ofgolfwere played at ourthree courses.
? 7,278 participants i n Special Events.
? 19,603 visits to the outdoor pools.
? 36,200 who attended an organized picnic at a pavilion.
We received $2,114.50 in donations for: improvements to athletic fields, parks,
Wilson Barn and also for programming and special events.
Parks and Recreation works cooperatively with and delivers services to other
City Departments, civic organizations, community businesses and the Livonia
and Clarenceville Public Schools.
Our Department recognizes the dynamic and unique role we play in bslering a
healthy community and lifestyles of those we serve through one of our six
Service Divisions.
• Aquatics
• Athletics
• Community Center
• Gott
• Special Events
• Parks
67
Marketing
The Marketing Department strives to promote the assets of the department and
how they influence the lives of those we serve, as well as, develop and cultivate
partnerships, collaborations and volunteerism. As a department we are devoted
to offering quality programs and facilities while providing the highest standards of
customer service possible.
The 64 -page Parks and Recreation L Magazine continues to be our primary
source of advertisement to our users. The L is distributed to Livonia's 39,000
plus households and the Livonia Recreation Center's non-resident pass holders.
The L Magazine is also available on our website. Other avenues to promote and
advertise are through email blasts, news releases, website, flyers, posters,
mailings, Channel 8 cable releases, open houses, testimonials, and word of
mouth.
AQUATIC DIVISION
The Aquatics Division is comprised of two indoor pools at the Community
Recreation Center and three (Botsford, Clements Circle and Shelden) outdoor
pools. We provide safe, educational, and enjoyable aquatic services to the
citizens through a wide army of swim lessons, water fitness classes, open swim,
lap swim, diving lessons, pool rentals, synchronized swimming, special events,
and swim teams.
Community Recreation Center
A total of 261 Pass Holders embraced the opportunity to swim at any one of the
three (3) outdoors pools by purchasing a $5.00 pass.
Over the last year the classes and programs we offered had over 4,257
participants, not including the swim teams. This is a slight increase over last year
when we had 4,039 participants.
We were the host of swim practices for four (4) swim teams, and are considered
the home pool for three (3) of those teams. We are also the home of the Catholic
High School League Swimming and Diving championships for both men and
women. We are also the host of the BC District meet for USA swimming. Other
large meets that we hosted include Tri County Swim League championships, the
Snowball Splash, and the Spartan Invitational. The listed meets had between
300 and 1,200 participants each. In addition we hosted eight (8) dual meets for
Ladywood High School, one (1) dual meet for the University of Detroit Jesuit High
School, and three (3) dual meets for Catholic Central High School.
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Special events held at our Community Center special events this year included
the 5" Annual Cardboard Boat Races and the 2"d Annual Beat the Winter Blues
Indoor Triathlon which had 60 athletes competing.
The Lap pool was shut down for routine and preventive maintenance in April, and
the Leisure pool was shut down in August. During this time the leisure pool was
resurfaced.
LomrmElzWenr
Botsford Pool was open June 7"' through August 24"', Clements Circle was open
June 14r" through September 7", and Shelden was open June 23'd through
August 161". 19,603 visits were recorded at the pools this year (7,083 at
Botsford, 9,715 at Clements Circle, and 2,805 at Shelden) including day and
season passes.
This year both Shelden and Botsford Pool received a new domesfic water heater.
Botsford also got five (5) new lane lines.
Our swim lesson program had 589 students at the Botsford and Shelden pools.
This was an increase of 57 students over last year. We had 355 season pass
holders. Five (5) different swim teams used our outdoor pools for summer
practice.
This year we held our 5" Annual Super Youth Triathlon, which had 59
participants. We hosted three (3) special event theme nights and also held a
Family Fun Night weekly at each pool.
ATHLETIC DIVISION
Athletic Services provides a wide variety of athletic programs for adults and youth
of all ages. Programs include league play men's/women's softball, men's
basketball, youth basketball, tball, coach pitch, softball, baseball, ice skating
program, rollerskating, soccer, archery, tennis and bowling.
League Play
We offered over 30 different activities for team sports, had over 7,300
participants and played over 2,600 games. We offered the following team sports
for participants ranging in age from four years to over 65 years old. We had over
159,000 *contact hours in our athletic programs.
Programs Ages # of # of # of Avg Game Contact
Teams Games Players Time Hours*
Winter
Men's 18 & older 16 112 192 1 hour 2,688
Basketball
me
UAL
14 &
108
540
1,620
1.25 hours
20,250
Basketball
under
Summer
Co-sponsored
16 &
121
714
1,815
2.5 hours
71,400
Baseball &
under
Softball
Collegiate
20 &
8
140
160
2.5 hours
12,600
Baseball
under
Men's Softball
18 & over
83
560
1,494
1.25 hours
25,200
Men's
18 & over
7
42
126
1.25 hours
1,890
Modified
Women's
18 & over
15
98
270
1.25 hours
4,410
Softball
Co -Ed Softball
18 & over
16
112
288
1.25 hours
5,040
Senior Softball
55 & over
6
90
90
1.25 hours
3,375
T -Ball
5-6yr olds
28
112
504
1.25 hours
5,040
Coach Pilch
7-8yrolds
37
152
666
1.25 hours
6,840
Girl's
10&
6
24
108
1.25 hours
1,080
Slowpilch
under
13 & under
Cancelled due to low enrollment
*Contact Hours:
1. Baseball equals number of games x 40
(2 teams @ 20rteam) x length of game
2. Softball equals number of games x 36
(2 teams @ 18/team) x length of game
3. Basketball equals number of games x 30
(2 teams @ 12/team) x length of game
4. Does not include practice time or number ofspectators at games
Archery Range
The outdoor Archery Range opened this year on Saturday, April 5. The range
has seven (7) targets at various distances with an additional broad -head range.
The range hosted several instructional workshops throughout the summer and
had over 50 participants. Several area Boy Scout and Girl Scout groups utilized
the range for badge certifications. The range is open April through October on
weekends from 10:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays in
Septemberthrough Octoberfrom 4:00 p.m. until dusk.
Over 850 people attended the range through general admission and season
passes and the revenue for the range is $2,253.
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Ice Skating
The City owns two ice arenas, Eddie Edgar (2 sheets) and Devon -Aire (1 sheet).
The Livonia Hockey Association manages both rinks and offers leagues, clinics,
tournaments and open skating.
Our Learn to Skate Program provided 792 enrollments. Representing Livonia
were 72 skaters in local and stale competitions. In addition, 40 girls joined one of
three Synchronized Skating Teams. The City hosted its bi-annual ice show "On
the Radio" with over 113 skaters performing. This enrollment is down from 153
skaters in 2006.
The skating program touched over 690 different youth through the year
The Community Center, in its fifth year of operation, continues to meet its
mission of serving the whole community by offering annual memberships, daily
admissions, class participation, league play, community group partnerships and
rentals.
Through all the ways we serve the community, the recreation center alone
averages over 3,000 visitors per day. Since the center is only closed nine (9)
days per year, over 1 million people come through the door each year.
Membership has declined by 6.4%. Certainly the economy has had an effect on
membership. Increased competition in the market place for fitness centers has
had an impact with four (4) businesses opening in 2008. The overall selection of
programs and facilities at the Community Center continues to out perform any
facility in the region.
The Community Center has introduced the electronic fund payment plan for
membership fees. With a loss of 878 members since 2007 this new plan will help
residents spread payments over the entire year.
Total Annual Membership 13,165
Family
8,833
Adult
1,507
Couple
1,158
Senior
774
Business/Corporate
340
Youth/Teen
206
Young Adult
271
Matinee
76
Summer membership
1,200
71
Resident
Non -Residents
Total Day Passes 33,617
15,191
Youth 13,477
6,754
Teens 10,135
4,168
Adults 9,099
3,949
Seniors 906
320
Grand Total of 48,808 day passes
Class activity has decreased slightly. Many
classes and leagues still
reach the
maximum enrollment each session. Internet
class registration is 12% of our total,
with more people taking advantage of this easy
registration method.
Total Enrollment 19,970
Participants per activity
Aerobics 6,850
Personal Training
4,167
Camp Swoosh 705
Special Events
604
Climbing Wall 245
Swim Lessons
2,995
Fitness Center 281
Water Exercise
1,262
Classes/Leagues 3,214
Special projects completed in 2008 were:
1. New carpel outside locker rooms and concessions
2. 26 new cardio equipment pieces.
3. Refinished leisure pool.
4. New flooring in Tree Fort
Fitness and Wellness
Fitness and Wellness programming in the LCRC continues to offer variety.
Members can take advantage of a number of services offered by the LCRC.
Fitness and Wellness offerings include: fitness hub workouts, fitness
assessments, climbing wall classes, personal training, nutritional counseling,
massage therapy, group exercise (aerobics) and Livonia's 100 Days to Health
wellness program.
The fitness hub has remained a very busy area of the LCRC. Equipment
orientations are offered free of charge by the personal training staff. We also
offer Polar BodyAge assessments. The BodyAge assessment provides an
individual with a baseline measurement of their overall fitness level. The
assessment takes into account a number of health and fitness markers including
your strength, flexibility, percent body fat, nutntion, cardiovascular fitness and
more to calculate the fitness of your body. For youth, we offer two types of youth
orientations: Teens in Training Part I and Teens in Training Part 11. The fitness
hub has 86 cardio machines, 17 selectonzed weight -training machines, 2 cabled
functional trainers, 2 sets of 5115-10011b dumbbells and 1 set of 20115-110115 foxed
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curl bars. Cardio equipment is also available for member use on the bridge
leading to the track and in one of the track comers. Also available for member
use is an assortment of plate -loaded machines such as a smith machine, squat
rack, leg press, calf raise and chest press benches. Another feature of the fit hub
is the Eneroise Cardio Theater function found on most of our cardio equipment.
The Enercise unit enables the member to tune into a T.V. program while getting
their cardio workout in.
The climbing wall continues to be a unique feature of the recreation center. The
wall has 13 routes ranging in degree of difficulty in order to challenge the novice
through elite climber. The wall remains open for use seven days a week. We
offer a range of youth and adult climbing classes throughout the weekends. A
couple of specialty programs that we have at the climbing wall are the rock the
wall climbing social every Friday night and a Boy/Girl Scout Merit Badge
program. The Boy/Girl Scout Merit Badge program is a 3A hour class with
classroom lectures and climbing wall time.
Personal training continues to be utilized on a consistent basis. Members can
utilize personal training as an individual, couple or in a group setting. Personal
trainers help members become successful with their fitness goals. The LCRC
currently has a staff of 13 certified personal trainers.
Nutritional counseling is an additional service that the LCRC is offering. We
currently have two registered dietitians on staff. Members meet with the
dietitians on an individual basis. This service is by appointment only. We have
also incorporated dietary services into some of our class and seminar offerings
as well.
Massage therapy is a service that is offered to members as well as nonmembers.
We currently have two (2) certified massage therapists on staff. This service is
by appointment only. Massage therapy is currently being offered two (2) days per
week.
Group exercise (land aerobics) continues to be a popular offering here at the
LCRC. The LCRC currently offers 97 dasses, seven days a week. The majority
of our group exercise classes have been 50 minute class lengths. We now offer
30 minute classes as well. Women on weights, lifestyle/body makeover, yoga,
cycle, step and pilates are a few of our most popular classes. The LCRC
currently has a staff of 28 certified aerobics instructors.
Livonia's 100 Days to Health has become a successful community wide initiative
to build partnerships with area businesses and increase community involvement
with the use of programming through the Livonia Community Recreation Center.
The goal of the program is to provide participants with simple, factual and
educational information on nutrition, exercise, health and wellness for the entire
family. The program runs from January to April. The 2008 event attracted 542
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participants. Corporate partners include St. Mary Mercy Hospital, Dick's Sporting
Goods, Time too Savor, Running Fit, Madonna University Dietetics Department
and Masn Orthodontics. Grocery stores that are also participating include
Kroger's, Busch's, Joe's Produce and Trader Joe's. Participants involved in the
100 Days have access to exercise classes, nutrition seminars, wellness
seminars, grocery store lours, rock climbing and free workouts and swimming on
Fridays here at the LCRC during the length of the program.
Sports and Leisure
In 2008, we continued to offer a variety of leisure classes to our citizens, covering
all ages and all interests. We strive to offer quality programs at affordable prices
for all our customers. Between the 2 winter sessions, 1 spring session, 1
summer session and 2 fall sessions, we offered over 345 dasses, clinics, camps,
and leagues.
The Recreation Center's Leisure classes include pre-school developmental
classes such as Little Explorers, 2's on the Move, Fun 2B Fit, and Interactive
Play Program. We also offer dance classes for adults and youth including hip
hop, lap, ballet, jazz, and ball room. Kids Night Out continues to add fun and
excitement every V Friday of the month for kids ages 5-12. We offer 20 different
martial arts dasses ranging from Tae Kwon Do to Kung Fu to Karate. We also
offer enrichment classes for youth in the form of art and music programs, as well
as Spanish language and painting classes for adults.
Indoor sport programs include volleyball, basketball, soccer, and tennis. They
are run in a variety of formats including seven (7) week class sessions, 2-3 day
clinics, week-long camps and instructional leagues.
Camp Swoosh continued to provide so much more then just a place for kids to go
in the summer. Each week, Camp Swoosh offered kids the opportunity to make
friends, unforgettable memories, build leadership and social skills, use their
creative side through art and themed projects, stay physically active and involved
instead of sifting at home watching TV all day, and most of all it instills a sense of
pride to be a part of such a special group. This year Camp Swoosh generated
just under $50,000 in revenue and averaged just over 34 campers a week.
Kid Quarters
Our short term care operation continues to serve the needs of our members,
residents, and non residents, allowing parents to stay active and involved while
their children are in a safe and friendly environment while they work out.
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Rentals
The opportunity for family, friends and neighbors to use the center for special
gatherings is a great way for people to take advantage of the Community Center
services. The following events look place in 2008:
Birthday Parties 563
Rentals
313
Party/gathering
55
Meetings
47
Showers
27
Company Outings
21
School Groups
20
Bar/Bat Mitzvah
14
Scout Groups
13
Team party
8
Church groups
7
Total
1,088
Many teams rent gym time during offseason training to keep athletes in shape.
After hour outings are an opportunity to have a more private event.
GOLF DIVISION
The City of Livonia Golf Division is proud to report that revenues are up for the
first time since 2004. 2007 was the first year that the courses were noldismpled
due to construction on the course or changes in the food and beverage
operation. Al the end of 2007 we were proud to report that we held on and
revenue was flat. Now, at the end of 2008 two full seasons without disruptions in
our operation; we can proudly say we are 4% up over last season in this trying
economy.
Whispering Willows golf course successfully completed installing 650 ft. of new
drainage on number one along with renovating the irrigation system / pump
house and building a new forward lee on number five. Perhaps the most exciting
news of the year is that Whispering Willows is now in the preliminary design
phase for a new clubhouse.
Greens speed is the most exciting thing to talk about for Fox Creek; customers
have been raving about tie difference in quality. New maintenance practices
have proven to be a success at Fox Creek; a much truer and fast paced roll has
been achieved. Forward and back tees on number five have been renovated as
well as a new forward lee on number seven. The office addition was completed
in the spring of 2008 along with new drainage on number ten and eighteen.
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The most compliments of the year went to Idyl Wyld; the course was in much
better shape this season; both leagues and daily fee customers look the time to
compliment the staff. A new bunker was created on number fifteen and new
drainage on number 13. Many new flower beds were put in throughout the
course; some of which are full of wildflowers that were planted by a local Livonia
resident, Mrs. Dell Wisecarver. A septic field was installed at the maintenance
facility; bringing us one step closer to being able to provide more sanitary
conditions for our staff.
SPECIAL EVENT DIVISION
The Department places great emphasis on special events and programs. It is
our intent to play an integral role in developing community involvement by
working with local businesses and civic organizations that provide professional
input, volunteers and/or financial assistance.
A sense of family and individual pride and community spirit is developed through
such events as; Daddy/Daughter dance, Mother/Son
dance,
holiday activities,
summer playground program, Youth Fitness Meet,
Tree Lighting Ceremony,
Cardboard Boal Races, Elk's Soccer Shoot and Hoop
Shoot, Winter Fest, Pilch,
Hit & Run, to mention a few.
Over 7,278 individuals have benefited from participating in our
special events,
totaling 90,700 hours in which we had direct contact with them.
Event Ages #of Time #of
Contact
Cosponsored
Days People
Hours
By
Programs
W nter/Spring/Fall
Roller & Inline 5 & 24 1 500
12,000
Riverside
Skating up wks
Arena
Youth Bowling 18 & 26 2 395
20,540
Mem-Bowl,
Leagues under wks
Cloverlanes,
Wonderland,
Woodland
Summer
Playground
Program 5-12 35 5 264
46,200
Tennis Lessons 6-10 6 1 58
348
Triathlon 6-14 1 3 60
180
Walmart,
Wolverine
Sports and
Conservation
Club
Nature Camp 5-8 5 2 18
180
Special Events
76
Winter
Santa's Workshop
Gr K-
1
0.5
161
80.5
Livonia Kiwanis
Calling
2
Santa Bowling
3-6
1
1.5
165
247.5
Mem-Bowl
Santa Mailbox
7 &
1
0.5
268
134
Livonia Kiwanis
under
Essay Contest
5-12
1
1
198
198
Friends of the
Barn
Tree Lighting
All
1
2
700+
1400+
Rotary Club,
Ceremony
Libraries, Civic
Chorus, and
Youth Choir
Lunch with Santa
12 &
1
2
101
202
Jaycees and
under
Kiwanis
Elk's Hoop Shoot
8-13
1
2.5
45
112.5
Livonia Elks
Contest
Lodge
MRPA Hoop
7-14
1
2
27
54
MRPA
Shoot Contest
Daddy/Daughter
4-16
1
2
192
384
Livonia Elks
Dance
Lodge
Mother/Son
4-9
1
2
81
162
Livonia Elks
Dance
Lodge
Civic Chorus
All
1
1
150
150
Civic Chorus
Concert
Guitar Hero
9-14
1
3
14
42
Tournament
Spring
Take Pride in
All
1
3
350
1050
Rotary Club,
Livonia Day
Scouts, and
School Groups
Memorial Day
All
1
4
zoo+
800+
Veteran's
Ceremony
Alliance
Hunter Safely
10&
1
12
67
804
DNR
Course
up
Civic Chorus
18 &
2
2
200
800
Livonia Civic
Concert
up
Chorus
Easter Bunny
12 &
1
2
52
104
Jaycees and
Lunch
under
Kiwanis
Pilch, Hit & Run
7-14
1
2.5
16
40
Summer
Music From the
All
8
1.5
zoo+
2,400+
Arts
Heart
Commission
Rotary BBQ
All
1
6
100+
600
Rotary Club
SK8 Jam
7 &
1
2
12
24
Up
77
WWCTR Picnic
All
1
2.5
100+
250
WWCTR
Extravaganza
Fall
Lunch with
12 &
1
2
21
42
Livonia
Goblins
under
Jaycees &
Kiwanis
Elks Soccer Shoot
13 &
1
3.5
28
98
Livonia Elk's
under
Lodge
Haunted Stroll
12 &
1
0.25
1,152
288
Friends of the
under
Barn
Craft Hours
10 &
1
4
56
224
Friends of the
under
Barn
Turkey Trot
All
1
2
252
504
Wolverine
Sports and
Conservation
Club,
Goodfellows
Punt, Pass & Kick
15 &
1
1.5
10
15
under
Hunter Safely
10&
1
12
65
780
DNR
Course
Up
Ja1N 16111ITA G9P17
Our parks are a great place for families and groups to gather for picnics, outdoor
activities or just to visit, walk, hike or use various amenities; pavilions, grills, play
structures, ball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, nature trails, walking paths,
fitness clusters, in-line courts, playgrounds, sand volleyball courts or Wilson
Barn. It is impossible to put a total number of individuals visiting our parks, now
that's priceless!!
Park Maintenance maintains all parks, handles inspections and works with us in
providing safe, clean and quality parks that our residents have raved about and
come to expect.
Approximately 452 pavilion permits were issued for Rotary, John Stymelski,
Veteran's, Bicentennial, Clements Circle, Mies and Shelden Parks. Our revenue
for the pavilion rentals totaled $30,527.00. Fifteen (15) picnic packs were rented.
The parks were also the sites of numerous special events and activities. Cross-
country ski trails were set at Bicentennial Park, Fox Creek, Whispering Willows
and Idyl Wyld Golf Courses and had limited use. The Rotary Club continues to
assist us in park improvements.
78
Improvements to the parks include a pavilion at Rotary Park, tennis court and
inline skate court refurbishing at Rotary Park, Wilson Acres Park, Country Homes
Park, Newburgh & Five Mile Park, Compton Park, and Castle Gardens Park and
paving of panting lots at Botsford Park and Jaycee Park. Baseball and softball
backstops are being refurbished or replaced. Sites done or currently being
worked on are Ford Field, Rotary Park, Compton Park, Dooley Park, and Nash
Park.
Activities and projects handled bythe Planning Commission and the Planning
Department for the year 2008 included the following:
Subdivision Plats Considered
Preliminary Plats 0
Final Plats 0
Extensions 4
Petitions Processed
Rezoning
9
Waiver of Use
30
Site Plans
12
Site Condominiums
0
Sign Permits
6
Greenbelt & Landscape
2
Satellite Dish
0
Lot Splits
11
Meetings Held
Public Hearings (44 items)
10
Regular Meetings
10
Study Meetings
19
Special Regular Meetings
1
Amendments
Master Plan Amendments 0
Language Amendments (Ord543) 4
Vacating 1
Throughout the past year, the Department has worked closely with the Mayors
Office and has been involved in the planning of several new developments, as
well as several expansion and redevelopment projects, including:
1) Expansion to the Marycrest Manor senior housing facility located on the
west side of Middlebelt Road between Five Mile Road and Wentworth
Avenue, including the construction of a new three-story independent living
complex and a new one-story assisted living facility;
2) Approval of a new 11,000 sq.R. neighborhood shopping center on vacant
property located on Joy Road between Inkster Road and Cardwell
Avenue;
79
3) Facade remodel and other exterior improvements to the Wine Palace
store located on the west side of Middlebelt Road between Schoolcraft
Road and Bentley Avenue;
4) Approval of a new 16" District Courthouse to be located at the corner of
Five Mile Road and Brookfield Avenue, just east of the Main Library on the
grounds oflhe Civic Center Campus;
5) Reuse of the former UAW Childcare facility on Ann Arbor Road between
Eckles and Hix Roads into a preschool/elementary school (Brookfield
Academy);
6) Renovation of the former Ground Round Restaurant to a new Buffalo Wild
Wings Restaurant and MaslercraR Jewelry store, located on the east side
of Laurel Park Drive South between Six Mile Road and Professional
Center Drive;
7) Approval of a new Tim Horton's drive-thru coffee shop and restaurant on
the west side of Middlebell Road between Munger Ave. and Six Mile;
8) Approval of a new 85 R. high wireless communication support structure
(cell lower) at Emerson Middle School, located on the north side of West
Chicago between Middlebell Road and Harrison Avenue;
9) Development of a new retail shopping complex at the northwest corner of
Middlebell and Seven Mile Roads that will involve the demolition of the
former Livonia Mall and the construction of seven (7) new buildings having
a combined total floor area of approximately 320,000 sq.R.
10)Renovation of the Advance Marketing Partners building located on Joy
Road between Inkster Road and Cardwell Avenue;
11)Expansion of the Angela Hospice Home Care facility located on the east
side of Newburgh Road between SchoolcraR Road and Five Mile Road;
and
12)Expansion of the McLaren Performance Technologies complex located on
Eight Mile Road between Merriman Road and Hubbard Road;
2008 Land Use Quarter Section Colored Maps
2008 Lot Splits Reports - 11
The Planning Department oversees and coordinates the activifies and functions
of the office of Economic Development. The Department provides oversight,
guidance and assistance to the Economic Development Director. The new and
expanded program is to lend assistance to business and industrial firms in the
City by maintaining a list of available properties and buildings, provide guidance
through the permit process and by administering to the Economic Development
Corporation. Special emphasis of the new program is to assist in promoting,
retaining and attracting local industrial, commercial and retail enterprises within
the City thereby strengthening and protecting the local economy and lax base.
M
Below is a summary of the major activities that the City's Economic Development
Office has been involved with over the past year:
• 43 Retention Calls and/or Prospect Meetings negotiations etc.
(Personal meetings — number does not include phone contact work)
• City Representative a 23 Professional and/or Networking events: i.e.
charity, SEMCOG, SAE, MEDA, chamber, & various social and
professional events.
• Customer Service and/or Conflict Resolution: 39 issues resolved
(e.g.: tax, IFEC, utility, city services, Vanance, MEDC, EPA issues, etc.)
• Tax Incentive Program
A) Completed Induslnal Development Overlay District project with
Council: 2008 Two Public Heanngs & Council approval created final
two (of six) City Section IDD Overlay Districts covering all M-1 & M-2
addresses within Industrial Corridor. Project effectively condensed
redundant ACT 198 application and review process from two, to one-
step application and Council review procedure.
B) Created Induslnal Development District for 7 Mile office address
C) Completed 4 Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificates
D) Created Plant Rehabilitation District (closed GM warehouse reuse)
E) Represented City at MEGA Board for NYX Inc.
• 11 Council Public Hearings and/or Committee/Study Presentations
• Drafted 10 Memos and/or Lepers for Mavor and/or Council
• Public Speaking Engagements:
A) Livonia Exchange Club
B) 3 class project interviews for EMU, Wayne State & Madonna students
Seminars. Memberships. Committees
• Michigan Econ. Dev. Association (MEDA)
• International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)
• Detroit Metro Airport Technical Advisory Committee
• Brownfield National Conference (prepared & worked Livonia Booth)
• Malaysia —U.S. Business Opportunities Seminar
• AutoDesk Experience
• Organized & co -hosted Livonia Orientation luncheon & Roush lour for
16 International Trade Commissioners from Greater Chicago with
Roush Industries and Detroit Econ. Growth Corp.
• ICSC Midwest Alliance (Chicago)
• ICSC Michigan Deal Makers
81
• ICSC Global Real Estate Convention (Las Vegas)
• 8 Mile Blvd Association (Golf Committee)
• Automation Alley
• MML "Effects of PA 198" Seminar
• SEMCOG Econ. Dev. Seminar
• Michigan Defense & Innovation Symposium
• NextEnergy"New Economy Sustainability Strategies" seminar
Misc.
• Prepared 30 Building Search/Attraction packets, and/or prospect lours.
• 11 Media interviews (Detroit News, Free Press, WSJ, Observer, Novi
News, Livonia Gazette & Crain's)
• Conducted 28 Livonia E.D.'partnership" meetings with representatives
from DTE Energy, AT&T, MEDC, industrial & commercial brokers,
Michigan Works, MEDA colleagues, CSX Rail etc.
2008 New Business & Expansion Investment & Job Highlights
• Ford: $121 Million M&E— 350 jobs retained (IFEC)
• Admiral Tool: $1.05 Million M&E— 73 job retained & 11 new (IFEC)
• Tower Automotive World Headquarters — 300 new jobs from Novi
• Foremost Duct: (95,000 sq. R. lease) — 50 new jobs
• West Win Ltd: (90,00 sq. R. lease)-- 25 new jobs from Detroit
• NYX Inc: $21 Million, 250,000 sq. R. vacant building rehab— 150-hD-
200 new jobs (IFEC, MEGA, Plant Rehab District)
• Henrob: $2.6 Million, 60,000 sq. R. — 25 new jobs from Novi (IFEC)
• AT&T Plymouth Road Service Facility (TBD)
• Trinity Home Health Services at College Park
2008 Known Job losses
• SuperValue (Kroger warehouse) 366, cold storage consolidation in
Delaware, Ohio
• TeslTek (2009) 150, to Wixom higlrbay crane building
• Roush Cru Cam 60, consolidates three facilities to Farmington high
bay building.
• Chep 30 (pallet renovation — closed)
• World Super Service 12 (closed) served SuperValue
• Michigan Heritage Bank SE Michigan consolidation
• Exel North America 45, Livonia & Chicago consolidation in Plymouth
The Planning Department continues to provide oversight and clerical support to
the Plymouth Road Development Authority (PRDA). The full-time Director of the
Plymouth Road Development Authority works with the Planning Director and
82
department staff in coordinating and administering the various programs as
assigned by the Authority. The Department secretary maintains custody of
records, books, documents and other papers of the Authority. Planning
Department personnel attend all meetings of the Board and keep a record of its
proceedings.
Work continued on the corridor with the PRDA Streetscape Program. At the
Stark Road and Wayne Road intersections, new mastarms for traffic signal lights
and lighted street signs were awarded. Ranhom Electric was awarded the
contract and preliminary site work is underway. Completion will occur in 2009.
Coupled with these improvements, the slreetscape at these intersections will
feature the plaza designs typical of what has occurred at other intersections
where mastanns have been installed. Designs for these plazas have been
prepared and approved. Bids will be lel for this work in 2009.
The Authority financed the repaving of the four municipal parking lots on
Plymouth Road between Mernman Road and Hubbard Road. The contract for
the work and related construction administration was handled by the City of
Livonia.
The Authority, along with Schoslak Brothers and Company planned, developed
and managed a very successful Summer Open House at the new Wonderland
Village Shops. Plans are now underway to schedule a similar event on the
corridor in 2009.
iv, l_11.9
The Planning Department has prepared many new maps for City use and has
revised others. These maps are used at the various public hearings conducted
by the Planning Commission and City Council. The maps are also made
available to other City departments and groups.
GIS
The Planning Department continues to work closely with the Information Systems
Department and other City Departments involved in the development and
maintenance oflhe City's desktop Geographic Information System (GIS). The
City's GIS is a powerful collection of computer hardware and software designed
to visualize, explore, query and analyze data geographically. The Planning
Department utilizes the GIS on a daily basis for a variety of planning related
tasks including: mapping, obtaining land use statistics and information,
generating mailing labels for public notification purposes, and much more. As
part of its responsibility of providing accurate and current land use information,
the Planning Department maintains the following spatial GIS layers and
accompanying attribute information:
Zoning Liquor Licenses Act 198 Industrial Distncts
83
Existing Land Use Wireless Communication Facilities Vicinity Control Areas
Future Land Use Truck Routes Building Footprints
The Planning Department continues to expand the use of its computer database,
which was designed and developed for the purpose of tracking and storing
information about all of the various petitions that the Department is responsible
for overseeing. The new database was created with several benefits in mind,
including faster and more efficient delivery of information to residents, other City
Departments and developers, better record keeping, and expandability and
compatibility with other computer software programs including the GIS. The
Planning database was developed using Microsoft Access and includes detailed
information on each petition including the type of project, the review procedure,
the applicant, critical deadlines (i.e., public notification), past history, zoning, etc.
Select information can be linked directly with the GIS and viewed in a spatial
context. For example, maps can be generated showing the locations of all
properties involved in certain types of land use proposals (i.e., restaurants), over
a given period of time. As of November 2008, the Planning database contains
detailed information on approximately 1,693 petitions.
Hundreds of hours have been spent supplying other departments with technical
help including:
Community Resources Assessors Office Historical Commission
Engineering/Inspection Legal Department Library Commission
Parks & Recreation Finance Department Historic Preservation
Housing Commission Police Department
SITE PLANS
Since the adoption in July of 1972 of the General Site Plan Approval Ordinance,
approximately 1,256 site plans for commeroial and office developments have
been processed. Recommendations are made on site development proposals in
order that functional, aesthetically pleasing developments, which are compatible
to surrounding developments, are accomplished. Through landscape treatment
of sites, the Planning Commission and Department maintain strong emphasis on
quality of site developments.
84
LIVONIA DIVISION OF POLICE
Su UUort Services
The Administration section consists of the Chief of Police, one Deputy Chief,
three Captains (one commanding the Support Services Division, Uniform
Division, and Investigative Division), one Lieutenant, one Sergeant, one Police
Officer, one Program Supervisor, one Secretary, and one Clerk - Typist. The
bureau is responsible for the efficient day -today operation of the department.
Preparing and maintaining the budget, purchasing, training, personnel, labor
relations, contact with citizen groups, and investigating citizen complaints are
also important functions.
During fiscal year 2008, the Training Division coordinated the attendance of our
officers at 144 offsite training courses. Of our Officers, 111 attended 40 hours of
in-house training through our Police Officer Refresher Training Program. 125
officers and civilian employees attended 4 hours of Diversity training, taught by
former Detroit Police Chief Isaiah McKinnon. The Training Division oversaw the
receipt and application of police officer "302" funds and the Bulletproof Vest
Grant Application. The firearms range promded training for all officers a
minimum of two times a year. Cement work was completed on the rifle range
and the parking lot was repaved.
During fiscal year 2008, the Training Division oversaw the hiring of 2 Police
Service Aides.
Communications
Activities include the maintenance of the department's Ericsson radio system
(consisting of over 550 mobiles and prep radios citywide); a dispatch room and
site equipment; and thirty-six "in -car' video systems.
Other activities include the maintenance of our building U.P.S. machine (and its
battery bank) and support of Computer Services in the maintenance and
programming offorty 'in -car" computer systems.
Computer Services
This unit consists of one Police Officer, one Systems Analyst II, one Computer
Administrator II and one Data Processor. Computer Services is responsible for
maintaining and improving both the Police and Fire Department's I.T.
infrastructure. This includes deploying, servicing and supporting new and
existing hardware and software (including mobile units), as well as providing
85
statistical information and reporting tools. Computer Services is also a disaster
recovery site and training facility for CLEMIS.
In 2008 Computer Services deployed 45 new mobile data workstations;
transitioned to NetRMS records management system, including its impound and
property modules; deployed scanning for NetRMS; deployed 40 new
workstations; deployed WebSence intemel monitoring software; acquired a
replacement for an outdated tape data backup system, software and hardware;
deployed server and workstations for ICOP digital dash cam system; deployed
new gun range software; deployed property bar-coding; ordered card swipes and
printers for CLEMIS ecilation module; acquired a new server for LFD fire
programs; completed the hardware and software deployment for new warning
siren system; and arraigned for the first installation of the automated license plate
recognition software in a patrol car.
Central Records
Central Records is staffed by one Sergeant, four full-time Clerk Typists, 1 part-
time clerk typists and two Clerk II's. This bureau receives, reviews and files all
arrest & history information and verifies & updates information on incident reports
as required by the Slate. In addition, they fulfill request information from Freedom
of Information, Subpoenas, and Discovery Orders and are responsible for the
issuance of pistol purchase permits. Central Records personnel also enter all
traffic citations information into the database.
Property/Licensing
A sergeant and a police officer staff the Property and Licensing Unit. The main
function of the Property and Licensing Unit is to receive, document, and store
evidential and nonevidental property, coming into the possession of The Livonia
Police Department, in a safe and secure environment. Other work activities of
the unit include the control and tracking of impounded and abandoned vehicles,
oversight of vehicle auctions conducted by lowing agencies, categorize and
submit confiscated firearms to The Michigan Slate Police for destruction,
licensing of taxi cab operators and other licensing investigations under Title 5 of
The Livonia Code of Ordinances, and holding an annual property and bicycle
auction.
The Investigative Division is comprised of several units including: Detective
Bureau, Crime Scene Unit, Crime Prevention, Special Victims Unit, Court
Services/Liquor Control Enforcement, Internet Crimes Against Children, School
86
Resource, Crime Analysis and Western Wayne Auto Theft task force. The
Investigative Division Lieutenant is in charge of six Sergeants, nineteen Police
Officers, one Clerk -Typist and a Crime Analyst.
Two Sergeants and seven Police Officers staff the Detective Bureau. Their
responsibilities include the investigation of most of the reported crimes. These
induce assaults, robberies, burglaries, larcenies, and frauds. One Sergeant and
one Police Officer make up the Crime Scene Unit. This unit is responsible for
processing crime scenes, including the development, collection and analysis of
evidence. A Sergeant is responsible for Crime Prevention. His duties include
lours of the police facility as well as leaching civic groups and businesses crime
prevention techniques. The Special Victims Unit is comprised of one Sergeant
and two Police Officers. This unit investigates domestic violence and sexual
assault cases. One Police Officer is also responsible for administering polygraph
examinations when necessary. One Sergeant and one Police Officer are
assigned to Court Services/LCC enforcement. They handle the daily court
activity and process all warrants. They also investigate Michigan Liquor Control
Commission license applicants and enforce the MLCC laws. One Police Officer
is assigned to the Michigan Stale Police Internet Crimes Against Children unit.
The ICAC unit investigates individuals who, via the Internet, attempt to lure
minors to commit illicit ads. The officer assigned to the Western Wayne Auto
Theft task force is responsible for investigating auto theft complaints in the city
and also working as a task force member to deter, investigate and prosecute
auto theft cases at a regional level. The School Resource unit is comprised of
five Police Officers who are assigned to the middle and high schools. They
provide a liaison between the police and schools and investigate any crimes that
occur at the schools.
The Crime Analyst is responsible for research, compilation, analysis, mapping of
crime trends/patterns and the distribution of such findings throughout the
department. The information assists patrol, investigative and administrative staff
in planning the deployment of resources for the prevention, intervention, and
suppression of criminal activities within the city.
Patrol Bureau
The Patrol Bureau is currently staffed with (1) Captain, (4) Lieutenants, (12)
Sergeants, (69) Police Officers, (7) Police Service Aides, (11) Dispatchers and
(1) Vehicle Maintenance Coordinator. The Special Operations Unit (SOU) is also
part of the Patrol Bureau. SOU consists of (1) Sergeant and (5) Police Officers,
which includes a 149 Officer. The Patrol Bureau provides around-the-clock
assistance, protection and law enforcement to the City of Livonia.
87
Traffic Bureau
The Traffic Bureau is currently staffed with a Sergeant, four road officers, one
desk officer, and one motor carrier officer. All seven have been trained in traffic
crash investigations — which is the primary focus of this bureau. Secondary
responsibilities include investigations of traffic related crimes and their
prosecution, selective enforcement activifies, traffic crash pattern analysis,
engineering enhancements for improved traffic flow and increased safety, breath
lest instrument calibrations, school crossing guards, child safety seat checks,
and planning board and zoning board research.
The Traffic Bureau Sergeant is an ad-hoc member of the Livonia Traffic
Commission and attends all meetings, sits as an executive board member of the
Wayne County Traffic Safety Committee, and assists the Traffic Improvement
Association of Oakland County in engineering projects and training.
As a result of the success of the Strategic Traffic Accident Reduction (STAR)
program in the past few years, traffic safety programs of the bureau were
expanded this year. Using the same approach as STAR did by employing the
"three E's" of traffic safety (Education, Engineering, and Enforcement), evaluation
of the City's traffic signs and signals was started. Evaluation is based on
compliance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices adopted by the
Slate of Michigan in 2005. As of September 2007, 18 of the City's 36 square
miles have been completed. The entire City will be in compliance with Slate Law
by fall of 2008. Despite the initial negative reaction from some citizens, traffic
flow has improved, traffic violations in these areas have decreased, and overall
safety has increased. Traffic crashes are down another 8 %this year, and have
been reduced 34% overall since the beginning of the STAR program in mid -2003
(from 13 to 8 a day).
A second expansion program was the start of the Safe Routes 2 School program.
This international program encourages students to walk and bike to school for
increased physical activity, enhanced attention span for their studies, and
reduced traffic congestion near and on school property. The Traffic Bureau and
Livonia Public Schools teamed up to begin this initiative at Coolidge and
Rosedale schools. This effort included evaluation of every K-4 school zone area
in the City. As a result, numerous enhancements were performed in these areas,
which increased pedestrian and vehicular safely in and around the schools.
Community Service Bureau
The Community Service Bureau is staffed by one Police Officer. The unit is
responsible for the administration of the Police Reserve Program, consisting of
39 Reserve Officers. This bureau also supervises the Community Event
Volunteers and the Police Explorer Post #213. The Police Explorer Post, in
conjunction with the national Learning for Life organization is a community-based
M
group that gives young adults interested in law enforcement a chance to
experience law enforcement and community service. There are currently 18
explorers actively involved who have been engaged in a number of community-
based activities in 2008.
The Community Service Bureau also provides personnel and support for
emergency events including snow alerts, downed power lines, and crowd control.
Members of the bureau have also recently been trained as instructors in the
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) concept. Along with members
of the Livonia Fire Department, the Community Service Bureau conducted 1
CERT training sessions in 2008. There are currently 92 active CERT members.
Uniformed personnel in this bureau worked 6,919 hours at special events
throughout the City of Livonia during 2008, including school functions, Livonia
Spree, and other civic events. The total cost of services for the year is estimated
at $176,994 with fractional reimbursement at $74,572. Discounted and
unsubsidized services amount to $102,422.
One Lieutenant, five Sergeants, six Police Officers and one Clerk Typist staff the
Intelligence Bureau. Their responsibilities are as follows:
As the Officer -In -Charge, the Lieutenant supervises all members of the bureau
and is responsible for the management and administration of the unit. The
Lieutenant reports directly to the Chief and Deputy Chief of Police.
Two Sergeants directly supervise six Police Officers in two teams. These teams
are responsible for all narcofics enforcement and criminal surveillance affecting
the City of Livonia.
The third Sergeant handles all narcofics evidence for the Department, court
presentation and narcotics related civil forfeiture actions.
The fourth Sergeant is assigned to a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Task Force. He works along side local and Federal Officers developing cases on
large-scale drug traffickers in the Detroit Metropolitan area.
The fifth Sergeant is assigned to a United States Marshall Fugitive Apprehension
Team. This unit is responsible for the arrest of felony fugitives who have fled
prosecution in local, state and Federal criminal cases.
The Clerk Typist is responsible for records management and employee time
records.
89
Emergency Preparedness
The City of Livonia has a Police Lieutenant appointed as the Director of
Emergency Preparedness. The Director of Emergency Preparedness
coordinates planning, training, equipment, exercise, management and the
administration of Livonia's resources necessary to respond and recover from
major emergencies, including natural disasters and acts of terrorism. The
Director of Emergency Preparedness works with City personnel, including Police,
Fire & Rescue and Public Mrks as well as with area hospitals, neighboring
communities, Wayne County, the State of Michigan and Department of
Homeland Security.
During the 2008 financial year emergency preparedness activities included the
following: upgrade and replacement of the outdoor warning system, upgrade of
the emergency warning system cable override, upgrade of the City's Emergency
Operations Center communications, technology and audio-visual capabilities,
participation in a regional functional exercise, modification of emergency
operation plans to ensure proper alignment with the National Incident
Management System (NIMS) standards and the development of logistics and
resource management typing.
ACTIVITIES
Central Records
Distributed
Est. Fiscal
Amount
Fiscal 2007
Amount
2008
Accident Reports $13ea
446
$5,798
501
$4,460
Incident Reports $5ea
212
$1060
204
$1048
Fingerprints @$49.25
251
$12,361.75
302
$14,873.5
Fingerprints @ $15
656
$9,840
663
$9,945
Fingerprints -N/C
165
34
$0
LCC
16
$16927
29
$31850
Gun Registrations - N/C
1964
$0
1299
$0
Purchase Permits $5ea
604
$3,020
265
$1,650
Purchase Permits- N/C
53
24
$0
Record Clearance $6ea
172
$1.032
209
$1,254
Record Clearance - N/C
641
535
$0
PV License $20ea
42
$840
39
$780
PV License $12ea
44
$528
68
$816
FOIA / Discovery
1107
$10,473
1010
$10201.06
Tapes (VT, AT, CD)
208
202
Photographs
Na
Na
Pages Copied
9059
6235
m
TOTAL REVENUE $61,880 $76,877
P & L Activities
Investigative Division
2007
2008
Public Vehicle PermitA lications/Renewals Investigated
104
115
Taxi Cab Inspections
14
14
Business License Applications Investigated
55
79
Impounded/Abandoned Vehicles Processed
1345
1312
Property Items Received & Processed
3907
3630
Investigative Division
Patrol Bureau
FY 2007
FY2008
%Change
Total Case Investigated
6189
5359
-12.70
Felony Warrant Requests
311
368
18.32
Misdemeanor Warrants Requested
834
836
0.23
Precious Metal Documents
1104
2180
97.46
Crime Scenes Processed
83
80
3.61
Vehicles Processed
55
50
5.09
Pieces of Evidence Processed
3062
3215
4.99
Latent Prints Identified
135
165
22.22
Reports by Crime Scene Unit
372
613
64.78
AFIS Cases
212
413
94.81
Polygraphs Administered
60
36
-40.00
Referrals to Youth Assistance
42
34
-11.11
MLCC Reports
35
39
-15.00
MLCC Inspections (one site & decoy)
234
170
-27.35
MLCC Violation Reports
20
17
-15.00
MLCC Applicants Investigated
50
47
-6.00
Patrol Bureau
91
2007 Actual
2008 Pro ected
%Chan e
Calls for service
Police
37955
35262
-7.09%
Calls for service
Fire
8442
7753
-8.16%
91
Reports taken
7847
6705
-14.55%'
Adult Arrests
4287
4480
4.3%
Juvenile Arrests
292
331
11.78%
Traffic Crashes Reported
3155
3020
-4.27%
Uniform Law Citations
34607
33708
-2.59%
Use offorce incidents
62
75
17.33%
Vehicle Pursuits
23
30
23.33%
• Decrease in part attributed to changing of collection methods due to
computer program change.
Intelligence Bureau
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
The Department of Public Works includes the Public Service Division and the
Engineering Division, which operates under the direction of the Director of Public
Works. The responsibilities of the two Divisions are as follows:
Public Service Division — This Division is responsible for the performance at a
wide variety of maintenance functions. These functions range from in-house
activities such as building maintenance and vehicle maintenance (except Police
and Fire) to the more visible maintenance of public utilities, park sites and
roadways. There are 135 full-time and 21 part-time positions in the nine
maintenance/service sections of the Division. 15 positions are assigned to
managerial/administrative functions. The Department currently has 29 vacant
positions.
Engineednq Division—The Engineering Division is under the direction of the City
Engineer and the Assistant City Engineer (currently vacant) and is responsible
for all construction operations within public rights-ofway and/or public
easements. The department has provided engineering services as directed by
the Mayor, the City Council, other City departments and various Boards and
Commissions, as well as for the general public. During the past fiscal year, the
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2007
2008
% Changee
Assigned Cases
628
628
INC
Search Warmnis
80
85
+.94
Cocaine Purchases
19
10
-48.4
Marijuana Purchases
25
36
+41.6
Heroin/Other Purchases
13
8
- 39.5
Criminal Surveillance
37
28
-32.5
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
The Department of Public Works includes the Public Service Division and the
Engineering Division, which operates under the direction of the Director of Public
Works. The responsibilities of the two Divisions are as follows:
Public Service Division — This Division is responsible for the performance at a
wide variety of maintenance functions. These functions range from in-house
activities such as building maintenance and vehicle maintenance (except Police
and Fire) to the more visible maintenance of public utilities, park sites and
roadways. There are 135 full-time and 21 part-time positions in the nine
maintenance/service sections of the Division. 15 positions are assigned to
managerial/administrative functions. The Department currently has 29 vacant
positions.
Engineednq Division—The Engineering Division is under the direction of the City
Engineer and the Assistant City Engineer (currently vacant) and is responsible
for all construction operations within public rights-ofway and/or public
easements. The department has provided engineering services as directed by
the Mayor, the City Council, other City departments and various Boards and
Commissions, as well as for the general public. During the past fiscal year, the
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work was handled by 10 full time employees, one temporary employee and one
part time contractual employee. The department consists of three sections:
administrative, design and field.
Highlights oflhis year's accomplishments include:
Administrative Section
This section is under the direction of the City Engineer. This section prepares
reports for the City Council, subdivision bond establishments and releases, and
various other reports; reviews the design of public improvements in connection
with the development of residential subdivisions, commercial and industrial site
plans; prepares legal descriptions as required by other departments; and
provides technical assistance and advice to administrative and legislative groups
within the City as well as State and County governmental units. This section also
issues permits for work in the public rights-of-way and/or easements.
Attendance at Council, Commission and citizen meetings is also a function of this
section.
The Administrative Section was involved with the following matters during 2008
in addition to attending meetings with Slate and County officials, and
investigating citizen complaints:
MDOT Resurfacing and Reconstruction Project
— Seven Mile Bridge Over 1-275
Traffic Signal Improvements
Five Mile Right Turn Lane Addition and Newburgh Road Resurfacing from
1-96 to Five Mile
Numerous Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Projects in conjunction with
the Annual Paving Program
Water Main Replacement Project
Numerous Utility Permits for AT&T/SBC Upgrade
Newburgh Road — Seven Mile Road to Eight Mile Road (Special Project in
Conjunction with OHM)
Numerous Parking Lot Paving Projects
Tennis Court Rehabilitation Project
Storm and Sanitary Sewer Project at Wonderland Lanes and Bates
Silver Village Repaving Project
Numerous Subdivision and Condominium Development Street Light
Installation Projects
LPD Gun Range Improvement Project
Ten site condominium projects, one subdivision, and numerous commercial and
industrial projects were also reviewed and/or inspected by the Division.
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• Angela Hospice Addition (14100 Newburgh Road)
• Apple Crest Dental (37500 Seven Mile Road)
• Bob Evans Renovations (13911 Middlebelt)
• Churchill Manor Condominiums
• College Park Office Building C (Markel Strategies —17430 College
Parkway)
• Curtis Creek Site Condominiums
• CVS Pharmacy (37340 Five Mile Road)
• Davenport University
• Eight Mile Place
• Fargo Avenue Proposed Office Building
• Fifth Third Bank (33246 Plymouth Road)
• Genesis Park Site Condominium (Plymouth and Eckles)
• Golf Ridge Properties
• Gmnberger Dental Office (15939 Middlebelt)
• Hunters Park Estates Condominiums
• LA Fitness
• The Learning Experience (37550 Seven Mile Road)
• Livonia Manor Condominiums
• Livonia Marketplace (Livonia Mall Redevelopment)
• L.J. Griffin Funeral Home Addition (8809 Wayne Road)
• Lowes
• Madonna University
• New 16" District Court Building
• New Shopping Plaza (27420 Joy Road)
• Paslena Villa Condominiums
• Police Rifle Range
• Rosati Industrial Park Subdivision
• Sarah Estates Condominiums
• Savile Row Condominiums
• Starbucks (Six Mile and Haggerty)
• Slone Mountain Coffee Shop (28085 Plymouth Road)
• Tim Horton's (16815 Middlebelt)
• TRW — Tech V Site (12220 Tech Center Drive)
• Tyler Elementary School Parking Lot Addition
• Walgreens (Six Mile Road and Newburgh Road)
• Walgreens (33239 Eight Mile)
• Wonderland Redevelopment
Design Section
This section, in conjunction with the Administrative Section, prepares plans,
specifications and bidding documents for the City's public improvement projects.
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It also prepares legal descdpfions as needed. In addition, this section provides
utility information to the public, assigns addresses and reviews residential site
plans.
The following major projects were designed and/or built in 2008:
• 2008 Pavement Joint and Crack Sealing Program
• 2008 Lane Line Marking Program
• 2008 Parking Lot Paving Project
• 2008 Tennis Court Rehabilitation Project
• 2008 Pavementand Sidewalk Repair—Water Main Breaks
• 2008 Sidewalk Program
• Silver Village Repaving Project
• Storm and Sanitary Sewer Project— Section 36 and Section 16 Sanitary
Sewer Project
Field Section
This section, in conjunction with the Administrative Section and the Design
Section, prepares, administrates and provides all field inspection and survey
services in connection with contract plans and specifications for projects
constructed under the jurisdiction of the Engineering Division, as well as all
subdivision and commercial developments involving the installation of public
improvements.
Inspection and surveying services were provided for projects valued at
approximately $1,952,235.35 were handled by the division during the past year.
These are summarized as follows:
• 2006 Catch Basin Repair Program Balance = $3,000.00
• 2007 Sidewalk Repair Program Balance = $3,000.00
• 2008 Pavement Joint and Crack Sealing Program = $113,030.00
• 2008 Lane Line Marking Program = $130,648.15
• 2008 Parking Lot Paving Project= $562,358.50
• 2008 Pavement and Sidewalk Repair— Water Main Breaks = $54,332.25
• 2008 Sidewalk Program = $439,120.00
• Silver Village Repaving Project=$223,694.80
• Storm and Sanitary Sewer Project — Section 36 and Section 16 Sanitary
Sewer = $78,155.00
In addition to the public improvement contracts, this section was also responsible
for the field inspection and survey services of.
• All inspection of work under permits numbers 08-001 through 08-341
• 2009 Sidewalk Program
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• 2010 Sidewalk Program
• Lawsuit Investigations
• Drainage Complaints
• Catch Basin Complaints
• Soil Erosion Permits
• Grade Inspections
Administrative Section
• Provided administrative services for the City telecommunications system.
• Prepared annual budget submittal for Public Service Division.
• Worked on adaptation and installation of comprehensive new software
installation for the Department of Public Works operations.
• Conducted employment interviews.
• Administered safety programs within the Department.
• Maintained an alcohol and controlled substance testing program per
requirements of Federal law.
• Provided for public relations information for Rouge Sub -Watershed
Project.
• Administered a West Nile Virus - Mosquito Control public information
program and a larviciding program for City parks, facilities and over
12,000 storm sewer catch basins.
Sanitation
• Prepared monthly payment submittals for solid waste contract
• Operated Recycling Center and City Office Paper Recycling Program.
Collected 144.51 tons of recyclable material.
• Administered Curbside Recycling Program. Collected 7,269.03 tons of
recyclable material.
• Administered Separated Yard Waste Collection Program. Diverted to
compost facility 28,310 yards of yard waste material.
• Prepared and distributed to all Livonia households a Household Hazard
Waste Day postcard announcement for the various City and County
events.
• Conducted a Household Hazardous Waste Drop -Off Day at Ford Field on
May 3, 2008. 1,352 total vehicles utilized the service ofwhich 1,029 were
from Livonia. (Northville/Northville Twp conducted a dro"ff event on
September 05, 2008, which was utilized by 624 vehicles from Livonia).
• Maintained City Type III landfill in compliance with all Federal, Slate and
County requirements.
• Prepared and submitted all solid waste reports required by Stale of
Michigan and Wayne County.
01
• Continued community solid waste and recycling educational programs
through use of City newsletter.
• Prepared and distributed to all Livonia households a Bulk Leaf Pick-Up
Program brochure.
ROAD MAINTENANCE
Snow and Ice Control
• Maintained roads on primary salt routes in a 'Wet pavement or better"
condition 2417 throughout the 07-08 snow season. Salted primary routes 8
times in December, 17 limes in January, 23 tmes in February, and 11
times in March for a total of 59 limes. Placed 5,385 tons of road salt.
• Plowed all City maintained roads citywide (370 miles) 4 times during snow
emergencies, using a combination of City resources and contracted road
graders.
• Provided plowing and ice control services in City parking lots.
• Filled and maintained citizen-access salt barrels at key locations
throughout the city.
• Spot salted water break, problem area and house fire locations.
• Continued anti-icing program on select areas of our major roads. Treated
bridge decks, deceleration lanes, road curves and ice-prone intersections
4 times. Based on the positive results in '07, we are expanding this
program during the '08 season to cover more areas of our major roads
and select parking lots.
Sweeping and Grading
• Graded all parks, alleys and gravel roads 4 limes, did additional spot
grading and added gravel as needed. Used grading contractor for initial
reshaping of the roads, then continued maintenance using our underblade
dump trucks.
• Restructured drainage ditches, culverts and gravel road surfaces to
improve road surface longevity and improve drainage. Re-dug 2,800 feet
of ditch and replaced 4 driveway cross lubes.
• Had contractor apply calcium chloride citywide once to gravel roads, alleys
and parking lots for dust control, and applied brine solution 3 more times
to improve and extend the performance of the more expensive chloride.
• Swept City local streets 5 times, major roads 5limes, and industrial roads
5limes.
• Did street sweeping of SPREE grounds and surrounding area 3 times
during the event.
• Swept all remaining City parking lots 3 times.
• Swept all paved City streets after leaf pickup program.
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Landfill Transfer Station and Recycling Center
• Maintained City landfll; composted 53,722 cubic yards of leaves from the
Leaf Pickup Program.
• Processed 13,220 cubic yards of household refuse from 3,834 users of
Refuse Disposal Transfer Site.
• Maintained licensed City landfill, including clay closure cap, underground
leachate pumping system, exposed slopes, access roads, drainage pipes
and ditches in compliance with Stale of Michigan and Wayne County
regulations. Moved materials, relocated stored materials in the Glendale
storage yard to allow the installation of a methane containment system.
• Installed methane containment system around landfill area as required by
DEQ.
• Installed grout collars around underground utilities exiting the Glendale
landfill area to prevent methane gas from migrating off-site as required by
DEQ.
• Saved 53,700 cubic yards of landfill space by composting leaves collected
during the Leaf Pickup Program.
• Saved 9,812 cubic yards of landfill space by sending woodchips to an
electric cogeneration plant.
• Maintained the bene and contact water pumping system along the limits of
the Glendale licensed landfill area in order to contain leachate.
• Accompanied State of Michigan and Wayne County on landfill site
inspection, made minor repairs to monitoring wells as requested.
• Installed methane vents and igniters in premously active landfill areas.
• Maintained solid street waste de -watering site, hauled de -watered solids
to licensed area of the Glendale landfill.
• Maintained the cardboard, paper, glass, oil, battery and antifreeze
recycling facility per County and State regulations.
• Maintained the citizen solid waste drop-off / transfer area to County and
Slate specs.
• Pumped over 4,009,287 gallons of leachate water from the landfill to be
processed at the Detroit sewage treatment plant.
• Monitored the contractor bulk brush and woodchip disposal operation in
conjunction with transfer site operation.
Brush Pickup
• Picked up bulk brush throughout entire city every 10 working days, picking
up 9,812 cubic yards of chipped up brush with 17,412 slops.
• Removed and disposed of chips resulting from stump grinding.
• Trained new equipment operators and seasonal laborers in operational
and safety requirements of brush pickup.
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Leaf Pickup
• Picked up 53,700 cubic yards of bulk leaves at curbside, provided two or
more pickups for each residence.
• Provided street sweeping to clean paved streets and clear storm drain
grates after final leaf pickup.
Construction, road maintenance and miscellaneous
• Repaired, adjusted or rebuilt 66 catch basins, gate wells, storm and
sanitary manholes.
• Repaired or replaced 9 sanitary and storm sewer lines.
• Replaced 2,397 square feel of concrete road, drive and walk.
• Milled concrete streets to eliminate heat pops or water ponding problems
at 52 locations.
• Repaired or replaced 3 concrete curbs.
• Milled or chipped concrete major roads in 2 locations to eliminate
pavement heat pops.
• Completed 40 asphalt repairs or replacements consisting of 551 tons of
asphalt.
• Patched potholes on 370 miles of City -maintained roads, as well as trip
point locations from the Engineering Division, parking lot repairs and sites
from the Water and Sewer section.
• Repaired potholes reported on the Pothole Hotline within 48 hours.
• Responded to 2,200+ service requests from residents, businesses and
other City departments.
• Picked up and cleaned oil spills, large debris or lost loads from trucks on
City streets 18 times.
• Assisted Livonia Fire Dept. with trench rescue training activities.
• Closed roads, rerouted traffic when needed due to downed power lines,
traffic accidents and storm damage.
• Purchased an additional truck -mounted tank, and 2 dump trucks equipped
to use liquid deicers as a supplement and sometimes subsfitute for rock
salt.
• Installed additional hinged drain grates in Denmar drainage system.
• Removed large logjam using heavy equipment at Angling Rd. bridge.
• Removed large quantities of logs, stumps and branches from sections 19,
20 and 21 afte r a tornado went through the area.
• Repaired badly eroded embankments to prevent road and bridge damage
on Ellen Rd. north of 5 Mile.
• Mud jacked concrete pavement back to correct grade at 6 sites.
• Restored badly eroded banks of creek at Idyl Wyld Golf Course using
boulders, rip -rap and clay.
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• Changed truck and tractor attachments (buckets, blades, boxes, salt
spreaders) from construction season/summer mode to leaf pickup mode,
then to winter plowing/salfing configuration.
• Cleaned outfalls and inlets of major City stone drains 30 times to prevent
flooding and done drain backups.
• Performed illicit discharge inspections and water sampling on storm water
outfalls to maintain IDEP compliance.
• Repaired 6 storm outfall sites.
• Cleared brush from 25+ storm outfalls and inlets in floodplains throughout
the city.
• Repaired or replaced 3 accidenldamaged guardrails.
• Cut and cleared brush from city -owned alleyways.
• Placed and removed over a mile of snow fence to prevent excessive
drifting and minimize the cost of snow removal on City roads.
• Made lawn and or sprinkler repairs resulting from Water Dept. activities
and occasional snow plow damage a1282 locations.
• Trained employees for Commercial Drivers License test to allow for
upgrading class or endorsements when needed.
• Conducted snowplow training for operators from other departments to
assist in snow emergencies.
• Delivered and picked up voting supplies for 2 elections.
• Assisted the Livonia Goodfellows with their annual holiday food and toy
program.
SIGN MAINTENANCE
• Traffic Signs: Repaired or Removed: 886
Installed or Replaced: 808
• Traffic Posts: Repaired or Removed: 482
Installed or Replaced: 298
• Street Name Signs: Repaired or Removed: 121
• Installed or Replaced: 213
• Street Name Posts: Repaired or Removed: 103
Installed or Replaced: 8
• Engraved 95 signs for various City departments.
• Assisted with the setups, signing, snow fencing, barricading and traffic
control devices for SPREE, LCRC Swim Meet, Fire Dept. Open House,
Eddie Edgar Ice Show, Rotary Easter Egg Hunt, Rouge Rescue, Music
From the Heart, Art From the Heart, several Wilson Barn shows, Livonia
Heritage Festival, the Highland Games plus an additional 6 events at
Greenmead, and the Memorial Day Ceremony.
• Launched new Signview module in our Carlegmph system. Added
intersecting road information fields and updated data to reflect numerous
changes made this year from Traffic Control Orders.
100
• Restriped approximately 30 new and repaired vehicles with reflectorized
striping material to identify them as City vehides and increase their
visibility.
• Removed and or changed 200+ signs throughout the city as requested by
the Traffic Commission to bring our sign system into compliance with the
newest MMUTCD manual. Sections changed are 3, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15,
16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 31, 34 and section 35.
• Assisted with setup for homecoming parade.
• Handled approximately 244 work orders.
• Changed speed limit signs on Schoolcrafl Rd. to reflect new 40 mph
speed limit.
• Created and modified election signs to reflect new precincts and numbers.
• Restriped City parking lots, added double lines where needed to conform
to code. Painted 40,400 feet of lines this year.
• Striped 28 miscellaneous road locafions.
• Created new parking areas, signed individual spots for community transit
buses.
• Manufactured 25 new temporary mailbox/post combinations. These have
been designed to be faster to deliver and to set in place and safer in the
event a vehicle hits them.
• Posted and removed notificafion signs at subdivision entrances for the
Leaf Pickup Program.
• Maintained barricades and construction signs for all City departments.
Animal Control
Provided animal control services for residents and businesses which
included requests for service as follows: 39 abuse to animal/cruelly
complaints, 131 barking dog complaints, 7 bird problems, 13 cat bites, 33
coyote sightings/complaints, 61 dog biles, 120 injured animal reports, 1
kennel complaint, 28 vicious animal complaints, 67 pick up contained
animal requests, 39 sick wildlife reports, 134 stray animal reports, 29
trapped animal complaints, 2 waste (feces) complaints, 82 wildlife
complaints, 3 wildlife biles, 319 dog -at -large complaints, 16 requests to
borrow trap, and 7 miscellaneous complaints
Continued to track coyote sightings.
Issued animal ordinance violations as required.
Patrolled Bi -Centennial and Rotary Park trails in response to complaints of
dogs off leash.
Trapped and removed 55 feral cats at three locations.
Trained and certified Michigan ACO's in Chemical Immobilization.
101
PARK AND ATHLETIC FIELD MAINTENANCE SECTION
• Floated and lined all City baseball / softball diamonds, soccer and football
fields on a routine schedule.
• Mowed, lammed, edged, weeded, fertilized, applied herbicides and
fungicides, lammed trees, and routine maintenance to Ford Field,
Bicentennial Diamonds 1 — 3, Greenmead soccer fields, Civic Center,
Sandburg and Sheldon libraries, Wilson Barn, Greenmead and all other
Parks and fields. All other Parks and Fields did not receive the fertilizer or
pesticide applications.
• Installed banners at Civic Center and LCRC for Music Under the Stars,
Spree, Arts and Crafts festival, Christmas, special events, and everyday,
patriotic banners.
• Rolled and aerifed baseball diamonds and soccer fields.
• Performed safety inspections, repaired or removed damaged playground
parts in all City parks and installed 1,500 yards of "So%all" under
playground structures. Also continued adding woodchips under structures
that currently have none. This is a result of changing regulations from the
Playground Safety Institute.
• Renovation work continued on soccer fields at Greenmead and
Bicentennial, as well as Ford Field softball diamond #2.
• Installed wooden fences between parking lots and play structures at
Moelke, Broadmore, and Bien parks.
• Added chain link fence to protect the players benches at Compton,
Dooley, Nash, and Moelke park baseball diamonds.
• Monitored trashcans on athletic fields that Waste Management couldn't
get to. Also deaned dog stations and treshcans in City parks on
weekends.
• Performed weekend trash duties at all picnic pavilions as a result of
rentals through Parks and Recreation.
• Performed snow removal services for City buildings and Right -0f --Way
sidewalks leading to Parks on an as -needed basis. This included
shoveling, plowing and salting sidewalks.
• Performed winter maintenance to equipment, which included
miscellaneous repairs, painting, blade sharpening, preventive
maintenance, and thorough cleanings.
• Sprayed Roundup weed killer on Right of Way fences to control the
growth of weeds.
• Applied the Biological control VectoLex to control mosquito -breeding
populations in recreational Parks. One application was accomplished this
year. Also helped with the spring application to catch basins in Roads.
102
• Added topsoil and grass seed to goal mouths on all soccer fields.
Greenmead, LCRC, and Clement Circle fields were closed for a short time
forsodding in those areas.
• Using contracted services, herbicides to control annual weeds were
sprayed at Civic Center, LCRC, boulevard islands, libraries, fire stations,
and Wilson Barn.
• Set out and brought in the picnic tables and trash barrels for the picnic
season.
• Repaired picnic tables as needed.
• Ordered and replaced rusted and broken trash cans.
• Pruned trees and shrubs in Parks, City buildings and Athletic Fields where
needed.
• Installed 2,000 assorted flower bulbs for the spring bulb display.
• Assisted wth all Spree related activities including set-up, takedown and
daily garbage detail. Also repaired damage to diamonds 3 — 7 as a result
of parked vehicles on the diamonds.
• Completed 103 "Requests for Service" that related to special activities for
other City Departments (entailed delivering, setting up, taking down
canopies, tents, picnic tables and garbage cans), delivering and setting up
the Showmobile, delivering TEFAP commodities for Community
Resources, Wilson Barn, Greenmead activities, and other City activities.
• Repaired and maintained irrigation systems at Civic Center, LCRC, Ford
Field, Bicentennial Park and Greenmead.
• Due to the retirement of a Parks Maintenance Worker III in 2003, the
irrigation systems at Noble Library, Sandburg Library, Wilson Barn, and
fire station #4 and #5 were turned on and operated by contracted services
this year.
• Using contracted services, we continued replacing the antiquated irrigation
systems on the Five Mile and Farmington Rd. boulevard islands. The new
system is automated and will use less water.
• Maintained the LCRC, including soccer field renovations, and landscape
work.
• Cleared deadfall trees and branches off of Nature Preserve walkways.
• Contracted services will remove 140 trees from 30 parks and two
cemeteries later this fall.
• Continued testing vacuum breakers as part of Wayne County's DEQ
requirements regarding irrigation systems.
• Four employees attended the playground safety institute, which re-
certified them as playground inspectors.
• Set up and monitoredthe ice on the City's three outdoor ice rinks.
• Plowed the Community Garden two times.
• Continued replacing Christmas decorations to change some of the lawn
ornaments for the City hall display.
• Oversaw contracted services for mowing maintenance that maintained 24
undeveloped Parks and three City cemeteries.
103
Achieved Tree City USA status for the tenth year and received our fifth
year "growth award".
Continued the young tree -training program for newly planted trees with
both City staff and contracted services. Young tree training helps trees
with proper form and strong structure as they mature. Young tree training
also helps reduce the amount of pruning later in the trees mature life.
Work was done on trees planted in 2003 - 2006.
Forestry personnel removed 50 small trees and slumps.
Supervised the removal of 250 trees and slumps by one contractor,
Branch Tree Service. A few ash trees were part of the removal list but
almost all ofthe ash trees we had in the Right -0f -Ways are gone.
Supervised and administrated the planting of 450 trees associated with
the 2008 planting lists. Also supervised the warranty replacement of 70
trees from the 2007 program.
Planted three trees in connection with the Arbor Day Program. The three
trees were a sweet gum, musclewood, and ruby red horsecheslnul. The
trees were planted in the Beverly Park associated with Coolidge
Elementary School. Also, 450 seedling Spruce trees were handed out as
part of the program to the children al the school.
Removed approximately 500 yards of woodchips as part of the DPS brush
pickup program.
Treated 45 wasps nest, mainly in August and September with insecticide
to kill the wasps.
Completed 165 storm related tree trimmings.
Received and investigated 1,448 requests for service through Oct. 10th,
2008. Of those, 1,100 have been closed as either serviced or answered.
580 of the requests were for tree trims.
Performed miscellaneous repairs and blade sharpening on the Sections
saws and trimming equipment.
Assisted other departments (Water, Engineering, Ordinance, etc.) with
emergency tree removals, site inspections and tree inspections.
Performed snow removal operations to City buildings and Right of Way
sidewalks. Service included plowing, shoveling and salting.
Assisted in the Rouge River deanup day. This years' event was held at
Moelke Park in association with Take Pride in Livonia day.
Supervised one contractor who trimmed approximately 5,000 trees in six
City sections. These trees were trimmed to current International Society
of Arboriculture Standards for street tree elevations.
Supervised the same contractor doing resident call -out trim requests. Of
the 580 tree trim requests through Oct. 10r", 2007, 480 had been trimmed.
Tracked gypsy moth populations in Sections 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, and
22 as part of the gypsy moth egg mass survey. No spraying was needed
in 2008 but the population is continuing to build in these areas.
104
• Attended these seminars to increase job knowledge: Michigan Nursery
and Landscape Association annual meeting; Michigan Turfgrass
Foundation annual Meeting, Arborist Society of Michigan annual meeting,
Metro Detroit Landscape Association annual meeting, Society of Municipal
Arborists, various seminars on chain saw safely; tree climbing, hazard
assessment and aerial rescue training; roping and rigging training and
equipment repair training.
BUILDING MAINTENANCE
Miscellaneous Repairs and Improvements
• Completed 1510 work orders through 11-14-2008
• Opened, closed, and winterized City out buildings, pool buildings and
pumps
• Start-up, service and shutdown pump systems as needed
• Maintained City owned outside lighting fixtures at various locations
• Perform preventative maintenance on equipment
• Semi-annually replace all flags, maintain flag poles
• Strip and finish floors in buildings as needed and able
• Spot and clean carpeting in buildings as needed and able
• Clean inside and outside first floor windows on all buildings as needed and
able
• Clean exterior windows at City Hall, Library and Community Center
• Monitor building automation and climate control systems
• Monitor and expand electronic access and systems
• Answer environmental complaints
• Perforin yearly shut -down maintenance and custodial assignments at
Community Center
• Continue to enhance the custodial job assignment checklists and service
delivery program for all buildings
• Test and treated all process water systems
• Assist with all other departmental projects as requested
• Serviced overhead and pedestrian doors as needed
• Cleaned carpeting in Sr. Center, Noble Library, and City Hall
• Hung dedication plaque in City Hall vestibule
• Replaced over -head door in prisoner drop off garage at Police station
• Re -carpeted ECO hallway in basement of Police station
Roof Replacement Maintenance and Repair
• Repair leaking roof at Police station and Noble Library
• Performed roof restoration on Senior Center roof
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Painting
• Paint hallway between City Hall and Annex
• Paint Treasurers office
• Paint Fire #5 lounge area
• Painted Fire #6 lounge area
• Painted restroom partitions in Annex and City Hall
• Painted newly installed doors in DPW yard building and Police station
Health and Safety
• Continued with Lock Out / Tag Out program
• Tested fire alarms, sprinklers and suppression systems in City buildings
• Maintain compliance with Wayne County Backflow Certification program
as requested
• Maintained compliance with Stale of Michigan Boiler and Elevator
inspections and certifications
• Maintained employee Slate required licensing, certifications and training
• Exterminated or remove pests in City buildings as needed
• Conducted safety inspections of City facilities with insurance control
specialists as requested
• PM and load -bank tested generators
• Reset all clocks, lighting and equipment for time changes
• Clean debris and growth from building rooftops, sumps and gutters
• Tested and repaired panic buttons in DPW administrative office
• Perform required CSD -1 test on all boilers
• Install additional defib boxes at City Hall and in Water and DPW
Administrative buildings
• Audit FOB and access system
• Assemble and deliver hazmat "red boxes" to facilities serviced by custodial
staff
• Perform load lest on City Hall elevator
• Assisted with Police ECO project
• Building Mechanic IVs certified to perform boiler CSD testing
Greenmead
• Assisted with all events held on grounds (Highland Games, Flea Markets,
Car Shows, Fall Harvest, Holiday Walks)
• Install and remove decorations for Holiday and special events
• Move and set-up and install furniture, furnishings and equipment as
requested
• Continue maintenance, set-up and custodial services
• Assistwith 2n°fioor remodeling project
• Re -roofed Hill house museum kitchen
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• Wet plastered Hill house museum kitchen and pantry ceilings
• Installed outside roadway lighting in Blue house west parking lot area
• Replaced furnace in Fannhand's house
• Moved Greenmead offices from Hinbum house to Blue house
Renovation and New Construction
• Replaced carpeting in City Hall elevators
• Replaced ceiling tiles and base molding between City Hall and Annex
• Worked on City Hall HVAC replacement project
• Worked on new Court house project
• Worked on Fire # 1,3,4,5 and 6 remodeling projects
• Worked on C.C. Library audiovisual and electrical project
• Installed partition in Director of Administrative Services desk area
• Constructed unisex ADA accessible restroom in Noble Library
• Constructed new quiet room in Noble Library
• Install properly sized packaged heating / cooling and ventilation RTU for
George Murphy's restaurant
• Fabncate and install load centers for Rotary Park
• Replaced mechanical room double doors and lintel at Sheldon Pool
• Install vents for new equipment at Botsford and Sheldon pools
• Replaced fogged windows at Noble library
• Provided female restroom facilities at Fire # 5 and 6
• Replace deteriorated soffit areas and trim on exlenor of Sr. Center
• Replaced rooftop HVAC units and ductwork in Senior Center
• Replace water heaters in LCRC, Police gun range and Fleet Maintenance
buildings
• Replaced IR heater in Fleet Maintenance building
• Replaced unit heaters with IR heater in Building Maintenance, Park
Maintenance and Sign shops
• Installed heater in Police UPS building
• Replaced heat exchanger in Whispering Willows rooftop unit
Special Projects and Interdepartmental Assistance
• Assisted with various City Hall functions as requested
• Provide set up and tear downs for meetings and events as requested
• Maintained facilities leased from the City
• Moved furniture, computers, work stations and materials and equipment
as requested
• Respond to and perform daily maintenance requests on equipment and
facilities as requested
• Assist with Senior Citizen shows and events as requested
• Regularly cleaned out grease trap in Senior Center kitchen
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• Jelled and maintained base mentdrains at Fire #1, 5 and 6
• Assist with snow removal and cycles as requested
• TA personnel to leaf pick-up as needed
• Assislwilh special facility projects at LCRC
• Provide service for golf course buildings as requested
• Administered Honeywell Service contract for Community Center
• Completed custodial supply annual RFQ
• Work on annual elevator Maintenance RFQ
• Performed inspections on approximately 966 City -owned equipment and
completed just over 2,623 work orders in the CarteGraph system.
• Maintained and provided service for 12 SMART buses for Livonia
Community Transit.
• Wrote specifications for and ordered new equipment for various
departments:
Four Ford Escapes for the Inspection department
➢ Two (2) cargo vans for the Building Maintenance Section
➢ Two (2) single -axle dump trucks for the Roads Section
➢ One (1) backhoe for the Water and Sewer Section
➢ Two(2)small dump trucks for the Water and Sewer Section
➢ Two (2) leaf vacuums for the Leaf Pickup Program
➢ Two (2) stake trucks for the construction crews
➢ One (1) slake truck for the Forestry Section
➢ Five (5) pickup trucks for the Roads Section
➢ One (1) camera truck for Water and Sewer Section
➢ One (1) small dump for Parks Section
➢ One (1) easement cleaner machine for Water and Sewer
➢ Three (3) pickup trucks for Parks Section
➢ One (1) chipper for Parks Section
➢ One (1) trencher for Parks Section
➢ Four (4) tractors for Parks Section
➢ Two (2) vans for Parks Section
➢ Four (4) mowers for Parks Section
➢ Five (5) gators for Parks Section
➢ One (1) backhoe for Roads Section
➢ One (1) stake truck for Roads Section
➢ One (1) vactron for Roads Section
➢ Two (2) leaf collectors for Roads Section
• Some of the responsibilities of the Equipment Maintenance Section are,
but not limited to, the following:
➢ Maintain all City -owned vehicles and equipment
➢ Maintain City Transit and Senior Center busses
➢ Prepare seasonal equipment prior to the season of use
➢ Organize training for new equipment and technology
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Maintain and operate City-wide computerized fueling systems at DPW,
Civic Center, and Golf Courses
Work with Wayne County and LPD during power outages by placing
and maintaining generators at required intersections throughout the
City to insure safe traffic flow and conditions
Oversee two-way radios for all non-uniform radios
Set up and monitor annual safely inspections for all man lift and
equipment hoists at both DPW and the Recreation Center
Assist LPD, LFD and other various departments throughout the City
with a number of fabrications and modifications during the year
Assist LPD in vehicle inspections on cars and trucks involved in fatal
crashes
Maintain and keep operating all vehicles and equipment for leaf and
snow seasons
Water Systems
Inspected, exercised 2,003 water gale valves, the condition of the
structure and updated inspection forms.
Repaired 102 water gale valves and replaced old gland packing with o -
ring type about 5.1 % in need of repair after exercising gate valves.
Flowed, inspected and maintained 850 fire hydrants within the, city 36
sections.
Repaired 103 fire hydrants in the field in these sections above; about
12.1 % need repair after exercising fire hydrant and inspection.
Repaired 111 water main breaks or leaks, which is down 44% from last
fiscal year.
Repaired or replaced 116 water curb slop boxes.
Slaked over 4,971 locations for Miss Dig system.
Made 39 service line repairs for various reasons.
Retired 9 water service lines.
Rebuilt 9 fire hydrants in shop.
Installed 4 new gale valves and 11 new fire hydrants.
Meters
• Replaced 16 antiquated large commercial water meters.
• Repaired 42 large commercial meters.
• Replaced 356 water meters (meter only) for various reasons.
• Replaced (updated) 431 residential water meters and outside readers for
various reasons.
• Made 32,689 water related service calls; up 2,168 from last fiscal year.
• Completed 3,617 service slips.
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• Placed 840 note cards placed at residential homes requesting to gain
access to home for internal meter repairs.
• Installed 96 (ORD) outside touch read device systems.
• Installed 119 (MXU) radio read device systems.
• Installed 95 water meters for new accounts.
• Established 59 new commercial accounts.
• Established 36 newresidential accounts.
• Established 1 new seasonal irrigation account.
• Installed and removed 305 seasonal irrigation meters.
• Tested 158 commercial meters.
Storm Sewers
• Answered 76 storm sewer complaints.
• Jelled 52 restricted storm sewer lines generated from homeowner
complaints.
• Retrieved and replaced 69 catch basin covers.
• Started storm sewer catch basin cleaning, cleaned 5,025-storm sewer
catch basins worked 96 days cleaning for SWEPPI program started on
April 22"d in section 12; working in descending order November now in
section 34.
• Mosquito program -- we placed 5,450 briquettes into 4,395-storm sewer
catch basins and 245 inlets for citywide West Nile Virus elimination
program.
Sanitary Sewers
• Cleaned 260.03 miles in 20 city sections of sanitary sewer lines by hydrant
flushing, power flushing, buckeling, and chemical and power root cutting.
• Cleared 3 main sewer backups.
• Investigated 115 sanitary sewer complaints.
• Televised 5,480'ofsanitary sewer.
• Inspected 17 city sections for sanitary lines and structures.
• Completed 8,198' of sanitary sewer foaming for root control at various
locations.
Special Projects
• Worked with cross training the office staff at front desk and cross training
the water and sewer foremen for handling emergency situations.
• Finished updating 36 section water main maps to send master out for
duplicating to engineering.
• Updated computer programs relating to lawn, concrete and asphalt repairs
along with new tap list and Carte Graph associate work orders to other
sections for request to repair.
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• Updated computer programs relating to Sensus water meter reading
system and hardware for Logos.net web based system that is operational.
• Coordinated hydrant repair requests for the Livonia Fire Department.
• Assisted Roads with asphalt, concrete, lawn, catch basin and pavement
restorations.
• Assisted the Engineering with water main and fire hydrant replacement
and completed projects for 2008 and planned 2009 water main and
sanitary sewer replacement programs.
• Working on updating the water slop box location, seasonal meter slop box
location and contact information in MS Access database.
• Inspected 20 water taps made by water section contractor (20 -new
construction).
• Completed the inspection of 147 O.S.D.S. (septic systems), 1 new
O.S.D.S. (septic systems), was installed at Idyl Wyld G.C. we now have a
total of 148 O.S.D.S. (sepficsyslems).
• Helped with flow tests for water model, SCADA system and flow lest with
Livonia Fire Department and water main replacement program that was
installed in 2008 and proposed for 2009.
• Updated the Six Mile and I-275 sanitary sewer high water monitors to
digital compliance per the F.C.C. mandated regulation February 2009.
• All section office staff with desktop computers and computer training.
• Worked on inventory updating pricing database for future software
changes to take place with Carle Graph 7.0 a upgrade.
• Assisted engineering with sidewalk, driveway approaches and major road
replacement projects.
• Worked with various contractors for road, water and sewer main
installations and repairs.
• Rebuilt the PRV # 10-12" and # 10a-16" completed on Tuesday March
W 2008, complete rebuilding the pressure regulating valve that is located
at Stark and Schoolcraft Roads in DWSD LV -14 meter pit.
• Rebuilt the PRV # 11-20" completed on Friday March 28" 2008, complete
rebuilding the pressure regulating valve that is located at Stark and
Schoolcraft Roads in DWSD LV -14 meter pit.
• Checked road structures before road improvements and cleaned catch
basins after completion.
• I.D.E.P. Illicit Discharge Elimination Program inspections of storm sewer
ouffall sampling.
• Assisted with water activities for the Livonia spree, Race for the Cure and
other activities.
• Continue the replacement program for antiquated large commercial
compound Badger and Rockwell water meters.
• Continue with the replacement program for antiquated large commercial
piston type Badger and Rockwell water meters.
• Responded to 6 illicit discharge complaints and 2 emergency spill hazards
in private parking lots of businesses.
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Finished updafing 36 section water main maps to send master out for
duplicating to engineering.
Installed (1) one new sanitary sewer high water monitors at Seven Mile
and 4275 for the section 6 businesses West of 1275 and North of 7 Mile
Roads, now have a total of @) six phone dialers for sanitary sewer flood
control all now have the same hardware and software, so the
acknowledgements to respond back to dialers are all same codes.
Completed the US EPA mandated water sampling on the second week in
August 2008 and US EPA mandated report due January 1, 2009 for the
Disinfection By -Products Program.
Completed the M.D.E.O. mandated Lead and Copper water sampling
program this year sampled 18 homes; no sampling sites above the action
level. Next monitoring period Junel, 2011 to September 30,2011.
The Traffic Commission is responsible for the planning, coordination, and
determination of proposed traffic control devices to improve traffic flow and to
provide maximum safely for all drivers, pedestrians, and property.
As provided by the City Charter, the Commission consists of seven cdizens who
are appointed by the Mayor. The Commission meets once a month to discuss
and implement traffic control measures which have been brought to their
attention by citizens, as well as other City departments. The Commissioners
work in conjunction with the Traffic Bureau oflhe Police Department.
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES IN 2008
As with previous years, the main issue facing the Traffic Commission in 2008
related to the updating of traffic control devices along existing city streets in order
to comply with the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices
(MMUTCD). This project began three years ago under Chairman Ian Wilshaw,
continued under Chairman Kevin Priddy and then under the current
Chairmanship of Joe Steele.
Over the course of the last year, in coordination with the Livonia Police Traffic
Bureau, the Commission accomplished some impressive goals:
• Researched and reviewed intersections in 19 sections of the city
• Approved 131 Traffic Control Orders (TCOs), and
• Those TCOs involved 1,056 signs.
In 2008, the Traffic Commission also completed its three-year project to update
each intersection to meet current MMUTCD standards. Both the Commissioners
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and Livonia Sgt. Dave Studt deserve a tremendous amount of credit for the
amount of time and work they have put in during this three-year project.
As in previous years, some of the intersection changes we implemented caused
some concern among local residents, although most changes have gone
smoothly and most importantly traffic accidents throughout the city have
continued to drop. While that drop cannot be credited entirely to the work of the
Traffic Commission, the process of removing unwarranted or misplaced signs
has improved traffic flow and safety around the city.
We have continued to implement the plan, as directed by the City Council and
the previous administration, to make residents aware of pending traffic control
device changes in their immediate area. This plan was originally developed in
response to some citizen complaints about lack of notification when changes
were being made to signage in their neighborhoods.
Throughout the year citizen concerns and Police Department will bring issues
from placement of informational signs (Handicapped Child in Area for example),
review of existing signage and requests for placement/removal of existing signs.
We continue to monitor areas, including the Wonderland Village and College
Park areas, as new developments will lead to traffic pattern changes. Coming up
in 2009, we will monitor the changes being planned and redevelopments made at
the Livonia Mall properly.
The Commission continues to work with TIA to obtain expert opinion and
guidance on traffic concerns in the community. Several individual agenda items
were referred to TIA by the Commission during 2008 and TIA was requested to
provide crash data for specific intersections related to agenda items.
TIA have proven to be an invaluable resource to the Commission, especially
when reviewing and researching some of the more controversial and
troublesome intersections in the city.
Furthermore, TIA provided the Commission with traffic count data for all major
streets in Livonia along with a report summarizing crash information for major
City intersections.
CONCLUSION
We believe the recent work done, jointly with TIA and Sgt. Dave Studt of the
Livonia Police Traffic Bureau, has been beneficial to the city and its residents.
The Traffic Commission will continue to monitor the changes it has made over
the past three years and adjust, if needed, accordingly.
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The Commission will also continue to monitor traffic and parking conditions within
the City and will be particularly concerned with monitoring areas of re-
development and construction.
The Commission will also continue to meet with citizens and business owners to
jointly address traffic and parking concerns and to act to alleviate dangerous
conditions. Ongoing monitoring of traffic concerns by this Commission will
ensure that Livonia's streets and highways will continue to be safe and well
maintained.
This Commission is a group the city should be proud of and we will continue to
do everything we can to keep Livonia's streets and residents safe.
TREASURER
The Treasurer's Department is responsible for collection, disbursement and
custody of all revenues belonging to and held in trust by the City. All funds
collected by City agencies are transmitted to the Treasurer, vented and recorded
through cash receipting, deposited and reported daily to the Finance Department.
In addition, the Treasurer's Office, on instruction from the Finance Director,
transmits instructions for the daily investment of City funds among City banks to
maximize the interest on its holdings.
ADMINISTRATION
This year the Treasurer's Office opened on Saturday, September 13, to enhance
our customer service capabilities. The extended hours were announced on City
Channel 8 and in the Livonia Observer. The Treasurer's Office anticipates future
Saturday hours as due dates for property taxes necessitate.
The Treasurers Office once again sent letters to real and personal property
taxpayers whose taxes for the 2007 tax year had not been paid by February 15,
2008. A total of 3,897 letters were mailed to real and personal property
taxpayers.
3,160 letters were also mailed to real & personal property taxpayers after the due
dale for the summer 2008 season.
In 2002, the Treasurer's Office initialed the practice of mailing letters to notify
Livonia property owners that their property was listed in the Wayne County
Treasurer's Office court petition to foreclose on their property for delinquent real
property taxes. In 2008 the City of Livonia Treasurer sent out 97 such notices,
as compared to 54 notices in 2007, 33 notices in 2006, 45 notices in 2005, 89
114
notices in 2004, and 113 notices in 2003. As a result of this effort, the Wayne
County Treasurer sold no Livonia parcels at tax auction in 2007, 2006, 2005, or
2004.
The Treasurer's Office is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the files on
bankruptcy cases. Proof of Claims for personal property taxes are fled with the
courts by the City Treasurer. In 2008, 6 businesses with locations in Livonia filed
for bankruptcy protection as compared to 11 businesses in 2007, 8 businesses in
2006, and 8 businesses in 2005.
The Treasurer's Office fled 52 personal property jeopardy tax bills with the
Wayne County Register of Deeds for 2008. In 2007, we issued 8 personal
property tax bills and 11 in 2006.
Applications for electronic fund debit for tax payments were included in the 2008
summer real property tax bills to property owners who are directly responsible for
payment of their taxes. Again this year we have seen an increase in the number
of taxpayers utilizing electronic funds transfer for payment of lax bills. During the
summer 2008 season 2,360 taxpayers participated in this convenient and no-cost
service as compared to 2,317 during the summer of 2007, 2,281 during the
summer of 2006, 2,223 during the summer of 2005, 1,903 during the summer of
2004, 1,819 during the summer of 2003, 1, 417 during the summer of 2002, and
664 taxpayers during the summer 2001 lax season.
Tax bills can be paid with a credit card through Official Payments Corporation.
There is a convenience fee collected and retained by Official Payments
Corporation for this service. There is no cost to the City of Livonia for this service
to be offered to the residents. During 2008, 452 taxpayers utilized this option, as
compared to 431 taxpayers in 2007, 399 taxpayers during 2006, 340 taxpayers
during 2005 and 216 taxpayers during 2004.
This year the Treasurer's Office continued printing the summer and winter lax
bills in-house, which results in a significant printing cost savings of $4,600 per tax
season. Printing the tax bills in-house also allowed for greater control and
efficiency of mailing and distributing the lax bills in a timely fashion.
The Treasurers Office has strict procedures in place regarding the handling of
City funds. All departments issue numbered receipts and timely deliver collected
funds to the Treasurers Office for processing. Large checks are deposited
immediately to yield a higher rate of interest.
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TAX COLLECTIONS
There are 44,842 taxpayers in the City:
2005
2006
2007
2008
Real Property 39,447
39,684
39,863
39,791
Personal Property 4,369
4,443
4,337
4,979
IFF 78
76
78
72
43,894
44,203
44,278
44,842
Sixty six percent of residents are responsible for paying their own property tax
bills. Mortgage companies pay 34% of the real property lax bills.
The tax levy breakdown is as follows (includes Real, Personal, & IFF for 2007
Winter and 2008 Summer):
The total number of original lax bills mailed for Summer and Winter was 89,376
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REAL
PERSONAL
IFT
TOTAL
City of Livonia
51,688,818
6,604,264
828,703
59,121,785
Livonia Public Schools
Operating
23,466,743
6,168,411
792,690
30,427,844
Debt
10,819,206
1,400,872
112,737
12,332,815
Supplemental Tax
1,350,686
100,589
0
1,451,275
Wayne Cty
Intermediate
School District
14,662,743
1,839,774
55,809
16,558,326
Clarenceville Schools
Operating
1,420,443
81,088
0
1,501,531
Debt
1,091,054
44,009
0
1,135,063
Supplemental Tax
96,445
4,657
0
101,102
Oakland Intermediate
School District
816,826
32,947
0
849,773
Slate Education Tax
26,850,229
1,770,735
106,347
28,727,311
SchoolcmR Comm
Coll
8,040,102
971,728
113,511
9,125,341
Wayne County
29,718,609
3,622,486
428,066
33,769,161
Wayne County Jail
4,210,820
538,020
67,519
4,816,359
Wayne County Parks
1,103,619
141,010
17,703
1,262,332
Huron Clinton Metro
Aulh.
963,116
123,060
15,443
1,101,619
Special Assessments
2,256,500
2,256,500
TOTAL
178,555,959
23,443,650
2,538,528
204,538,137
The total number of original lax bills mailed for Summer and Winter was 89,376
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Delinauent Tax Collections
Our personal delinquent property taxes, penalty and interest collected from 12-1-
07 through 11-30-08 were $1,264,898. The collections breakdown is as follows:
Personal Property Tax Year Tax Year Tax Year Tax Year
Amount Due as 2004 2005 2006 2007(3/1/2008)
Of 12/01/2007 1,616,480 1,300,341 991,517 1,378,002
Idr�II0 i1tonIESdMe
This Year $65,007 $235,867 $452,973 $418,368
OTHER COLLECTIONS
Invoices for Council authorized weed cuttings are mailed to taxpayers as well as
any special assessments approved during the year. The Treasurers Office
records payment on these assessments and any unpaid amounts are added to
tax bills at year-end. In 2008, the Treasurer's office issued 1,195 invoices for
weed bills, as compared to 1,084 for 2007, 631 for 2006, 557 for 2005 and 512
for 2004.
TELLER COLLECTIONS
The Treasurer's two tellers processed $435,426,273 in cash, checks, and credit
cards for the following items during the course of conducting City business:
properly taxes, water bills, the greens fees for the City's three municipal golf
courses, Livonia Community Recreation Center memberships and fees, park
permits, fees for swimming and skating, amusement park ticket sales,
registration fees for Parks and Recreation league sports, inspection and
engineering permit and bond fees, licenses, the fees for the City's three libraries.
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# of Parcels
$ Amount
# of Parcels
$Amount
Billed on
Billed On
Billed On
Billed On
2007 Taxes
2007 Taxes
2008 Taxes
2008 Taxes
Special Assessment Districts
Sidewalk
37
$ 7,595
134
$ 66,117
Paving
360
$ 91,135
298
$ 80,361
Lighting
13,800
$ 919,795
13,770
$ 889,006
Weeds
150
$ 26,117
366
$ 39,804
Dlgt Water
1 545
$1,107,732
1 742
$1,227.99
15,892
$2,152,374
16,310
$2,303,285
TELLER COLLECTIONS
The Treasurer's two tellers processed $435,426,273 in cash, checks, and credit
cards for the following items during the course of conducting City business:
properly taxes, water bills, the greens fees for the City's three municipal golf
courses, Livonia Community Recreation Center memberships and fees, park
permits, fees for swimming and skating, amusement park ticket sales,
registration fees for Parks and Recreation league sports, inspection and
engineering permit and bond fees, licenses, the fees for the City's three libraries.
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Police Department adjudicated, non -adjudicated drug and D.A.R.E. funds, fees
for City sponsored special events such as the Highland Games and the Arts &
Craft fair, false alarm charges, accounts receivable items, SMART bus ficket
sales, City garage sale, fees for using the City Dump, Police auction, rent
payments for Silver Village, Newburgh Village, MacNamara Towers and city -
owned homes, record duplication fees, etc. Of the amounts collected,
$50,577,870 was for the general deposit items and $384,848,403 was for
property taxes. The tellers also receive walk-in water payments from residents.
During this fiscal year, 9,709 water payments were processed by the Treasurers
Office. The busiest day as December 18, 2007 with 224 water bills being
processed. The average amount of water bills processed was 41 per day. Due
to the changes in receipfing water bill payments over the last year, the total
dollars collected were processed along with the Water Department's deposits.
All payroll and payable checks are released through the Treasurers Office on
approval of the Finance Director and the City Clerk (internal auditor).
2007
2008
Payroll Checks 27,952
35,007
Vendor Checks -City 15,279
15,446
Vendor Checks -Court 1,808
1,842
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
The Zoning Board of Appeals is a seven (7) member Board created by State
statute and Zoning Ordinance No. 543, as amended, City of Livonia. The Board
hears appeals from residential and business property owners when they are
unable to comply with ordinance requirements and are rejected perils by the
Inspection Department. The Board meets on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
The following is a breakdown of the Appeal Cases prepared and heard by the
Zoning Board of Appeals during the fiscal year December 1, 2007 through
November 30, 2008.
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Granted with
Tabled or
Granted
Denied Modifications
Postponed"`
Total
New Cases 53
2 7
12
74
Rehearings 0
0 0
1
1
118
Actual Cases Heard
Prepared and Scheduled"
75
Total Cases Heard and Prepared 79
Includes Cases which were Granted in Part/Denied in Part
" Meeting material was prepared more than once, but for various reasons
(Petitioner did not appear, asked to be rescheduled, etc.) these cases
were not heard at the first scheduled meeting.
Meeting material was prepared and Board heard case at meeting and
made a decision to table for revised plans, etc. All meeting notices,
agendas, etc. were redone when new meeting date was scheduled.
Number of Regular Meetings: 11
Number of Special Meetings: 19
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