HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-2012 Annual ReportOFFICE OF THE MAYOR
JACK E.KIRKSEY �.r'= 33000 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE
Mv,�. `% LIVONIA, MICHIGAN 981543097
(739)95 ZXH
FAX: (739)92148]0
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January 9, 2013
TO: HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE CIN COUNCIL
FROM: MAYOR JACK E. KIRKSEY
SUBJECT: 2011-2012 Annual Report
Dear Council Members:
As required by City Charter, I present the attached Annual Report that summarizes the
activities of Livonia's Departments, Boards and Commissions during the 2011-2012
fiscal year. Below is a summary of a number of significant items included in the report,
followed by my observations.
Municipal Services Authority
Several City departments (Law, Finance, Administrative Services, and Economic
Development) were involved in the formation of this new multi -jurisdictional entity
designed to foster intergovernmental cooperation through developing improved best -
practices, efficiencies and cost -savings efforts. Livonia joined with the City of Grand
Rapids and the State of Michigan Treasurers Office to launch this innovative concept.
We expect to see it bear fruit in the coming years.
Inspection Department
Enforcement of the Vacant and Abandoned Building Ordinance by the Livonia
Inspection Department has increased the number of permits granted and amount of
revenue generated. Revenue is more than $520,000, which is 5 percent higher than the
previous year. The program is designed to ensure maintenance and inspection of
problematic residential and non-residential properties, but pertains to all vacant or
abandoned structures.
Parks and Recreation
Livonia Parks users benefitted from several improvements in 2011-2012, including new
picnic pavilions at Dooley Park, Bien Park, Country Homes Park, and Kleinert Park;
To: Honorable Members of the Council January 9, 2013
Re: Annual Report Letter, 2011-2012 Page 2
replacing backstops at Shelden Park, Wilson Park, Mies Park, and Country Homes
Park; constructing a walking path at Dooley Park and two sand volleyball courts at
Bicentennial Park; and the purchase of a mobile show stage, all with funds from Wayne
County grants. Increased use of the parks, through pavilion permits and estimated
attendees, was also noted.
Treasurer's Office
The Livonia Treasurer and staff continue to increase the number of delinquencies
recovered directly, rather than through a collection agency, which reduces the City's
cost. In 2009, the Treasurer and staff personally collected 41 percent of all
delinquencies recovered. That has been increased to 77 percent in 2012. These
collection efforts have resulted in a total of $172,933 being retained by the City, which
previously would have been paid to the collection agency.
Summary
Livonia remains a strong, vibrant community even as our region begins to emerge from
difficult economic times.
City budgets faced another year of significant challenges and those challenges will
continue through the next several years, even in the face of a budding economic
recovery. State tax laws limit the amount of increased tax revenue to Cities, meaning
communities will take longer to benefit from any potential recovery.
However, we cominue to address those budgetary challenges by delivering good quality
public services, despite reduced staffing levels. City employees will once again take
unpaid furlough days and meet higher state requirements for contributing to their own
health care and premium costs. The City also continues to explore and develop new
ways to reduce costs and increase collaboration and cooperation efforts with other
public entities and private organizations.
Housing values declined this past year for the fifth straight year, but there are signals of
a rebound in the housing sales market that, we hope, bode well for a recovery for
homeowners. Protecting the value of our housing stock and the quality of our
neighborhoods has accomplished through quality City services (Ordinance
Enforcement, Police, Roads, etc.) and special efforts, such as the Neighborhood
Stabilization Program.
In general, Livonia's economy and business environment have taken positive steps in
the past year. According to state figures, Livonia's jobless rate was 4.3 percent, down
from 5.0 percent during the same month (September) last year. Nationally, the average
was 7.5 percent, while the State of Michigan and Wayne County averages were at 8.3
percent and 11.3 percent, respectively. On another positive note, Livonia's industrial
To: Honorable Members of the Council January 9, 2013
Re: Annual Report Letter, 2011-2012 Page 3
and retail markets continue to recover. Total industrial vacancy rates are 8.8 percent,
down from 10.7 percent about a year earlier, and posting a new seven-year low. The
retail market vacancy rate is 13.7 percent, a reduction from 16 percent a year earlier.
The office vacancy rate stands at 19 percent, though it too is showing signs of trending
downward.
Anchored by our exceptional public safety and quality public services, Livonia continues
to boast numerous other positive attributes— great location, plentiful and well-
maintained parks, well-maintained streets, and top-quality schools, health care,
institutions of education and businesses. The hallmark of our success has always been
the leadership of the City Council and committed, supportive employees all dedicated to
serving our residents by meeting or exceeding expectations.
Sincerely,
Jack E. Kirksey
Mayor
Enclosure
cc: Clerk, Council, Finance, Law
emailed: Leadership Staff
CITY OF LIVONIA
ANNUALREPORT
FISCAL YEAR
`ily`dkilvA
CITY OF LIVONIA, MICHIGAN
A00UALREPORT
Fiscal Year 2011-2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No.
Assessing Department .........................................................................
1
Review, Board 0f.......................................................................
2
CityClerk ..............................................................................................
2
Civil Service Department ......................................................................
7
Trustees, Board 0f...................................................................
15
Community Resources Department and Cable ..................................
19
Aging Commission ...................................................................
24
Arts {|0DUDUissi)D....................................................................
24
Historic Preservation Commission ......................................
..... 26
Historical Commission ..............................................................
28
Human Relations Commission .................................................
29
Youth Commission ...................................................................
30
DistrictCourt .......................................................................................
32
Finance Department ...........................................................................
35
IDf>rmati0D System ....................................
37
FireDepartment ..................................................................................
41
Housing Commission ..........................................................................
48
Inspection Department ........ .............................................................
53
Zoning Board 0f/\ooCab.........................................................
57
Building Code Board 0f/\ .......................58
LawDepartment .................................................................................
58
Library Department &(|0OUOUisSioD..................................................
62
Parks and Recreation Department & Commission .............................
66
Planning [�epWrtmCDt&Commission ..................................................
78
Police Department and EmergencyPreparedness.................
89
Public Works Department ...................................................................
97
Engineering Division ................................................................
98
Public Service Division ............................................................
103
Traffic Commission ...........................................................................
123
TrCaSUre[.........................................
125
The 2012 Stale Equalized Valuation of the City real and personal properly was
$3,875,978,660 which relates to the following statistics:
CLASS
PARCEL COUNT
VALUATION
Residential
38,224
2,452,253,410
Commercial
1,792
735,475,180
Industrial
432
230,650,790
Personal
4,308
457599280
$ 3,875,978,660
In addition, valuation under the Special Ads provided total valuation of
$132,600,390 as follows:
IFT Real
26,978,340
Turbo/Brownfield
24,875,650
IFT Personal
80,746.40
$132,600,390
All property appeared on the assessment roll at 50.00% of true cash value as
mandated by Stale 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 40 new homes were created. Revisions to
approximately 871 existing property field sheets were made, which is a 25%
increase over the prior year. Commercial and Industrial new buildings,
alterations and additions numbered 69 and were reviewed for value for the 2012
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 Stale Tax Commission with regard to
assessing procedures.
For 2012, Transfer Affidavits totaling 1,620 and Homesteads, Rescissions,
Conditional Rescissions and Denial Forms totaling 2,164 were interpreted and
processed on a daily basis.
Lots splits and combinations are processed by this department. This office
reviews petitioners applications and departmental correspondence for
compliance to city ordinances and procedures. If a split is nonconforming
Council action will be required. Approximately 23 splits and combinations were
completed in 2012. Ofthese, one required Council action.
Several prior years of Michigan Tax Tribunal appeals were finalized. A total of
408 appeals were completed. Of this number there were 275 full tribunals, 55
residential small claims and 78 commercial & industrial small claims, for the
years 2010 —2012. This is an increase of 274 completed cases over last year.
Over 4,500 personal property statements were processed for the 2012
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.
The December Board of Review meeting was held on Tuesday, December 13,
2011, in accordance with Section 211.53b of the General Properly Tax Law of
Michigan, to correct all mutual mistakes of fact and clerical errors.
The Livonia City Council, on January 25, 2012 (CR#21-12), set the place and
dates for the 2012 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 6, 2012, for a nine (9)
day session of public hearings, which included an evening session. Members
Conrad Gniewek, Jollietta Coleman and William Tancill were in attendance. The
Board heard 244 taxpayer appeals and acted on 90 mail -in petitions.
Determination notices were mailed on April 2, 2012.
State law requires a July Board of Review meeting to correct clerical errors and
mutual mistakes of fact. This meeting was held on Tuesday, July 17, 2012.
CIN 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 Stale of Michigan. The Clerk is assisted by a Deputy Clerk and a
staff of six 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 ..."
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; laking 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.
City Council 2011 2012
Study Meetings 25 24
Regular Meetings 24 24
Special Meetings 0 0
Council Resolutions Recorded 403 452
Ordinances Adopted 16 39
Public Hearings Conducted 20 30
(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 Slate Statute to record and file a record of all deaths and births
occurring within the City for subsequent transmittal to the State and County
Department of Health and make available for certification copies of such records,
as can be legally released.
VITAL STATISTICS (DECEMBER 2010-2011)
2011 2012
Births Recorded 875 880
Deaths Recorded 1515 1625
$115,950.00 $122,550.00
(c) 'The City Clerk shall issue and sign all licenses granted and shall
register same.
LICENSING
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 2011 2012
Gas Stations, Dry Cleaners, Amusement
Places, Taxi, Trailer Rental, Solicitors,
Vending Machines, Restaurants, Caterers,
etc. 1,200 1,195
FEES COLLECTED $51,750.00 $51,550.00
Garage, Basement, Rummage Sales 1,861 1,818
FEES COLLECTED $9,345.00 $9,755.00
Pel Licenses 3,120 3,092
FEES COLLECTED $25,180.00 $24,736.00
Bicycle Licenses 20 29
FEES COLLECTED $60.00 $87.00
(d) "The City Clerk shall receive for fling: 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
2011 2012
Zoning 6 6
Vacating 2 0
Miscellaneous (Waivers) 14 31
New Plats Authorized (Preliminary) 0 1
Final Plats 0 0
Extensions 0 0
(e) Publica0on and Legal Notices
M
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
2,913 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.
2011•
2012•
Council Regular Agendas 1104
1248
Council Study Agendas 1304
1488
Special Regular Agendas N/A
N/A
Special Regular Minutes N/A
N/A
Council Regular Minutes 408
408
Council Study Minutes 480
480
Attorney Notes for Council Regular Meetings 912
864
Synopsis of Regular Council Minutes 96
96
Council Public Hearing Notices 1071
1530
Public Hearing Minutes 462
660
'Tables indicate number of sets required per year for distribution
for
each activity; number of pages varies by event and is not included
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
2012 totaled $90,095.00. 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 - State 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.
2011 2012
Elections Held in City 1 City Primary 1 Presidential Primary
1 City General 1 State Primary
1 Special Primary
1 State General
2011 2012
New Registrations 5,925 7,852
Total Registered Voters 74,011 75,039
Change of Name 422 503
Change of Address 2,129 2,754
Cancellations 5,111 5,419
Registrations by Mail 295 2,563
Number of Absentee Ballots Issued 8,694 30,959
AV Applications Issued 8,694 30,959
Notices of Election Inspectors 474 1,395
Notice of Cancellation of Registration 454 623
Sale of Voter Registrations Lists $1,303.22 $1,216.73
(h) Other Duties and Responsibilities of the Clerk
The Clerk shall have power to administer all oaths required by
State 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 instituted a
program of microfilming the birth and death records of the City in
1985. 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 2012, the Clerk examined, pre -audited and signed approximately
14,989 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 2012 there were no
authorized opening and closing at the cemeteries.
The Civil Service Commission held twelve (12) Regular meetings and one (1)
Special meeting during fiscal year 2011-12.
LABOR RELATIONS
During fiscal year 2011-12, the City completed negotiations with the Livonia Fire
Fighters Union (LFFU) for renewal of their contract for the period December 1,
2012 to November 30, 2015; and the Livonia Lieutenants and Sergeants
Association (LLSA) for renewal of their contract for the period December 1, 2012
to November 30, 2013.
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.
PERSONNEL REVIEW COMMITTEE
The Personnel Review Committee comprised of the Human Resources Director,
the Director of Finance, and the Director of Administrative Services mel fourteen
(14) times during the current fiscal year and reviewed and made sixty-one (61)
recommendations to the Mayor on all new hires, replacement personnel and
promotions.
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PROGRAMS
HOSPITALIZATION -MEDICAL INSURANCE PLANS
Effective March 1, 2012, the City's cap for annual contribution to active employee
health insurance consistent with Public Act 152 is
0 Single coverage - $5,500
0 Two -person coverage - $11,000
B Family -$15,000
Public Act 152 is the new state law which requires increased public employee
premium sharing for health insurance. The City of Livonia provides the lower
cost option for employees the so-called "hard cap" plan. In accordance with
Public Act 152, effective March 1, 2012, all General non -court employees and all
LPOA employees who are receiving employer provided medical coverage of any
kind must contribute an aggregate amount based on the applicable hard caps.
For family and 2 person subscribers a weighted average is used. Effective
March 1, 2012 the amounts are:
General non -court employees Smgk Two Person / Family
Community Blue 3 $ 35.00 $140.00
Blue Choice $106.00 $440.00
LPOA employees
Community Blue 3 $ 35.00 $136.00
Blue Choice $106.00 $442.00
LFFU, LLSA, police command and all Court employees who participate in the
City's health care plan will continue 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.
Also, pursuant to the union contract, court employees must pay the portion of the
cost of their Blue Choice plan that is higher than the cost of the equivalent Blue
Cross/Community Blue PPO Plan. Effective March 1, 2012, the monthly
premiums for Blue Choice health insurance coverage were greater than the
premiums for Blue Cross/Community Blue 2, therefore court employees were
required to pay the difference between the rates on a monthly basis.
The annual Health and Wellness Fair was held on three (3) separate afternoons
during January 2012 at various 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 descnptions and obtain
assistance with health care questions or problems. The meetings were attended
by one hundred ten (110) employees and family members.
Community Blue 2 was replaced by Community Blue 3 for General and LPOA
employees on January 1, 2012. Informational meetings were held December 20,
21, 2011, and January 10, 2012. One hundred three (103) employees and
spouses attended the meetings. LLSA and LFFU employees continued to have
CB2 through the fiscal year.
Al the end of the fiscal year, the employee and retiree hospitalization/medical
insurance enrollments are:
Blue Cross/Blue Shield 12
Employee
subscribers
(BC/BS) Preferred Plan 373
Retiree
subscribers
328
Retirees on Medicare
0
COBRA
Blue Cross/Blue Shield 180
Employee
subscribers
Blue Choice PPO 197
Retiree
subscribers
78
Retirees on Medicare
0
COBRA
Blue Cross/Blue Shield 294
Employee
subscribers
Community Blue 2 54
Retiree
subscribers
7
Retirees on Medicare
1
COBRA
A total of fifty-six (56) full-time employees 'opted out" of insurance coverage
during the February 2012 open enrollment period and received $1,000.00 in lieu
of hospitalization/medical coverage.
LIFE INSURANCE & ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT PLAN
The City of Livonia currently contracts for group life insurance with the Hartford
Life and Accident Insurance Company at the rale of 18.2 cents per $1,000 per
month volume. Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) group insurance
coverage is also provided by Hartford at a rale of 1.5 cents per $1,000 volume
per month.
Currently, a total of five hundred seventy-seven (577) employees have life
insurance coverage in the aggregate amount of $33,149,995. In addition, twenty
(20) retirees have a $3,000 death benefit coverage totaling $60,000; one
hundred forty-eight (148) retirees have a $3,500 death benefit coverage totaling
$518,000 and two hundred -three (203) retirees have a $5,000 death benefit
totaling $1,015,000 for a total retiree group of three hundred seventy-one (371)
having aggregate life insurance in the amount of $1,593,000. During the fiscal
year, a total of $81,704.22 in life insurance and AD&D premium were paid to
Hartford Life & Accident Insurance Company. There were len (10) retiree death
claims totaling $39,000. One (1) retiree claim was paid at $46,000 because of a
waiver of premium as a result of a pre -retirement disability.
WEEKLY DISABILITY INCOME PLAN
The City of Livonia is self-insured for the weekly disability income coverage.
Effective December 1, 2009 through November 30, 2012, the disability claims
were administered by Citizen's Management, Inc. This benefit provides $250/wk
to disabled general full-time employees and $125/wk to disabled part-time
employees for up to 45 weeks; $125/wk for disabled Police Dispatcher full-time
employees for 45 weeks; $42/wk for the first 12 weeks and $100/wk for the 40
week balance of 52 weeks for disabled police and fire employees; and $200/wk
for up to 45 weeks for District Court employees. The total premium paid to
Citizen's Management, Inc., to administer the program was $9,875.00 for this
fiscal year.
During the Fiscal Year 2011-12, there were a total of twenty (20) weekly disability
income claims to employees. A total benefit of $20,393.52 was paid by this self-
insured program.
The Civil Service Department staff administers the general employee union
tuition reimbursement programs. Ten (10) members of AFSCME Union Local
192 expended $2,950 out of the maximum allocation of $10,000.00 during the
fiscal year. Two (2) members of the AFSCME Supervisory and Technical
Chapter of Union Local 1917 expended $420 out of the maximum allocation of
$3,475 during the fiscal year.
OPTICAL PLAN
The City offers an optical benefit program with two providers: Coop Optical and
RxOplical who have multiple area locations. Employee usage and costs incurred
during the fiscal year at these centers or through the reimbursement option were:
Safely Glasses
8
$ 419.00
Direct Reimbursement
62
7,422.48
Co -Op Optical
62
4,773.00
RxOplical
155
15 028.91
Total
287
$27,643.39
10
11 =1 7U114J ZIOX:EM
All employee groups except LFFU employees have a dental reimbursement or
direct payment to the Demist program. Billing for services rendered during the
fiscal year must be submitted within 30 days of the November 30th fiscal year end
for consideration. A summary of the employee reimbursements and hardship
advances during the fiscal year to dale is:
Number of Total Average
Transactions Amount Paid Paymen
Reimbursement/Direct Payment 928 $262,717.88 $283.11
Dental reimbursement may also include payment for Dental Insurance premiums.
LFFU members participate in a dental insurance program. The program is
administered by the union. The City provides an annual payment of $700 per
member.
General employees, Court employees, LFFU, LLSA and Police Command are
eligible for 50% of the fees for orthodontic services for a lifetime maximum of
$1500 per family. Coverage is limited to the employee, spouse and dependent
children until the end of the year said dependents reach age 19. LPOA
employees are eligible for 50% of the fees for a lifetime maximum of $1000 per
family.
A summary of the orthodontic service claims received this fiscal year is:
Number of Claims Total Amount Paid
Police/Fire 5 $ 6,063.00
General 4 $ 5,740.00
Total 9 $11,803.00
The City of Livonia contracts the self-insured worker's disability compensation
program with the third party administrator, CMI (previously Citizens Management,
Incorporated). The contract period for these services is effective December 1,
2009 through November 30, 2012. The contract with CMI was recently renewed
for the period December 1, 2012 through November 30, 2013.
The total paid on all claims through CMI (previously Cifizens Management Inc.)
from December 1, 2011 through November 30, 2012 is $238,710.49. There were
ninety-six (96) new claims submitted during this period.
11
The total paid on all claims through CompOne Administrators, Inc. (previously
Accident Fund) from December 1, 2011 through November 30, 2012 is
$413,721.81. These payments are for claims that started before December 1,
2009.
The total paid on all claims includes weekly wage loss indemnity benefits,
medical services, related legal, vocational rehabilitation and other related
professional expenses. Employees receive treatment for work-related injures or
illness at Providence Corporate Health Services and Midwest Health Center.
The City of Livonia participates in the self-insured 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 thirty-six (36) former employee claims for
unemployment benefits filed with the Michigan Employment Security
Adminislmtion(MESA). Charges for 2012 are $59,100.55.
CIN PHYSICIAN AND MEDICAL CLINICS
Pre-employment, return -to -work and occupational injury/illness 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. Eighty-six (86) regular employee and temporary
employee preemployment (full-time and part -lime) examinations and eighty-
three (83) physicals for return to work were conducted. Dr. Lyle Danuloff, Ph.D.,
the City's Consulting Psychologist, completed twenty-eight (28) evaluations for
Public Safety new hire employees. In the absence of Dr. Danuloff, Dr. Linda
Forsberg, Ph.D., conducted two (2) Psychological examinations for Police
Service Aide 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
pre-employment 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 coordinated in compliance with federal regulations.
SAFETY
A representative from St. John Providence Corporate Health Services conducted
the Bloodbourne Pathogens Training for Department of Public Works staff.
Thirty-one employees attended the training and eight employees received the
Hepatitis Bvaccination.
12
One hundred -one (101) employees received service recognition awards in FY
2011-12.
Level of Service
Service Awards Presented
Five Years
37
Ten Years
22
Fifteen Years
16
Twenty Years
4
Twenty -Five Years
17
Thirty Years
1
Thirty -Five Years
3
Forty Years
1
Total 101
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
2011-12 were: the Detroit News — 6; Livonia Observer — 6; 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 descriptions 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. The staff also prepares 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.
The Civil Service staff continued to prepare and administer open -competitive and
promotional examinations as requested by City Department Heads. During
Fiscal Year 2011-12, a total of 6 open -competitive and 17 promotional
examinations were announced. The Civil Service Department received 196
13
applications as of October 22, 2012, for open -competitive examinations and 95
for promotional examinations during the fiscal year. In addition the Department
processed 316 applications for temporary employment opportunities in various
Parks and Recreation positions; 69 applications for Seasonal Laborer; 20
applications for Seasonal Clerk; 40 applications for Student Page; 94
applications for Library Page; 3 applications for Substitute Librarian; 22
applications for Temporary Clerical; 13 applications for School Crossing Guard;
and 55 applications for Police Reserve Officer.
TRAINING
During FY 2011-12, the Civil Service Department sponsored several employee -
training activities.
Between December 2011 and November 2012, 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.
Sixty-three (63) 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 2012. Approximately fifty-
eight (58) employees attended the sessions in which enrollment, investment
education and training was discussed. Forty-two (42) new employee enrollment
fors were submitted.
For the FY 2011-12, a total of 4 employees, 2 employee family members and 4
residents received crisis intervention individual counseling sessions limited to 5
sessions totaling $400 per individual. In addition, EAP providers have been
called upon to assist Departments with group conflict resolution meetings.
Services totaled approximately $2,800.
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 $2,895 in CDBG funds has been
expended during FY 2011-12 to pay for counseling services provided to 12 low-
income residents.
1. The Civil Service staff coordinated two (2) Employee Blood Drives in
2012, and assisted in the coordination of two (2) additional drives at the
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Community Recreation Center. A total of one hundred sixteen (116) pints
of blood were donated by City employees during the drives, conducted in
January, March, May and September.
2. The Critical Incident Response Team (GIRT) comprised of members from
Police, Fire, Law, Public Service, the Mayors 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.
Credential Check Corporation has been used to conduct background
investigations of general employee new hires.
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, 2011 through November 30, 2012:
1. DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN
a) The Board of Trustees held twelve (12) Regular meetings and one
(1) Special meeting during this period.
b) As of November 30, 2012, the Defined Benefit Plan had five hundred
fifty-three (553) retirees or surviving spouses plus eleven (11)
Eligible Domestic Relations Orders (EDRO's) (Divorced Prior to
Retirement) and four (4) Alternate Payees (Divorced after
Retirement) for a total of five hundred sixty-eight (568) receiving
pension checks. Twenty-seven (27) City retirees died during fiscal
year 2011-2012. The total pension payroll fiscal year to date is
$14,425,903 through November 2012.
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 portion of the fund managed by
Loomis Sayles had a value of $180,816,683 as of October 31, 2012.
15
d) In May 2012, the Board reviewed the fifty-ninth (59th) annual
actuarial valuation as of November 30, 2011, for the Livonia
Employees Retirement System, prepared by the Board's Actuary,
Rodwan Consulting Company. The Plan covered five hundred sixty-
seven (567) retirees; twenty-one (21) deferred and one hundred
seventy-one (171) employees for a total of seven hundred fifty-nine
(759). The Actuary reported that the accrued actuarial condition of
the Retirement System is "good". Continuation of this condition is
dependent upon future experience and receipt of required
contributions.
e) The funded ratio of actuarial value of assets to actuarial accrued
liability for the Retirement System Defined Benefit Plan was 99.0%
as of November 30, 2011.
f) Merrill -Lynch provided quarterly performance evaluations of the
Defined Benefit Plan through the V Quarter of 2012.
Note: Due to reorganization within Bank of America (the parent
company), Merrill Lynch will no longer be able to provide consulting
or performance evaluation services to the Retirement System
effective October 17, 2012.
g) 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.
The Midland Multifamily Equity REIT was renamed SAS Equity REIT
and the management of the REIT was transferred from Midland to
Seminole Mortgage Partners I Limited Partnership owned and
operated by Robert Banks, formerly of Midland Advisers.
Staff and board members attend SAS investment update meetings
quarterly.
Total interest earnings on the SAS REIT from December 1, 2011,
through October 31, 2012, were $406,250.
h) The Board has a global real estate 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, 2012, was $5,386,267.
Note: The Board has taken profits of $5 million out of the REIT and
transferred the funds into the Loomis Sayles Large Cap Account for
further investment at the discretion of the Investment Manager. ($3.5
million in February 2005, and $1.5 million in March 2006)
16
i) The total defined benefit fund value was $193,474,370 as of October
31, 2012.
j) Sixty-two (62) requests for retirement estimates under the Defined
Benefit Plan were processed by the Civil Service Department Staff.
k) Effective August 1, 2012, the Civil Service Department stopped
mailing retirement check statements to retirees. All retiree payments
are being made by direct deposit. Retirees are able to view their
retirement check information by logging into the City of Livonia
website link.
1) Members of the Board and staff continued their education required
as fiduciaries by attending the Michigan Association of Public
Employees Retirement System (MAPERS) Conferences at Soaring
Eagle Resort, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, from May 20 to May 22, 2012;
and at the Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Michigan, from September
22 to September 24, 2012. Board members and staff also attended
a special subject educational meeting on February 3, 2012.
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 Retirement Services.
c) The Defined Contribution Fund had a total account ending balance of
$48,243,080 as of September 30, 2012, four hundred six (406) active
participants; eighty-three (83) participants who terminated
employment and have an ending account balance; and five (5)
participants with a zero ending account balance.
d) As of November 30, 2012, a total of one hundred twenty-six (126)
employees have retired under the Defined Contribution Retirement
Plan.
3. LIVONIA RETIREE HEALTH AND DISABILITY BENEFITS PLAN (VEBA)
a) The Board of Trustees held twelve (12) Regular meetings and one
(1) Special meeting during this period.
b) Mr. Sowerby and Mr. Johnson advised the Board on investments for
the VEBA. The VEBA had a market value of $68,212,351 as of
October 31, 2012.
17
Note: The VERA was established at the recommendation of the
former Actuary to the Board of Trustees, Gabriel, Roeder, Smith and
Co., for purposes of placing in a tax free trust, monies to pay for
post -employment hospitalization -medical insurance benefits for
members of the DB and the DC Plans, as well as to provide separate
funding for DC Plan member disability retirement benefits.
c) In May 2012, the Board reviewed the fourteenth 14th annual actuarial
valuation as of November 30, 2011, for the VEBA, as prepared by
the Board's Actuary, Rodwan Consulting Company. 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
contribution that is less than the Annual Required Contribution
(ARC), and results in a contribution deficiency in the Plan's financial
report.
d) The fund had actuarial computed assets of $62,491,275 and 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 40.0% as of November 30, 2011. The unfunded
liability is $93,768,878.
e) The market value of the VEBA fund assets were $68,212,351 as of
October 31, 2012.
f) Effective December 1, 2006, through negotiations with City
employee groups, the City's VEBA Plan was amended to require an
employee contribution in the form of a salary reduction to the Plan for
post -employment health care benefits. LPDA, LFFII, LLSA and all
general employees (excluding District Court employees) hired before
the dates listed in Section "g" below are contributing 2% of pension
eligible wages to the VEBA Plan. (This does not include overtime
earnings and this contribution is in pre-tax dollars.)
As required by federal law, non union employees were provided a
non-reversible opportunity to opt -out of the health care provisions of
the VEBA. A total of 16 non -represented employees elected to opt -
out of the VEBA Plan and received a refund of their employee
contributions to the fund. The total combined refund amount was
approximately $50,000 which was deducted from a future employer
contribution to the VEBA Plan.
The City saves more than $136,000 per year in contributions as a
result of these employees opting out of the VEBA.
IE
g) General non -represented employees hired after December 1, 2009;
AFSCME Union Local 192 and AFSCME Union Local 1917
employees hired on or after September 8, 2011; uniformed police
employees and police dispatchers hired on or after November 2,
2011, and LFFU members hired after December 1, 2012, must
participate in the City sponsored Vantagecare Retirement Health
Savings (RHSP) Plan. This plan allows the employee to accumulate
assets tax-free to be used for eligible healthcare related expenses
upon termination. The new employees contribute 2% of their
pension wages to the program. Employee contributions are vested
immediately. The City contributes $50 per pay period. Upon
termination after ten years of service, the accrued sick leave payout
is deposited in the account for all non -Fire employees. With regard
to the direct City contributions, the following vesting schedule
applies:
Years of Completed Service Vesting Percentage
0-4 0%
4+ 100%
In the event of the retiree's death, remaining assets will be
transferred to an amount for continuing tax-free use by the
surviving spouse and/or dependents for their own qualifying health
expenses. Any remaining assets after the death of the spouse and
dependents will revert to the Plan. In addition, should the
employee terminate employment before 4 years of service, non -
vested assets will revert to the Plan. As of November 30, 2012,
forty-two (42) employees are enrolled in the Plan.
h) The Board received $304,176.81 from the Centers of Medicare
Retiree Drug Subsidy Program. This payment represents a return to
the VERA for prescription drug costs for Medicare retirees and
spouses and covers the period January 1, 2009 through November
30, 2010. The funds were electronically deposited into the VEBA
account on February 3, 2012. The Board has received a cumulative
total of reimbursements since January 1, 2006, of $1,370,695 from
the RDS program.
COMMUNITY PROJECTS
Publications
City Newsletter— Four (4) issues published and mailed to approximately
43.000 residences and businesses.
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Community Gardens
0 Cash collected for Garden Plots: $5,930
0 Plots available for planting 243 and 18 com row plots
0 Plots purchased 210
0 Plots purchased by 100 residents 142 at $25
0 Plots purchased by 50 non residents 68 at $35
Brad Bonifield (Community Gardens Project Manager) hours for 2012: 242 hours
In January of 2012, the gardeners from 2011 were contacted to pay for their plots
if they wished to continue gardening in 2012. Open enrollment became available
to all the Iasi week of March. This year the Probation Department had two plots.
Their produce was donated to Livonia Senior Housing. The gardens were staked
by 16th District Court Probation Department in May. The Department of Public
Works delivered wood chips and compost. Brad was available three days a
week during the entire time the garden was open in order to assist gardeners
with any issues that might arise. In September, we held the annual Gardeners'
Picnic which was well attended. On October 5th, we closed the Gardens and
once again the Department of Public Works plowed the gardens under. The
District Court Probation program cleaned up the gardens.
Volunteer & Special Projects
0 Information & Complaint Center — (3) volunteers and staff responded to
City calls as well as Non -City calls. There were no TTY/TDD calls or
formal complaints processed.
Resident Assistance
0 Emergency Help — Emergency Service Program funds assist low-income
households with gift cards when the emergency need is proven and
funds/cards are available.
0 Holiday Assistance — Community Resource Staff referred 15 low-income
households to local sponsors for holiday food assistance. The
Department also works closely with the Goodfellows organization to
ensure that no childtfamily is without a Christmas.
0 Commodity Food (TEFAP) — Food was distributed to 3195 low-income
households (4673 people), with the assistance of 25 volunteers who
worked a total of 2100 hours.
0 Last November, we partnered up with the Forgotten Harvest Food Rescue
organization to provide our low-income residents fresh fruits, vegetables,
and dairy items. Over 120,000 lbs of food was distributed.
0 Non -Food Pantry - 541 low-income referral forms were issued to TEFAP
qualified residents to Holy Cross Lutheran Church and Newburgh
Methodist Church for boxes of assorted personal hygiene and household
goods/supplies.
20
City Commissions/Guttural Activities
Clerical, technical and budgetary assistance was provided to the Aging, Arts,
Cable, Historical, Historic Preservation, Human Relations and Youth
Commissions.
LIVONIA COMMUNITY TRANSIT (LCT)
Community Resources has the administrative responsibility of providing
transportation for Livonia senior citizens and disabled residents. This program is
called Livonia Community Transit. Transportation is available with a reservation,
seven days a week on a first-come, first-served basis. Livonia Community
Transit also provides 'To Work" service for people coming to Livonia using the
SMART and D -DOT bus systems. This service picks up riders from hubs located
at Millennium Park and near Botsford Hospital and then takes these riders to pre-
determined bus slops. 'To Work" riders are picked up in the morning at 6:00,
7:00 and 8:00 a.m. and again for the return trip at 4:00, 5:00 and 6:00 p.m.
Municipal Credit contracts and Specialized Services grants, administered by
SMART, are monitored and prepared by the Community Resources staff. The
Livonia Community Transit system has a fleet of 18 vehicles (small buses and
vans). The vehicles are driven by 24 part-time bus drivers all with Commercial
Drivers Licenses. The Transit office is supervised by a Grant Manager and three
other part-time employees who help coordinate the drivers and the route
schedules. The system served over 49,000 riders. These rides totaled over
242,800 miles and approximately 18,500 service hours. Revenue from bus fares
totaled approximately $80,000.
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Civic Park Senior Center
Participation in activities during 2012 totaled approximately 161,500 seniors.
12,200 congregate meals were served. Activities included: health screening,
educational classes, support groups, fitness classes, cards and games, art &
crafts, senior sports, Medicare counseling, senior picnic, senior resource fair,
craft show, holiday parties, Detroit Symphony Orchestra Trips, etc. Volunteers
logged 14,000 hours.
SUPPORT SERVICES, GIFTS, GRANTS, AND TRANSPORTATION
C.D.B.G. and Community Transit funds totaled $50,000. Donations in the
amount of $15,000 were received.
Federal and Stale grants and donations provided:
0 10,415 one-way rides through the senior transportation program
0 34,017 meals were delivered by volunteers to home -bound seniors
21
Focus Hope
The City of Livonia has the responsibility of administering the Focus Hope food
program to senior residents, 60 years or older who income -quality. In 2011, 452
food boxes were distributed to a maximum of 47 low-income senior households
with the assistance of five (5) volunteers. The distribution is from the Civic Park
Senior Center on the first Wednesday of every month.
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2012: Referrals: 67 New Cases — (46 Male and 21 Female)
Carry Over Cases from 2011: 68
Total Cases served in 2012: 135
These numbers are accurate as of November 30, 2012.
2012 Cases represent the following referral agencies
49 Livonia Police Department
0 Third Circuit Court -Juvenile Division
14 Surrounding Police Departments (Westland, Novi, Northville)
4 Voluntary Referrals from family members
0 14 parents completed 118 hours of instruction with our Alternative
Parenting Skills group.
0 Program youth performed 969 hours of Community Work Service.
0 50 youth completed 500 hours of instruction in "Project Impact' (social
living skills) group.
0 We have been unable to participate in the JAG (Juvenile Awareness
Program) at Milan Federal Prison due to some newly found Federal
Guidelines. It is our hope to re-establish this component.
0 26 youth attended the Wayne County Jail lour.
0 366 youth used the services of the Youth Employment Resource Center
that listed over 969 job openings. High school visits included 365
students: (90 -Churchill, 90 -Franklin, 97 -Stevenson and 88-Clarenceville).
0 Wayne County grants: 1/1 01h Mill Fund - $19,100.
LIVONIA CABLE TELEVISION COMMISSION
In 2012, Livonia Television (LTV) continued providing viewers on Bnghthouse
Networks (channel 8) and AT&T L -verse (channel 99) with high-quality
programming, promoting Livonia's programs and services. As of early November
2012, LTV staff completed 355 projects, producing 125 programs (4,097
production hours), including the LIVE coverage of City Council regular and study
meetings, and Planning Commission regular meetings. 200 hours of volunteer
22
assistance was utilized from December 2011 to November 2012 in the
production of LTV programming.
A number of additional special programs were produced in 2012, adding to the
regular lineup of programming. "Wnflen In The Millen,' produced with the
Livonia Public Library, featured several Michigan authors, and "Moneywork$,"
also a Library presentation, highlighted the importance of basic financial
knowledge for teens entering the workforce. The LTV series "Artists" returned in
2012, now produced by Alysia Caring in cooperation with the Livonia Arts
Commission.
Several special projects were produced in 2012. The LTV staff traveled to the
Columbus, Ohio region with members of the Livonia City Council to record a
day's activity of presentations and lours concerning revitalization, with a special
look at Gahanna, Ohio and several other Columbus -area suburbs. LTV also
recorded and distributed three special presentations held at the Redford Public
Library, aimed at training various DPW personnel from across the Metro Detroit
area.
2012 also marked many upgrades for Livonia Television. The LTV portion of the
City of Livonia website was totally refreshed to include an on -demand video
gallery and a convenient way to follow LTV on Facebook and Twitter. An online
comment form was also developed by the Information Systems Department to
allow easy feedback to LTV from website visitors. The workhorses of the LTV
equipment stable, the two Avid Media Composer systems, were both upgraded
to current hardware and software, improving staff workflow, shortening post-
production time and introducing new creative possibilities.
In an effort to preserve aging LTV programs stored on deteriorating videotape,
staff began capturing old shows to a digital format to be safely backed up to a
server. The entire series of Livonia Symphony Orchestra performances covered
by LTV since the early '90s has been converted to digital for future viewing
audiences to enjoy. Capturing of other programs and historical footage
continues.
In staff news, LTV received two national honors from the NATOA Government
Programming Competition in 2012. Alysia Caring received the second place
award for LTV's "Bulletin Board" graphics design, and Nathan Rockwell took
second place for his fall 2011 Community Recreation Center promo. The
Michigan chapter of NATOA asked Mike DiFazio to sit on their Executive Board
as the Member At Large. He attends their quarterly meetings and has helped
them to create a state-wide video file sharing system now in the testing stages.
The staff also continues to produce streaming media content for the Cilys
website, and fill digital photography requests for many City departments.
23
Finally, one more piece of positive news. As of November 2012, LTV staff
logged just 13 Brighlhouse Networks complaints and 4 AT&T complaints. This is
a significant decrease from past years.
LIVONIA COMMISSION ON AGING
The Commission continues to publish the "Heritage" as part of the City
Newsletter. It is distributed to all homes 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 Senior Center. The Commission paid for entertainment and a portion of the
food. The Commission was in charge of Bingo and Share the Wealth.
In October, the Commission provided handouts and worked at Senior
Celebration Day. The Commission also provided funds for Thanksgiving Party
Centerpieces and special supplies. Commission funds for the handouts and
Thanksgiving party were used.
At its November 2012 meeting, pursuant to its by-laws, the Commission held its
annual election. The following officers were elected to one-year terms
commencing December 1, 2012.
Chairperson: Josephine Smith
Vice Chairperson: Dolores Smith
Treasurer: Florence Yeomans
Secretary: Marcia Heads
LIVONIA ARTS COMMISSION
The Livonia Arts Commission held its meetings on the 4th Tuesday of each month
in the Mayor's Conference Room at Livonia City Hall.
The 2012 officers were: Chairperson: Donna Eno; Vice Chairperson: Dan
Spuding; Secretary: Carrie Spuding. The Commission eliminated the office of
Treasurer and relies on the financial reports submitted by liaison Chris Swish.
Active members include Virginia Bosak, Jason Claypoole, Donna Eno, Mary
Fisher -Smith, Grace Karczewski, Seymour Le Vine, George Ontko, Carrie
Spuding, Dan Spuding, and Karen Vomn. There are four open positions.
Budgeted Free -Admission Activities: The Commission appropriated $1,800 to
co-sponsor the monthly Noontime Concerts held at the Civic Center Library.
Music from the Heart was held at Larry J. Nehasil Park and at the Community
24
Recreation Center during July and August and added (3) concerts in September.
One of the concerts had to be canceled due to the weather, but was rescheduled
in September. The bands provided their own sound equipment. DPS provided
additional stage lighting. There were no Garage Bands because of lack of
interest.
Commission Sponsored Community Activities: $500 grant to Visual Arts
Association of Livonia. Three scholarships were awarded totaling $3,000 to
students planning on an art-related field at a post-high school learning institution.
Commission Donations: Livonia Symphony Orchestra, $3,000; Greenmead's
Garden Walk, $50; Greenmead's Christmas Walk, $50; and $100 for the
Symphonys season program.
The Commission held its 15" Annual Fine Arts Exhibition in November. The
selected artwork was displayed in the 2otl floor Fine Arts Gallery at the Civic
Center Library. Ninety-seven (97) applicants submitted over (270) entries. The
application fees netted $3,620 in revenue. Sponsors included Madonna
University, Slate Representative John Walsh and Stale Senator Glenn Anderson.
Artwork from regional artists and art groups was displayed monthly in the Civic
Center Library Gallery and in the City Hall Atrium. Arts Commissioners' and City
employees displayed work at City Hall in April. Livonia Public Schools displayed
in the Library in April and Clarenceville Public Schools displayed in May.
Commission Sponsored Receptions: The Fine Arts Exhibition reception was
held in November in the Civic Center Library Atrium. Individual artist receptions
were held monthly in the Library Gallery.
Livonia Public Schools asked the Commission to judge its annual PTSA (Parent
Teacher Student Association) Reflections competition once again.
The Commission held an Art Walk at Greenmead in July. Artwork by Livonia
artists and art groups were featured in the historical buildings on July 14 & 15. A
reception on Saturday evening included wine lasting, hors d'oeuvres, music and
art for sale at a silent auction.
A Lansing reception at John Walsh's office was held in December to view Livonia
Arts Commission's artwork that hung in Mr. Walsh's office at the State Capitol.
Mary Fisher-Smith, Grace Karczewski and Virginia Bosak attended.
Virginia Bosak was given an award by the Livonia Branch of the American
Association of University Women as their Salute to Women for her leadership at
VAAL and illustrating a book supporting children with disabilities.
A $100 donation was made to the Commission by the trust of Eileen Bibby and
$200 was donated by the Hurd family in honor of their mother Nancy.
25
The Arts Commission maintains a city website, a Facebook site, and a
youlube.com/artsinlivonia.com account.
The Arts Commission mission statement is: 'To create, promote, develop,
sponsor, sustain, facilitate, and further the Arts within the City of Livonia" The
Arts Commission continues community access to art experiences, opportunities,
and improving community awareness.
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Historic District Resources:
The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) continued to meet the first
Wednesday of each month at the Blue House at Greenmead, Livonia, Michigan
during 2012. The Commission had four official meetings but elected to continue
to meet for planning purposes every month except July. A website is in
development to highlight the historic districts in Livonia on the City Website. Due
to the nature of Historic Preservation Commission, official meetings may be
added with the necessary approvals to accommodate owners of Historic
Properties requiring approvals.
Greenmead
HPC recommends a Master Plan (Cultural Resource Management Plan) be
developed for Greenmead before any future decisions are made at the site.
Various other projects were discussed and approved as required to update the
village, Hill House and farm buildings.
HPC commissioners continue to volunteer at Greenmead events in an attempt to
assist Historic Commission commissioners due to the financial hardships in
Livonia. Some of the events are: Flea Market in the spring and fall, Highland
games, Sunday lours and the teas throughout the year.
Newburg Cemetery
The commission completed the survey documenting the condition of the
headstones. From the survey, the commission began a schedule to repair the
headstones; about 50% are in need of repair. Major repair (broken headstone)
costs are about $300. Appropriate maintenance jobs continue to be completed
by volunteers.
The commission re -approved the D.A.R. plans to repair the Revolutionary War
veteran David Dean's grave marker and add the missing commendation plaque.
A rededication was sponsored by the D.A.R. in August. The Commission also
approved the plans of another D.A.R. chapter to mark the grave of Samuel Dunn,
another Revolutionary War veteran, at the request of Samuel Dunn's family.
That stone was re -dedicated in July. Plans were approved for the Civil war re -
enactors to replace and/or clean the Civil War veteran's grave markers as
needed. This work has also been completed.
FTP
There has been considerable weathering and some destruction to the existing
head stones of not only the Civil War and Revolutionary veterans but to most of
the older graves as well. Much of the damage can be attributed to grass cutting
with large machines.
The HPC, assisted by the Historical Commission, Livonia Historic Society, and
the Michigan 17t re -enactors held an Annual Cemetery Walk at Newburg
Cemeteryto mise money for cemetery repairs.
Livonia Central, Clarenceville and 6 Mile Union Church Cemeteries:
The remaining three (3) historic cemeteries in the city require much needed
maintenance similar to the Newburg Cemetery. The HPC plans to address these
issues as funds are raised.
Commissioners
Commissioner Jeff Wiggins resigned his commission this year when he relocated
out of Livonia.
Officer Election
Election of officers held in November, results as follows:
B Chairperson — Kathy Johnson-Bartshe
B Vice Chairperson — Don Knapp
B Secretary—Kathie Glynn
B Treasurer — Jim Kline
GREENMEAD
Historical Properties
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:
B Conducted day-to-day operations of Greenmead.
B Maintained Historical Commission records including minutes, volunteer hours,
caretaker reports, contracts, and budgets.
B Coordinated weekday lours, Sunday lours, Gift Shop operations, Newburg
School usage, as well as Newburg Church, Alexander Blue House and
Meeting House rentals. Property usage includes weddings, meetings,
luncheons, memorials, classes and private parties.
B Implemented Historical Commission resolutions.
27
B Assisted with the development, planning and implementation of 29 special
events, fundraisers and community projects sponsored by the Historical
Commission, Friends of Greenmead, Livonia Historical Society, Queslers, Sl.
Andrews Society of Detroit, Green Meadows — Native Lands, Boy Scouts,
171h Michigan Civil War Re�enactors, A.M.C. Car Club, and Garden Club.
B Worked with D.P.S. to define and prioritize maintenance work including
preparations at the Hill House for architectural work and electrical updates on
Special Event parking lot lights.
B Coordinated the painting of the Newburg Church and Friends Meeting House,
rebuilding the porch of the Meeting House, all needed carpentry repairs to the
Church and Meeting House. Relocate and reassemble donated gazebo to
Greenmead.
B Coordinated the start of the restoration project on the Simmons Hill House.
B Coordinated Greenmead's volunteer program, published issues of the
Volunteer Voice Newsletter, and scheduled volunteers for lours and special
events.
B Provided work site and supervision for community service probationers and
community service projects.
B Hosted several professional and volunteer gatherings such as a Volunteer
Reception, Friends of Greenmead Luncheon, Historical Society Picnic,
Meetings and Banquet, Police Reserves Picnic Quester events and Zonta
Picnic.
B Provided a project site for the Master Gardener Program and support for the
volunteer gardeners' program.
B Provided a site for Eagle Scout Projects.
LIVONIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION
Special events totaled 28 this year and included a Flea Markel, held in June, by
the Livonia Historical Commission and another held in September by the Livonia
Historical Society. St. Andrew's Society of Detroit held their annual Highland
Games in August. The American Motors Car Club's annual show was held in
late August. We held Christmas, Presidential, Victorian, Mid -Summers Night
and Highland Teas at the Alexander Blue House. The Progressive Tea was
hosted in five different village buildings in June. Catherine's Table luncheon was
held at the Alexander Blue House. Treasures from Grandma's Attic was held in
April and November. Two children's activities were held: Peter Rabbit's
Adventure in May and the Halloween Walk in October. On a Sunday in
December, Santa visited the Meeting House for a few hours. The 17" Michigan
Civil War group presented three lectures at the Alexander Blue House in the
spring. Commissioners, volunteers and members from 17" Michigan assisted the
Livonia Preservation Commission with a Cemetery Walk at the Newburg
Cemetery in September. New activities this year included a luncheon with an
author and a program about Hudson's.
10
The Hill House gardens were cared for by volunteer gardeners under the
direction of Jan Whitcomb. The garden at the Newburg Church is also cared for
by a volunteer gardener.
There were 28 weddings held in the Newburg Church. Alexander Blue House
rentals included showers, receptions and business meetings. The Livonia
Historical Commission held seventeen activities at the Alexander Blue House.
Maintenance: Repairs were made to the Meeting House and the Newburg
Church and both buildings were painted. A gazebo was donated and placed in
the Village across from the Church. The gazebo was painted and landscaped by
a Boy Scout as part of his Eagle Scout project. The landscaping was funded by
the Livonia Garden Club.
Bids were accepted for the renovation of the Simmons -Hill House and work
began on October 1, 2012. The furnishings and museum collection were moved
to nine different buildings: furniture was placed in three buildings and the
museum collection was placed in six buildings. Special event materials from the
Hill House were moved to the Alexander Blue House.
Kathie Glynn and Sue Daniel have worked on accessioning and cataloging the
artifact collection. There were fifteen accessions this year.
Several Eagle Scout projects have been completed by Boy Scouts:
0 Hinbern front and side porches and ramp were repaired and painted.
0 The gazebo in the Village was painted and landscaped.
0 The gazebo in the orchard behind the Hill House was painted.
0 Bat houses were built and placed on the grounds.
b A Martindale bird house was installed to the rear of the Hill House.
Donations have been received from the Friends of Greenmead, Livonia Historical
Society, Alpha Delta Kappa, Livonia Garden Club, Zonta, Sara Ann Cochrane
Daughters' of the American Revolution and Arts and Letters. Most of the funds
donated were designated towards the Simmons -Hill House. Memorial funds
were also received in memory of volunteers, Frank Modetz, Virginia DeVic and
William Lute.
LIVONIA HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
The Livonia Human Relations Commission held its meetings quarterly on the 2nd
Tuesday of the month in the Michigan Room at the Civic Center Library.
The 2012 officers were: Violet (Dee Dee) Dittmar - Chairperson, James Roye -
First Chairperson, and Secretary - Chris Deal.
19
The Mayor appointed two new members: Dillon Breen and John Dalton. Both
attend Schoolcraft College and will be an asset to the Commission.
Other active Commission members include Harold Klee, Elaine Livingway, and
George Saba. At this time, there is one open position.
The Livonia Human Relations Commission presented the 18th Annual Marlin
Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration on January 16, 2012. The Program was
planned by the combined efforts of the Human Relation Commission and
Madonna University, Office of Diversity and Multi -Cultural Affairs. During Dr.
King's lifetime, he challenged us to rise above the cultural, ethnic, social and
religious differences in our country and accept the richness of Global Diversity
that exists everywhere. With that in mind, we held a panel discussion with
students representing four foreign countries that are presently attending
Madonna University. They discussed some of their countries' civil rights and
culture. Musical selections were provided by the Livonia Public School Churchill
Choralalion Singers. It was a program well -attended at Livonia City Hall
Auditorium. Following the program, refreshments were served and people
mingled. They talked about the program and issues that our society is facing.
The Livonia Human Relations Commission was represented at the Mayor's Stale
of the City address for 2012.
Many members of the Commission also attended the Livonia Community Prayer
Breakfast on May 3, 2012.
Presently, the commission is planning a program for Martin Luther King Jr. Day in
2013.
1 Via] N F-1110101 171 Id I[1 --1C•] 7[0] 7[01:11 q r]Ng X_171 r]Y011111:
In 2012, the Livonia Commission on Children and Youth continued the
administration of the Livonia Youth/Spree Scholarship Program sponsored by the
Livonia Anniversary Committee. The Commission distributed brochures
advertising the scholarships to the local high schools and libraries. The
scholarship information was presented in the City Spring Newsletter, on Livonia
Television, in the Livonia Observer, on the City's website and through the
Department of Community Resources. More than thirty-eight applications were
submitted for the Five (5), $2,000 awards. Commissioners Dan Spuding, Jeff
Nork, Jessica Claypoole and Jim Keller reviewed and selected the most
deserving recipients. Scholarship awards were presented during the Spree
Pancake Breakfast in June.
The Arbor Day Project in April was coordinated with the cooperation of both the
Livonia Public Schools and the Clarenceville Public Schools. Tree seedlings
were packaged and distributed to all fourth grade classes in the two school
11
systems. Global ReLeaf and the Youth Commission shared the cost of supplying
more than eighteen hundred trees. Commissioner Ken 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
donations of $250 to each requesting school.
Honor Certificates were presented to all graduating seniors who had achieved a
3.0 grade point average or higher from Clarenceville and Ladywood High
Schools. The Livonia Board of Education chose not to participate.
Commissioner Dan Spurling spearheaded this project.
Acknowledging that back to school is a costly time of year for parents, the
Commission held its annual school supply program for the sixth consecutive
year. The Commission distributed more than 250 backpacks filled with school
supplies to low-income families whose names were provided by the Livonia
Goodfellows. This program was co-sponsored by the Livonia Police Department,
and donations were received from Community Alliance Credit Union, Kohl's,
Valassis, Sl Priscilla's Parish, Livonia Senior Citizens, City employees, and
Livonia families. The commission also purchased school supplies with their
funds. Commissioners Dan Spurling and Jeff Nork were primarily responsible for
this project and were assisted by other Commissioners, City staff, Youth
Assistance and many other Volunteers.
Emergency slickers, which are to be placed on the bedroom windows of children,
senior citizens or handicapped individuals, continue to be available at City Hall
and also from the Livonia Fire Department. Information for obtaining these
slickers is shown on Livonia Television.
The Commission, in an effort to reach out to the low-income youth of Livonia,
hosted a holiday party on two consecutive Saturdays in November for families
who registered with the Livonia Goodfellows. While the Goodfellows
representatives interviewed the parents, the children were invited to enjoy snacks
and crafts. They were given mittens and scarves and an opportunity to visit and
have their photograph taken with Santa at the Senior Center. Commissioners
Dan Spurling and Jeff Nork headed this project and were aided by
Commissioners and volunteers from the community.
Commission members are: Ken Balcoff, Linda Bishop, Jessica Claypoole, Laura
Duggan, George Gostias, John Grzebik, James Keller, Jeff Nork, and Dan
Spuding.
Commission Officers for 2012-2013 will be: Dan Spurling— Chairperson
Jeff Nork - Vice Chairperson
Jim Keller - Secretary
31
CIVIL DIVISION LAWSUITS
18.
16m JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
2148
19.
NEW CASES FILED (Dec 2011 -Nov 2012)
5
CRIMINAL
Small Claims (SC)
1.
Felony (FY) 385
Landlord Tenant (LT)
2.
Ordinance Misdemeanor (OM) 2312
Land Contract Summary Proceedings (SP)
3.
Statute Misdemeanor (SM) 259
Total Civil Division 3245
Total Criminal
2956
TRAFFIC
4.
Felony Drunk Driving (FD) 32
5.
Felony Traffic (FT) 15
Total Felony Traffic
47
6.
Ordinance Drunk Driving (OD) 261
7.
Statute Drunk Driving (SD) 15
Total Drunk Driving
276
B.
Ordinance Traffic Misdemeanors (OT) 2065
9.
Statute Traffic Misdemeanors (ST) 173
Total Traffic Misdemeanors
2238
10.
Statute Civil Infractions (SI) 1307
11.
Ordinance Civil Infractions (01) 27448
Total Civil Infractions
28755
MISCELLANEOUS
12.
Criminal/Traffic Juries Selected 12
13.
Criminal/Traffic Cases Perfected to Appeal 3
Total Miscellaneous
15
NON -TRAFFIC CIVIL INFRACTIONS & PARKING
14.
Ordinance Parking (OK) 490
15.
Ordinance Non-Traffic(ON) 10
16.
Statute Parking (SK) 6
Total Parking
506
17.
Statute Non -Traffic (SN) 15
Total Non -Traffic
15
CIVIL DIVISION LAWSUITS
18.
General Civil (GC)
2148
19.
General Civil Miscellaneous (GZ)
5
20.
Small Claims (SC)
364
21.
Landlord Tenant (LT)
713
22.
Land Contract Summary Proceedings (SP)
15
Total Civil Division 3245
32
711 Z101 44 W_1; I x01119
23.
Civil Division Juries Selected
0
24.
Marriages
48
25.
Motions
1348
26.
Discovery/Debtor Exams
119
27.
Gamishmenls
6113
28.
Orders to Seize/Orders of Eviction
393
Total Miscellaneous 8021
PROBATION
1.
Number or Placements on Probation
1964
2.
Pre -Sentence Investigation Reports
1377
3.
Violation of Probation Warrants Issued
741
4.
Show Cause Summons Issued
2689
5.
Probation Cases Closed
1637
6.
Number of Open Probation Cases
17326
7.
Total Number of Days Worked on the
Voluntary Work Program (in lieu of jail)
6773
Total Probation 32,507
COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEY FEES
Paid out $99,000
Collected back $85,495 (86% returned to the city)
2011-2012 Projects/Updates
1. The Court continues to make use of the new technologies in the Courthouse
by doing more video in -custody arraignments and exams of defendants both
through the Wayne County jail system and the State of Michigan prison
system. This saves the city manpower costs in transporting the prisoners
and helps speed the process along.
2. The Court has begun to institute cross -(mining of the employees so they can
fill in when we are shorthanded due to unfilled positions, vacations, sick
leave and other situations.
3. The ticket/case counts continue to rise through the first eleven (11) months
with Misdemeanor non -traffic up 26.6% and Misdemeanor traffic up 8.8%.
These are the areas that historically bring more money into the City.
Unfortunately, the Felonies are also up over 15% from last year due to
increased Fraud activity and OUIL's. Overall revenues through the first
eleven (11) months are up 7.4% ($243,173 over last year at same lime).
4. The Court continues with its Drug/Sobriety court program which was once
again awarded a grant so that the funding does not come out of the Court's
budget. We also have defendants from other local courts participating in our
drug court which, through their fees, help fund the program.
5. Jail reimbursement efforts continue with almost $20,000 having been
collected toward reimbursement to the City for that jail housing.
33
6. Collections efforts are ongoing and have generated additional funds through
show cause hearings, requiring defendants to appear before the court. If
they fail to appear a warrant is issued.
7. The 16t District Court Work Program has continued to carry out various
projects throughout the city. Some of the projects that are done on an
ongoing basis include the following:
a. Plymouth Road Development Authority- Maintenance along Plymouth
Road from Inkster to Eckles Roads inclusive of edging sidewalks,
seasonal maintenance, such as weeding perennial beds, trimming
shrubs, snow removal, sweeping brick pavers and trash removal.
b. Annual Livonia SPREE - Set-up, tear -down and cleanup of the grounds
before and after the event.
c. Food Distribution Commodities (TEFAP) Program - Unloading food
commodities which are distributed to low income families.
d. Community Greenmead Garden Program - Preparation, planting and
harvesting of produce which is then donated to feed those in need.
Perform final cleanup at the end of the harvest season.
e. Wilson Barn - Ground maintenance of the bam; assistance with the
Annual Pumpkin Fest and cleanup of other regular events.
f. City Parks - Maintenance of all city parks such as raking leaves; litter
pick-up, and painting benches.
g. Friends of the Library - Loading and unloading of books for the regular
Book Sales.
h. Livonia Housing Commission - Assistance with removal of abandoned
belongings at city owned -family properties.
i. Youth Commission - Assistance with moving inventory out of storage
for annual events such as the Backpack Program.
j. Livonia Police & Fire - Exterior maintenance of the mass casualty
trailer.
k. Churches - Assistance with seasonal grounds cleanup of numerous
churches.
8. A new contract was reached with the Court's two unions wherein they will
lake part in VEBA and be responsible for additional health care costs. New
lower wage scales were also set for all new hires and step increases were
reduced to two. Some vacation time was also cul back for employees with
over 20 years of seniority.
9. The Court continues with a good record on reslilufion of court-appointed
attorney fees, collecting over 86% of the fees paid back to the City. We have
collected over $85,000 of the $99,000 paid out for court-appointed attorney
services this year.
KE
The Department of Finance consists of Accounting, Management Information
Systems, Water and Sewer Usage Billing, and the Division of Budget and
Purchasing with a total staff of fifteen 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:
0 Supervision over the administration of the financial affairs of the City.
0 Keeping of accounts and financial records of the City and all
departments, commissions and agencies of the City government.
0 Maintenance of payroll records for all City employees.
0 Preparation of checks for all financial obligations of the City.
0 Billing and collection of over 140,000 water and sewer bills.
0 Responsibility for all computerized reporting and budget analysis for City
Departments.
0 Responsibility for evaluating and recommending computer hardware and
software systems City-wide.
0 Preparation of the annual budget for the Mayor.
0 Taking of bids for all major purchases made by the City.
0 Responding to City Council questions and providing additional reports
and information as requested by Council.
0 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.
0 Performs Treasurer function for the Plymouth Road Development
Authority.
0 Membership on the Community Development Block Grant Committee.
0 Responsible for risk management of casually and liability, workers
compensation and medical insurance for the City and is the City's
representative to the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority
(MMRMA).
0 Representation at over 50 meetings of the City Council.
0 Preparation of all debt issued by City.
0 Responsible for investment of City funds in interest earning accounts in
accordance with Stale law.
0 Management of City -owned properties leased to third parties.
The Budget -Purchasing office is
under the supervision and direction of the
Director of Finance who also ads
as Purchasing
Agent for the City.
The Budget -
Purchasing activity processed a
total of 8,743
requisitions for the
purchase of
35
goods and services for the City of Livonia.
A total of
189 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
2011
2012
General Fund & Other Fund Payables Checks
13,656
14,977
Payroll Items
31,776
31,322
Journal Entries
6,700
6,812
Retirement Checks (Payroll and Payables)
8,265
8,050
Accounts Receivable Invoices:
False Alarms
753
746
Rescue Runs
4,509
4,183
Other
1,594
1,063
Water Bills Mailed
147,500
154,897
Water Bills Paid by EFT
19,956
18,897
Temporarily idle General Fund cash was invested in Certificates of Depos0 and
daily savings deposits, resul0ng in a total interest earned of $143,150 or 0.02%
of City General Fund Revenue.
1. The Finance Department played a key role in meeting the state requirements
under the Economic Vitality Incentive Payment (EVIP) program, enabling the
City to qualify for $760,000 in revenue sharing funds.
2. The City's payroll/human resources software was converted to the Nexgen
version. Among the many efficiencies and benefits from this new software
were the ability for employees to view payroll and benefit information online
and the elimination of paper paystubs.
3. The Department par0cipated with the State of Michigan and other city officials
to create the Municipal Services Authority. The cities of Livonia and Grand
Rapids are founding members of this innovative concept that will provide
significant collabora0on opportunities for all communities in Michigan.
4. The Finance Department con0nued to work with City Council and the Mayor's
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.
5. The City of Livonia audit was completed and, once again, the City's auditors
found no significant audit adjustments.
6. 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 four (4) employees.
We have a vacancy currently for a part-time Computer Administrator I. The
Information Systems Department has five pnmary areas of responsibility. These
are Computer and Network Support, Application Software Support, Training and
End User Support, Website and Internet, and Geographic Information Systems.
COMPUTER AND NETWORK SUPPORT
The IS Department maintains the following hardware:
FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012
Windows 2003/2008 Servers 25 26 29
Physical Servers 20 17 14
Virtual Servers 7 13 19
Personal Computers 335 353 333
We also support 48 network switches, 2 firewalls and 3 network routers.
We upgraded our Server Virtualizalion software to VMware Enterprise 5,
replaced the 3 physical host servers and expanded our Storage Area Network
(SAN). We virtualized six more of our Windows Servers using VMware. Each of
these servers being virtualized represent saving approximately $500 per year on
hardware maintenance and $1,000 of power and cooling costs. It also eliminates
most of the cost of purchasing new or replacement servers (approximately
$3,500 to $10,000 each). We are now at 19 virtual servers.
We have begun implementing Windows 7 on our desktop/laptop computers. We
currently have 106 computers running Windows 7. Microsoft has announced that
Windows XP will not be supported after April 2014.
The IS Department provided support on work order requests
37
FY12011 FY12012
Opened 862 1,230
Closed 841 1,232
Growth 21 -2
APPLICATION SOFTWARE SUPPORT
New World Logos Systems — Finance, Payroll and Utilities Billing
0 We did a major upgrade on our Logos.net systems this year to the
Ne)dGen version. The primary areas of improvement were in the Payroll
and Human Resources areas.
0 We worked with the Accounting Department to stop printing and
distributing Payroll Deposit slips for every payroll. This information is now
available for the employees and retirees to access through the HR Portal
website. This self-service website provides this information on a secured
web site. This project eliminated the costs of purchasing, printing and
distributing the Deposit slips.
BSBA Inspection Systems
0 We worked with Inspection Department on acquiring and implementing
additional tablet computers to work with the Field Inspection Software.
We now have 11 tablet computers for this purpose.
TRAINING AND END USER SUPPORT
The IS Department has provided in-house training for City employees on how to
use computers and software packages in the past. Due to staffing level changes
we have been forced to put this effort on hold. We have tried to use a variety of
free on-line resources to provide some of the needed training. We did provide 12
one-on-one training sessions on the DNN Web Content Software and 18 on City
Supported Software.
FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012
Number of Employees Trained 4 62 48
WEBSITE AND INTERNET
The Information Systems Department also manages the City Website
(hftp://www.ci.livonia.mi.us), which continues to find new uses and grow in
usage.
We updated the City website (www.ci.livonia.mi.us) with the following items:
0 Redesigned the Livonia Television web pages creating a more graphical
look to improve the appearance and readability of their web pages.
0 Implemented new video gallery pages for Livonia Television, which
improves the viewer experience while watching our online videos and
makes it easier to maintain. This actually reduced the number of pages
on our website by 136 while still maintaining all of the content.
0 Implemented 29 new pages to assist users in contacting different
departments of the City. We previously had just provided links to the e-
mail address, but those were not supported for the users using web based
e-mail systems like Gmail, yahoo mail, etc. The new pages provide a form
for the user to fill out and it sends the information to the appropriate
departments.
Website statistics include:
FY2009 FY2010 FY2011 FY2012
Number of Page Views 2,294,973 2,445,911 2,700,055 2,370,087
The Department also provides e-mail and Internet access to City Employees.
This year we accomplished a major upgrade on our E-mail system going from
Exchange 2003 to Exchange 2010. This has added many enhanced capabilities
to our system, including an enhanced web portal, improved out of office
capabilities, and improved integrated SPAM filtering.
FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012
Number of E-mail accounts 255 261 256 243
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.
Y] I ➢ {'Zd [•7_70101.11, l J 1 &]:1 Ly, l =1 : it K
Intranet mapping - During the past year we have added another enhancement
to our internal mapping service, Livonia Viewer. Livonia Viewer now has the
capability of automatically generating all types of mailing labels in a single "pass."
This includes labels for residential parcels, condominium complexes, and multi -
tenant commercial property. Prior to this, separate runs were needed for each
group. By utilizing Livonia Viewer to generale our mailing labels we have
successfully migrated from the previous system, which required custom software
to produce mailing labels, to one that works well with Microsoft Word. Livonia
Viewer is now being utilized for nearly all of our mailing label activities in both the
Inspection Department and Planning.
CarteGraph Support - The GIS database has been modified to allow DPW's
CarleGmph software to access a subset of data layers with edit capabilities.
These layers have been placed into a special database whereby CarteGraph
users may edit the data using Cartography's Geo -Connector Software. The
physical attributes of the layers still reside within the GIS, while the geo-
19
connector software links all of the CarldGraph attributes as well. Data layers that
currently reside within the Carte Graph GIS database include (1)
CarlRoadSegments, (2) uSanilaryManhole, and (3) uSanitaryPipe.
GIS Database Connection - During the past year connection to our GIS
database has been modified, whereby user authentication is now handled by the
network rather than at the database level by SOL. By establishing system
authentication, it is much easier to manage our GIS, as users no longer need to
have rights and privileges granted individually at the database level. This greatly
minimizes the amount of time required to add or remove users from the GIS. It
also simplifies granting privileges to users, as they now fall into one of three GIS
classes, data viewers (can view the data), data editors (can view and edit the
data) and CarleGraph editors (can view all data, can edit CarleGraph layers
only).
Database Maintenance - We have continued our weekly maintenance schedule
with the GIS during 2012. Our GIS database has been under SDE configuration
control for several years now. Editing of our various data layers is done by GIS
users within the City. The established procedure calls for all editing to be done to
a "personal" version of the GIS database. These edits are then pushed up to a
DRAFT version of the database where they are inspected and verified. Once the
DRAFT version has been verified, edits are then pushed up to the DEFAULT
version of the database for general use. This procedure has worked very well
and insures that the GIS is continuously updated in a systematic fashion. During
the past year, the maintenance procedure has been documented and all data
editors in the City have assisted with the weekly maintenance procedure at least
once.
New Data Lavers for 2012 - It is important to remember that our GIS database
is a living, breathing entity, and that it is in a constant state of change. This past
year we've added a number of new data layers: (1) annotation layers for
sections, quarter sections, subdivision names, sub numbers and major roads, (2)
the PRDA boundary, (3) a liquor license point file, and (4) several new data
layers provided by SEMCOG (building footprints, Wayne Co. FIRM data,
neighboring community aerial photography).
Mapping Support - During the past year the GIS has supported mapping
activities for numerous City departments, including the Assessing department
(generated 144 tax assessing land value maps plus various other maps), the
Housing Department (numerous maps of City -owned property), Parks and
Recreation, Police and the Fire Department. In addi0on, we continually maintain
our set of tax maps (144), address maps (144), zoning maps (144) and various
City maps (city street maps, subdivisions, voter precincts, etc.).
40
LIVONIA FIRE & RESCUE
During the fiscal year 2012, Livonia Fire & Rescue responded to 8,913 incidents,
85% involved emergency medical services, while fire related responses
accounted for 15%. The following statistical breakdowns reflect the departmental
activity for the current fiscal year (11/1/11-11/1/12).
Incidents
Emergency Medical 7654
Fire 324
Fire (other) 935
Total 8913
For the Fire Incidents (other) category, carbon monoxide alarms accounted for
65 of the responses, 487 were false fire alarm calls and 176 for downed wire
incidents.
In comparison to last year Emergency Medical runs are up 5% & Fire Runs are
up 50%, while Fire other was down 20%. Overall runs are up 3%.
FIRE PREVENTION
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 department's 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
SchoolcraR College, the National Fire Academy, Michigan Slate 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
9
Liquor License
14
Alarm
20
Re -inspect
321
Complaint
9
Life Safely Inspections
16
Fire Inspection
12
Construction
7
City License
28
Site Plan/Preliminary Plan
14
Carnival/Spree
3
Re -occupancy
179
False Alarms
7
System Report Deficiency
128
Interior Alterations
68
Suppression
55
Fireworks
35
Temporary Structure
2
History File
16
Pre -Incident Survey
8
Total
951
41
Plan Reviews
Alarm 49
Construction 192
Re -occupancy 1
Fire Suppression 87
Total 329
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 conservative estimate 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 Fire Inspectors regularly go to the fire stations and review
false alarms with the station officers. This allows the Fire Prevention 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 comecting building deficiencies.
This division also provides fire investigations for determination of origin and
cause. Whenever a question arises 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. The Fire Prevention Office responded
to approximately 45 fres in 2011. Nearly 25% of these fres required extensive
documentation and follow-up varying from simple photography to exhaustive
research and interviews.
MAINTENANCE DIVISION
The Livonia Fire & Rescue Maintenance Division is comprised of one Fire
Apparatus Supervisor and one Fire Equipment Mechanic who are responsible for
specification wrding, ordering, care, maintenance and repair of all mechanized
and related fire, rescue and paramedic equipment. The division provides
firefighters, Livonia citizens, 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 439 work order requests
Inspected pumpers, rescue vehicles, aerial tower, administrative cars, lawn
equipment, USAR trailer, WWC Hazmat trailer, Hazmat trucks as well as all
equipment on each vehicle on a semi-annual and annual basis.
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Annual Pump Tests on all Fire Pumps.
Worked with neighboring cities to come up with universal spec for replacement
Squads, in an attempt to keep costs down.
Wrote spec and blueprint for replacement of SO 5.
In coordination with the Training Division, instructed Firefighter and E.M.T.D.'s on
the operational requirements of vehicles and also aided in training exercises
when necessary.
Responded to major fres 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 Managers:
SCBA Officer — ordering parts, repairing SCBA air packs.
Hose Officer— specificafion writing, ordering and mounting of nozzles, adapters,
and hose.
Building Maintenance Officer— repair of vehicle electrical and air line drops.
Wrote spec, blue print inspection and various meetings for Heavy Rescue
replacement to meet Grant deadline for December 2012.
EMT Officer— installation of ALS equipment.
Communicafions 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 —1988 Pierce Dash Heavy Duty Rescue
1 —1995 Ford Horton Fire Investigation Unit
1 —1996 GMC 3/4 -Ton Pick -Up
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1 —1997 Navistar/Horton Swat Alpha Unit
1—20051nlernafional/MarqueWater Rescue/Technical Unit
1 —1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
2 —2000 Freightliner/Medic Master Reserve Alpha Units
1 —2001 Freightliner/Medic Master Alpha Unit
1 —2006 Freightliner/Medic Master Alpha Unit
1 —2007 Freightliner/Medic Master Alpha Unit
2-2009 Freightliner/Medtec Alpha Units
1 —2011 Freightliner/Medtec Alpha Unit
1 —1993 E -One Pumper 1250 GPM
1 —1994 Smeal/Spartan 1250 GPM Pumper
1 —2002 American LaFrence 2000GPM 75FT. SOURT Aerial
1 —2006 American LaFmnce 2000GPM 100FT. Mid -Mount Aerial Platform
3-2003 American LaFmnce Eagle 1250 GPM Pumper
1 —2009 American LaFmnce Eagle 1250 GPM Pumper
1 —2003 Ford 450 Maintenance Truck
1 —2003 Mercury Marine Inflatable Rescue Boal, Motor and Trailer
1 —2001 Ford Crown Vic Sedan
2 —2003 Ford Crown Vic Sedans
2 —2004 Ford Crown Vic Sedans
3-2006 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 RRTN HAZMAT Truck
1 —28ftUSARTreiler
1 —2007 Fire Safety Unit
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 firefighting)
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
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2—K-12 Saw
7 — Chain saws
2 — Amkus Power Tools
2 —TNT Power Tools
7 — Lite Jack PPV fans
1 — Hose repair tool and parts
Mounting of Medical equipment on Alpha Vehicles
Various hazardous material and confined space rescue equipment.
4 — Walk behind mowers
Lawn blowers, weed whips, edgers
Garage Equipment:
1 — Hose test Pump
2 — In -ground garage hoist hydro -testing
1 — Garage tool replacements
1 — Pumper pump test tool as needed to comply with NFPA 1911.
TRAINING DIVISION
The focus of the training office for fiscal year 2012 was to continue to assure
compliance for the ongoing education (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. Slate of Michigan standards require the obtaining of both
lecture and practical credits, which brought on additional challenges, but were
met without major problems. Livonia Fire & Rescue is a Continuing Education
program sponsor, which allows us a bit more flexibility in the scheduling and
delivery of classes for EMS education. The training office continues to improve
its record management system related to training activities, which in turn ensures
compliance with OSHA, ISO and nationally accepted standards on training and
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.
Fire Officer training commensurate with the CBA continues to be a high prionty
as it pertains to off-site training and in preparing our Company level officers for
each new position. We had members attend Fire Officer classes at Schoolcraff
College in the Sprang and Fall semesters.
Our members went through recertification in BLS (Basic Life Support) in March of
this year. This is an annual training for our members.
The RAFT (Regional Alliance for Fire Training) organization continues to offer
Company Officer I and II courses. Several of our members were involved in the
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development and continue to teach 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 Fire Captain 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.
We provide EMS training to SchoolcraR College EMT students, who participate in
ride-alongs with our paramedics. This program is currently in its third year.
We have had residents from St. Mary Mercy hospital ride along with our crews as
part of their medical educational requirements. Many of the residents have also
put on EMS Continuing Education classes for our members.
The "Quick DnII" 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 a new level of 20 drills added in 2007. In 2008, this popular program has seen
an increase to 25 drills. In 2010, we had an addition of 20 Quick Drills added to
the program, and another 20 were put out in 2011. Twelve Quick Drills were
produced in 2012.
In the spring, we spent some time at the SchoolcraR Fire Training Tower, training
on our SOG on high rise fire operations. The tower is also used for our fire
equipment operators to do ladder and apparatus placement training.
The focus of the training office in 2012 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 state's Fire Officer Programs, new
records and additional training will be required in order to fulfill the CBA and meet
the new stale requirements.
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Ten of our members have attended a course put on by the Training Office on
how to use the bum chambers for live bum training. This valuable training tool is
in need of some maintenance work, and some of that work (warped wall in one of
the bum rooms) has been finished.
With the addition of Tower 1 to our fleet (2006 American LaFrance Aerial Tower),
we continue with advanced training to keep our members ready to operate this
vehicle when needed. Similarly, boat rescue operations were covered for all
members this summer.
Our members went through a product evaluation for three of the manufacturers
of firefighting SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus). Numerous hours
were spent presenting them, evaluating them and eventually, choosing the units
that we will be purchasing in the near future with Federal grant money.
The videoconferencing system is being used for updates to fire station personnel,
and issues related totraining and administration.
PUBLIC EDUCATION
The 2012 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 limes 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-duly Battalion Chief or to the Fire Safety 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-duty 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-duly crews working out of all five of Livonia's fire stations.
In October of 2012, 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 safety and are given an opportunity to
practice life safety skills. There was an area where kids can practice their fire
safety behaviors, as well.
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Livonia firefighters participated in a May event held at the Civic Center Area
called "Passport to Safety'. This project was a huge success — crowds were
estimated in the thousands. After being involved in the eight-year annual event,
more effort is being directed into this area. The large number of children that
attend the outdoor event is encouraging.
Our dedicated efforts to educate our citizens are among the best anywhere. Our
ideas were shared with the fire service community on the Fire Engineering
magazine's website (www.freengineenng.com).
This is the eighth 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 7, and they were handed out to our
Open House attendees on October 13.
The newsletter "Couplings" came out twice this year, and we have been involved
in this form of communication/education for five years 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.
Weekly 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, a weekly safely article appeared in the Observer written by
Livonia Firefighters.
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, Livonia
Television, Bright House Cable, Livonia Observer, City of Livonia's website
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, Housing Choice
Voucher Rent Subsidy Program and Brashear Tower.
SILVER VILLAGE HOUSING COMMUNITY
Relative to Silver Village, the Livonia Housing Commission experienced a good
year with occupancy at 100% at all times. The waiting list consists of 61 Livonia
residents and 16 relatives of Livonia residents.
Activities and Accomplishments
1. Silver Village had 15 units turnover in 2012.
2. All apartments were inspected for safely and maintenance purposes.
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3. New carbon monoxide detectors were purchased and were installed in all
apartments.
4. The parking lots were restriped and re -numbered.
5. Funding from the 2011 and 2012 fiscal years has been allocated for major
tuck pointing/waterproofing of all buildings in spring of 2013. Bids have been
received and a contractor has been selected for the project.
6. Silver Village will receive compensation from DuPont and/or replacement of
78 trees that were damaged or destroyed by the use of the chemical Imprelis,
manufactured by DuPont.
7. A community -wide Garage Sale, a Garden Contest and a Halloween Party
were resident activity highlights of 2012.
NEWBURGH VILLAGE HOUSING COMMUNITY
Newburgh Village occupancy was at 100% at all times. The waiting list consists
of 44 Livonia residents and 45 relatives of Livonia residents.
Activities and Accomplishments
1. Newburgh Village had a turnover of 15 units in 2012.
2. New water healers (95) were purchased and installed in residential
apartments.
3. Safety iron railing was replaced.
4. The parking lots were restriped and re -numbered.
5. New Carbon Monoxide detectors were replaced in all 120 apartments.
6. All 120 apartments have been inspected for safety and maintenance
purposes.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
The Community Development Office administered the following programs during
the 2011-2012 fiscal year, which began on 7/1/11 and ended 6/30/12. Total
expenditures through the Community Development Block Grant Program for the
year were $427,018. Below please find the accomplishments produced by the
Block Grant Program.
Activity
A¢ mplishments
Major Home Rehabilitation Loan Pmgmm
9
Households Servetl
Emergency Home Rehabilitation Loan Program
1
Households Servetl
Minor Home Repair Program
22
Households Servetl
Emergency Utility Shut Azsistance
0
Households Servetl
Senior Van Transporfafion
462
Persons Served
Mental Health Counseling Program
12
Persons Served
First Step
1%
Persons Servetl
ScatteredSue Rental Homes (Managed 8 Maintained)
17
Households Served!
TOTAL SERVED
71(1
Households/Persons
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During the 2011-2012 program year the City of Livonia Housing Commission's
priority goals were: to provide rehabilitation assistance to income -eligible
homeowners; to preserve and improve the existing housing stock; to reduce the
cost burden experienced by renter households by providing affordable rental
opportunities in safe and sanitary housing; to focus on supportive service
programming for low and moderate income households and to affirmatively
further fair housing objectives. In conjunction with those goals, 9 homes received
major home improvement loans to bring their homes to code and full lead -paint
compliance. An additional home received emergency repairs (i.e. roof, plumbing,
heating and sewers). Forty-four (44) low income residents in 22 households
received grants of up to $1500 for minor home repairs to correct sub -standard
conditions in the home. Toward providing rehabilitation assistance to income -
eligible homeowners for these activities, $212,955 was expensed. Funding was
provided through the CDBG grant and program income received from return of
previous loans. Wayne County HOME Consortia funds were also utilized for
major rehabilitation projects.
Seventeen city -owned scattered site single-family rental homes were managed
and maintained for low income residents; repairs and rehabilitation work
amounted to $36,284 which is paid as a line item from our budget and rental
income from the homes.
One tax -foreclosed property was purchased from the Wayne County Treasurer.
Continuing our partnership agreement with the Livonia Public Schools Building
Trades Program, this is our third house being rehabilitated by students. Under
the supervision of our Rehab Specialist and the LPS program instructor, the
students are able to learn basic skills of the construction trades through hands-on
participation with projects such as roofing, siding, and the installation of drywall,
hardwood flooring, ceramic tiles, interior doors, moldings and painting. The
Livonia Housing Commission is proud to provide field experience projects which
place the students in real-world construction settings allowing them the
opportunity to see the realities of day-to-day life in the building trades.
Public service activities focused on providing assistance to low and moderate
income households. Funds utilized for Public Services, which includes Senior
Van Transportation, Mental Health Counseling, Emergency Utility Assistance and
First Step (domestic violence prevention), totaled $57,895. In 2011-2012, 10,469
one-way rides were provided for seniors; 62 of these were rides for wheelchair
riders. Twelve (12) clients received a total of 58 sessions with mental health
providers. One Hundred Ninety-five (195) people received domestic violence
services. Unfortunately, zero (0) utility shut -offs were prevented with CDBG
funds.
Fair Housing of Metropolitan Detroit (FHMD) provided fair housing counseling,
complaint reception, investigation and resolution services to citizens or potential
citizens of Livonia. FHMD also provided training and resource development
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during the program year; parliculady through a Fair Housing Symposium
organized by the Housing Commission and attended by over 80 affordable
housing partners. The intent of this symposium was to provide guidance on fair
housing policy, federal and state law while also addressing impediments to fair
housing.
With funds required to be expended by December 30, 2012, the office of
Community Development continues to process the Neighborhood Stabilization
Grant. The Housing Commission is on track with meeting this goal by fully
obligating the $1,450.000 grant allotment. A component of the NSP strategy is
the acquisition of vacant substandard properties for rehabilitation and re -sale to
eligible families. To dale a total of 18 properties have been purchased utilizing
these grant funds.
Ten homes have been rehabilitated and sold which is consistent with the goals
and objectives of the NSP program. Eight homes have been demolished due to
blight. Of the eight lots created by demolishing the vacant, abandoned blighted
structures, two were sold to the adjacent income eligible neighbors; a third lot
was made into green park space and is now maintained by Parks & Recreation.
Three of the lots were used to build new construction homes, one of which has
been completed and sold. The other two new construction homes are over 90%
completed and will be sold to income -eligible homebuyers. We have accepted
purchase agreements from Soave Construction for the two remaining lots.
Several of these vacant/abandoned blighted homes slated to be demolished
were first utilized by the Livonia Fire Department for training purposes. Program
income will be directed to the NSP program for purposes consistent with the NSP
grant agreement.
The Housing Commission's Office of Community Development administered and
has expended the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant in the amount
of $971,100 for city-wide use. Funds were to be expended no later than August
2012 and this goal has been met. After conducting comprehensive energy audits
on municipal buildings to determine the need for and prioritization of activities
and opportunities to further reduce energy consumption in the City, several
energy saving retrofits were undertaken at a number of municipal buildings.
Contracts were awarded to replace the healing and cooling system and roof at
10800 Farmington Road, and to replace the heating boilers and exterior building
sealant and caulking at City Hall. Exterior lighting retrofits occurred at the Civic
Center Complex to include the Library Parking Lot and Walkway, City Hall
Padang Lot and Walkway, Police Department Parking Lot and Courthouse
Padang Lot. Interior and exterior lighting retrofits also took place at multiple
buildings in the Department of Public Works Yard.
These retrofits will allow the City to see future cost savings on energy
consumption and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Both the Energy
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Conservation Block Grant and the Neighborhood Stabilization Program Grant
have provided economic opportunities to contractors who received jobs through
these federal grants.
Housing Choice Voucher Rental Assistance Program
The Livonia Housing Commission currently administers a Housing Choice
Voucher Program consisting of 909 families. Fiscal Year 2012 SEMAP Section 8
Management Assessment scored as a Standard Performer. An independent
audit was conducted on the Section 8 program and no findings were identified.
Currently there are 1,121 applicants on the waiting list. The current Section 8
Voucher Leasing rale is 100% based on budget.
MCNAMARA TOWERS #1 & #2 - 19300 PURLINGBROOK & SCATTERED
SITE HOMES
Activities and Accomplishments
1. McNamara Towers #1 & #2 & Scattered Site Homes had a turnover of 24
units from 1/1/1210 11/30/12.
2. New brick and limestone sign was installed in front of McNamara Towers #2.
3. New landscaping was installed in front of McNamara Towers #1 & #2.
4. Parking lot lighting improvements were completed.
WILLIAM W. BRASHEAR TOWER —17841 NORTH LAUREL PARK DRIVE
Waiting list status: The current waiting list for one bedroom apartments consists
of twenty-five (25) active applicants; the two bedroom waiting list consists of two
(2) active applicants.
196 apartments were inspected for Health, Quality, and Safety by the Livonia
Housing Commission. Annual inspections performed: Generator, fire
suppression equipment (sprinkler systems, chemical fire extinguishers), fire
alar system, and elevators.
General Improvements and Accomplishments:
0 Continued weatherization project on apartment windows: Re -insulated
perimeter of window frames, re -trimmed, and sealed gaps on 80+
windows in 39 units. Estimated reduction in window drafting is 75%.
0 Completed the changeover from apartment entry knob locksets to lever
handle/deadbolt sets. Easier to manipulate and impossible for a resident
to lock themselves out.
0 Extensive sidewalk slab replacement & leveling.
0 Replaced 246 fire suppression sprinkler heads in resident apartments.
0 Inspected emergency pull cords in all apartments; repairs are being made
by Pulsar Electronics to all faulty units prior to 12/31/12.
0 Contracted Ram Construction to completely strip, re -seal, and weather-
proof the exterior aggregate panels on the building's extreme northwest
elevation, as well as the southwest elevation.
0 Entire building ductwork for the air makeup system is scheduled for
professional cleaning from 12/4/12 thru 12/14/12.
Apartment Improvements:
0 Invested over $15,000 in refrigerator & stove replacement; approximately
35 appliances replaced from 12/2011 through 11/2012.
0 Complete re -painting of 30 apartments (vacant make ready and occupied).
0 Painting and drywall repairs were made in 42 occupied apartments.
0 Re -finished the kitchen cabinetry in 24 apartments.
0 New kitchen countertops installed in 11 apartments.
0 Complete kitchen cabinet replacement in 4 apartments.
0 Re -carpeted 25 apartments.
0 Replaced the original electrical circuit panels in 7 apartments.
0 New kitchen floors installed in 18 apartments.
0 Replaced the bathroom sink and vanity in 14 apartments.
0 Installed new kitchen sinks in 17 apartments.
0 Began recycling program for cardboard, paper, plastic and glass.
INSPECTION DEPARTMENT is responsible for all construction operations on
private property. 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, Community Development
Block Grant Program (CDBG), Cost Recovery Appeal Hearings, and various civic
groups. In addition we are involved with Greenmead with regards to construction
projects and/or repairs. Coordination with Slate government agencies involving
building construction is handled by this department. Moreover, in certain
instances, we interact with other municipalities, serving as a Hearing Officer or
silting on employee interview panels. We have also provided limited fill-in
services for Plymouth Township and the City of Plymouth. 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 designated as
Inspection's responsibility. Inspections were made and perils issued for the
rehabilitation of homes for the CDBG. 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. Furthermore, we provided clerical services and
administrative support in regards to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Although the
Board is under Council jurisdiction we are tasked with the clerical functions and
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subsequent administrative support in addition to the intake work we are doing.
We also work with the Economic Development Director/Planning Director and
others in promoting existing sites in Livonia.
BUILDING INSPECTION issued approximately 6385 permits in 2011-12 for
buildings, signs and mechanical installations, including new construction,
additions, renovations and alterations. 11 permits were issued for new single
family residential homes and 29 single-family condominium units were
constructed or are currently under construction. In other activity, 6 permits were
issued for new commercial/industrial buildings. No permits for apartment
buildings were issued this year. Mechanical permits (plumbing, electrical,
heating and refrigeration) numbered approximately 3,837 for the year.
Residential additions/alterations, garages, decks/patios, fire repairs, pools, signs,
zoning compliance, commercial/industrial additions, and demolitions comprised
the remainder of permits issued. 27 demolition pernits were issued during the
year, 5 of which were residential structures. Pernits for Christmas tree sales
lots, pennant and banner displays, awnings, and various special inspections
were issued as required. Certificates of Occupancy are issued for all new
residences and commercial and industrial buildings upon completion. Zoning
compliance pernits are issued for subsequent re -occupancy of non-residential
properties and occupancy certificates are issued for all residential properties
involved in the vacant and/or abandoned building program after completion of all
requirements. Slate 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 the Livonia Property Maintenance Code (based upon the International
Property Maintenance Code 2012) continued through 2011-2012. In connection
with this program, 181 inspections were made, violations issued when necessary
and compliance obtained. This program is designed to maintain health and
safety standards in the city. In mid -2011, due to staff reductions, we ceased
inspecting on a biennial basis existing industrial factory buildings after we were
able to complete one cycle. We still inspect said buildings for zoning compliance
and when pernits are issued. If personnel become available, industrial biennials
may be resumed.
In addition to the annual inspection program, the Inspection Department performs
all functions mandated by city ordinance that require all private (one and two
family) and multiple family rental dwelling units be licensed and inspected on an
annual basis. This year the Department inspected the following rental units:
A. 1,654 units, consisting of one and two family dwellings and group homes.
B. 27 apartments/complexes consisting of 2,145 units. The inspection
covers all dwelling units, common areas and exterior structures and
grounds.
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In mid-January 2010, the Department began enforcement of the Vacant and
Abandoned Building Ordinance #2844 (VAABO) that took effect October 29,
2009 and was instituted in January2010. The program is designed to provide for
maintenance and inspection of problem properties, residential and non-
residential, but pertains to any vacant or abandoned structures. Moreover during
the enforcement of the program additional permits and inspections are needed
due to the work required. Following is a breakdown of the activities generated by
this program:
Total Permits Total Fees
Registration Fee — Residential 498 $ 17,465
Registration Fee — Non -Residential 21 735
Monthly Maintenance Fee — Residential 4,931 211,953
Monthly Maintenance Fee — Non -Residential 250 10,353
Inspection Fee — Residential 1,802 181,360
Inspection Fee — Non -Residential 76 14,750
Permit Fee — Residential/Zoning 1,261 81,446
Permit Fee — Non -Residential 22 2583
Total 8,861 $520,645
Additionally, 131 formal complaints were received and responded to throughout
the year as they related to property, zoning and ordinance code violations.
Numerous requests for information from many various sources (Council,
Commissions, Citizens, Contractors, other municipalities, other Departments and
Guests) are routinely handled every day and on an annual basis would exceed
30,000 individual communications. There were approximately 1177 rental
inspection violations, 172 annual/biennial inspection violations and 23 VAABO
program violations that were issued for various code infractions during 2011-12.
(Violations and/or formal complaints are legal notices issued as a start of
prosecution and are different from the everyday correction notices that we utilize;
correction notices issued are numerous and would exceed 20,000.)
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 Inspection Department continually reviews our current fee structures. We
also worked with the Planning Department and the Law Department to update
and/or change sections of Zoning Ordinance 543. Moreover we formulated and
updated (working with the Law Department) the Property Maintenance Code to
the 2012 edition. It was adopted this year. We are routinely involved in such
endeavors over the course of the year. Furthermore we were involved with
administering and maintaining contracts for the City Weed Mowing Program.
We proposed and Council approved extending the weed contract for two (2)
more years. We previously raised administration fees in an effort to cover our
cost and decrease the number of people who utilize the City as their lawn
service. The administration fees alone this year were $60,628.90. We also are
55
continuing to upgrade our computer system and hardware and engaging in the
training involved. The computer, system upgrades, and training will carryover
into the next fiscal year.
The valuation of new building activities for 2011-12 is $71,340,443 The revenue
collected from all building and inspection activities was approximately $2,548,382
SANITATION AND ORDINANCE ENFORCEMENT has responsibility 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, welfare, and quality of life of the residents, business owners and their
employees and guests (visitors) of the City, such as pollution, hazardous waste,
trash and debris, vacant buildings, weed culling, which includes direct
supervision of the city weed contractor, basic property 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 may
also be delegated to Ordinance Enforcement as needed.
STATISTICS
2011-12
Total General Inspections Made
20,091
Building Maintenance and Repair
319
Parking Lot Repairs
10
Trash and Debris
1124
Junk Vehicles
851
Noxious Weeds'
2845
Noise/Air/Odor
48
Nuisances
236
Illegal Signs on Commercial Property
172
Illegal Signs Removed from Public Property
3250
Illegally Parked Recreational Vehicles
330
Illegally Parked Commercial Vehicles
266
Illegal Sales, Use and Occupancy
60
Misc. Illegally Parked Vehicles
202
Right of Way encroachments
139
Vacant Buildings (Re-inspected/Posted)
562
Snow on Sidewalks
28
License Violations
212
Vehicle Parking Snow Emergency
0
Site Inspections
5907
Zoning Grants
57
Me
Sanitation activities also included 1330 citizen complaints regarding the collection
of municipal refuse and the delivery of 1038 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 debits from 842 properties by the City Weed Mowing
Contractor.
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
The Zoning Board of Appeals is a seven (7) member Board created by Stale
statute and City of Livonia Zoning Ordinance No. 543 as amended. The Board
hears appeals from residential and business property owners when they are
unable to comply with ordinance requirements and are rejected permits by the
Inspection Department. The Board meets on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
The Inspection Department was tasked this year with all clerical and
administrative responsibility for the Zoning Board of Appeals in addition to the
intake support and meeting responsibility we previously had. This includes the
supervision of the outside contractor hired to record and provide the meeting
records.
The following is a breakdown of the Appeal Cases prepared and heard by the
Zoning Board of Appeals during the fiscal year December 1, 2011 through
November 30, 2012
Granted with Tabled or
Granted Denied Modifications* Postponed ••• Total
New Cases 52 2 1 10 65
Rehearings 0 0 0 0 0
Actual Cases Heard 65
Prepared and Scheduled" 3
No Further Action'"' 0
Total Cases Heard and Prepared 68
Includes Cases which were Granted in Pad/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 dale was scheduled.
Case was heard, but Board look no further action.
Number of Regular Meetings: 12
Number of Special Meetings: 9
57
BUILDING CODE BOARD OF APPEALS
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 2011-12 is as follows:
Meetings Scheduled 1 Appeals Granted/Modified 1
Appeals Filed 1 Appeals Denied 0
Hearings Held 1 Appeals Dropped 0
Re -hearings 0 Appeals Tabled 0
In addition, due to the refirement and death of two commissioners two (2) new
commissioners were interviewed, vetted and subsequently recommended for
appointment to the Mayor; both were appointed.
All records are on file in the offices of the Inspection Department
DEPARTMENT OF LAW
LITIGATION
There are thirteen (13) cases pending in the Circuit Court for the County of
Wayne, in which the City of Livonia, and/or City officials, are involved either as
plaintiffs or as defendants. Thirteen (13) other cases were resolved in 2011-
2012 either pursuant to a stipulation or by final judgment of the Wayne County
Circuit Court. Four (4) lax cases were resolved in the Ingham County Circuit
Court. There are eight (8) civil cases pending in the 16th District Court. Seven
(7) civil cases were resolved in the 16th District Court and three (3) of these
cases had a monetary judgment granted by the Court and those remain unpaid.
There are two (2) cases pending in the Michigan Court of Appeals or the
Michigan Supreme Court. Four (4) cases are pending in the United States
District Court.
There were three hundred seventy six (376) cases pending before the Michigan
Tax Tribunal. [INCREASE OF 59] One hundred seventy-six (176) cases were
resolved. (NOTE: Settiemenl 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
M.
parties.) There are currently two hundred (200) open cases pending before the
Michigan Tax Tribunal.
We received 160 motions to amend for the 2012 tax year; the majority of these
motions required an answer because they set forth allegations that must be
denied (for example, claiming that the City committed fraud in the manner in
which property was assessed).
The foregoing does not include any appeals taken in ordinance violation cases
from the District Court to the Circuit Court, and/or the Court of Appeals, and/or
the Supreme Court.
DISTRICT COURT
From December 2011 through November 2012, the following number of cases
were disposed of in the Livonia District Court.
There were two (2) cases which were appealed from the 16th District Court to a
higher court which have been resolved.
The Department of Law received, responded to and argued 78 motions in the
16th District Court.
OPINIONS
No formal opinions were issued by the Department of Law during 2011-2012.
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.
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 State 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.
Criminal
Traffic
Jury Trials
Ordinance
Misdemeanor
2312
2065
10
Ordinance
Drunk Driving
261
2
There were two (2) cases which were appealed from the 16th District Court to a
higher court which have been resolved.
The Department of Law received, responded to and argued 78 motions in the
16th District Court.
OPINIONS
No formal opinions were issued by the Department of Law during 2011-2012.
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.
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 State 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.
One (1) civil rights complaint is pending before the Michigan Department of Civil
Rights. Four (4) complaints before the EEOC were resolved.
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
In 2008, 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 ordinances, prepared by the Department of Law, were submitted to
the City Council and were adopted by the Council during the year 2011-2012:
18 amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map;
6 amendment to the substance of the Zoning Ordinance;
13 amendments to the Livonia Code of Ordinance.
The Department of Law assisted with the following properly transactions in 2011-
2012:
1. HUD foreclosed property located at 29524 Joy Road
Pursuant to Council Resolution 30-12, HUD foreclosed properly acquired
through the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Project and located at
29524 Joy Road was sold by the Housing Commission to Tam Durocher
for $29,900.
2. City -owned property located at 36413 Parkdale
Pursuant to Council Resolution 184-12, the City -owned vacant lot located
at 36413 Parkdale was sold to David S. Lent for $13,000 in connection
with his request to City Council to purchase this land which runs parallel to
his property.
3. Wayne County tax -foreclosed property located at 12040 Arcola
Pursuant to Council Resolution 322-12, tax foreclosed properly located at
12040 Arcola was purchased from Wayne County for $12,076.78, using
CDBG funds. The Housing Commission is planning on having this home
rehabilitated in connection with the Livonia Public Schools Building Trades
Program and then placed on the market for sale.
o
4. City -owned property located at 20215 Floral
Pursuant to Council Resolution 466-12, HUD foreclosed property acquired
through the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Project and located at
20215 Floral was sold by the Housing Commission to Soave Construction,
LLC for $15,000.00.
5. City -owned property located at 18231 Middlebell
Pursuant to Council Resolution 466-12, HUD foreclosed property acquired
through the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Project and located at
18231 Middlebelt was sold by the Housing Commission to Soave
Construction, LLC for $12,000.00.
6. City -owned property located at 27621 Pembroke
Pursuant to Council Resolution 466-12, Wayne County lax -foreclosed
properly acquired through the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Project
and located at 27621 Pembroke was sold by the Housing Commission to
Soave Construction, LLC for $10,000.00.
7. City -owned property located at 16425 Rouoewav
Pursuant to Council Resolution 466-12, Wayne County lax -foreclosed
properly acquired through the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Project
and located at 16425 Rougeway was sold by the Housing Commission to
Soave Construction, LLC for $16,000.00.
NOTE: Not included in this report are the numerous transactions involving the
acquisition of easements without monetary consideration.
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 and 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' legal and other
documents that are processed in the City. In 2011-2012, 304 [INCREASE
OF 28] documents were reviewed by staff attorneys.
4. Review, typing, and transmission to the District Court warrant requests
1331 [INCREASE OF 192] as submitted by the Police Division and the
Inspection Department.
61
5. Provide assistance to other departments in the collection of delinquent
fees, charges and taxes by taking 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.
7. Provide legal assistance to various City department heads and
supervisors with respect to labor matters, including review of proposed
disciplinary actions.
8. Citizens' disputes and problems requiring the advice and counsel of this
office are increasing and require more time than ever before.
DIRECT SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC
The Library completed its first full year of providing access to downloadable
media via the Overdrive Download Destination service, which we share with over
30 other area libraries. Approximately 2,400 a -books and audio books are
"checked out' each month for use on patrons' home computers or electronic
mobile devices. Statistics relating to the use of technology and virtually all other
services continue to rise. Outdated and damaged items were purged from the
database this year, explaining the decline in holdings. The overall circulation of
books and other traditional materials decreased in 2012 compared to last year,
but the hours of service that were reduced still further at Noble and Sandburg
and less money for new materials continue to make this inevitable. Fewer copies
of Bestsellers to satisfy our waiting lists and reduced funds to spend on general
collection development, means fewer new items circulating on a daily basis. All
departments maintained a wide variety of programs and services this year,
despite staff and funding constraints.
Civic Center Adult Services:
The Adult Department hosted a new Mystery Movie/Book Club series, with
participants reading a popular mystery/suspense title and then watching a film
version and discussing both. Ongoing series that continued this past year
included: Film Movement, Classic Movies, Noontime Concerts, History Lives at
the Library and Book Club and the Adult Summer Reading Program. Special
programs included: The Boys of Summer (baseball themed) Summer Movie
Series. The Library also offered MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint classes in
2012. Our Exam proctoring service for distance learning remains very busy.
Online chat reference and the 'Wireless' service at the Library continue to be
popular with entrepreneurs, job hunters and students. The Livonia Obituary
T
Project had additional data entered this year and now indexes close to 29,000
names. This will further assist the many genealogists that come to the Library to
do researoh. The public internet stations are busier than ever and the Librarys
wireless service is heavily used, as well. Teen programs were many and varied
in 2012 including: Teen Advisory Committee meetings, Teen Movie Series,
Muggle Quidditch matches, and a variety of ad and writing contests.
Civic Center Children's Services:
Outreach services to schools and daycare centers remained a priority as staff
made school visits. Examples of individual programs included our "Make A
Cape' program to help outfit budding young magicians and crime fighters, the
"American Girl" program that links a love of dolls with an appreciation of
American history, "Godzilla Stomp" card game tournament, and our wildly
successful first annual Teddy Bear Sleepover event with children enjoying
stories, a donated breakfast and seeing photos of the overnight adventures that
their furry friends had at the Library. Partnerships with City departments and
other organizations also supplemented Library offerings with programs like ELVs
(Early Literacy Volunteers) reading tutorials, and the Tree Lighting Ceremony
and Daisy the therapy dog.
Civic Center Circulation:
The self -check station at Civic Center continues to be popular with patrons. The
Library also continues to benefit from participating with other area libraries in
resource sharing agreements through the Library Network Co-op and via the
statewide MELCAT system. The further reduction in hours at Noble and
Sandburg this year, resulted in Civic Center circulating 70% of all items in the
Livonia Public Library System. The Library has completed its third full year of
participation in the MELCAT (Michigan Electronic Library) service, which allows
patrons to directly search and request items from libraries throughout Michigan.
This resource -sharing program, along with our direct borrowing agreements
through our regional cooperative TLN (The Library Network) has helped us
continue to provide a high level of service despite a greatly reduced budget. This
has also resulted in greatly increased employee activity to process these loaned
materials with a significantly reduced staff.
Noble Branch:
The Book Discussion group continues to grow in popularity, while movie goers
were treated to a'You've Read the Book, Now See the Movie' presentation each
month, and the Adult Summer Reading Program was a hit once again. The Teen
Advisory Council met regularly to offer suggestions to staff and judged photo,
drawing and writing contests in 2012. There were many successful programs
associated with Teen Summer Reading this year including: Bats from around the
World, Muggle Quidditch and Zap Zone activities. Classes on how to research
papers at the Library were given to almost 100 8th graders and programs on
funding a college education were presented. Children's fiction was re -organized
for easier use by patrons in 2012 and a small circulating art collection was
63
started through donations. Sloryfimes and classroom visits were well attended
and individual programs like the "Green Show for Earth Day", "Cool Tricks Magic
Show' and'Stories with Recipes' proved to be popular, as well.
Sandburg Branch:
Changes in shelving and furniture layout in the periodical area created a more
open and relaxing environment for browsing newspapers and magazines.
Patrons received lessons in stretching their dollars at the grocery store at a
"Couponing" class. Themed prize baskets were awarded to the winning readers
in the Adult Summer Reading Program. The Sandburg Knitting Group continues
to meet twice per month. Photos of our popular Super Splash craft program
appeared in the local paper and included a large homemade waterslide on the
lawn. The "Decorate a Snowman' activity went viral over the holiday season with
close to a 100 colorful pictures cheering up the Library. Teens learned practical
life skills like babysitting and money management through programs offered at
the branch. Teen author Lara Zielin shared writing lips with future writers. Other
Teen programs included: Teen Movie Thursdays, Scavenger Hunts, Arts & Crafts
programs, the Harry Potter Club and the Prom Dress Exchange.
Al all locations 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 limes. The SAM system continues to
provide more efficient sharing of the Library's public access computers by
allowing fair and equal use of library computers with minimal staff intervention.
The Library participated in the final season of the MAP program, which provides
free access to a variety of area cultural institutions. The 'Park & Read" program
went into a 4th year in cooperation with Michigan's Stale Park system, which
offers free passes to various recreational facilities. The Library's E -newsletter
still remains popular and can also be viewed on the Library's website, along with
an interactive schedule of upcoming events.
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 citizen 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. Display areas at all locations remained
popular and the Art Gallery at Civic Center Branch hosted a number of beautiful
shows arranged by the Livonia Arts Commission.
FACILITIES
The installation of new parking lot lights at Civic Center Branch has created a
safer and more welcoming environment. The wireless equipment at Civic Center
was upgraded and wireless service was made available for the first time at Noble
and Sandburg this year. Between 15 and 20 users are simultaneously
M
connected to the wireless network at Civic Center at any given time throughout
the course of a typical day. Using our SAM internet time management software
to also allow for the establishment of pre-paid accounts for public computer
printing has simplified the process of accepting payment for printouts for staff and
patrons alike. The "Quiet Study" room has been converted so that it also serves
as a part-time computer lab for public computer training sessions offered by staff.
MANAGEMENT AND STAFF
Library Commissioners Harriet Larson and Audette Palmer were re-appointed to
serve another term beginning in October. Four staff positions (3 Full-lime and 1
Part-lime) were vacated in the past year with only 1 position being replaced,
making for a net additional reduction of 2.5 FTE. This resulted in a costs savings
and a total of 17 positions (or 15 FTE) that have been lost since 2008.
FUNDING
Millage funds have decreased in the last five years along with significant
decreases in revenue from the Citys General Fund, Slate Aid to Libraries and
Penal fines. In 2012 total revenue was $3,721,469 (down from $3,970,039 in
2011 — a drop of an additional 6.26%). State Aid to Libraries was up slightly this
year (from $37,974 to $43,414), but still down significantly from the $88,304
received in 2004. Penal fines went down again in 2012 to $81,041 after a rare
increase ($110,183) in 2011. This is even less than the penal fine revenue of
$85,227 in 2010, which had dropped to almost half of what it was in 2004
($155,500). Millage funds in 2011 were $3,580,048 compared to $3,349,469 in
2012 (an additional drop of 6.4% after a 9.4% drop last year). There has been a
total loss of revenue of 24.4% - 29.1% since 2008 ($4,925,491 to $3,721,469),
depending on whether or not reserve funds from donations and the Library's
unexpended fund balance are included). Slate Aid reductions not only impact
Livonia directly, but also indirectly through the TLN library co-op that is our
service organization. Services from this source may either cost more or be
eliminated. Unfortunately, funding from all of these sources 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 Livonia Arts Commission approved another generous grant to help
underwrite the costs of the Noontime Concert Series. Local businesses
generously donated incenfives to the Library for its Summer Reading Program to
help encourage young readers. The Library extends its heartfelt thanks to the
many cifizens 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
one $1000 scholarship to a worthy staff member pursuing her college educafion
this year. The Friends continue to work tirelessly to organize and carry out their
Book Sale events and the Friends Used Bookstore is more popular than ever.
65
The Library is especially appreciative of the
Friends' hard work and generous
donations during these difficult
economic times.
STATISTICAL REVIEW
October 2011
October 2012
Library Program Attendance
20,836
22,860
Meeting Room Attendance
64,047
69,659
Registered Borrowers
47,262
47,424
Items in the Collection
321,604
316,674
Circulation
771,880
711,819
LibmryWebsite Usage
312,457
351,951
Internet Workstations
63,418
81,357
PARKS AND RECREATION
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 leisure time can become wholesome, memories are created,
skills are developed and the quality of life is enhanced for our residents, their
families and friends.
With the assistance of 11 full -lime staff and 300+ dedicated and enthusiastic
part-time staff, and the Department of Public Services, Building Maintenance,
and Park Maintenance, in 2012, we recorded:
0 An average of 2,800 individuals visited the LCRC daily.
0 114,262 rounds of golf were played al our three courses.
0 8,000 participants in Special Events.
0 11,637 visits to the outdoor pools.
0 29,264 attended an organized picnic at a pavilion.
0 5,867 athletic participants played over 3,700 games.
We received $10,957.73 as well as in-kind donations from 23
businesses/organizations for: parks, 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. As part of this cooperation we have partnered
with three (3) civic organizations to manage athletic facilities (Rotary and Jaycee
Parks and Greenmead and Wilson Barn soccer fields) and with one community
business DMC - Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan.
Me
Our Department recognizes the dynamic and unique role we play in fostering a
healthy community and lifestyles of those we serve through one of our six
Service Divisions.
• Aquatics
• Athletics
• Community Center
• Golf
• Special Events
• Parks
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 array of swim lessons, water fitness classes, open swim,
lap swim, diving lessons, pool rentals, synchronized swimming, special events,
and swim teams.
Community Recreation Center
Over the last year the classes and programs we offered had over 4,922
participants, not including the swim teams.
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, and
the Snowball Splash. The listed meets had between 300 and 1,200 participants
each. In addition we hosted five (5) dual meets for Ladywood High School, two
(2) dual meets for the University of Detroit Jesuit High School, and one (1) dual
meet for Catholic Central High School. We also were the host site for the North
Zone Region A Synchronized Swimming Championships and the Stale of
Michigan Synchronized Swim Championships
Special events held at our Community Center this year included the 9th Annual
Cardboard Boat Races and the 61h Annual Arctic Chill Indoor Tnathlon.
Outdoor Pools
11,637 daily pass visits were recorded at the pools this year (4,417 at Botsford,
5,093 at Clements Circle, and 2,127 at Shelden). This was a decrease from last
year's total of 12,584.
Our swim lesson program had 622 students at the Botsford and Shelden pools.
Five (5) different swim teams used our outdoor pools for summer practice.
67
ATHLETIC DIVISION
Athletic Division 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, t -ball, coach
pitch,
softball,
baseball,
soccer,
archery and tennis.
League Play
We had over 5,800 participants and played over 3,700
games. We offered the
following team sports for participants ranging in age from four
years to over 65
years old. We had over 159,800* contact
hours in our
athletic
programs.
Programs Ages # of Teams
# of
# of
Average
Contact
Games
Players
Game Time
Hours*
Winter
Men's 18 & older 15
105
180
1 hour
2,520
Basketball
UAL 18 & under 85
892
1,030
1.25 hours
26,760
Basketball
Spring/
Summer
Men's 18 & under 8
56
96
1 hour
1,344
Basketball
Co-sponsored 18 & under 123
1,476
1,473
2 hours
70,848
Baseball &
Softball
Collegiate 22 & under 8
140
168
2.5 hours
14,700
Baseball
Men's 18 & over 50
329
900
1.25 hours
14,805
Softball
Men's 18 & over 6
45
108
1.25 hours
2,025
Modified
Women's 18 & over 11
77
198
1.25 hours
3,465
Softball
Co -Ed 18 & over 16
112
288
1.25 hours
5,040
Softball
Senior 55 & over 8
104
137
1.25 hours
2,340
Softball
T43all 5-6 yr olds 20
80
320
1.25 hours
3,200
Coach Pitch 743 yr olds 28
112
448
1.25 hours
4,480
Girl's Slow 10 & under 6
24
83
1.25 hours
960
pitch
Fall
Men's 18 & over 19 133 342 1.25 hours 5,985
Softball
Men's 18 & over 8 56 96 1 hour 1,344
Basketball
*Contact Hours:
1. Baseball equals number of games x 42
(2 teams @ 21tteam) 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 24
(2 teams @ 12/team) x length of game
4. Youth Programs equals number of games x 32
(2 teams @ 16/team) x length of game
5. Does not include practice time or number of spectators at games
Archery Range
The outdoor Archery Range opened this year on Saturday, April 7. The range
has seven (7) targets at various distances with an additional broad -head range.
Several area Boy Scout and Girl Scout groups utilized the range for badge
certifications. The range is open Saturday, 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. from April
through October, Sunday, 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. from May through October
and on Tuesday and Thursday at 4:00 p.m. until dusk from September through
October. Over 1,115 people attended the range through general admission
($2,506) and season passes ($1,030) and the revenue for the range was $3,536.
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 had over 425 enrollments. In addition, 36 girls
joined one of three Synchronized Skating Teams. Over 50 girls compete in
regional competition. The City hosted its bi-annual ice show with over 70 skaters
performing in 3 shows.
COMMUNITY CENTER DIVISION
The Community Center, in its tenth 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.
Ze
Through all the ways we serve the community, the recreation center alone
averages over 2,800 visitors per day. Since the center is only closed seven (7)
days per year, almost 1 million people come through the door each year.
Membership has remained steady reflecting the desire of people getting in shape
and looking for a great place to have fun. The overall selection of programs and
facilities at the Community Center continues to out perform any facility in the
region. Families continue to be our largest group of members.
The Community Center's electronic fund payment plan for membership fees
continues to grow. Over 4,700 members are utilizing this convenient payment
method.
Total Annual Membership 14,572
Summer membership 1,033
Total Day Passes 38,112
Many classes and leagues reach the maximum enrollment each session. Swim
lessons have continued to be a hallmark of our programs with over 500 youth
honing their skills each session.
Total Enrollment 23,115
Aerobics 8,734 Classes/Leagues 2,832
Athletics 16 Personal Training 2,723
Camps 406
Camp Swoosh 816 Special Events 1,612
Climbing Wall 890 Swim Lessons 3,342
Fitness Center 192 Water Exercise 1,552
Special projects completed in 2012 were:
1. Over 700 hours gym time to Livonia Junior Athletic League.
2. 5 new cardio equipment pieces.
Fitness and Wellness
Fitness and Wellness programming continues to offer variety. Members can take
advantage of a number of services including: fitness hub workouts, fitness
assessments, climbing wall classes, personal training, private pilales personal
training, nutntional 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 Body Age assessments. The Body Age 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
strength, flexibility, percent body fat, nutntion, cardiovascular fitness and more to
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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 selectorized weight -training machines, 2 cabled
functional trainers, 2 sets of 5lb-1001b dumbbells and 1 set of 20lb-1101b fixed
curl bars. Cardio equipment is also available on the bridge leading to the track
and in one of the track corners. Also available is an assortment of plate -loaded
machines such as a smith machine, squat rack, leg press, calf mise and chest
press benches. Another feature is the Enercise 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.
With a staff of 12 climbing wall attendantslnstructors and a climbing wall
coordinator 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. Some of the specialty programs that we offer at the climbing wall
are the rock 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.
With a staff of 14 certified personal trainers, personal training continues to be
utilized on a consistent basis. Members can utilize personal training as an
individual, a couple or in a group setting. Members meet with a personal trainer,
with frequency dependent on the individual goal. Personal trainers help
members become successful with their fitness goals.
Nutritional counseling is an additional service that the LCRC is offering. We
currently have 1 certified dietary manager, 1 holistic health mach and 1 nutdfion
coach on staff. Members meet with the dietary manager and holistic health
coach on an individual basis. This service is by appointment only. Members also
have an opportunity to meet with a nutrition coach through some of the group
exercise classes. We have incorporated dietary services into some of our class
and seminar offerings.
Massage therapy is a service that is offered to members as well as non-
members. We currently have 1 certified massage therapist on staff. This service
is by appointment only. Massage therapy is currently being offered on
Wednesdays.
Group exercise (land aerobics) continues to be a popular offering. We currently
offer 94 classes, seven days a week. We offer 47 classes in the evenings and 47
classes in the mornings. The majority of our group exercise classes are 50
minutes in length. We also offer 30 minute classes as well. Zumba, women on
weights, boot camp, yoga, cycle, step, TRX and pilates are a few of our most
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popular classes. We have a total of 46 certified group exercise instructors on
staff.
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 2012 event attracted 612
participants. The 100 Day Weight Loss Fitness Challenge had 227 participants,
losing a combined 653 pounds. Corporate partners included the DMC, Dick's
Sporting Goods, Time loo Savor, Running Fit, Health Quest Back & Neck and
Arden Courts. Grocerystores that also participated were Krogers, Busch's, Joe's
Produce and Trader Joe's. Participants involved in the 100 Days have access to
exercise classes, nutntion 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 2012, 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 two winter sessions, one sprang session, one
summer session and two fall sessions, we offered close to 270 classes/clinics
and multiple day camp experiences for youth.
Leisure classes include pre-school developmental classes such as Pre-school
playgroup, 2's on the Move, Fun 2B Fit, LOCO!-Motion and Imagination Station.
We also offer dance classes for adults and youth including ballet and ball room
and we even added guitar and cheer/pom to the mix this year! 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 classes 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.
Indoor and outdoor sport programs include baseball, volleyball, basketball,
football, 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 continues 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, slay physically active and involved
instead of sitting 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. Over the course of summer 2012,
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Camp Swoosh staff mentored a total of 98 different children ages 6-11, while
averaging 38 total campers per week.
Kid Quarters
Our short-term child 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, friendly, and fun environment while
they work out. There were a total of 6,324 visits to Kid Quarters which generated
just over $20,242 and averaged 527 visits per month.
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 took place in 2012:
Birthday Parties 506: Package parties 270 Day Pass parties 236
Bar/Bat Mitzvah's
9
Scout Groups
13
Party/Gathering
17
Team Parties
5
Meetings
8
Church Groups
3
Showers
21
Summer Camps (new)
8
School Groups
15
Company Outings
3
rfellil i
There were 435 hours of gym rental as well as 725 hours used by Livonia Junior
Athletic League as part of the City sponsorship. Many teams rent gym time
during off-season 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 has had an exciting year of operations that was
highlighted by the early start to the season. Al the end of October revenue was
up nearly $200,000 from the previous year and roughly $80,000 above an
average year. All three courses outperformed expected revenue. While mostly
due to great weather, the conditions of the golf courses have never been better.
Rounds Played
Whispering Willows 40,409
Idyl Wyld 32,289
Fox Creek 41.5
Total 114,262
Whispering Willows: Outing and League business continues to grow with the
addition of the new clubhouse. In October of this season, the Engineering
department began a storm water retention project between holes 7, 8 and 9. The
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construction should not impede revenue and should provide for cleaner water
being used for irrigation on both Whispering Willows and Fox Creek. Nicky's
Willows Grill is in the final stages of transferring ownership after two seasons in
the new clubhouse.
Fox Creek: The condition of Fox Creek Golf Course was complimented
throughout the year more noticeably than most years. Doug Ware and his staff
have the greens running fast and the course in excellent condition. Courses that
once were considered in a higher class from a price perspective or due to course
conditions are now being compared to Fox Creek. It has been a long standing
goal of the Golf Division to bring Fox Creek to this higher level of course
conditions. Revenue continues to support this fad by Fox Creek rounds played
being up to a level that has not been seen in over 10 years. The maintenance
building/cart barn at Fox Creek is in the final stages of renovation. When
completed, Fox Creek maintenance will have more storage and work area, the
rental carts will convert from gas to electric like the other two courses and Parks
Maintenance will gain additional electrical for their building.
Idvl Wvld: Idyl Wyld made it through the dry spring awaiting an irrigation system
replacement. The new system is up and running and the staff is very pleased to
not have to worry about it literally blowing up on them. Aside from the irrigation
install, tree trimming, drainage work and the construction of two new lees kept
the maintenance staff busy at Idyl Wyld. Many compliments were received about
the course conditions this season. Outing requests seem to be up for Idyl Wyld
and we are receiving less league requests than years prior. The junior program
has been going well, but the golf division has decided it needs a boost with
registration and will offer online registration for the upcoming season.
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, holiday lunches, Memorial Day
Ceremony, summer playground program, Tree Lighting Ceremony, Cardboard
Boal Races, Elk's Soccer Shoot and Hoop Shoot, Indoor and Youth Triathlon,
and the Family New Year's Eve Party, to mention a few.
A change in the format of our Playground Program allowed us to cul our budget
drastically (eliminate the use of school buildings) and create a local field trip
based camp that worked out well. We limited the amount of children this
summer, making sure the new format was workable and it was. Increased
enrollment will be available and we're looking forward to another successful
summer.
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Over 8,000 individuals have benefited from participating in our special events,
totaling 51,000 hours in which we had direct contact with them.
Event
Ages
# of
Time
# of
Contact
Co -Sponsored
Days
People
Hours
By
Kids Night Out
5-12
12
4
40
1920
Year Round
Winter
Santa's Workshop
Gr K-3
1
0.5
272
136
Livonia Kiwanis
Calling
Santa Mailbox
7 &
1
0.5
199
99.5
Livonia Kiwanis
under
Essay Contest &
5-12
2
1
106
212
Friends of the
Sing -a -long
Barn
Tree Lighting
All
1
3
1000+
3000+
Rotary Club,
Ceremony
Libraries, Civic
Chorus
Lunch with Santa
12 &
1
2
99
198
Kiwanis
under
Elk's Hoop Shoot
8-13
1
2.5
13
32.5
Livonia Elks
Contest
Lodge
Daddy Daughter
4-16
1
2
225
450
Livonia Elks
Dance
Lodge
Civic Chorus
All
1
1
150
150
Civic Chorus
Indoor Tnathlon
18+
1
2
40
80
Wolverine S&C
Cardboard Boal
All
1
4
70
280
Wolverine S&C
Races
New Years Eve
All
1
3
352
1056
Wolverine S&C
Party
Spring
Take Pride in
All
1
0
0
0
Rotary Club,
Livonia Day
Scouts, and
School Groups
Passport to Safely
14 &
1
5
1000+
5000
Various
under
Sponsors
Memorial Day
All
1
4
200+
800+
Veteran's
Ceremony
Alliance
Hunter Safety
10&
1
12
41
492
DNR
Course
up
75
Event
Ages
# of
Time
# of
Contact
Cosponsored
Days
People
Hours
By
Civic Chorus
18&
2
2
200
800
Livonia Civic
Concert
up
Chorus
Easter Bunny
12 &
1
2
122
244
Kiwanis
Lunch
under
Egg Hunt
12 &
1
3
1300
3900
Rotary
Under
Pilch, Hit & Run
7-14
1
2.5
147
368
WAL/Wolverine
S&C
Summer
Music From the
All
8
1.5
200+
2,400+
Arts
Head
Commission
Playground
Program
5-12
35
4
177
24,780
Nature Camp
5-8
5
2
21
210
Rock/Roll Camp
9-18
5
2
0
0
Kids Triathlon
6-14
1
3
38
114
Wolverine
Sports and
Conservation
Club
Filmmaking Camp
12-18
5
2
0
0
Mad Science
3-12
5
3
51
765
Camps
Volleyball Camp
11-13
5
2
9
90
WWCTR Picnic
All
1
2.5
0
0
WWCTR
Extravaganza
Senior Olympics
50+
1
1
25
25
Senior Center
Fall
Lunch with
12 &
1
2
90
180
Optimist Club
Goblins
under
Elks Soccer Shoot
13&
1
3.5
25
88
Livonia Elk's
under
Lodge
Haunted Stroll
12 &
1
1
1200
1200
Friends of the
under
Barn
Turkey Trot
All
1
3
528
1584
Goodfellows,
Various
Corporate
Sponsors
Hunter Safety
10&
1
12
50
600
DNR
Course
Up
Punt Pass and Kick
5-14
1
1
39
39
&N
PARKS DIVISION
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.
Park Maintenance maintains all parks, handles inspections and works with us in
providing safe, clean and quality parks that our residents have come to expect.
Approximately 349 pavilion permits were issued with approximately 29,284
attendees for Rotary, John Slymelski, Veteran's, Bicentennial, Clements Circle,
Mies and Shelden Parks. Our revenue for the pavilion rentals totaled $27,020.
The parks were also the sites of numerous special events and activities.
Improvements in 2011-2012, including new picnic pavilions at Dooley Park, Bien
Park, Country Homes Park, and Kleinert Park; replacing backstops at Shelden
Park, Wilson Park, Mies Park, and Country Homes Park; constructing a walking
path at Dooley Park and two sand volleyball courts at Bicentennial Park; and the
purchase of a mobile show stage, all with funds from Wayne County grants.
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 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 members. The L Magazine is also available on
our website. Other avenues to promote and advertise are through Facebook,
promotional videos, member giveaway promotions, attend local business health
fairs, visit local businesses, email blasts, news releases, website, flyers, posters,
mailings, Livonia Television cable and news releases, testimonials, co-sponsors
and partnerships, a new resident welcome letter which includes a one day family
pass to the LCRC, word of mouth, and 2 open houses per year that brought in a
combined 2,415 guests and sold 85 Annual Membership Packages at our 2012
Open House Events.
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Activities and projects handled by the Planning Commission and the Planning
Department for the year 2012 included the following:
Subdivision Plats Considered Meetinas Held
Preliminary Plats
1
Public Hearings (47 items)
14
Final Plats
0
Regular Meetings (19 items)
9
Study Meetings (71 items)
15
Special Regular Meetings (6 items)
2
Petitions Processed
Amendments
Rezoning
6
Master Plan Amendments
0
Waiver of Use
29
Language Amendments (Ord543)
11
Site Plans
7
Vacating
0
Site Condominiums
0
Sign Permits
4
Greenbelt & Landscape
0
Satellite Dish
0
Lot Splits
15
Extensions
2
2012 NOTEWORTHY PROJECTS
Throughout the past year, the Planning Department coordinated the processing
of over 50 petitions involving land use modifications and development projects.
Below is a summary of the more noteworthy projects, some of which the final
outcome is still pending:
1) The rezoning of property at 12701 Middlebelt Road, located on the
west side of Middlebelt Road between the railroad right-of-way and
SchoolcraR Road in the Northeast 114 of Section 26, from M-1 (Light
Manufacturing) to C-2 (General Business). Rezoning the property
was the first step towards redeveloping the site for a Menard's Home
Improvement Store;
2) Approval to operate a massage establishment (Wu Xing Acupressure
Massage) at 37700 Six Mile Road within the Laurel Park Place
shopping center, located on the northwest comer of Six Mile Road
and Newburgh Road;
3) Approval to construct an addition to the existing building (Livonia
Dental Care) at 33428 Five Mile Road, located on the north side of
Five Mile Road between Farmington Road and Surrey Avenue;
4) Approval to operate a second-hand store and resale shop at 11502
Middlebelt Road within the Livonia Crossroads shopping center,
located on the southeast comer of Plymouth Road and Middlebelt
Road;
5) Approval to conduct a carnival in the parking lots of Sears,
sponsored by the Rotary Club of Livonia, consisting of amusement
rides, games and food concessions from May 30, 2012 through June
3, 2012, inclusive, on properly located at 29500 Seven Mile Road at
the northwest comer of Seven Mile Road and Middlebell Road;
6) Request for Preliminary Plat approval for Rambling Acres
Subdivision to be located on properties at 9653, 9655 & 9659
Farmington Road, located on the southwest corner of Farmington
Road and Richland Avenue;
7) Approval to construct an addition to the existing building (3T Medical
Systems) at 31330 SchoolcraR Road, located on the north side of
SchoolcraR Road between Merriman Road and Henry Ruff Road;
8) The rezoning of a portion of the properly at 15230 Levan Road,
located on the eastside of Levan Road between Lyndon Avenue and
Five Mile Road in the Northeast 1/4 of Section 20, from G7 (Local
Business) to OS (Office Services). The rezoning made the parcel a
single zoning classification in connection with the redevelopment of
the site for Masri Orthodontics;
9) Approval to operate a full service restaurant (Wing Stop) at 28517
SchoolcraR Road within the Millennium Park retail center, located on
the south side of Schoolcraft Road between Middlebelt Road and
Inkster Road;
10) Approval to construct an outdoor dining patio and add seals in
connection with an existing full service restaurant (Las Palapas) at
33308 Plymouth Road within the Fountain Park Plaza retail center,
located on the north side of Plymouth Road between Farmington
Road and Mayfield Avenue;
11) Approval to utilize a Class C liquor license (sale of beer, wine and
spirits for consumption on the premises) in connection with an
existing full service restaurant (Red Olive) at 33326 Plymouth Road
within the Fountain Park Plaza retail center, located on the north side
of Plymouth Road between Farmington Road and Mayfield Avenue;
12) Approval to construct an outdoor dining patio and add seals in
connection with an emsfing full service restaurant (Tony's Kitchen) at
34110 Plymouth Road, located on the north side of Plymouth Road
between Farmington Road and Stark Road;
13) Approval to construct a new home improvement store (Menard's)al
12701 Middlebell Road, located on the west side of Middlebell Road
between the CSX Railroad right-of-way and SchoolcraR Road;
14) Approval to operate a full service restaurant (Asia Palace) at 28455
Plymouth Road, located on the south side of Plymouth Road
between Harrison Road and Middlebell Road;
15) Approval to construct and operate a limited service restaurant with
drive-up window facilities (Tim Horton) at 31190 Five Mile Road,
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located on the north side of Five Mile Road between Bainbridge
Avenue and Mernman Road (Mere -Five Shopping Center);
16) Approval to remodel the exlenor of the commercial center (Livonia
Crossroads) at 11500-11516 Middlebell Road, located on the
southeast corner of Plymouth Road and Middlebell Road;
17) Approval to remodel the exterior of the restaurant (Big Boy) at 37123
Six Mile Road, located on the south side of Six Mile Road between
Levan Road and Newburgh Road;
18) Approval to utilize an SDM liquor license (sale of packaged beer and
wine) at 33066 Seven Mile Road within the Maiorena shopping
center, located on the north side of Seven Mile Road between
Farmington Road and Mayfield Avenue;
19) Approval to renovate Nicholas Plaza shopping center by adding gas
pumps and a carry -out restaurant (Dunkin' Donuts) at 13820-13840
Merriman Road and 31281 Schoolcraft Road, located on the
southeast corner of Schoolcraft Road and Mernman Road (Pending);
20) Approval to amend Council Resolution #48-07 dated February 14,
2007, in order to convert a previously approved Tavern License (sale
of beer and wine for consumption on the premises) to a full Class C
liquor license (sale of beer, wine, mixed spirit dank, and spirits for
consumption on the premises) in connection with an existing full
service restaurant (Thomas's Family Dining) at 33971 Plymouth
Road, located on the south side of Plymouth Road between
Farmington Road and Stark Road;
21) Approval to rezone a portion of the property at 19540 Haggerty
Road, located on the east side of Haggerty Road between Seven
Mile Road and Eight Mile Road in the Southwest 1/4 of Section 6,
from PO (High Rise Professional Office) to C-2 (General Business).
The rezoning is the first step in the process of developing the land
into a Costco gas station;
22) Approval to construct a gas station (Costco) on a portion of the
property at 19540 Haggerty Road, located on the east side of
Haggerty Road between Seven Mile Road and Eight Mile Road;
23) The rezoning of property at 19375 Victor Parkway, located on the
west side of Victor Parkway between Seven Mile Road and
Pembroke Avenue in the Southeast 1/4 of Section 6, from PO (High
Rise Professional Office) to C-2 (General Business). The rezoning is
the first step in the process of developing the land into a Dave &
Buster's (Pending);
24) Approval to construct a gas station (Kroger) on a portion of the
Northndge Commons shopping center at 33523 Eight Mile Road,
located on the south side of Eight Mile Road between Farmington
Road and Gill Road;
.11
25) Approval to operate an auto body repair and paint shop at 30731
Eight Mile Road, located on the southwest corner of Eight Mile Road
and Milburn Avenue;
26) Approval to operate a wellness-spay/neuter center at 28418 Five
Mile Road within the Harrison Square Plaza shopping center, located
on the north side of Five Mile Road between Harrison Avenue and
Middlebell Road;
27) Approval to expand the existing full service restaurant (Las Palapas)
and add sealing at 33308 Plymouth Road within the Fountain Park
shopping center, located on the north side of Plymouth Road
between Farmington Road and Mayfield Avenue;
28) Approval to expand the Class C liquor license (sale of beer, wine and
spirits for consumption on the premises) of the existing full service
restaurant (Las Palapas) at 33308 Plymouth Road within the
Fountain Park shopping center, located on the north side of Plymouth
Road between Farmington Road and Mayfield Avenue;
29) Approval to construct an addition to the existing building (Home
Instead Senior Care) at 16013 Middlebell Road, located on the west
side of Middlebell Road between Puritan Avenue and Six Mile Road
(Pending);
30) The rezoning of properly at 39201 Seven Mile Road, located on the
southeast corner of Seven Mile Road and Haggerty Road in the
Northwest 1/4 of Section 7, from PO (High Rise Professional Office)
to C-2 (General Business) (Pending);
31) Approval to construct and operate a truck terminal at 13520
Merriman Road, located on the east side of Merriman Road between
Industrial Road and Schoolcratt Road (Pending);
32) Approval to expand the existing RV storage yard at 13520 Merriman
Road, located on the east side of Merriman Road between Industrial
Road and Schoolcraft Road (Pending);
33) Approval to construct and operate a full service restaurant (Dave &
Buster's) with mechanical amusement devices at 19375 Victor
Parkway, located on the west side of Victor Parkway between Seven
Mile Road and Pembroke Avenue (Pending);
34) Approval to utilize a Class C liquor license (sale of beer, wine and
spirits for consumption on the premises) in connection with a full
service restaurant (Dave & Buster's) at 19375 Victor Parkway,
located on the west side of Victor Parkway between Seven Mile
Road and Pembroke Avenue (Pending); and
35) Approval to remodel the exterior of the existing restaurant
(McDonald's) at 15399 Middlebelt Road, located on the west side of
Middlebell Road between Five Mile Road and Puritan Avenue
(Pending).
2012 STUDIES, SURVEYS AND REPORTS PREPARED
2012 Lot Splits Reports —15
2012 Language Amendments — 11
2012 Vacating Reports — 0
Fully Digitized In-house Petition Books
0 1953-1964
0 1965 thru 1976
0 1977 thru 1999
0 2000 thru Present
0 City-wide overall map
Update Future Land Use Map
Prepared Zoning Ordinance Amendments
LIVONIA TOMORROW
Livonia Tomorrow is a long-range planning and community visioning process that
was formally introduced in July with the release of a request for Statement of
Qualifications. The intention of this initiative is to carry out an innovative planning
exercise that will fully engage the community and key stakeholders in order to
form of a unified vision and conceptual blueprint for the City's future. The
Planning Department prepared the initial draft of the RFQ, and coordinated the
response and submission of seven (7) proposals from highly qualified urban
planning and design consulting companies. After interviewing all seven (7), the
field was narrowed to three (3) firms. The final interviews were set for December
12, 2012, which was to set the stage for the selection of a preferred consultant.
The 2013 City approved budget allocates a total of $50,000 for the initial phase
of Livonia Tomorrow. The Council Committee on Economic Development,
Community Outreach and Strategic Planning is currently spearheading this
project with assistance from the Planning Department.
PLYMOUTH ROAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
The Planning Department continues to provide support to the Plymouth Road
Development Authority (PRDA). In 2012, the activities of the PRDA were
severely limited due to budget constraints. A special assessment approved by
the City Council in 2011 provided the funds needed to maintain the miles of
irrigation system that the PRDA installed along the Plymouth Road corridor. By
the end of the 2012 watering season, the extensive repairs needed to bring the
system into full operation had been completed. This fall, the PRDA Board
renewed the contract with the irrigation contractor, TechSeven, to continue
maintenance of the system for a period of two -years, holding the unit pricing to
the 2011 quoted numbers.
Beginning in 2013, a tax levy of two mils will be collected from all properties
within the Authority District to pay the debt service on the PRDA's bonds and to
help fund the Authority's operational and maintenance expenses. It is expected
T
that the tax revenue will replace the Special Assessment District, which will be
discontinued. The Planning Department is currently working with the City Council
and various other departments to change the boundaries of the PRDA district to
exclude all residential properties.
In 2012, the PRDA amended its bylaws to reduce the number of meetings that it
regularly holds as well as the minimum number of Board members needed to
constitute a quorum for conducting business. Two (2) new members were
appointed. They include Ruth Ann Brown of Bill Brown Ford and Omar Faris of
Custom Slone Works, both prominent Plymouth Road Businesses.
The Planning Department oversees and coordinates the activities and functions
of the Economic Development Office. Special emphasis is placed on assisting,
promoting, retaining and attracting local industrial, commercial and retail
enterprises within the City, thereby strengthening and protecting the local
economy and lax base. Some of the ways used to accomplish this include
assisting businesses with site selection by maintaining an up-to-date list of
available properties and buildings, providing assistance with securing local
approvals and coordinating with other City, County, and State agencies and
departments to expedite permitting, and administering the various economic
development incentive programs, such as lax exempt bond financing through the
Economic Development Corporation, management of Livonia's Brownfield
Redevelopment Authority, and oversight of the tax abatement programs (i.e.,
P.A. 198, P.A. 328 and Wayne County TURBO).
Generally speaking, this past year has been a relatively good one for Livonia's
economy and its business community. According to the Michigan Department of
Technology, Management & Budget, Livonia's jobless rate for the month of
September was at 4.3 percent, down from 5.0 percent during the same time last
year. Nationally, the average is 7.5 percent, while the State of Michigan and
Wayne County are at 8.3 percent and 11.3 percent, respectively.
Livonia's industrial market continues to see signs of recovery. Total vacancy
currently stands at about 8.8 percent, down from 10.7 percent approximately one
(1) year ago and posting a new 7 -year low. Of the City's existing inventory of
industrial buildings (approximately 814 properties containing 31,372,708 square
feet), the total amount of vacant space is estimated to be around 2.75 million
square feet. Overall, the Livonia industrial market has experienced positive net
absorption for the past two (2) of years. Third quarter 2012 net absorption totaled
139,868 square feel. According to CoSlar Group, there were a total of 125 sale
and lease transactions between the months of January and November. One of
the largest transactions that have occurred within the last four quarters in the
Detroit market is the sale of Allied Commerce Center in Livonia. This 1,131,447 -
square foot industrial complex sold in March for $22,486,000, or $19.87 per
square foot. Select top industrial leases at Allied Commerce Center include IFCO
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Systems NA, Inc. (79,432 square feet) and FW Logistics (45,723 square feel).
Overall, the average pace per building square fool rose from $23.55 in 2011 to
$36.08 in 2012.
On the retail side, total vacancy is also trending downward, from a high of
approximately 16.0 percent one (1) year ago to the current rate which stands at
around 13.7 percent. This includes all categories of retail, where the primary
intended use is to promote, distribute or sell products and services to the general
public, and includes buildings such as stand-alone convenience stores, store
fronts, strip centers, neighborhood, community, regional, and super -regional
malls, power centers, factory outlet centers, and fashion or specialty centers.
Standing at the lop of the list of new retail developments is the Menards Home
Improvement store currently under construction on the west side of Middlebelt
Road between SchoolcraR Road and the CSX Railroad. Three (3) other projects
on Middlebelt Road that are of particular interest due to the difficult nature of
getting large retail/wholesale buildings reoccupied is the redevelopment of the
former Milan furniture store into a medical facility, the recent sale of the vacant
and abandoned House of Lights (15870 Middlebelt) to Bill and Rods Appliance,
and the acquisition of the former Kramer Flooring building (15986 Middlebelt) for
the new corporate headquarters of Banks Vacuums. Average rental rates
appear to have "bottomed out" by the end of the V quarter at $9.17 per square
fool. The current average rental rale is $9.58 per square fool as reported by
CoSlar. This is the average for 545 retail properties containing an estimated
8,207,027 square feel of rentable building area.
The other major category is office. According to Costar, the total vacancy rate for
all categories of office is currently around 19 percent. For Class A office space,
the rate is a little higher at 20.3 percent. One positive sign is that the vacancy
rate appears to be trending downward as buildings get repositioned and as lease
and sale prices adjust accordingly.
In 2012, the Livonia Economic Development Office provided assistance to a
number of businesses. The following summarizes a few of the major projects and
activities that the Livonia Planning and Economic Development Office was
involved with over the past year.
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
In October, the Planning and Economic Development Office assisted Ford Motor
Company in obtaining City Council approval of an abatement of personal
property taxes under P.A. 198. Over the next two (2) years, Ford Motor plans to
invest over $74 in new machinery and equipment. The new equipment will be
used for production and testing purposes at the Livonia Transmission Plant
("LPT") and the Auto Transmission New Product Center ("ATNPC"), located at
36200 Plymouth Road. The investment includes over 60 items, ranging from
computer controlled equipment and robotics, to dunnage, conveyor systems, and
various support equipment. Installation is projected to be completed by
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December 31, 2014. The estimated cost of the equipment going in at LPT is
$49,435,700, with the remaining $25,294,700 at ATNPC. Eleven (11) newjobs
are expected to be created within two (2) years of completion of the project.
TRINITY HEALTH
By the end of 2012, Trinity Health will have completed the move of its corporate
headquarters with approximately 1,600 employees into the City of Livonia.
Trinity is leasing a total of approximately 340,000 square feel of office space at
the Victor Corporate Center. The four-story buildings at 20255 and 20555 Victor
Parkway were previously occupied by Quicken Loans unfil August 2010. Trinity
is the Nation's tenth largest health system, with over $9 billion in annual revenue.
The Planning and Economic Development Office worked closely with the Mayor,
City Council and property owner, Kojaian Management Corporation, to secure a
10 -year lease. In large part, the final commitment of Trinity hinged on several
factors involving cooperation with the City, including upgrades to the property
and buildings, and resolving pending lax appeals.
LINEAR MOLD
Linear Mold and Engineering is a Livonia -based company that manufactures and
produces plastic injection molds, foam tooling and prototype parts for a wide
variety of industrial applications. Linear mold employs the latest technologies and
management strategies to remain at the forefront of their industry. This includes
layer -build technology using advanced direct metal laser sintering machines,
stereo lithography, and composite and hybrid tooling, just to name a few.
Last year, the City assisted with lax incentives to help spur the Company's
investment in new equipment to go into its main production facility located on
Stark Road between Schoolcraft Road and the CSX Railroad. In addition to their
Stark Road building, Linear Mold also maintains a manufacturing facility at 34435
Glendale. This year, Linear Mold continued to expand its presence in Livonia with
the purchase of a third building located at 35450 Industrial Road.
KTX AMERICA
The Livonia Economic Development Office assisted Jeffrey Shimizu of KTX
America in finding a building in Livonia that would serve as the Company's U.S.
production facility. KTX Properties Management acquired a 37,000 sq. ft.
building at 31651 Schoolcraft Road, located just east of Merriman Road. KTX is
headquartered in Konan, Japan under the name of Konan Tokushu Sangyo Co.,
Limited, and has been in business for 40 years. In addition to Japan and the US,
KTX has facilities in Thailand and Korea. The Company specializes in
electrofonning and thermoforming technologies primarily for the automotive
industry. This highly specialized process ultimately results in the leather and
fabric wrapping used in vehicles interiors. KTX is involved in all aspects of the
process: from CAD/CAM design and prototype development of the resin molds,
to the mandrel casting models, electrofonning, and machining the finishing tools
that are used in the production process.
Over the next few years, the Company expects to invest over $3.OM in new
machinery and equipment at the Livonia plant. This summer, the Planning and
Economic Development Department assisted the Company in fling a request for
an Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption Certificate, which was supported and
approved by the City Council in July. The approved I.F.T.E.C. includes over 20
pieces of equipment, including two (2) CNC machines at a cost of nearly $2.M.
KTX expects to hire at lead nine (9) new employees as a result of the
investment.
ODYSSEY ELECTRONICS
Odyssey Electronics was founded over twenty years ago in Livonia. Since then,
the Company has grown from only a few employees to its current count of 36,
and is in the process of hiring additional personnel. The Company's operates out
of an 18,400 sq. R. facility located at the corner of Faidane and Glendale Sheets.
Odyssey is a supplier of electronic assemblies and printed circuit boards for a
wide variety of applications, controls and instruments, including medical,
automotive, telecommunications, as well as a multitude of other industrial
processing equipment and machining applications. In June, Odyssey obtained a
P.A. 328 exemption of personal property taxes for a planned capital expenditure
of approximately $800,000 in new machinery and equipment. The new
machinery is needed so that Odyssey can fulfill a contract to manufacture and
assemble specialized GPS modules that are used primarily as a fleet
management tool. Much of the new equipment is similar to the equipment
Odyssey currently uses, but is more advanced, faster, customizable, and better
equipped to handle current production schedules. Odyssey expects to hire at
least 8 people to con the new line.
Golden Refrigerant is a company that specializes in reclaiming refrigerants. The
Company owns and operates a 20,000 sq. R. facility located on Newburgh Road,
and leases a 34,000 sq. R. warehouse on Richfield Court. Golden Refrigerant
reclaims (recycles) used fluorocarbon chemicals captured from refrigeration and
cooling circuits, and processes over 600,000 lbs. of these chemicals a year. The
Company currently employs about 16 fulltime workers. Golden Refrigerant is the
only company in the Stale of Michigan that is certified by the EPA as a
reclamation facility. A significant portion of the chemicals the Company
processes comes from locations outside of Michigan. By bringing in these
chemicals, GF create work in Livonia and in Michigan that would otherwise be
performed in a different state. As the EPA imposes new restrictions on
refrigerants, it is estimated that the refrigerant reclamation industry will have to
grow 300% to 400% to meet the anticipated demand for reclaimed refrigerant as
a result of these new regulations.
For the past couple of years, the Planning and Economic Development
Department has worked closely with the owner of Golden Refrigerant, Carl
Grolle, to help find a suitable building to meet the Company's future expansion
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needs. In November, an affiliate of Golden Refrigerant, CJG Holdings, LLC,
acquired a building located at 31800 Industrial Road. The building was built in
1990 and sits on 5.5 acres of improved land with ample parking. The building
was last used by a building supply company, and had been on the market for
over seven (7) years. Containing over 100,000 sq. R. space, this building should
provide Golden Refrigerant with space that it needs into the foreseeable future.
The Livonia Economic Development Office meets with existing and prospective
businesses on an on-going basis to learn more about their operations, address
concerns and issues they may have, assist with site selection and planning,
provide information on local incentive programs, and direct them to the proper
Slate, County and/or City agencies or departments for additional assistance.
Below is a list of some of the companies and organizations that the Economic
Development Office worked with over the past year:
0 Valassis — assisted Company in securing 10 -year lease renewal on Victor
Parkway
0 Synergy Group Inc. —building contractor working on Trinity Health project.
0 Roush — assisted Company in its acquisition of a new building on Globe
Street.
0 ERS Electronic Restoration
0 Ingram Slotting and Machine Inc. — worked with the Company and City
Council to establish an Industrial Development District.
0 Grand Sakwa/Pislon Group — possible attraction with interest in space at
former GM Powertrain facility.
0 EcoMolors/Zhongding Co.. LTD.
0 Krpger — worked with Company and contractors on multiple building
renovation and expansion projects
0 Grand River Fabricating/Bull Moose Tube Company — 13060 Merriman (new
lease)
0 Ralph Thayer Automotive — acquired former New Car Altematives to expand
dealership
0 RnD Engineering
0 NYX — currently assisting Company with site improvements at 30111
SchoolcraR Road and site search for possible expansion/consolidation.
0 Royal Bearing
0 Michigan Highway Contracting — purchase of property on Stark Road
0 Royal Foods Processing
0 Applied Process — expansion project at 12202 Newburgh
0 Garden Fresh
0 Quality Metalcra
Y
0 Montessori Center— 31840 Seven Mile Road (former synagogue)
0 Joe's Produce
0 The Learning Tree — 37550 Seven Mile Road (former Child Time)
0 English Gardens
0 Racer Trust—entity responsible for selling/repurposing former GM sites
0 Chamber of Commerce — active participation with Livonia Industrial Council
0 Small Business and Technology Development Center — Michigan New Jobs
Training Program
0 Consumers Energy — possible new natural gas fueling station
0 Tunkers. Inc.
0 Livonia Brownfield Redevelopment Authority
0 Advanced Recycling
0 Michigan Economic Develoomenl Comoration
MAPS
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 of the 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
Existing Land Use Cell Towers
Future Land Use Truck Routes
Building Footprints Act 198 Industrial Districts
Control Zones
PLANNING DATABASE
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
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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 2012, the Planning database contains
detailed information on approximately 2,750 petitions.
ASSISTANCE TO OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS
Hundreds of hours have been spent supplying other departments with technical
help including:
Community Resources
Assessors Office
Historical Commission
Engineenng/Inspection
Legal Department
Library Commission
Parks & Rec.
Finance Department
Historic Preservation
Housing Commission
Police Department
Mayors Office
LIVONIA DIVISION OF POLICE
The Livonia Police Department is the seventh largest police department in the
State of Michigan. The Administration Bureau consists of the Chief of Police,
one Deputy Chief of Police, and two Captains who are Division Commanders.
The police department was recently re -organized, reducing management and
supervisory positions. This has resulted in a reduction from three divisions to two
divisions, which are the Uniform Division and the Investigative/Support Services
Division.
In August 2011, the citizens of Livonia overwhelmingly supported a public safety
millage mandating a staffing level of 182 members. In 2012, the police
department added 21 members to its staff and is committed to achieving this goal
as soon as possible, without sacrificing the high standard of qualifications of its
candidates.
SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION
Support Services is responsible for the efficient day-to-day operation of the
Department. Important functions include: preparing and maintaining the budget,
purchasing, training, personnel, labor relations, contacts with citizens groups, as
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well as providing reports to the Mayor's Office, City Council, and various City
Commissions.
Training
During fiscal year 2012, the Training Division coordinated the attendance of our
officers at more than 130 off-site, in-service training courses and administered
the State training resources, as well as the Federal Bullet Proof Vest Grant. The
Training Division also ensured that all officers completed the MCOLES Firearms
Proficiency Standards, including our Reserve Officers, and conducted nearly 50
firearms training sessions throughout the year. Several Dispatchers attended
numerous off-site courses, and the reporting of 911 funds was conducted in
accordance with the grant. Due to personnel shortages, our annual Police
Officer Refresher Training (PORTS) was reduced to three days and covered
MCOLES Firearms Re -certification, Mobile Spike Slrlps, P.I.T. and Precision
Driving. This training does not include the five mandatory training sessions
which covered: Intermediate Weapons, transition to the new Motorola Radio
system, CPR & First Aid, Subject Control, and transition from the X26 Taser to
the new X2 Tasers. The Training Division also coordinated with the Civil Service
Department on hiring eleven new Police Service Aides, two Police Officers, and
five Police/Fire Dispatchers. Seven Police Service Aides attended the Western
Wayne County Regional Police Academy and were promoted to the rank of
Police Officer.
Communications
The citywide radio system was transitioned to the Michigan Public Safety
Communications System in the spring of 2012. This included the implementation
of over 500 mobile and portable radios to various city departments. The radio
infrastructure was also rebuilt and added Livonia to a Wayne County simulcast
system, which assures the best available communications through a statewide
system. In order to implement this system, the users and the Dispatchers
attended many hours of training on the new system and the operation of the
radios.
The Dispatch Center equipment includes the computer aided dispatch terminals,
9-1-1 premise equipment, early warning sirens, cable override capabilities, Law
Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) teletype equipment, etc.
Communications is also responsible for the buildings Uninterruptible Power
Supply system and its battery bank, as well as the proper testing and operation
of our emergency generator. Recently, the process has begun to replace our
emergency generator with a larger system that would be capable of supplying
power to the entire police building, as well as power to the new radio system.
This project is scheduled to be completed in early 2013.
Computer Services
Computer Services is responsible for research and development, maintenance,
implementation, training, support, and purchasing for the Police and Fire
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Departments' 300+ computer devices, software and specialty equipment. This
includes: desktops, mobile scout car computers, printers, servers, fingerprint
identification equipment, video and audio devices, surveillance equipment,
wireless and Bluetooth devices. Computer Services also supports multiple
networks including all fire stations, the CLEMIS consortium, and mobile scout car
wireless communications. Additionally, Computer Services is responsible for the
9-1-1 Public Safely Answering Point (PSAP) Directors duties. In all, over 3770
projects, support calls, and service requests have been completed for 2012.
In 2012, Computer Services began replacing multiple end -of -life servers, updated
production level software, and increased the network infrastructure. The bureau
replaced the department's recording system and assisted with the replacement of
the police radio system. The Computer Services Bureau also assisted with
background investigations for new employees and began a migration to an
improved email system.
Research and procurement of a virtual server environment is in progress and this
will reduce overall support costs while increasing storage capacity and system
redundancy. Additionally, all mobile scout car computers are at end -of -life;
research and procurement of these devices are in process.
Central Records
One Sergeant, four Clerk Typists, one part-time Clerk Typist, and one Clerk II
staff the Central Records Bureau. This bureau reviews and files all arrest and
history information and verifies/updates information on incident reports, as
required by the Stale of Michigan. In addition, they fulfill Freedom of Information
requests, subpoenas and discovery orders, electronically fingerprint citizens for
record checks, and are responsible for the issuance of pistol purchase permits.
Central Records personnel also enter paper traffic citation information into the
electronic citation system and update Criminal Records information as
necessary.
Property and Licensing
Al the current time, there is one Police Officer and a temporary part-time civilian
who staff the Property and Licensing Unit. The main function of the Property and
Licensing Unit is to receive, document, and store evidential and non -evidential
property coming into the possession of the Livonia Police Department. Other
work activities of the unit include: the control and tracking of impounded and
abandoned vehicles, oversight of vehicle auctions conducted by towing agencies,
categorizing and submitting confiscated firearms and other miscellaneous
weapons to the Michigan State Police for destruction, licensing taxi cab operators
and other licensing investigations authorized under Titie 5 of the Livonia Code of
Ordinances. This unit also holds an annual property and bicycle auction.
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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 (ICAC),
School Resource, and Crime Analysis. The Investigative Division Lieutenant is in
charge of six Sergeants, 14 Police Officers, one Clerk Typist and the Crime
Analyst.
The Detective Bureau is currently staffed with two Sergeants and six Police
Officers. Their responsibilities include the investigation of most of the reported
crimes. These include: 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, which includes the collection and
analysis of evidence. A Police Officer is assigned to Crime Prevention, whose
duties include tours of the Police Department, as well as teaching 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. The Sergeant
is also our Polygraph Examiner. The Sergeant and one Police Officer are
assigned to Court Services/Liquor Control Enforcement, who 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 State Police Internet Crimes
Against Children (ICAC) Unit. The ICAC Unit investigates individuals who
attempt to lure minors for illicit acts, via the Internet. The School Resource Unit
is comprised of three Police Officers who are assigned to the middle and high
schools. They serve as a liaison between the police and schools and investigate
any crimes which occur at the schools.
The Clerk Typist serves as an Office Manager responsible for daily logs,
employee time records, Sex Offender Registry, canceling warrant recalls, and
handling writs. 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 comprised of one Captain, four Lieutenants, nine
Sergeants, 57 Police Officers, eight Police Service Aides, 11 Dispatchers, and
one Vehicle Maintenance Coordinator. The Special Operations Unit (SOU) is
also part of the Patrol Bureau and consists of one Sergeant and three Police
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Officers, which includes a K-9 Officer. The Patrol Bureau provides around-the-
clock assistance, protection, and law enforcement to the City of Livonia.
Traffic Bureau
All Traffic Bureau personnel have been trained in traffic crash investigation,
which is the primary focus of this bureau. Several officers within this bureau are
also reconstructionists. This bureau investigates all fatal and serious injury
crashes, which are surveyed and photographed with an extensive technical
follow-up investigation. The Traffic Bureau also includes the Motorcycle Unit and
a Motor Carrier (commercial vehicle) Enforcement Officer. Secondary
responsibilities include: investigation and prosecution of traffic -related crimes,
civil forfeiture of vehicles for drunk and drugged driving, selective traffic
enforcement activities, traffic crash pattern analysis, engineering enhancement
recommendations for improved traffic flow and increased safety, breath test
instrument calibrations, hiring and supervision of school crossing guards, training
and monitoring of all speed enforcement equipment, and Planning/Zoning
Boards' research and recommendations.
The Traffic Bureau Sergeant is an ad-hoc member of the Livonia Traffic
Commission and attends all meetings. Additional bureau responsibilities include:
completion of numerous injury and property damage crash investigations, hit
and run crash investigations, reckless driving complaints, and fleeing and eluding
investigations. The Traffic Bureau reviews all crash reports, tracks and reviews
all drunk driving arrests and related vehicle forfeitures, and manages the
S.T.A.R. program and the Safe Communities grant program (Click -Il or Ticket
and Over the Limit, Under Arrest).
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
41 Reserve Officers. This bureau also supervises the Community Event
Volunteers and Police Explorer Post #213. The Police Explorer Post, in
conjunction with the national Learning for Life organization, is a community-
based group that gives young adults interested in law enforcement a chance to
experience both law enforcement and community service. There are currently 10
Explorers actively involved who have been engaged in a number of community-
based activities in 2012.
The Community Service Bureau also provides personnel and support for
emergency events, including: snow alerts, down power lines, and crowd control.
Uniformed personnel in this bureau worked 8,549 hours at special events
throughout the City of Livonia during 2012, including school functions, Livonia
Spree, and other civic events. The total cost of services for the year is estimated
at $171,709 with fractional reimbursement at $75,861. Discounted and
unsubsidized services amount to $95,848.
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INTELLIGENCE BUREAU
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 bureau. The
Lieutenant reports directly to the Chief and Deputy Chief of Police.
Two Sergeants directly supervise four Police Officers on two teams. These
teams are responsible for all narcotics enforcement and criminal surveillance
affecting the City of Livonia. These teams are usually staffed with six Police
Officers instead of four. The shortage is due to current budget issues affecting
the department.
A third Sergeant handles all narcotics evidence for the department and narcotics
case preparation, to include court presentation and civil forfeiture actions.
A fourth Sergeant, along with one Police Officer, are assigned to the Michigan
State Police — Western Wayne Narcotics Investigations. This unit consists of our
two officers and seven other officers from the State Police, Plymouth Township,
Canton Township, Northville Township, and the federal Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms & Explosives Bureau. This unit is responsible for developing and
prosecuting narcotics cases in the Western Wayne County communities.
A fifth Sergeant is assigned to a United Slates Marshal Fugitive Apprehension
Team. This unit is responsible for the arrest of felony fugitives who have fled
prosecution in local, state and federal criminal cases.
One Police Officer is assigned to a federal Drug Enforcement Administration
(DEA) Tactical Diversion Unit Task Force, specifically targeting illicit prescription
medications being trafficked in the Detroit Metropolitan area.
The Clerk Typist serves as an Office Manager responsible for daily supplies,
records management, and employee time records.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
The City of Livonia is recognized as an independent Emergency Management
Program by the State of Michigan under Public Act 390. The purpose of
Livonia's Emergency Management Program is to allow the City to prevent,
prepare, mitigate, respond to and recover from emergencies, natural disasters
and acts of terrorism. Primary responsibilities include: planning, training,
equipment, exercise, and the management and administration of Livonia
personnel and resources charged with responding to major incidents.
The City's Director of Emergency Preparedness is responsible for the overall
organization and management of Livonia's Emergency Management Program.
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A Police Sergeant is appointed as the Director of Emergency Preparedness and
works closely with other local, county, regional, state, private and volunteer
partners involved in emergency management and homeland security.
During 2012, significant emergency preparedness activities included: procuring
and managing Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grants to purchase
interoperable communications equipment; expand the interoperable
communications system infrastructure and obtain equipment for the Western
Wayne County Mobile Field Force law enforcement specially team; and
procuring and managing an Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant
Program (IECGP) allocation to purchase interoperable communications
equipment.
Additional activities include: conducting training and exercising of City emergency
response personnel, in accordance with the National Incident Management
System (NIMS); representing the City with multiple local, county, regional and
state homeland security and emergency management organizations;
coordinating with the Clarenceville School District on the Community Orientated
Policing (COPS) Secure Our School grant project; participating in emergency
planning exercises with public and private partners in the community, including:
SchoolcraR College, SL Marys Mercy Hospital, the Civil Air Patrol, and the
Livonia Amateur Radio Club; continuing oversight of the Community Emergency
Response Team (CERT), including obtaining equipment under the Citizen Corps
Council grant.
ACTIVITIES
Activity
2011
Amount Est.2012
Amount
Accident Reports
585
7,794
518
7,036
Incident Reports
240
1,200
241
1,205
Fingerprints
129
6,353
114
5,615
Fingerprints
517
7,755
387
5,805
Fingerprints - N/C
33
42
LCC
19
22,600
21
21,685
Purchase Permits
944
4,720
1179
5,895
Purchase Permits - N/C
1,445
1688
Record Clearance
244
1,464
247
1,482
Record Clearance- N/C
1,063
885
Public Vehicle License
19
380
10
200
Public Vehicle License
67
804
40
480
FOIA / Discovery
845
14,182
1003
16,289
Miscellaneous (Jail Phone,
126
29,525
123
37,978
Vehicle Forfeiture, etc.)
WananlProcessing Fee
486
4,860
495
4,950
TOTAL REVENUE
$101,637
$108,620
am
PROPERTY AND LICENSING
Activity
2011
2012
%Change
Public
Vehicle Permit Applications/Renewals
106
64
-39.62%
Taxi
Cab Inspections
4
4
0.00%
Business License Applications
205
194
-5.36%
Impounded/Abandoned Vehicles Processed
1,363
1,477
8.36%
Property Items Received/Processed
4,345
4,605
5.98%
Activity
2011
2012
%Change
Total Cases Investigated
5,089
5,737
12.7%
Felony Warrent Requests
333
461
38.4%
Misdemeanor Warrant Requests
948
1,252
32.0%
Precious Metal Documents
'12,814
2,554
-80.0%
Crime Scenes Processed
Vehicles Processed
66
49
98
49
48.5%
0.00%
Pieces of Evidence Processed
1,379
1,781
29.2%
Latent Prints Identified
256
191
-25.4%
Reports by Crime Scene Unit
"196
223
13.8%
AFIS Cases
Polygraphs Administered
Referrals to Youth Assistance
841
52
32
802
43
49
-4.6%
-17.3%
53.1%
MLCC Reports
23
20
-13.0%
MLCC Inspections (one site & decoy)
131
150
14.5%
MLCC Violation Reports
9
4
-55.6%
MLCC Applicants Investigated
63
55
-12.7%
`Reporting Enor
"Corrected Data
PATROL BUREAU
Activity
2011 Actual
2012 Projected
%Change
Calls for Service — Police
33,405
33,384
-0.06%
Calls for Service — Fire
8,771
8,929
1.80%
Reports Taken
10,250
10,874
6.09%
Adult Arrests
Juvenile Arrests
3,874
170
4,552
183
17.50%
7.65%
Traffic Crashes Reported
3,379
3,391
0.36%
Uniform Law Citations
32,410
30,922
-4.59%
Use of Force Incidents
69
77
11.59%
Vehicle Pursuits
26
16
-38.46%
am
TRAFFIC BUREAU
Traffic Bureau
Statistics
2011
2012
tm.0 10-'%1'1
2012
Projected
%Change
Projected
Drank Driving
Prosecutions
301
273
335
11%
OWI Vehicle Forfeitures
40
30
37
-7.5%
Forfeiture Actions
1 49
180 1
+267%
Traffic Crash Data
mN 121
Properly Damage
2,570
1,846
2,456
-4%
Injury
Fatal
656
9
548
10
729
11%
Total
3,235
2,404
3,199
-1%
INTELLIGENCE BUREAU
Activity
1 2011
2012 1
% Change
Assigned Cases
738
1,161
+57%
Search Warrants
1 41
66
+50%
Forfeiture Actions
1 49
180 1
+267%
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 of 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
Engineering Division — The Engineering Division is under the direction of the
City Engineer and the Assistant City Engineer and is responsible for all
construction operations within public rights-of-way and/or public easements. The
division 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 work was handled by
10 full-time employees. The department consists of three (3) sections:
Administrative, Design and Field.
Highlights of the 2012 year's accomplishments include:
41
ENGINEERING DIVISION
Administrative Section
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. The Administrative Section is also responsible for the
issuance of perils for work in the public rights-of-way and/or easements, along
with fielding residential complaints on drainage, sidewalk and road issues.
Attendance at Council, Commission and citizen meetings is also a function of this
section.
The Administrative Section was involved with the following matters during 2012
in addition to attending meetings with Slate and County officials, and
invesfigating citizen complaints:
0 City Hall East Entrance Sidewalk and Entrance Ramp Upgrades
0 City Hall Meditation Gardens, Stamped Concrete and Concrete Sidewalk
Improvements
0 Civic Center Drive Asphalt Resurfacing and Pavement Markings
0 Civic Center Campus Lights Upgrade to LED Grant
0 Dedication of Sanitary, Storm and Water Main Easements
0 DTE Streetlight Outage Reporting
0 Farmington Road at the Six Mile and Seven Mile Intersections Traffic Signal
Modernization Projects
0 Haggerty at Six Mile Traffic Signal Modernization Project and Countdown
Pedestrian Signals at West Chicago at Merriman and at Middlebelt
0 Haggerty Road Resurfacing from Six Mile to Seven Mile
0 Hill House at Greenmead Upgrades
0 1-96 Reconstruction (US -24 to Newburgh) Coordination with MOOT
0 Levan Road, S. of Five Mile Road Proposed Sanitary Sewer SAD
0 Merriman Road at Five Mile and Six Mile Traffic Signal and Pedestrian
Improvements and Right Tum Lane Additions at all quadrants
0 Middlebelt Road Resurfacing from Seven Mile to Eight Mile
0 Middlebelt Road at Five Mile, Six Mile and Seven Mile Traffic Signal and
Pedestrian Improvements
0 Newburgh Road at Churchill High School/Livonia Career Center,
Countdown Pedestrian Signal Upgrade and Sidewalk Ramp Upgrading
I
0 Newburgh Road from Five Mile Road to Six Mile Road and from Six Mile
Road to Laurel Park Drive North Rehabilitation and Resurfacing
0 Pilot Fooling Drain Disconnect Program
0 Plymouth Road Development Authority Revised District Boundaries
0 Plymouth Road Resurfacing (Markel to Farmington Road), including Traffic
Signals at Stark Road, Wayne Road and Levan Road
0 Police Station Front Entrance Improvements
0 PRDA Street ighl LED Retrofit Study
0 PRDA Street ighl Monitoring in Cooperation with DPW
0 Rennold's Ravine Slreambank Stabilization Project and SAD
0 Sanitary Sewer Closed Circuit Televising Program (Contract 11-L)
0 2012 SRF, S2 Grant and Sanitary Sewer Master Plan
0 Wayne County Short Term Corrective Action Plan (Livonia Sanitary
Manholes)
0 Whispering Willows Golf Course Regional Detention Basin Project
0 Numerous Pavement Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Projects in
conjunction with the Annual Paving Program
0 Numerous Utility Permits for AT&T/SBC Upgrade
0 Completed several Subdivision and Condominium Development Street Light
Installation Projects
0 Inspected and Evaluated 373 miles of roadway using the PASER Rating
System. Updated City website with regard to the Citywide Pavement
Management Program.
0 Assisted in the Establishment of the New Water and Sewer Rales
0 Annual Permits for Utility Companies performing work in the right-of-way
and upgrades before paving contracts
Seven site condominium projects, two subdivisions, and numerous commercial
and industrial projects were also reviewed and/or inspected by the Division.
0 Amerhein Multi -Tenants, LLC, Proposed parking Altematives (36475 Five
Mile Rd.)
0 Applied Process (12238 Newburgh Road)
0 AT & T Utility Installation (W.B. SchoolcreR Service Drive)
0 AT & T Utility Plan (38400 and 38700 Six Mile Rd.)
0 Bank of America (29430 Seven Mile Road)
0 BASF Building Modernization and Parking Lot Revisions (13000 Levan)
0 BP Gas Station Renovations (Five Mile and Levan)
0 Churchill Place Site Condominiums
0 Churchill Manor Condominiums
M
0 Clean Tech (12170 Globe Street)
0 Consumers Energy Utility Plan (Ingram St.)
0 Consumers Energy Utility Plan (Mayfield and Roseland )
0 Consumers Energy Utility Plan (Plymouth Road and Newburgh Road)
0 Consumers Energy Utility Plan (SchoolcraR Rd. to Middlebell Rd.)
0 Consumers Energy Utility Plan (Washington Sl.)
0 Costco Fuel Storm Drainage Calculations (19450 Haggerty)
0 Covington Center, LLC Parking Lot Expansion (38401 Amrhein Road)
0 Curtis Creek Site Condominiums
0 Delta Research (36251 SchoolcraR)
0 Drainage Problem Remedy Plan (32401 Eight Mile Rd.)
0 DTE Utility Plan (Curtis and Slamwich)
0 DTE Utility Plan (Five Mile and Fairlane)
0 DWSD SchoolcraR Road 48" Water Main (Middlebell Road to Inkster Road)
0 EJ Markel Street— Parking Lot Renovations (12261 Markel Street)
0 Entenmann's Bakery (13280 Newburgh Road)
0 Gershman Properties, Inc. (30933 and 30415 Industrial Road)
0 Gershman Properties, Inc. (Meal Plant Drive Approach, 30933 Industrial
Rd.)
0 Golf Ridge Site Condominiums
0 Grasso Development (13345 Merriman)
0 Home Instead Senior Care Expansion (16013 Middlebelt Road)
0 Hunters Park Estates Site Condominiums
0 1-96 Reconstruction Soil Borings
0 Infneon Technologies at Victor Park (19401 Victor Parkway)
0 Ingram Slotting & Machine, Inc. (31145 Eight Mile Road)
0 Inlerlek Site Improvements (35550 Industrial)
0 Kohl Department Store (29578 Seven Mile Road)
0 Kroger Gas Station (33523 Eight Mile)
0 KSI Plaza Addition (34706-34730 Plymouth Road)
0 Levan Medical (15230 Levan Road)
0 Livonia Dermatology (14801 Farmington Road)
0 Livonia Marketplace (Livonia Mall Redevelopment)
0 Livonia Marketplace Petco (29560 Seven Mile Road)
0 Livonia Outpatient Surgery Center (33400 Six Mile Road)
0 Livonia Pavilion Office Building (29200 Vassar Ave.)
0 Livonia Public Schools (Rosedale, Webster, Holmes and Kennedy)
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0 LMP Parking Expansion (old Joann Fabrics, 29504 Seven Mile Road)
0 Lube Cube Oil Change (28085 Plymouth Road)
0 Madonna University Ball Field Complex Phase II
0 Madonna University Soccer Field
0 Manoogian Manor (15775 Middlebelt)
0 Marycresl Heights Phase 1 (15475 Middlebelt)
- Marywood Nursing Center Expansion (36975 Five Mile Rd.)
0 McLaren Performance Technologies, Inc. (Drainage Improvement Plan)
0 Meijer Oullol Inquiry (13000 Middlebelt Rd.)
0 Menards(12701 Middlebelt Road)
0 Midwest Fiber Networks, LLC (Newburgh and Plymouth Roads)
0 Newburgh United Methodist Church Signage Plan (36500 Ann Arbor Tr.)
0 Powerscourl Office (17199 N. Laurel Court Drive)
0 Premier Medical Park (20292 Middlebelt)
0 Proposed Right -of -Way Monitoring Wells (13000 Eckles)
0 Rosati Industrial Park Subdivision
0 St. Collette Catholic Church (17600 Newburgh Road)
0 St. Mary Hospital Expansion
0 St. Mary Mercy Hospital Southwest Parking Addition (36475 Five Mile Rd.)
0 St. Mary Mercy Hospital — Levan Deceleration Lane (36475 Five Mile Rd.)
0 SchoolcraR College (West Bay Exploration) (18900 Haggerty Rd.)
0 Sarah Estates Condominiums
0 Savile Row Condominiums
0 SchoolcraR College Driving Pad (32000 Glendale)
0 SchoolcraR College Fire Training Complex (32303 Glendale)
0 SchoolcraR Road Soil Borings (Melvin to Inkster)
0 SchoolcraR Road Soil Borings (Newburgh Rd. to Middlebelt Rd.)
0 Stonehouse Ave. Parcels Sanitary Sewer Extension (93449356
Stonehouse Ave.)
0 Tim Horton's (Five Mile and Merriman)
0 UPS Livonia Paving Repairs Phase V (29855 SchoolcreR)
0 Vidor Corporate Park (20255-20555 Vidor Parkway)
0 Whispering Willows Regional Detention Basin Project
0 Wonderland Redevelopment
0 Woodbrooke Subdivision (Street Name and Traffic Control Signs)
0 37000 and 37100 Plymouth Road Water Main Project
0 37100 Plymouth Road Parking Lot Expansion
101
Design Section
This section, in conjunction with the Administrative Section, prepares plans,
specifications and bidding documents for the City's public improvement projects.
It also prepares legal descriptions 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 2012:
0 2012 Pavement Joint and Crack Sealing Program
0 2012 Lane Line Marking Program
0 2012 Pavement and Sidewalk Repair— Water Main Breaks
0 2012 Sidewalk Program
0 Dooley Park Walking Path
0 Kleinert Park Parallel Parking Lot and Misc. Upgrades
0 Police Station Front Entrance Improvements
0 Roseland Ave. and Mayfield Ave. Water Main Improvements
0 Sanitary Sewer Closed Circuit Televising Program (Contract 11-L)
0 Civic Center Campus Lights Upgrade to LED (EECBG Advanced Lighting
Technology Demonstration Grant)
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 junsdiction 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 $3,059,399.02 were handled by the division during the past year.
These are summarized as follows:
0 2012 Pavement Joint and Crack Sealing Program = $87,350
0 2012 Lane Line Marking Program = $95,000
0 2012 Pavement and Sidewalk Repair— Water Main Breaks = $53,072
0 2012 Roseland Ave./Mayfield Ave. Water Main Replacement= $380,000
0 2012 Sidewalk Program = $563,120
0 Merriman Road at Five Mile and at Six Mile Safety Improvement Project =
$622,146.99
0 Police Station Front Entrance Improvements = $297,743.63
0 Rennold's Ravine Streambank Stabilization Project = $249,403
0 Sanitary Sewer Closed Circuit Televising Program = $430,000
0 Whispering Willows Stonnwater Retention Basin Project= $281,563.40
102
In addition to the public improvement contracts, this section was also responsible
for the field inspection and survey services of:
0 All inspection of work under permits numbers 12-001 through 12-300
0 2012 Sidewalk Program
0 2013 Sidewalk Program
0 Lawsuit Investigations
0 Drainage Complaints
0 Catch Basin Complaints
0 Soil Erosion Permits
0 Grade Inspections
0 Landfill permit renewal and application
0 Ditching and Ditch Cleanouts as Requested by the Department of Public
Works
0 Commercial Site Sedimentation Basin Inspections, including the related
letters and follow up of the clean outs
0 Residential Plot Plan Review and Grade Certificates
PUBLIC SERVICE DIVISION
Administrative Section
0 Provided administrative services for the City telecommunications system.
0 Prepared annual budget submittal for Public Service Division.
0 Conducted employment interviews.
0 Administered safety programs within the Department.
0 Maintained an alcohol and controlled substance testing program per
requirements of Federal law.
0 Prepared monthly payment submittals for solid waste contract
0 Administered Recycling Center, City Office Paper Recycling Program,
Curbside Recycling Program and Separated Yard Waste Collection
Program.
0 Conducted a Household Hazardous Waste Drop -Off Day at Ford Field on
April 28, 2012 and publicized the Wayne County events and the Northville
event which were held throughout 2012.
0 Maintained City Type III landfill in compliance with all Federal, State and
County requirements.
0 Prepared and submitted all solid waste reports required by State of
Michigan and Wayne County.
0 Continued community solid waste and recycling educational programs
through use of City newsletter.
103
0 Prepared and distributed to all Livonia households a Bulk Leaf Pick -Up
Program brochure.
0 Conducted a paper shredding, electronic waste and tire recycling event for
Livonia residents at the DPW yard on October 13, 2012.
ROAD MAINTENANCE SECTION
Snow and Ice Control
0 Maintained roads on primary salt routes 2417 throughout the 2011-12 snow
season. It was a very mild winter. Salted primary routes twice in December,
eight times in January, seven times in February, for a total of 17 times;
down from 46 times the previous year. Placed 619 tons of road salt. The low
amount of snow, reduced salt routes, prewetting salt with brine and lighter
application rates have minimized salt usage in the past year.
0 Installed a canopy over the loader entrance to our salt storage structure to
increase the dry storage area.
0 The canopy installed over the entrance to the salt storage building now
allows us to preorder and keep an additional 900 tons of salt on hand. We
can build up stock when demand is low, and minimize the impact of trucking
or supply shortages during long periods of snowfall.
0 Installed the equivalent of one mile of snow fence at various locations to
prevent roadway drifting, reducing salt use and plowing call -ins.
0 Provided plowing and ice control services at municipal buildings, parks and
in City -owned public parking lots.
0 Filled and maintained citizen—access salt barrels at specific locations
throughout the city.
0 Spot salted water break, problem area and house fire locations.
0 Continued anti -icing material test program on select areas of our major
roads. Treated bridge decks, deceleration lanes, road curves and ice -prone
intersections when weather conditions warranted.
0 Added the second salt brine tank to our storage facility. We now have a
21,000 gallon capacity.
0 Made 25,000+ gallons of salt brine. Brine is primarily used to pre -wet road
salt so it sticks to the roadway better and activates faster, giving better
performance at lower salt application rates.
Sweeping and Grading
0 Graded all parks, alleys and gravel roads 3 times using in-house equipment
and personnel, did additional spot grading and added gravel as needed.
The condition of the gravel roads and the use of our articulating underblade
truck saved the expense of hiring a contract grader to reshape the roads
again this year. Continued experimenting with augmenting or replacing the
calcium chloride solution used for dust control on gravel roads with less
expensive, made in-house salt brine. The lest area we tried this year on
104
Hubbell Rd. was encouraging. Next year we will try a more heavily travelled
road, as well as seeing how the salt bane holds up to more typical levels of
rainfall
0 Reworked drainage ditches, culverts and gravel road surfaces to improve
road surface longevity and improve drainage. Re -dug 350+ feet of ditch and
replaced roadway cross lubes where needed.
0 Applied calcium chloride or salt brine solution to gravel roads twice citywide,
and spot treated as needed to solidify the gravel and minimize dust.
0 Swept residential roads 5 times. Industrial roads, that do not get a leaf
pickup sweep, were done 4 times.
0 Swept City parking lots once.
Landfill, Transfer Station and Recycling Center
0 Maintained licensed City landfill, including clay closure cap, underground
leachate pumping system, the "active face' dumping area, all exposed
slopes, access roads, drainage pipes and ditches in compliance with State
of Michigan and Wayne County regulations and inspections.
0 Removed many small trees from capped area of landfill to prevent the root
systems from breaking the seal of the clay cap.
0 Oversaw grading and seeding of a large eroding sloped area in the landfill.
Restoration of this area was required by the Wayne County inspector to
prevent soil from washing into the nearby storm water system.
0 Replaced the underground leachate water control pump in the licensed area
of the Glendale landfill.
0 Removed and cleaned the temporary contact water pump in the sanitary
landfill 4 times as a preventative maintenance measure.
0 Saved 51,525 cubic yards of landfill space by composting leaves collected
from last year's Leaf Pickup Program. This year's program is in progress.
0 Maintained the bene and contact water conveyance system along the limits
of the Glendale licensed landfill area in order to contain and dispose of
leachate.
0 Maintained the cardboard, paper, glass, oil, battery and antifreeze recycling
facility per County and Slate regulations.
0 Maintained the citizen solid waste drop-off / transfer area to County and
State specs.
0 Pumped approximately 1,900,000 gallons of leachate contact water from
the landfill to be processed at the Detroit sewage treatment plant.
0 Monitored the contractor bulk brush and woodchip disposal operation in
conjunction with the transfer site operation.
105
Brush Pickup
0 Conducted a spring cleanup brush sweep of all streets in the city.
0 Began by -call brush service for the season, responded to requests citywide.
There were 2,271 requests for brush pickup this year, with 10,500 +slops.
0 Removed logs from large tree removals and disposed of chips resulting
from stump grinding.
Leaf Pickup
0 Deployed 39 DPW employees for a period of 5 weeks to provide residents
with two scheduled leaf pickups, as well as a post season, citywide sweep
to remove any late -raked leaf piles from the gutter lines. We picked up
51,525 cubic yards of bulk leaves last season, this year's program is in
progress.
0 Provided street sweeping to clean paved streets and clear storm drain
grates after the final leaf pickup was completed.
0 Steam cleaned 34 leaf pickup vehicles, removed and stored truck tailgates,
boxes.
Construction. Road Maintenance and Miscellaneous
0 Responded to 3,232 service requests from residents and other City sections
and departments.
0 Provided 3 foremen to participate in the weekly after hours on-call program.
This program provides 2417 on-call coverage for all DPW activities and
areas of responsibility.
0 Repaired or adjusted 47 manholes, storm drains, catch basins and water
gatewells.
0 Repaired or replaced 11 sanitary and storm sewer lines.
0 Milled concrete streets to eliminate heat pops or water ponding problems at
33 locations.
0 Completed 29 asphalt repairs or replacements.
0 Performed confined space entrance entry training for one new
crewmember.
0 Ground and chemically treated rust, repainted dump beds on 8 dump
trucks.
0 Patched potholes on 370 miles of City -maintained roads, as well as vertical
separation locations from the Engineering Division, parking lot repairs and
some sites excavated by the Water and Sewer section. Repaired potholes
reported on the Pothole Hotline within 2 business days of the report.
0 Assembled a scattered location contract to address high priority structure
and pavement repairs citywide. Provided major road construction zone
signing and barricading.
106
0 Used heavy equipment to clear storm -washed trees and logs from primary
drains
0 Weed killed approximately 24 curb miles of 1-96 service drive twice this
season to remove scrub brush and weeds.
0 Maintained access ways to major drains to minimize flood control response
time and maintain access for regular maintenance activities.
0 Picked up and cleaned oil spills, large debris or lost loads from trucks on
City streets 4 times.
0 Assisted Livonia Fire Dept. with trench rescue training activities.
0 Closed roads, rerouted traffic as needed due to downed power lines, traffic
accidents, water main breaks, fallen trees and storm damage.
0 Trained and arranged testing for 55+ employees to upgrade their
Commercial Drivers Licenses to class A status per the most recent contract
with Local 192.
0 Changed truck and tractor attachments (buckets, blades, boxes, tailgates,
leaf claws, salt spreaders) from construction season/summer mode to leaf
pickup mode, then to winter plowing/salting configuration.
0 Cleaned debris from outfalls and inlets of major City storm drains 20 times
to prevent flooding and storm drain backups.
0 Performed illicit discharge inspections and water sampling on storm water
outfalls to maintain IDEP compliance.
0 Repaired or replaced 3 accident damaged guardrails.
0 Cut and cleared brush from city -owned alleyways.
0 Made lawn and or sprinkler repairs resulting from Water Dept. and Roads
maintenance activities and occasional snow plow damage at 265 locations.
0 Repaired or replaced 20 mailboxes after they were damaged or removed
during various maintenance operations.
0 Patched vertical separations and holes in sidewalks citywide to maintain a
safe walking surface until the slabs are replaced.
0 Worked with the Forestry section picking up logs and stump chips at 45
locations.
0 Programmed and delivered the lighted message board for road projects and
for other City departments when requested.
SIGN MAINTENANCE SECTION
0 Traffic and Street Name Signs: Replaced or Removed: 373
0 Traffic Posts: Replaced or Removed: 343
0 Engraved 70 signs for various City departments.
0 Assisted with the delivery, setups, signing, snow fencing, barricading and
traffic control devices as needed for SPREE, Household Hazardous Waste
107
Day, Passport to Safety, Fire Dept. Open House, Easter Egg Hunt, Rouge
Rescue, Music From the Heart, several Wilson Barn shows, the flea market,
the cancer walk, the Highland Games plus additional events at
Greenmead, as well as the Memorial Day Ceremony and the Christmas tree
lighting event.
0 Maintained traffic control signs throughout the city into compliance with new
retro reflectivity standards.
0 Continued upgrading all street name signs to conform to new retro
reflectivity standard. A recent amendment to this law now allows us to
upgrade the remainder of these signs when they become due for
replacement through normal wear and tear.
0 Continued to update the Signview module in our Cartegraph system. Added
road sign information and updated data to reflect ongoing changes made
again this year from Traffic Control Orders to remove slop signs, change
speed limits, etc., as well as sign upgrades.
0 Restriped 8 new and repaired vehicles with reflectorized striping material to
identify them as City vehicles and increase their visibility
0 Handled 226 service requests for making or replacing signs.
0 Posted and removed advance notification signs at subdivision entrances for
the Leaf Pickup Program.
0 Investigated and acted on most non -leaf pickup service requests sent to
Roads and Signs sections during the leaf pickup program, including debris
in road, damaged guardrail, pothole, equipment damaged mailbox,
barricading and flooded road service requests.
0 Maintained barricades and construction signs for all City departments.
0 Maintained and provided barricades for citizen block parties.
0 Did emergency road closures and created detours for Livonia P.D., Water
Dept.
ANIMAL CONTROL SECTION
The City's Animal Control section provides public services for Livonia residents,
businesses, and law enforcement agencies. Responsibilities and duties include:
0 Maintain community standards for Livonia by monitoring animal treatment
and wellbeing throughout the community and by reducing animal related
nuisances, concerns and dangers.
0 Maintain public safety as it relates to animal issues.
0 Provide timely response and assistance to request from residents,
businesses, and law enforcement as needed.
0 Provide 2417 response to LPD request for Animal Control related
emergencies.
Im
0 Maintain awareness of changes in state laws related to animal and enforce
current standards. Consult with legal department as needed.
0 Monitor and address quality of animal conditions in Livonia pet stores, and
kennels.
0 Educate and advise the public on animal related issues including; animal
welfare and handling, neighborhood pet and wildlife nuisances.
0 Build community through education, assistance and prevention.
0 Participate in regional Animal Control Community to share best practices
and assistance when possible.
0 On two occasions, removed a large quantity of cats from a home.
0 Utilizing contracted assistance trapped and removed coyotes from the Bi -
Centennial area as well as the Inkster - West Chicago area.
Performed the following services for the community in Livonia in 2012:
0 Systematically patrolled all city neighborhood streets, with focus on known
problem areas.
0 Patrolled all city parks to prevent or address patron complaints of dogs off
leash. Continued increased patrol of Rotary Park to keep the reduced
numbers of dogs routinely off leash.
0 Patrolled schools and playgrounds.
0 Coordinated with Ordinance Enforcement on animal -related ordinance
issues.
0 Responded to 864 requests for service. The breakdown of theses request
is; 517 dog, 202 cal and 145 wild life complaints.
0 Deemed 2 dogs as potentially vicious animals per the ordinance established
in 2010.
0 Continued reduced number of routine specimens for rabies testing to save
cost to the city.
0 Continued cost saving measures, including staggered shifts to reduce
overtime.
0 Completed Professional Development classes in animal hoarding, domestic
terrorist situations, and for animal prosecution, forfeiture, evidence, and
show -cause seminars.
FORESTRY SECTION
0 Achieved Tree City USA status for the fourteenth year and received our
ninth year "growth award".
0 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
109
helps reduce the amount of pruning later in the trees mature life. Work was
done on trees planted in 2004 - 2010.
0 Forestry personnel removed 100 small trees and stumps.
0 Supervised the removal of 470 trees and slumps by one contractor, Sod
Solutions, Inc.
0 Supervised and administrated the planting of 612 trees associated with the
2012-planting program. Also supervised the warranty replacement of 52
trees from the 2011 program.
0 Planted 105 trees received from the Alliance of Rouge Communities based
on their grant reception through the USDA. These trees replaced trees
removed as part of the 2012 road improvement program on Mayfield, and
Roseland in section 34.
0 Planted three trees in connection with the Arbor Day Program. Two river
birches, and one gingko were planted in the Hubbard Street ROW in front of
Kennedy Elementary. Also, 350 seedling Spruce trees were handed out as
part of the program to the children al the school.
0 Treated approximately 10 wasp nests, mainly in August and September with
insecticide to kill the wasps.
0 Completed 130 storm related tree trimmings.
0 Received and investigated 1,200 requests for service through Oct. 23rd,
2012. Of those, 1,070 have been closed as either serviced or answered.
800 of the requests were for tree trims.
0 Performed miscellaneous repairs and blade sharpening on the Sections
saws and trimming equipment.
0 Assisted other departments (Water, Engineering, Ordinance, etc.) with
emergency tree removals, site inspections and tree inspections.
0 Performed snow removal operations to City buildings and Right-of-Way
sidewalks. Service included plowing, shoveling and salting.
0 Coordinated the City's annual Rouge Rescue Day. This year's event was
held at Beverly Park / Bainbridge nature preserve. Native plantings, stream
bank stabilization, trash removal, and invasive species removal were the
focus. 80 volunteers helped in this cause.
0 Supervised one contractor who trimmed approximately 4,000 trees in four
City sections. These trees were trimmed to current International Society of
Arboriculture Standards for street tree elevations.
0 Supervised the same contractor doing resident calt-out trim requests. Of
the 800 tree trim requests through Oct. 23rd, 2012, 670 had been trimmed.
0 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
2012. Populations seemed to decrease in 2012, as compared to our high in
2008. We received two calls from residents in section 11 regarding gypsy
moths.
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0 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.
0 Responded to 160 tree -planting requests.
0 Issued forty two planting / removal permits.
0 Continuously updated the TreeKeeper tree inventory program to accurately
reflect our ROW tree inventory.
0 Supervised four (4) contractors in the section. The contractors are the
removal contractor, trim contractor, planting contractor, and park tree
removal contractor.
0 Re -write specifications for the 2013 street tree trimming contract, and ready
that for bid this fall. A later October bidding of the program would be ideal.
0 Gather inspection reports, and prepare the 2013 tree removal list. As of
10/23/12, there are 510 trees to remove in 2013. 1 am hoping for a
December bidding of the program
0 Built the 2013 tree planting contract. As of 10/23/12, there are 565
addresses on the planting list. The goal of this program is to replace trees
removed on earlier removal programs, and to continue to diversify our urban
forest. I am hoping for a December bidding of the program.
PARK MAINTENANCE SECTION
0 Floated and lined all City baseball and softball diamonds, and painted
soccer field lines on a regular schedule.
0 Performed all landscape maintenance activities on a regular schedule to all
City Parks, and buildings. Applied fertilizers and pesticides to all City
buildings, Mile road boulevard islands under our care, and prime athletic
fields on an as -needed basis.
0 Aerifed prime ball fields, and soccer fields to reduce compaction issues.
0 Performed safety inspections, repaired or removed damaged playground
parts in all City parks and installed 600 yards of'Softfall" under playground
structures.
0 Oversaw three contractors doing work for Parks Maintenance. One mowed
twenty-seven parks, and three cemeteries covering 150 acres. Most of
these parks were non -recreational open space. The second contractor
maintained irrigation systems, and applied fertilizers and pesticides at
Wilson Barn, Fire Stations 4 — 6, Sandburg and Noble libraries, and the Six
Mile boulevard islands. The third contractor removed 77 trees from parks,
nature preserves, and performed a few special removal projects.
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0 Replaced one ball diamond backstop at Nash Park with a City crew.
0 Oversaw a contractor who replaced six ball diamond backstops at four
parks using funds from a Wayne County recreation grant.
0 Monitored trashcans on athletic fields that Waste Management couldn't get
to.
0 Continued a cost savings measure instituted in 2009, weekend trash detail
was not done saving over 250 hours of overtime expense.
0 Performed snow removal services for City buildings and Right -of -Way
sidewalks leading to Parks on an as -needed basis. This included shoveling,
plowing, and salting sidewalks as well as plowing numerous City -owned
parking lots.
0 Continued maintaining the new 16th District Courthouse landscape. Met
with the Landscape installer twice about dead plant material that needed to
be replaced.
0 Renovated planting beds at the Senior Center, Civic Center Library,
Chamber of Commerce, and Veterans Memorial Park. New material
replaced old, overgrown material to ease maintenance requirements.
0 Worked with contractors to complete the meditation beds in 2012.
0 Added one sand volleyball court at Mies Park. Added two sand volleyball
courts at Bicentennial Park, which were paid for with Wayne County
Recreation grant funds.
0 Added sand to all sand volleyball courts in the parks.
0 Employees attended safety -training seminars for chain saw operations,
field maintenance, first aid, Electrical Hazard Awareness, and aerial lift
usage.
0 Applied the Biological control Vectol-ex to control mosquito -breeding
populations in recreational Parks. Two applications were accomplished this
year.
0 Set out, and brought in the picnic tables and trash barrels for the picnic
season. Repaired tables as needed, and ordered new trash cans to replace
old cans beyond a useful life.
0 Pruned trees and shrubs in Parks, City buildings and Athletic Fields where
needed.
0 Assisted with Spree related activities including set-up, takedown, and trash
clean-up. Also repaired damage to diamonds 3 — 7 as a result of parked
vehicles on the diamonds.
0 Completed 130 '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.
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0 Repaired and maintained irrigation systems at Civic Center, LCRC, Ford
Field, Bicentennial Park, and Greenmead.
0 Maintained the fountain at City Hall.
0 Maintained the LCRC, including soccer field renovations, and landscape
work.
0 Cleared deadfall trees and branches off of Nature Preserve walkways.
0 Continued testing vacuum breakers as part of Wayne Counlys DEQ
requirements regarding irrigation systems.
0 Two employees attended the playground safety institute, which re -certified
them as playground inspectors.
0 Due to the mild winter weather, we did not open (or maintain) the outdoor
ice rinks.
0 Plowed the Community Garden two times.
0 Worked with five Eagle Scouts on their project. Scouts chose Beverly Park,
Ben Celini, Madonna, Civic Center — Senior Center, and Bicentennial as
their projects.
0 Coordinated the maintenance of the PRDA with the 16th District Court work
program. Coordinated maintenance of the irrigation system with a
contractor.
0 Coordinated the annual port -a -john ordering, and unit placement, with a
contractor.
0 Verified all billing from assorted contractors, and inputted the information
into CarteGarph.
0 Worked with the Mayor's office in dealing with unhappy residents, and trying
to satisfactorily end their issues.
0 Wrote specifications for new equipment that was bid on MITN. Gathered
information on surplus equipment auctioned on MITN.
Helped supervise contractors working for Parks and Recreation on the Wayne
County recreation grants the City received. Four picnic pavilions were installed.
One each at Dooley, Kleinert, Country Homes, and Bien. The already mentioned
backstop replacement program continued. We received, and wrote
specifications for the replacement Wenger showmobile (trailer — towed mobile
stage). Lastly, a walking path was installed at Dooley Park.
BUILDING MAINTENANCE SECTION
Miscellaneous Repairs and Improvements
0 Completed 1525 work orders through November 8, 2012
0 Open, closed, and winterize City -owned, pool buildings and pumps
0 Start-up, service and shut -down Landfill, Leachate, lift stations and other
pump systems as needed
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0 Maintained and relamped City -owned outside lighting fixtures at various
locations and buildings
0 Perforin preventative maintenance on equipment and appliances
0 Semi-annually replace all flags, unless otherwise requested; maintain flag
poles
0 Strip and finish floors in buildings as requested
0 Spot and clean carpeting in buildings as requested
0 Clean inside and outside first floor windows on all buildings as needed
0 Clean exterior windows at City Hall, Library and Community Center
0 Monitor building automation and climate control systems
0 Monitor and maintain electronic and mechanical access systems
0 Answer environmental complaints
0 Perforin yearly shut -down maintenance and custodial assignments at
Community Center
0 Continue to enhance the custodial job assignment checklists and service
delivery program based on staffing for all buildings
0 Test and treated all process water systems
0 Assist with all other departmental projects as requested
0 Serviced overhead and pedestrian doors as needed
0 Replaced compressor # 1 & 3 in AH -2 at City Hall
0 Repaired ceramic tile floor in City Hall atrium
0 Repaired leaking masonry to steel elevation and exterior wall at Civic
Center Library
0 Replaced failed primary electrical transformer at old courthouse
0 Installed flagpole and lighting for Civic Center Library
Roof Replacement, Maintenance and Repair
0 Repaired roof leak in City Council office
0 Repaired roof leak in City Hall atrium
0 Repaired roof leak at old Court house
0 Repaired roof leak at Chamber of Commerce
0 Repaired roof leak at Police station
0 Repaired roof leak at Noble Library
0 Repaired roof leak at Sandburg Library
0 Repaired damage caused by high winds on various City owned buildings
0 Reroofed mansard roof for Chamber of Commerce building
0 Repaired roof leak at Fox Creek clubhouse
0 Repaired roof leak on Water Meter Service building
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0 Restored roof on DPS Building Maintenance/Sign Shop Building
0 Repaired roof leak on Eddie Edgar ice rink
Painting
0 Painted gift shop at Senior Center
0 Painted lobby area of City Hall
0 Painted Accounting office at City Hall
0 Repainted exterior of Chamber of Commerce building
0 Refinished City Hall lobby doors
0 Repainted floor of mechanical room at old courthouse
0 Repaint staff restroom of Civic Center Library
0 Repaired wall and repainted employee lounge area of Civic Center Library
Health, Safety and Energy Conservation
0 Addressed water back up in buildings as needed
0 Completed upgrading automated access system at Civic Center campus
0 Serviced Glendale Landfill and Leachate pumps and controllers
0 Maintained street lighting for PRDA
0 Maintained and tested sprinkler backflow devices for PRDA
0 Worked on lighting upgrade grant project for DPS yard
0 Continued with Lock Out / Tag Out program
0 Inspected and cleaned commercial hood and duct systems in Fire Stations
0 Tested fire alarms, sprinklers and suppression systems in City buildings
0 Maintained compliance with State of Michigan Boiler and Elevator
inspections, testing and certifications
0 Maintained employee State required licensing, cerlifcatons and training
0 Arranged for annual Blood borne pathogen training for staff
0 Exterminated or remove pests in City buildings as needed
0 PM and load -bank tested generators
0 Reset all clocks, lighting and equipment for time changes
0 Cleaned debris and growth from building rooftops, sumps and gutters
0 Tested panic buttons in DPW administrative office
0 Perform annual required CSD -1 lest and monthly inspections on all boilers
0 Tested all elevator phones
0 Cleaned and maintained sump discharge lines at various buildings
0 Cleaned and PM'd City lift stations
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0 Continued testing all seasonal and fire protection backflow devices;
maintained database to track same
0 Maintained lighting on Newburgh badge underpass
0 Tested EM lighting in City buildings
0 Continued installing photo eyes, timers and occupancy sensors for lighting
0 Replaced surface mount smoke and CO detectors in Fire Stations
0 Installed switchable back-up generator connection for DPS Administration
building
0 Relamped exterior of Fire station # 3
0 Replaced emergency lighting at fire # 3
0 Repaired and monitor methane exhausters at Glendale yard; rewired to
110v as needed
0 Reinstalled generators in Water & Sewer and DPS Administration buildings
0 Attempted to vandal proof lights on Botsford Park walkway and badge
0 Escort MIOSHA Inspector through City buildings and coned noted
violations
0 Worked with Wayne County Inspectors dye testing sewers
0 Relamped Botsford pool and Bicentennial comfort station buildings
0 Relamped fixtures at McCann Courthouse
0 Relamped DPS Administration building
0 Cleaned City buildings as staffing permits
Greenmead
0 Assisted with all events held on grounds (Highland Games, Flea Markets,
Car Shows, Fall Harvest, Holiday Walks)
0 Installed and removed decorations for Holiday and special events
0 Move and set-up and install furniture, furnishings and equipment as
requested
0 Continue maintenance, set-up and custodial service
0 Assisted with construction and maintenance projects as requested
0 Replaced water heater for Carnage house
0 Inspected and cleaned commercial hood and duct system in Blue house
Renovation and New Construction
0 Replaced rooftop make-up air unit and installed new cooling unit for
Equipment Maintenance garage
0 Installed new kitchenette for Equipment Maintenance garage
0 Replaced hallway carpeting in Annex for Inspection and Engineering
0 Replaced counter, lav and fixtures in Annex public men's restroom
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0 Replaced carpeting in Senior Center gift shop
0 Repainted new office at Senior Center
0 Replaced water heater at Fire # 4
0 Replaced failed thin brick on Annex and DPS Administration buildings
0 Replaced water heater for Sandburg Library
0 Replaced irrigation sprinkler pump at City Hall
0 Replaced water heater servicing west side of City Hall
0 Oversee and track day to day activities of City Contractors
0 Replaced water heater in Annex
Special Projects and Interdepartmental Assistance
0 Completed wiring and piping of brine production facility at Glendale yard
0 Assisted with various City Hall functions as requested
0 Provide set up and tear downs for meetings and events as requested
0 Maintained facilities leased from the City
0 Service, maintain and inspect City plumbing and related systems
0 Handle citizen complaints as received
0 Moved furniture, computers, work stations and materials and equipment as
requested
0 Respond to and perform daily maintenance requests on equipment and
facilities as requested
0 Assist with Senior Citizen shows and events as requested
0 Regularly cleaned out grease trap in Senior Center and Blue house kitchens
0 Jetted and maintained basement drains at Fire #1, 5 and 6
0 Assist with snow removal and cycles as requested
0 TA personnel to leaf pick-up as needed
0 Assist with special facility projects and repairs at LCRC, pools and parks
0 Provide service for golf course buildings as requested
0 Administered HVAC Service contract for Community Center
0 Seasonally start, shut down, PM and maintain City HVAC equipment
0 Administered Honeywell Flex Service contract for traditional buildings
0 Continued ordering, stocking and distributing safety supplies as needed
0 Continued annual custodial and safely supply procurement
0 Assisted with annual ice show as requested
0 Replaced sump pump and jelled out drain lines for Fox Creek Restaurant
0 Updated, bid and awarded HVAC service contract for LCRC
0 Updated, bid and awarded HVAC flex contract with Honeywell for energy
management system
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0 Assist with Civic Center and Five Mile LED installation project
0 Assist with LPD rear parking lot repaving project
0 Assisted LPD with wiring for gas pumps and security system
0 Assisted LPD with new generator project
0 Assisted LPD with front entrance renovation project
0 Assisted LPD with jail area floor refinishing project
0 Monitored and assisted with City Hall HVAC enhancement and boiler
replacement projects
0 Assist Community Resources with Cheese Run
0 Assist Parks with maintaining City Hall fountain
0 Support employee and departmental activities or concerns as requested
EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE SECTION
Responsibilities of the Equipment Maintenance Section include, but are not
limited to, the following:
0 Maintain existing fleet of all City -owned vehicles and equipment, other than
Police and Fire, which is approximately 700 pieces.
0 Prep and maintain all seasonal equipment and vehicles, including mowers,
leaf and snow removal equipment.
0 Write specifications, order, and put into service new equipment as required
for various departments.
0 Maintain City Senior Center busses.
0 Maintain and operate City-wide computerized fueling systems at DPW,
LPD, Civic Center, and Golf Courses.
0 Place generators during power outages at required intersections in
coordination with Wayne County and LPD.
0 Set up and monitor annual safety inspections for the man lift, bucket trucks
and equipment hoists at both DPW and the Recreation Center.
0 Maintain the radio system for all non-uniform employees. Working with the
Police and Fire departments to address radio needs such as Inventory,
chargers, batteries and so on.
Highlights of 2012:
Purchased and put into service the following new equipment in 2012:
0 One (1) Trailer mounted leaf vacuums
0 Three (3) E450 Transit van
0 Eight (8) Toro "Z' Master mowers
0 One (1) Walk Behind mower
0 Three (3) Gator tricksters
0 One (1) John Deere tractor
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Waiting delivery on:
0 One (1) Forklift (propane fueled)
0 One (1) Asphalt hot box (propane fueled)
Working with Roush Industries to convert some of our fleet, busses, pickup
trucks and mowers over to cost saving clean burning Propane fuel. We currently
have three pickups, two busses and eight mowers running on propane.
0 Auctioned off our oldest pool vehicles and equipment on MITN, after other
departments were first offered the opportunity to purchase them for their
departments.
0 Continuing our agreement with Livonia Public Schools which transferred 17
Transit busses and repairs to them to save overtime costs.
0 Attended series of seminars for snow and ice control which focused on
safety and reducing cost using current best practices and equipment.
0 Attended meetings with the Clean Energy Collation to learn better cleaner
ways to run our operation using newer proven energy efficient practices.
0 Assisted LPD and other various departments throughout the city with a
number of fabrication and modification projects during the year.
0 Assisted LPD in a raid with driving trucks back to Livonia and hauling heavy
larger equipment back to police yard.
0 Completed over 1900 equipment repair work orders as recorded in the
Cartegreph system.
0 Preformed preventative maintenance work (full vehicle inspection with
repairs as needed of oil change, air filters, coolants, tires) on approximately
20-30 vehicles each month along with unscheduled work.
WATER AND SEWER OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE 2012
Water Distribution System
0 Inspected, exercised 1,317 water gate valves, the condition of the structure
and updated inspection fortes, finished the program in second week of
June.
0 Repaired 105 water gate valves and replaced old gland packing with O-nng
type about 7.9% in need of repair after exercising gale valves.
0 Low flow tested, inspected and maintained 874 fire hydrants and exercised
the auxiliary valve, started program in mid-June within the, city 36 sections.
0 Repaired 85 fire hydrants in the field in these sections above about 9.7%
need repair after exercising fire hydrant and inspection.
0 Repaired 168 water main breaks or leaks, which is up 10 from last year.
0 Repaired or replaced 143 water curb stop boxes, down 65 from last year.
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0 Located and marked over 5,367 locations for Miss Dig system for water and
sewer utilities, up 89 from last year.
0 Made 21 service line repairs for various reasons.
0 Disconnected and retired 7 water service lines.
0 Rebuilt 6 fire hydrants in shop.
0 Installed 2 new water gale valves and 2 new fire hydrants.
0 Replaced 2 antiquated lead (Pb) with copper water service lines, down 1
from last year.
Water Meter System
0 Replaced 11 antiquated large commercial water meters.
0 Repaired 31 large commercial meters.
0 Replaced 956 water meters (meter only) for various reasons, up 189 from
last year.
0 Replaced (updated) 467 residential water meters and outside readers for
various reasons, up 39 from last year.
0 Made 4,971 water related service request; up 3% from last year.
0 Completed 3,751 service slips, up 183 from last year.
0 Placed 456 note cards placed at residential homes requesting to gain
access to home for internal meter repairs.
0 Installed 55 (ORD) outside touch read device systems.
0 Installed 55 (MXU) radio read device systems.
0 Established 11 new commercial accounts.
0 Established 39 new residential accounts.
0 Established 3 new seasonal irrigation accounts.
0 Installed and removed 229 seasonal irrigation water meters.
0 Tested 189 commercial and 82 residential water meters.
Storm Sewer System
0 Responded to 159 storm sewer and perimeter drainage complaints, down
339 from last year due to lower than normal rainfall this year.
0 Jetted 115 restricted storm sewer lines generated from homeowner
complaints, down 131 from last year due to lower than normal rainfall this
year.
0 Retrieved and replaced 36 catch basin covers, down 26 from last year.
0 Started storm sewer catch basin cleaning, cleaned 860 -storm sewer catch
basins worked 35 days cleaning for Storm Water Pollution Prevention
Initiative (S.W.P.P.I) program started on in April ended at beginning of
December.
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Sanitary Sewer System
0 Cleaned 328.5 miles in 24 city sections of sanitary sewer lines by hydrant
flushing, power flushing, buckeling, and chemical and power root cutfing.
0 Cleared 4 sanitary sewer main backups Public Act 222 of 2001 claims.
0 Investigated 124 sanitary sewer complaints.
0 Televised over 15 miles of sanitary sewer.
0 Inspected 25 city sections for sanitary lines and structures.
0 Completed approximately 1,200' of sanitary sewer Cast In Place (C.I.P.)
sewer lining.
Special Protects
0 Administered cross training with the office staff at front desk due to staff
shortages and cross training the water and sewer foremen for handling
emergency situations to improve response time. In addifion, the operation
and maintenance field staff have are participafing in this job enrichment
also.
0 Worked with IS Department to setup desktop computers for staff.
0 Updated computer programs relating to lawn, concrete and asphalt repairs
along with new tap list and Carte Graph 8.0 associate work orders to other
sections for request to repair restorations.
0 Updated computer programs relating to Aro Map, Water and Sewer View,
Sensus water meter reading system software and hardware for Logos.net
web based system that is operational for future enhancements.
0 Coordinated hydrant repair requests for the Livonia Fire Department.
0 Assisted Roads with asphalt, concrete, lawn, catch basin and pavement
restorations.
0 Assisted the Engineenng with water main and fire hydrant replacement and
completed projects for 2012 and planned 2013 water main and sanitary
sewer replacement programs.
0 Eliminated 259 homeowner self -read cards and scheduling water meter
appointments to eliminate remaining homeowners reads and streamlining
the water meter reading, thus lowering water -billing complaints.
0 Continue working on updafing the water stop box location, seasonal meter
slop box location, and contact information in MS Access database.
0 Administered and inspected 51 water laps made by water section contractor
(21 -new construction).
0 Administered and the field inspection of 144 O.S.D.S. (on-site septic
systems) city-wide, this is in conjunction with the S.W.P.P.I storm water
annual report for the M.D.E.Q.
0 Completed flow tests for water model, S.C.A.D.A. system and flow lest with
Livonia Fire Department and water main replacement program that was
installed in 2012 and proposed for 2013 water master plan program.
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0 Assisted with leachate system for the landfill to be processed at the Detroit
sewage treatment plant.
0 Worked on inventory updating pacing database for future software changes
to take place with Carte Graph.
0 Assisted engineering with sidewalk, driveway approaches and major road
replacement projects.
0 Worked with various contractors for road, water and sewer main
installations and repairs.
0 Completed the Wireless Radio Water Meter Reading Pilot Program for two
different vendor's systems operational for water meter reading remotely.
0 Checked road structures before road improvements, inspected and cleaned
catch basins after completion throughout the city.
0 Completed the West Nile Program, used 9,989 total briquettes used and 43
cans of fluorescent storm white paint citywide.
0 Continued with the Illicit Discharge Elimination Program (I.D.E.P.)
inspections of storm sewer outfall sampling and GIS mapping program, this
is in conjunction with the S.W.P.P.I. storm water annual report for the
M.D.E.Q.
0 Assisted with water activities for the Livonia Spree, Race for the Cure and
other activities.
0 Continue the replacement program for antiquated large commercial
compound Badger, Hershey FM, and Rockwell water meters.
0 Continue with the replacement program for antiquated large commercial
piston type Badger and Rockwell water meters.
0 Responded to 4 illicit discharge complaints and 1 emergency spill hazard on
public nghl-of-way.
0 Finished updating 36 section water main maps to send master out for
duplicating to engineering, for changes and as -built.
0 Started the US EPA mandated water -sampling report for the Disinfection
By -Products (D.B.P.) Program for 2012 in second full week of May.
0 Received approval for the M.D.E.Q. 2011 mandated Sanitary Sewer
Operation and Maintenance Program this year, next report due period
January 15th 2013.
In addition to the operation and maintenance of the public water distribution and
sewer collection systems, these sections are also responsible for the fielding
complaints field inspection and investigation services of:
0 Assisting Animal Control, Building Maintenance, Engineering, Roads, and
Water Billing Departments.
0 2012 Pavement and Sidewalk Repair— Water Main Breaks
0 2012 City Wide Sidewalk Program
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0 DWSD School craft Road 48" Water Main (Middlebell Road to Inkster Road)
0 Coventry Gardens Subdivision Sanitary Sewer System Project
0 Eight Mile Pressure Enhancement Water Main Project land easement
assessment.
0 Merriman Road at the Five Mile and Six Mile Intersections Traffic Signal,
0 Haggerty Road Resurfacing from Six Mile to Seven Mile
0 Farmington Road at the Six Mile and Seven Mile Intersections Traffic Signal
Modernization Projects
0 Newburgh Road from Five Mile Road to Six Mile Road and from Six Mile
Road to Laurel Park Drive North Rehabilitation and Resurfacing
0 1-96 Reconstruction (US -24 to Newburgh)
0 Levan Road, S. of Five Mile Road Proposed Sanitary Sewer SAD
0 Lawsuit and Claims Investigations
0 Improvements and Right Tum Lane Additions at all quadrants
0 Storm Drainage and Catch Basin Complaints
0 Soil Erosion and Grade Complaints
0 Roseland Ave. and Mayfield Ave. Water Main Improvements
0 Sanitary Sewer Closed Circuit Televising Program (Contract 11-L) for S-2
grant.
0 Pilot Footing Drain Disconnect Program
0 Reynolds Ravine Stream bank Stabilization Project
0 2013 and 2014 Sidewalk Program
0 Miscellaneous Programs as needed
The Traffic Commission is responsible for the planning, coordination, and
determination of proposed traffic control devices to improve traffic flow and to
provide maximum safety for all drivers, pedestrians, and property.
As provided by the City Charter, the Commission consists of seven citizens who
are appointed by the Mayor. The Commission meets once a month to discuss
and implement traffic control measures that are brought to their attention by
citizens as well as other City departments. The Commissioners work in
conjunction with the Traffic Bureau of the Police Department.
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Again this year, the Traffic Commission did not face many significant issues, as
compared to years past. In general, the commission focused on responding to
constituent concerns and requests this year.
In total, the Commission approved 14 Traffic Control Orders in 2012.
The biggest focus of the commission this year was on advisory signs, such as No
Parking and Speed Limit signs. The Commission placed several Speed Limit
signs at subdivision entry points off the major mile roads in the city. The
Commission also reviewed a few requests to either place or remove No Parking
signs. As usual, these requests were met with caution and plenty of discussion
and resident input.
Some examples of Speed Limit sign placement include:
0 Southampton at Newburgh
0 Laurel at Plymouth
0 Irving and Seven Mile
A request was made to remove No Parking signs in the Sherwood Forest
subdivision near Stevenson High School, but upon discussion with the residents,
the signs have remained.
The Commission, along with the Livonia Police Traffic Bureau, also continues to
respond to any cifizen inquiries, comments or questions coming into their
respective offices.
CONCLUSION
The work done by the Commission in conjunction with the Livonia Police Traffic
Bureau continues to benefit the city and its residents. The Traffic Commission
will continue to monitor the changes it has made over the past several years and
adjust, if needed, accordingly.
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. Ongoing monitoring of traffic concerns by this
Commission will ensure that Livonia's streets and highways will continue to be
safe and well maintained.
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TREASURER
The Treasurers 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.
The Treasurers Office has slnct procedures in place regarding the handling of
City funds. All departments issue numbered receipts and timely deliver collected
funds to the Treasurer's Office for processing. Large checks and large cash
transactions are deposited immediately to yield a higher rate of interest.
ADMINISTRATION
Beginning with the 2009 lax season, the Treasurers Department changed the
process for printing and mailing lax bills. These changes allow for better control
of information printed on the front side of the tax bill which enabled the
department to print additional information right on the bill rather than include an
additional insert with the lax bill. The department used a local printing/mailing
company with capabilities to reduce the mailing costs considerably and increase
the efficiency of mailing. By utilizing the lax bill pnnting aspect of the BS&A Tax
Software, we are able to pnnl receipts on regular copy paper, pnnl copies of prior
year tax bills deleting the need for printing office copies of bills, and print
information on the lax bill pertinent to the individual taxpayer. By using the same
procedure in 2011-2012 we continue to save over $6,000 for the fiscal year.
The Treasurer's Office sent letters to real and personal property taxpayers whose
taxes for the 2011 tax year had not been paid by February 15, 2012 as has been
our past practice. A total of 5,172 letters were mailed to real and personal
property taxpayers.
2,706 Iefters were also mailed to real & personal property taxpayers after the due
dale for the summer 2012 season.
Since Public Act 123 went into effect, the Treasurers Office initiated the practice
of researching the properties in the tax foreclosure proceedings to help prevent
Livonia properties being sold at auction for delinquent real property taxes. In
2012, due to the efforts of the Treasurers Office, an error was discovered in the
forfeiture process and one parcel was removed from the lax auction. The
property owner was given the opportunity to pay the delinquent tax due and
retained He to their property. Also in 2012, the City exercised its Right of First
Refusal and purchased one of the tax foreclosed properties. Six Livonia
properties were sold at tax auction in 2012; none of which were occupied. The
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Wayne County Treasurer sold only 1 City of Livonia commercial parcel at tax
auction in 2011, 4 parcels in 2010 and no Livonia parcels were sold in 2009,
2008,or2007.
The Treasurers 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 2012, 17 businesses with locations in Livonia
fled for bankruptcy protection as compared to 3 businesses in 2011, 9
businesses in 2010, 15 businesses in 2009, and 6 businesses fling bankruptcy in
2008.
The Treasurers Office filed 2 personal property jeopardy tax bills with the Wayne
County Register of Deeds for 2012. In 2011, we issued 11 jeopardy bills, in
2010, we issued 9 jeopardy tax bills, in 2009, 16 jeopardy tax bills, and 52
jeopardy lax bills in 2008.
Applications for electronic fund debit for tax payments are available on line, on
the City's Website and also by request. Again we have seen a slight decrease in
the number of taxpayers utilizing electronic funds transfer for payment of tax bills.
During the summer 2012 season 2,082 taxpayers participated in this convenient
and no -cost service as compared to 2,171,during the summer of 2011, 2,211
during the summer of 2010, 2,292 during the summer of 2009, 2,360 during the
summer of 2008, with approximately the same number of taxpayers in the same
winter tax season.
Beginning with the 2011 summer tax season, we instituted credit/debd card
transactions at the counter for tax payments only. Chase Bank retains the fees
which are currently 2.5% for credit transactions, and a flat $3.95 fee for debit
card transactions; there is no transaction fee charged to the City. We have
printed the information on the back of the tax bills referring residents to either call
our office or check the city's website for detailed information for all tax payment
options. For the winter 2011 season, 52 taxpayers used this payment method
and for the summer 2012, 49 residents/business owners charged or debited their
tax payments.
Tax bills can still be paid with a credit card through Official Payments Corporation
by phone and on line and this information is detailed on the City's website. There
is a convenience fee of 3% 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 2012, 407 taxpayers utilized this option, as
compared to 438 taxpayers in 2011, 423 taxpayers in 2010, 394 taxpayers in
2009, 452 taxpayers in 2008.
126
TAX COLLECTIONS
There are approximately 45,000 taxpayers in the City, the breakdown follows
127
2009
2010
2011
2012
Real Property
39,719
39,722
39,691
39,690
Personal Property
5,453
5,782
6,197
5,501
IFT
66
83
102
129
TOTALS
45,238
45,587
45,990
45,320
Sixty-five percent of residents
are responsible for paying their own property tax
bills. Mortgage companies
pay 35% of
the real properly lax bills.
The total number of original
tax bills mailed for Summer
and Winter was 90,640.
The tax levy breakdown
is as follows
(includes Real,
Personal,
& IFT for 2011
Winter and 2012 Summer):
REAL
PERSONAL
IFT
TOTAL
City of Livonia
47,889,446
5,490,609
745,066
54,125,121
Livonia Public Schools
Operating
19,141,852
2,013,391
136,593
21,291,836
Debt
7,250,040
919,977
60,233
8,230,250
Sinking Fund
3,689,821
248,364
30,376
3,968,561
Wayne Cty Inlnndiate
School District SpEd
10,724,420
1,480,258
1,384,304
13,588,982
RISD Op
307,119
38,385
5,277
350,781
Clarenceville Schools
Operating
948,322
112,726
120,722
1,181,770
Debt
0
0
60,233
60,233
Sinking Fund
749,749
28,145
36,208
814,102
Oakland Intermediate
School District SpEd
528,178
36,230
3,905
568,313
OISD Op
33,373
2,289
246
35,908
Slate Education Tax
20,114,753
1,528,762
68,349
21,711,864
SchoolcraR Comm
College
6,020,806
735,460
100,592
6,856,858
Wayne County
22,468,387
2,718,005
371,321
25,557,713
Wayne County Jail
3,355,719
384,739
52,204
3,792,662
Wayne County Parks
879,475
100,838
13,678
993,991
HCMA
767,503
87,996
11,943
867,442
Zoo Authority
357,560
41,001
5,564
404,125
Special Assessments
3272 516
0
0
3272 516
TOTAL
148,499,039
15,967,175
3,206,814
167,673,028
127
The past few years the State of Michigan has begun fervently auditing tax returns
for principle residence exemptions claimed in error. Once the Assessors office
makes the changes to the tax roll, the Treasurer's office staff has to adjust the
tax liability and issue revised tax bills. Since 2009, the Treasurer's Department
has seen a major increase in the number of exemptions removed and thus
increased the amount of revised lax bills mailed to city residents.
This year the State has allowed principal residence exemptions to be claimed
beginning with the winter tax season, which has added to the number of revised
bills for the Treasurers office to process.
DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTIONS
City Treasurer Dennis Wright began taking a more active role in the collection of
delinquent personal property taxes beginning in 2009. Besides regular visits that
Treasurer Wright continues to make to businesses that are in a delinquent status,
the Treasurers staff has also been more involved in the collection process by
mailing notices and making phone calls that were previously done by a collection
agency. In addition to a sufficient increase in the percentage of delinquent taxes
collected, the City has been able to retain the penalty and interest collected that
was previously paid to the collection agency. In 2009, the Treasurer and staff
personally collected 41% of all delinquencies recovered. In 2010 he increased
that amount to 48%, 2011 increased to 73% and up to 77% in 2012. These
collection efforts have resulted in a total of $172,933 being retained by the City,
which previously would have been paid to the collection agency. In addition to
the City Treasurer's active role in the collection of delinquent personal property
taxes, the City still utilizes a collection agency in a smaller role, as well as the
City's Legal Department for litigation, to maximize collection efforts.
Our personal delinquent property taxes, penalty and interest collected from 12-1-
11 through 11-30-12 were $635,383, lower compared to last fiscal year
collections of $1,122,794, which included several large delinquencies being paid
in full.
The collections breakdown is as follows
Personal Properly
Tax Year
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
# of Parcels
454
472
474
490
526
Amount due as of
11/30/12
508,381
409,460
457,319
601,046
458,067
Amount collected
fY 11-12
124,935
45,060
71,722
161,373
223,541
128
All I : I =1 Z10103 111111 x411017 61
Invoices for Council authorized weed cuttings are mailed to taxpayers as well as
any special assessments approved during the year. Invoices for weed cu0ing are
billed monthly since the 6% interest rate was
instituted during FY09-10. The
Treasurer's Office records payment on these
assessments and any unpaid
amounts are added to tax bills at yearend. In 2012,
the Treasurer's office issued
821 invoices for weed bills, as compared to 718
for 2011, 891 for 2010, 1,142 for
2009, 1,195 for 2008, 1,084 for 2007.
Special # of Parcels $ Amount
# of Parcels $ Amount
Assessment Billed on Billed on
Billed on Billed on
Districts 2011 Tax 2011 Tax
2012 Tax 2012 Tax
Sidewalk 159 50,175
111 36,411
Paving 244 47,767
215 34,810
Lighting 14,040 1,231,973
14,059 1,311,073
Weeds 255 64,029
232 55,824
PRDA Inig. 265 129,724
265 96,246
DIgt Water 2 219 1,810.44
1 925 2,227,238
TOTALS 17,182 $3,334,108
16,807 $3,761,602
11 q 114 :110101 11 x411.17 61
The Treasurers two tellers processed $216,593,468 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 Cilys 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.
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 ticket
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,
$45,767,487 was for the general deposit items and $170,825,981, was for
property taxes.
The tellers also receive walk-in water payments from residents. During this fiscal
year, 11,591 water customers were assisted at the Treasurer's Office counter, an
increase of 705 over last fiscal year. The busiest day was September 10, 2012,
with 341 water bills being processed. The average amount of water bills
processed was 49 per day.
129
The tellers currently are assisting the water department with their drop -box
payments and payments that are not processed through the mail. This began in
September 2011 and 1,963 payments were processed. In 2012 fiscal year we
have processed 9,937, averaging 57 mail -in water bills per day of processing.
Due to the changes in receipting water bill payments over the Iasi year, the total
dollars collected were processed along with the Water Departments deposits.
DISBURSEMENTS
Beginning August 2012, the payroll department began utilizing a paperless
payroll system, thereby reducing the amount of payroll checks to be processed
and released from the Treasurer's office to just the few new hires and/or direct
deposit changes.
All payroll and payable checks are released through the Treasurer's Office on
approval of the Finance Director and the City Clerk (internal auditor). The City
has gone green this year and as of August 17 no longer prints the majority of City
employees' paystubs. Most employees participate in direct deposit and access
their payday information online. The amount of checks processed is as follows:
2009
Payroll Checks 35,727
Vendor Checks -City & Court 16,098
130
2010 2011 2012
24,798 32,797 n/a
15,265 13,607 14,616