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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL STUDY - 2008-10-27 CITY OF LIVONIA— CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD OCTOBER 27, 2008 Meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. Present: Joe Laura, Brian Meakin, Tom Robinson, Don Knapp, Terry Godfroid-Marecki, James McCann, and Laura Toy. Absent: None. Elected and appointed officials present: Mayor Jack Kirksey; Sean Kavanagh, City Attorney; Captain Benjamin McDermott, Police Department; Jim Zoumbaris, City Engineer (Operations); Kevin Roney, City Engineer (Utilities & Engineering); Mark Taormina, City Planner; and Maureen Cosgrove, Assistant City Clerk. Joe Laura announced that Buffalo Wild Wings opened on Saturday, October 25, 2008. Last week they hosted a number of VIP nights. One was to host Stevenson High School. They did a fundraiser for them and raised $4,000 for their athletics. AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: John Grzebik, 11301 Hubbell, was present on behalf of the PTA Council to explain their activities. They help local PTA units with their problems and help mediate. They provide a variety of programs. They do not have fundraisers. Instead they charge every $.50 of every membership that comes from the local units for supporting their programs. He invited everyone to join, and you do not have to be a parent to join. Contact Jerilyn German Petersmark at the School Board Office at 15125 Farmington Road. NEW BUSINESS: 1. REQUEST TO PLACE SIGNS AT REFERENCED LOCATIONS: Linda Curry, Unity of Livonia Church, re: to advertise a walk-through play, Journey to Bethlehem, this Christmas season Saturday, December 6, 2008 and Sunday, December 7, 2008, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Linda Curry, 15145 Fairlane, was present to request signs for their walk-through play at their church. The whole church is transformed to look like back in the time of the birth of Christ, and each room is a different scene. It takes about a half hour to walk through, and there's little skits going on throughout the church. There is free admission, and everyone is invited. The play starts every half hour starting at 2:00 p.m. They would like to put up corner signs and lawn signs to publish the play. Godfroid-Marecki offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 2 2. AWARD OF BID: Livonia Public Library, re: for the purchase of four (4) Cisco telecommunication switches, seven (7) hardware connectors and one (1) cable which will be compatible with other networks within the City. Kathleen Moore, City Librarian, stated they are requesting approval to purchase some telecommunications hardware that would support their automated system. This would be from budgeted funds. Dolores Hayden, Assistant Branch Librarian in charge of circulation and automation, stated that this is a planned replacement, and they have worked extensively with Dan Putman to develop the specifications, to get the quotes, and to review them. He has made sure that the needs of the library are met for the next four (4) or five (5) years, and also that the Library is compatible with the City. They would be buying excellent quality Cisco switches which would be replacing current switches that are six (6) years old and are near the end of their life. A switch keeps track of the individual requests from computers. Eventually, every work station that is on their network plugs into a port on that switch. The new switches are much faster and would allow programming for multiple local area networks within the library. They could have a staff network and a public network. If the City should ever decide to go to a new phone system (which would be voice-over IP) they would have the infrastructure to implement the purchase. They have the money in this year's account, they have received excellent prices from Analysts International, and they would like to proceed with the purchase. Knapp offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 3. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE ONE REPLACEMENT MARKED POLICE VEHICLE UTILIZING THE STATE OF MICHIGAN BID CONSORTIUM PRICING: Division of Police, re: the purchase of a 2009 Dodge Charger from MMRMA insurance payout and budgeted funds. Captain Benjamin McDermott, Livonia Police Department, stated they are requesting authorization to purchase one (1) vehicle to replace a Dodge Charger that was recently involved in an accident and was determined to be a total loss. The proposed purchase would utilize funds from MMRMA and budgeted funds as well. The insurance payout was $11,856.00. The insurance payout was low because it was a 2006 vehicle. The remainder of the cost for the 2009 Dodge Charger would be $9,902.50. This vehicle will be used primarily by the Patrol Bureau. They are requesting a waiver of the sealed bid process based on the Police Department's association with the State of Michigan bid consortium. The total expenditure will be $21,758.50. As far as safety goes, the Dodge Charger is comparable to the Crown Vic. The officers like the Chargers as much, if not more than the Crown Vic. He has driven both vehicles, and personally has found the vehicle to perform better than the Crown Victoria. 3 One of the reasons they want to replace this particular car is for the outfitting of the car. They do not have to buy additional equipment. They just swap out the interior equipment that is on the current vehicle. The only thing that is interchangeable between the two (2) models is the overheads. Robinson offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 4. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO PARTICIPATE IN AND ACCEPT THE 2007 EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL, JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (FORMERLY THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM) IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,311.00 WITH NO MATCHING FUNDS REQUIRED: Division of Police, re: to be combined with the 2006 award to upgrade the technology of the department. Captain Benjamin McDermott, Livonia Police Department, stated they have already been awarded the funds under the Justice Assistance Program for 2007, and they are seeking Council authority to accept the award in the amount of $15,311.00. There are no matching funds involved. The funds will be combined with the 2006 and 2007 awards to upgrade the technology. At this time, they are thinking of purchasing some equipment for the new electronic ticketing program that they anticipate implementing at the beginning of next year. Meakin offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 5. AWARD OF BID: Public Service Division, re: for interior renovations to Fire Stations No. 1, 3, and 4 from budgeted funds. Jim Zoumbaris, City Engineer (Operations), stated that the department went out for bids for the Fire Department Stations 1, 4 and some work on 3. Eight (8) bids were sent out, and eight (8) bids were received. They are recommending Bedzyk Brothers, Inc. who became low bidder with a 1% discount, and they are a Livonia company. There were some clarifications that were added with their bid. Engineering has communicated with them, and they have the Fire Department's approval. Engineering does not feel the items will be any extra cost. Meakin offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 6. REQUEST TO EXTEND BID: Public Service Division, re: with Branch Tree Service, Inc. for the 2009 Municipal Tree Trimming Program at the 2004 prices. 4 Jim Zoumbaris, City Engineer (Operations), stated that this is a 2004 bid. They had only two (2) bidders at that time. Branch Tree Service agreed to hold the prices. They will be doing the tree trimming and the work orders for the Forestry Division. They also come in for emergencies and respond when they are called. Joe Laura commented that two (2) citizens gave him compliments about Branch Tree Service. Laura offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 7. REQUEST TO EXTEND BID: Public Service Division, re: with Brendel's Septic Tank Service, LLC for the City's 2009 Portable Toilet Service at the 2007 prices. Jim Zoumbaris, City Engineer (Operations), stated that Brendel's has been doing the service for two (2) years. They have given the City very good service on the portable toilets. They have replaced them when there has been damage. The last couple years, some have been burned out or knocked over. It is sometimes a hard bid because they usually do not last, but Brendel's has taken care of the City's needs. They are recommending an extension of their contract. Godfroid-Marecki offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 8. REQUEST TO ADVISE THE WAYNE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICES (PERMIT SECTION) THAT THE CITY HAS APPROVED THE STORM SEWER PLANS AND WILL ACCEPT JURISDICTION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE STORM SEWER WITHIN THE PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF MIDDLEBELT ROAD, NORTH OF ST. MARTINS AVENUE, AND REQUEST TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY ENGINEER TO EXECUTE A WAYNE COUNTY PERMIT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY: Engineering Division, re: for the development of a retail/office building at 19651 Middlebelt Road, located in the S.E. of Section 2, with D & D Landhold, L.L.C. to reimburse the City for any such maintenance that may become necessary. Kevin Roney, City Engineer (Utilities & Engineering), stated that this is the building just north of Belle Tire and north of the Livonia Mall site. Wayne County requires the City to take jurisdiction of the sewers, and the City, in turn, enters into an agreement for the provider to do the work, and if they don't, the City can do the work and charge them. This is a request that the Council authorize the City Engineer to execute the Wayne County permit and authorize Mayor Kirksey to sign the maintenance agreement. Godfroid-Marecki offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. 5 DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 9. REQUEST FOR SITE PLAN EXTENSION: Planning Commission, re. Petition 2003-02-08-05 submitted by S & N Development Company, which initially received approval by the City Council on April 23, 2003, per CR 183-03, requesting a fifth one-year extension of plans to construct an office building located on the north side of Seven Mile Road, between Newburgh Road and Victor Parkway (37640 Seven Mile Road), in the Southeast '/4 of Section 6. (CR 558-07, CR 553-06, CR 535-05, CR 168-04 and CR 183-03) The petitioner was not present, and Joe Laura stated that Mr. Shamie has come before Council a number of times and has asked for more than one (1) year. Kavanagh stated that he can think of one case where there was a two-year extension to a site plan. Laura offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. Laura offered a resolution referring to the Administration for their report and recommendation on an extension of the site plan to two (2) years, at least until the economy gets better. DIRECTION: (1) APPROVING CONSENT (2) REFER TO THE ADMINISTRATION 10. REQUEST FOR SITE PLAN EXTENSION: Planning Commission, re. Petition 2006-07-08-14 submitted by Gallagher Group Construction Company, which previously received approval by the City Council on September 13, 2006 per CR 449-06, requesting a second one-year extension of plans to construct a medical office building located on the south side of Six Mile Road, between Oporto Avenue and Middlebelt Road (29945 and 29929 Six Mile Road), in the Northeast '/4 of Section 14. (CR 559-07 and CR 449-06) McCann received a contact from Mr. Gallagher's office today, and he is not able to be present at this study meeting. Because of the economy, the banking situation, and finding the proper tenants, they are requesting a one-year extension. McCann offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 11. REQUEST TO APPROVE LANDSCAPE PLAN: Planning Commission, re. in connection with Site Plan Petition 2007-08-08-14 submitted by Rocky Zebari, on behalf of Livonia Plaza, to renovate the exterior of the commercial building located on the east side of Middlebelt Road, between St. Martin Avenue and Bretton Road (19618 Middlebelt Road), in the Southwest 1/4 of Section 1, which 6 previously received City Council approval on October 10, 2007, pursuant to Council Resolution 500-07. Mark Taormina, City Planner, stated this commercial building is located on the corner of Middlebelt Road and St. Martin Avenue. The Planning Commission reviewed the landscape plan two (2) weeks ago, and there were some minor changes made including full irrigation of all the landscaped islands, as well as planting some additional trees adjacent to the right-of-way on Middlebelt Road. The planting will be in the spring by April 15tH McCann offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 12. SITE PLAN PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2008-09-08-10 submitted by G.A.V. Associates (14K Jewelers) in connection with a proposal to renovate a portion of the exterior of the commercial shopping center (New Five Village Center) on property located on the south side of Five Mile Road, between Newburgh Road and Blue Skies Avenue (37571 Five Mile Road), in the Northeast '/4 of Section 19. Mark Taormina, City Planner, stated that this is property located on the south of Five Mile between Newburgh and Blue Skies. 14K Jewelers presently occupies about a 1,500 square foot unit that is located within the New Five Village shopping center. New Five Village Center consists of two (2) parcels in multi type buildings that are under separate ownership. Altogether, there are about twenty (20) units. This is the site of a closed grocery store at the extreme west end of the shopping center. The 14K Jewelers is in the northeast corner closest to Newburgh Road. This unit measures forty two (42) feet by thirty six (36) feet. The existing facade contains primarily brick. The petitioner would like to change the exterior appearance of the jewelry store to be unique. There would be a new raised entry canopy and storefront overhead that would be supported by columns. The peak on the rendering is thirty three (33) feet in height which is thirty two (32) feet higher than the roof of the existing commercial building. The original plan, approved by the Planning Commission, showed the exterior portion being a combination of cast stone on the columns and along the face of the building, brick on the upper portion of the tower feature, and E.I.F.S. along the fascia. The brick used would be full face four (4") inch brick up to the roofline; after that, because of weight restrictions, a matching "thin" brick cultured material would be permitted. They are asking for the thin brick material only for the small portion. The rest would be full face brick. They have submitted a modification to the plans which is the same design; however, instead of the brick that they showed originally, they changed it to cultured stone material. The cast stone would be replaced along the base of the building. There was a lot of discussion on the material. The peak would be a copper material. The two (2) signs would be relocated. 7 Al Valentine, Architect with G.A.V. Associates, spoke about cultured stone material. They feel it is worth the money to update it. Meakin offered the approving resolution on the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 13. PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE LIVONIA CODE OF ORDINANCES, AS AMENDED: Department of Law, re: to Sections 010, 020 and 030 of Title 5, Chapter 36 (Gasoline Service Stations and Towing Operations) and Section 170 of Title 5, Chapter 03 (General Licensing Procedure) to eliminate the fees for towing operations and to update some of the General Licensing fees. (Ref.: CR 402-08) Sean Kavanagh stated that quite a few years ago, the City Council ran into a towing licensing suit for tow trucks. Since then, they have been complaining about it. The City has also had the towing operations under the auspices of the Michigan Public Service Commission where they also have to be licensed. Based on the fact that the City is regulated by the State of Michigan, they have not had the problems they used to have from some of the road towing outfits. Law is recommending that the City Council repeal some of the ordinance sections suggested in their letter. There is also a suggested change in the fee schedule. They are asking adoption of the repealing language. This will be ready for FIRST READING on the license fee section at the next Regular Meeting on November 5, 2008. McCann offered the approving resolution on the Regular Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING - REGULAR FIRST READING AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION: None. Meakin mentioned the LPOA fall harvest dance and fundraiser at Burton Manor on November 1, 2008. Tickets are still available. As there were no further questions or comments, Council President Toy adjourned the Study Session at 8:42 p.m. on Monday, October 27, 2008. DATED: November 3, 2008 LINDA GRIMSBY, CITY CLERK