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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRDA MINUTES 1997-10-02 MINUTES OF THE 61ST REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLYMOUTH ROAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA The 61st Regular Meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority of the City of Livonia,Michigan was called to order at 3:05 p.m., Thursday, October 2, 1997 in the 4th Floor Conference Room of City Hall. Members Present: Mr. Mike Polsinelli Mr. Stan Anderson Mr. Scott Grace Mr. Dennis Kujawa Mr. Lowell Peterson Mr. Bill Pike Mr. Adelard Raby Mr. Jerry Wordhouse Members Absent: Mr. Marvin Walkon(excused) Mr. Donald Gelinas (excused) Mayor Jack E. Kirksey(excused) Mrs. Toni Mette (excused) Others Present: Mrs. Doris Urbanski, Secretary Mr. John Nagy, Director Mr. Albert Mughannem, Wall Street Travel Mr. John Iacoangeli, Beckett and Raeder Inc. Mr. Roger Stacey, Peter A. Basile Sons, Inc. 1. Roll was called. 2. Adoption of September 18, 1997 Minutes: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, it was #97-54 RESOLVED that, the minutes of the 60th Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on September 18, 1997 are approved. Mr. Polsinelli, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 3. Public Comment: Albert Mughannem, owner of Wall Street Travel, a full service travel agency located at 31153 Plymouth Road, is requesting an approving resolution from the PRDA before he appears at the ZBA on October 14. Mr. Mughannem wishes to move his business to a vacant building located at 33833 Plymouth Road. Because this building does not conform to setback requirements, he is required to go before ZBA to request a variance. He stated he is a life-long Livonia resident and has operated this business for 5 years. He plans to improve the building by adding an awning, painting the exterior, redoing the roof and landscaping. (Showed colored rendering) He stated that he has been working with Inspection and plans to gut the inside and completely redo. The Board asked if he would have any objection to taking out the concrete in front and replacing it with landscaping and also if he would be willing to deed the right-of-way to the City and he stated that he was willing to comply. On a motion by Mr. Raby, seconded by Mr. Peterson and unanimously approved, it was #97-55 RESOLVED that, the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby support the acquisition of the building located at 33833 Plymouth Road by Albert Mughannem, Wall Street Travel Agency, with the provision that the concrete in front will be replaced with approved landscaping and further as represented by Mr. Mughannem that the additional right-of-way in accordance with MDOT standards shall be dedicated to the City of Livonia. Mr. Polsinelli, Chairman, declared the motion is cared and the foregoing resolution adopted. 4. Comments from Chairman: Chairman Polsinelli thanked John Nagy and his staff for their contributions to the groundbreaking ceremony and suggested that a thank you note also be sent to Awrey Bakery and Seven Up for their contributions. A letter written to the Council from Mr. &Mrs. Paterson of 14100 Henry Ruff Road referencing the condition of the southeast corner of Schoolcraft and Merriman Roads was passed on to the PRDA for consideration. Their concerns will be referred to the Inspection Department requesting attention to this matter. Another letter directed to the PRDA was received from Barbara Caldwell of 29057 Grandon expressing her dislike of the plans for the Middlebelt/Plymouth Road intersection. Chairman Polsinelli suggested acknowledging her letter explaining that this plan is only a concept and not finalized. 5. Budget Report- Mike Slater: Mr. Slater presented the financial statements of the PRDA as of August 31, 1997. The fund balance as of that date is $1,268,315.69. 6. Beckett& Raeder: John Iacoangeli updated the Board on the progress of the Plymouth Road plans. Sally Shipley will be the Project Manager on site who will oversee procedures and workmanship and record any field changes. She will also act as community public relations by keeping in touch with the local businesses during construction. Sally will be presented at the next Board meeting and once a month thereafter to present a progress report. -2- The City of Livonia will need to provide testing services for sidewalks. B&R took bids from three different testing firms, and Toltest Inc. had the best prices. Scott Grace asked Roger Stacey of Peter Basile what work could be done in the winter, and Mr. Stacey informed him that there is a higher charge for concrete in cold weather. It was his suggestion that the two quadrants should be finished as much as possible now and then landscaped in the spring. He also informed the Board that the light posts went back for approval. The design has been changed as to the number of flutes on the poles from 12 to 20, add a medallion on the base and a finial on top of the cap. Easement Progress Report: To date 8 businesses have signed deeds, 3 have agreed but not signed, 5 are in negotiations and 3 (Eternal Tattoo, Livonia Plaza and Lasky Furniture) are outstanding. They are working with Livonia Plaza and Lasky Furniture, but Eternal Tattoo is unwilling at the present time. The question was asked what happens if they don't sign, and Mr. lacoangeli said they would work around him and make improvements in the right-of-way only. Mr. Anderson asked about the landscaping and was told there will be some tree removal, and he also asked if there could be a full turning lane on the north side of Middlebelt and Plymouth Roads, and Mr. lacoangeli answered affirmatively. Approval of the ISTEA application is still in Committee in Lansing. (10 Mr. Iacoangeli suggested a plan for moving forward to the next phase. Because clearing of the overhead lines at the Middlebelt/Plymouth intersection by Detroit Edison will take one season, they could go ahead with the middle sections between Middlebelt and Inkster and between Middlebelt and Merriman and proceed into the intersection in the 1999 season. On a motion by Mr. Raby, seconded by Mr. Peterson, it was RESOLVED that, The Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby authorize Beckett& Raeder Inc. to submit construction plans, specifictions and construction documents for the area from Middlebelt east to Inkster and Middlebelt west to Merriman. The motion was postponed for further discussion. On a motion by Mr. Raby, seconded by Mr. Peterson and unanimously approved, it was #97-56 RESOLVED that, The Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby authorize Beckett & Raeder to provide bids for developing surveys to PRDA for that area between Middlebelt and Merriman Roads. Mr. Polsinelli, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. -3- Next,the Board was shown brick samples by BrickTech. It was their advice to stay away from monochromatic brick because of the variety of building colors that will be encountered the length of Plymouth Road. Mr. Iacoangeli showed a sample of a multi colored brick called"smoke point"which had an aged and blended look. On a motion by Mr. Pike, seconded by Mr. Raby and unanimously approved, it was #97-57 RESOLVED that, the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby approve the brickwork from BrickTech named"smoke point"for any and all brick installation on Plymouth Road. Mr. Polsinelli, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. Mr. Iacoangeli next asked how the Authority would handle change orders that could be made in the field. In his dealings with other DDAs, they had authorization to have such changes reviewed by the DDA Director for approvals that did not exceed $2000, and any exceptions over that amount would have to be authorized by the Board. The Board agreed to this and the Project Manager will report on all change orders at the PRDA monthly meetings. 7. Proposed Ordinance Amendment re Compensation for PRDA Board Members - John Nagy. The Mayor and Finance Department recently evaluated the compensations that were given to all Board members to bring it up to date and thereafter proposed an ordinance approving compensation for meetings and reimbursement for expenses for all Board members. It was the unanimous opinion of the Board members that this was a volunteer position and not undertaken for compensation. Mr. Nagy suggested that legitimate expenses incurred as a result of assignments authorized by the Board could be reimbursed from the budget. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was #97-58 RESOLVED that the Plymouth Road Development Authority, having willingly accepted membership to the Board of Directors of the PRDA, does hereby decline any compensation reimbursement,but may be reimbursed for any reasonable expenses incurred as a result of assignments authorized by the Board. 8. Reports from Committees: Public Relations Committee: Stan Anderson and his committee met today with Susan Lang of Fisher Communications. She submitted three renditions of logo color. We Cor agreed to highlight the best features. Mr. Anderson showed a copy of the accepted masthead, except that the color would be a more vivid green and the PRDA letters would -4- cbe gold and globe on the streetlight would be gold. The first letter would be a write up on the ground breaking and on the phases of construction. There will also be an article written by Mike McGee on how the project is being financed. Another suggestion was to have a little bio of the committee members;just a few sentences and a picture. For the October 16 meeting, Susan will show members the first preliminary newsletter, the Board will discuss and make any changes and send back to Susan by October 31 to complete. It will be sent to the printer by November 7 to have a November 15 mailing date. Discussion followed on who the letter should be sent to and who would do the printing and mailing. Mr. Anderson will get 3 estimates; Mette Printing, the printer of the City newsletter and one other. Susan Lang suggested we may want to incorporate the logo on Tee shirts and caps. Mike Polsinelli suggest a perforated comment card be included in the newsletter to find out what people think of it. This was done at Laurel Park and good comments and suggestions were received. John Nagy showed a mock up of a 4'x6' sign that is a graphic of the future monument signs. These signs, which will be made from the City sign shop, will announce that the Plymouth Road improvements are being paid for by the PRDA. Vacant Buildings Committee:. Ed Brown started some asphalt work at Hubbard and Plymouth Roads. He also bought two buildings and repaved the parking lot. Mr. Nagy informed the Board that the Lasky's Furniture store has been issued a violation notice to remove their signage and to vacate in two weeks. Inspection Committee:. Mr. Raby noticed a lot of signs on vacant property and For Lease and For Sale signs in the ROW. Do they comply? Mr. Nagy explained that signs must be behind the sidewalk and no signs are allowed in the ROW. The ROW between the sidewalk and curb belongs to MDOT and no signage is permitted except for traffic signs. Also, the City Council has passed a resolution to create a control zone at the Farmington and Plymouth intersection. Wendy's has cleaned up their property. The messy condition of the City parking lot between Merriman and Farmington Roads has been passed on to DPS for attention. Also, the Wonderland Bowling alley wall has been painted. Poling of Board members: Mr. Nagy reported that Julie Stanley tried to buy the back lot behind the Purple Rose Florist from the City for off street parking for$12,000. At the Council meeting, the Council directed her back to the PRDA to put some costs together and a report as to how this proposal may be better packaged for the overall benefit for that area and the City. The flower shop has moved temporarily into the vacated wedding chapel on Plymouth Road. 10. Adjournment: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the 61st Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on October 2, 1997 was adjourned at 5:20 p.m. L -5- (mrThe next meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority will be held on October 16, 1997 in the 4th Floor Conference Room of City Hall. ` " r Doris Urbanski, Secretary L L -6-