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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRDA MINUTES 1998-05-07 MINUTES OF THE 73rd REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLYMOUTH ROAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA The 73rd Regular Meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority of the City of Livonia, Michigan was called to order at 3:35 p.m., Thursday, May 7, 1998 in the 4th Floor Conference Room of City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Jack E. Kirksey Ms. Toni Mette Mr. Scott Grace Mr. Lowell Peterson Mr. Jerry Wordhouse Mr. Dennis Kujawa Mr. Stan Anderson Mr. Bill Pike Mr. Adelard Raby Mr. Marvin Walkon Members Absent: Mr. Mike Polsinelli (excused) Mr. Donald Gelinas(excused) Cie Others Present: Mr. John Nagy, Director Mrs. Doris Urbanski, Secretary Mr. John Iacoangeli, Beckett and Raeder, Inc. Mr. Ralph Williams, Livonia resident 1. Roll was called. 2. Adoption of April 16, 1998 Minutes: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, it was #98-13 RESOLVED, that the minutes of the 72nd Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on April 16, 1998 are approved. Mr. Wordhouse, Vice Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 3. Comments from Vice Chairman: Vice Chairman Wordhouse reported on the following: 1) A letter from Rod Crider of the Chamber of Commerce in answer to a suggestion that they consider a location on the Plymouth Road corridor for their new offices. Mr. Crider's letter inquired about any incentives that may be available to the Chamber from the PRDA for locating on Plymouth Road. 2) A copy of a letter addressed to the Inspection Department requesting that their department inspect the Plymouth Square Shopping Center for excessive signage. 3) A letter received from the Finance Director informing the Board that the DDA bond competitive bids were opened on April 22, and the City Council accepted the low bid of Dain Rauscher at a net interest cost of 4.7738 percent. 4) A series of letters addressed to the Mayor and John Nagy, along with their replies, opposing the Meijer's proposed store location at Farmington and Plymouth Roads. 4. Acquisition of Milburn Avenue for Realignment: Mayor Kirksey informed the Board of an offer from Archie's Restaurant to purchase a portion of their property. They now have an offer from Midas Muffler Shop to acquire this property for $51,000, but if the City were still interested in acquiring this land for the realignment of Milburn Avenue, they would give us first choice. The present configuration of this property is confusing to motorists and pedestrians and has significant potential for accidents. Purchasing this property and holding it until such time as the Ventura family would be ready to consider reconfiguration of the property would fit into the City's plans for realignment of Milburn. Mayor Kirksey indicated that if there is interest here, he would appreciate going forward and getting ownership of this land. Mr. Nagy showed a map of the area and noted that the property had previously been appraised at $58,000. On a motion by Mr. Raby, supported by Mary Walkon and unanimously approved, it was #98-14 RESOLVED, that the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby authorize the Law Department to negotiate an agreement with the owners of Archie's Restaurant to purchase a portion of land adjacent to the restaurant for a purchase price up to $65,000. Mr. Wordhouse, Vice Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 5. Beckett and Raeder: John Iacoangeli presented the bids for site development and landscape and irrigation for Phase II. Three bids were received for site development: Peter Basile and Sons, Warren Contracting, and Flat Rock. Included in the bidding was an Alternate 1 for the purchase of streetlights and signs. Excluding the Alternate 1 bid, the low bidder was Peter Basile and Sons. Three bids were also received for the landscaping and irrigation: McMullin and Associates, Davey Tree and Tom's Landscape. McMullin and Associates submitted the lowest bid. Traffic signals will be bid as a separate item. Mr. Iacoangeli stated that they were comfortable working with Basile and Sons and recommend accepting this bid. -2- (rip' On a motion duly made by Mr. Walkon, seconded by Mr. Peterson and unanimously approved, it was #98-15 RESOLVED,that the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby accept the low bid of$1,379,000.00 from Peter Basile and Sons for Site Development work on Phase II of the Plymouth Road Streetscape. Mr. Wordhouse, Vice Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. On a motion duly made by Mr. Walkon, seconded by Mr. Peterson and unanimously approved, it was #98-16 RESOLVED, that the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby accept the low bid of$314,810.00 from McMullin and Associates for Landscaping and Irrigation work on Phase II of the Plymouth Road Streetscape. Mr. Wordhouse, Vice Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. (hor Mr. Iacoangeli next presented a memorandum on Phase I showing percentage of work completed. The status of the concrete flat work and bituminous patching was discussed. The project completion date is July 15, 1998. Bodner Center easement has not yet been signed, but the work is done. Permission was verbally granted. Stan Anderson reported that"My Grannys"restaurant did a complete interior renovation. 6. Reports from Committees: Public Relations Committee: The interviews with some of the Plymouth Road businesses have been completed and the Committee is in the process of selecting a few for the next PRDA newsletter. Also included will be a construction progress report, some pictures and a report on the bond sales. The issue will be ready for distribution the latter part of June or the first of July. Mr. Anderson asked if distribution should again be to the whole city or just Plymouth Road businesses. It was the general opinion that the newsletter should just be sent to the district since the City Newsletter is already distributed to the entire city. Mr. Wordhouse requested that he obtain the costs for both and report at the next meeting. Mr. Raby commented on the attractive interest rate the Mayor and Mr. Slater received for the bond issue and suggested an article in this regard for the newsletter. Mr. Pike suggested including a photo of the completion of Phase I and start of Phase II. Vacant Buildings Committee: Mr. Grace distributed an updated vacant buildings list. Wendy's now has a commercial realty sign on the property. The former"Pet Grooming"business at 28790 Plymouth Road is on the market again. Leone Foods is 3 Ce temporary storage. The asking price is $4,300,000. The former"House of Maple" has lowered the asking price and "Knoppow's"has a buyer. The Mai Kai print shop/party store building is for sale or lease half. Lasky Furniture and Comerica do not return calls. Mr. Nagy informed the Board that "White Castle"is pulling out and considering relocating on Plymouth Road. Construction Committee: Mr. Pike will attend the next construction meeting with Basile and BRI and discuss Phase II. Inspection Committee: No report. Search Committee: Mr. Walkon reported that a volunteer from the Planning Commission, Dan Piercecchi, will help the committee in their search for a Director. The City Council has not responded to this request as yet. 7. Update on Plymouth Road Projects -John Nagy: Meijer's has not officially submitted a proposal. Auto Zone is making good progress. The walls and the Lutheran Home are looking good. There was a hearing on the appeal of the denial of Mauti's car wash, but it doesn't look good for them. The "Legacy"restaurant building is boarded up and they have not been back. The new occupants in the former Sprectrum building are doing well and are now looking at the adjacent Hi-Fy property to purchase for expansion. The motel on Middlebelt near Plymouth has removed their panel brick and block and will replace it with full brick. At the request of Mama Mia's restaurant, Mr. Nagy revisited this site. This restaurant originally had two driveways, but at the request of the PRDA, one driveway was closed as well as 15' back of the sidewalk for landscaping and wall. They feel that the closing of that driveway caused a big drop in business as customers now are exiting through the unpaved alley. They would like to have the Board consider paving the alley because of the dust created by its use. Mr. Nagy noted that the ordinance states restaurants should be served by two driveways. In consideration of his cooperation with PRDA, Mama Mia's is respectfully requesting that the PRDA give consideration to paving the alleyway behind the restaurant and parking lot. On a motion duly made by Mr. Raby and seconded by Mrs. Mette, it was RESOLVED, that having considered a request from Mama Mia's to pave the alley to the rear of this restaurant, and due to the cooperation received and the inconvenience caused by the removal of one driveway to this restaurant, the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby authorize Beckett and Raeder, Inc. to asphalt this alley in an amount not to exceed $20,000. (11110 The motion was postponed for further discussion. 4 Ci, Discussion followed on whether or not to pave all the unpaved alleys. BRI will return with a cost estimate at the next meeting. 8. Polling of Board Members: Mayor Kirksey reported on the Meijer's situation. He has received 297 letters opposing and 3 in favor. Comments have been that if the PRDA can afford to buy streetlights, they can afford to buy the George Burns Theatre. This situation could be a problem for the PRDA. He believes their public relations firm should address the whole Board. The Board might also consider a statement in the guest editorial column of the Livonia Observer. This is drug awareness month in Livonia and Mayor Kirksey reminded the Board of the program on this mounting problem tonight at the main library at 7:00. Scott Grace noticed a couple of awnings were falling off some stores on Plymouth Road and inquired about the City's policy on awnings in the right-of-way. Mr. Nagy informed him that the placement of those awnings are from a former era, and awnings can no longer be installed in the right-of-way. Toni Mette noted that the new grass that has been installed is growing and looks like it needs cutting. Mayor Kirksey said it was the City's responsibility to cut the grass, and he will talk to the Inspection Department in this regard. Bill Pike commented that the colors at "New Car Alternatives" are very loud and it is starting to look like any used car lot whereas it was supposed to be for first class late model cars. 9. Adjournment: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the 73rd Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on May 7, 1998 was adjourned at 5:15 PM. The next meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority will be held on May 21, 1998. Doris Urbanski, Secretary (11110 5