HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRDA MINUTES 2001-12-13 MINUTES OF TILE 130*REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLYMOUTH
ROAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA
The 130th Regular Meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority of the City of Livonia,
Michigan was called to order at 3:10 PM, Thursday, December 13, 2001 in the 4th Floor
Conference Room at City Hall.
Members Present: Mr. Jerry Wordhouse
Mr. Duane Wolfgang
Mayor Jack E. Kirksey
Mr. Bill Pike
Mr. Lowell Peterson
Mr. Scott Grace
Mrs. Toni Mette
Mr. Stan Anderson
Mr. Rod Crider
Members Absent: Mr. Dennis Kujawa, excused
Mr. Marvin Walkon, excused
Mr. Mike Polsinelli, excused
Others Present: Mr. John Nagy, Director
Mr. Mark Taormina, Planning Director
Mr. Jeff Bryant, Economic Development Director
Mr. Scott Reinholt, Beckett& Raeder
Mr.Rich O'Brien, Beckett& Raeder
Dr. Robert Auth, Rosedale Gardens Homeowners Association
Mr. Christopher Martin
Mrs. Robby Williams, Secretary
1. Roll was called.
2. Adoption of amended 129*Regular Meeting Minutes: On a motion duly made,
seconded and unanimously adopted, it was
#2001-31 RESOLVED,that the amended Minutes of the 129th Regular Meeting held by the
Plymouth Road Development Authority on October 18, 2001, are approved.
Mr. Jerry Wordhouse, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution
adopted.
Mr. Grace addressed the previous amendment he wanted made to Resolution#2001-22 regarding
the removal of the marquee sign within a certain time frame located on the former site of the
George Burns Theater at Farmington and Plymouth Roads and the grant involved with that
removal. His prior amendment was not worded to reflect the time frame involved for the removal
of the sign and the grant.
(11op Mr.Nagy advised that the resolution could be brought back for reconsideration and adopt an
amended resolution to reflect the wording that Mr. Grace was looking for. If a motion to
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reconsider the previously approved resolution passes then an amended resolution can be offered for
consideration by the Board.
3. Comments from Chairman: Mr. Wordhouse acknowledged receipt of a Christmas card
to the PRDA from Mette's Printery and a complimentary letter from Bonin Investment
Company, property owners in the Plymouth Road Corridor, regarding the beautiful
architectural and landscape work that has been done along Plymouth Road. The letter was
signed by Jeffrey N. Bonin, 11900 Globe Road, Suite 100, Livonia, Michigan.
4. Budget Report-Mike Slater: This is a report of the final statement for October, 2001.
There is a total fund balance of$839,430.66 remaining, realize that as of December 1,
2001, there is a new tax levy. We still have one month left to report on in our fiscal year.
The Special Revenue Fund Disbursement for October 2001 is a total of$258,122.24.
There were a couple of large disbursements; one to Joseph A. Leone for sign removal and
demolition and$12,453.00 for pole removal on Plymouth at Middlebelt, Merriman and
Farmington Roads. The last page reflects a summary of our revenue expenses to date.
We are within our budget and have captured revenues from Wayne County and
Schoolcraft.
5. Beckett&Raeder/Construction Report: Rich O'Brien reported that for Phase IV all of
the light poles have been removed except for Merriman. The Middlebelt bus plaza has
been designed, bid on and awarded. They just started today on the east side of Middlebelt.
Phase V traffic signals bidding will start on January 2, 2002, for the Merriman
intersection. The hard scape is in review right now. I need to bring up the issue of
maintenance to the Board.
Mr.Nagy advised that the focus is on the irrigation. The labor for 2002 is an issue, along with
irrigation and inspection. We need a full time inspector for the warm season. A list will be needed
of jobs to be inspected from May 27 through September 13. (1) The entire corridor needs to be
inspected weekly. A daily list will be kept including areas checked and any problems within the
system. A list will have to be typed each day and sent to Beckett& Raeder, weekly, with a copy to
John Nagy as well.
Mr. O'Brien advised that the inspector would not make repairs. The reason being that the inspector
would fall behind his schedule of inspections if he were to take on other responsibilities. The time
frame for weekly inspection would be 40 hours. If he were to make other repairs,the PRDA would
be paying the inspector twice, higher if he is making repairs, checking zones and clocks.
Suggestions as to how to handle the irrigation problems would be helpful.
Mr. Peterson suggested it would be helpful to have a representative come to one of the PRDA
meetings to advise what he is going to do to handle the irrigation problems.
Mr. Reinholt stated that there is a problem with cars hitting the sprinkler heads. There were over
300 heads hit this past summer. The cable project for 2001 is finished. There was considerable
damage done by the contractor, Corby, during installation of the cable.
Mr.Nagy reported that with the work being done in the Plymouth Road right-of-way, the irrigation
currently present at the time had to be taken out and replaced with the PRDA irrigation system.
Hopefully we will only have to maintain our equipment and not repair the damaged lines as well.
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Concern was expressed by many of the board members that the irrigation system did not function
properly. There were many times that the water from the sprinklers was going into the street and
not watering the targeted area. There were times when the water was flowing for hours. Mr.
O'Brien reported that sprinkler heads were reset and that the battery was running slow. Some of
the Board members stated that the heads needed to be checked and reset and that it was a problem
that needed constant attention. It was suggested that the Construction Committee send a letter to
Corby that certain things need to be corrected.
6. Committee Reports:
Public Relations- Stan Anderson- The fall newsletter was mailed the week before the
Holiday Parade and inquired if all of the Board members received their newsletter. There was a
unanimous response in the affirmative. Mr. Grace reported that he received his after the main
events had passed. Mr. Anderson reported that Susan Lang didn't get the mailing out as soon as
she wanted. He also pointed out that the vacancies along Plymouth Road present an opportunity to
be explored by business owners.
Vacant Buildings- Scott Grace-No report.
Construction Committee- Will pass at this time.
Inspection - Toni Mette-there are several locations that were noted that need attention
or repairs. The Deering street light pole is not in alignment with the other poles, the arm looks
crooked, on the north side of the street. There are still a lot of poles laying in the right-of-way.
The banners are also in need of updating. Mr. O'Brien stated that the date the banners would be
changed would be around the 16th or 21'of December. It was suggested that the banners be
changed before the Holiday Parade.
Mr. Anderson also noted several areas that needed attention. He gave the list to Mr.Nagy.
Mr. Grace suggested that the City should take a look at widening the drive approaches.
He suggested that the angle of the approaches needs to be widened. He cited the Roush entrance,
Harrison and Roush. Mr. Nagy advised the Board that the City has a sidewalk program for
sidewalk and curb repair and replacement. Locations on the corridor could be listed and combine it
with the City's program.
Development Assistance Committee - Scott Grace: We had come up with a resolution
previously to a request from Steve Schafer for assistance for asbestos and hazardous waste
removal. The committee came up with a program that would grant the maximum amount which is
$50,000 for asbestos and demolition cost provided that the sign be removed within 60 days from
site plan approval by the City Council. It was not worded that way and a motion was made to
correct the resolution. It was seconded by Mr. Peterson. It stated, "That the grant was to be
awarded if sign is removed within 60 days of City Council approval." Looking at the information I
have before me, I assume that the City Council gave their approval on 8/13/01and I can remember
when we made the original motion. Mr. Schafer stood here and was well aware of the 60 day limit
and said that he would get the sign down right away and now the time has passed. Technically, I
would like to offer a motion to resend the original grant on the failure to take the sign down.
Mrs. Mette questioned whether the Board would want to look into it to make sure that there
was no contractor problem. Mr. Pike stated that there was an agreement and that the sign was to
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be taken down. Mr. Nagy advised the Board that the resolution would have to be brought back for
reconsideration. The Board has to agree by adopting a resolution to that effect if they want to
reconsider the matter and then the Board is entitled to amend their prior action.
On a motion by Mr. Grace, seconded by Mr. Peterson, and approved it was
#2001-32 RESOLVED,that the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby
approve to reconsider Resolution#2001-22.
A roll call vote was taken with the following result:
AYES: Grace,Peterson, Wordhouse, Wolfgang, Mayor Kirksey, Pike, Mette,
Anderson, Crider
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Kujawa, Walkon, Polsinellli
Mr. Wordhouse, Chairman, declared the motion carried and the foregoing resolution adopted.
Mr. Wordhouse advised the board that approving a new resolution would now limit Mr. Schafer's
grant total at$25,000 instead of the$50,000 under the old guidelines.
On a motion by Mr. Grace, seconded by Mr. Peterson it was
RESOLVED,that the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby
approve a grant to be issued to Phoenix Land Development under the new
guidelines with a stipulation of the marquee sign located at the intersection of
Farmington and Plymouth Roads to be removed within a certain number of days.
A roll call vote was taken with the following result:
AYES: Grace, Peterson
NAYS: Wordhouse, Wolfgang, Mayor Kirksey, Pike, Crider, Anderson
ABSENT: Kujawa, Walkon, Polsinelli
Mr. Wordhouse, Chairman, declared the motion failed for lack of support.
There was general discussion regarding the time frame for the removal of the sign at Plymouth and
Farmington and whether his amended resolution would fall under the initial guidelines for a
maximum limit of$50,000 or under the new guidelines, for a maximum of$25,000, for the year
2002. The Board felt that there should be no problem for Mr. Schafer to get a contractor to come
in and take down the sign within the time frame of 45 days. Mayor Kirksey advised the Board that
an amendment to the original resolution passed would keep it under the grant policy in effect at that
time.
On a motion by Mr. Grace, seconded by Mr. Peterson, and approved it was
#2001-33 RESOLVED, that the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby
approve an amendment to Resolution#2001-22 and approves a grant in the
amount of$10,000 for hazardous waste removal; and$40,000 for demolition of
the building for a total amount of$50,000, subject to the removal of the marquee
sign located at the intersection of Farmington and Plymouth Roads and subject to
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the further condition that the subject sign shall be removed within 45 days from
written notification."
A roll call vote was taken with the following result:
AYES: Wordhouse, Wolfgang,Mayor Kirksey, Pike, Peterson, Grace,Mette,
Anderson
NAYS: Crider
ABSENT: Kujawa, Walkon, Polsinelli
Mr. Wordhouse, Chairman, declared the motion carried and the foregoing resolution adopted.
Web Page-Mr. Polsinelli was not present.
7. Director's Report:
John Nagy: I heard a lot of good comments regarding the landscaping on Hubbard Road
west of Bill Brown Ford showroom. There was a recent traffic accident north
on Middlebelt. The driver tried to make a left hand turn and lost control of his
vehicle and crashed into the brick wall. There is a traffic report. We are trying
to collect on his insurance. The cost of repairs is $5,200. There is a new
petition for a vehicle repair facility at 28735 Plymouth Road by Blue Oval
Repairs. It is located on the south side of Plymouth Road between Harrison
Road and Garden Avenue. There is a frontage of 75.00 feet on Plymouth Road
with a depth of 239.84 feet measured from the full right-of-way width of 60 feet
north of the centerline. The former tenant is a company, Street Beat,that
installs car audio equipment and alarms. The adjacent property to the east
contains a medical/dental facility,the property immediately west of and adjacent
to the subject property contain a Dobby's Mens Formal Wear. Blue Oval
Repairs will do minor auto repair and oil changes. The neighbors were
concerned about the noise. It was suggested that the petitioner relocate the door
from the rear to the side of the building. (Mr. Anderson says that he is getting a
few calls of concern from his civic association. There is another facility 100
feet away, King's Auto.) There was no motion of support offered by the PRDA
Board. The Holiday Parade was bigger and better than ever. We had three
large balloons. There were more floats than last year and more bands that last
year. There were three concrete trucks full of concrete that were not aware that
a parade was going to take place and they had to leave the area. A possible
solution is if the newsletter came out a little earlier and contained an article to
that effect. Also to better notify property and business owners of the closing of
Plymouth Road on Parade Day. Notification on the web page would also be
helpful. Posted banners would also be a way of publicizing the parade date.
8. Polling of Members:
Mrs. Mette - The Leone building is coming along very nicely.
Mr. Grace- Regarding the nominating committee- if I don't hear from anyone, I will be
contacting you.
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Mark Taormina-There was a nice article in the Michigan Planner magazine, October 2001,
issue regarding the Plymouth Road development.
�r Mayor Kirksey- Presented a 10 year pin to Scott Grace for his years of service contribution
on the Local Officers Compensation Commission. Comments made
regarding the PRDA have been 99%positive. There were a couple of
negative comments made during the election but on the whole, 1 think this
group has been very positive.
9. Adjournment: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the 130t
Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority of Livonia on
December 13, 2001 was adjourned at 5:20 PM.
The next meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority will be held on
January 17, 2002, in the 4th Floor Conference Room at City Hall.
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R.bby W''iams, Secretary
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