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Home My WebLink AboutPRDA MINUTES 2004-10-21 MINUTES OF THE 161st REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLYMOUTH ROAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA The 161st Regular Meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority of the City of Livonia, Michigan was called to order at 3:10 p.m., Thursday, October 21, 2004 in the 4th floor conference room of City Hall. Members Present: Jack Engebretson,Mayor Scott Grace, Chairman Stan Anderson Dennis Kujawa Toni Mette Lowell Peterson Wes Graff Members Absent: Greg Meyer(excused) Marvin Walkon(excused) John Walsh, Vice Chairman(excused) Jerry Wordhouse (excused) Others Present: John J.Nagy, PRDA Director Col Mark Taormina,Planning Director Jeff Bryant, Economic Development Director Benjamin Baker, Beckett&Raeder Steve Levesque, Commercial Mowing Services Nasser Choucair,Byblos General Contracting Co. Mahmoud Ismail, Sunoco Gas Station, 36421 Plymouth Road Ralph Williams, Citizen Christopher Martin, Citizen Dr. Robert Auth, Citizen Marge Roney, Secretary 1. Roll was called. A quorum was present with the arrival of Mayor Engebretson at approximately 4:15 p.m. 2. Adoption of the 160th Regular Meeting Minutes. On a motion made by Anderson, supported by Graff, and unanimously adopted, it was #2004-28 RESOLVED, that the Minutes of the 160th Regular Meeting, held on August 19, 2004, by the Plymouth Road Development Authority are hereby approved. Liv Mr. Grace, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 1 3. Comments from the Chairman: Mr. Grace, Chairman, acknowledged the receipt of the updated list of Board members, including Greg Meyer who was appointed by the City Council to the PRDA Board on August 30, 2004, by Council Resolution #400-04. Mr. Grace also requested recommendations to fill the two vacant Board positions. 4. Finance Report: Michael Slater, Finance Director, presented the financial statements from June 30 through September 30, 2004. The Balance Sheet for the month ending September 30, 2004, reflects total assets in the amount of $1,197,851.74, total liabilities in the amount of $937,861.86 and a total fund balance of$1,197,851.74. Mr. Slater stated that the tax appeals by the Ford Motor Company and Wonderland Mall will have an impact on the budget. Christopher Martin inquired about the Ford Transmission Plant tax appeal. Mr. Slater stated that the City had negotiated a settlement. Mr. Grace suggested that Mr. Martin check with the Assessor for further information since the Board didn't have the specifics of the settlement. On a motion made by Peterson, seconded by Anderson, and unanimously adopted, it was #2004-29 RESOLVED, that the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby accept and approve the Financial Statements of the Authority's Special Revenue Fund for the months ending June 30, 2004; July 31, 2004; August 31, 2004; and September 30, 2004. Mr. Grace, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 5. Plymouth Road Tech Center/A&P Traffic Signal Invoice: Mayor Engebretson and Finance Director Michael Slater supported the recommendation made by Jeff Bryant, Economic Development Director, for financial assistance from the Board in helping to pay the City's portion and the PRDA's portion of the cost for the traffic signal that will be installed at the Plymouth Road Tech Center. Mr. Bryant explained that the installation of the traffic signal was part of the negotiations with A&P/Farmer Jack when they opened this facility in Livonia several years ago in lieu of designating Grantland Avenue as a truck route. Mr. Grace stated that there was a general consensus that the Board would support this payment, and there was discussion about which fiscal year budgets the payments would be made from. Mr. Bryant reported that the traffic signal would not be installed until February, 2005, and it was suggested that arrangement for payment not be made until the installation was either underway or complete. 6. Presentation on the Construction of a New Gas Station/Restaurant and Convenience Store. Plans were presented by Mark Taormina, Planning Director, and Nassar Choucair, Architect, Byblos General Contracting Co., for the construction of a new gas station at 36421 Plymouth Road at Levan Road that would include a limited service restaurant and a convenience store with 24 hour service. The present station would be completely demolished. Conforming 2 landscaping and signage was discussed, as well as incorporating the PRDA's streetscape plans. As a quorum was not present at the time of presentation, it was agreed that the PRDA would send their supporting recommendation for this project to the Planning Commission and City Council, subject to compliance with all city codes and ordinances and the PRDA streetscape goals. 7. Beckett & Raeder: Benjamin Baker, representative from Beckett & Raeder, stated that Phase 6 has been completed with the exception of the fence and landscaping, which would be installed next week. In response to Dr. Auth's inquiry about missing street signs, Mr. Nagy added that the street signs are part of the Phase 6 contract. The signs, poles and anchor bolts had to be special ordered, yet the bases should be installed this year. Mr. Baker also mentioned that their office is checking on the status of the warranty with the supplier for the peeling paint on the street light pole bases. 8. Committee Reports: Construction Committee: Toni Mette stated that (1) the renovation at Larry's Kitchen appears to be complete and they are open for business; however, the issue of the dumpster still needs to be addressed. (2) Renovations at Dunkin Donuts are complete and look very nice. (3) Work on the installation of the Plymouth Road Tech Center/A&P traffic signal stopped about 30 days ago. Mr. Bryant stated that the manufacturer is behind on delivering poles, and the work will not be completed until February. (4) The Farmington Road corner is looking good. (5) Repairs at the Sesquicentennial Park at Inkster Road are complete. Commercial Mowing promptly removed the construction cones and continues to do a good job on maintenance. Mr. Nagy will contact Beckett & Raeder regarding a sign for the Sesquicentennial Park. Development Assistance: No report. Banner Committee: John Nagy reported that all the fall banners have been installed and the winter banners will be installed at the end of November. Public Relations: (1) Mr. Anderson reported that the Public Relations Committee is recommending a promotional program suggested by Fisher Creative Services to assist restaurants on Plymouth Road. Discount cards will be made available for residents to use at selected restaurants. The details will be included in the Spring newsletter that will be distributed to all residents and businesses in the Plymouth Road corridor within the 48150 zip code. The cost for the program is estimated to be $3,500. (2) Mr. Graff reported that eWave Digital is working on improving the web site to make it more effective and user friendly. 9. Directors Report: John Nagy reported the Leone building at Sears and Plymouth Road has been sold. 10. Polling of Members: Mr. Peterson stated that elections for the PRDA officers will take place in January and he is accepting nominations. 3 Mayor Engebretson inquired if the issue of the Big Boy Restaurant sign had been Crne brought to the attention of the PRDA. Since this item not been previously discussed, the Mayor explained that the owners of the restaurant were adamant about not removing the large pole sign on Plymouth Road as part of their recent renovations and new sign installations. It appears likely that the matter will be litigated since no compromises have been reached to date. Mr. Nagy stated that in the past, the PRDA was able to assist businesses with the demolition of signs, but the current budget does not allow for that. Mayor Engebretson also addressed the issue of the redevelopment at Wonderland Mall. Schostak, the owner, has received approval from the City Council for the new construction, but there is a dispute with the Target Store regarding demolition of the mall. Schostak hopes to have the mall demolished and to start new construction within six months. Jeff Bryant stated that the Plymouth Road Tech Center is now fully occupied, but that the Digitron packaging operation and light assembly plant on Sears Drive will be moving in mid-February to Redford Township to a former Ford plant site. The relocation will result in a loss of about 450 jobs for Livonia. Adjournment: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the 161st Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on October 21, 2004, was adjourned at 5:00 p.m. Crof The next meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority will be held on Thursday,November 18, 2004. j'2I Marge Ro�Secretary, Q to, 4