HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRDA MINUTES 2007-12-13 MINUTES OF THE 196th REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLYMOUTH ROAD
(160 DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA
The 196th Regular Meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority of the
City of Livonia, Michigan, was called to order at 3:10 p.m., Thursday, December
13, 2007, in the 4th floor conference room of City Hall.
Members Present: Toni Mette, Chairman
John Hiltz, Vice Chairman
Jack Engebretson, Mayor
Stan Anderson
Wayne Glass
Scott Grace
Greg Meyer
Lowell Peterson
Dan West
Members Absent: Dennis Kujawa
Others Present: Mark Taormina, Planning Director
Steve Levesque, Commercial Mowing Services
Robert Auth, Resident
Marge Watson, Secretary
1. Roll was called. A quorum was present.
2. Adoption of the 195th Regular Meeting Minutes.
On a motion made by Grace, supported by Meyer, and unanimously
adopted, it was
#2007-37 RESOLVED, that the Minutes of the 195th Regular Meeting held
on November 15, 2007, by the Plymouth Road Development
Authority are hereby approved.
Ms. Mette, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing
resolution adopted.
3. Comments from the Chairman: (1) Christmas wreaths have been placed
on the entry sign for the corridor at Inkster Road and it looks great. (2)
When the winter banners are installed next week, all the street lights will be
inspected and bulbs changed where necessary. (3) Many stores have
opened at Wonderland, and roping and lights have been installed on the
lighting poles on Schostak's property near Plymouth Road. (5) The PRDA
Holiday Dinner was successfully held at Kicker's on December 12. (6) It
was acknowledged that this was the last meeting Mayor Engebretson would
attend as a Board Member. His service and counsel over the years has
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been appreciated. The Mayor responded by thanking the board members
and their predecessors for their years of services. He acknowledged the
work of Mike McGee and others who had the vision to organize the PRDA.
The Authority has contributed mightily to the corridor, the city and ultimately
to the region. He also thanked Toni Mette for her leadership. (7) AT&T has
damaged the sod at Inkster by driving their truck over the grass when they
access their equipment. It was suggested that a letter be sent advising
AT&T of the damage and to ask for a contact person to respond to the
issue. Commercial Mowing will review the damage. The installation of a
turf reinforcement product such as grass crete was discussed to preclude
future damage to lawn areas where recurring damage occurs by vehicular
traffic.
4. Wonderland Lanes Stormwater Drainage Issue. Dan West submitted a
memo, dated December 13, 2007, to the Board regarding a damaged
parking drain on property owned by Wonderland Lanes at 28455 Plymouth
Road. Attached to the memo was a letter from the Livonia Chamber of
Commerce, dated May 15, 2007, addressed to Robert Schron, City
Engineer, which provided some background information regarding this
issue. The Board discussed sharing the cost for repairs with the City of
Livonia Water Department and the precedent this could create for other
businesses wanting financial assistance for sewer repairs that would
normally be borne by the property owner. This issue will be referred to the
Construction Committee for further fact-finding regarding the history, liability
to the city and other related issues.
5. Election of Officers. Mr. Peterson stated that he had contacted all board
members and that candidates for Chairman and Vice Chairman had been
nominated. After ballots were voted and counted, it was determined that
John Hiltz was elected to serve as Chairman and Wayne Glass was elected
to serve as Vice Chairman of the PRDA for 2008. No formal resolutions
were made.
6. Committee Reports:
Public Relations Committee: Mr. Anderson reported that the PRDA Fall
Newsletter has been distributed. Allegra is the mailing supplier. There was
discussion about the excellent quality of the newsletter and about future
articles. It is expected that the yearly Taste Fest promotion will include
additional restaurants this year. There was discussion about expanding
public relation items into other venues, including placing newspaper ads for
new businesses so other communities are aware of their location on
Plymouth Road. The cost for such advertising will be researched. Dan
West suggested a Board member submit an article to the Observer as a
guest columnist to advertise Plymouth Road improvements and businesses.
Mr. Anderson stated that additional manpower would be needed because
the newsletter is a labor-intensive endeavor and he could not take on more
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responsibilities. The Public Relations Committee will meet to discuss these
possibilities.
Construction Committee: (1) Mr. Nagy stated that members of the Board
will meet with MDOT on January 10, 2008, to discuss the redevelopment of
the intersection at Ann Arbor Road and Plymouth Road. MDOT has done
preliminary design work for the project. (2) The jurisdiction of the bridge
over Hines Road needs to be determined in order for repair work to take
place. (3) Mr. Nagy will obtain quotations for painting and/or replacing
rusted control boxes and for the painting of rusted fence sections. There
was additional discussion about the tracking of repainted light poles and
related warranty issues. Mr. Meyer did state that Consumers Power has
used stainless steel as a replacement for their control boxes. Dr. Ault
suggested utilizing a box made out of composite materials that would not
rust as the metal boxes have done.
7. Polling of Members:
Lowell Peterson: Mr. Peterson stated that he has served the city for 23
years and some of the nicest and finest people have served on the PRDA
Board with him. He also wished a Merry Christmas to everyone.
Wayne Glass: Mr. Glass advised that the Gingerbread Village is set up at
(hre Schoolcraft College and that the college's American Harvest Restaurant
now offers a buffet breakfast.
Stan Anderson: Mr. Anderson thanked Toni Mette for serving as the Board
Vice President and Chairman over the past years.
John Hiltz: Mr. Hiltz also thanked Ms. Mette for her service and that he
appreciates the Mayor giving him an opportunity to serve on the PRDA. He
thanked the Board for his election to Chairman and also wished a Merry
Christmas to all.
Dan West: Mr. West, as President of the Chamber of Commerce, is
requesting nominations for the top large and small businesses in Livonia for
2007.
Scott Grace: Mr. Grace thanked Toni Mette for two years of leadership and
also to the Mayor for his past four years of service to the Board, as well as
decades of service to the City in other capacities. Mr. Grace inquired about
reinstating the holiday parade, and Mr. Nagy advised that the event is under
discussion.
Adjournment: On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted,
the 196th Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on
December 13, 2007, was adjourned
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The next meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority will be held on
filov Thursday, January 17, 2008.
Marge WatSion, Secretary
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