HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-02-10
CITY OF LIVONIA – CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 10, 2020
Meeting was called to order at 9:03 p.m. by President Kathleen McIntyre. Present:
Jim Jolly, Laura Toy, Scott Bahr, Cathy White, Brandon McCullough, Rob Donovic and
Kathleen McIntyre. Absent: None.
Elected and appointed officials present: Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and
Economic Development; Todd Zilincik, City Engineer; Paul Bernier, City Attorney; Susan
M. Nash, City Clerk; Mike Slater, Director of Finance; Brandie Isaacson, Director of
Housing, Ermon Simms, Director of Community Development Block Grant Program; Dave
Heavener, Fire Chief; Ted Davis, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation; Doug Moore,
Assistant Director of Public Service; and Dave Varga, Director of Administrative Services.
1. REQUEST TO WAIVE THE CITY’S NOISE ORDINANCE: Davide Piccirilli, re: for
a graduation party with music on Friday, June 19, 2020, to end at midnight.
Davide Piccirilli, 18891 Aspen Drive, presented this request to Council.
Vice President Bahr asked if Piccirilli had spoken to his neighbors about the event
and he replied they are all going to be invited and he is sure there will be no
complaints or any concerns at this time.
Vice President Bahr offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
2. REQUEST TO WAIVE THE SIDEWALK REQUIREMENT: Raymond Hurley, re:
for the newly constructed home located at 29550 Wentworth Street.
As the Petitioner was not present, Vice President Bahr stated that this house is
located in a neighborhood that it absolutely makes sense to waive the sidewalk
requirement and he offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
Councilmember Toy asked that it be placed on the Regular Agenda and allow the
Petitioner to come before Council.
DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR
3. REQUEST TO EXTEND WAIVER USE APPROVAL TO NEW OWNER: Renis
Nushaj, Esq., Goetz Nushaj, P.L.L.C., for Jennifer Hsien Lee of T’s Wellness, re:
Petition 2009-11-02-16 submitted by Tomii Chinese Accupressure, to operate a
massage establishment on property located on the north side of Seven Mile Road,
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between Farmington Road and Norwich Road (33600 Seven Mile Road), in the
Southeast 1/4 of Section 4. (CR 243-17 and CR 53-10)
Jennifer Lee, Petitioner, and Vincent Lee, came to the podium to present this
request to Council. Vincent stated that Ms. Lee currently owns a massage therapy
establishment in Farmington Hills which she has operated for three years without
any problems from the police, from neighbors, or anyone else. She has cameras
that watch all her activities and she is a law abiding citizen and she would like to
open another establishment, previously opened before and that was closed and it
was closed for unknown reasons. He stated the police closed the place for various
activities and that she doesn’t have any history with that establishment. She knows
that this establishment is available to buy and she is willing to set up at that location
in Livonia.
President McIntyre confirmed that this is a request for transfer of waiver use. She
then asked Ms. Lee if she formerly worked at a massage therapy center in Livonia
and that when she was working there it was closed by the police and she replied
that she never worked there. President McIntyre confirmed that she had no
affiliation with the establishment when it was closed by the police. President
McIntyre stated that the City has no role in licensing massage therapists but that
she knows that State law makes some exceptions if you only offer acupressure
and reflexology and asked the Petitioner if she or any therapist employed by her
will have full massage license certification from the State and Ms. Lee replied that
she does.
Councilmember Toy asked where the location was and then asked the Petitioner
for some background information and Vincent replied that Ms. Lee has had her
own business in Farmington Hills for three years at T-Wellness and she worked
before that for two years doing massage therapy. Toy then asked if she had ever
owned a business and Vincent replied that she has owned T-Wellness for three
years in Farmington Hills with no problems whatsoever. Councilmember Toy
stated that she had paused for a minute on this item as the location that they are
requesting to occupy had a major problem there and asked if the Petitioner is
familiar with human trafficking and Vincent replied yes. She went on to state that
businesses such as massage places are well known for that kind of activity so they
want to be particularly careful and they want good people like themselves to come
into the community and have good practices. Vincent replied he understands that
and that he himself was born in the United States, he’s a licensed architect, a
licensed builder, he was a safety manager for a landscaping company.
Councilmember Donovic clarified that the Petitioner owns an establishment in
Farmington Hills and they are coming to Livonia to open a second location and this
second location was a previous massage therapist location and the Petitioner
replied yes. He then asked if they are planning on implementing any updates to
the building, anything different, and Taormina replied he is not aware of any
changes to the business itself.
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Councilmember McCullough offered an approving resolution for the Consent
Agenda and Toy stated it should on the Regular Agenda.
Councilmember Jolly asked if the Petitioner would continue operating their
Farmington Hills location and Vincent replied they are maintaining their operation
in Farmington Hills. Jolly then asked where they anticipate being on site, in Livonia
or Farmington Hills and Vincent replied at both locations at different times. Jolly
then stated he wants to know if the Petitioner will be on site operating/managing
the business in Livonia or will there be another employee. Vincent replied that she
has people at the Farmington Hills location already and that she will primarily make
sure that everything is going fine in Livonia and then she will have someone
operating that when she is not there, so she will move from one place to another.
Ms. Lee replied that the two places are very close, and that they will focusing on
Livonia as their Farmington Hills location is well established. Vincent stated that
one of the problems with massage therapy places is that you sit and you wait and
you wait for customers to show up, it’s total boredom. You have to have someone
there.
Councilmember Jolly stated he probably does not need to reiterate this but the
industry that the Petitioner finds herself in has had some bad actors, so Council as
good stewards of their community have to look at these types of situations with a
very close eye. They are not intending to ask difficult questions, they’re just trying
to look out for the community’s best interest and given the site’s history, different
operators, there were things to be read that Council does not want to see repeated.
DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR
4. APPOINTMENT OF PATRICK G. MIES, PH.D. TO THE PLYMOUTH ROAD
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: Office of the Mayor, re: for a four-year term, which
will expire on May 16, 2024.
Dave Varga, Director of Administrative Services, presented this request to Council
on behalf of Mayor Brosnan. He stated they are pleased to offer the appointment
for four years to the PRDA of Dr. Patrick Mies. He is a Livonia resident, a principal
of the Western Wayne SKLD Center, former Special Ed teacher, has a doctorate
in Educational Leadership and numerous other degrees and he is here tonight
should you have any questions of him.
Councilmember Toy asked Dr. Mies if he is part of the Mies family and he replied
in the affirmative. She then offered an approving resolution for the Consent
Agenda.
Councilmember Donovic stated he is looking forward to having Dr. Mies on the
PRDA and hopefully working with him as he lives along Plymouth Road off of the
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Plymouth and Inkster area, so he’s looking forward to his input on new ideas for
the area.
President McIntyre thanked Dr. Mies for coming to the meeting and that it was a
pleasure connecting with him and working with him on the Inauguration and they
were delighted to have to have a number of his outstanding Western Wayne SKLD
Center students helping at the Inauguration and is looking forward to continuing to
look for other opportunities to engage his citizens in activities at City Hall and that
the PRDA will provide him with a new set of experiences and she congratulated
him on his appointment.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
5. APPOINTMENT OF KATHARINE SHISHKOVSKY TO THE LIVONIA BOARD OF
REVIEW: Office of the Mayor, re: for a three-year term, which will expire on
February 16, 2023.
Dave Varga, Director of Administrative Services, presented this request to Council
on behalf of Mayor Brosnan. He stated that his office is proud to have the
opportunity to appoint Katharine Shishkovsky to a three-year term on the Board of
Review. She is a product of Livonia Public Schools, graduated from Franklin High
School and has lived in Livonia most of her life, has earned a B.A. in English from
Wayne State University working as a legal secretary and a J.D. from the University
of Detroit where she was Executive Editor of the Law Review and practiced nearly
thirty years in law and then became an R.N. She is active in numerous volunteer
organizations and she is here to answer any questions Council may have.
Councilmember McCullough stated he’s had the pleasure to know Ms.
Shishkovsky for the last couple of years and her integrity and her educational
background and what she has done for the community on top of her professional
career is more than something that we’d want to be on one of our committees. He
then offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
Vice President Bahr asked that it be placed on the Regular. He then stated that
he really enjoyed reading Ms. Shishkovsky’s bio, he was unaware of so much of
her background and it is impressive. He then asked what her particular interest
is in the Board of Review.
Shishkovsky replied that in her practice of law and then doing some work for the
Selective Service, it’s critical thinking matters. You have a set of facts; you have
a set of guidelines and you look at a situation and you try to look at that and do
that and she feels she has the mindset where she can do that kind of thing. She
stated she’s never filed for any type of tax relief so it will be kind of new, but it’s a
challenge and it’s something as she understands it will be with residential
properties in the City and something she thinks she would enjoy. Again, her
background, it’s not something that’s an unfamiliar type of process and she fully
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understands the rights of homeowners but also the needs of the City in looking at
things and determining whether or not someone’s tax assessment is fair.
Vice President Bahr then said he had another question and it may sound sensitive
and he doesn’t mean it to, but there’s probably no way to ask it, obviously you’re
very active and involved as the President of the Livonia Democratic Club and you
were very active in this past year, and was wondering if you see that as an issue,
obviously everybody has political affiliations, and to be so active in a partisan
position and yet sit on a nonpartisan board; do you see any issue with that?
Shishkovsky replied no, that she practiced law for almost thirty years, when you
have that client, that obligation, that is your client, that is what you do and you put
aside other things. I mean I’ve had plenty of clients with other types of political
considerations but you deal on what their issues are, what their concerns are and
you represent them to the best of your ability and that is this kind of a function to
me.
Councilmember Jolly stated that he has known Ms. Shishkovsky for approximately
four to five years and he has found her to be a straightforward, capable person,
and has no doubt that she will impartially perform the duties of the Board of Review.
And I hesitate to say this and I hate to say this, the City Government is nonpartisan,
and we have not had this litmus test for other people appointed to City
commissions and boards where it’s been brought up.
President McIntyre asked Councilmember Jolly to clarify what he meant by litmus
test.
Jolly replied by questioning her political activity outside of the scope of the
appointment at hand, for the record.
Shishkovsky stated that her purpose in accepting this appointment will be to serve
the people of Livonia and that’s her primary goal. The primary goal with everything
she does or otherwise is to make Livonia better, is to raise everybody up, and that’s
what her aim is here.
Councilmember McCullough stated that Council has a bio on Ms. Shishkovsky and
outside of any other issues that Council brings up, the appointment to the Board
of Review matching the bio of her education and experience, clearly in his opinion,
demonstrates someone that would be an asset to the Board of Review and he
wants to go on record to state this his decision will be based purely on the bio that’s
at hand and he thanked Shishkovsky for stepping up and wanting to do something
more for the community.
Councilmember Donovic stated that he thinks that Vice President Bahr’s question
was warranted. As a member of this Board he spent the better part of an entire
year being slandered by the organization led by her. You are the president of an
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organization and that’s nothing against you or anything about anybody else, but
he thinks it is a good question. When you voluntarily put yourself in that position,
you are now also asking to be put in another position and you have to impartially
serve in that position, so he thinks it was a good question and he is struggling with
this vote himself because of his past experiences and other people on this board
and their past experiences.
Shishkovsky stated she is here to serve the people of Livonia. This is a nonpartisan
job, there is no political affiliation. Last year she organized and Opioid forum at
Stevenson High School where there were more than 100 people there and she
believes that several people here were also there, it was not partisan in the least,
not in the least. It was there to help the people of Livonia, help the surrounding
communities with a very dangerous problem. I think all of us have times when we
might be a little more partisan than others, but in serving the City of Livonia in this
capacity, this is a nonpartisan thing and I’m here to serve.
Vice President Bahr stated there’s no political litmus test here, the difference, my
concern, and I’m struggling with it because first of all I will echo what Councilman
McCullough said about your qualifications as they’re put on here, I don’t think we
question those from a qualification standpoint at all, so I agree with that. The
difference here to me is not political affiliation it’s being in an active partisan role,
frankly the President of a very partisan organization, that’s the difference. It’s not
a matter of the integrity at all. It’s not a matter of your qualifications, it’s not a
matter of political affiliation, it’s a matter position is what I struggle with. So I just
wanted to clarify that, I know it’s a sensitive topic, but I wanted to be abundantly
clear about that.
President McIntyre stated the reason she asked Councilmember Jolly for
clarification, is that she has always taken the nonpartisan charge of her job on City
Council extremely seriously. She appointed someone who is not a member, the
only appointment she’s ever had she appointed someone who is not a member of
her political party, who is a very active member of your party, to a seat on the
Zoning Board. When Mr. Jolly came in fifth four years ago, I took a leadership role
in advocating for his appointment, certainly knowing that he was not a member of
my political party. And then when he ran again two years ago, I took a very, very
active role in supporting and advocating for his campaign. So I understand very
much the nonpartisan, and take it very, very seriously. You are very clearly an
extremely well-educated and highly qualified member for the Board of Review.
You know your work on the Opioid is to be commended, certainly as you pointed
out, that is nonpartisan. And I also take very seriously and respect the Mayor’s
prerogative to appoint citizens of her choosing to commissions in the City. And I’m
very comfortable supporting qualified applicants even if we have differences in
political philosophies. I realize I wasn’t a member of Council at the time but a
number of years ago a previous member wished to appoint our current Mayor to I
believe the Planning Commission and she was very clearly qualified for that role
but a majority of Council members who I think didn’t agree with her political
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affiliation, denied her that appointment. My concern is not that we have different
political views, but it goes to what my colleague Vice President Bahr and
Councilmember Donovic mentioned. It’s not our difference in political views, but
you do serve as the president of a 100% partisan organization. And in the last
campaign not only did you guys advocate solely for members of your own party,
you put forward a lot of claims that suggested you take a very dim view of people
who are not part of your party. And as you know as well as anyone, because of
your background, your understanding, your desire to serve, on the Board of
Review it’s absolutely imperative that all political and partisan issues be put aside,
of course, but you know again it comes back to your leadership role and making it
very clear that you and your organization not only think highly of your own
candidates but you take a dim view and made some very serious accusations, if
you will, about members who don’t share your political belief. So, with that said, I
do respect the Mayor’s prerogative to appoint very qualified and capable members
to committees.
Councilmember McCullough stated he’s been on Council now for a little over a
month, and he’s kind of blown away by what we’re talking about here, just being
honest. We should be, in my opinion, basing anybody that’s going up for any kind
of Board of Review, based on their bio and not whether they have a partisan
affiliation. What Miss Kate does on her time, that’s her time, and of course political
seas can be very tempered, I’ve learned that firsthand, but again, this Council are
the leaders of Livonia and we need to be making decisions based on a bio, history,
education, experience, and whether or not that person can fulfill the duties. And
that’s how I’ll be casting my vote. And I know it’s going to go on the Regular and I
would like to just put it on the record that we all should make that decision and their
vote count based on that.
Councilmember White stated she’s known Ms. Shishkovsky for a number of years,
she also, before she became a Councilmember, served on the Board of Review,
so she’s very familiar with the tasks that she will be undertaking. And she knows,
because she’s a lawyer herself, that advantage it is to have a legal background
and serve on the Board of Review. And I think she would admirably serve in that
capacity and I believe that she could set aside any politicalize to serve the City of
Livonia and working with citizens of the City of Livonia appropriately.
President McIntyre stated that she appreciated Councilmember McCullough’s
comments, and in listening to this she is speaking for herself and not her
colleagues, she’s raising some questions not about political philosophy, but about
actions and statements. So suggesting that mine are motivated and again, I just
would like to reiterate that my record of being nonpartisan on Council speaks for
itself.
Councilmember McCullough replied that he is not questioning, all he’s asking for
is that Council base the decision on the task at hand.
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Councilmember Toy stated that she is not sure she wants to get involved in this
conversation but in all seriousness it was not a pleasant campaign, let’s face it, but
you don’t enter campaigns to be always pleasant. God knows she’s run in enough
of them and they can get pretty brutal. The thing she was most shocked with, quite
frankly, from that side of the aisle, was the partisanism shown in that election and
she’s always tried to be a very fair person across the board, while she operates in
the Republican Party, she doesn’t wear it on her sleeve and she tries to be fair as
she approaches things. So, she would only hope as we move forward in our
community and as this Mayor and her appointees or her department heads move
forward, that we can look at people as people and not political affiliations, not
brown or blue yes, and base it on those kinds of things rather than what party we
all come from and our belief system, I think we’ve seen that in our country right
now, whether you agree with the President or not the President, or your State rep
or anybody else, I think we are Americans and we’ve got to become united in what
we do for our country because it’s so important. And I don’t mean to sound so
corny here, but in all honesty being a student of political science, I think it’s very,
very important and I think there’s still some deep wounds that I think you’re hearing
tonight, Kate, from some of my colleagues and I empathize with some of that
because obviously I was in that election last year, too, and it can be very hurtful
for folks in this business, including both sides of the aisle, and a whole different
kind of venue up in Lansing where partisanism is very strong and alive. But I’ve
got to tell you I was very shocked we got so partisan in the last election, I really
am, and I’m hoping that as we move forward that doesn’t happen ever, ever again,
I really do.
Shishkovsky replied that what she would say as a nurse taking care of lots of
different kinds of people, politics is completely aside, and you concentrate on what
the issue is at hand and making things better for that person, and that’s where I’m
coming from.
President McIntyre thanked Shishkovsky for being at the meeting tonight and
answering Council’s questions in such a professional and candid manner, it’s
greatly appreciated.
DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR
6. REQUEST FOR INFORMAL APPROVAL OF PROPOSED PROGRAM AND
TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR THE 2020-2021 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM: Livonia Housing Commission, re: so that a
second public hearing can be held on this matter, after which time a final program
and budget will be forwarded to Council for formal adoption.
Brandie Isaacson, Director of Housing, presented this request to Council and
introduced Ermon Simms, Director of Community Development Block Grant
Program, who Isaacson stated will be attending some of the City Council meetings
in the future so she thought this would be a good opportunity for her to experience
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how we go through the approval process. She went on to state they are before
Council to ask for approval for preliminary budge for their 2020/2021 Community
Development Block Grant. The proposed budget should be in Council’s packets
with the expenditures, so pretty much everything has stayed the same as the
present year, with the exception of the acquisition of tax reverted properties and to
purchase a lot this upcoming year to be used with the Livonia Public Schools
Skilled Trades Program to possibly do a new build. So in the past we’ve always
purchased properties that were in poor condition, we have demo’d, sold the lot or
allowed the school to rehab it. Tim Martin from the Livonia Public Schools is
interested in doing a new build so that is what we’re proposing, that’s where we’re
putting our finding in. So everything else is pretty much the same.
President McIntyre clarified that Ms. Isaacson is asking for informal approval and
she responded yes, right now Congress has approved the budget but they don’t
know what their final figure is, they won’t get that until April. But because they
have to go through the Public Hearing process and a thirty-day comment period,
we have to start the process a few months in advance. So we’ll be coming back to
you in April for formal approval.
Councilmember Toy thanked Isaacson for all she does at Housing, she’s got a big
job, those can be some crazy places for lack of a better way to put it, you’re a
brave soul. She then offered an informal approving for the Consent Agenda.
Councilmember Donovic asked about the house she mentioned with Livonia Public
Schools, those houses, those properties, those are for the Career Center, that’s
the construction program and Isaacson replied in the affirmative. He then stated
a friend of his is very involved with that and they do amazing work, he’s some of
those homes, he thinks our Congresswoman visited on the homes this year in
Livonia and it was all over social media and it got a ton of traction and it’s awesome
to see the young people, millennials or what not, getting involved in the trade and
seeing how much money you can make in a skilled trade. It’s a dying breed and
it’s very important that the City of Livonia and LPs take a strong role in showing
young people that you can have an amazing career and take care and provide for
your family and he thinks this program really helps ensure that. He then thanked
Isaacson for all they do.
Councilmember Toy then stated she got a phone call from somebody the other
day, they’re looking for somebody that needs a permanent ramp for disability and
asked Isaacson to put out the word, call the Council office, it’s permanent disability.
Isaacson stated that is the minor home repair program, that offers grants up to
$5,000 and as long as they’re low income, they would qualify for that grant.
Councilmember Toy stated they’re looking for somebody to build the ramp for
them, it’s the Rotary Club and that, too.
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Ermon Simms replied that Linda McCann had sent her an email last week about
that issue and to contact her.
President McIntyre then stated that they look forward to working with Ms. Simms
and commended Ms. Isaacson on the excellent job she does and in keeping in
touch with people.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
7. REQUEST FOR INCREASE IN RATE CHANGES IN GREEN FEES FOR 2020:
Department of Parks and Recreation: re: for all City golf courses, effective for the
2020 golf season.
Ted Davis, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, presented this request to
Council. He stated he is asking for rate increases for the golf courses, they did a
competitive market analysis and Livonia was near the bottom in the areas outlined
in his request, weekend resident 18-holes, seniors 9 and 18-holes, at all three of
their golf courses, nonresident weekend 18-holes at Fox and Whispering Willows,
and senior nonresident rates at Fox and Whispering Willows. They tried to be very
specific and you can see from the attachments that were provided, their year end
balances, this is an Enterprise Fund so the fees have to cover expenses for this
and every year the expenses are going up. As we know, minimum wage keeps
going up, the cost of a loaf of bread keeps going up and they have to raise fees to
meet those costs. They’re also asking to adjust their 409 which is their Capital
Improvement Account contributions. As you can see from 2015 they had a balance
of $474,000.00, to in 2019 they had an ending balance of $176,000.00, so they
need to increase their contributions to that Capital Improvement Account as well.
So, two-fold, asking for small rate increases, very specific ones, and they’re asking
for the contributions to be adjusted which will increase overall their yearly
contributions in their Capital Improvement Account.
Councilmember McCullough asked for the 409 account they came up with the
number, why not go for $2.00 and $2.50 based on 9 or 18; would that help them
more?
Davis replied they were looking at one, to simplify the contributions, before they
ranged all over the place from $1.00 to $2.50. We want to simplify it down and then
simply they do need some additional operating funds as well, so we didn’t want to
put the whole thing into Capital. Again, you can see the total amount they’re raising
per year is $34,000.00, it’s not a great deal of money. It would be very simple and
easier for them to simply raise fees across the board every single category, $1.00
or $2.00 and raise more revenue. Again, they look at these through the eyes of
residents in doing what we think the market will bear.
McCullough stated he thinks that the fixed rate definitely helps them, and with the
explanation he would be happy to offer an approving resolution for Consent.
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Councilmember Toy requested it be put on the Regular Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR
8. REQUEST TO APPROVE FINAL BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 2019: Department of Finance, re: same.
Mike Slater, Director of Finance, presented this request to Council. He stated as
they do each year, they’re coming for their final budget adjustments for their fiscal
year end, this year being November 30, 2019. And the adjustments we’re
requesting takes available budget from departments that have excess, being
utilities, inspection and information systems, and transferring that to departments
that exceeded their budget; those departments were the Mayor’s department,
elections, employee termination and workers’ compensation.
Vice President Bahr stated the one really large item on here as far as costs overrun
was the employee termination pay; can you explain what the source of that is?
Slater replied the employee termination pay is the pay out of accrued sick and
vacation when people retire. There is no scientific way to estimate that, we don’t
know necessarily who is retiring within a year. Long term employees that built up
larger accrual balances obviously there’s larger payouts for those. If we have more
people retire, it’s larger. So we set the budget based upon an estimate of averages
for prior years but this year we had more people retire, so the amount was higher.
Vice President Bahr asked if the amount is totally abnormal and Slater replied it’s
the largest year the City has ever had as far as he recalls.
Vice President Bahr then asked about the Election Commission running over
budget and asked what those numbers are associated with. Slater replied it’s
contractual costs which includes election workers, the companies that support the
elections, there’s a lot of things that go into that contractual line item and that’s the
line item that was over budget. He then offered an approving resolution for the
Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
9. REQUEST TO ACCEPT QUOTATION FOR LIFE INSURANCE AND
ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT INSURANCE: Department of
Finance, re: from One America for the period of March 1, 2020 to February 28,
2023.
Mike Slater, Director of Finance, presented this request to Council. He stated they
solicited quotes for Life and AD & D insurance coverage with the help of Marsha
McLennan, the City’s insurance agent. Nine quotes were received. The low quote
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was from One America and they are requesting that City Council approve the quote
from One America to provide coverage as you’ve indicated for a three-year period
from March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2023.
Councilmember White offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
President McIntyre clarified that Marsha McClennan, the City’s insurance agent,
really acts as a broker, if you will, helping solicit quotes and Slater replied they
contact the companies on the City’s behalf and rely on their expertise and
judgment in comparing the quotes.
McIntyre asked how we select Marsha McClennan and do we have some ongoing
contract with them which also comes up for renewal. Slater replied no, we don’t.
They’ve been with the City 25-plus years, so they’ve been a long time provider of
services to the City. Their costs are paid through the insurance company in these
rates, there’s no additional costs. McIntyre confirmed then it doesn’t need to go
out for bid and Slater replied in the affirmative.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
10. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE (4) 2020 FORD F150
RESPONDER SUPERCREW 4X4 PICK-UP TRUCKS THROUGH THE STATE
OF MICHIGAN AND MACOMB COUNTY BID PROCESS: Livonia Fire & Rescue,
re: to replace current vehicles and add versatility and safety to the fleet, from
budgeted funds.
Dave Heavener, Fire Chief, presented this request to Council. He stated he is
requesting an approving resolution to purchase four utility pick-up trucks. The
trucks will be purchased through the Cooperative Purchasing Consortium, the
Michigan State Bid Process, through budgeted funds. These vehicles will be
replacing four currently used vehicles with an average age of just under 15-years
old. These vehicles will enhance versatility to Department operations and increase
overall safety to support staff while working on emergency status.
Councilmember Donovic asked the Chief to identify what these pick-ups do, what
is their day to day operational usage.
Chief Heavener replied that the vehicles that the Department uses that are not
typical ambulance or fire engine type of response vehicle are used by
Administrative and support staff who also respond to a myriad of different type of
emergency responses. So we service safety officers, resources for our emergency
crews that work on a 24-hour basis and they do that on a 9:00 to 5:00, pretty much
24/7 basis as needed to support our crews that are working daily.
Donovic then stated that these vehicles work very hard to serve the City and the
Chief replied they will, yes.
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Councilmember Donovic then offered an approving resolution for the Consent
Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
11. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE ONE (1) 2020 LIFE LINE
TYPE 1 SUPERLINER AMBULANCE UTILIZING THE HOUSTON-GALVESTON
AREA COUNCIL (HGAC) COOPERATIVE CONSORTIUM: Livonia Fire &
Rescue, re: to replace the current frontline Squad 3, from budgeted funds.
Dave Heavener, Fire Chief, presented this request to Council. He stated he is
requesting an approving resolution to purchase the Front Line Ambulance that will
be purchased through the Houston-Galveston Cooperative Bid Process. Again,
that helps the City make sure that we are getting the best pricing available to the
community. This ambulance is currently scheduled to be housed at Station 3 and
will be used on a daily basis to provide the highest level of emergency care here
in the City of Livonia. The old ambulance will be moved to a reserve squad status,
while the 2006 Freightliner Ambulance, which is about 14-years old currently, will
be either traded or sold consistent with the City approved disposal options, again,
whatever is going to return the most money back to the City, we’ll use that option.
Councilmember Toy offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
Vice President Bahr asked the Chief about the $3,500 trade-in value and asked if
that is typically the route they go or do they find they get more money for a private
party sale?
Chief Heavener replied a combination of three different avenues have been used
in the past; auction, which we have seen the lowest return value. The last vehicle
that we purchased ambulance-wise, we did receive significantly more than the
$3,500, it’s kind of whatever the market will bear at the given time. The $3,500
that’s the line item, has been the offer that’s been provided by the company that
we’re planning to purchase the vehicle from, so we do want to look at some private
party options and if we can find a better option out there, we’ll clearly take
advantage of it.
Councilmember Donovic asked Chief Heavener about the vehicles that they
auction off or sell or what not, they’re usually marked Livonia Police, Fire, etc., etc.;
are those markings taken off the vehicles before they leave our possession, how
does that normally work?
Chief Heavener replied they do remove those, yes.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
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12. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE ONE (1) POWER LOAD COT
FASTENING SYSTEM FROM SOLE SOURCE PROVIDER: Livonia Fire &
Rescue, re: to add to the department’s existing fleet of compatible Stryker
ambulance cots, from budgeted funds.
Dave Heavener, Fire Chief, presented this request to Council. He stated he is
requesting an approving resolution to purchase a power load cot fastening system
from Stryker Medical, which is a sole source vendor for this product, through
budgeted funds. The power load system will be installed in the new ambulance
and will standardize all of their front line ambulances with this device. The power
load system is a device that is mounted in the floor of the ambulance, which the
patient’s stretcher then attaches to. It is designed to assist firefighters load and
unload the stretcher from the vehicle, thus reducing preventable injuries, while
increasing patient safety and security during transport.
Councilmember McCullough stated he watched the video on this mechanism and
it was amazing. He said he read that we also have these in the other vehicles as
well, four other Stryker units.
Chief Heavener replied that with the purchase of this unit, they will have it in six of
their frontline units and two of their reserve units.
Councilmember McCullough stated it is very cool to have this innovation and
technology and he then offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
President McIntyre congratulated and thanked the members of the Fire
Department and all the other folks involved in the CPR/ADD and stop the bleed
training for City employees and stated it was outstanding and encouraged others
to see the Lucas device in process.
Chief Heavener stated that the Lucas device definitely assists our First
Responders in providing the best patient care that somebody here in the City can
get.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
13. AWARD OF CONTRACT: Public Service Division, re: for repairs to the fresh intake
room at the Bennett Library, from budgeted funds. (CR 269-18)
Doug Moore, Assistant Director of Public Works, presented this request to Council.
He stated this project was advertised in the Observer and on the MITN website,
the bid opening occurred November 12, 2019. Three companies supplied work
proposals to OHM which were reviewed by Public Service staff. The proposed
work will address mechanical and structural issues, new water proofing, new
concrete sidewalks, landscape, irrigation that will be designed to less impacts of
water infiltration. The project scope was forced to change substantially because
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of more extreme deterioration than originally known when the estimate budget was
done for the work. The extra issues were discussed in the scope of work that was
released by OHM Advisors as a result of their consultant services on the project.
The Department is asking Council for two items: Approve a contract amendment
with OHM Advisors for a not to exceed amount of $24,000 for consultant services
on the project and to award a not to exceed contract with North American
Construction out of St. Clair Shores in a not to exceed amount of $367,500 to
perform all the work necessary on the project.
Councilmember Jolly stated obviously this is not the money that we would like to
be spending on the library and Moore answered that’s correct. Jolly then asked if
this is going to largely if not totally correct the situation in the basement, what I
think is referred to as the dungeon? Unfortunately I think this is really a health and
safety issue and we have done remediation efforts in regard to trying to stem the
flow of the water damage in the past have we not and Moore replied yes. Jolly
then asked if this will be the one when done fixes it for good, what is your level of
confidence? Because we are talking about so much money here, and because
as I understand the issue, we really couldn’t be looking at a more dangerous
situation in the basement and Moore agreed, that you have to make sure personnel
don’t go in certain parts of the basement, so you’re confident?
Moore replied he is confident that this is a long term solution, the building is thirty,
forty years old, and he’s hoping that this is a 30-year fix, 40-year fix.
Councilmember Jolly then offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
President McIntyre commented that when we talk about some of the Master Plan
work and the idea of a new Civic Center, and sometimes we’ll mention a new
library, and people who aren’t familiar, and that was certainly her before she
started becoming involved with the City, they think we do, and it’s a beautiful library
and it’s an amazing library, right. But it’s not always apparent to people on the
outside, and again, if I understand the question that was asked and your answer,
this is $400,000, not an enhancement, not regular preventive maintenance, not an
upgrade, this is a fix to a building that’s been there and I guess it serves us well,
we have our Library Director here tonight, her staff does a wonderful job, the City
does a wonderful job maintaining it, but $400,000, she just wanted to clarify that
and share that with people who are here tonight and watching at home.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
14. AWARD OF CONTRACT: Public Service Division, re: for the 2020 Street Tree
Planting Program, from budgeted funds.
Doug Moore, Assistant Director of Public Service, presented this request to
Council. He stated this program was advertised in the Observer and on the MITN
website. There was a mandatory pre-bid meeting on December 19, 2019, five
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contractors were there. We opened bids on January 14, 2020 and received four
bids. We are planting approximately 440 trees made up of thirty different species
from the City’s approved species list. Greg Davis Landscape Services out of
Grosse Pointe was the low bidder. Following internal discussion amongst Public
Service staff, the Department is recommending that City Council approve Crimboli
Nursery, the second low bidder, at 5145 Ford Road in Canton, in the amount of
$113,960.00. The Department is making this request for a multitude of reasons
related to the performance, quality of trees, increased costs in previous contracts,
and failing relationship between the contractor and Public Service staff.
Councilmember Toy offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
Councilmember Jolly stated he appreciated the brief answer and he’s not going to
push him about it here, he can’t recall and his computer is not loading, but are
those details in Council’s packets.
Moore replied there’s an $8,000 difference between the two bids. Jolly asked if
the choice of going with the second bidder is detailed in the packets and Moore
replied yes.
Councilmember McCullough commended Moore and the Public Service
Department for their decision making process in choosing the award of this bid and
not just defaulting to the low bidder, showing fiscal responsibility and looking out
for the best interests of the City.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
15. AWARD OF CONTRACT: Public Service Division, re: for the 2020 and 2021 Tree
and Stump Removal Program, from budgeted funds.
Doug Moore, Assistant Director of Public Service, presented this request to
Council. He stated this program was advertised in the Observer and on the MITN
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website. A mandatory pre-bid meeting was also held on December 19, 2019,
eight contractors attended. The bids were opened on January 14, 2020, having
received two bids. J-Mac Tree and Debris was the low bidder. Their references
were checked and all appeared to be in order, all references spoke highly of their
equipment, performance, professionalism and ability to quickly complete jobs. We
are inspecting their site this Friday. They are a current contractor for the City of
Detroit, so we feel that they have the needed equipment. This is a two-year
program with 560 trees on each year of the removal list and they are asking Council
to approve the two-year total in the amount of $552,436.70, from budgeted funds.
Councilmember White offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
Councilmember McCullough stated in looking at the bids, J-Mac came in at a little
over a half million dollars, Davey came in at a little over two million, so there’s
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definitely a gap between there. He asked Moore if he knows in years past what
the City has usually spent on the Tree and Stump Services.
Moore replied the 2018/2019 program was approximately $359,000, and there was
an increase to this program.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
16. AWARD OF CONTRACT: Public Service Division, re: for the 2020-2023 Municipal
Park Mowing Program, which involves approximately 136 acres of parks, cemetery
and fire station property, from funds budgeted for this purpose.
Doug Moore, Assistant Director of Public Service, presented this request to
Council. He stated this item was advertised, there was a mandatory pre-bid
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meeting, the bid opening was held on January 28, 2020, four bids were received.
The low bid contractor was Urban Landscape in the amount of $125,875.64 for the
four-year total. This represents an approximately $1,800 increase over the last
cycle. The current contractor, the office manager and the production manager are
going to work for this new company so we are fairly confident with the new
contractor that we will not see a change in service. These are our nonrecreational
parks.
Councilmember Donovic asked if this program is not to be confused with the
program when individuals, residential and commercial don’t cut their lawns and he
said it is not that program. Donovic then offered an approving resolution for the
Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
17. AWARD OF BID: Public Service Division, re: for Phase II of the replacement and
installation of a new irrigation system at designated areas within the Civic Center
Complex, from budgeted funds. (CR 8-19)
Doug Moore, Assistant Director of Public Service, presented this request to
Council. He stated this project was advertised in the Observer and on MITN.
There was a pre-bid meeting held on January 16, 2020. The bid opening was held
on January 29, 2020, three bids were received. Tech Seven Company out of
Shelby Township was the low bidder of the three companies. Tech Seven is also
the current contractor that takes care of the Plymouth Road Development irrigation
system. The work will entail replacement of a system at LPD, replacement of the
north lawn of City Hall and the possibility of irrigation around the artwork at the
south lawn. The listed items are coming from budgeted funds and all of these
systems are original to the building’s construction. They are asking Council to
approve a contract with Tech Seven in the amount of $82,525.00.
Councilmember Toy offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
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Vice President Bahr stated that there is a line in materials in the packet that said
the new system is state of art and will save the City considerably in water costs as
compared to the old system; do you know on an annual basis how much it will save
in costs?
Moore replied he doesn’t have a figure, a lot of it is going to depend on rainfall. It
will have a rain sensor so it will hopefully not be running in the middle of a
thunderstorm or if we get one of those pop-up thunderstorms where we get an inch
in 15 minutes, the system should know that it’s not supposed to run.
President McIntyre asked if the south lawn of the PD, will that be where the
perimeter fence will be, and she’s sure that wherever the heads are going in will
be worked out with the installation of the fence.
Moore replied yes, the system we replaced at the Fire Station last fall, they had D
& B adjust the lines so that the fence posts would be going through it, but they will
work with the fence contractor and this contractor to make sure irrigation lines are
properly placed.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
18. AWARD OF BID: Public Service Division, re: for Aggregates (road gravel, slag
and stone) for the City’s 2020 calendar year requirements, from budgeted funds.
Doug Moore, Assistant Director of Public Service, presented this request to
Council. He stated this is their annual request for bulk materials that they use. It
went out for bid on MITN, they received bids back and they are listed in the letter
for the low bidder and the second low bidder in the event that the low bidder cannot
get us the material on time, it’s our yearly request for the service, and it’s the same
contractors that have been for years.
Councilmember Toy offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
19. REQUEST FOR COUNCIL TO SET A DATE FOR THE PURPOSE OF
ADOPTING A RESOLUTION PLACING SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS UPON
REFERENCED PROPERTIES WHOSE OWNERS HAVE NOT PAID CHARGES
CONNECTED WITH THE 2018 SIDEWALK PROGRAM, CONTRACT 18-G
DELAYED LOCATIONS AND 2019 SIDEWALK PROGRAM, CONTRACT 19-G,
SINGLE LOT ASSESSMENTS: Engineering Division, re: same. (CR 102-18 and
CR 96-19)
Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, presented this request to Council. He stated this is
basically a request to get dates set for purposes of the Sidewalk Program.
Technically they had approximately 83 invoices for 18-G, and 236 invoices for 19-
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G, so they’re just looking as a housekeeping issue to get the dates set and
obviously and the City Treasurer will be there if there are any questions on that.
Councilmember Jolly offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
20. REQUEST TO ACCEPT STORM WATER FACILITIES MAINTENANCE
AGREEMENT: Engineering Division, re: from NYX Building Addition #2, in
conjunction with the construction of a storm drainage system that provides
adequate drainage for property developed at 38900 Plymouth Road, in the
Southwest ¼ of Section 30.
Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, presented this request to Council. He stated this is a
formality, and is just asking for City Council’s approval to accept the Storm Water
Agreement and then they’ll send it on to Wayne County for recording.
Councilmember Donovic offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
21. REQUEST TO ACCEPT STORM WATER FACILITIES MAINTENANCE
AGREEMENT: Engineering Division, re: from Woodhaven Retirement
Community, in conjunction with the construction of a storm drainage system that
provides adequate drainage for property developed at 29667 Wentworth Avenue,
in the Southeast ¼ of Section 14.
Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, presented this request to Council.
Vice President Bahr offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
22. VACATING REQUEST: Engineering Division, re: to vacate water main easement
within Woodhaven Retirement Community, located at 29667 Wentworth Avenue.
Parcel ID 46-056-99-0002-003.
Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, presented this request to Council.
Vice President Bahr offered an approving resolution and referral to Planning
Commission for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: REFER TO PLANNING COMMISSION CONSENT
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23. REQUEST TO RELEASE SIDEWALK BOND, THE ENTRANCE AND
LANDSCAPE MARKER BOND AND THE MONUMENTS AND MARKER BONDS:
Engineering Division, re: for the Washington Park Site Condominiums located at
the southwest corner of Hix and Ann Arbor Roads (former Washington Elementary
School site), in the Southwest ¼ of Section 31. (CR 436-16 and CR 424-18)
Todd Zilincik, City Engineer, presented this request to Council. He stated that
Council accepted the park land and some other things, so they’re getting close to
the finish line on this recent development, at Washington Park. So the only thing
left will be the actual drawings and he is asking for approval for $19,000.00 for
return back to Mr. Leo Soave for the development that occurred at this location.
Councilmember Toy offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
24. REQUEST FOR ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF WAIVER APPROVAL: Planning
Commission, re: Petition 2017-09-02-12 submitted by Tiseo Architects, Inc.
previously approved by City Council on December 18, 2017, in connection with a
proposal to develop and operate an outdoor storage yard for recreational
equipment on property located on the east side of Merriman Road between
Plymouth Road and the CSX railroad right-of-way (12350 Merriman Road) in the
Southwest ¼ of Section 26. (CR 413-17 and CR 414-17)
Ben Tiseo, Tiseo Architects, 19815 Farmington Road, presented this request to
Council. He stated he is here to ask for another extension, he spoke to his client
today and the contractor the other day, he’s finalizing the numbers and it looks
like they are getting very close to start as soon as the weather breaks. They do
have drawings into the Engineering Department for preliminary review and he’s
hoping to get them back in a week or so with their comments and make those
revisions and then take them in for a building permit.
Attorney Bernier asked to clarify the address on this project as there are two
different addresses listed.
Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic Development, responded
that there was a recent change of address as a result of a parcel division, so that
will be corrected.
Tiseo replied that the address 12330 Merriman Road. The front parcel is where
the building is, and that still remains 12350.
Vice President Bahr asked what the reason for the delay on this is and Tiseo
replied the project was much over budget and they’ve arranged financing and
he’s been dealing with other contractors, so it’s a financial issue. It isn’t that he’s
not committed, he’s very committed to this project.
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Bahr then offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
25. REQUEST FOR ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF WAIVER APPROVAL: Planning
Commission, re: Petition 2017-09-02-13 submitted by Tiseo Architects, Inc.
previously approved by City Council on December 18, 2017, in connection with a
proposal to develop and operate an outdoor storage yard for special trade
contractors on property located on the east side of Merriman Road between
Plymouth Road and the CSX railroad right-of-way (12350 Merriman Road) in the
Southwest ¼ of Section 26. (CR 415-17 and CR 416-17)
Ben Tiseo, Tiseo Architects, presented this request to Council.
President McIntyre clarified that this address should also be corrected to be 12330
Merriman and Tiseo replied in the affirmative.
Councilmember White offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
26. WAIVER PETITION: Planning Commission, re: Petition 2019-12-02-16 submitted
by Center Management Services, to operate a full-service restaurant (Chipolte
Mexican Grill) on property located on the northeast corner of Middlebelt and
Schoolcraft Roads (13900 Middlebelt Road) in the Southwest ¼ of Section 2.
Thomas Guastello, Center Management Services, Inc., presented this request to
Council. He stated he would like to commend the Council and staff on their
dedication and diligence in going through all of the items here and he’d be glad to
answer any questions they may have.
Councilmember Donovic stated he’s been driving by this corner for a long time and
he is very excited that he is bringing a Chipolte Restaurant to this location. He
then offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda.
Vice President Bahr stated he lived in that area for eleven years, and he thinks
that area gets undersold as the most convenient place in all of Livonia to live and
this just adds to that. You live down there and you’ve got your choice of
restaurants, shopping locations, etc., etc., and he would highly recommend this
area for anyone looking for a home in Livonia.
Councilmember Donovic asked if there will be an entrance off of Schoolcraft and
Middlebelt or just one entrance.
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Guastello replied there’s an entrance off Schoolcraft that shares an entrance with
Aldi’s and then off of Middlebelt it’s the same entrance that we use, and they share
that entrance with IHOP and the other entrance with Olive Garden as well.
Councilmember Toy stated that Guastello is very active with the DIA and
commented that there is a very important artist coming to the DIA and Guastello
replied that they will have the very largest Van Gogh exhibit in the country, with
over seventy paintings. He stated they first the first museum that purchased a Van
Gogh painting at a time when people didn’t quite think he was a very good artist.
It has changed a lot. The seventy pieces are worth over four billion dollars. He
stated he has been very proud to work with the DIA and is very proud of this exhibit.
President McIntyre reminded everyone that admission to the museum is free to
every resident of the tri-county area. There are special opportunities for groups to
receive busses, there are special opportunities for seniors, and encourage people
to contact the museum directly to look into those and it is free to every resident
and the two special exhibits that are there now, the history on “The Wedding
Dance”, one of the most iconic paintings and also on the Frida Kahlo, just
phenomenal.
Guastello indicated that if you by the museum and see busses there, they pay for
those busses to come down there, it doesn’t come out of the school district, we’ve
been training teachers, we’re doing murals inside and out so we really instill the
culture that we want to be part of the community.
President McIntyre thanked Guastello for his presence at the meeting.
Guastello thanked Council and stated they do a great job for the City and that’s
one of the things that he sees from the time he’s spent here from the McNamara
years, is it’s a really good concerned government with people that are very capable
and that means a lot to communities. And it means a lot when people come out to
purchase property or when they bring people out, they’ll say gee, what is it like to
get entitlements, and we say give them a good building, give them good plans, and
we’ll get a project done for you and time and time again that’s happened, so it’s
been a great community to work with.
DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT
AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION None heard.
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As there were no further questions or comments, President McIntyre adjourned
the Study Session at 10:34 p.m. on Monday, February 10, 2020.
For the 1,891st Regular Meeting of February 24, 2020
DATED: February 19, 2020 SUSAN M. NASH, CITY CLERK