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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-11 CITY OF LIVONIA — CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF STUDY MEETING HELD MARCH 11, 2020 Meeting was called to order at 8:26 p.m. by President Kathleen McIntyre. Present: Jim Jolly, Laura Toy, Scott Bahr, Cathy White, Brandon McCullough, Rob Donovic and Kathleen McIntyre. Absent: None. Councilmember Jim Jolly led the meeting in the Pledge. Councilmember McCullough gave a huge shout out to Austin Lewandowsky, a Clarenceville High School student, who started their rookie campaign for their Robotics Team and also the Livonia Warriors Robotics Team. The team started with twelve students, and after about four weeks it got down to Austin and his mom, and he persevered and just recently at the Macomb Community College Robotics Tournament, ended up placing First Place. He congratulated him on his stamina and determination. President McIntyre announced that the DIA millage renewal was passed in all three counties on Tuesday, and regardless of how you feel about the millage, she would urge everyone in our City and our County to take advantage of the fact that because of the last millage this will continue with the new millage, but all residents of the three counties, Wayne, Macomb and Oakland, all receive free general admission to the DIA. She went on to state if you haven't been down there in a while, this is a great time to go visit. Elected and appointed officials present: Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic Development; Dave Lear, Assistant City Engineer; Paul Bernier, City Attorney; Linda McCann, Director of Community Resources; Ted Davis, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation; Doug Moore, Assistant Director of Public Service - Operations; and Dave Varga, Director of Administrative Services. 1. REQUEST TO REVOKE NOTICE OF SPECIAL LAND USE APPROVAL FOR WAIVER PETITION 1999-08-02-25, SUBMITTED BY SUMMIT SPORTS, INC., d/b/a PLAY IT AGAIN SPORTS: Julian Sesi, SESI & SESI, P.C., re: as the tenant has vacated the premises and new client does not intend to exercise the waiver use granted in Council Resolution 717-99. Mark Taormina, Director of Planning and Economic Development, stated he would present this as he doesn't see the Petitioner in attendance at the meeting. He stated this request stems from a waiver use approval that occurred in 1999, Petition No. 1999-08-02-25. It was in connection with a request by Play It Again Sports to operate a secondhand business at the plaza located at Plymouth and Middlebelt Roads. And one of the conditions established by the Council was that there be a Letter of Understanding signed by the landlord indicating that the waiver use would cease upon the Petitioner or his assigned terminating their tenancy. And while it was not a requirement that a restriction be placed on the property, that 2 was done in this particular case, so the concern is that it appears as a cloud on the title and for that reason they would like that revoked and I believe the letter from Sesi and Sesi, P.C. succinctly makes that request for Council to revoke that requirement. This was something that was reviewed by Mike Fisher, the Law Department, and suggested that it be brought to Council for formal action. Councilmember Toy offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 2. REQUEST TO WAIVE THE CITY'S NOISE ORDINANCE AND TO ERECT SIGNS AT REFERENCED LOCATIONS: Fred E. Sackllah, Festival Chairperson, The Basilica of St. Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church, re: in connection with their 12th Annual Michigan Fun Fest to be held from Thursday, June 18, 2020 through Sunday, June 21, 2020, at Bryant Park, 18000 Merriman Road. Fred Sackllah, Festival Chairperson, presented this request to Council. He stated it is a pleasure to be before Council again, it's one of the fun things about being part of the festival for so long is that he gets to come and see everyone and he gets to tell you how exciting it is as for them to be in their 12th year, they are becoming a staple in the community and he is asking for Council to approve the event. And they will most likely come back again for one more resolution regarding fireworks but right now they're just asking for the Noise Ordinance to be waived and to be able to conduct the event. Councilmember White stated this is a great event and she'd be happy to offer an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. She said it's kind of scary as she remembers the first time Mr. Sackllah came before Council on this twelve years ago. President McIntyre stated that she is hopeful as probably everybody at the Basilica is that by June the concerns about Covid-19 and large gatherings are well in the rear view mirror. Sackllah replied that he was going to ask the City for some advice on that, that he doesn't know if the City has any plans or something may happen, but if it does and the City has some type of rule and wants us to move in a different way, they will always do that. As of now they are ready to party and have a great time on June 18th through the 21St, the typical fun as every year. There will be a little bit different set up this year because of some tent requirement changes and things like that that they're aware of and they'll work with that. He thanked Council on again for their support. President McIntyre indicated that Mayor Brosnan had been at the earlier Regular Meeting and gave an outstanding update on everything the City is doing, the Governor had a press conference at 5:00 o'clock and she has asked for 3 organizations to voluntarily until things change, where there is going to be more than 100 people, that they cancel those voluntarily for the immediate time being but the City has not imposed any requirements. Sackllah thanked President McIntyre for her advice and stated if the City does take a position that he will share with the Board at the Church, the concerns of the State. The goal is to have a healthy, successful event, and make sure everyone is happy and stays healthy. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 3. REQUEST TO WAIVE THE SIDEWALK REQUIREMENT: Neal and Teresa Garon, re: for the newly constructed home at 16601 Harrison Street. The Petitioners not being present, Vice President Bahr offered an approving resolution for the Regular Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR 4. APPOINTMENT OF SUSAN HARVEY 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 thrilled to request Council's support on the appointment of Susan Harvey to the Plymouth Road Development Authority for a four-year term. She has been actively involved in property management since 1982. She's currently Senior Vice-President of Ashley Capital, LLC, which has made and continues to make a huge impact with developments in Livonia and many on Plymouth Road. She's involved with many professional organizations and charitable endeavors including Alternatives for Girls and Adopt a Family and she is here to answer any questions if Council should have any. Councilmember Toy stated she is very impressed that Harvey serves with Alternative for Girls, such a crucial and great organization and thanked her for her work on that. She then offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. Ms. Harvey came to the podium and stated she is happy to serve on this Board and that Ashley Capital has been investing in Livonia for over twenty years and with millions of square feet and for them Livonia sincerely is the gold standard for how a city should be run. They work in other communities that have struggled with their building departments and actually have encouraged them to come here and copy what we consider are best practices in Livonia, so she is happy to do this. 4 President McIntyre thanked Ms. Harvey for her willingness to serve the City and thanked her for making Livonia the home for so much business that Ashley Capital does and that the City appreciates her company and all that she does. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 5. REQUEST TO APPROVE SPECIALIZED SERVICES TRANSPORTATION OPERATING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THIRD PARTY CONTRACT FOR THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1, 2019 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 BETWEEN THE CITY OF LIVONIA AND SMART: Department of Community Resources, re. with grant funds to be used for the Livonia Community Transit Program to provide lift-equipped transportation to the senior and disabled residents of the City. Linda McCann, Director of Community Resources, presented this request to Council. She stated she is asking Council to approve this contract, it is their yearly contract, this money comes from the State, from the Department of Transportation, SMART is just the authority that disburses the money and they're getting a little extra this year, $3,600 more than last year and it goes for their ADA services. Councilmember Toy stated this has been done through the years and excellent work by Director McCann. She then offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 6. REQUEST PERMISSION FROM WAYNE COUNTY TO CLOSE A PORTION OF FARMINGTON ROAD TO HOST LIVONIA'S ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY: Department of Parks & Recreation, re: to close Farmington Road north and southbound from Five Mile Road to Roycroft, on Saturday, May 23, 2020, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Ted Davis, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, presented this request to Council. He stated they are asking for Wayne County's permission to close Farmington Road from Five Mile to Roycroft for the Annual Memorial Day Ceremony. Councilmember Jolly offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. This is an annual request to assist in a program put on by Parks and Rec that turns out as a really good way of honoring those who have served us and lost their lives. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 7. AWARD OF BID: Department of Parks & Recreation, re: for tennis court reconstruction at Bicentennial Park, from Wayne County Parks District 9 grant funding and from budgeted funds. 5 Ted Davis, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, presented this request to Council. He stated that they are asking Council to award Bicentennial Tennis Court and Pickleball Court Construction to Nagle Paving for an amount not to exceed $359,164; they were the low bid on this project. Council had previously approved this as part of the Wayne County Parks Grant back in Council Resolution 236-19, and they are again asking Council to award this bid to Nagle Paving for this project. Councilmember Jolly indicated there are tennis courts there now and Davis replied there is. Jolly then asked Davis to explain what is there currently and what we will have at the end of this project. Davis replied there are currently eight courts at Bicentennial Park, eight tennis courts. There are four on the east side, four on the west side of the park. The east side courts are going to remain tennis and they're actually adding a drinking fountain there; the west side courts are going to be converted from four tennis to six pickleball courts, very similar to what was put in at Compton Park last year. Councilmember Donovic offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. Vice President Bahr commented that as someone who frequently uses both of those, it's a needed project, and he thinks the pickleball is going to be a gigantic hit over there. Davis replied if Compton is any indication, it's going to be a big deal over there. Jolly stated that if there's one thing that has been true over the course of his experience here on Council, it seems like Davis might be an advocate for the pickleball federation or something like that, as he has done so in the past. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 8. AWARD OF BID: Division of Police, re: for renovation of main dispatch and emergency operations dispatch centers, from budgeted funds. Curtis Caid, Chief of Police, presented this request to Council. He stated this item before them is requesting Council's approval to award the contract to Huntington Construction for the renovation of the main dispatch. He stated their main dispatch is a stand-alone dispatch for the City of Livonia, it operates 24/7, 365. The last time that we have visited the dispatch center and any kind of renovation was 23 years ago, so it's well due for an upgrade. This will include upgrade electrical system and floor plan, expanding the dispatch center from current three positions to four positions. In addition to that, they are also going to modify their back-up dispatch which is adjacent to their EOC. Currently that dispatch room consists of two positions and that will be doubled in size to four. So, essentially the back up will be almost a complete duplicate of what we have at the main center, so that 6 god forbid that we have to activate the EOC for an emergency situation, we'll have the ability to do that. This project, the specs of this project was developed and put on MITN and the potential bidders had a mandatory walk-through on December 12th and as a result of that there were two qualified sealed bids that were received by the Clerk's office by the deadline of January 14, 2020. The bids were opened at that meeting and it is their recommendation that Huntington Construction Company in Southfield be awarded the project at a cost of$77,021 which includes a variety of upgrades to that room. He said that company representative Scott Spencer is in the audience tonight to answer any questions of Council. Chief Caid went on to state it's noteworthy that the funds for this project are not General Fund monies, they are restricted in use, those are 911 Funds, 901 Funds that are in a separate account that are specific for either dispatch or training or personnel specific to those responsibilities and the equipment. So it's certainly a nice benefit in this situation and he is requesting Council's approval to award the bid to Huntington Construction so that they may begin this project. Councilmember McCullough said he will be in support of this project, it is long overdue, but the question he has is about the cutover, does he have any idea if there is going to be a downtime when they transition and Caid replied there will be no downtime, the timing of this project will be one room at a time, so they'll prepare the back-up first and have that work completed and then once that is complete, then they will do the cutover and it will be seamless, that's their goal. Caid said on of the points he'd like to add to this as well, is that they were able to save tens of thousands of dollars on this project by acquiring some dispatch equipment from another agency due to their consolidation and that will assist them in getting this up and running and completed in a much more timely fashion as well. So it saves them a significant sum of money and then the time allocation to that as well. Councilmember McCullough stated it sounds like a great project and offered an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. Vice President Bahr stated that the Chief mentioned the 911 budget and category, and asked if that was Federally funded, State funded, or is that the City's funds? Chief Caid replied it is our funds, that they receive a portion of the collected 911 funds on an annual basis and it's a surcharge on all of their phones that they are forced to pay, quite frankly, and it varies year to year so he can't state an exact number, but they receive back-up of that or funding from the State in that regard. Vice President Bahr then stated that's what makes up that funding, the surcharge on their phones and Caid replied in the affirmative. President McIntyre stated this is work and updates that the dispatch team will be happy to have because it's not just freshening everything, they work very difficult and stressful jobs and the equipment is old and no longer really an optimal work 7 situation, and they've all made certainly the best of it, but those are difficult jobs and so this upgrade will certainly be welcomed by our excellent dispatch. Chief Caid thanked President McIntyre for pointing that out and gave a quick shout out to their dispatch crew, who are second to none, and so many times when he's speaking to different groups and you call 911 and these folks on the other end, it's just a voice, but they do a phenomenal job in directing the emergency assistance that's needed for so many folks, whether they're residents or they're visitors or business owners in making quick assessments and getting the resources there to help mitigate their situation. They're a great, great team of professionals. President McIntyre stated we know when there's times like this when there's stress related to health or safety, that their volume tends to go up with people that are panicked and so we're really thinking of them and appreciating, along with all of our First Responders in situations like these additional stress, it flows right through to the dispatch. Councilmember Toy stated we compliment our First Responders, particularly our Police Department, but they wouldn't be there and have the kind of attitudes and forethoughts that they do have without good leadership. She then congratulated Chief Caid on all the work he's done and thanked him for his leadership in that department, that we're proud of that and we're proud of you who have led that department for so long. Chief Caid thanked her and said he appreciates it. Councilmember Jolly asked Chief Caid if this new equipment will facilitate the Text 911 services and Caid replied yes. Jolly then asked Caid to remind everyone of how one would do that, if they needed to text 911 in a given situation. Chief Caid stated they have the capability now and through the Conference of Western Wayne for texting 911. He said to call if you can, text if you can't is really the motto. It's been a great program, they're not receiving many texts for 911 which is good, but the process and really the future of 911 is evolving with pretty soon there will be video for 911, photos for 911, and they're ramping up for those new challenges in technology. But the text to 911 will seamlessly transition over to each one of the dispatch centers, they'll have the duplicate capability on each centers. Jolly then asked if the actual process of texting 911, do they literally just send a text to 911 and Caid replied in the affirmative. Jolly then asked if there is no additional number needed or anything like that and Caid replied correct. President McIntyre then thanked the representative from Huntington for being at the meeting tonight. 8 DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 9. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL FOUR (4) XYBIX DISPATCH WORKSTATIONS THROUGH THE HOUSTON GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL (HGAC) COOPERATIVE CONSORTIUM: Division of Police, re: to replace current Dispatch workstations and related equipment, from budgeted funds. Curtis Caid, Chief of Police, presented this request to Council. He stated this is really a piggyback request for the project itself and this deals with the workstations and really the furniture for the unit. They are requesting a waiver of the sealed bid process to allow them to utilize the Houston Galveston Area Council Cooperative Consortium in lieu of the bid and piggyback basically those prices. The "L" line of this furniture is in this document here, and again, the funds to purchase this equipment is $69,586.75 and again, they'll be using those same funds that was alluded to at the earlier request, the 911 funds that are specific in nature. Councilmember McCullough stated he has bandwidth with a Xybix product and he can tell you that from a dispatch perspective this is pretty much the best solution out there. It's very ergonomical, the desks go up and down, they have means for six plus monitors, so he has no problem offering an approving resolution for the Consent Agenda. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 10. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE FOUR (4) UNMARKED POLICE VEHICLES UTILIZING STATE OF MICHIGAN AND COUNTIES OF OAKLAND AND MACOMB CONSORTIUM BID PRICING: Division of Police, re. from budgeted funds. Curtis Caid, Chief of Police, presented this request to Council. He stated this is an annual request for vehicle replacement and as mentioned in the letter this is for four unmarked vehicles, requesting your DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 11. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE TWO (2) MARKED/SEMI- MARKED POLICE VEHICLES UTILIZING COUNTIES OF OAKLAND AND MACOMB CONSORTIUM BID PRICING: Division of Police, re: from budgeted funds. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 12. AWARD OF BID: Engineering Division, re: for the 2020 Asphalt Road Paving Program (Contract 20-A), from budgeted funds. 9 DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 13. REQUEST TO AMEND THE CONTRACT WITH OHM ADVISORS FOR CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE 2020 ASPHALT ROAD PROGRAM (CONTRACT 20-A): Engineering Division, re: same. (CR 365-16) DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 14. AWARD OF BID: Engineering Division, re: for the 2020 Concrete Road Repair Program (Contract 20-C), from budgeted funds. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 15. REQUEST TO AMEND THE CONTRACT WITH ANDERSON, ECKSTEIN AND WESTRICK, INC. FOR CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE 2020 CONCRETE ROAD PROGRAM (CONTRACT 20-C): Engineering Division, re: for same. (CR 365-16) DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 16. REQUEST TO AMEND THE CONTRACT WITH ANDERSON, ECKSTEIN AND WESTRICK, INC. FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE 2020 CONCRETE ROAD MAINTENANCE/SELECTIVE SLAB PROGRAM (CONTRACT 20-J): Engineering Division, re: for same. (CR 365-16) DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT NEW BUSINESS 17. REQUEST TO WAIVE THE FORMAL BIDDING PROCESS AND APPROVE 2020 CONCRETE ROAD MAINTENANCE/SELECTIVE SLAB PROGRAM BY EXTENDING CONTRACT 19-J UNIT PRICES WITH L. ANTHONY CONSTRUCTION, INC.: Engineering Division, re: for Contract 20-J, with the exception of tree removal prices which include up to 25 locations throughout the City, from budgeted funds. DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 18. REQUEST TO APPROVE AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CHARTER COUNTY OF WAYNE AND THE CITY OF LIVONIA- Engineering Division, re: for the improvements of Merriman Road from Plymouth Road to Schoolcraft Road to Plymouth Road with the proposed City's participation to be estimated at 9.075% in the amount of$148,558.00, from budgeted funds. 10 DIRECTION: APPROVING CONSENT 19. PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE LIVONIA CODE OF ORDINANCES, AS AMENDED: Department of Law, re: to amend Title 6 (Animals), Repealing Chapters 04 (Dogs), 05 (Reserved), 06 (Cats), 07 (Vicious Animals), and 08 (Miscellaneous Regulations) to consolidate the ordinances in order to ensure the proper care and control of animals. DIRECTION: FIRST READ CONSENT 20. ADOPTION OF PROCEDURES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ON MILITARY DUTY TO PARTICIPATE REMOTELY FOR COUNCIL MEETINGS: City Council, re: same DIRECTION: APPROVING REGULAR AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION None heard. As there were no further questions or comments, President McIntyre adjourned the Study Session at 9:52 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. For the 1,893rd Regular Meeting of March 23, 2020 DATED: SUSAN M. NASH, CITY CLERK