Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 11, 2024 - 261st Regular Minutes SignedMINUTES OF THE 261st REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLYMOUTH ROAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA The 261st Regular Meeting of the Plymouth Road Development Authority of the City of Livonia, Michigan, was called to order at 3:02 p.m., Wednesday, December 11, 2024, in the 5th-floor Gallery of City Hall. Members Present: Maureen Miller Brosnan, Mayor Dan Laible, Chair Susan Harvey, Vice -Chair Stephanie Roehl Blatt (left at 4:00pm) Rhett Gronevelt, OHM David Veselenak, Schoolcraft College Members Absent: Others Present: Omar Faris Patrick Mies Jeremy Curtis Mark Taormina, Economic Development & Planning Director Debbie Lichtenberg, Director of Finance Jacob Uhazie, Assistant Planning Director Stephanie Reece, Planning Program Supervisor Doug Moore, City of Livonia DPW, Assistant Director Robert Bywalec, D & B Landscaping Ted Davis, Director of Parks and Recreation Betsy Calhoun, Historical Commission 1. Roll was called. A quorum was present. 2. Introduction and welcome to new board members. Mr. Taormina introduced Rhett Gronevelt and David Veselenak to the board. Mr. Gronevelt said he has been shadowing the past couple of meetings and that he is a Civil Engineer for OHM. Mr. Veselenak said he is from Schoolcraft College in the Marketing Department. He used to be a reporter for the Observer & Eccentric. He stated he spends a lot of time on Plymouth Road, and he is excited to help. 3. Audience Communication. Ms. Betsy Calhoun wanted to introduce the Main Street Program to the board. She gave a brief description of the program. She stated that the plaza at Middle Belt and Plymouth wasn't well received by the community. She acknowledged that there is a lot of work to be done on Plymouth Road. 4. Adoption of Minutes. On a motion made by Blatt, seconded by Harvey, and unanimously adopted, it was: December 11, 2024 2 #2024-05 RESOLVED, that the Plymouth Road Development Authority does hereby approve the Minutes of the 260th Regular Meeting held on March 21, 2024. Mr. Laible, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 5. Financial Reports — February 2024 through November 2024. Ms. Lichtenberg explained that she combined the information, which tells more of a picture. She consolidated it and presented it to the Board in a couple of different ways so everyone could look at it and understand it easier. Everyone was very appreciative of that effort. She explained that there will be some adjustments since November is the end of the fiscal year. She said the fund balance is stable, and there is a little over $1.7 million worth of assets that the PRDA can use for projects in the area. She explained that revenue is property taxes and interest. She explained that the bump in contractual services and irrigation was due to the Consumers Power gas line replacement between Middle Belt and Farmington. The end -of -year water bill will be coming in soon and will be part of the adjustments she spoke about. She said there wasn't anything out of the ordinary in the costs. Mr. Gronevelt inquired that once the water bill hits 2024, will the numbers be similar to last year, and Ms. Lichtenberg said yes. The Mayor asked Ms. Lichtenberg what her overall assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the financial position was. Ms. Lichtenberg feels the PRDA is in a comfortable position. There is enough money to do projects like the improvements that were done this year. She said there isn't so much money the Board needs to look for ways to spend it and that the Board still needs to be judicious. She said it is stable and functioning the way the district intended to, and it provides an extra source of revenue to support the district. Mr. Taormina asked if there is a number to keep in mind for additional projects along the corridor regarding a healthy fund balance. Ms. Lichtenberg said typically, when looking at the general fund balance, you want at least two months of expenses. She said that there is about $400,000 built into the budget for project work for next year. It can be over the $400,000 but we would want to keep enough in the fund that we are covering from one tax cycle to another, but there is definitely enough that if the right project comes up, we could use it on that. Ms. Harvey was inquiring about the office market and how it has decreased so dramatically and how that will affect tax revenues and wanted to know if that would impact the corridor or not because there isn't a lot of office space along the corridor. Mr. Taormina said he doesn't feel the office market has had much effect on the corridor. Ms. Lichtenberg said the 2008 was what really had an impact. She then went on to explain there are two funding streams for the PRDA. There is a millage and the ability to capture taxes. She said that the likelihood of getting back to the base for taxes is pretty much non-existent and that we are relying on the millages. On a motion made by Mayor Miller Brosnan, seconded by Gronevelt, and unanimously adopted, it was December 11, 2024 3 #2024-06 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 February 2024 through November 2024. Mr. Laible, Chairman, declared the motion is carried and the foregoing resolution adopted. 6. Update on irrigation and request for appropriation to replace controller boxes. Mr. Taormina explained that the PRDA approved the first phase of replacing the controller boxes. The Board allocated $30,000 as part of phase one. There are about 26 boxes that are rusted and in poor condition. He said that the current cost per box is about $6,000. He wondered if the Board would be looking to allocate another $30,000 to replace five or six in 2025. Ms. Blatt asked, after the five were done, how many boxes were left. Mr. Moore said after 2024 and 2025, there would be about 16 left. Ms. Harvey wanted to know how to determine which ones are next. Mr. Moore said that he leaves that decision to Techseven. Ms. Blatt wanted to know how many of the 16 really needed to be done. Mr. Moore said the worst were done and this is for the next set. He said that if the board decided not to approve any money for the boxes, it could be pushed back a few years. Mr. Moore feels that five is a good number for consideration. Ms. Harvey was wondering if the parts are readily available. Mr. Moore said it takes time to order them. He also said there is a lag time of two to three months to get one. Mr. Laible wondered if we ordered a few of them and had them on hand in inventory and then did not have to worry about replacing all 16. When they do get bad enough, one in inventory would replace it. Ms. Harvey was in favor of having some on hand. Mr. Moore said that if five were bought and four were replaced, there would be one in inventory in case a car took one out or something. Mr. Veselenak wanted to know if these items go up in price. Mr. Moore said they went up but not much. Mr. Laible wanted to know if any of the next five were eyesores for residents and Mr. Moore is unaware. Ms. Harvey does not want to spend money on something that could last another five years. That is why she likes the inventory idea. Mr. Veselenak wondered if we have ever stored this type of box and Mr. Moore said no, but they have stored light poles. On a motion made by Veselenak, seconded by Blatt, and unanimously adopted, it was #2024-07 RESOLVED that the Plymouth Road Development Authority approves an expenditure of up to $30,000 for the replacement of five (5) stainless steel controller boxes as necessary and to the extent that they are not necessary, they will be held in inventory until such need arises. December 11, 2024 4 7. Renewal of contract with D & B Landscaping, Inc. for Landscape services to include fertilization and weed control for the 2025 season. Mr. Taormina explained that this would be our third contract with D&B related to fertilization and weed control. He said that the pricing was held constant for 2023 and 2024. The increase for 2025 is roughly $500. The total cost for 2025 would be $12,350. Mr. Bywalec said he tried to keep the same pricing, but the weed control product price increased. He said there are five applications, and he feels the corridor looks great. He has gotten positive feedback from patrons he has spoken to. Mr. Laible said there has been good feedback about D&B and their services. He thanked him for his continued services. He also feels the increase is consistent with general pricing increases over that time period. Mr. Taormina feels this is a real value-added project that the board does yearly. He remembers the inconsistency prior and now there is consistency along the corridor between the sidewalk and the curbline in terms of the maintenance of the grass and much less dandelions. Mr. Bywalec said they did a great job making the grass greener and less dandelions on a 16-mile corridor. Mr. Veselenak wondered how long the board has been doing this, and Mr. Taormina explained a bit of the history of PRDA and what has transpired over the years. He said it is now just starting to be recaptured, and it has only been three years. He feels it really does show benefits. On a motion made by Gronevelt, seconded by Harvey, and unanimously adopted, it was: #2024-08 RESOLVED that the Plymouth Road Development Authority approves an expenditure of up to $12,350 to D&B Landscaping, Inc., for fertilization and weed control services for the 2025 season. 8. Update on plaza landscaping at Middlebelt and Plymouth Roads. Mr. Taormina showed some before and after photographs of the plaza at Middlebelt and Plymouth Roads. He gave a brief history and showed plans for the overhaul of the landscaping. Mr. Bywalec said that the plantings will have to mature a bit, and that, in turn, will soften the boulders. He spoke about the Black Eye Susan's and how they are real eye-catchers. Once the hydrangeas come in there, it should be a year-round color. He explained that the boulders give the area a bit of depth. He said the plantings are still under warranty. He went on to tell the Board about the grass seed used at the bus stop. It is grass that needs to be mowed about every six weeks. It is a sun/shade mix, but it prefers the shade. It is a lab -made seed. He said it may be something the city may be interested in down the road maybe for construction or something. It would eliminate a lot of care and have enough cost savings to the city because it reduces irrigation also. He said that he is going to make sure that it doesn't get cut except once a month. He also said it is supposed to be salt resistant. The Mayor made comments about coming home from the airport and noticed how beautiful the yellow Black - Eye Susans were. She said she took a picture of it and will include it in the State of the City. She said that the board had been limping along for years December 11, 2024 5 due to financial strain to maintain these areas, but now it is in a position to maintain it and have the right provider in D & B Landscaping. She feels they take great care and pride in this area. She was impressed with drought -resistant sod and the long-term viability that they have put into the thought process of the area. 9. Update on Plaza Landscaping at Farmington and Plymouth Roads Mr. Taormina said that D&B had provided plans for the Farmington and Plymouth Road plazas. Mr. Bywalec said they wanted to copy what was done at the Middlebelt plazas to keep it consistent. He said the beds are smaller but will have the same plant material. He said these plants have low maintenance and are disease resistant. He said they would be working on all four corners. He won't really have a hard number until the end of December or the beginning of January. He is thinking about $165,000, which would include maintenance. Without the maintenance, he is thinking around $145,000. Mr. Laible asked about the timing of when he would need approval to do the spring planting. Mr. Bywalec would like to do that by February to help them allocate the plant material. Mr. Taormina showed pictures of the southeast corner of the Farmington and Plymouth Plaza and spoke briefly about what is there currently. Mr. Bywalec mentioned how inconsistent those four corners are currently. His plan will be to make it consistent with the other plazas. The Board discussed the possibility of another meeting towards the end of winter, and the Mayor suggested we keep the momentum going. My. Bywalec said he should also have the Merriman Road plan ready by then. The Mayor inquired whether the wrought iron and concrete infrastructure is still in place at the Farmington and Plymouth Road plaza. 10. Consideration of landscape improvements to Sesquicentennial Park Mr. Taormina spoke about the Sesquicentennial Park. Mr. Bywalec said that he and Mr. Moore determined about 15 dead trees needed to be removed. Mr. Moore then confirmed that the trees had been removed. Mr Bywalec said the focus should be on how the park serves as an entrance into Livonia. He said it needs to pop again. Another issue is that some brick pavers in the circle are in really bad shape. He said they would not fix it in their design because of the cost. He said they are going to recommend turning it into a planting bed. The retaining wall should be a focal point. He said they would use flowering trees for some color in the spring. He wants to focus on the front area and along the fencing going down the sidewalk. Ms. Harvey asked who uses it and how it is used. Mr. Bywalec said he didn't know. Ms. Harvey asked where you park if you want to go there. Mr. Bywalec said he parks on the side street. Mr. Taormina said that the history of this park is a bit fuzzy. He said the park existed before the PRDA. Ms. Harvey said it seems that this is not a place where people gather, nor a practical place to encourage people to gather because of the busy intersection. Mr. Veselenak inquired when the trees were removed, and Mr. Moore said in August. Mr. Veselenak said he was there in October, and it looked very rough. He looked for a garbage can and couldn't find one. It was the first time he spent any time at that park, and it really wasn't a place December 11, 2024 6 that you would spend time at, but he also recognized that it was the gateway to the City. Ms. Harvey said the perimeter roadsides need to be up to snuff, but she isn't sure the interior needs a lot of investment if unused. Mr. Bywalec said the chippings would need to be removed, and some trees should be added for color. He said that the neighbor on Inkster was very happy to have a tree removed that was hanging over into her yard. Mr. Moore said the neighbors would like some material put back in just to help screen Plymouth Road and reduce the sound they are now getting because of the removed trees. Ms. Harvey had mentioned that maybe just tear out the concrete, plant some beautiful trees, and have a beautiful perimeter for people to drive by like what is being done at every other corner. She doesn't understand a path to nowhere that nobody will use. Mr. Moore said that Rotundo was just in there last year and replaced some of the slabs on the sidewalk because there were substantially damaged slabs. Mr. Taormina asked if we send a mower to the central part of the park. Mr. Moore said that the mowing contractor mows it. Mr. Taormina asked what would happen if it were to just grow naturally. Mr. Moore said it wasn't worth it. The cost is $50 to mow that part. It is just a small amount to mow it. Mr. Bywalec said they wouldn't be concentrating on the park's south side. The concentration would be along Plymouth Road and Inkster Road and really focusing on the sign in the retaining wall. Mr. Bywalec said it would be a smattering of some trees for color. Mr. Laible stated that he believes that the ideas have been brought up for the potential of what the intersection would look like, and a meeting should be scheduled to discuss this further for more deliberation as to what should happen. Mr. Bywalec again said that he should have the plans by the end of December and should be ready to lay them out at the next meeting. Mr. Laible said that at the next meeting, they would have more discussion with some hard quotes and some specific proposals. 11. Shelden Park Improvements — Request by Parks and Recreation Commission for PRDA funding. Mr. Taormina stated that Ted Davis, Director of Parks and Recreation, held a meeting last week where they are looking for a partnership for potential improvements to Shelden Park. He stated that it is located within the PRDA district and is located within the Development Plan. The development plan does not have any itemized type of improvements. This plan must be renewed because it expires at the end of 2027. He said that the Board will need to discuss amending the plan to incorporate some additional areas, potentially Shelden Park and whether the PRDA is willing to participate in the funding for some of the park's improvements. Mr. Ted Davis went on to explain that Shelden Park is in need of a complete overhaul and redesign. He explained what is currently there regarding equipment and told the Board that this park is considered a community park. He said they want to replace or convert three ball fields into two fence diamonds and move the soccer fields. They would have four tennis courts, eight pickleball courts, and a center gathering area with a shade structure. They want to add an adult fitness area and a splash pad. The pool would be converted into the splash pad. That would save on staffing issues. The plan includes a change in topography. Mr. Davis said December 11, 2024 7 they do not have any renderings at this time. Mr. Davis said they would be keeping the existing parking lots. Mr. Veselenak wanted to know if the parking was still in good shape and Mr. Davis said it is in reasonable condition right now, but he said it may need to be resurfaced after heavy equipment runs over it. Mr. Davis said that with the current projects going on, such as the Senior Center, funding is insufficient. They would like a partner for this project. He said they are looking at $3.0 million for the total project cost. Mr. Laible wanted to know if there was a certain amount they were interested in or whether the board would be interested in supporting without the details. Mr. Taormina said that the first thing that needs to happen is to amend the Development Plan, which expires in 2027. With that expiration date, if any funding were to occur, it would be past the expiration date, so it would need to be updated. Mr. Taormina said that Miller Canfield would probably be brought in to help with the funding via bonds, assist in amending the Development Plan, and be our bond council. Mr. Gronevelt wanted to know if Mr. Davis was looking for the PRDA to cover the entire debt or just be in partnership with them. Mr. Taormina said that is all to be discussed. Mr. Veselenak asked if this collaboration has ever occurred with the PRDA. Ms. Lichtenberg said that even though something like this has not been done with the PRDA specifically, she said that it is not an uncommon request. She said other communities do partnership activities like this. She said Westland did that with Tatton Park, funded almost entirely through a TIF. Ms. Harvey wanted to know where the closest parks are and which ones have similar amenities. She asked if this would be a resource that doesn't otherwise exist for residents. Mr. Davis said this would be the only open splash pad in the community, and the next closest comparable playground would be Rotary Park. The comparable tennis courts would be Devonaire and the pickleball would be Compton. The Mayor stated that this was coming up because the city is looking to create and build amenities that would enhance what is happening on the south end of the city and bring real added value. She said that this park is meant to be a destination. It wouldn't be just a typical park improvement with a new set of swings. She mentioned Tatton Park and how it added value to the area and helped to add businesses and drive community activity. She recognizes that there is a lot of work around the City Center and Senior Center and that there has been investment in the community's north end. This park has been on the docket in the Master Plan to build a south -end amenity. She is looking for balance. She said that a splash pad is a huge amenity. Mr. Veselenak said that this would be the only park within the district. The Mayor said that this is for the Board's consideration. She recognizes that there needs to be funding for it. The Master Plan calls for the redevelopment of the park. She believes that the PRDA can have the next level of impact here. Mr. Laible said that he sees this opportunity from a business owner's perspective, and it could lead to more crowds and potentially bring patrons to their businesses. He feels this is a positive thing for the community at large. He said he feels it is something the board would consider with the caveat that the current expenses and mission are being met. He does not want that to be compromised, but if there is a way to meet the PRDA's obligations and help make this work, he feels the Board would be open to it. Mr. Laible asked December 11, 2024 8 about the thoughts on funding. Ms. Lichtenberg said that the $3.0 million is a spitball at this point. She said there is some funding for capital projects. She does feel that the PRDA could help. Mr. Gronevelt wanted to know if the plan touched the Noble library, and Mr. Davis said it does now. It is only dealing with Sheldon Park property. The Mayor went on to say that the park brings value. She said depending on what is done with the Noble Library, the park could be extended if the building is taken away or if the building is deemed salvageable and there was a best and highest use for it, it could easily blend in with what is created behind it. She reiterated the Sheldon Park is high on the list in the Master Plan for Parks and Recreation. She also said that she didn't want to see anything being developed that may or may not compete with that building. Mr. Gronevelt made the statement that he wants to make sure that all the work that has been done at each of the plazas is taken care of and that if there is a project with a debt service component, he wants to make sure that it doesn't take away from what has been built upon over the last 30 years. The Mayor stated that when the Board returns, there needs to be proof that the funding stream for the corridor improvements will be there and that a case will need to be made. Mr. Taormina said the Development Plan will do that and itemize those things. He said that the obligations already there will need to be considered when discussing the future of Shelden Park and the Board's part in that. Mr. Laible asked what the bond term could be on this project. Ms. Lichtenberg said she guesses a 15 or 20 year. She said that given the amount, they probably wouldn't want to go longer than that because of the interest. She feels it would be more manageable in a shorter time period. Ms. Harvey asked if, at the next meeting, there would be a more definitive ask. Ms. Lichtenberg said there would be more of a plan. She said there would be a better understanding of what the Parks and Recreation Commission wants to do and what the Council is on board with. She said today was just to see if the PRDA wants to pursue this. She said the city will look for other options if the Board is uninterested. Mr. Vesenelak said that this type of partnership would show the value of the PRDA to the residents also. 12. Comments from Board Members Mr. Moore mentioned that the TechSeven bill this year was high and he has asked them to go back through the work orders and get us the information to present a bill to Consumers Power for the damage they caused. He said that the city has been successful in pursuing Consumers Power for the damage in Section 35. He thinks most of the damage between Middle Belt and Merriman on the north side was theirs. 13. Adjournment On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the 261st Regular Meeting held by the Plymouth Road Development Authority on December 11, 2024, was adjourned at 4:37 p.m. (f2a Patrick Mies, Secretary