City Council - November 8, 2004

PROPOSED MINUTES
FERNDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2004, 7:30 P.M. AT CITY HALL

A Regular Meeting of the Ferndale City Council was held Monday, November 8, 2004, at City Hall, 300 East Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. Mayor Porter called the meeting to order at 7:36 p.m.

Mayor Porter led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll call showed the following members of Council present: Council Members Covey, Galloway, Lennon, Weber; Mayor Porter. Absent: None.

XXX. Beth D’Anna, of Ferndale Public Schools, made a presentation and provided an update on activities throughout Ferndale Public Schools.

XXX. Mayor Porter presented, on behalf of the Ferndale City Council, Members of the Ferndale School Board, School System and the citizens of Ferndale, presented a plaque to Roger Smith congratulating the Ferndale Marching Band coming in 1st place in the 2004 MCBA State Championship. Mayor Porter announced that under the "Welcome to Ferndale" signs, an another sign would be placed announcing that Ferndale High School was the 2004 MCBA State Champion.

XXX. Mayor Porter opened the Public Hearing at 7:52 p.m. Nancy Kahn, Attorney for Homestead Construction, provided information regarding the proposed development. Fred Nix, Assistant Superintendent of Hazel Park Schools, indicated support for the development and the Brownfield Plan. Mayor Porter closed the Public Hearing at 8:04 p.m.

Mayor Porter left Council Chambers at 8:28 p.m.

Mayor Pro Tem Covey assumed the Chair.

Mayor Porter returned to Council Chambers at 8:29 p.m.

Mayor Porter asked if any Council Members had objections to allow City Attorney Christ and Attorney Nancy Kahn to work on revised language of Paragraphs #5 and #6 while Council continued with the meeting. No Council Member indicated objection.

1. Frank Flores announced that November was "Veterans Remembrance Month". He also announced that on Thursday, November 11, 2004, the Ferndale Memorial Association will hold a ceremony honoring veterans.

2. Jean Davis, President of the Arts and Cultural Commission, announced that on December 16, 2004, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., an auction will be held at Xhedos Cafe of donated works by artists to help support "Music In the Park" and on Saturday, December 11, 2004, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Commission will hold "Music of the Season", potentially in Council Chambers.

3. Larry Burrelson, of the Lions Club, encouraged residents to apply for membership to a new Ferndale/Pleasant Ridge Lions Club.

4. Mary Tsouris expressed concerns regarding shortage of parking in front of her salon on Woodward Avenue.

5. Peggy Snow, Chair of the Beautification Commission, announced that Pearson, between Central and Pinecrest, had been awarded the "Block Award". The Commission participated in "Make a Difference Day" on October 23, 2004, where they helped clean up yards of seniors in Ferndale.

6. Ed Burns, Secretary of the Friends of the Library, announced that the Annual Book Sale would be on Saturday, November 20, 2004, with the proceeds going to the Children Summer Reading Program. He also announced that the Book Sale Preview is on Wednesday, November 17, 2004, for a $5.00 admission and for those that become a member on November 17, 2004, the $5.00 would go towards their membership. He also announced that raffle tickets were on sale with 1st place receiving half the pot and 2nd place receiving an afghan.

Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Covey, to adopt Resolution regarding the Brownfield Plan for the property located at the existing Clark School site that was amended at the table at this meeting.

AYES: C,G,L,W;MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Councilman Lennon left Council Chambers at 8:54 p.m.

XXX. It was the consensus of Council that Consent Agenda Items 6B be considered after the Regular Agenda.

Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to approve the amended Consent Agenda as follows:

A. Adoption of Travel Resolution authorizing attendance at the NLC Conference to be held November 29 - December 5, 2004, in Indianapolis, Indiana, as submitted by City Clerk.

B. REMOVED FROM CONSENT-MOVED TO END OF REGULAR AGENDA

C. Approval of the bills, payrolls (as certified by City Manager) and City Attorney expense statements submitted by Howard Shifman, P.C., and Beier Howlett, P.C., to be paid subject to review by the Council Finance Committee.

AYES: G,W,C;MP

NAYS: None

ABSENT: L

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilwoman Weber, to appoint Steve Schoenknecht and Dennis Auguston to one year terms; Timothy Jarvis and Bradley Collick to two years terms; and Jack Miller to a three year term, to the Construction Board of Appeals.

AYES: W,C,G;MP

NAYS: None

ABSENT: L

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Covey, to fill the vacant Code Enforcement Officer Position.

AYES: W,C,G;MP

NAYS: None

ABSENT: L

MOTION CARRIED

Councilman Lennon returned to Council Chambers at 8:59 p.m.

Mayor Porter left Council Chambers at 9:00 p.m.

Mayor Pro Tem Covey assumed the Chair.

Mayor Porter returned to Council Chambers at 9:08 p.m.

Councilman Covey left Council Chambers at 9:10 p.m.

Councilman Covey returned to Council Chambers at 9:15 p.m.

XXX. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilwoman Weber, to table definitely the Draft Liquor Policy Resolution to the November 22, 2004 Council Meeting.

AYES: C,G,L,W;MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilwoman Weber, to accept the Department of Homeland Security and Office of Domestic Preparedness Assistance to Firefighters Grant money in the amount of $98,226.00 and pledge the matching 10 percent in the amount of $10,914.00 to be taken from Account# 101-336-747 on the condition that the Finance Director follows up with the notation to Council on exactly what account the matching grant will come from.

AYES: G,L,W,C;MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Covey, to lease and then purchase Monitor/Defibrillator/Pacer.

AYES: L,W,C,G;MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Covey, to adopt the Resolution opposing House Bill 4358 - Michigan Vehicle Code Amendment.

AYES: W,C,G,L;MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Moved by Councilwoman Weber, seconded by Councilman Covey, to receive the Police Department Report for September, 2004.

AYES: C,G,L,W;MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Police Chief Kitchen commented about the Police Auxiliary Dinner and wished Mayor Porter a Happy Birthday.

XXX. Interim Fire Chief Schmidt announced that injured Firefighter Patrick Sheehan will soon be able to returned to work. He commented on his new correspondence to Council regarding what is happening in the Fire Department. It was consensus of Council that this report be included in the Council’s Friday’s Briefs packet.

XXX. City Manager Barwin thanked all those involved in the Election and indicated he had received comments that schools be canceled for that day to due to high volume of traffic at schools that serve as polling locations. He commented on the bidding process of the properties that the voters approved to sell at the November, 2003 Election and wished the Mayor a Happy Birthday.

XXX. City Attorney Christ requested that if any Council Members had input regarding the Liquor License Policy to notify him.

XXX. City Clerk Pedro thanked her staff, volunteers, poll workers and all of those involved in the Election.

XXX. Councilman Lennon thanked the City Clerk’s Staff for their hard work during Election Day.

XXX. Councilman Covey wished Mayor Porter a Happy Birthday. He congratulated the City Clerk’s Office for their hard work on Election Day. Councilman Covey also congratulated Oakland County Commissioner David Coulter on his re-election.

XXX. Councilman Galloway thanked the City Clerk’s Office for their hard work on Election Day and commented on Election results.

XXX. Moved by Councilwoman Weber, supported unanimously, to adopt a Condolence Resolution for Ruth Elmers.

ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY

XXX. Councilwoman Weber suggested various ways that the City of Ferndale could hold Veteran’s Day observances.

XXX. Mayor Porter commented on the Election and the results.

Mayor Porter adjourned the meeting at 10:05 p.m.