City Council - October 10, 2005

PROPOSED MINUTES
FERNDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2005, 7:30 P.M. AT CITY HALL

A Regular Meeting of the Ferndale City Council was held Monday, October 10, 2005, at City Hall, 300 East Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. Mayor Porter called the meeting to order at 7:34 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. Moved by Mayor Porter, supported unanimously, to adopt the Appreciation Resolution for Jack Aronson of Garden Fresh Salsa for Hurricane Fund Raiser.

ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY

Mayor Porter indicated no one was present from the Ferndale Public Schools and asked that if no Council Member had objection, this item would be taken up later in the meeting. No Council Members indicated objection.

XXX. Sharon Hawkins, Community Education Director of Hazel Park Schools, provided an update on activities throughout Hazel Park Public Schools.

XXX. Robert Storen requested that the presentation be made at a future Council Meeting.

XXX. Mayor Porter opened the Public Hearing at 7:44 p.m. Carolyn Clark requested a hardship deferment. Mayor Porter closed the Public Hearing at 7:46 p.m.

Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilwoman Weber, that the Council receive and confirm the Assessment Roll for Special Assessment Sidewalk District No. 2005, and that the Special Assessment be spread on the 2005 Winter Tax Roll unless deferment is later allowed.

AYES: C, G, L, W; MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilwoman Weber, to grant deferments of Sidewalk Special Assessments, as recommended by the Hardship Committee, including Carolyn Clark, 370 E. Woodland, and Ken Loper, 3243 Minerva and Susan Sherman, 2815 Grayson, who submitted late hardship requests, contingent upon verification of hardship deferments by the Engineering Department, to allow the property owners to pay in three annual installments with 5% interest to be paid with the second and third installment.

AYES: G, L, W, C; MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

1. Peggy Snow, Chair of the Beautification Commission, reminded residents about "Make a Difference Day" and recognized some groups that had offer to volunteer. She indicated that volunteers were still needed for "Make a Difference Day" and the group would meet on October 27, 2005, at Martin Road Park, 10:00 a.m.

2. Ed Burns, President of Friends of the Library, announced that on Monday, October 17, 2005, at the Ferndale Library, Former Detroit Police Commissioner and co-author of the book Who Killed Detroit, Johannes F. Spreen, will discuss his book.

3. Stephanie Loveless indicated support and encouraged voters to vote yes on City Proposal D, regarding medical marijuana. 

4. Dana Daley expressed concern regarding rezoning of properties, under the proposed Zoning Ordinance, to parking districts.

5. Ray White, President of the Historical Society, announced that the group would hold their Annual Dinner on October 28, 2005, at the Kulick Community Center, to elect Officers and invited members of Council and residents to attend.

6. Mary Tsouris inquired if there would be barrier free access for the disabled on Hilton and extended parking in the area near her business on Hilton.

7. David Coulter, Oakland County Commissioner, provided information on recent activities of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners.

8. Tomiko Gumbleton, on behalf of Ferndale Youth Assistance, announced that on Friday, November 11, 2005, "Safe Night" would be held at Ferndale High School and volunteers were needed.

Councilman Lennon left Council Chambers at 8:11 p.m.

XXX. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilwoman Weber, to approve the Consent Agenda, as submitted:

A. Approval to refer proposed Ordinance, which amends Article XXIV, Adult Businesses, Section 24.01, Definitions, of the Zoning Ordinance to the Plan Commission for immediate action, as submitted by City Attorney.

B. Approval to refer proposed Ordinance, which amends Article XIV, C-4, Central Business District, Section 14.02, Permitted Uses, of the Zoning Ordinance to the Plan Commission for immediate action, as submitted by City Attorney.

C. Approval of Special Event Application submitted by Affirmations for Ground Breaking Ceremony on Sunday, October 23, 2005, from 12:00 Noon to 6:00 p.m., on West Nine Mile Road, as submitted by City Manager.

D. Approval of emergency repair of Pump No. 3 at the Water Booster Station by UIS Programmable Services, as submitted by DPW Director.

E. Approval to award Beautification Segment of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Year 2005 to Tom= s Landscaping; approval of the Contract, and authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the Contract, as submitted by CDS Director.

F. Approval to schedule a Public Hearing on November 14, 2005, at

7:30 p.m., to review the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Year 2006 Application and to direct City Clerk to publish notice of the Public Hearing at least two weeks prior to the meeting, as submitted by CDS Director.

G. Approval of the bills, payrolls (as certified by City Manager) and City Attorney expense statement submitted by Howard Shifman, P.C., and Hafeli, Staran, Hallahan, Christ & Dudek, P.C., to be paid subject to review by the Council Finance Committee.

AYES: W, C, G; MP

NAYS: None

ABSENT: L

MOTION CARRIED

Councilman Lennon returned to Council Chambers at 8:13 p.m.

XXX. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilwoman Weber, to appoint John Premilovich, 474 University, to the Arts and Cultural Commission to fill a vacant term, expiring December 31, 2005.

AYES: W, C, G, L; MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilman Covey, to appoint Jean Davis, 1531 Pinecrest, to the Board of Review to fill a vacant term expiring December 31, 2006.

AYES: C, G, L, W; MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Council took no action on this Agenda Item.

XXX. Moved by Councilwoman Weber, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to approve the bid of $39,665.00, from The Thomas Co. and Sons, Inc., to construct a concrete pad with screening wall and to provide electrical improvements for a new solid waste compactor in the West Breckenridge Parking Lot, and that the expense be charged to the Sanitation Fund, Capital, Account# 226-977.

AYES: G, L, W, C; MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Lennon, to adopt the Resolution supporting Local Control of Municipal Broadband and Cable Franchising.

AYES: L, W, C, G; MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Mayor Porter left Council Chambers at 8:24 p.m.

Mayor Pro Tem Covey assumed the Chair.

Mayor Porter returned to Council Chambers at 8:28 p.m.

XXX. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilwoman Weber, to adopt Ordinance No. 999, which amends Chapter 2, Article VI, of the Code of Ordinances, regarding Noise.

AYES: W, C, G, L; MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Police Chief Kitchen thanked Council for adopting the Resolution regarding Local Control of Municipal Broadband and Cable Franchising.

XXX. City Clerk Pedro announced that the November 8, 2005 Ballot and Optical Scan Video was currently running on cable and these were also on the City’s website, as well as a listing of Polling Locations.

XXX. City Manager Barwin announced that Michigan Department of Transportation approved the construction of the "Crow’s Nest" at Nine Mile and Woodward.

XXX. Councilman Galloway commented on the Ferndale Library Strategic Planning Initiative that he participated in and the West Chesterfield and East Woodland Chili Cook-Offs.

XXX. Moved by Councilwoman Weber, supported unanimously, to adopt a Resolution recognizing the planners and the recipients of awards at the annual "Thanks For Giving" ceremony that will be held on November 15, 2005.

ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY

XXX. Moved by Councilman Lennon, supported unanimously, to the Condolence Resolution for James Anthony Longo.

ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY

XXX. Moved by Councilman Lennon, supported unanimously, to approve the placement of signs commemorating 1970 St. James Dales, Catholic League Football Champions and the 1973 Ferndale High School, Class A Football Champions at the north and south entrances to Ferndale at Woodward and east and west entrances to Ferndale at Nine Mile Road.

AYES: C, G, L, W; MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Councilman Lennon thanked the residents of West Chesterfield and East Woodland for inviting him to their Chili Cook-offs. He requested that an area near the railroad at Hilton Road, which had trash, needed to be looked into. Councilman Lennon also requested the City Manager to see if there was a possibility to change the date that the water bills are mailed to customers and wished his daughter, Tara, "Happy Birthday".

XXX. Councilman Covey commented on Affirmations’ Ground Breaking Ceremony and Governor Grandholm would be in attendance. He also commented on the "Heart In the Park and the Chili Cook-Off that was held at the Curling Club, which was a success and thanked the members of the Curling Club for the use of their facility. Councilman Covey wished Bob Mills a "Happy 87^th Birthday" today and indicated that Club Q was going through renovations and would reopen on October 15, 2005. He announced that Ferndale’s First United Methodist Church Gala and Auction would be held on Saturday, November 5, 2005. Councilman Covey also indicated that M.A.P.P. was involved with National Latino Awareness Day that would be held on October 15, 2005, and from October 21-28, 2005, the Triangle Foundation would hold its Annual Gay/Lesbian Film Festival at the Main Art Theatre.

XXX. Mayor Porter thanked DPW Director Byron Photiades for his efforts on recognizing situations before they arise. He announced that Nathan Montgomery, guitarist, will be playing at the Coffee Beanery, on October 19, 2005. Mayor Porter also announced that there would be a college financial aid forum held at the Kulick Community Center on October 18, 2005, from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. He thanked David Chess and Chess Home Improvement for doing home improvements on two homes in Ferndale at no cost.

XXX. Moved by Mayor Porter, supported unanimously, to adopt the Condolence Resolution for Former Fire Captain David A. Beveridge.

ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY

XXX. Moved by Mayor Porter, supported unanimously, to adopt the Resolution recognizing retiring Pleasant Ridge City Commissioner Mark LaChey.

ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY

Mayor Porter adjourned the meeting at 9:04 p.m.