City Council - November 14, 2005

PROPOSED MINUTES

FERNDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2005, 7:30 P.M. AT CITY HALL

A Regular Meeting of the Ferndale City Council was held Monday, November 14, 2005, at City Hall, 300 East Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. Mayor Porter called the meeting to order at 7:33 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 Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilman Covey, to add "2005 State Champions" to the existing Golden Eagles Marching Band City Street signs throughout the City.

AYES: C, G, L, W; MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Beth D= Anna, Vice President of the Ferndale School Board, provided an update on activities throughout Ferndale Public Schools.

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

XXX. Acting Fire Chief Schmidt and Fire Sergeant Kronner presented Certificates of Commendation to Mr. and Mrs. David Habersack, for coming to the aid of their neighbor during a house fire and to Ms. Cindy Mortin, for coming to the aid of a child who was struck by a car.

XXX. Acting Fire Chief Schmidt introduced two new Firefighters, Jared Berousek and Miles Bracali, to Council and the community at large.

XXX. Police Chief Kitchen presented awards to Clinton Schwindel and Michelle Tarrance for coming to the aid of a woman who needed medical assistance. Police Chief Kitchen announced that the award that would be given to Roberta Flannery for her assistance in preventing a robbery and for providing information to assist in the capture of the suspects.

XXX. Mayor Porter opened the Public Hearing at 7:51 p.m. Doris Harmon had questions. Patrick Greve, from AKT Peerless, and Jason Lewiston, from Lewiston Reality, provided information regarding the plans for 23113-23157 Woodward. Mayor Porter closed the Public Hearing at 7:59 p.m.

Moved by Councilwoman Weber, seconded by Councilman Covey, to adopt the Resolution following the November 14, 2005 Public Hearing considering the Brownfield Plan submitted by AKT Peerless for the property located at 23113-23157 Woodward.

AYES: G, L, W, C; MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Mayor Porter opened the Public Hearing at 8:04 p.m. Marie Verheyen from OLHSA provided information on the agency, and Belle Kleinberg from HAVEN thanked Council for their continued support. Mayor Porter closed the Public Hearing at 8:09 p.m.

Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilwoman Weber, that a Public Hearing having been properly noticed and held on this date and location:

to approve the Community Development Block Grant application for Program Year 2006 with the breakdown as follows: Code Enforcement, $65,415.00; Public Service Activity (Home Chore), $9,000.00; Public Service Activity (HAVEN), $3,150.00; Beautification, $5,000.00; Minor Home Repair, $2,500.00; and Administration, $2,000.00; totaling $87,065.00; to authorize the Mayor to sign the Grant Application and the Subrecipient Agreement; and to direct the City Clerk to forward a signed copy of the Application and the Agreement; a certified copy of the Minutes of this Public Hearing and the Minutes from the October 10, 2005 Meeting scheduling this Public Hearing, to CDS before November 18, 2005, for submittal to the County.

AYES: L, W, C, G; MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

1. Frank Flores announced that former American Legion Post #330 Commander, Brenda C. Rhynhard passed away and would be interred at the newly opened Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan.

XXX. Moved by Mayor Porter, supported unanimously, to adopt a Resolution regarding former American Legion Post #330 Commander, Brenda C. Rhynhard interment at Great Lakes National Cemetery.

ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Peggy Azull introduced herself and announced that she had opened up a new All State Insurance Company at 725 E. Nine Mile Road.

3. Mary Trenner, City Librarian, announced that the Friends of the Library would hold their Annual Book Sale on Saturday, November 19, 2005, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

4. Gerald Pipkin expressed concern regarding noise and property values in his neighborhood. He requested that taxes for homes in his area be reduced due to a reduction in property values.

Councilman Covey left Council Chambers at 8:33 p.m.

Councilman Covey returned to Council Chambers at 8:36 p.m.

5. Marsha Mellert, Recreation Director, announced that a craft show would be held on November 19, 2005, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and a Polar Bear Pizza Party on December 2, 2005, at the Kulick Community Center. She also announced that the Recreation Department is selling wreaths, hanging evergreen baskets and poinsettias.

6. Doris Harmon announced that flu shots were available at Oakland County Health Department Offices.

7. Dr. Margaret Dryer announced the 3^rd Annual "Thanks for Giving" event would be held at Birmingham Unitarian Church this year and she thanked Mayor Porter for his involvement in "Mayors for Peace".

8. Stephanie Loveless expressed concern regarding the proposed Zoning Ordinance and requested a six month postponement on the proposed Ordinance.

Mayor Porter asked if any Council Members objected to suspending the rules to allow an additional six minutes for Call to Audience. No Council Members indicated objection.

Frank Mercieca expressed concern regarding his voting experience.

10. Scott Wright commented on an invitation for Council to attend an Open House at a new development in the City.

Councilman Lennon left Council Chambers at 9:01 p.m.

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

A. Approval of request from Starving Artist Restaurant, Inc., for new Outdoor Service Permit (1 Area) to be held in conjunction with 2005 Class C Licensed Business located at 212 W. Nine Mile Road (Step 1), as submitted by Police Chief.

B. Approval of request from Bart J. Starks to drop Dorothy M. Joseph as partner in 2005 Class C Liquor Licensed business, located at 22726-22728 Woodward, as submitted by Police Chief.

C. Approval of request from Colleen Denise Smiley, d.b.a Om Café, for new Small Wine Makers License to be located at 23136 Woodward, as submitted by Police Chief.

D. Adoption of the Resolution supporting Governor Granholm’s Centers For Regional Excellence, as submitted by Acting Fire Chief.

E. Approval of the payment of the annual Oakway Hazardous Materials Response Team dues, as submitted by Acting Fire Chief.

F. Approval of the bid from Exercise Warehouse for exercise equipment, including freight, delivery and setup, as submitted by Acting Fire Chief.

G. Approval of the bid from West Metro Door, Inc., for installation of garage doors with operators and remotes, and removal of existing garage doors, as submitted by Acting Fire Chief.

H. Approval to appropriate funds for equipment and facility upgrades to the health/weight/fitness equipment located at the Ferndale Police Department, as submitted by City Manager.

I. Adoption of the Resolution for a Charitable Gaming License for the Ferndale Schools Fine Arts Boosters and to authorize the City Clerk to sign the Resolution, as submitted by City Manager.

J. Approval of the invoice payment to Aielli Construction Company, Inc., for street excavation work on Paxton at Rosewood, as submitted by DPW Director.

K. Approval of the Purchase of Services Agreement with Linda Palka for transportation services to and from the Judson Center using the SMART Transportation Program and authorization for the Mayor to sign the Agreement, as submitted by Recreation Director.

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

AYES: W, C, G; MP

NAYS: None

ABSENT: L

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilwoman Weber, to table the request from the Acting Fire Chief to fill Fire Captain and subsequent Fire Lieutenant, and Fire Sergeant positions.

AYES: C, G, W; MP

NAYS: None

ABSENT: L

MOTION CARRIED

Councilman Lennon returned to Council Chambers at 9:07 p.m.

XXX. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilwoman Weber, to authorize Acting Fire Chief Schmidt to hire two additional entry-level Firefighters from the current Eligibility List, which will increase the total number of personnel to 33.

AYES: G, L, W, C; MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilwoman Weber, that the quote of $16,469.00 from Contract Welding be accepted for one 20-yard solid-waste compactor in the West Breckenridge Parking Lot to service the adjacent Woodward businesses and that the expense be charged to the Sanitation Fund, Capital, Account# 226-977.

AYES: L, W, C, G; MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilwoman Weber, to approve the License Agreement between the City and Ferndale Foods.

AYES: W, C, G, L; MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Police Chief Kitchen congratulated Auxiliary Officer of the Year, Bill Keating, for his award. He thanked Council, the Auxiliary Police, the Hazel Park Police Department for contributing money toward equipment and facility upgrades to the health/weight/fitness equipment at the Ferndale Police Department and thanked Officers Thibodeau and Carroll for organizing the project.

XXX. Acting Fire Chief Schmidt congratulated Mayor Porter and Councilman Galloway on their re-election; congratulated newly-elected Councilwoman Tomiko Gumbleton and thanked Councilwoman Weber for her years of service. He reminded residents of safety issues regarding down power lines. Acting Fire Chief Schmidt reminded residents to have their furnace checked and encouraged Council to set a wage and benefit package for Fire Chief. Councilman Lennon inquired about City Staff being trained to use the defibrillators. Councilman Covey commended the Fire Department for their quick response to down power lines and an emergency at his house.

XXX. Councilman Galloway thanked the City Clerk and her office for their hard work on running a smooth election and thanked the community for re-electing him to Council. He requested an appointment to the Fiscal Review Advisory Committee be placed on the next Regular Council Agenda.

XXX. Councilwoman Weber commented on an article that appeared in the National League Cities newsletter.

XXX. Councilman Covey congratulated Mayor Porter and Councilwoman Galloway on their re-election and congratulated newly-elected Councilwoman Tomiko Gumbleton. He requested an appointment to the Arts and Cultural Commission be placed on the next Regular Council Agenda. Councilman Covey announced that November 15, 2005, was National Recycling Day and indicated that Ferndale was working on a program to recycle electronic waste. He also announced that December 1, 2005, was "World’s A.I.D.S. Day" and a dinner fundraiser would be held at 1^st United Methodist Church to raise funds for various H.I.V./A.I.D.S. charities. Councilman Covey thanked those who were responsible for the $20,000.00 tree planting grant award.

XXX. Councilman Lennon congratulated Mayor Porter and Councilwoman Galloway on their re-election; congratulated newly-elected Councilwoman Tomiko Gumbleton and thanked the City Clerk and her staff for running a smooth election. He announced that the Ferndale High School Varsity Baseball Team would hold a fundraiser on Saturday, November 19, 2005, at Tony’s Sports Bar. Councilman Lennon wished everyone a "Happy Thanksgiving". He commented on the proposed Zoning Ordinance and settling Union Contracts soon.

XXX. Moved by Mayor Porter, supported unanimously, to adopt a Resolution to thank DPW Leader William Wrasse on his efforts in conducting a two month audit regarding incorrect billing to the City by DTE Energy.

ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY

XXX. Mayor Porter announced that Citizens for a Fair Ferndale would hold their award ceremony at the Elks Club on November 16, 2005. He commented on a letter received from Canadian National Railroad announcing that the railroad crossing on East Nine Mile would be replaced and that East Nine Mile Road, just west of Hilton would be closed from December 5, 2005 through December 16, 2005, for this project. Mayor Porter thanked Bill Axtell for hosting the Veteran Memorial Service on November 11, 2005, and wished everyone a "Happy Thanksgiving". He commented on the Election.

Mayor Porter adjourned the meeting at 9:46 p.m.