City Council - December 12, 2005

PROPOSED MINUTES
FERNDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2005, 7:30 P.M. AT CITY HALL

A Regular Meeting of the Ferndale City Council was held Monday, December 12, 2005, at City Hall, 300 East Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. Mayor Porter called the meeting to order at 7:40 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.

Mayor Porter announced that he was contacted prior to meeting that a representative from Ferndale Public Schools would not be able to be present and Mayor Porter covered some the highlights in the School District’s newsletter.

1. Peggy Snow of Beautification Commission announced that the Commission would be judging holiday lights on Thursday, December 15, 2005, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., for upcoming awards.

2. Bill Axtell of Ferndale Chamber of Commerce commented on the proposed Zoning Ordinance and encouraging businesses to come into Ferndale.

3. Cristina Sheppard-Decius, DDA Manager/Director, thanked those who sponsored and those that participated in the recent Ice Sculpture Festival.

XXX. It was the consensus of Council that Consent Agenda Item 5B be considered after the Regular Agenda.

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

A. Adoption of Year 2006 City Boards and Commissions Meetings Calendar, as submitted by City Manager.

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

C. Approval of the contract with SMART for the Specialized Services Operating Assistance Program Third-Party Contract for the period covering October 1, 2005 to September 30, 2006, and authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the Contract, as submitted by Recreation Director.

D. Approval of the bills, payrolls (as certified by City Manager) and City Attorney expense statements 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: C, G, L, W; MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilwoman Weber, to schedule a Special Meeting on Monday, December 19, 2005, to provide for a 20 minute interview of each of the three candidates and to finalize the appointment of a Fire Chief.

AYES: L, W; MP

NAYS: G, C

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilwoman Weber, to deny the appeal of denial of Freedom of Information Act Request by Samuel Begola.

AYES: L, W, C, G; MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilwoman Weber, to adopt Ordinance No. 1001, which amends Article XIV, Section 14.02, of the Zoning Ordinance regarding Body Decorating.

AYES: W, C, G, L; MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Councilman Lennon left Council Chambers at 8:20 p.m.

Councilman Lennon returned to Council Chambers at 8:23 p.m.

XXX. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilwoman Weber, to adopt Ordinance No. 1002, which amends Article XXIV, Section 24.01, of the Zoning Ordinance regarding Body Decorating.

AYES: C, G, L, W; MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Covey, to adopt the Resolution of support for Motown’s Downtowns’ Centers for Regional Excellence Program.

AYES: G, L, W, C; MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilwoman Weber, to approve filling of the budgeted and vacant Clerk/Typist II position in the CDS Department.

AYES: L, W, C, G; MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to adopt the proposed City of Ferndale Council Expense Policy including Sections A, C, and D; that the balance be referred to the Ordinance Committee and for the Ordinance Committee to create a policy for the monthly reimbursement policy and who should review it.

AYES: W, C, G, L; MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Moved by Councilwoman Weber, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to authorize the replacement of the flat roof (gym) at the Kulick Community Center for the estimated cost of $40,000.00, by Pro Roofing, Inc.; to be funded from the Public Improvement Fund with time and material costs to be verified by City staff, with copies of said guarantee and warranty to also be filled with the City Clerk.

AYES: C, G, L, W; MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Lennon, to have the City Clerk’s Office schedule the annual performance appraisals of the Police Chief, Fire Chief, City Clerk, City Manager and both City Attorneys; scheduling approximately 60 minutes per Appointee, with each Appointee to advise Council if they choose to have their performance appraisal in Closed or Open Session, to be coordinated with Regular Council Meetings in January, 2006.

AYES: G, L, W, C; MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilwoman Weber, to approve the scheduling of a Public Hearing on Tuesday, December 27, 2005, at 7:30 p.m., regarding Intra-County Class C Liquor License Transfer request from G & K Restaurant Enterprises, L.L.C., for Class C Liquor License with Entertainment Permit to be located at 22914 Woodward, as submitted by City Manager.

AYES: L, W, C, G; MP

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Police Chief Kitchen commented on the Intra-County Liquor License Request Public Hearing that was scheduled for December 27, 2005. He publicly recognized the evidence technicians for their work in identifying suspects in breaking and entering cases.

XXX. Councilwoman-Elect Gumbleton commented on the NLC Conference that she recently attended.

XXX. City Manager Barwin complimented DPW on their snow removal from the recent storm and commented on the success of the Ice Sculpture Festival.

XXX. City Attorney Christ wished everyone Happy Holidays.

XXX. Councilman Lennon wished everyone Happy Holidays.

XXX. City Clerk Pedro wished everyone Happy Holidays.

XXX. Councilman Covey congratulated the Ferndale High School wrestling team on their recent success. He requested that the City Attorney and City Manager follow up on the report from Acting Fire Chief Schmidt regarding the odor problem from a business in Ferndale. Councilman Covey thanked Council for passing the Body Decorating Ordinances and Reverends Paulson and Gateman for holding World A.I.D.S. Day Programs at their respected churches. He commented on the Holiday Lights at Via Nove and the Blues Festival. Councilman Covey wished everyone Happy Holidays.

XXX. Councilman Galloway provided an update on the proposed Zoning Ordinance by the Plan Commission and wished everyone Happy Holidays.

XXX. Councilwoman Weber commented on donations to the Ferndale Goodfellows.

XXX. Mayor Porter encouraged residents to apply for the Boards and Commissions positions. He commented on the minimal death benefits provided to the surviving family of U.S. servicemen and women. Mayor Porter wished everyone Happy Holidays.

Mayor Porter adjourned the meeting at 9:22 p.m.