City Council - June 26, 2006

FERNDALE CITY COUNCIL
June 26, 2006

A Regular Meeting of the Ferndale City Council was held Monday, June 26, 2006, at City Hall, 300 East Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. Mayor Porter called the meeting to order at
7:35 p.m.

Mayor Porter led the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

PROCLAMATION July, 2006 as Recreation and Parks Month

318. Mayor Porter proclaimed July, 2006, as Recreation and Parks Month.

PRESENTATION June, 2006 Beautification Awards

319. Peggy Snow, Chair of the Beautification Commission, and Mayor Porter presented June, 2006 Beautification Awards to the following: Commercial: Western Market, 44 7 West Nine Mile Road (present); Residential: Susan Papi-Wark, 595 West Breckenridge (present); Shirley Wade, 546 Kensington, (present); Helen Lambrix, 949 Allen (present); Joanne and Bill Grigoriou, 3111 Inman, (not present).

PRESENTATION Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)

A. Woodward/Eight Mile Bridge Rehabilitation Project

320. Greg Johnson, P.E., Metro Region Engineer of MDOT, made a presentation regarding the Woodward/Eight Mile Bridge Rehabilitation Project.

Consideration of a temporary exemption from maximum permissible sound pressure levels to Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) during bridge rehabilitation and road resurfacing work at Eight Mile Road and Woodward Avenue.

Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilman Covey, to approve a temporary exemption from the maximum sound pressure levels established by the City’s Noise Ordinance be granted to MDOT so that it may also perform bridge rehabilitation and road resurfacing at Eight Mile Road and Woodward Avenue during nights and weekends from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

AMENDMENT

Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilman Covey, that the residents be notified in advance by leaflet regarding evening and weekend work as soon as MDOT knows.

AYES: Council Members Covey, Galloway, Gumbleton, Lennon; Mayor Porter NAYS: None

AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION CARRIED

MAIN MOTION NOW READS:

Moved Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilman Covey that Council temporarily exempt MDOT from the maximum permissible sound pressure levels established under the City’s Noise Ordinance so that they may also perform bridge rehabilitation and road resurfacing work at Eight Mile Road and Woodward Avenue during nights and weekends from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., and that residents be notified in advance by leaflet regarding evening and weekend work as soon as MDOT knows.

AYES: Council Members Gumbleton, Lennon, Covey; Mayor Porter

NAYS: Councilman Galloway

MOTION CARRIED

321. Call to Audience

1. Frank Calabro expressed concern regarding safety and theft in his neighborhood, including two of his vehicles being stolen.

2. Robert Payne expressed concern regarding a fee to me an appeal for a handrail violation.

Councilman Lennon left Chambers at 8:44 p.m.

Consent Agenda

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

A. Approved the Minutes of the Regular Meetings held October 24, 2005, and
June 12, 2006, as submitted by City Clerk.

B. Adopted the Resolution of Appreciation for Senior Services Volunteers, as submitted by Senior Services Director.

C. Approved the bills, payrolls (as certified by City Manager) to be paid subject to review by the Council Finance Committee.

AYES: Council Members Gumbleton, Covey, Galloway; Mayor Porter

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Councilman Lennon

MOTION CARRIED

Councilman Lennon returned to Chambers at 8:49 p.m.

Regular Agenda

Mayor Porter asked if any Council Members objected to considering Regular Agenda Item K prior to Regular Agenda Item A. No Council Member indicated objection.

Consideration to adopt Ordinance No. 1010, to add Chapter 28, to the Ferndale Code of Ordinances, regarding Human Rights.

323. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilman Galloway, that the proposed Human Rights Ordinance, which will be provided to the public, be placed before the Electors of the City of Ferndale at the November, 2006 General Election.

AYES: Council Members Lennon, Covey, Galloway, Gumbleton; Mayor Porter

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

A. Appointments and Reappointment to Construction Board of Appeals

Councilman Covey left Council Chambers at 8:57 p.m.

324. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Lennon, to reappoint Steve Schoenknecht to a three year term ending June, 2009; to appoint Wayne Worosz to a three year term ending June, 2009; to appoint Steve Kwasnik to a three year term ending June, 2009; to recommended CDS Director Scheer for appointment to Executive Secretary by the City Manager; and to appoint Councilman Covey, for his term of office in accordance with Ordinance 487.

AYES: Council Members Galloway, Gumbleton, Lennon; Mayor Porter

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Councilman Covey

MOTION CARRIED

B. Appointment to Plan Commission

325. Moved by Councilwoman Gumbleton, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to confirm the appointment of Deborah Brazen to the Plan Commission to fill the vacant position expiring December 12, 2006.

AYES: Council Members Galloway, Gumbleton, Lennon; Mayor Porter

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Councilman Covey

MOTION CARRIED

Councilman Covey returned to Council Chambers at 9:04 p.m.

C. Discussion of Motor City Pride 2006

Councilman Galloway left Council Chambers at 9:07 p.m.

Councilman Galloway returned to Council Chambers at 9:12 p.m.

Mayor Porter left Council Chambers at 9:20 p.m.

Mayor Pro Tem Lennon assumed the Chair.

Mayor Porter returned to Council Chambers at 9:32 p.m.

326. A presentation was made by representatives of the Triangle Foundation.

D. Discussion of Telecommunication System Upgrade

327. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Covey, to approve the purchase, installation and training of upgraded telephone and voice data systems as described by RMS Associates and the City Manager’s memo dated June 20, 2006, from SunTel Services in the amount of $120,022.00, with funding taken from the $100,000.00 budged for Telecommunications Systems with the balance of $20,022.00 from the City’s Undesignated Fund Balance.

AMENDMENT

Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilwoman Gumbleton, to require contingency of approval by the City Attorney of any legal documentation that needs the City’s signatures.

AYES: Council Members Gumbleton, Lennon, Covey, Galloway; Mayor Porter

NAYS: None

AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION CARRIED

MAIN MOTION NOW READS:

Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilman Covey, to approve the purchase, installation and training of upgraded telephone and voice data systems as described by RMS Associates and the City Manager’s memo dated June 20, 2006, from SunTel Services in the amount of $120,022.00, with funding taken from the $100,000.00 budgeted for Telecommunications Systems with the balance of $20,022.00 from the City’s Undesignated Fund Balance, contingent upon approval by the City Attorney of any legal documentation that needs the City’s signatures.

AYES: Council Members Covey, Galloway, Gumbleton; Mayor Porter

NAYS: Councilman Lennon

MOTION CARRIED

Consideration of Woodward Dream Cruise and RetroFest

Councilwoman Gumbleton left Council Chambers at 9:45 p.m.

Councilman Galloway left Council Chambers at 9:46 p.m.

Councilman Covey left Council Chambers at 9:46 p.m.

Councilman Covey returned to Council Chambers at 9:50 p.m.

Councilwoman Gumbleton returned to Council Chambers at 9:52 p.m.

Councilman Galloway returned to Council Chambers at 9:52 p.m.

328. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Lennon, to approve hosting the Ferndale Woodward Dream Cruise and RetroFest on August 18, 19, and 20, 2006, and that the attached street and parking lot closures be approved as presented.

AYES: Council Members Lennon, Covey, Galloway, Gumbleton; Mayor Porter

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

F. Consideration of Resolution regarding transfer of Class C Liquor License with new Dance-Entertainment Permit to be located at 22930 Woodward, The Bosco

329. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilwoman Gumbleton, to adopt the Resolution approving the transfer of the Intra-County On-Premises Liquor License and adopt the language prepared by our City Attorney as attached to the

June 22, 2006 letter.

Councilman Covey indicated for the record that The Bosco has hosted charity events for his non-profit organization and this was not a conflict of interest.

AYES: Council Members Galloway, Gumbleton, Lennon, Covey; Mayor Porter

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Consideration to adopt Ordinance No. 1009, an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance regarding rezoning property located 176-178 West Cambourne from R-3, Medium Density/Multi-Family Residential District to P-1, Vehicular Parking District

Mayor Porter left Council Chambers at 10:29 p.m.

Mayor Pro Tem Lennon assumed the Chair.

330. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Covey, to adopt the following Ordinance, No. 1009, rezoning Lot 262 of Woodward Heights Subdivision, Sidwell No. 25-27-352-015, commonly known as 176-178 West Cambourne from
R-3, Medium Density/Multi-Family Residential District to P-1, Vehicular Parking District, and that the Council recognize and adopt the statement of facts in the Plan Commission’s motion, specifically that this is a lot in the R-3 District and that should further rezoning requests come before the Board, that it may not be appropriate in
R-2 or R-1 District.

AYES: Council Members Gumbleton Covey, Galloway; Mayor Pro Tem Lennon NAYS: None

ABSENT: Mayor Porter

MOTION CARRIED

Consideration to fill Police Officer’s position

331. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilwoman Gumbleton, to grant the Police Department permission to fill the opening in the Police Department from the existing Eligibility List, bringing the Police Department’s sworn officers up to 48.

Mayor Porter returned to Council Chambers at 10:32 p.m.

AYES: Council Members Lennon, Covey Galloway, Gumbleton; Mayor Porter

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

I. Consideration to begin Police Dispatcher testing process

332. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilman Lennon, to authorize the Police Department to begin the Police Dispatcher testing process.

AYES: Council Members Covey, Galloway, Gumbleton, Lennon; Mayor Porter

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

J. Consideration of truck chassis and aerial lift purchase under the State Extended Purchase Program

Councilman Galloway left Council Chambers at 10:37 p.m.

333. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilman Lennon, to approve purchasing under the State Extended Purchase Program one Ford F550 truck chassis from Gorno Ford, 22025 Allen Road, Woodhaven, for $34,434.00 and one aerial lift from Cannon Equipment Co., 51781 Danview Technology, Shelby Township, for $69,995.00; and charging the total expense of $104,429.00 to the fiscal 2007 Vehicle and Equipment Fund, Capital Account No. 661-977.

AYES: Council Members Gumbleton, Lennon, Covey; Mayor Porter

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Councilman Galloway

MOTION CARRIED

Call to Council

334. City Manager Barwin wished a Happy Birthday to Cable Employees Arianne Faunt and Del Schmidt and commented on the Parking Meter Pilot Program that would be piloted at the Withington Parking Lot. He congratulated Councilman Covey on being honored in Columbus, Ohio, for work that he initiated in Columbus over 25 years ago. City Manager Barwin also commented on an article in the Detroit Free Press regarding the decline of real estate sales and property values that indicated that Ferndale was one of five communities, out of 28, that had values still rising. He announced that Detroit Edison would be painting all light poles from silver aluminum to black in the City, including City-owned poles at their cost, so all poles throughout the City will match.

335. City Clerk Pedro announced that the last day to register to be eligible to vote in the August, 2006 Primary Election was July 10, 2006. She also announced the Polling Location for Precinct 6 was changed from St. James Community Center to the Kulick Community Center and that new Voter ID Cards would be sent out soon to those affected by the change.

336. Councilman Lennon requested a Special Council Meeting with the Labor Attorney be held prior to the next Regular Council Meeting regarding Labor Contracts. He commented on an article in the Daily Tribune regarding the Ashmore Family and wished everyone a happy and safe 4th of July.

337. Councilman Covey announced that free parking for hybrid cars would be discussed at a Regular Council Meeting in the near future and commented on new information on Ferndale’s Recycling Program. He also commented on his experience in Columbus, Ohio, where he participated in their Gay Pride Parade that he helped initiate over 25 years ago. He also announced that the 10th Annual Pub Crawl would be held on Friday, July 28, 2006; that a volunteer meeting would be held at the M.A.P.P. Office on Tuesday, July 11 at 7:00 p.m., and that The Bosco would have a fundraiser for Oakland County Democrats on Tuesday, June 27, 2006. He wished everyone a happy and safe 4th of July.

338. Mayor Porter congratulated the owners on the opening of The Blue Seas Fish Market on West Eight Mile Road. He commented on proposed designs for the expansion of Rosie O’Grady’s; limousines turning onto Withington and the car parking space meters along side Boogie Fever being made no parking areas from 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m., to relieve traffic backing up onto Woodward Avenue, creating an unsafe environment. He congratulated Council on their recent decisions and the positive force they are creating in the City. Mayor Porter wished everyone a happy and safe 4th of July.

Mayor Porter adjourned the meeting at 10:54 p.m.

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Robert G. Porter, Mayor

ATTEST:

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Karen Pedro, City Clerk