City Council - August 14, 2006

PROPOSED MINUTES

FERNDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 2006, 7:30 P.M. AT CITY HALL

A Regular Meeting of the Ferndale City Council was held Monday, August 14, 2006, 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, Gumbleton, Lennon; Mayor Porter. Absent: None.

XXX. Marsha Mellert, Recreation Director, provided information on the Ferndale Pet Expo, which will be held August 26 – 27, 2006, at Martin Road Park and the Ferndale Activities Center.

1. Linda Daly-Schneider expressed concern regarding rats in her neighborhood.

2. Tiffany Gagne expressed concern regarding skunks in her neighborhood. She complimented Councilman Lennon on his efforts in naming the Police Station after former Police Chief Patrick Sullivan. Ms. Gagne commented on the role of Council and Councilman Galloway’s comments made at the July 24, 2006 Council Meeting regarding the naming the Police Station.

3. Thomas Gagne welcomed Interim City Manager Renando. He commented that a City Manager should not have a political agenda or ambitions, as that was the role of City Council.

Consent Agenda was approved as submitted, with the exception of the Minutes of the Special Meeting held May 1, 2006 and those Minutes would be placed on the next Regular Council Meeting Agenda.

A. Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting held May 1, 2006, and the Regular Meetings held March 27, May 8, and May 22, 2006, as submitted by City Clerk.

B. Approval to adopt Resolution regarding Ballot Language for Human Rights Ordinance to be placed on November, 2006 Ballot, as submitted by City Attorney.

C. Authorization for Mayor and City Clerk to execute Quit Claim Deed regarding the Academy property, as submitted by City Attorney.

D. Approval of Tentative Agreement between the Court and the Ferndale Association of Court Employees, as submitted by Labor Attorney.

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

H. Approval of Special Event Application from Joyce P. Young for the Young, Jefferson, and Hudson Family Reunion on Saturday, September 2, 2006, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Geary Park, as submitted by City Clerk.

I. Adoption of the Taxi Cab Deregulation Policy, which was approved at the June 13, 2005 Regular Council Meeting, subject to a review in one year, as submitted by City Clerk.

J. Approval to purchase trees from Snow’s Nursery, as submitted by DPW Director.

K. Approval of invoice payment to Seaway Painting, L.L.C., for repainting City-owned light poles, as submitted by DPW Director.

L. Approval of bid from Sherwin-Williams for a paint striping machine, as submitted by DPW Director.

M. Approval of bid from Gaglio, Inc., to repair deteriorated segments of concrete public alleys, as submitted by DPW Director.

N. Approval to schedule a Public Hearing on Monday, September 11, 2006, at 7:30 p.m., regarding vacating the alley between 157-185 West Cambourne and 244-286 West Breckenridge, as submitted by CDS Director.

O. 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.

PASSED

XXX. Police Chief Kitchen indicated that he would look into the duties of the Animal Control Officer, specifically related to issues regarding rats and skunks.

XXX. Fire Chief Schmidt announced that water flow testing would be held throughout the City on August 22 and 23, 2006, which could result in rusty water for a period of time.

XXX. Interim City Manager Renando commented on his experience in Ferndale thus far. He announced upcoming Industrial Development District Projects that would be before Council in the near future and requested that Council review simplifying the process. Interim City Manager Renando commented on the appearance and the need of maintenance for City Hall. He also commented on a grant that the City had received and indicated that Council would have to decide in the near future what to spend it on.

XXX. City Attorney Christ announced that although authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to sign for the Quit Claim Deed for the Academy property was approved by Council, the closing date on the property has been delayed.

XXX. Councilwoman Gumbleton announced that she a member of the Art and Public Places Planning Committee, which was looking for ways to better direct traffic and building signage, and indicated that a presentation would be made in September by the Committee. She commented that the Crow’s Nest would be a nice presence at the Woodward Dream Cruise.

XXX. Councilman Galloway commented on his experience at the Green Cruise and announced that he was researching making Ferndale a certified Bicycle Friendly Community. He announced that Republican Shirley Johnson was to be Dick DeVos’ running mate. He welcomed Interim City Manager Renando and requested that job performance evaluations that needed to be reviewed be scheduled in the near future.

XXX. Councilman Lennon welcomed Interim City Manager Renando and requested that he improve the City’s website. He wished everyone a safe and enjoyable Dream Cruise.

Councilman Lennon also wished Mirror Newspaper reporter Renee Saunders, who was leaving the paper well on her future endeavors.

XXX. Councilman Covey wished everyone a safe and enjoyable Dream Cruise and thanked voters for passing the renewal of the SMART Transportation Proposal that was on the August, 2006 Ballot. He announced that low cost home improvement loans were available through the County; requested that the Ordinance Committee meet regarding the Bartending License Ordinance. Councilman Covey indicated that the Pub Crawl was successful and that Councilman Lennon had won a gift basket that was raffled. He commented on his experience at the "Green Cruise" and that the National League of Cities has created "Partnership Working for Inclusive Communities" and requested that Ferndale become a member. Councilman Covey also announced a "Hometown Festival" would be held in Ferndale sometime in October, 2006.

XXX. Mayor Porter announced that the City of Troy was working to build a transit center to coordinate trains, cabs, and buses and thanked Interim City Manager Renando for his work so far. He reminded residents to be safe and have fun during the Woodward Dream Cruise and commented that the Crow’s Nest was a symbol of history for the City, as well as a public draw, which reflected increased business in the City.

Mayor Porter adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m.