City Council - August 28, 2006

A Regular Meeting of the Ferndale City Council was held Monday, August 28, 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.

PRESENTATION August, 2006 Beautification Awards

412. Peggy Snow, Chair of the Beautification Commission, and Mayor Porter presented August, 2006 Beautification Awards to the following: Commercial: The Twisted Shamrock, 276 West Nine Mile (not present); Rental: Tim and Debbie Robinson, 384-394 Vester (present); Residential: James M. Waslowicz and Lawrence Sparks, 138 Stratford (present); Margaret H. Anderson, 420 Kensington, (present); Tim Judd, 519 West Woodland (not present). Ms. Snow announced that the Beautification Commission was seeking nominations for the annual Beautification Block Award. She also announced that on September 30, 2006, at the Kulick Community Center, the Beautification Commission would host a Perennial Exchange from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

PRESENTATION DIFT Update

Charles Goedert

413. Former Mayor Charles Goedert, Ferndale’s representative to the Local Advisory Council to the Detroit Intermodal Freight Terminal (D.I.F.T.) project, provided an update regarding D.I.F.T., and announced that the Railroad facilities in Ferndale would not be expanding.

414. Call to Audience

1. Brian Cooley welcomed Interim City Manager Renando, encouraged residents to nominate blocks for the Beautification Block Award and commented on the Pet Expo.

2. Melissa and James Morrison commented on the lighting on Withington.

Consent Agenda

415. It was the consensus of Council that Consent Agenda Item(s) 6A and 6F be considered after the Regular Agenda.

Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilman Covey, to approve the amended Consent Agenda as follows:

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

B. Adopted the Resolution for a Charitable Gaming License for the Cantata Academy Chorale and authorized the City Clerk to sign the Resolution, as submitted by Councilman Covey.

C. Authorized the Mayor to sign the Entry Level Fire Fighter Testing, Southeast Michigan Regional Training Center’s Letter of Understanding, as submitted by Fire Chief.

D. Approved the scheduling of a Public Hearing on Monday,

September 11, 2006, at 7:30 p.m., regarding the Application of Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption Certificate for Progressive Metal Manufacturing Company, LLC, at Sidwell No. 24-25-35-327-013, commonly known as 1200 Channing, Sidwell No. 24-25-35-328-011, commonly known as

1300 Channing, and Sidwell No. 24-25-35-328-010, commonly known as

1460 Channing, as submitted by City Clerk.

E. Approved the scheduling of a Public Hearing on Monday,

September 11, 2006, at 7:30 p.m., regarding establishment of Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption Certificate for Aronson Properties, LLC (Garden Fresh Salsa), at Sidwell No. 24-25-35-103-032, commonly known as 1501-1503 Bonner, and Sidwell No. 24-25-35-103-033, commonly known as 1505 Bonner, as submitted by City Clerk.

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

G. Approved purchase in the amount of $5,691.00, of a Bell Equipment conveyor system for Elgin Pelican street sweeper, to be billed to Account# 661-775, Vehicle and Equipment Fund, Repair and Maintenance, as submitted by DPW Director.

H. Approved the Specialized Service Vehicle Agreement with SMART for replacement of Community Transit Bus and authorized the Mayor to sign Agreement, as submitted by Recreation Director.

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

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Regular Agenda

A. Consideration of adoption of Ordinance No. 1014, which amends Chapter 6, Section 6.113 regarding the Housing Board of Appeals

416. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilman Lennon, to adopt Ordinance No. 1014, which amends Chapter 6, Section 6.113, regarding the Housing Board of Appeals with the following changes: to include the clause that only one member of the Board must be an elector of the City of Ferndale; that the remaining seats would be made up of members who have expertise in the home building trades and not to have any member of the City Administration on the Housing Board of Appeals.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

B. Consideration to adopt eligible vehicle listing for the Hybrid-High Mileage Vehicle Parking Pass Program

417. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Covey, to adopt the Resolution listing qualifying Hybrid-High Mileage Vehicles as attached to the

August 25, 2006 letter from City Attorney and that Council update the list annually at the last Regular Council Meeting in August every year.

AMENDMENT

Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to amend the motion that the list of vehicles to be updated annually, as appropriate, administratively.

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

NAYS: None

AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION CARRIED

MAIN MOTION NOW READS:

Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Covey, to adopt the Resolution listing qualifying Hybrid-High Mileage Vehicles as attached to the

August 25, 2006 letter from City Attorney and that the list of vehicles be updated annually, as appropriate, administratively.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

C. Consideration of Industrial Tax Abatement Policy

418. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to table Consideration of Industrial Tax Abatement Policy to the September 25, 2006 Regular Council Meeting, for further refinement and possible adoption then.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

D. Consideration to purchase a pick-up truck and body mounting and replacement

419. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to approve purchasing one Ford F-250 pick-up truck from Gorno Ford, for $19,984.00; contracting for body mounting and replacement from Ed Schmid Ford for $2,885.00, and charging the total expense of $22,869.00, to the Vehicle Equipment Fund, Capital, Account# 661-977.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

E. Consideration of recommendations for Economic Development Initiative (EDI) Grant

Councilman Lennon left Council Chambers at 8:56 p.m.

420. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilwoman Gumbleton, to request the Interim City Manager to bring back a further progress report and update at the next Regular Council Meeting on September 11, 2006, on the issue of the Grant and the Kulick Community Center.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Councilman Lennon

MOTION CARRIED

Consent Agenda Item A- Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meetings held

May 1 and August 14, 2006, and the Regular Meetings held July 24 and August 14, 2006, as submitted by City Clerk.

421. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Covey, to table the Minutes of the Special Meetings held May 1 and August 14, 2006, and the Regular Meetings held July 24 and August 14, 2006, as submitted by the City Clerk for review and to be brought back to Council at the next Regular Council Meeting on September 11, 2006.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Councilman Lennon

MOTION CARRIED

Councilman Covey left Council Chambers.

Councilman Lennon returned to Council Chambers.

Consent Agenda Item F- Approval to concur with recommendation to purchase a Toshiba 720 Digital Copier and annual maintenance/service agreement for City Hall, as submitted by Interim City Manager.

Councilman Covey returned to Council Chambers at 9:02 p.m.

422. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Covey, to authorize the City Manager to research leasing or purchasing a Toshiba 720 Digital Copier with stapling, sorter, and large capacity cassette for an amount not to exceed $12,166.00, and an annual Service Maintenance Agreement of $2,210.00, from a supplier to be determined by the Interim City Manager after he considers if it’s more advantageous to purchase or lease a copier and that Account# 101-940-977 be utilized to pay for it.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Call to Council

423. Fire Chief Schmidt apologized for the inconvenience during the water flow testing and reminded residents that fire pits are not allowed in Ferndale and citations could be issued.

424. Councilwoman Gumbleton congratulated the DDA on a successful Woodward Dream Cruise. She wished everyone a "Happy Labor Day" and welcomed students, teachers and school administrators back to school for the upcoming year.

425. Councilman Galloway congratulated the DDA on a successful Woodward Dream Cruise. He commented on literature from the Michigan Department of Transportation regarding construction on the 8 Mile/Woodward Bridge and on the inaccuracies in a story regarding the Troy/Allen Development in Crain’s Business Magazine.

426. Councilman Lennon encouraged people who have expertise in construction to apply to be a member of the Housing Board of Appeals. He announced that Mr. Patel, who owned a liquor store for over 40 years, had passed away recently and sent his condolences to his family. Councilman Lennon also announced that the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade that is held in Royal Oak may come to Ferndale next year.

427. Councilman Covey complimented Fire Chief Schmidt on reducing the cost of conducting agility tests for potential new Firefighters. He announced that M.A.P.P’s flagship fundraiser was an art auction that would be held on September 17, 2006, at the Dearborn Hyatt Regency. Councilman Covey also announced that the DPW had been testing mosquitoes for West Nile Virus and reminded residents to be cautious. He announced that Ferndale Youth Assistance was in need of adult mentors. Councilman Covey also announced that the annual A.I.D.S. Walk was on September 17, 2006, in Royal Oak. Councilman Covey congratulated the DDA on their efforts in having a successful Woodward Dream Cruise; complimented Councilman Galloway on a letter he wrote to the Crain’s editor regarding looking at the region as a whole and its future development; and Interim City Manager Renando on the job he was doing. Councilman Covey also commented on the Pet Expo and that the newspaper, Between the Lines, had an article on the use of methamphetamine.

Mayor Porter left Council Chambers at 9:13 p.m.

Mayor Pro Tem Lennon assumed the Chair.

Mayor Porter returned to Council Chambers at 9:14 p.m.

428. Mayor Porter thanked the DDA for their efforts on a successful Woodward Dream Cruise. Councilwoman Gumbleton thanked Jerry Olli, East District Director of the Elks, for the photos and scrapbook that he provided to the City Council regarding the Crow’s Nest Opening. Mayor Porter reminded everyone to be cautious of mosquitoes and commented on skunks. He encouraged everyone to attend the Michigan State Fair and to have a "Happy Labor Day".

Mayor Porter adjourned the meeting at 9:23 p.m.

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Robert G. Porter, Mayor

ATTEST:

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Sharon Szalma, Deputy City Clerk