City Council - October 9, 2006

C - COUNCILMAN COVEY

PROPOSED MINUTES

FERNDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2006, 7:30 P.M. AT CITY HALL

A Regular Meeting of the Ferndale City Council was held Monday, October 9, 2006, at City Hall, 300 East Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. Mayor Pro Tem Lennon called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.

Mayor Pro Tem Lennon led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll call showed the following members of Council present: Council Members Covey, Galloway, Gumbleton; Mayor Pro Tem Lennon. Absent: Mayor Porter.

XXX. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to adopt the following Resolution:

Section 10 of Chapter III of the Charter of the City of Ferndale, Oakland County, Michigan provides that absence from five consecutive Regular meetings of the City Council shall automatically operate to vacate the seat of the member of the Council unless the absence is excused by Resolution setting forth such excuse and entered upon the journal; and

Mayor Robert G. Porter had cause for his absence from the Regular Council Meeting of October 9, 2006.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Mayor Robert G. Porter be excused from the Regular Council Meeting of October 9, 2006, for the reasons stated above, as provided by Section 10 of Chapter III of the City Charter.

AYES: C, G, GU, MPL

NAYS: None

ABSENT: MP

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Stephanie Hall, Director of Community Relations for Ferndale Public Schools, and Jessica Scott, Communication Specialist for Ferndale Public Schools, provided information on activities throughout Ferndale Public Schools.

XXX. Sharon Hawkins, Community Education Supervisor for Hazel Park Schools, provided information on activities of the Hazel Park Public Schools.

XXX. Mayor Pro Tem Lennon opened the Public Hearing at 7:45 p.m. Tim Bannister and Michael Valentine indicated support; Jeff Bennett and Sally Sawyers supported a modified plan. A woman suggested re-noticing the Public Hearing. Mayor Pro Tem Lennon closed the Public Hearing at 7:58 p.m.

Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilman Galloway, that the proposal presented to Council to change the parking restrictions on Jewell, east of Woodward, by removing the no parking 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. signs on the south side of the street, be tried for a six month period.

AYES: None

NAYS: G, GU, C; MPL

ABSENT: MP

MOTION FAILED

Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to table this item to the next Regular Council Meeting.

AYES: GU, C, G; MPL

NAYS: None

ABSENT: MP

MOTION CARRIED

1. Jean Davis encouraged voters to vote yes on the Local Proposal on the November 7, 2006 Ballot regarding the Human Rights Ordinance.

Councilman Covey left Council Chambers at 8:12 p.m.

Councilman Covey returned to Council Chambers at 8:13 p.m.

2. Sherry Wells, on behalf of the Ferndale Historical Society, announced that their Annual Meeting, "Family, Fun, and Food", would be held on Thursday, October 26, 2006, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Kulick Community Center.

3. John Steritt, of Citizen for Fair Ferndale, announced that there would be a Political Forum at Xhedos Café on the State Proposal regarding Affirmative Action and the Local Proposal regarding the Human Rights Ordinance on Sunday, October 22, 2006, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

4. Dorothy Kemling expressed concern regarding increased traffic and the speeding of cars on Adams Court due to the construction at Woodward and 8 Mile Road.

5. Larry Mills presented a commemorative plaque to the City recognizing the efforts of the Ferndale Police Officers and Firefighters who assisted in relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina.

6. Robert Payne expressed concern regarding the handrail appeal fee.

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

A. Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting held

September 25, 2006, and the Regular Meetings held August 28, September 11, and September 25, 2006, as submitted by City Clerk.

B. Approval to schedule a Sidewalk Hardship Committee Meeting to review the payment requests of property owners in Sidewalk Special Assessment District 2006 on Monday, October 23 2006, at 6:00 p.m., and to schedule a Public Hearing regarding the 2006 Sidewalk Replacement Program, Special Assessment District No. 2006, to be held on Monday, October 23, 2006, at 7:30 p.m., as submitted by DPW Director.

C. Approval of Agreement, which resulted from a previously accepted bid by Council, with Gaglio, Inc., for 2006 alley repairs and authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to sign Agreement, as submitted by DPW Director.

D. Approval to refer Zoning Ordinance Amendments to the Ordinance Committee for consideration and recommendation at the

November 13, 2006 Council Meeting, as submitted by CDS Director.

E. Approval to refer Zoning Ordinance Map changes to the Ordinance Committee for consideration and recommendation at the

November 13, 2006 Council Meeting, as submitted by CDS Director.

F. Approval to schedule a Public Hearing regarding Community Development Block Grant Program Year 2007 Application to be held on Monday, November 13, 2006, at 7:30 p.m., as submitted by CDS Director.

G. Approval of the bills, payrolls (as certified by Interim 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

RESOLUTION INDICATING SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSAL FAILED

Mayor Pro Tem Lennon left Council Chambers at 8:44 p.m.

Councilman Covey assumed the Chair.

Mayor Pro Tem Lennon returned to Council Chambers at 8:47 p.m.

PASSED

PASSED

COUNCIL TOOK NO ACTION ON THIS AGENDA ITEM

PASSED

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

Councilman Covey returned to Council Chambers at 9:06 p.m.

XXX. Captain Collins thanked Council for permission to begin the hiring process for the two vacant Police Officer positions; thanked Larry Mills his handmade commemorative plaque and invited everyone to Ferndale High School’s final home football game this upcoming Friday.

XXX. Fire Chief Schmidt announced it was Fire Prevention Week, the theme of which is "Prevent Cooking Fires, Watch What You Heat"; announced that both Fire Stations were having informal open houses this week during which people can walk through the Station and obtain fire prevention literature. He indicated there was an organization in Madison Heights selling pumpkins and that part of the proceeds from their sales would go toward purchasing fire prevention handouts. Fire Chief Schmidt thanked Firefighters Tom Coster and Norm Van Sparrentak, who participated in the Chili Cook-Off and announced that Norm Van Sparrentak had won First Place.

XXX. City Clerk Pedro announced that a sample ballot was now on the City’s Website, as well as the full Human Rights Ordinance; sample ballots are also available at the City Clerk’s Office and posted at the Library and the Kulick Community Center. She also announced that if anyone has any questions regarding if they were registered or where to vote they could call the City Clerk’s Office or go to the link on the City’s Website. City Clerk Pedro indicated she had distributed to Council information regarding the AutoMarks and the need for a climate control facility, so as to update Council on the storage of these units. She noted she did not know if Council wished to address this situation at this time and indicated there were temporary space heaters at the Southwest Storage Yard, which she hoped would get them through the November Election; she was available for any questions. Mayor Pro Tem Lennon requested this item be placed on the next Agenda.

Interim City Manager Renando indicated he was at the half-way point of his tenure and asked for Council’s direction on pending projects. He announced the Hilton Road bike lanes have been restripped and those on Silman and Pinecrest between Eight Mile Road and W. Oakridge, should be completed by October 15, 2006. He announced that he had met with Deborah Wilson, Director of the Ferndale Housing Commission to discuss various issues.

XXX. City Attorney Christ announced that the honking issue between the City and the war protesters had been resolved.

XXX. Councilwoman Gumbleton announced that she had provided Council information from the Arts in Public Places Committee Planning Commission Meetings and thanked those that were involved with the Committee.

XXX. Councilman Galloway announced that he had been in contact with the Director from the University of Michigan’s Detroit Project Studio. He also has been contacted by a property builder who requested properties that were for sale or lease be listed on the City’s website.

XXX. Councilman Covey announced that a new bakery, The Strawberry Moon, had opened recently. He commented on the success of the Hometown Festival that was held the previous weekend. Councilman Covey also commented on the Local Proposal on the November, 2006 Ballot. He wished Bob Mills a "Happy 88^th Birthday".

XXX. Mayor Pro Tem Lennon wished Bob Mills a "Happy 88^th Birthday". He requested that people provide feedback on the aesthetics of City-owned buildings to any member of Council. He announced that there were openings on Boards and Commissions. Councilman Lennon wished his daughter Tara a "Happy Birthday".

Mayor Pro Tem Lennon adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m.