City Council - October 23, 2006

A Regular Meeting of the Ferndale City Council was held Monday, October 23, 2006, at City Hall, 300 East Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. Mayor Porter called the meeting to order at

7:38 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 Students Against Destructive Decisions Club (SADD)

504. Gina Schoolcraft of Ferndale Youth Assistance, and Stephanie Koprince, a member of SADD, provided information on "Safe Night", which will be held on November 17, 2006.

PRESENTATION Ferndale Chamber of Commerce

505. Maile Ilac Boeder, Executive Director and President of Ferndale Chamber of Commerce, provided information on activities of the Chamber.

PUBLIC HEARING Special Assessment Sidewalk District No. 2006

506. Mayor Porter opened the Public Hearing at 7:49 p.m. William Foskett had questions and/or comments. Mayor Porter closed the Public Hearing at 7:52 p.m.

Councilman Galloway left Council Chambers at 7:50 p.m.

A. Consideration to receive and confirm Special Assessment Sidewalk District No. 2006 and that the special assessments be spread on the 2006 Winter Tax Roll, unless deferment is later allowed

Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilman Lennon, that the Council receive

and confirm the Special Assessment Sidewalk District No. 2006 and that the special

assessments be spread on the 2006 Winter Tax Roll, unless deferment is later allowed.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Councilman Galloway

MOTION CARRIED

Councilman Galloway returned to Council Chambers at 7:58 p.m.

B. Consideration of deferment of Special Assessments and procedure for installments, as recommended by the Sidewalk Hardship Committee

Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilwoman Gumbleton, to accept the original 12 names that were supplied to Council by the Hardship Committee and recommend they be placed on the hardship roll.

AMENDMENT

Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilman Covey, to amend the main motion to include 1888 Annabelle and 1765 Annabelle on the hardship list.

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

NAYS: None

AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION CARRIED

MAIN MOTION NOW READS:

Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilwoman Gumbleton, to accept the original 12 names that were supplied to Council by the Hardship Committee and to include 1888 Annabelle and 1765 Annabelle on the hardship roll.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Councilman Lennon left Council Chambers at 8:07 p.m.

C. Consideration to add Sidewalk and Delinquent Accounts Receivable as Special Assessments to the Winter 2006 Tax Roll

507. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to approve the attached delinquent accounts to be charged as a lien against the respective properties and to be collected as a special assessment with the Winter 2006 Taxes in terms of the applicable Charter provisions.

AYES: Councilman Covey, Galloway, Gumbleton; Mayor Porter

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Councilman Lennon

MOTION CARRIED

Councilman Lennon returned to Council Chambers at 8:11 p.m.

508. Call to Audience

1. Tiffany Gagne read a statement regarding the proposed Human Rights Ordinance and commented that it was not needed in Ferndale.

2. Thomas Gagne read a statement regarding the proposed Human Rights Ordinance and encouraged voters to vote "No".

3. Derrick Smiertha commented on the proposed Human Rights Ordinance and encouraged voters to vote "Yes" and to vote "No" on State Proposal 06-02.

4. Peggy Snow, Chair of the Beautification Commission, provided information on activities of the Commission including that the "Plant Exchange" would be an annual event; announced that the Beautification Block Award was awarded to East Cambourne between Bermuda and Woodward and that this Saturday was "Make a Difference Day."

5. Ray White announced the Ferndale Historical Society’s Dinner would be held on Thursday, October 26, 2006, at the Kulick Center and all were invited.

6. Dave Coulter, County Commissioner, announced that the County Prescription Drug Discount Program would be expanded to include dental coverage in the future. He also announced that Catalpa Park in Southfield would become an Oakland County Park. County Commissioner Coulter commented on the proposed Human Rights Ordinance and encouraged voters to vote "Yes".

7. Heather Carmona, Director of Woodward Avenue Action Association, presented Council with the Association’s Annual Financial Report and announced that Woodward Avenue’s 200th Anniversary was coming up.

8. Fire Chief Schmidt announced the Ferndale Historical Society’s Dinner would be at 6:00 p.m., on Thursday October 26, 2006, at the Kulick Center.

Councilman Covey left Council Chambers at 8:37 p.m.

Consent Agenda

509. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Lennon, to approve the Consent Agenda, as submitted.

510. Consent Agenda

A. Approved the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held October 9, 2006, and the Special Meeting held October 16, 2006, as submitted by City Clerk.

B. Approved the Contract with C & P Construction Co., Inc., to replace 4,450 feet of six-inch water main on Allen between Eight Mile Road and Albany and authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to sign Contract, as submitted by DPW Director.

C. Approved Contract with Pipe Systems, Inc., to renovate the water booster station and authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to sign Contract, as submitted by DPW Director.

D. Approved the Special Event Application from Faith Based American Cancer Providers for 1st Annual Halloween Cancer Aid Walk on Saturday, October 28, 2006, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., beginning and ending at Geary Park including the selling of T-shirts and advertising in the park, contingent upon proper insurance being received at least five days prior to the event and approved by the City Attorney, as submitted by the City Attorney.

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

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Councilman Covey

MOTION CARRIED

Regular Agenda

A. Reappointment to the Ferndale Housing Commission

511. Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilwoman Gumbleton, to concur in the reappointment of Paul Stuart, 595 East Troy, to the Ferndale Housing Commission for a five-year term ending May 5, 2011.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Councilman Covey

MOTION CARRIED

Councilman Covey returned to Council Chambers at 8:42 p.m.

B. Consideration of removal of parking restriction on Jewell

512. Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilman Covey, that Council adopt the modified parking restrictions on Jewell Street, between Woodward and Hilton, as adopted by the Police Department.

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

NAYS: Councilwoman Gumbleton

MOTION CARRIED

C. Consideration of IFEC (Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption Certificate) Agreement with Garden Fresh Salsa located at 1501-1503 Bonner and 1505 Bonner

513. Moved by Galloway, seconded by Councilman Covey, to approve the IFEC Agreement with Garden Fresh Salsa for a 12 year tax abatement in the amount of $4,654,762.00 at 1501 and 1505 Bonner, which will create 30 jobs; will maintain the 98 current positions and to authorize the Mayor to sign the Agreement and further to direct the City Clerk to submit the required documents to the State before October 31, 2006, the deadline for both Garden Fresh Salsa and Progressive Metals.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Councilman Lennon left Council Chambers at 8:59 p.m.

Councilman Lennon returned to Chambers at 9:02 p.m.

Call to Council

514. City Clerk Pedro announced the upcoming November 7, 2006 Election; encouraged people to vote and indicated the polls would be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and that a Sample Ballot was available at the City Clerk’s Office, as well as being on the City’s Website.

515. Councilman Lennon congratulated Coach Dunlop on Ferndale High School’s Football Team making the playoffs and encouraged people to vote.

516. Councilwoman Gumbleton encouraged people to vote and announced that the League of Women Voters Guides were available at the Kulick Center and at the Library. She indicated volunteers will be knocking on doors on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday of this week to encourage support of the proposed Human Rights Ordinance and asked for people interested to volunteer to assist in this endeavor. She questioned the status of the parking lights on Withington.

517. Councilman Covey encouraged people to vote; commented on the proposed Human Rights Ordinance and diversity and wished everyone a safe and Happy Halloween.

Mayor Porter left Council Chambers at 9:10 p.m.

Mayor Pro Tem Lennon assumed the Chair.

Mayor Porter returned to Council Chambers at 9:11 p.m.

518. Councilman Galloway commented on the proposed Human Rights Ordinance; encouraged voters to vote "Yes," and encouraged people to vote on the candidates and the other issues on the Ballot.

519. Mayor Porter commented on treating people equally; recommended that voters vote "No" on State Proposal 06-02 and "No" on State Proposal 06-05.

Mayor Porter adjourned the meeting at 9:20 p.m.

_________________________________

Robert G. Porter, Mayor

ATTEST:

____________________________________

Karen Pedro, City Clerk