City Council - January 8, 2007

1. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ferndale School Students, who then performed their school song.

Invocation by Reverend Scott Miller of Drayton Avenue Presbyterian Church

2. Invocation was given by Reverend Scott Miller of Drayton Avenue Presbyterian Church.

3. Mayor Porter announced that Agenda Item# 7, (Public Hearing, Special Land Use Application submitted by Fresard Investments Limited Partnership, for the property located at 21800 Woodward) would not be held.

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

PRESENTATION Holiday Lights Beautification Awards

5. Peggy Snow and Mayor Porter presented Holiday Lights Beautification Awards to the following: Commercial: Whiteside Communications, 1938 Burdette (not present); Residential: Rick Bean, 1597 West Saratoga (not present); Sean Kinney, 316 Ardmore (not present); Cathy Daschke, 1004 West Drayton (not present); Roger and Donna Greer, 1930 Symes (not present); Lola Dunnagan, 1938 Symes (not present); Special Holiday Lights Award For Outstanding Display: Jeff Squires, 1456 West Hazelhurst (present).

PRESENTATION Ferndale Public Schools

6. Jessica Scott, Communications Specialist for Ferndale Public Schools, provided information on activities throughout Ferndale Public Schools.

PRESENTATION Hazel Park Public Schools

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

PRESENTATION The Porch Light Partnership

8. Jeff Sugg, of Paramount Bank, and Joe Heaphy, of Lighthouse Community Development, provided information on The Porch Light Partnership program.

A. Consideration of Resolution recognizing The Porch Light Partnership

Moved by Mayor Porter, seconded unanimously, to adopt the Resolution to extend the City’s appreciation for The Porch Light Partnership program.

ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY

9. Call to Audience

1. Tom Gagne expressed concern regarding a bookstore that is to be opening in the City and the potential for an adult business theme.

2. Preston Brown questioned the bookstore’s hours of operations and number of parking spaces required.

3. Tiffany Gagne commented on the potential new bookstore.

4. Marsha Scheer announced that there are vacancies on various Boards and Commissions.

5. Bill Axtell commented on the potential new bookstore.

6. Alan Soave commented on the potential new bookstore.

Councilman Covey left Council Chambers at 8:36 p.m.

Consent Agenda

10. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilwoman Gumbleton, to approve the Consent Agenda, as submitted:

A. Approved the Minutes of the Special Meeting held December 27, 2006, and the Regular Meeting held December 27, 2006, as submitted by City Clerk.

B. Approved the bills, payrolls (as certified by Assistant City Manager) and City Attorney expense statements submitted by Hafeli, Staran, Hallahan, Christ & Dudek, P.C., and Howard Shifman, P.C., 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

Councilman Covey returned to Council Chambers at 8:38 p.m.

Regular Agenda

A. Appointment to the Tree and Green Space Advisory Committee

11. Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to appoint Tom Capaldi, 278 W. Webster, to the Tree and Green Space Advisory Committee for a three-year term expiring December 31, 2009.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Councilman Lennon left Council Chambers at 8:39 p.m.

B. Appointment to the Fiscal Review Advisory Committee

12. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilwoman Gumbleton, to appoint Brandon Horrocks, 631 W. Maplehurst, to the Fiscal Review Advisory Committee.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Councilman Lennon

MOTION CARRIED

Councilman Lennon returned to Council Chambers at 8:41 p.m.

C. Consideration of Wireless Oakland Agreement between Oakland County and the City of Ferndale and License Agreement

13. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilwoman Gumbleton, that the City Council accept and adopt the Agreement with Oakland County for the purposes of adopting the Wireless Oakland Agreement between Oakland County and the City of Ferndale.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Call to Council

14. City Attorney Christ commented on the potential new bookstore and the City’s Ordinance regulating Adult Businesses.

15. Councilwoman Gumbleton inquired when the Ordinance Committee would have their next meeting. She requested that appointment of Council Members to and the creation of a sub-committee for Design Michigan be placed on the next Regular Council Meeting Agenda.

16. Councilman Galloway requested that an appointment to the Board of Zoning Appeals be placed on the next Regular Council Agenda.

17. Councilman Lennon inquired about the possibility of creating a committee to oversee the purchase of bricks for the Veterans Memorial.

18. Councilman Covey thanked Mayor Porter for inviting Ferndale School Students to start the Council Meeting. He also thanked the Police and Fire Departments for their assistance in cleaning a fuel spill on East Nine Mile Road, east of Hilton. Councilman Covey requested that an appointment to the Tree and Green Space Advisory Committee be placed on the next Regular Council Agenda. He announced that there was a coalition for fire safe cigarettes to mandate that cigarette companies produce these types of cigarettes. Councilman Covey also announced that this year would be the 200th Anniversary of Woodward Avenue and during Labor Day Weekend, religious leaders, whose places of worship are located on Woodward, would bless the Avenue and assist in creating a human chain along the entire Avenue. He commented on an article in "Hour" magazine, which addressed Ferndale’s Hybrid Car Parking Ordinance. Councilman Covey indicated that the Blues Festival would be held January 26 through February 3, 2007, and that the "Blue Pigs" that were made by Autistic schoolchildren, were throughout the City to receive donations to help defray costs and raise money for various charities.

19. Mayor Porter wished everyone a Happy New Year and expressed that he hoped 2007 would be a positive year.

Mayor Porter adjourned the meeting at 9:02 p.m.

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Robert G. Porter, Mayor

ATTEST:

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Karen Pedro, City Clerk