City Council - February 26, 2007

A Regular Meeting of the Ferndale City Council was held Monday, February 26, 2007, at City Hall, 300 East Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. Mayor Porter called the meeting to order at 7:36 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.

Proclamation March, 2007 as Parenting Awareness Month

91. Mayor Porter proclaimed March, 2007 as Parenting Awareness Month in the City of Ferndale.

Presentation Terra Land Group Development Updates

92. Geoffrey Greeneisen, of the Terra Land Group, provided an update regarding the progress of the development of the two sites on Hilton at Brickley and East Webster. He also provided information regarding the timing of the ground breaking for the third site on Hilton at Academy and requested an extension to the Livernois Purchase Agreement for the fourth site, which cannot be started until the Academy site has been built.

93. Call to Audience

1. Laura Scott congratulated the Library Board and Staff for their vision to improve the Library and indicated support for the millage increase on the May, 2007 Ballot.

2. Stephanie Newman, Events Coordinator for the Triangle Foundation, and Sean Moore discussed the 2007 Motor City Pride Festival in June.

3. Rosemary Spatafora, Youth Assistance Family Chairperson, thanked the City Council for proclaiming March, 2007 as Parenting Awareness Month.

4. Jerry Olli, member of the Southeast Oakland Coalition, introduced Debbie Frawley, the Executive Director of the Coalition. He indicated that the goal of the Coalition was to reduce Alcohol and Drug problems throughout southeastern Oakland County.

5. Frank Flores, member of the Ferndale Historical Society, welcomed City Manager Bruner to Ferndale on behalf of the Ferndale Historical Society.

6. Dave Coulter, Oakland County Commissioner, announced a workshop for those who were facing financial difficulties to prevent home foreclosure on February 28, 2007 at the OLHSA Office and urged parents to discuss with their children what was needed to be financially healthy. He wished Councilman Covey a "Happy 50th Birthday".

7. Brian Cooley indicated he was in support of allowing chimneas and burning pits in Ferndale.

8. Brian Batten, Fire Marshal, stressed the importance of smoke detectors being installed in homes and businesses. He announced that new legislation, effective March 14, 2007, mandates smoke detectors in all homes, one on each living level. He announced the Fire Department would install smoke detectors for the handicapped and seniors and that the Fire Department was looking for funding to continue this project.

9. Frank Flores, member of American Legion, announced that the Ferndale Memorial Association would have a meeting on February 27, 2007, and would inquire about the Brick Program.

94. Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to approve the purchase of a laptop computer and the necessary hardware and software for the City Manager in the amount $3,082.30, from Huntington Technology, charged to Account# 101-172-977.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Council Members Lennon and Covey left Council Chambers at 7:20 p.m.

Consent Agenda

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

A. Approved the Minutes of the Special Meetings held January 22, 2007 and February 12, 2007, and the Regular Meeting held February 12, 2007, as submitted by Deputy City Clerk.

B. Approved the purchase and installation in the amount of $3,575.00, for new carpeting and tile from Truba Carpet Co. Inc., in the Police Department, to be billed to Account# 245-977, Capital Outlay, as submitted by Police Chief.

C. Memorial Day Parade – May 28, 2007, as submitted by City Manager.

1. Approved the observance of Memorial Day with annual parade.

2. Approved the contribution in the amount of $400.00 to Ferndale Memorial Association, to be billed to Account# 101-172-885.

3. Approved the Agreement with the Ferndale Memorial Association and authorized the Mayor to sign Agreement.

4. Adopted Resolution authorizing the Deputy City Clerk to apply to MDOT for permit.

D. Approved the bills and payrolls to be paid subject to review by the Council Finance Committee.

AYES: Council Members Galloway, Gumbleton; Mayor Porter

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Council Members Lennon; Covey

MOTION CARRIED

Councilman Covey returned to Council Chambers at 7:20 p.m.

Regular Agenda

A. Appointments and Reappoints to Boards and Commissions

96. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Covey, to appoint Melanie Vallimont to the Arts and Cultural Commission for a two year term expiring

December 31, 2008.

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

NAYS: None
ABSENT: Councilman Lennon

MOTION CARRIED

Councilman Lennon returned to Council Chambers at 7:26 p.m.

97. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Covey, to appoint Judy Purdy to the Beautification Commission to fill a vacancy for a term expiring December 31, 2008.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

98. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to reappoint Peggy Snow, Sue Firth and Brian Cooley to the Beautification Commission for three-year terms expiring December 31, 2009.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

99. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilwoman Gumbleton, to reappoint Derek Delacourt to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority for a three year term expiring December 12, 2009.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

100. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to reappoint Tom Pearlman and appoint James Guillaumin to the Downtown Development Authority for a four year terms expiring December 31, 2010.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

101. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilman Lennon, to reappoint Robert LeGrand and appoint Dennis Hoeppner to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for three-year terms expiring December 31, 2009.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

102. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to reappoint Phil Poole and appoint Kevin Clark to the Plan Commission for three year-terms expiring

December 31, 2009.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

103. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to appoint David Fleetham to the Board of Review for a two-year term expiring December 31, 2008.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

B. Consideration of Library Building Lease Agreement

104. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Covey, to approve the Library Building Lease Agreement as detailed in the February 26, 2007 Communication from the City Attorney.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

C. Consideration of 2007-2008 Liquor License Renewals

105. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilman Lennon, that Council has received the report and make it a public record and direct that the Public Hearing be scheduled for the Monday, March 26, 2007 Regular Council Meeting, at 7:30 p.m., regarding the non-renewal of Class C Liquor Licenses and that the City Attorney’s Office prepare and serve appropriate notices to those establishments that may be delinquent in paying taxes or other issues outlined in the memo.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

D. Consideration of Agreement with the City of Oak Park for Nine Mile Road Reconstruction Project

106. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Covey, that the Agreement with the City of Oak Park for the Nine Mile Road Reconstruction Project be approved and that the Mayor and Deputy City Clerk be authorized to sign it.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION FAILED

Call to Council

107. City Attorney Christ commented on the February 23, 2007 Detroit Water and Sewage Department meeting he attended.

108. Councilman Lennon thanked the DPW Employees for clearing the snow and ice in a timely manner. He requested that the City Manager provide a report regarding DPW Vehicles.

109. Councilman Covey commented on receiving a 1099 Tax Form from the City of Ferndale. He announced that the DDA’s "Tour of the Town" would be held March 9, 2007. Councilman Covey complimented the DPW for their hard work during the past few weeks and Jerome Raska, owner of Blumz Florist, for becoming the new Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce. He requested a presentation be placed on March 26, 2007 Council Meeting regarding the proceeds of the Blues Festival. Councilman Covey indicated that he and members of Council would attend the National League of Cities Conference in Washington, D.C., where they would meet Ferndale’s Elected State Officials and encourage them to bring an end to the war in Iraq.

110. Councilwoman Gumbleton reminded Council Members of the photo shoot after the next Council Meeting.

111. Councilman Galloway echoed Councilman Covey’s sentiments regarding the war in Iraq. He indicated that the City Council had passed a peace resolution and the Cool Cities Resolution that were initiatives ahead of the curve and helped to initiate discussions on the issues.

112. Mayor Porter thanked the DPW for their work during the past few weeks. He complimented Councilman Covey on a seminar he held regarding Methamphetamines.

113. Deputy Clerk Szalma reminded everyone that the St. Patrick’s Day Parade would be held on Saturday, March 10, 2007.

Mayor Porter adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m.

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Robert G. Porter, Mayor

ATTEST:

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Sharon Szalma, Deputy City Clerk

Acting Secretary