City Council - March 15, 2007

A Regular Meeting of the Ferndale City Council was held Thursday, March 15, 2007, at City Hall, 300 East Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. Mayor Porter called the meeting to order at 7:37 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.

114. Moved by Mayor Porter, supported unanimously, to adopt the Resolution in honor of David Michael Smith.

ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY

115. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilwoman Gumbleton, that Council approve Captain Steve Lawrence of Heliflight of Michigan, LLC to land his helicopter on the grounds of the Kulick Community Center at a space determined to be safe by the Police and Fire Departments and Captain Steve Lawrence himself; that the grounds be properly secured prior to the landing, whatever that may require; notice be provided to the residents on Pearson and West Hazelhurst, surrounding the Community Center, as to the time that the helicopter will be there and that prior to the day of the event, the Heliflight of Michigan, LLC fax over its applicable insurance policies for City Attorney review.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

PRESENTATION Ferndale Public Schools

116. A representative from Ferndale Public Schools was not present; however, Mayor Porter announced the upcoming Ferndale High School presentation of "Les Miserables," beginning Saturday, March 24, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.

PRESENTATION Infrastructure Update Report

117. Presentation by Giffels-Webster Engineers, Inc., updating Council on the current state of the City infrastructure for the water distribution, sewer and roadway systems.

Councilman Covey left Council Chambers at 8:09 p.m.

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

118. Call to Audience

1. Sherry Wells, member of the Ferndale Historical Society, announced that on Saturday, April 28, 2007, at Martin Road Park, the Society and the Ferndale Recreation Department would sponsor an 80th Birthday Party for Ferndale to celebrate its incorporation as a City.

2. Michael Discenna indicated support for the Millage increase on the May 8, 2007 Ballot and encouraged voters to vote yes on the proposal.

3. Marsha Mellert, Recreation Director, announced that Ferndale’s Red Hat Society had tickets available for the Saturday 1:00 p.m., March 17, 2007 performance of Riverdance at the Fox Theatre.

Councilman Lennon left Council Chambers at 8:40 p.m.

Consent Agenda

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

A. Approved the Minutes of the February 26, 2007 Regular Meeting, as submitted by Deputy City Clerk.

B. Approved the bid from Overhead Door West Commercial, Inc., in the amount of $3,555.00 to install Reflective Photo Electric Sensors on all nine overhead doors at the Fire Department’s two Stations; the funds for this project to be charged to Public Improvement Capital Fund, Account #245-977, as submitted by Fire Chief.

C. Approved the invoice in the amount of $4,800.00 of C.P.I. Contracting, Inc., 1805 St. Clair River Drive, Algonac, for repairing a six-inch lead to the 30-inch mainline sewer on West Nine Mile Road between Livernois and Pinecrest; the expense to be charged to the Water and Sewer Fund, Repair and Maintenance, Account #592-775, as submitted by DPW Director.

D. Approved equipment modifications by Knapheide Truck Equipment, 1200 S. Averill, Flint, for the new International Diamond Spec truck chassis and the Henderson Mark One dump body (purchase approved by City Council June 12, 2006), and to charge the total expense of $14,252.00 to the Vehicle and Equipment Fund, Capital Account #661-977, as submitted by DPW Director.

E. Approval of the bills, payrolls to be paid subject to review by the Council Finance Committee.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Councilman Lennon

MOTION CARRIED

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

Regular Agenda

A. Consideration of Fire Department Grounding System-88 MHz Radio System

120. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Covey, to accept the bid from McChesney Electric, Inc., for radio system grounding improvements at both Fire Stations in the amount of $12,863.00; funds for this project are available from Account #245-977.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

B. Consideration to test for promotions in the Police Department

121. Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilwoman Gumbleton, to approve the Police Department employing Empco to devise a test for possible promotional purposes in the near future.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Mayor Porter left Council Chambers at 8:59 p.m.

Councilman Lennon assumed the Chair.

Mayor Porter returned to Council Chambers at 9:01 p.m.

C. Consideration to fill vacant Kulick Center Custodial Position

122. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to permit Recreation Director Mellert to fill the vacant custodial position at the Kulick Center.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Call to Council

123. Police Chief Kitchen acknowledged and complimented his Department for their recent work in protecting the citizens of Ferndale.

124. Deputy City Clerk Szalma announced there would be an Election on May 8, 2007, that the last day to register to vote would be Monday, April 9, 2007 and that Precinct Inspectors were needed. She wished everyone a Happy St. Patrick’s Day and reminded people not to drink and drive.

125. City Attorney Christ announced that a report regarding employee usage of City Vehicles should be forthcoming in Council’s Friday Packet.

126. City Manager Bruner commented on some of his experiences as Ferndale’s new City Manager and noted the dedication of the City employees.

127. Councilman Lennon wished everyone a Happy St. Patrick’s Day and reminded people to be safe.

128. Councilwoman Gumbleton commented on her experience at the National League of Cities Conference that was held in Washington, D.C.

129. Councilman Galloway commented on the successful Oakland County St. Patrick’s Day Parade that was held in Ferndale and that during the event, Council rode in a Ford Escape Hybrid donated by Ed Schmid Ford. He also noted that the Chamber of Commerce was growing and doing many good things for business development in the City.

130. Councilman Covey thanked City Manager Bruner for his work regarding the flag behind Boogie Fever. He commented on his experience at the National League of Cities Conference that was held in Washington, D.C. Councilman Covey requested that a presentation be placed on the next Regular Council Meeting Agenda on March 26, 2007, to present proceeds from the Ferndale Blues Festival. He also commented on his tour through Affirmation and about a rally held in Hazel Park that discouraged underage drinking. Councilman Covey announced that there was a newspaper article, which discussed Ferndale restaurants’ breakfast and/or brunch menus; that the Great American Meat-Out would be held Sunday, March 18, 2007, at Ferndale High School; that the Ferndale Elks would install their new officers on April 1, 2007 and that proceeds from the Spring Fling Dance on March 24, 2007, at the Kulick Center, would go to Ferndale Youth Assistance.

131. Mayor Porter commented on transit investments. He thanked Youth Delegates Karen and Jaclyn Frederick and their chaperone, Carol Frederick, for attending the National League of Cities Conference in Washington, D.C. Mayor Porter announced there was a meeting with Congressman Levin on Monday, March 19, 2007, to discuss the Federal Budget. He also announced that on Wednesday, March 21, 2007, Governor Granholm would hold a meeting to discuss Michigan’s Economic Crisis and a Comprehensive Plan for Moving Michigan Forward.

132. Councilwoman Gumbleton announced that State Senator Jacobs would host a discussion regarding the State’s budget on Monday, March 19, 2007.

Mayor Porter adjourned the meeting at 9:25 p.m.

_________________________________

Robert G. Porter, Mayor

ATTEST:

____________________________________

Sharon Szalma, Deputy City Clerk

Acting Secretary