City Council - April 9, 2007

A Regular Meeting of the Ferndale City Council was held Monday, April 9, 2007, at City Hall, 300 East Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. Mayor Porter called the meeting to order at 7:41 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 April 15-21, 2007, National Library Week

158. Mayor Porter proclaimed April 15-21, 2007 as National Library Week in the City of Ferndale.

PROCLAMATION April 27, 2007, Arbor Day in the City of
Ferndale

159. Mayor Porter proclaimed April 27, 2007 as Arbor Day in the City of Ferndale.

PRESENTATION Ferndale Public Schools

160. Jessica Scott, Communications Specialist from Ferndale Schools, provided an update on the activities and accomplishments of students throughout Ferndale Public Schools and encouraged everyone to contact their representatives regarding proposed school funding cuts.

PRESENTATION Porch Light Partnership Update

161. Joe Heaphy, from Lighthouse Community Development, provided an update on their program’s progress in Ferndale and encouraged the citizenry to attend their educational seminars regarding financial fitness and first time home buying. He further indicated they were also able to assist homeowners facing foreclosure.

PRESENTATION Ferndale Library Celebrity Posters

162. Ferndale Librarian, Mary Trenner, provided Council with their Celebrity pictures for the Mini Read Program for the American Library Association and invited the public to become celebrities by having their picture taken reading their favorite book for National Library Week.

163. Call to Audience

1. Police Captain Collins, President of the Ferndale Football Booster Club, and the Police Department’s School Resource Officer and Board Member of the Ferndale Football Booster Club, Keith Thibodeau, commented on the success of the Ferndale High School Varsity Football Team and the Booster Club and announced upcoming fundraisers in support of varsity sports.

2. John Sterritt, Chairperson of Citizens for a Fair Ferndale, announced they would sponsor a forum regarding the Library Millage at Boogie Fever and Tea and Tonic on Thursday, April 12, 2007, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

3. Keith Dalton made remarks regarding Councilman Lennon’s Call to Council comments on March 26, 2007 regarding code enforcement.

4. Aaron Retish, Co-Chair of the Ferndale Citizens for a Better Library, commented on the May, 2007 Ballot Proposal for the Library and encouraged voters to vote yes.

Councilman Lennon left Council Chambers at 8:15 p.m.

Consent Agenda

164. It was the consensus of Council that Consent Agenda Item 9D be considered after the Regular Agenda.

Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Covey, to approve the amended Consent Agenda as follows:

A. Approved Minutes of the Special Meeting held March 26, 2007, and the Regular Meeting held March 26, 2007, as submitted by Deputy City Clerk.

B. Approved Special Event Application from Ferndale Police Department and Ferndale Youth Assistance for the Ferndale Youth Assistance Invitational Softball Tournament to be held Sunday, June 10, 2007 with a make-up date of Sunday, June 17, 2007, as submitted by Deputy City Clerk.

C. Approved Special Event Application from Ferndale Recreation and Senior Services and Ferndale Historical Society for Ferndale 80th Birthday Party on Saturday, April 28, 2007 from 10 a.m.–2:00 pm., at Martin Road Park, as submitted by Deputy City Clerk.

D. REMOVED FROM CONSENT-MOVED TO END OF REGULAR AGENDA

E. Approved interim wage increase of Deputy City Clerk, as submitted by City Manager.

F. Approved Resolution to authorize refunding a portion of George W. Kuhn Bonds and directed the Clerk’s Office to forward two certified copies to Terry Dohany of the Oakland County Drain Commission, as submitted by Finance Director/Assistant City Manager.

G. Approved the scheduling of a Public Hearing for April 23, 2007 to consider reprogramming Minor Home Repair funds to demolish a garage at 675 E. Webster.

H. Approved 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: Council Member Lennon

MOTION CARRIED

Councilman Lennon returned to Council Chambers at 8:20 p.m.

Regular Agenda

A. Appointments to Master Plan Consultant Review Committee

165. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Covey, to approve the Appointments to the Master Plan Consultant Review Committee with meetings to be subject to the requirements of the Open Meeting Act.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

B. Consideration of Resolution regarding State of Michigan Budget Deficit

166. Moved by Councilman Covey, supported unanimously, to adopt the Resolution regarding the State of Michigan Budget Deficit.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

C. Consideration of adoption of Resolutions saluting Ferndale Youth Recognition Awards recipients

167. Moved by Mayor Porter, supported unanimously, that the Resolution saluting Ferndale Youth Recognition Awards recipients be accepted; and that each of the 84 individuals receive a copy of the Resolution at their Awards Ceremony.

ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY

D. Consideration to receive FYE-2008 DRAFT Budget and schedule Public Hearing

168. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Covey, to receive the FYE-2008 Draft Budget as presented by the City Manager and to schedule a Public Hearing on the Proposed FYE-2008 Budget for Monday, April 23, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

E. Consideration of Budget Review Schedule

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

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

169. Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to receive the FYE-2008 Budget Review Schedule as presented by the City Manager.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

F. Consideration of City/School Recreation Facilities Use Agreement

170. No action was taken.

G. Consideration of Charter Amendment regarding Council Compensation

Mayor Porter passed the gavel to Mayor Pro Tem Lennon at 8:48 p.m.

171. Moved by Mayor Porter, seconded by Councilman Covey, to place on the November 2007 Ballot the resolution for the compensation figure for Council Members to be set at a flat $5,000.00 per year and this modifies the Charter language created in 1927 that provides Council Member compensation be $500.00 per year.

AYES: Council Members Gumbleton, Mayor Porter, Covey, Galloway,
Mayor Pro Tem Lennon

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Mayor Porter resumed the Chair.

H. Consideration of adoption of Ordinance No. 1024 repealing Sections 18-41 through 18-45 of Ordinance No. 507 of the Ferndale Code of Ordinances regarding motorcycles

172. Moved by Councilman Galloway, supported by Councilman Covey, to adopt Ordinance No. 1024 repealing Section 18-41 through 18-45 of Ordinance No. 507 of the Ferndale Code of Ordinances.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

I. Consideration of Redevelopment Liquor License – Amendment to Intra-County Liquor License On-Premises Transfer Resolution

173. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to table Consideration of Redevelopment Liquor License – Amendment to Intra-County Liquor License On-Premises Transfer Resolution definitely to the next Regular Council Meeting on April 23, 2007 and to refer it to the City Attorney for his review and blending with our other policies.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

J. Consideration of Woodward Avenue Tribute Project

174. Moved by Councilman Covey, supported by Councilman Lennon, that the City of Ferndale adopt the Resolution as read by Heather Carmona with regards to support of regional collaboration and cooperation in the implementation of the Woodward Tribute Program and to approve the Woodward Tribute Memorandum of Understanding.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Consent Agenda Item D - Approval of contract with McChesney Electric, Inc., to provide grounding improvements for the new radio system at the Fire Stations and authorization for the Mayor and Deputy City Clerk to sign, as submitted by Fire Chief.

175. Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilman Covey, to approve the modified contract, including Addendum 1 with McChesney Electric, Inc., 22036 Woodward Avenue, to provide grounding improvements for the new 800 MHz radio system at the Fire Stations and to authorize the Mayor and Deputy City Clerk to sign, as submitted by Fire Chief.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Call to Council

176. Police Chief Kitchen congratulated City Manager Bruner on the birth of his daughter.

177. Deputy City Clerk Szalma announced there would be an election on May 8, 2007, and thanked Council for her interim wage increase.

178. City Manager Bruner thanked those who presented him and his family with gifts and well wishes on behalf of the birth of his daughter and announced that both were doing well.

179. City Attorney Christ announced that the City of Ferndale was served a complaint by four individuals regarding the way the Police Department was enforcing the Motor Vehicle Code.

180. Moved by Councilman Lennon, adopted unanimously, to adopt the Condolence Resolution for Charles Hawley.

181. Councilman Lennon congratulated Councilman Covey for being the Elks Club Citizen of the Year. He commented on the complaint that the City of Ferndale was served.

182. Councilwoman Gumbleton announced that on Friday, April 13, 2007, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. the Detroit Together Men’s Chorus would have their Annual Pasta Fest at the First United Methodist Church on Woodward. She also announced that Ferndale would celebrate its 80th Birthday on Saturday, April 28, 2007, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Martin Road Park. Councilman Gumbleton announced that the Boys and Girls Club, 1545 E. Lincoln, Royal Oak, would have a fundraiser on Friday, April 20, 2007, to help prevent violence against women. She congratulated City Manager Bruner on the birth of his daughter.

183. Councilman Galloway encouraged everyone to attend the program at the Boys and Girls Club that Councilwoman Gumbleton had announced and that there would be a fundraising walk in May to raise funds and awareness for the Club. He commented on the Budget Review and Master Plan Consultant Review and encouraged residents to attend the Budget Study Sessions.

184. Councilman Covey commented on the City Budget and thanked Councilman Lennon for the idea of renaming the Law Enforcement Center after former Police Chief Patrick Sullivan and thanked Police Chief Kitchen and Police Captain Collins for their work on the project. He announced that the Ferndale Community Foundation had produced a new brochure. Councilman Covey wished Bob Mills, Sr. a quick recovery from his health issues. He congratulated and welcomed Elegance By Design on their grand opening in Ferndale. Councilman Covey also commented on the complaint that the City of Ferndale was served.

185. Mayor Porter commented on the complaint that the City of Ferndale was served. He encouraged residents to attend the Budget Study Sessions.

Mayor Porter adjourned the meeting at 9:33 p.m.

_________________________________

Robert G. Porter, Mayor

ATTEST:

____________________________________

Sharon Szalma, Deputy City Clerk