City Council - June 11, 2007

A Regular Meeting of the Ferndale City Council was held Monday, June 11, 2007, at City Hall, 300 East Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. Mayor Porter called the meeting to order at 7:35 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 July, 2007 National Recreation and Parks Month

272. Mayor Porter proclaimed July, 2007 as National Recreation and Parks Month.

PRESENTATION Ferndale Public Schools

273. Jessica Scott, Communications Specialist from Ferndale Schools, provided an update on the activities and accomplishments of students throughout Ferndale Public Schools.

PRESENTATION Hazel Park Public Schools

274. No presentation was made.

PRESENTATION Library Lease and Keys

275. Mary Trenner, City Librarian, Kevin Deegan-Krause, President of the Library Board, and Mayor Porter officially signed the Library Lease Agreements and Mayor Porter presented the Keys to Mr. Deegan-Krause. Mayor Porter presented to Ms. Trenner a labeling system for use at the Library.

PRESENTATION Library Volunteers

276. Mary Trenner, City Librarian, presented plaques to Bridget Deegan-Krause, Kelly Farrah and Aaron Retish who were the Co-Chairs of the Citizens for a Better Library Committee, which was instrumental in helping passed the Library Millage at the May, 2007 Election.

PRESENTATION Car Trucking

Refuse Collection

277. Byron Photiades, DPW Director, announced that Car Trucking would be the City’s Refuse Collector, beginning July 2, 2007.

PUBLIC HEARING Principal Shopping District

278. Mayor Porter opened the Public Hearing at 8:00 p.m. Cristina Sheppard-Decius, DDA Executive Director, provided background information regarding the Principal Shopping District. Steve Selvaggio, owner of Western Market, Suzanne Rowen, Remax on the Avenue, Kate Baker, Heather Carmona, Director of the Woodward Avenue Action Association, Jim Gillman, Paramount Bank, indicated support of the Principal Shopping District. Richard Strauss, owner of Strauss Insurance Agency, Paul Elliott, owner of Elliott Saw Works, Tony Bielski, owner of Tony’s Sports Bar, Kevin Rogers, Mark McConnell, owner of Boogie Fever, Ann McChesney, McChesney Electric, indicated opposition of the Principal Shopping District. Martha Sempliner, Rob Potter, owner of Boogie Fever, Gary J. Barney, Jr., owner of Howe’s Bayou, Jeff Nahan, President of the Downtown Development Authority, Jean Davis, had questions and/or comments regarding the Principal Shopping District. Mayor Porter closed at the Public Hearing at 8:45 p.m.

Mayor Porter left Council Chambers at 8:47 p.m.

Mayor Porter returned to Council Chambers at 8:48 p.m.

Councilman Lennon left Council Chambers at 9:00 p.m.

Councilman Lennon left Council Chambers at 9:03 p.m.

A. Consideration of Ordinance No. 1027 to Amend Ordinance No. 703, Downtown Development Authority, Article VI, Section 19-69 regarding expansion of DDA Boundaries/Description of Downtown District.

B. Consideration of Ordinance No. 1028 to Amend Ordinance No. 909, Principal Shopping District, Article VII, Section 19-84 regarding expansion of PSD Boundaries/Description of Principal Shopping District.

C. Consideration of Ordinance No. 1029 to Amend Ordinance No. 909, Principal Shopping District, Section VII, Section 19-86 to reflect the Special Assessment.

D. Consideration of an annual PSD Special Assessment Rate.

E. Consideration to accept the Tax Roll as submitted.

F. Consideration of Resolution to remove the 2 Mill Levy in the DDA.

Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Lennon, to table Items 9A through 9F on the City Council Agenda this evening until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Ferndale City Council to be held on June 25, 2007.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

279. Call to Audience

1. Sherry Wells brought Lemon Bars from the Library Reception for Council.

2. County Commissioner David Coulter announced that there was a new Oakland County Dental Program for those who do not have dental insurance.

3. Michael Lary, Coordinator for the Dream Cruise and Retrofest, announced that the schedule for the Dream Cruise was on-line and volunteers were needed.

4. Richard Strauss requested that Council review the Sign Ordinance.

Consent Agenda

280. Moved by Councilman Covey, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to approve the Consent Agenda as submitted:

A. Approved the Minutes of the Special Meetings held April 20, 2007 and April 21, 2007 and the Regular Meetings held May 14, 2007 and May 29, 2007, as submitted by Deputy City Clerk.

B. Approved the Outdoor Liquor License for G & K Restaurant at 22914 Woodward, as submitted by Police Chief.

C. Approved to table City Manager evaluation of Cable Department priorities, resource allocation and development of a community events policy and Consideration of City’s participation in (Community Media Network) CMN, until all the information is compiled, as submitted by City Manager.

D. Approved to rescind Resolution approved January 13, 1986 and to re-approve the Resolution approved October 22, 1984 regarding Repair of Sewer Service Leads Policy, as submitted by DPW Director.

E. Adopted the Resolution regarding West Nile Virus Reimbursement, as submitted by DPW Director.

F. Authorized the City Clerk to begin the hiring procedure to fill a 30 hour per week permanent part-time Clerk Typist I position for the Department of Recreation and Senior Services, as submitted by Recreation Director.

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

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Regular Agenda

A. Consideration of Resolution for Woodward Median Improvement Project Phase II and III

Councilman Covey left Council Chambers at 9:30 p.m.

Councilman Covey returned to Council Chambers at 9:31 p.m.

281. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Covey, to adopt the Resolution from the Downtown Development Authority, relative to the Woodward Median Improvement Project Phase II and III

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

B. Consideration of Kulick Center Expansion Contractor

282. Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilwoman Gumbleton, to approve the construction contract with Evangelista Corporation for renovations in the amount of $274,000.00 (plus 10% contingency = $301,400.00 total) to the Kulick Community Center and to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the contract.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

C. Consideration of Council Education, Training and Travel Policy

283. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Covey, to table the Council Education, Training and Travel Policy to the July 9, 2007 Council Meeting.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Call to Council

284. Police Chief Kitchen commented about the Ferndale Youth Assistance Softball Tournament that was held this past weekend and welcomed Cherilynn Tallman, the new City Clerk.

285. Fire Chief Schmidt announced that the 6% cut from Medicaid for Ambulance Services had been rescinded and that Royal Oak Township is opposed to rate increases.

286. City Manager Bruner welcomed Cherilynn Tallman, the new City Clerk.

287. City Attorney Christ welcomed Cherilynn Tallman, the new City Clerk.

288. Deputy City Clerk Szalma announced that Nominating Petitions were due by Tuesday, August 7, 2007, at 4:00 p.m. and welcomed Cherilynn Tallman, the new City Clerk.

289. Councilwoman Gumbleton reported that the Ferndale Community Foundation had awarded grants to various organizations and that they still needed donations. She announced that the Southeast Coalition had a new Executive Director and that they were sponsoring State Representative Andy Meisner to speak on Clean and Safe Drug Free Communities on Tuesday, June 19, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Days Hotel on Nine Mile in Hazel Park. Councilwoman Gumbleton announced that the Oakland Business Review had an article regarding the success of Garden Fresh Salsa.

290. Councilman Galloway welcomed Cherilynn Tallman, the new City Clerk.

291. Councilman Covey sent his best wishes to a number of people with health issues and welcomed Cherilynn Tallman, the new City Clerk. He thanked Detective Emmi for organizing the softball tournament that raised money for Ferndale Youth Assistance. Councilman Covey recognized two new businesses that had opened recently. Councilman Covey indicated that the Best of Oakland County from the Daily Tribune had included three Ferndale restaurants.

292. Councilman Lennon announced that Fiscal Review Advisory Committee would meet to research financing for a new Municipal Complex. He welcomed Cherilynn Tallman, the new City Clerk

293. Mayor Porter announced that City Manager Bruner was quoted in the press regarding Municipal Overspending and commended the City’s Administration for providing services without budget increases or staff cuts. He shared ideas from the National League of Cities Conference that he recently attended.

Mayor Porter adjourned the meeting at 10:03 p.m.

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Robert G. Porter, Mayor

ATTEST:

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Sharon Szalma, Deputy City Clerk