City Council - September 10, 2007

A Regular Meeting of the Ferndale City Council was held Monday, September 10, 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.

Present: Council Members Covey, Galloway, Gumbleton, Lennon, Mayor Porter.

Absent: None.

City Manager Bruner requested the agenda be amended to add Introduction of Recreation Director after Presentation by Ferndale Schools.

Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Covey, to approve the agenda as amended.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Moved by Mayor Porter, supported unanimously, to adopt a resolution proclaiming September 17 – 23, 2007 as Constitution Week.

ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY

XXX. PRESENTATION Ferndale Schools

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

City Manager Bruner introduced Julie Hall, the City’s new Recreation Director.

1. Greg Sterns, Lighthouse Community Development, presented the MSHDA Property Improvement Loan Program.

2. Keith Dalton, presented to City Council copies of the musical programs CMN equipment has allowed him to produce this year featuring the Blues Fest, Dream Cruise and Pride Fest.

3. Larry Mills requested City Council institute a low-interest loan program to aid Ferndale residents with the expense of removing dangerous trees on their property. Mayor Porter asked the City Manager to explore the possibility with the Finance Director.

4. Kate Baker welcomed Recreation Director Julie Hall. Ms. Baker announced an upcoming event to be held on September 30, the details of which are on her website. Ms. Baker also shared details about an email she received from DTE containing an invitation to a free energy efficiency seminar. Details are available at www.dteenergy.com.

5. Scott Wright reported the contractor for the sidewalk replacement program, Gaglio Construction, has been shorting residents an average of 1" of concrete at each home. Mayor Porter noted that the information submitted by Mr. Wright has been sent to the City Manager’s office and is under review.

6. Elizabeth Minni requested the revocation of an invoice for weed/grass cutting done by the City, asserting the invoice is in error as the City did not have to mow the lawn. Ms. Minni received a courtesy notice about the yard at 410 E. Woodland on or about June 12, 2007. Ms. Minni declared the problem was addressed within the allotted period of time and the property was properly maintained throughout the remainder of the summer. Ms. Minni submitted photos that were contained in the City’s file associated with the invoice and asserts the photos are not of her property but of 356 E. Woodland. Mayor Porter asked that the information be submitted to the City Manager for review.

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

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

a. Approved the Minutes of the Special Meetings of August 27 2007 and the Regular Meeting held August 27, 2007, as submitted by City Clerk.

B. Approved a Pawnbroker’s License to be located at 771 E. Eight Mile Road, to be held by Steven Ruzumna, d.b.a. Cash Your Check Plus, Inc., and the two surety bonds, each in the amount of $3,000.00, as submitted by City Clerk.

C. Approved the Interlocal Agreement between Oakland County and the City of Ferndale as it pertains to the Oakland County Crime Suppression Task Force and the Ferndale Police Department’s participation in the concept, as submitted by Police Chief.

D. Approved Request from B. Nektar, LLC to recommend approval to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission of a new Small Wine Maker License to be located at 701 Woodward Heights, Suite 136, as submitted by Police Chief.

E. Approved "Automatic Aid Agreement for Exchange of Fire Services Between the Cities of Ferndale, Hazel Park and Madison Heights" and authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the agreement, as submitted by Fire Chief.

F. Approved Parking Lot Agreement with J.S. Vig Construction to rent parking spaces in the municipal parking lot, to accommodate equipment and material arriving on Tue 9/4/2007, as submitted by City Manager.

G. Adopted a Resolution authorizing Unlimited Tax General Obligation Bonds, Series 2007 for Wastewater Collection System Improvements as prepared by Bond Attorney Piell, as submitted by Finance Director/Assistant City Manager.

H. Approved the bills and payrolls as certified by the City Manager to be paid subject to review by the Council Finance Committee.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Council Member Lennon

MOTION CARRIED

Councilman Lennon returned to Council Chambers at 8:18 p.m.

XXX. Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilman Covey, to appoint Dr. Chad Hickox, Lynna Kaucheck and Elizabeth Newell to the Environmental Impact Commission.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Covey, to appoint Tim Judd to the Beautification Commission.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Lennon, to authorize the Police Department to begin the hiring process to fill the vacancy in the Police Department created by the resignation of Officer James Ture.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. Police Chief Kitchen reminded interested parties of Detective Lieutenant Norm Raymond’s retirement party this Saturday. Tickets are available at the Police Department.

XXX. City Clerk Tallman announced Oakland County is planning a countywide campaign, in conjunction with local municipalities, to recruit election workers. The event is tentatively being called Help Oakland Vote Day and will be held on Wednesday, October 3. Local municipalities are being asked to set up a station with applications for poll workers, provide demonstrations of the M-100 tabulator and AutoMARK machines, register voters and consider being open extended hours. Ms. Tallman indicated her interest in having Ferndale participate, and Council was supportive.

XXX. City Manager Bruner announced the Recreation Department is conducting an Adult Beginner Tennis class starting this Friday at 6:30 p.m. and urged residents to register.

XXX. Attorney Christ announced that Gage Products is willing to pay for an environmental study on behalf of the City and to provide further facilities descriptions outlining what their plans for site development which will aid the City in outlining the Scope of Work for the environmental study. Attorney Christ hopes to bring forward a recommendation on the proposal at the next City Council Meeting. Councilman Galloway requested information on safety requirements at the State level, and Attorney Christ offered to provide that information to City Council. Councilman Covey asked if Gage Products has a cleanup agreement with the City.

XXX. Councilman Covey noted Brian Brown has submitted an application for appointment to a City Board. He asked City Manager Bruner to determine City Council’s support of a resolution supporting Hazel Park’s quest enhanced gaming at the Hazel Park Raceway. Councilman Covey announced the annual HIV/AIDS Walk will be held in downtown Royal Oak on Sunday, September 16. Donations and pledges may be made at www.aidsprevention.org. Councilman Covey called for leadership in Lansing to resolve the budget and avoid a shut down of the State on October 1, noting the negative impacts a lack of an approved budget will have on local municipalities, non-profit services, public health and schools. Councilman Covey announced events being sponsored by the Ferndale Community Foundation on Saturday, September 22: Silent Auction, 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Celebrity Chili Cook-Off, 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.; and the Ferndale Art Fair Beer Garden, 2:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.. All events are being held at the Monkey Bar, 141 W. Nine Mile, and all money raised is for local charities.

XXX. Councilman Galloway announced one of the biggest fundraisers for the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Oakland County is the Charity Auction, to be held at the Red Run Country Club on September 29.

XXX. Councilwoman Gumbleton acknowledged Ferndale High School Jazz Ensemble for their performance over the Labor Day weekend on the Campus Martius stage during the Detroit Jazz Festival.

XXX. Councilman Lennon announced City Hall will be open on Saturday, September 15, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for voter registration, and the City Clerk will register any eligible Michigan resident; the Police Department will be on hand with balloons for the children and safety whistles for the adults; and the Fire Department will be distributing smoke detectors to eligible Ferndale residents. Councilman Lennon announced tomorrow is the 6^th anniversary of 9/11 and Nature Nook will be passing out free bouquets in memoriam. Councilman Lennon reiterated information about the Ferndale Community Foundation’s September 27 Silent Auction and presented an autographed baseball to be donated to the event.

XXX. Moved by Councilman Lennon, supported unanimously, to adopt the resolution expressing the community’s deep appreciation and best wishes for a happy and healthy retirement to Detective Lieutenant Norman M. Raymond, as he retires after thirty-four years of dedicated service.

ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY

XXX. Mayor Porter commended the Police Department for their handling of several recent situations which posed potential danger to the community, noting the Department’s quick response and interdepartmental operations served to avoid injuries and harm. Mayor Porter called for leadership and compromise in Lansing to come to an agreement on the budget, noting the negative impact on local schools, nonprofit agencies, and other entities relying on State-promised funds. Mayor Porter announced two musical acts, The Spinners and Alice Cooper, which performed at the State Fair have Ferndale ties. The Spinners are comprised of four men who attended Ferndale High School, which was called Lincoln High at the time, and Alice Cooper attended Washington Elementary. Mayor Porter congratulated a Ferndale couple for being voted King and Queen of the Michigan State Fair. Mayor Ported commended State Representative Andy Meissner on his recent program regarding back-to-school safety.

Mayor Porter adjourned the meeting at 8:50 p.m.