City Council - November 26, 2007

FERNDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, November 26, 2007

A Regular Meeting of the Ferndale City Council was held Monday, November 26, 2007, at City Hall, 300 East Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. Mayor Porter called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m.

Mayor Porter led the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL:

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

Absent: None.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

XXX. Moved by Covey, seconded by Lennon, to approve the agenda as submitted.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

4. PRESENTATIONS

XXX. Chamber of Commerce

Maile Ilac Boeder, Ferndale Chamber of Commerce, announced the Annual Chamber Gala Winners, issued an invitation to the Holiday Party and reported on new things to expect in 2008.

XXX. 2007 Audit of Financial Statements by Rehmann Robson

Tom Darling, Rehmann Robson, presented the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007.

XXX. Woodward Avenue Action Association

Heather Carmona, WA3 Executive Director, presented the final design concept for the Woodward Tribute project and requested City Council’s consideration to fund the remaining $30,000.00 balance not covered by grants for the installation and completion of the Tribute

XXX. Moved by Covey, seconded by Galloway, to approve the Woodward Avenue Action Association’s (WA3) request for $30,000.00 contribution during this fiscal year, for the Woodward Avenue Tribute, contingent on City Council’s final approval of the design; and to appoint Councilwoman Gumbleton and Councilman Galloway as a two-person committee to assist with the review of the design as well as to monitor final budget issues with the project. The contribution is further contingent on an understanding with WA3 that, should the actual construction costs be less than the costs described in the budget submitted by WA3 in the November 26, 2007 Council Packet, those savings be refunded to the City of Ferndale up to its commitment of $30,000.00.

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

NAYS: Council Member Lennon

MOTION CARRIED

PUBLIC HEARINGS

A. Ferndale Labs Establishment of Industrial Development District (IDD) No. 38

Mayor Porter opened the Public Hearing at 8:48 p.m., and, there being no public comment, closed the Public Hearing at 8:49 p.m.

XXX. Moved by Galloway, seconded by Covey, to adopt the Resolution establishing an Industrial Development District, as requested by Ferndale Pharma Group, Inc., for property commonly known as 670-780 West Eight Mile Road, Ferndale, to be designated as the "City of Ferndale Industrial Development District Number Thirty-eight (38)".

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

B. Great Lakes Landscaping Special Land Use Permit, 2000 W. Eight Mile

Mayor Porter opened the Public Hearing at 8:55 p.m., and, there being no public comment, closed the Public Hearing at 8:55 p.m.

XXX. Moved by Covey, seconded by Lennon, to adopt the Resolution approving the Special Land Use application for outdoor storage at Great Lakes Landscaping / Game Courts located at 2000 West Eight Mile Road.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. CALL TO AUDIENCE

Councilwoman-elect Baker drew attention to downtown business owners wishing to speak on Regular Agenda Item 8A.

Cristina Sheppard-Decius, DDA Director, announced an amended proposal for a Principal Shopping District will be presented to City Council in January.

Craig Turset announced that Record Time on Nine Mile is closing.

Jeff Brandon asked that the Ordinance granting reduced parking passes for hybrid/low mileage vehicles be reviewed because the EPA’s new testing standards will disqualify all 14 of the low mileage vehicles which currently meet the Ordinance’s standards.

Ms. Shepard-Decius noted that the closing of Record Time is in response to the growing number of consumers who are purchasing music on-line.

Councilman Lennon left Council Chambers at 9:10 p.m.

CONSENT AGENDA

Council agreed to remove Items 7C and 7H from the Consent Agenda to be considered after the Regular Agenda.

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

a. Approved the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held November 12, 2007.

B. Scheduled a Public Hearing on Monday, December 10, 2007, regarding parking restriction change on East Hazelhurst.

C. REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA TO BE CONSIDERED AFTER THE REGULAR AGENDA

D. Approved Nortel Telephone System Extended Service Agreement.

E. Adopted Notice of Intent Resolution for Library Bond Sale.

F. Approved Service Contract for Water Booster Station

G. Approved Invoice for Leaf-Vacuum Repair.

H. REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA TO BE CONSIDERED AFTER THE REGULAR AGENDA

I. 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 Galloway, Gumbleton, Mayor-elect Covey, Mayor Porter

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Council Member Lennon

MOTION CARRIED

REGULAR AGENDA

Councilman Lennon returned to Council Chambers at 9:14 p.m.

A. Consideration of Holiday Ice Festival Street Closing and Unenforced Parking

XXX. Moved by Galloway, seconded by Lennon, to approve:

• Unenforced (free) parking in public parking lots and parking bays for the month of December until 7:00 p.m. daily.

• Unenforced (free) parking in public parking lots and parking bays for December 6, 7 & 8, 2007 for the Holiday Ice Festival.

• Approval to host the Holiday Ice Festival event on the sidewalks in downtown Ferndale on December 8th, which will include strolling musicians, Santa giving out gifts to good boys and girls, ice sculpture carvings and displays on sidewalks, and hot beverages and treats for customers on-street.

• Approval to close Planavon from Nine Mile to the edge of the alleys on December 7th at 4:30 pm and reopen on December 8th at 11 pm.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

B. Consideration to Refer Sandwich Board portion of the Sign Ordinance to the Ordinance Review Committee

XXX. Moved by Galloway, seconded by Covey, to refer the portion of the Sign Ordinance regarding sandwich board signs to the Plan Commission and request that City Departments and the DDA offer their comments by the end of December, 2007, with a report back to Council for possible referral by the Plan Commission to the Ordinance Review Committee no later than March 1, 2008.

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

NAYS: Council Member Lennon

MOTION CARRIED

CONSENT AGENDA (continued)

7C. Consideration of Resolution approving Interlocal Agreement for Participation of the Ferndale Fire Department in the Oakland County Mutual Aid Association.

XXX. Moved by Galloway, seconded by Covey, to adopt the Resolution for the approval of the Interlocal Agreement for Participation of the Ferndale Fire Department in the Oakland County Mutual Aid Association and to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the Interlocal Agreement creating the Oakland County Fire Mutual Aid Association and Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Agreement.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

7H. Consideration of Annual Monetary Donation to the Ferndale Goodfellows.

XXX. Moved by Galloway, seconded by Gumbleton, to approve the annual donation of $300 included in the FYE-2008 Budget, 101-172-885 Account to the Ferndale Goodfellows.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

XXX. COUNCIL APPOINTEE REPORT – FIRE CHIEF

Fire Chief Schmidt reported on progress made toward his 2007 goals.

XXX. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS

No reports.

CALL TO COUNCIL

XXX. City Clerk Tallman reported the January 15, 2008 Partisan Presidential Primary Election will be held as scheduled, and reminded the public that due to a recent decision by the Michigan Court of Appeals city clerks may no longer automatically mail applications for Absentee Voter Ballots to voters over the age of 60. All registered voters who wish to vote absentee must now request that an application be sent to them.

XXX. City Manager Bruner presented the Red Seal Award for Coolest Neighborhood bestowed on the City of Ferndale by Ambassador Magazine.

XXX. Councilman Lennon asked the City Manager to remind Department Heads they should, per City policy, be using local businesses for purchases whenever feasible.

XXX. Councilwoman Gumbleton announced that Noel Night in downtown Detroit kicks off on December 1 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.

XXX. Councilman Galloway encouraged Ferndale residents to do their Christmas shopping locally, noting that shopping within the City is also environmentally friendly.

XXX. Mayor-elect Covey announced a variety of events in conjunction with World AIDS Day.

Mayor-elect Covey announced the Ferndale Community Foundation, in association with Gracey’s, Howe’s Bayou and Dino’s, is hosting a Celebration of the 74th Anniversary of the End of Prohibition on December 5, 2007.

Dino’s will be hosting a BBQ Rib Battle on the last day of the Blues Festival and is seeking sponsors and competitors.

XXX. Mayor Porter urged residents to drive safely during the holiday season and to be vigilant against theft and robbery.

Mayor Porter adjourned the meeting at 10:33 p.m.