FERNDALE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday,
December 10, 2007
A Regular Meeting of the Ferndale City Council was held Monday,
December 10, 2007, at City Hall, 300 East Nine Mile Road, Ferndale.
Mayor Porter called the meeting to order at 7:36 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 Galloway, to approve the agenda
as submitted.
AYES: Council Members Galloway, Gumbleton, Lennon, Mayor-elect
Covey, Mayor Porter
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED
4. PRESENTATIONS
XXX. Ferndale Goodfellows
Fire Chief Schmidt and Firefighter John Schwall, representing the
Ferndale Goodfellows, made a short presentation to Ferndale resident
and former police officer Jim Rentz for his years of service to the
organization.
On behalf of the Lennon Foundation, Councilman Lennon presented a
check in the amount of $500.00 to Ferndale Goodfellows for the "Let
No Child Be Without a Christmas" program.
XXX. Ferndale Public Schools
Jessica Scott, Communications Specialist from Ferndale Schools,
provided an update on the activities and accomplishments of students
throughout Ferndale Public Schools.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Parking Restriction Change on East Hazelhurst
Mayor Porter opened the Public Hearing at 7:45 p.m.
Pam Magar, representing Magar Management located in the
commercial building at Hazelhurst and Woodward, noted the streets
above and below Hazelhurst do not have the one-hour restrictions.
Magar Management often has real estate closings that last more than
an hour so removal of the restriction would be helpful for their
clients.
Mayor Porter closed the Public Hearing at 7:46 p.m.
XXX. Moved by Lennon, seconded by Galloway, to approve the
traffic control change to remove the one-hour parking restriction on
the south side of E. Hazelhurst, east of Woodward, as requested by
Sam Magar of Magar Management.
AYES: Council Members Galloway, Gumbleton, Lennon, Mayor-elect
Covey, Mayor Porter
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED
XXX. CALL TO AUDIENCE
State Representative Andy Meisner updated Council on changes in
State budget policy.
Thomas Gagné, thanked Mayor Porter for his service to the City as
its Mayor, commending him for having served with honor and
distinction. Mr. Gagné encouraged Council to reconsider its
commitment of providing $30,000.00 in funding for the WA3 Woodward
Tribute Project.
Leslie Lee reiterated Mr. Gagné’s remarks, noting the $70,000.00
cost of the totem is excessive in these economic times. Ms. Lee
commented that the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and the
Principal Shopping District (PSD) seem to be performing the same
function and suggested that double taxing businesses is not going to
encourage business growth. Ms. Lee, noting the budget surplus
reported at the last Council meeting, commented that perhaps
citizens should be reimbursed rather than paying for a tribute
totem.
Keith Dalton thanked Mayor Porter for his service and thanked
those who campaigned for the recent Charter Amendments adopted by
the voters on November 6, 2007.
A.J. O’Neill, A.J.’s Café, voiced opposition to the PSD tax and
urged residents to support local businesses. Mr. O’Neill announced
an upcoming Danny Boy marathon that will be an attempt to set a
World Record.
Brian Cooley voiced opposition to the legislators in Lansing
balancing the State budget on the backs of business. Mr. Cooley
asked that the U.S. flag donated by County Commissioner Coulter be
put in place at the Woodward and Eight Mile intersection.
Peggy Snow, Beautification Commission, thanked Mayor Porter for
his service. Ms. Snow announced the Holiday Light Tour will be held
on Tuesday, December 18, 6:00-9:00 p.m. and called for nominations
to be submitted to the Department of Public Works.
An unidentified woman announced that Mr. Rufus Swift is a
trillionaire, is interested in projects in Michigan and may be
reached through the CIA.
Tiffani Gagné thanked Mayor Porter for his service to the City.
Ms. Gagné, noting that the DDA will be approaching Council in
January with an amended PSD plan, stated her belief that
Councilwoman-elect Baker should either resign from her volunteer
work for the DDA or abstain from voting on the PSD to avoid a
conflict of interest. Ms. Gagné named numerous businesses which have
closed their doors in the past year and voiced concern that the City
will continue to lose businesses if it keeps taxing them.
Mary Trenner, Interim Library Director, presented an update on
upcoming Library programs.
Councilman Lennon left Council Chambers at 8:22 p.m.
CONSENT AGENDA
XXX. Moved by Covey, seconded by Galloway, to approve the Consent
Agenda as submitted:
a. Approved the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held November 26,
2007.
B. Confirmed the reappointment of Mr. William Axtell (Republican)
and Mr. Lon Herman (Democrat) to the Board of Canvassers for terms
ending December 31, 2011.
C. Approved the Year 2008 City Boards and Commissions Meetings
Calendar.
D. Confirmed the reappointment of David Tobar to the Ferndale
Brownfield Development Authority for a term ending December 31,
2010.
E. 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
A. Confirmation of appointment of Jeffrey Brandon to the
Environmental Impact Commission, term ending December 31, 2010
XXX. Moved by Covey, seconded by Gumbleton, to confirm the
appointment of Mr. Jeffrey Brandon to the Environmental Impact
Commission for a term ending December 31, 2010.
AYES: Council Members Galloway, Gumbleton, Mayor-elect Covey,
Mayor Porter
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Council Member Lennon
MOTION CARRIED
Councilman Lennon returned to Council Chambers at 8:26 p.m.
B. Consideration of License Agreement associated with the
development for 23350 Woodward Ave with Sterling Group
XXX. Moved by Covey, seconded by Gumbleton, to approve the Public
Right-of-Way Use Permit Agreement and to authorize the Mayor and
City Clerk to sign the Agreement.
AYES: Council Members Galloway, Gumbleton, Lennon, Mayor-elect
Covey, Mayor Porter
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED
Mayor Porter left Council Chambers at 8:31 p.m., relinquishing
the Chair to Mayor Pro Tem Lennon. Mayor Porter returned to Council
Chambers at 8:32 p.m.
C. Consideration of Fee Proposal and Contract for Water Testing
Services
XXX. Moved by Gumbleton, seconded by Covey, to approve the fee
proposal of $9,065 of RTL Laboratories, 31628 Glendale Avenue,
Livonia, to conduct testing and sampling of the City’s water as
required by the Environmental Protection Agency under its Stage 2
Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule; to charge the
expense to the Water and Sewer Fund, Contractual, Account No.
592-818; and to approve the Agreement by and between RTL
Laboratories; and to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign said
Agreement.
AYES: Council Members Galloway, Gumbleton, Mayor-elect Covey,
Mayor Porter, Mayor Pro Tem Lennon
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED
Mayor Porter resumed the Chair.
D. Designation of Signatories for Comerica Bank Account
XXX. Moved by Galloway, seconded by Lennon, to designate the
Mayor and the City Clerk as the signatories on the City’s Comerica
checking account.
AYES: Council Members Galloway, Gumbleton, Lennon, Mayor-elect
Covey, Mayor Porter
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED
E. Consideration of Resolution supporting Ferndale’s application
for funding under the "Preserve America" Grant Program
XXX. Moved by Covey, seconded by Gumbleton, that the Ferndale
City Council supports the grant application for Preserve America
funds to assist the completion of the Ferndale Heritage Tourism and
Way-finding Project and adopts the Resolution Supporting Ferndale’s
Application for Funding Under the "Preserve America" Grant Program.
AYES: Council Members Galloway, Gumbleton, Lennon, Mayor-elect
Covey, Mayor Porter
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED
Mayor-elect Covey left Council Chambers at 8:40 p.m. and returned
at 8:42 p.m.
F. Consideration of purchasing new sidearms for the Police
Officers
XXX. Moved by Galloway, seconded by Gumbleton, to approve the
purchase of new weapons and associated gear for the Police
Department at a total cost of $16,678.00. The funds for this project
are to be from the Drug Forfeiture Account.
AYES: Council Members Galloway, Gumbleton, Lennon, Mayor-elect
Covey, Mayor Porter
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED
XXX. COUNCIL APPOINTEE REPORT – POLICE CHIEF
Police Chief Kitchen reported on progress made toward his 2007
goals.
XXX. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS
F. Woodward Avenue Action Association (WA3) met last week and is
putting together an audio tour along Woodward Avenue which will
begin at Hart Plaza
CALL TO COUNCIL
XXX. City Manager Bruner reported signs will be going up soon to
remind residents that 4" of snow or more constitutes a snow
emergency, meaning cars should be pulled off the street. And there
will be Permit Parking Only during snow emergencies.
XXX. Chief Kitchen wished all a Merry Christmas and urged safety.
XXX. Chief Schmidt thanked Councilman Lennon and the Lennon
Foundation for the donation to the Goodfellows. Announced the
Goodfellows’ Annual Paper Sale raised over $3,300.00. Urged fire
safety during the holidays.
XXX. Attorney Christ reported that, in connection with the Troy
Allen development proposal, the final good faith earnest deposit of
$25,000.00 that had been deposited with the title company has been
tendered back to the City.
XXX. Councilwoman Gumbleton expressed condolences to the Goedert
family at the passing of Mr. Charlie Goedert, the father of the
former City of Ferndale Mayor.
XXX. Councilman Galloway expressed condolences to the Goedert
family and asked that a resolution be presented at thee next Council
meeting. Asked the City Attorney to review the Michigan Supreme
Court’s decision regarding the automatic mass mailing of Absent
Voter Ballot Applications to voters over the age of 60 and to confer
with Royal Oak’s attorney to see if there is leeway in the opinion
to allow the Ferndale City Clerk to continue mailing the
applications. Commended the success of the Ferndale Ice Festival.
XXX. Councilman Lennon extended condolences to the Goedert
family. Asked residents to keep snow and ice removed from their
sidewalks and encouraged citizens to help their elderly neighbors do
the same.
XXX. Mayor-elect Covey asked the City Manager to contact the DDA
to obtain a report on the Cookie Bakeoff fundraiser. Asked for an
investigation as to why the warming tent was serving coffee from a
non-Ferndale vendor. Addressed Ms. Gagné’s comment regarding a
possible conflict of interest with Councilwoman-elect Baker’s being
a DDA volunteer by stating that by definition a conflict of interest
occurs only if the voting members stands to gain financially from
the vote. Thanked the City Manager for researching and determining
that water rates were raised last year as directed by City Council.
Announced that the Blues Festival will include a Bob Porter night on
Thursday, January 31, 2008. Announced the agenda for the December
26, 2007 Council meeting will include tributes for outgoing Mayor
Porter.
XXX. Mayor Porter extended condolences to the Goedert family and
noted the Council will adopt a resolution in honor of Mr. Goedert at
the next Council meeting. Thanked the residents and visitors who
made the Ice Festival a success.
Mayor Porter adjourned the meeting at 9:13 p.m.
