FERNDALE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday,
January 14, 2008
A Regular Meeting of the Ferndale City Council was held Monday,
January 14, 2008, at City Hall, 300 East Nine Mile Road, Ferndale.
Mayor Covey called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND SCHOOL SONG
Led by the Roosevelt School Crossing Guards.
2. MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
Presented by Ferndale High School Students.
3. INVOCATION
Delivered by Reverend Dennis Paulsen of Ferndale First United
Methodist Church.
4. INAUGURATION OF THE FORTY-FIRST FERNDALE CITY COUNCIL
Honorable Joseph Longo, Judge of the 43rd District Court,
Ferndale Division administered the Oath of Office to:
Mayor Craig S. Covey
Councilman Michael B. Lennon
Councilwoman Kate Baker
5. ROLL CALL OF THE FORTY-FIRST FERNDALE CITY COUNCIL
Present: Mayor Covey, Council Members Baker, Galloway, Gumbleton,
Lennon.
Absent: None.
6. INAUGURATION OF THE SECOND FERNDALE LIBRARY BOARD
Mayor Covey administered the Oath of Office to Library Trustee
Mary Ann Neal. Library Trustee Warner was unable to attend the
ceremony.
7. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
001. Moved by Councilwoman Gumbleton, seconded by Councilman
Galloway, to approve the agenda as amended to correct Consent Item I
to read, "to adopt the 2005 Michigan Edition of the International
Electrical Code" and to withdraw Regular Agenda Item D,
Consideration of Devon Square PILOT Ordinance, at the petitioner’s
request.
AYES: Council Members Baker, Galloway, Gumbleton, Lennon, Mayor
Covey
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED
8. PRESENTATIONS
002. Senator Gilda Jacobs
Senator Jacobs welcomed Mayor Covey, Councilman Lennon and
Councilwoman Baker to their newly elected positions.
003. Mayor Craig Covey
Mayor Covey addressed Ferndale’s residents with a message for the
New Year about the future of Ferndale and his plans for his tenure.
004. Holiday Display Beautification Awards
Peggy Snow, representing the Ferndale Beautification Commission,
presented the Commercial Award to State of the Art Custom Framing &
Gallery, 918 West Nine Mile Road.
Residential Awards were presented to John Olson, 650 Allen; Sean
Kinney, 316 Ardmore; Rick and Lisa Mullen, 872 West Lewiston; and
Ken Arnold and Adam Know, 149 East Breckenridge.
005. Ferndale Public Schools
Jessica Scott, Communications Specialist from Ferndale Schools,
provided an update on the accomplishments of Ferndale students and
upcoming activities sponsored by Ferndale Public Schools.
006. Hazel Park Public Schools
Sharon Hawkins, Community Education Supervisor for Hazel Park
Public Schools, reported on activities throughout the Hazel Park
Public Schools community.
007. CALL TO AUDIENCE
The following persons spoke in opposition to the proposed
Principal Shopping District (PSD):
Linda Robbins, House of Chants.
Keith Priemer, representing the Ferndale Association of
Businesses. In excess of 35 audience members stood in support of the
petition of opposition to the PSD as presented by FAB.
AJ O’Neil, AJ’s Café.
Tom Zukowsky, resident.
Tim McMahon, Ferndale Center Building.
Greg Pawlica, resident.
Daryl DePottey, Nature Nook.
Jeff Axt, Stella.
By a show of hands the majority of the audience members
registered their opposition to the PSD.
Fred Minamyer, VFW, complained about being required to apply and
pay for a Business Registration when the VFW is a non profit
organization.
Joe Ehireop, VFW representative, echoed Mr. Minamyer’s statements
regarding Business Registration.
Chad Hickox, Ferndale Environmental Impact Commission, reported
on the Commission’s first two meetings and noted two more members
are still needed. The primary functions of the Commission are to
develop policy recommendations for Council and community education
and outreach. The Commission’s next meeting will be Wednesday,
January 16, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at the Kulick Center.
Dave Coulter, Oakland County Commissioner, congratulated
Councilwoman Baker, Councilman Lennon and Mayor Covey on their
election. He reported he has appointed Alex Sennard to the Women’s
Advisory Commission. He announced that he will be making an
appointment to the Senior Citizen’s Advisory Commission and asked
for interested persons to contact him.
Sean House, resident, asked Council to investigate the National
Clean Elections Lawsuit which asks that use of electronic voting
machines be discontinued because of errors. He asked that Council
halt the use of the machines and hand count ballots.
Rev. Dennis Paulson requested donations of cash or time for the
food pantries at Zion Church on Albany and First Baptist at
Pinecrest and Nine Mile.
CONSENT AGENDA
Councilman Lennon left Council Chambers at 8:45 p.m.
Consent Agenda Items B, D and H were removed from the Consent
Agenda to be considered after the Regular Agenda.
008. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilwoman
Baker, to approve the Consent Agenda as corrected:
a. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held December
26, 2007, as submitted by City Clerk.
C. Adoption of Interim changes to the FYE-2008 Budget, as
submitted by Finance Director/Assistant City Manager Hubanks.
E. Approval to refer the suggested revision to the Sign Ordinance
prohibiting reuse of prohibited signs to the Ordinance Committee for
consideration and recommendation to Council, as submitted by CDS
Director.
F. Approval to refer Revisions to Sign Ordinance Appeals
Procedure to the Ordinance Committee, as submitted by CDS Director.
G. Approval to refer Revisions to Sign Ordinance – Special Event
Sign Regulations to the Ordinance Committee for consideration and
recommendation to Council, as submitted by CDS Director.
I. Approval of Ordinance No. 1040, amending the Ferndale Code of
Ordinances, to adopt the 2006 2005 Michigan Edition of the
International Electrical Code, as submitted by CDS Director.
J. Approval of Ordinance No. 1041, amending the Ferndale Code of
Ordinances, to adopt the 2006 Michigan Edition of the International
Mechanical Code, as submitted by CDS Director.
K. Approval of Ordinance No. 1042, amending the Ferndale Code of
Ordinances, to adopt the 2006 International Plumbing Code, as
submitted by CDS Director.
L. Approval of City Poverty Exemptions Policy Statement and
Guidelines, as submitted by Assessor/Treasurer.
M. Approval of Invoices for Repairs to Snow-Plow Truck, as
submitted by DPW Director.
N. Approval of Travel Resolution for Mayor Covey to travel to
Lansing, MI, for the Inaugural State Of The State Address, as
submitted by City Clerk.
O. Approval of License Agreement for use of municipal parking
spaces, as submitted by City Manager.
P. Approval of the bills, payrolls as certified by City Manager
to be paid subject to review by the Council Finance Committee.
AYES: Council Members Baker, Galloway, Gumbleton, Mayor Covey
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Council Member Lennon
MOTION CARRIED
REGULAR AGENDA
Councilman Lennon returned to Council Chambers at 8:51 p.m.
A. Consideration of Amended City Council Rules of Procedure
009. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Lennon,
to adopt the Rules of Procedure for the Ferndale City Council dated
January 14, 2008.
AYES: Council Members Baker, Galloway, Gumbleton, Lennon, Mayor
Covey
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED
B. Appointment of Council Members to Boards and Commissions
1) Mayor Pro-Tem: Councilman Galloway
2) Board of Zoning Appeals: Mayor Covey
3) Brownfield Redevelopment Authority: Councilman Galloway
4) City Clerk Liaison Committee: Councilwoman Baker &
Councilwoman Gumbleton
5) City Manager Liaison Committee: Councilman Lennon & Councilman
Galloway
6) Construction Board of Appeals: Councilman Lennon
7) Employees Retirement System Board of Trustees: Councilwoman
Baker
8) Ferndale Community Foundation: Mayor Covey and Councilwoman
Gumbleton
9) Finance Committee: Councilman Galloway & Councilman Lennon
10) Fire Chief Liaison Committee: Councilwoman Baker &
Councilwoman Gumbleton
11) Highway Committee: Councilman Lennon
12) Ordinance Committee: Councilman Galloway & Councilman Lennon
13) Plan Commission: Councilwoman Baker
14) Police and Fire Retirement System Board of Trustees:
Councilwoman Gumbleton
15) Police Chief Liaison Committee: Mayor Covey & Councilwoman
Gumbleton
16) Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) and
Alternate: Councilwoman Baker, with Councilwoman Gumbleton as
alternate.
C. Consideration of Revisions to Sign Ordinance for Sandwich
Board Signs
026. Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilwoman Baker,
to refer the Sign Ordinance, in regards to Sandwich Board Signs, to
City Administrative Staff for consideration of revisions to allow an
annual fee and to provide restrictions to discourage blight, and to
request the final draft be brought forward for Council’s review
within 60 days.
AYES: Council Members Baker, Galloway, Gumbleton, Lennon, Mayor
Covey
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED
D. Consideration of Devon Square PILOT Ordinance
Item D was withdrawn from the agenda at the petitioner’s request.
E. Consideration of Bond Cost Repayment Agreement with the
Ferndale Public Library Board
No action was taken. The Council generally agreed that the
Library Renovation and Expansion project should be moved forward as
quickly as possible.
CONSENT AGENDA (continued)
B. Consideration of Resolution Requesting Comcast Cablevision to
Preserve Channel Locations for Public, Governmental and Educational
Access Channels
027. Moved by Councilwoman Gumbleton, seconded by Councilman
Galloway, to adopt the Resolution requesting preservation of
existing channel locations for public, educational and government
access channels and to direct the City Clerk’s Office to forward
copies to Comcast, the Intergovernmental Cable Community Authority,
Community Media Network and to Ferndale’s County, State and Federal
elected officials.
AYES: Council Members Baker, Galloway, Gumbleton, Lennon, Mayor
Covey
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED
D. Consideration of change of speed limit on Earle Blvd. from 15
mph to 25 mph in accordance with MCL 257.629, as submitted by Police
Chief
028. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilman Lennon,
to change the speed limit on Earle Blvd. from 15 MPH to 25 MPH to
comply with MCL 257.629 and to direct the DPW to replace the current
speed limit signs with 25 MPH speed limit signs.
AYES: Council Members Baker, Galloway, Gumbleton, Lennon, Mayor
Covey
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED
H. Consideration of Ordinance No. 1039, amending Zoning Ordinance
No. 1004, regarding footnote 4.19 u – Mechanical and Electrical Unit
Location and Screening
029. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilwoman
Gumbleton, to adopt the revision to Zoning Ordinance No. 1004 and
No. 1007, footnote 4.19 u, as submitted, and to direct the City
Clerk to publish.
AYES: Council Members Baker, Galloway, Gumbleton, Mayor Covey
NAYS: Council Member Lennon
MOTION CARRIED
030. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS
There were no reports.
CALL TO AUDIENCE (continued)
Ann Heler, representing Citizens for a Fair Ferndale, announced
an information forum about establishing a free medical clinic to be
held January 27, 2008 at AJ’s Café, from 2:00 until 4:00.
Monica Mills, Co-Chair of Ferndale Blues Festival, announced the
Blues Fest will be held January 25 – February 2, with 22 venues
participating and over 80 concerts or events.
Noel Schuller, resident, commended the Ferndale Police Dept. He
also voiced opposition to the PSD.
Rev. Paulson opposed the PSD.
Robert Porter thanked members of Council for their continued
service to the City and commended Councilwoman Baker on her first
Council meeting. Mr. Porter passed along Congressman Levin’s good
wishes to the new Council.
CALL TO COUNCIL
031. Police Chief Kitchen congratulated Mayor Covey, Councilwoman
Baker and Councilman Lennon.
032. Fire Chief Schmidt congratulated Mayor Covey, Councilwoman
Baker and Councilman Lennon.
033. Recreation Director Hall reported online registrations are
up 20% and facility rentals are up 60% from the same period last
year.
034. Councilman Andy LeCureaux, Hazel Park, welcomed Councilwoman
Baker.
035. City Clerk Tallman congratulated Mayor Covey, Councilwoman
Baker and Councilman Lennon. Ms. Tallman reminded residents of the
Primary Election on Tuesday, noting voters should report to their
regular precincts to vote, and invited the public to attend the
Public Accuracy Test of voting machines prior to every election.
036. City Manager Bruner congratulated Mayor Covey, Councilwoman
Baker and Councilman Lennon. Mr. Bruner encouraged citizens to call
or write his office with their issues.
037. Attorney Christ congratulated Mayor Covey, Councilwoman
Baker and Councilman Lennon.
038. Councilwoman Baker congratulated Mayor Covey on a well-run
meeting, congratulated Councilman Lennon on his election and
extended well wishes to her brother and sister-in-law on the birth
of their baby. Councilwoman Baker announced the Chamber of Commerce
is hosting three information meetings on the proposed PSD on January
16 at 9 am, 2 pm and 7 pm at the Chamber.
039. Councilwoman Gumbleton congratulated Mayor Covey,
Councilwoman Baker and Councilman Lennon and commended Mayor Covey
for a well-run meeting. Councilwoman Gumbleton encouraged citizens
to contact Council Members with concerns, noting that their comments
do not have to wait until a Council meeting.
040. Councilman Lennon noted the recession in Michigan is not
going to be resolved quickly and said it is time to start saving and
he doesn’t support spending money on statues or taxes.
041. Councilman Galloway commended the Council for their growth
and work. He noted the DDA meetings are very sparsely attended and
advocated concerned residents get involved in issues during the
process not just at the last minute. Councilman Galloway commented
on the inflammatory language used on the anti-PSD website.
Councilman Galloway announced the Primary Election will be held
tomorrow and voiced disappointment in the Governor and the State
Legislature for robbing him of his right to vote for the candidate
of his choice. He announced opening of Anita Kitchen’s on Woodward.
042. Mayor Covey shared a humorous story about the mayor of
Arlington, Oregon.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Covey adjourned the meeting at 10:16 p.m.
Craig S. Covey, Mayor
J. Cherilynn Tallman, City Clerk
