City Council -

DRAFT
FERNDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, February 11, 2008

A Regular Meeting of the Ferndale City Council was held Monday, February 11, 2008, at City Hall, 300 East Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. Mayor Covey called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m.

1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

2. ROLL CALL

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

Absent: None.

3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

058. Moved by Lennon, seconded by Galloway, to approve the agenda as amended to remove Consent Agenda Item 6D, Approval of Reappointment of Jean Davis to the Police and Fire Board, and to add to the Regular Agenda, Consideration of Appointment of Gregory Pawlica to the Police and Fire Board.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Mayor Covey called for a moment of silence for the victims of the recent shooting in Kirkwood, Missouri: Council Members Michael Lynch and Connie Karr, Public Works Director Kenneth Yost, and Officers Tom Ballman and Bill Biggs, and for Mayor Mike Swoboda who was critically wounded.

4. PRESENTATIONS

059. 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.

060. CALL TO AUDIENCE

• Julie Glaser, Publicity Chair for Ferndale Youth Assistance, provided a report on the organization’s recent and upcoming events.
• Mark Richardson, candidate for the Michigan State House of Representatives for the 27th District, introduced himself and presented his credentials.
• Greg Pawlica, Ferndale Community Foundation, provided an update on the mission and organization of the Foundation.

CONSENT AGENDA

Consent Agenda Items 6B, 6C and 6F were removed from the Consent Agenda to be considered following the Regular Agenda.

061. Moved by Gumbleton, seconded by Galloway, to approve the Consent Agenda as amended:

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

NAYS: Council Member Lennon

MOTION CARRIED

REGULAR AGENDA

A. Appointment to Boards and Commissions

1) Ferndale Board of Review – Thomas C. King III

062. Moved by Galloway, seconded by Lennon, to appoint Mr. Thomas C. King III as a regular member of the Ferndale Board of Review for the assessment years 2008 and 2009 with the term ending December 2009.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

2) Police and Fire Board – Norman Raymond and Gregory Pawlica

063. Moved by Galloway, seconded by Gumbleton to table to March 10, 2008, appointments to the Police and Fire Board pending establishment of appointment guidelines.

AYES: Council Members Baker, Galloway, Gumbleton

NAYS: Council Member Lennon, Mayor Covey

MOTION CARRIED

CONSENT AGENDA (continued)

B. Consideration of reappointments to the Ferndale Arts and Cultural Commission

064. Moved by Galloway, seconded by Baker, to table to March 10, 2008, reappointments to the Ferndale Arts and Cultural Commission pending review and amendment of the Commission’s mission and establishment of appointment guidelines.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

C. Consideration of reappointment to the Civil Service Board

065. Moved by Gumbleton, seconded by Galloway, to table to March 10, 2008, reappointment of Steven Kuzmanovich to the Civil Service Board pending establishment of appointment guidelines.

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

NAYS: Council Member Lennon

MOTION CARRIED

F. Approval of License for True TV and authorization for the Mayor to sign, as submitted by Police Chief.

066. Moved by Galloway, seconded by Lennon, to approve the Material License for True TV (dba R.B.I Productions) to air the interview with Officer Ungerman and to authorize the Mayor to sign the License.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

REGULAR AGENDA (continued)

B. Consideration of Appointee Performance Evaluation Policy

067. Moved by Baker, seconded by Galloway, to adopt the Appointee Performance Evaluation Policy as submitted by the City Managerand to designate Council Member Gumbleton the 2008 Performance Evaluation Coordinator for all Appointees.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

COUNCIL APPPOINTEE REPORT – City Manager

City Manager Bruner provided a status report on his FYE 2008 City Manager Goals & Objectives.

068. Moved by Galloway, seconded by Gumbleton to accept the City Manger’s FYE 2008 Goals & Objectives Quarterly Report.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

069. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS

B. Michigan Suburbs Alliance (MSA) – There will be a breakfast meeting on Thursday, February 14, at 8:00 a.m. Contact the City Manager’s office to RSVP.

F. Woodward Avenue Action Association (WA3) – The WA3 will be bringing an agenda item forward to Council in March regarding the Woodward Avenue Tribute.

CALL TO COUNCIL

070. Police Chief Kitchen passed along comments from a resident requesting that property owners clear their sidewalks of snow and praising the Department of Public Works.

071. City Manager Bruner thanked Chief Kitchen for the reminder to residents and business owners to remove snow from sidewalks, and reminded downtown business owners that snow removal is their responsibility, not the DDA’s. City Manager Bruner reported the developer for the possibly historic church property on Nine Mile is not planning to demolish the church. One of the topics for discussion at the February 21, 2008 Special Council Meeting for goal setting will be the possible establishment of a historical district.

072. Councilwoman Baker encouraged residents to forwards comments on their interest in historic preservation to City Council Members.

073. Councilman Lennon reported the Ordinance Committee will be meeting with the City Manager in the near future to develop an outline for clarification and prioritization of Code Enforcement activities. Councilman Lennon asked that installation of an AED defibrillator at the Gerry Kulick Center be made a priority, and suggested using the $30,000 previously committed to the WA3’s Tribute.

074. Councilwoman Gumbleton extended condolences to the victims of the Kirkwood, Missouri shootings and exhorted citizens to be aware of signs of mental health issues among their friends and neighbors.

075. Councilman Galloway requested an update on the work of the Environmental Impact Commission. Addressing public comments made during the January 28, 2008 discussion about the Principal Shopping District that there are too many salons in the downtown area, Councilman Galloway explained that the City designates Zoning Districts which allow certain uses, but it is not in Council’s jurisdiction to dictate what specific types of businesses to allow at each property. Regarding historical preservation, Councilman Galloway pointed out the church on Nine Mile is private property and the owner must comply with Zoning regulations. He requested public feedback on what types of buildings residents would like preserved, all old buildings or older buildings architectural value?

076. Mayor Covey mentioned newspaper article which quoted resident "Some communities are interested in preserving old buildings, but Ferndale just seems to want to knock them down", and commented that he is unaware of the City ever demolishing a building. Mayor Covey thanked Ferndale Schools for their participation in the Blues Fest, and reported the Blues Fest broke previous records for attendance and fundraising. Mayor Covey noted the City has received a congratulatory letter from Senator Carl Levin for receiving the Tree City USA designation. Mayor Covey announced the Ferndale Association of Businesses will be holding a fundraiser for local food banks this Saturday, 8:00 p.m. until midnight, at the Gerry Kulick Center.

CLOSED SESSION – Trial Strategy

077. Moved by Galloway, seconded by Gumbleton, to recess into Closed Session pursuant to MCL 15.268(e) and (h) to consult with attorney regarding trial or settlement strategy in connection with litigation and to consider attorney-client privileged communication and to name Councilwoman Baker as the Recording Secretary.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Mayor Covey recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 9:24 p.m. and reconvened the regular meeting at 9:48 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no objections, Mayor Covey adjourned the meeting at 9:51 p.m.