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:
A. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held January 28,
2008, as submitted by City Clerk.
B. REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA TO BE CONSIDERED AFTER REGULAR
AGENDA
C. REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA TO BE CONSIDERED AFTER REGULAR
AGENDA
D. REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA
E. Approved issuance of a Second Hand and Junk Dealers License to
be located at 750 W. WNine Mile Road, to be held by Blockbuster, Inc.
G. Approved the bills and payrolls as certified by City Manager to
be paid subject to review by the Council Finance Committee.
F. REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA TO BE CONSIDERED AFTER REGULAR
AGENDA
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.
