City Council - July 28, 2008

DRAFT

FERNDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Monday, July 28, 2008

A Regular Meeting of the Ferndale City Council was held Monday, July 28, 2008, at City Hall, 300 East Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. Mayor Covey called the meeting to order at 7:41 p.m.

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

Absent: None.

334. Moved by Lennon, seconded by Galloway, to approve the agenda as submitted.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

A. Disability Advisory Committee (DAC).

Ann Serafin announced that, in honor of the 18^th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law on July 29, 1990, the DAC will conduct wheelchair tours of Ferndale with Council members and will, afterward, distribute to Ferndale businesses packets of information on the dollars and sense of becoming accessible. Ms. Serafin noted that Mayor Covey is in a wheelchair tonight to help the DAC.

City Manager Bruner noted that on March 23, City Council approved a proposal from Plante Moran CRESA, LLC (PMC) to assist the City in determining the preliminary feasibility of renovation or construction of a new City Hall, Police Station, Fire Stations and Court facility. A project team, consisting of Council Appointees and Department Directors, was assembled, and a project initiation meeting was held on April 4. The project team identified the financial resources available for City facilities in subsequent meetings. Mr. Bruner then outlined possible funding sources, identifying $4-$8 million as the range of affordability.

Dave Asker, PMC, covered the project’s objectives, the alternatives identified and the cost of each of those alternatives.

Thomas Gagne spoke in opposition to spending money for facilities.

1) Consideration of City Facilities Project.

335. Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to approve the proposal from Plante Moran CRESA, LLC for transaction management/buyer representation services in the purchase of the second floor of 400 East Nine Mile Road (Credit Union ONE building), and to approve the proposal from Plante Moran CRESA, LLC to assist and coordinate property due diligence activities on the proposed purchase of 345 East Nine Mile Road (OLHSA building) by September 10, 2008.

Greg Pawlica spoke against the proposal for purchasing the second floor of 400 East Nine Mile Road (Credit Union ONE) and urged Council to spend three to six months working with the Plan Commission to develop a different plan from co-locating in a business building.

Robert Porter spoke in favor of the proposal for purchasing the second floor of 400 East Nine Mile Road (Credit Union ONE).

Councilwoman Gumbleton said she would vote in favor of the motion to do further investigation but wants to know how a separate identity will be created for the City at the Credit Union ONE building.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Mike Angeli voiced concern about the new location of Rosie O’Grady’s on Nine Mile near a residential neighborhood. City Manager Bruner noted the downtown district is zoned for restaurants and bars. Mr. Bruner explained Rosie O’Grady’s would need a Special Land Use Permit for an outdoor patio, and the Plan Commission may place conditions on that Permit to minimize impact on the neighborhood.

Lynna Kaucheck presented the Environmental Impact Commission’s Green Tip for July on the benefits of biking to work.

Siouxsan Miller updated Council on the July 17, 2008 Gypsy Moth informational meeting and urged Council to proceed with an egg mass count in the Fall and aerial spraying in the spring.

Peggy Snow, representing the Beautification Commission, announced the July Beautification Awards: Business to Anita’s Kitchen and Residential to Annette Starkolit at 1561 Channing and to Bob and Mary Partenski at 2315 Pinecrest. Ms. Snow called for nominations for the Zinnia Award and the Block Award, announced that plans for Make a Difference Day will be forthcoming and announced the Third Annual Perennial Exchange on September 27, 2008, 9:00 a.m. – noon at the Kulick Center.

Erick Buchholz expressed concern about possible impact on the neighborhood of Rosie O’Grady’s plan to move into the former Eyeglass Factory, reiterated concerns with youth loitering in front of Affirmations at night and repeated complaints about noise from Buffalo Wild Wings.

Greg Pawlica, representing Stepping Out, producers of AIDS Walk Detroit, announced the date of the Walk as September 21, 2008 and explained the business sponsorship program.

Jean Davis and Dennis Hoeppner thanked the Pub Crawl Committee for allowing the Seniors to sell light-up merchandise which resulted in them raising $900.

336. Moved by Baker, seconded by Gumbleton, to approve the Consent Agenda as submitted:

A. Approved minutes of the Regular meeting held July 14, 2008, and the Special meeting held July 21, 2008, as submitted by City Clerk.

B. Approved the erection of a Moonwalk at Garbutt Park as requested by Mata Heard for the College Park Post Office Picnic to be held on Sunday, August 10, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., contingent upon the applicant obtaining the necessary permit from the CDS Department, as submitted by City Clerk.

C. Approved a Class II Special Event Permit as requested by A.J. O’Neil of A.J.’s Café for a car-wash entitled "Singing in the Shower" to be held on the southern half of the alley behind the café, approximately 8 feet by 25 feet; the event to be held Sunday, August 10, 2008 from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., contingent upon the applicant submitting proper insurance, at least five days prior to the event, and upon the City Attorney approving the insurance.

D. Approved the Special Event Application from Kathy Staszewski of Ferndale Labs for Ferndale Labs’ Annual Picnic on Saturday, September 13, 2008, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Garbutt Park, and approved erection of inflatable play structures and a tent/canopy for the event, pursuant to Section 13-52 of the Ferndale Code of Ordinances, as submitted by City Clerk.

E. Adopted Ordinance No. 1052, amending Zoning Ordinance No. 1004 Article 9, Section 9.02 Membership, to permit appointment of alternate members to the Board of Zoning Appeals, as submitted by CDS Director.

F. Approved Agreement to extend current contract with the Police Command unit, with a 2% wage increase in each of the two fiscal years, as submitted by Finance Director/Assistant City Manager.