City Council - August 11, 2008

A Regular Meeting of the Ferndale City Council was held Monday, August 11, 2008 at City Hall, 300 East Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. Mayor Covey called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m.

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

Absent: Councilwoman Gumbleton.

347. Moved by Councilman Lennon, supported by Councilwoman Baker, to excuse the absence of Councilwoman Gumbleton.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

348. Moved by Galloway, seconded by Baker, to approve the agenda as submitted.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

A. Police Department Citizen Award Presentation.

Chief of Police Kitchen presented a Citizen Award to Ferndale resident Adam Pruchnicki, for his actions during a home invasion on July 26, 2008, which led to the apprehension of a suspect with an extensive history of violence.

B. Proposed Master Plan.

349. Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to adopt the attached Resolution adopting the City of Ferndale Master Plan with the change of terminology from "Indian" to "Native American".

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

C. Library Renovation and Expansion Project.

Plan Commission Chair Christa Azar noted MCL 125.39 requires that all municipal buildings in City’s with a Master Plan undergo a review for location, character and extent. She presented the Plan Commission’s findings which resulted in the Commission adopting a Motion to approve the proposed location; the character was approved with the stipulation that the architect work with the Commission’s work group, but the extent was denied due to lack of consensus on a number of issues.

Library Director Raber presented the Library’s response to the Plan Commission’s report and requested that Council overturn the Plan Commission’s denial of Extent.

Meghan Evoy, library patron, expressed disappointment in the lack of significant progress since voters passed the library millage and urged prudent haste.

350. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilwoman Baker:

That Council is overruling the Plan Commission’s decision relative to the character, location and extent of the proposed location consistent with the Municipal Planning Act;

To approve a 24’9" tall masonry building, municipal in nature, [Character] to be located at 222 East Nine Mile Road [Location] and to have a footprint of 18,500 square feet [Extent] that provides all library services on a single level [Character];

That City Council recognizes the trees on site unreasonably prevent development of the lot or parcel, or physical use thereof as required by Section 20-70 (f)(3)d. of the Ferndale Code of Ordinances and directs that the Plan Commission and Library Board, with their architects, develop a plan for preserving as many trees and incorporating as much green space and vegetation as possible into the site plan;

That the Plan Commission and Library Board further address the issues raised by the Plan Commission regarding traffic flow, both vehicular and pedestrian, with potential for clashes between the loading zone, book drop off and handicap ramp;

That the two entities further address the issue of handicap access within the parking lot and to the building as it is proposed at the east entry and the traffic flow problems it creates as a result of the hidden entrance by the corner;

That the front entrance be made more prominent to face Nine Mile Road, and that concerns about the east entrance being blocked by future development be addressed;

That the DPW’s concerns be more fully communicated to the Library Board relative to storm water management, snow removal, and landscaping materials; and

That all those concerns enumerated in the motion be addressed and, if possible, be presented at the earliest Plan Commission meeting for site plan approval.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Ken Miller Chair of Ferndale Arts and Cultural Commission reported on Music in the Park series was successful.

CDS Director Scheer encouraged residents to participate in the online Code Enforcement Survey.

351. Moved by Baker, seconded by Galloway, to approve the Consent Agenda as submitted:

A. Approved the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held July 28, 2008 and the Special Meeting held July 28, 2008, as submitted by City Clerk.

B. Adopted Resolution agreeing to participate in the Centers for Regional Excellence Program to achieve collaboration in developing the Woodward Economic Development Tool, to send a representative to participate in these discussions, and to keep the citizens of the City of Ferndale fully informed and provide them with opportunities for input into the process, as submitted by City Clerk.

C. Adopted Proclamation proclaiming September 24, 2008 as Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Michigan 110^th Anniversary Day, as submitted by Mayor.

D. Adopted Proclamation proclaiming May 1, 2008 as Arbor Day in the City of Ferndale, as submitted by DPW Director.

E. Approved the three-year contract by and between B-n-S Electric, 860 Livernois, Ferndale, and the City of Ferndale to provide minor electrical services at an hourly rate of $78, and to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign said contract, as submitted by DPW Director.

F. Awarded the demolition contract to Blue Star Demolition Inc, in the amount of $5,164, for 540 Wanda, and authorized the Mayor to sign the contract; and directed the City Assessor to levy the cost of the demolition against the property (paid out of account 101-371-806; paid into account 101-371-607 when assessed) and to record the costs with the Oakland County Register of Deeds, as submitted by CDS Director.

G. Approved contract with OLHSA for Program Year 2008-09 and authorized the Mayor to sign the contract; and directed the City Clerk to forward one copy of the signed contract to OLHSA with a copy to CDS, as submitted by CDS Director.

H. Approved contract by and between The Thomas Company, 1933 Pinecrest, Ferndale, and the City of Ferndale to construct an enclosure for a trash compactor in the alley south of 130 East Nine Mile Road, and authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to sign said contract, as submitted by DPW Director.

I. Approved purchasing three (3) dump trucks with installed equipment from International Truck and Engine Corporation, for $320,457 under the State of Michigan Extended Purchase Program, and charging the expense to the Vehicle and Equipment Fund, Capital, account number 661-000-977, as submitted by DPW Director.

J. Approved purchasing a sign plotter from the sole supplier, Advantage Sign Supply, Inc., 3939 North Greenbroke S.E., Grand Rapids, for $6,254, and charging the expense to Major Streets Fund, Capital, account number 202-97, as submitted by DPW Director.

K. Approved the bid of $156,800 of Bell Equipment Company, 78 Northpointe Drive, Lake Orion, for one Elgin Pelican P series street sweeper, and to charge the expense to the Vehicle and Equipment Fund, Capital, account no. 661-977, as submitted by DPW Director.

L. Approved the bill of $10,533 of Rhodes Welding, of Ferndale, for repairing the unleaded-fuel tank at the city yard, and to charge the expense to the Vehicle and Equipment Fund, Repair and Maintenance, account number 661-775, as submitted by DPW Director.

M. Approved the quote of $16,970 of Knapheide, 1200 S. Averill Avenue, Flint, for two dump bodies and two snow plows to be installed on leased three quarter-ton pickup trucks, and to charge the expense to the Vehicle and Equipment Fund, Capital, account number 661-000-977, as submitted by DPW Director.

N. Approved the bills and payrolls as certified by City Manager to be paid subject to review by the Council Finance Committee.

AYES: Council Members Baker, Galloway, Mayor Covey

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Councilman Lennon

MOTION CARRIED

352. Moved by Galloway, seconded by Baker, to appoint John Skok and Sam Moschelli to three-year terms as an alternate member to the Ferndale Board of Zoning Appeals, ending December 31, 2011.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

353. Moved by Councilwoman Baker, supported unanimously, to adopt the Resolution of condolence for the family of Diane Sharples.

ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY

354. Moved by Covey, seconded by Baker, to approve the tentative agreement with AFSCME Local 1917 for the contract period July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2011.

AYES: Council Members Baker, Covey, Lennon, Mayor Pro Tem Galloway

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

A. 8 Mile Blvd. Association (8MBA) – City Manager Bruner announced a 2008 Beautification Award was presented to Irene’s Southern Cooking and several honorable mentions were received by Ferndale businesses.

F. Woodward Avenue Action Association (WA3) – City Manager Bruner announced the Win Wheels on Woodward raffle for a 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid and VIP tickets to the Illumination event of the Woodward Avenue Tribute. Raffle tickets are $100/each.

355. Chief of Police Kitchen urged safety during the Dream Cruise and noted zero-tolerance policies for alcohol and traffic-violations.

356. Fire Chief Schmidt announced the 8^th Annual International Emergency Vehicle Show beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 15.

357. City Clerk Tallman announced a joint City Council/Ferndale School Board meeting to be held Monday, August 18, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the Harding Administration Building in the Board Room. City Clerk Tallman announced openings on the Environmental Impact Commission, Civil Service Board and Arts & Cultural Commission.

358. City Manager Bruner noted that the City will be loaned promotional vehicles during the Dream Cruise which will be marked with City of Ferndale identification, and stressed that taxpayers’ money is not spent on the vehicles.

359. Councilwoman Baker announced several fundraising events for the FernCare free clinic during Dream Cruise weekend.

360. Councilman Lennon asked the City Manager to address the condition of the railroad property. City Attorney Christ reported DPW will be making phone calls and anticipates a response this week.

361. Councilman Galloway reported on the Green Cruise event last weekend.

362. Mayor Covey reported Garden Fresh Salsa is looking to expand in Ferndale. Mayor Covey expressed empathy and support for the people of Detroit relative to Mayor Kilpatrick’s legal issues. Mayor Covey reported Click on Detroit recently ran a story noting that an entertainment company locating in Ferndale. Mayor Covey announced a cooperative fundraising effort with Paul Mitchell the School for Midwest AIDS Prevention Project (MAPP) and Steppin’ Out during the Retro Fest on Sunday, August 17. There will be a Bee Hive Hairdo Contest in front of FLIP Salon from 1-5 p.m. Mayor Covey reported his Siamese cat, Gizmo, will be challenging Beau the Wonder Dog for top fundraiser in this year’s AIDS Walk Detroit.

There being no objections, Mayor Covey adjourned the meeting at 9:26 p.m.

J. Cherilynn Tallman, City Clerk