City Council - November 24, 2008

Summary

FERNDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Monday, November 24, 2008

A Regular Meeting of the Ferndale City Council was held Monday, November 24, 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

2. ROLL CALL

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

Absent: None

3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

476. Moved by Lennon, seconded by Baker, to approve the agenda as submitted.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

4. PRESENTATIONS

A. Introduction of Council Youth Delegate for 2009, Molly Breen-Bondie

Former Mayor Porter introduced Ms. Molly Breen-Bondie, a freshman at Ferndale High School, and the Council Youth Delegate for 2009. Ms. Breen-Bondie updated Council on activities at Ferndale High School.

B. National Adopt-A-Watt Program

Tom Wither presented the National Adopt-A-Watt program, noting:

An (SPVL), or Sponsor-able Photo-Voltaic Light, is a complete solar lighting system that uniquely provides clean lighting that reduces operating costs, and generates revenue. The SPVL is comprised of a solar array, light fixture, electronics, battery, and an acknowledgment sign. SPVLs can be attached to any standard light pole (new or existing). SPVLs can be used as stand-alone lighting systems, or their sun-generated lighting can be used to backup and or supplement grid-supplied electricity.

An (SPVD), or Sponsor-able Photo-Voltaic Display, is a complete solar electric system that uniquely generates both clean energy and income. The SPVD is comprised of a 5'x7' solar array, with a DClAC inverter, disconnects, mounting pole and an acknowledgment sign. The SPVD is wired and attached to any standard electrical service panel. Its sun-generated electricity is used to reduce the need for grid-supplied electricity and has the environmental impact of planting (50) trees.

The goal of the program is to create a new, combined, solar energy/alternative media platform that will increase clean energy awareness and initiate a chain reaction of participation. Design a sponsorship program for these new platforms that will, at no cost, permit institutions (Hosts) to become 'part of the solution' and offer (Sponsors) a high-profile opportunity to generate favorable 'brand awareness' and Return On Investment (ROI) to encourage their support.

C. 8 Mile Blvd. Association

City Clerk Tallman noted a presentation by 8 Mile Blvd. Association should not have been included on the agenda.

5. CALL TO AUDIENCE

Julie Glazier, Publicity Chair for Ferndale Youth Assistance, reported on the Bowl-a-thon fundraiser’s success and announced a volunteer appreciation event to be held on December 10 at 7:30 at Ferndale High School.

Greg Pawlica and Jeanne Davis announced a December 5 fundraising event for Goodfellows which will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the end of Prohibition at multiple venues in Ferndale.

Chris Hughes, Marketing Director for the Downtown Development Authority, announced free parking for the month of December and the Holiday Ice Festival on December 13.

Timothy Risk, Environmental Impact Commission (EIC), expressed the EIC’s support of the Adopt-a-Watt program.

Former Mayor Porter shared an inspirational poem as published in Mitch Albom’s column.

Mayor Covey left Council Chambers at 8:11 p.m. and returned at 8:13 p.m.

Councilman Lennon left Council Chambers at 8:12 p.m. and returned at 8:15 p.m.

6. CONSENT AGENDA

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

A. Approved the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held November 10, 2008.

B. Approved filling the Deputy Administrative Services Director position.

C. Confirmed the re-appointments of Guy Scavone and Doug Wehner to the Ferndale Brownfield Redevelopment Authority for terms ending December 12, 2011.

D. Approved resolution and permit application allowing the City to work on Woodward Avenue and on Eight Mile Road in 2009.

E. Approved payment of invoice in the amount of $7,100 from Premier Rinks, Inc., for 24 roller-hockey side boards, and to charge the expense to DPW General, Operating Supplies, account number 101-441-740.

F. Approved payment of invoice in the amount of $31,693 from Duncan Parking Technologies, 340 Industrial Park Road, Harrison AK, for 210 electronic parking meter heads and to charge the expense to the Auto Parking Fund, Operating Supplies, account number 585-740.

G. Approved purchasing from ATSI one model #MST700 multi-switch tester for traffic signals for $3,045, and to charge the expense to the Major Streets Fund, Capital, account no. 202-977.

H. Approved the purchase of BS&A software as included in CDS’s 2009 approved budget, charged to account #101-371-977.

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

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT FROM TABLE: Councilman Lennon

MOTION CARRIED

7. REGULAR AGENDA

A. Approval of the date change for the DIY Street Fair and Funky Ferndale Art Fair.

478. Moved by Baker, seconded by Gumbleton, to approve the date change for the DIY Street Fair and Funky Ferndale Art Fair from September 19 & 20, 2009 to September 26 & 27, 2009.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

8. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS

C. South Oakland County Mayors Association (SOCMA) – Mayor Covey announced the next dinner will be held in December in Troy, and he and City Manager Bruner will attend.

D. Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) – City Manager Bruner announced SEMCOG will be airing a regional mass transit program on cable.

9. CALL TO COUNCIL

479. Chief of Police Kitchen urged safety over the holiday weekend and announced extra walking patrols are scheduled in the downtown area.

480. DPW Director Photiades reported leaf pickup is on schedule, with December 5th being the last day of the program. He urged residents to get their leaves to the curb early.

481. Fire Chief Schmidt wished all a happy Thanksgiving.

482. Recreation Director Hall congratulated Paige Gembarski and the seniors on a successful Holiday Showcase this past weekend and reported the Kulick Center now has a Facebook page.

483. City Manager Bruner asked for action from Council to encourage Oakland County to lengthen the nine (9) month timetable for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

484. Moved by Baker, seconded by Lennon, to adopt the Resolution encouraging Oakland County to lengthen the nine (9) month timetable to obligate Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

485. Councilwoman Baker requested the City Clerk to forward Council’s contact information to Miss Breen-Bondie. Mayor Covey and Councilman Lennon requested that Council be provided with updated contact information from Council appointees and that the information also be forwarded to Miss Breen-Bondie.

486. Councilman Lennon urged residents and businesses to keep sidewalks clean of snow.

487. Councilwoman Gumbleton asked that the next agenda include consideration of a Resolution urging Congress and the President to partner with cities on economic recovery. Councilwoman Gumbleton promoted the Detroit Thanksgiving parade and Noel Night on December 6 in downtown Detroit.

489. Mayor Covey announced Zion Lutheran Church will be holding an World AIDS Day ecumenical service on December 1 at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Covey announced Michigan AIDS Prevention Project (MAPP) is merging with Michigan AIDS Fund, and an official announcement will be made on December 1. Mayor Covey encouraged cost savings by shopping locally and urged residents to remember local charities.

10. CLOSED SESSION - for the purpose of considering the purchase or lease of real property pursuant to Section 8d of the Open Meetings Act, Act 267 of 1976.

490. Moved by Lennon, seconded by Gumbleton, to adjourn to closed session for the purpose of considering the purchase or lease of real property pursuant to Section 8d of the Open Meetings Act, Act 267 of 1976.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Mayor Covey adjourned the meeting to closed session at 8:34 p.m. and reconvened to open session at p.m.

491. Moved by Galloway, seconded by Lennon, to direct the City Attorney to extend an offer to purchase the American Legion Hall property located at 1741 Livernois at a price of $120,000.00 with an earnest money deposit of $1,000.00 and to direct him to pursue negotiations pursuant to the expressed will of Council, and to direct the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the initial purchase agreement.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

11. ADJOURNMENT

There being no objections, Mayor Covey adjourned the meeting at 8:59 p.m.

J. Cherilynn Tallman, City Clerk