City Council - April 13, 2009

FERNDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, April 13, 2009

A Regular Meeting of the Ferndale City Council was held Monday, April 13, 2009 at City Hall, 300 East Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. Mayor Covey called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.

1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

2. ROLL CALL

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

Absent: None

3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

114. Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilwoman Gumbleton, to approve the agenda as submitted.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

4. PRESENTATIONS

A. Environmental Impact Commission

Noting its mission to advise the City on how to follow through with its commitment to the U.S. Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement and otherwise lessen the environmental impact of City operations, the EIC made the following recommendations based on initial research of locally available resources, other leading cities' successful initiatives, and input from environmental advocacy organizations:

1. Stormwater Credits.

2. Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance.

3. Lawnmower Exchange Program.

4. Banning Phosphorus in Lawn Fertilizer.

5. Property Tax Credit for Renewable or Energy Efficient Property Improvements.

B. VegMichigan

Harry Pianko promoted VegFest on April 26, 2009 at Ferndale High School.

1) Adoption of Proclamation.

115. Moved by Councilwoman Baker, supported unanimously, to adopt the Proclamation declaring April 26, 2009 as Vegetarian Day in honor of VegMichigan’s VegFest.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

C. Rehmann Robson - Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2008 Financial Statements

Mark Tschirhart, Rehmann Robson, presented the financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008 audit.

116. Moved by Councilwoman Baker, seconded Councilman Lennon, to receive the Financial Statements and Supplementary Information for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

5. CALL TO AUDIENCE

Julie Glazier, Publicity Chair for Ferndale Youth Assistance, provided an update on upcoming events.

Greg Pawlica requested that Council investigate the installation of a dog park/dog run with running water, waste disposal, obstacle course and separate area for smaller dogs, one on each side of Woodward with costs to be recouped through use fees.

Tiffani Gagné, noting the proposed wine bar on the corner of Cambridge and Woodward in Pleasant Ridge which will have none of its own parking but will be utilizing a Ferndale parking lot for valet services, asked that Ferndale’s City Council speak with Pleasant Ridge officials about keeping the establishment’s patrons from parking on Oakridge, Drayton and W. Woodland.

Ann Heler, Board President of FernCare, reported the First Annual Fundraising Dinner raised between $7,000 and $8,000 for the clinic.

Brian Cooley announced ideas are being considered for the new five-year Master Parks and Recreation Plan. Mr. Cooley also promoted Arbor Day, April 24, and noted four trees will be planted in Oppenheimer Park at 10:00 a.m.

Chris Johnston announced the 2009 DIY Street Fair will be held September 19-20. He announced a launch party for the Street Fair will be held at the Loving Touch on Thursday, April 16, 2009 and a $10 voluntary donation to FernCare may be made at the door which will give the donor access to complimentary appetizers, $1.00 off drinks and free pool.

Kathryn Hershberger, noting an article in Woodward Talk about the cost of repair and maintenance for the decorative brickwork at 12 Mile and Coolidge, asked about the status of Ferndale’s brickwork at Woodward and Nine Mile, which she feels needs repair. Mayor Covey and Councilman Lennon explained there is no brick on any of Ferndale’s roads, noting stamped and colored concrete is used.

Douglas Christie reported on various events taking place in and around the City of Ferndale, in cooperation with the Downtown Development Authority and the Environmental Impact Commission, for Green Week, April 20-26, 2009.

Mayor Covey and Councilman Lennon left Council Chambers at 8:35 p.m.

6. CONSENT AGENDA

Councilwoman Baker requested Item E be removed from the Consent Agenda to be considered following the Regular Agenda.

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

A. Approved the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held March 23, 2009 and the Special Meeting held March 30, 2009.

B. Adopted Resolution Proclaiming June 2009 as Scleroderma Awareness Month in the City of Ferndale.

C. Adopted the Resolutions for Via Nove, 1810 Planavon, and Gracie’s Underground, 22757 Woodward, recommending renewal of their Class C Liquor Licenses, and directed that certified copies of the Resolutions be sent to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission no later than April 30, 2009.

D. Approved the purchase of six (6) Scott 30 minute, carbon, 2216 PSI cylinders from Argus-Hazco, 46400 Continental Dr., Chesterfield, MI 48047, for the total purchase price of $3,952.50, Funds for this purchase are budgeted and available in Account # 101-336-740, Operating supplies.

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

AYES: Council Members Gumbleton, Baker, Galloway

NAYS: None

ABSENT FROM TABLE: Council Member Lennon, Mayor Covey

MOTION CARRIED

Mayor Covey returned to Council Chambers at 8:37 p.m.

Councilman Lennon returned to Council Chambers at 8:39 p.m.

Councilwoman Baker left Council Chambers at 8:39 p.m. and returned at 8:41 p.m..

7. REGULAR AGENDA

A. Consideration to award Owner’s Representative Services contract.

Representatives from CB Richard Ellis and representatives from Plante Moran CRESA briefly presented their proposals for Owner’s Representative Services.

118. Moved by Councilwoman Baker, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to award the Owner’s Representative Services contract to Plante Moran CRESA, to approve the contract and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign it.

AYES: Council Members Baker, Galloway, Gumbleton

NAYS: Council Member Lennon, Mayor Covey

MOTION CARRIED

Councilman Lennon left Council Chambers at 9:12 p.m.

B. Appointments to Boards and Commissions

1) Beautification Commission

119. Moved by Councilwoman Baker, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to confirm the appointment of Meghann Houser to the Beautification Commission for a term ending December 31, 2011.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT FROM TABLE: Council Member Lennon

MOTION CARRIED

2) Downtown Development Authority

120. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilwoman Baker, to confirm the appointment of Michael Hennes to the Downtown Development Authority for a term ending December 31, 2009.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT FROM TABLE: Council Member Lennon

MOTION CARRIED

Councilman Lennon returned to Council Chambers at 9:15 p.m.

C. Appointment to Millennial Mayors Congress.

121. Moved by Councilwoman Baker, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to appoint Brendan Frey as the City of Ferndale’s representative to the Millennial Mayors Congress and to appoint Deb Olsen as the alternate delegate.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

D. Consideration of adoption of Resolutions saluting Ferndale Youth Recognition Awards Recipients.

122. Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilwoman Baker, to adopt Resolutions saluting Ferndale Youth Recognition Awards Recipients, as listed.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

E. Receive the annual budget for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2010, approve the Fiscal Year Ending June 20, 2010 Budget Review Schedule, and schedule a Public Hearing on the budget on Monday, April 27, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. per City Charter Chapter IX Section 8.

123. Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to receive the annual budget for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2010 per City Charter Chapter IX, Section 8.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

124. Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to approve the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2010 Budget Review Schedule as presented, subject to change by the City Manager based on Council Members’ schedules.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

125. Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilwoman Baker, to schedule a Public Hearing on the budget on Monday, April 27, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. per City Charter Chapter IX, Section 8.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

F. Consideration of FYE-2010 City Council Goals and Objectives.

126. Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilwoman Baker, to receive the draft FYE 2010 Council Goals Statement.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

6. CONSENT AGENDA (continued)

E. Consideration of Resolution Recognizing Paige Gembarski, Senior Services Director.

127. Moved by Councilwoman Baker, supported unanimously, to adopt the Resolution recognizing Paige Gembarski, former Senior Services Director.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS:

A. 8 Mile Blvd. Association (8MBA) – City Manager Bruner announced the City of Warren is providing a vehicle for the Corridor Keeper Program.

C. South Oakland County Mayors Association (SOCMA) – City Manager Bruner reported on the last meeting, held at Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital, noting that State Representative Marie Donigan spoke about making mass transit a reality.

9. CALL TO COUNCIL

128. Fire Chief Schmidt issued a reminder that outdoor, ash-producing fires are not allowed.

129. Recreation Director Hall reported on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan process.

130. City Clerk Tallman reported there will be a partial Library Board term on the November ballot due to Ken Miller’s resignation. The term will be until 2011 and the deadline for nominating petitions is no later than 4:00 p.m. on May 12, same as for the regular terms. City Clerk Tallman noted Council was supplied with Supplement 2 of the Code of Ordinances; and that if they would like her staff to update their Codes with the new pages they should bring them to her office.

131. City Manager Bruner reported: 1) the underground storage tank was successfully removed from the American Legion Hall, and the due diligence period ends next week; 2) the City has received half a million dollars in stimulus funding and is working on acquiring funding for the water meter replacement program; 3) a contract for management of the acquisition and rehabilitation of properties for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program will be on the next Council meeting agenda; and 4) the gypsy moth aerial spraying will cost 50% more than estimated. City Manager Bruner recognized City staff members who served on RFP Committee for Owner Representative Services.

132. Councilwoman Baker thanked the Fire Chief and Chief of Police for their Annual Reports.

133. Councilman Lennon announced a send-off party on May 6, 2009 at the Ferndale Elks for local Marines being deployed.

134. Councilwoman Gumbleton wished a Happy Birthday to Councilwoman Baker. Councilwoman Gumbleton suggested investigating opportunities to share services, such as a dog park, with Pleasant Ridge. Councilwoman noted Ferndale Community Foundation is accepting grant applications.

135. Councilman Galloway expressed anticipation for moving forward with the municipal building and renovation project.

136. Mayor Covey conveyed congratulations to Matt & Janna Jantz on the birth of their son, Liam. Mayor Covey noted several upcoming fundraising and Earth Week events in Ferndale. Mayor Covey shared an excerpt from an article in the Detroit News, which quoted a new Ferndale resident praising the city.

10. ADJOURNMENT

There being no objections, Mayor Covey adjourned the meeting at 9:50 p.m.

Craig Covey, Mayor

J. Cherilynn Tallman, City Clerk