City Council - November 23, 2009

CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, November 23, 2009
A Regular Meeting of the Ferndale City Council was held Monday, November 23, 2009 at City Hall, 300 East Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. Mayor Covey called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.

1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

2. ROLL CALL

Present: Mayor Covey, Council Members Baker, Galloway, Gumbleton (arrived at 8:00 p.m.), Lennon

Absent: None

3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
373. Moved by Council Member Lennon, seconded by Council Member Baker, to approve the agenda as submitted.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Gumbleton

MOTION CARRIED

Council Member Gumbleton arrived at 8:00 p.m.

4. PRESENTATION

A. Citizen Satisfaction Survey
Cobalt Community Research Executive Director William Saint Amour presented the Executive Summary Report.

B. Downtown Development Authority
Chris Hughes and Sharon Chess of the DDA presented an update on upcoming events.

5. PUBLIC HEARING

A. Request to restrict parking to one side only on West Oakridge Street, West of Pinecrest

Mayor Covey opened the public hearing at 8:15 p.m.

Joan Horner and John Murner requested that neighbors work together to improve the parking issues.

Doug Stahl, Marcia Alther, Rich Kennedy, Janet Ruszkowski, Nancy Waller, Denise Johnson, Christa Azar and Justin Maconochie opposed the request and encouraged Council to deny the parking restriction.

A show of hands showed the majority of the audience in favor of denying the request.

There being no further comments, Mayor Covey closed the public hearing at 8:36 p.m.

374. Moved by Council Member Lennon, seconded by Council Member Baker, to deny the request to restrict parking on Oakridge, west of Pinecrest to one side only.

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

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

6. CALL TO AUDIENCE

Trevor Johnson spoke of his involvement in launching the new Royal Oak Community Farm.

Julia Music encouraged residents to read the Ferndale 115 online community newspaper.

Julie Glazier, Ferndale Youth Assistance, gave an update of FYA events.

Council Member Elect Melanie Piana thanked her supporters in the recent election and congratulated all the candidates for running great campaigns. She indicated the she will be attending the Michigan Municipal League’s new elected official training.

Veronica Lujic, Chair of the DDA Board of Directors, spoke about the parking shuttle program being launched in the downtown area and encouraged residents to urge businesses to participate with the shuttle service.

Jackie Smith, downtown business owner, supported the parking shuttle program and urged businesses to participate.

Jaime Hernandez commented on parking issues.

7. CONSENT AGENDA

Item 7J was requested to be removed for consideration following the Regular Agenda.

Covey left the Chamber at 8:55 p.m. and Mayor Pro Tem Galloway assumed the chair.

375. Moved by Council Member Gumbleton, seconded by Council Member Baker, to approve the consent agenda as amended:

A. Approved the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held November 9, 2009, as submitted.

B. Adopted the Year 2010 City Boards and Commissions Meetings Calendar.

C. Adopted Resolution recognizing the Deaf Professional Arts Network.

D. Adopted Resolution amending the Flexible Cafeteria Benefit Plan.

E. Adopted Resolution and approved Permit Application allowing the City to work on Woodward Avenue and on Eight Mile Road in 2010.

F. Approved the FTA Drug & Alcohol Policy update for the SMART Transportation Program administered by the Recreation Department, and addition of said Policy to the Employees Handbook.

G. Approved the Specialized Services contract for Fiscal Year 2010 and authorized the Mayor or designate to sign the contract.

H. Approved the Municipal/Community Credit Contract for Fiscal Year 2010 and authorized the Mayor or designate to sign the Contract.

I. Approved the low quote of $16,153 from Dornbos Sign, 619 West Harris, Charlotte, Michigan, to purchase reflective sheeting for 961 traffic signs, and to charge one-third of the expense to Major Streets Fund, Traffic Signs maintenance, account # 202-475-775 and two-thirds to Local Streets Fund, Traffic Signs maintenance, account # 203-475-775.

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

L. Approved the Annual Donation of $300 included in the FYE 2010 budget, account #101-172-885 to the Ferndale Goodfellows.

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Mayor Covey

MOTION CARRIED

Covey returned at 8:56 p.m. and resumed the Chair.

8. REGULAR AGENDA

A. Consideration of FYE-2010 Interim Financial Forecast

376. Moved by Council Member Galloway, seconded by Council Member Gumbleton, to adopt the Interim changes to the FYE-2010 Budget.

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

NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED

Consent Agenda Item J

Approval of participation in the World Mayors and Local Governments Climate Protection Agreement and authorized the Mayor to sign the Agreement.

Moved by Council Member Gumbleton, seconded by Council Member Baker, to approve participation in the World Mayors and Local Governments Climate Protection Agreement and authorize the Mayor to sign the Agreement.

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

NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED

9. COUNCIL APPOINTEE REPORT – FIRE CHIEF

Fire Chief Schmidt presented a progress report on his 2009 goals and objectives.

10. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS:

B. Michigan Suburbs Alliance: Council Member Baker commented on MSA’s annual report and praised their efforts. She announced the upcoming Millennial Mayors Congress retreat in Detroit.

E. Transportation Riders United: Council Member Baker announced that TRU recently celebrated their 10th anniversary.

F. Woodward Avenue Action Association: City Manager Bruner gave an update about Executive Director Carmona’s recent illness and indicated that she is back at work.

11. CALL TO COUNCIL

Chief Schmidt wished everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

Mayor Covey presented Chief Kitchen with proceeds from the Pub Crawl.

Deputy Clerk McGrath announced revisions to the special event application and policy.

City Manager Bruner referenced Ordinance No. 435, which created the City’s Auto Parking Fund. As the authority for the Fund, he requested that the City Parking Committee meet with the DDA Parking Committee and that the two groups work together to create a recommendation for Council. He announced that a Special Joint Council /DDA Meeting has been scheduled for December 7 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss parking and make recommendations to alleviate the current parking issues.

Council Member Baker indicated that she is a member of DDA Parking Committee and praised them for their hard work. She thanked everyone who participated in the FernCare Bowl-a-Thon, which raised $4,000. She commented on the National League of Cities conference in San Antonio. Council Member Baker noted that Ferndale was mentioned in Artspace, which promotes adaptive reuse of older industrial buildings into artist housing and workspaces.

Lennon wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and reminded residents about the great holiday shopping opportunities in Ferndale.

377. Moved by Council Member Lennon, supported unanimously, to adopt a Resolution of Condolence for the family of June Covey.

RESOLUTION ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY

Council Member Gumbleton wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Council Member Galloway wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and urged residents to do their holiday shopping in Ferndale.

Mayor Covey announced events for World AIDS Day on December 1. He promoted a benefit for Midwest AIDS Coalition at Rosie O’Grady’s on December 5. Mayor Covey reminded residents to support the Goodfellows this holiday season and announced the December 5 End of Prohibition event to raise money for Goodfellows.

12. ADJOURNMENT
There being no objections, Mayor Covey adjourned the meeting at 9:31 p.m.

Craig Covey, Mayor

Marne McGrath, Deputy City Clerk

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The City of Ferndale, Michigan
300 East Nine Mile Road
Ferndale, Michigan  48220
(248) 546-2525
City Hall Hours:
Monday - Thursday 8:00am - 5:30pm
Closed Fridays