City Council Regular Meeting

City Council Regular Meeting Monday, September 23, 2024 at 7:30 PM 27400 Southfield Road, Lathrup Village, Michigan 48076 1. Call to Order by Mayor Garrett at 7:30 pm 2. Roll Call Present: Mayor Garrett, Mayor Pro Tem Kantor, Councilmember Jennings, Councilmember Barksdale, Councilmember Hammond Absent: None 3. Pledge of Allegiance 4. Approval of Agenda Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Kantor, and seconded by Councilmember Jennings to approve the Agenda with the addition of Item G (Proclamation for Constitution Week) and Item H (Proclamation Declaring September National Suicide Prevention Month) Yes: Barksdale, Kantor, Garrett, Jennings, Hammond No: N/A Motion Carried. 5. Public Comment for Items on the Agenda (speakers are limited to 3 minutes) 6. Presentations Finance Review Committee - Recommendation to the City Council to Increase and Sustain General Fund Revenue 7. Consent Agenda All items listed under “Consent Agenda” are considered to be routine and non-controversial by the City Council and will be approved by one motion. There will be no separate discussion. If a discussion is desired, that item(s) will be removed from the consent agenda and discussed separately immediately after consent agenda approval in its normal sequence on the regular agenda. A. Approval of Minutes 1. 8-19-24 - City Council Study Session 2. 8-19-24 - City Council Regular Meeting 3. 9-17-24 - City Council Special Meeting B. LVPD Reports C. Building & Code Enforcement Reports D. Finance Department Reports E. Community & Economic Development Report 27400 Southfield Rd | Lathrup Village, MI 48076 | 248.557.2600 | www.lathrupvillage.org Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Kantor, seconded by Councilmember Barksdale, to approve the consent agenda. Yes: Barksdale, Kantor, Garrett, Jennings, Hammond No: N/A Motion Carried. 8. Action Requests - For Consideration / Approval A. Request to Receive & File Finance Review Committee Recommendation Moved by Councilmember Hammond, and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Kantor, to request to receive and file the Finance Review Committee Recommendation. Yes: Barksdale, Kantor, Garrett, Jennings, Hammond No: N/A Motion Carried. B. Request to Approve Eastbound 11-Mile Cost Share Moved by Councilmember Jennings, and seconded by Councilmember Hammond, to approve Eastbound 11 Mile Cost Share. Yes: Barksdale, Kantor, Garrett, Jennings, Hammond No: N/A Motion Carried. C. Request to Approve Marketing Agreement Amendment between Utility Service Partners Private Label, Inc. (Service Line Warranties of America) and the City of Lathrup Village Moved by Councilmember Hammond, and seconded by Councilmember Jennings, to approve the marketing agreement amendment between Utility Service Partners Private Label, Inc. (Service Line Warranties of America) and the City of Lathrup Village. Yes: Barksdale, Kantor, Garrett, Jennings, Hammond No: N/A Motion Carried. D. Second Reading - Request to Amend Ordinance Chapter 77. Urban Redevelopment, By Amending Article I. Downtown Development Authority, Section 77-7. Board of Directors Moved by Councilmember Barksdale, and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Kantor, to amend Ordinance Chapter 77. Urban Redevelopment, by Amending Article 1. Downtown Development Authority, Section 77-7. Board of Directors. Yes: Barksdale, Kantor, Garrett, Jennings, Hammond No: N/A Motion Carried. 27400 Southfield Rd | Lathrup Village, MI 48076 | 248.557.2600 | www.lathrupvillage.org E. Request to Approve Revocable Permanent Encroachment License for 28001 Southfield Road Moved by Councilmember Jennings, and seconded by Councilmember Barksdale, to approve a revocable permanent encroachment license for 28001 Southfield Road. Yes: Barksdale, Kantor, Garrett, Jennings, Hammond No: N/A Motion Carried. F. Request to Appoint Planning Commission Member Councilmember Hammond moved and Mayor Pro Tem Kantor seconded Dennis Nordmoe, to be appointed as Planning Commission member. Yes: Barksdale, Jennings, Hammond, Kantor No: Garrett Motion Carried. g. Proclamation for the Daughters of the Revolution Sept 17th – 23rd read by Mayor Garrett as Constitution week. h. National Suicide Prevention Month proclamation September 2024 read by Mayor Garrett 9. City Administrator Report 10. City Attorney Report 11. Reports of Boards, Commissions, and Committees a. Downtown Development Authority b. Planning Commission – Anticipating a new project, and will be meeting in October, work in progress around town, that you see, was from prior meetings. The Lathrup School building does not have a plan before the Commission yet. c. Parks & Recreation – There will be a Fall Fest and Trivia night, in November, they are working with Austin to find something to do for December, and the final food truck Friday will be at Goldengate Park. d. Tree Committee – No report e. Southfield School Board – Councilmember Jennings is working on getting both representatives to our meetings. f. Finance Review Committee 12. Unfinished / New Business None 13. Public Comment (speakers are limited to 3 minutes) Rick Wisz – If the City’s in such financial dire straights, why were we told for months and months, that we were in good shape? How did we get from being on good ground to being over our head Mary Lou Resnick: Residents are suing the City, and I would ask you to speak on that?  Attorney Kimberlin commented: Currently a lawsuit was filed regarding petitions that were filed regarding recreational cannabis proposals, a group filed a complaint in Oakland County Circuit 27400 Southfield Rd | Lathrup Village, MI 48076 | 248.557.2600 | www.lathrupvillage.org  Court to have these questions removed from the ballot. The City’s position is that they acted properly in all manner, for the voters to decide on the 2 proposals a Charter Referendum and an Ordinance. Ian Ferguson: Commented that $59,000 per retail shop, goes to the City not to the DDA. This will disappear when Congress passes national Cannabis, other cities have passed, this why can’t we? Kevin: Commented that some facts are accurate, some Ian didn’t mention, why do dispensaries have armed guards? Ian Ferguson: Commented that Berkley & Hazel Park dispensaries do not have armed guards. He also asked the City to terminate Carol Green’s application from Parks and Recreation due to her being a plaintiff in the suit against the City. He commented that resident Autumn S. hasn’t paid her water bill in well over 2 years. 14. Mayor and Council Comments Mayor Garrett said it was disheartening, to hear knocking on the door to be served a lawsuit, from the same people who say they love the City. Not saying whether she is for or against, but it seems like you are trying to take away the Democratic right to vote. She is concerned that she doesn’t want her taxes to go up and is worried about people who can’t afford it. She mentioned Jay Bird’s soft opening across the street, tonight, thanked the Finance Review Committee, and thanked Frank Selinski for cleaning the bricks on the Veterans memorial. Mayor Garrett said, a lot of healing and respect and understanding of each one of us, is what we must do. Mayor Pro Tem Kantor thanked the Finance Review Committee. He addressed Rick Wisz’s comment saying: back in January, no one said we were in rosy condition, we are not in dire straits, this work is being proactive to keep us from getting into dire straits. The Headlee override has been talked about for years. Mayor Pro Tem Kantor gave his condolences to Don Mc Gee, and his family, at the loss of his wife Maria Mc Gee, and said that she was an asset and will be missed. Councilmember Barksdale noted the potentially very polarizing opinions and wants us to be able to coexist together, to still try to work together, and not cross the lines. Councilmember Hammond, said recently the DDA asked for a feasibility schedule about two pieces of land, which turned into accusations that a plan had been accepted when it had not, it is the job of this Council and all committees to be proactive to gather information, to consider ways to improve the financial state of this City. DDA paid for landscaping and gathered volunteers, the DDA can invest in that because of the location of the City Hall. Councilmember Hammond extends condolences to the Mc Gee family at the loss of Maria, she was always engaged and was committed to the City. Councilmember Jennings thanked the Financial Review Committee, for the great opportunity to look into different options for our City. He appreciates everyone’s comments and wants everyone to feel welcome. Mayor Garrett, addressed a comment, from a prior meeting, that said she was, violating the Open Meetings Act, saying it bothered her, and that it is Section 16.263 Sec 1, that says: “must have 27400 Southfield Rd | Lathrup Village, MI 48076 | 248.557.2600 | www.lathrupvillage.org opportunity to be informed and observe the decision-making process. Act 267 of 1976, does not prohibit whispering at meetings, when it is not during a time of making a decision.” 15. Closed Session A. Request to enter into a closed session for strategy and negotiation sessions connected with the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement per MCL 15.268(c). Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Kantor, and second by Councilmember Barksdale, to enter into a closed session for strategy and negotiation sessions connected with the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement. Yes: Garrett, Hammond, Jennings, Barksdale, Kantor No: N/A Motion Carried. Moved by Councilmember Jennings, seconded by Councilmember Barksdale, to return to the open City Council Meeting. Yes: Hammond, Jennings, Barksdale, Kantor, Garrett No: N/A Motion Carried. 16. Adjourn at 9:43 pm 27400 Southfield Rd | Lathrup Village, MI 48076 | 248.557.2600 | www.lathrupvillage.org