City Council Regular Meeting

City Council Regular Meeting Monday, April 21, 2025 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 Barksdale, Councilmember Jennings, Councilmember Hammond Others Present: City Administrator Greene, City Attorney Baker, City Clerk Emanuel 3. Pledge of Allegiance 4. Approval of Agenda Moved by Councilmember Hammond, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Kantor, to approve the agenda. Yes: Hammond, Jennings, Kantor, Garrett, Barksdale No: n/a Motion carried. 5. Presentations None 6. Public Comment for Items on the Agenda (speakers are limited to 3 minutes) Diane Anderson spoke of the Encroachment issue as a moral issue for residents to consider, and referenced her belief that there is a two-tier citizenship in Lathrup Village based on how close or far residents live from Southfield Road. Mr Mouhajer, of Mouhajer Development, commented that future tenants have been deterred from leasing in his building because of the process that they have to go through, and the delay caused by that process related to code enforcement, special use permits, and parking agreements, and he is losing business and feels like the City is trying to run him out of business. Timothy Hillman, San Quentin Blvd., commented that the encroachment application approved by the Planning Commission was for 18 spots, and the item on the agenda had 20 spots, and he wanted to know if the City benefits from the parking encroachment other than the one-time fee. 7. Consent Agenda A. Approval of Minutes i. 3-17-25 - Study Session Minutes 27400 Southfield Rd | Lathrup Village, MI 48076 | 248.557.2600 | www.lathrupvillage.org  ii. 3-17-25 - Regular Meeting Minutes iii. 4-7-25 - Study Session Minutes B. Building & Code Enforcement Reports C. Finance Department Reports D. Police Department Monthly Reports E. Request to Approve City Council FY 25/26 - Goals & Performance Measures F. Request to Approve Updated Board of Review July Meeting Date G. Request to Approve Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Public Hearing Date Motioned by Mayor Pro Tem Kantor, seconded by Councilmember Barksdale, to approve the Consent Agenda. Yes: Hammond, Jennings, Kantor, Garrett, Barksdale No: n/a Motion carried. 8. Action Requests - For Consideration / Approval A. Tabled Item - Request to Approve Resolution #2025-04 - Regarding the Temporary Opening of San Jose Boulevard Moved by Councilmember Hammond, seconded by Councilmember Jennings, to remove Resolution #2025-04 from the table for Council consideration. Yes: Hammond, Jennings, Kantor, Garrett, Barksdale No: n/a Motion carried City Council discussed whether this “emergency vehicles only” gate would be installed as a permanent or temporary gate. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Kantor, seconded by Councilmember Hammond, to approve Resolution #2025-04 – Regarding the Temporary Opening of San Jose Boulevard, only for emergency vehicles Yes: Hammond, Jennings, Kantor, Garrett, Barksdale No: n/a Motion carried. 27400 Southfield Rd | Lathrup Village, MI 48076 | 248.557.2600 | www.lathrupvillage.org B. Tabled Item - Request to Approve Traffic Control Order (TCO) #2025-001 - San Jose Temporary Opening Moved by Councilmember Hammond, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Kantor, to remove the Request to Approve Traffic Control Order (TCO) #2025-001 – San Jose Temporary Opening from the table for Council consideration. Moved by Councilmember Hammond, seconded by Councilmember Barksdale, to approve the Traffic Control Order (TCO) #2025-001 – San Jose Temporary Opening. Yes: Hammond, Jennings, Kantor, Garrett, Barksdale No: n/a Motion carried. C. Request to Approve Traffic Control Order (TCO) #2025-002 - Ramsgate Stop Sign Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Kantor, seconded by Councilmember Jennings, to approve the Traffic Control Order (TCO) #2025-002 – Ramsgate Stop Sign. Yes: Hammond, Jennings, Kantor, Garrett, Barksdale No: n/a Motion carried. D. Request to Appeal Utility Bill Account WILT-018400-000-02 Vickie Hall, a Lathrup Village resident, spoke to the Council about a large water bill that she received that she felt was not correct, because it was over $500 for one month, and she discussed her evidence to appeal the amount of the bill. CA Greene commented that the DPS did go to the house to investigate and that the water meter was working. Councilmembers discussed the average amount of her water bills, and the highest amount of water that she used in the last twelve months, and a point brought up by Mayor Pro Tem Kantor that this could set a precedent for other residents who feel that their water bill is too high. Moved by Councilmember Hammond, seconded by Councilmember Jennings, to modify the City Administrator’s decision, and modify the amount of the February 6, 2025, bill from $567.54 to $236.42. Yes: Hammond, Jennings, Garrett, Barksdale No: Kantor Motion carried. E. Request to Approve Encroachment License Application for 27700 Southfield Road 27400 Southfield Rd | Lathrup Village, MI 48076 | 248.557.2600 | www.lathrupvillage.org CA Greene explained that this would approve 18 spots to fulfill their parking requirement in the site plan. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Kantor, and seconded by Councilmember Hammond, to approve the encroachment license application for 27700 Southfield Road for 18 parking spaces. Mayor Pro Tem Kantor commented that the Encroachment Licenses are revokable at any time, and that we are not losing any green space with this license. Yes: Hammond, Jennings, Kantor, Garrett, Barksdale No: n/a Motion carried. F. Request to Approve Resolution #2025-10 - Declaring May 2025 Mental Health Awareness Month Moved by Councilmember Hammond, seconded by Councilmember Jennings, to approve Resolution #2025-10 – Declaring May 2025 Mental Health Awareness Month. Yes: Hammond, Jennings, Kantor, Garrett, Barksdale No: n/a Motion carried. G. Request to Approve Resolution #2025-11 - Approving MDOT Transportation Economic Development Fund Category B Grant Application for Fiscal Year 2026 Moved by Councilmember Jennings, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Kantor, to approve Resolution #2025-11 - Approving MDOT Transportation Economic Fund Category B Grant Application for Fiscal Year 2026 Yes: Hammond, Jennings, Kantor, Garrett, Barksdale No: n/a Motion carried. H. Request to Approve Professional Services for Michigan Economic Development Corporation Grant Funding Engineering - Southfield Water Main Phase A Moved by Councilmember Barksdale, seconded by Councilmember Jennings, to approve Professional Services for Michigan Economic Development Corporation Grant Funding Engineering - Southfield Water Main Phase A Yes: Hammond, Jennings, Kantor, Garrett, Barksdale No: n/a Motion carried. 27400 Southfield Rd | Lathrup Village, MI 48076 | 248.557.2600 | www.lathrupvillage.org  I. Request to Approve the Ratification of the Agreement between the City of Lathrup Village and the Lathrup Village Command Officers Association Moved by Councilmember Hammond, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Kantor, to approve the ratification of the agreement between the City of Lathrup Village and the Lathrup Village Command Officers Association. Yes: Hammond, Jennings, Kantor, Garrett, Barksdale No: n/a Motion carried. J. Request to Approve American Tower Site #310966 Lease Extension Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Kantor, seconded by Councilmember Barksdale, to approve American Tower Site #310966 Lease Extension. Yes: Hammond, Jennings, Kantor, Garrett, Barksdale No: n/a Motion carried. K. Request to Approve DTE Energy Foundation Tree Planting Grant Tree Purchase Brandon from the Tree Committee recommended getting 50 trees for $5,875, from Steinkopf and Sons Wholesale Nursery, which will be delivered, and explained the process used to communicate with residents about the care of the trees and the species of trees that were chosen, 34 will be street trees and 16 allocated to parks. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Kantor, seconded by Councilmember Hammond, to approve the DTE Energy Foundation Tree Planting Grant Tree Purchase. Yes: Hammond, Jennings, Kantor, Garrett, Barksdale No: n/a Motion carried. L. Request to Approve City Council Meeting Times Moved by Councilmember Jennings, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Kantor, to approve the City Council Meeting Times schedule as is. Yes: Jennings, Kantor, Barksdale No: Garrett, Hammond Motion carried. 9. City Administrator Report None 10. City Attorney Report None 27400 Southfield Rd | Lathrup Village, MI 48076 | 248.557.2600 | www.lathrupvillage.org 11. Reports of Boards, Commissions, and Committees Councilmember Hammond reported that the Planning Commission passed the site plan for 27700, and that Prime Alite’s plan will be reviewed at the next meeting. Councilmember Barksdale reported that Arbor Day and Earth Day will be celebrated with an Event on Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm on City Hall grounds. Mayor Pro Tem Kantor announced the next Financial Review Committee meeting is on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 7:00 pm. 12. Unfinished / New Business 13. Public Comment (speakers are limited to 3 minutes) Jonathan Terra, resident, showed bags of Save coupon newspapers that he picked up in a two mile area from culverts, ditches, and streets, and expressed concern that he thought they were illegally distributed against our City Ordinances, and that they are printed by R.R. Donnelley Company, and he wants the City to enforce our ordinances regarding these distributions. Earlene, a resident, addressed her disappointment that no one from the City has gotten back with her, from a month ago, when she came to City Hall and spoke with the Finance Director and then Mayor Garrett, and asked why her tax payment was sent back, and not posted and that she felt disrespected, because no one has reached back out to her with an answer. Lauren Beras, resident, promoted the next Financial Review Committee meeting on May 13th, 2025, and encouraged residents to come to one, and that she will have one in her home too, she mentioned that she attended one already and she found that Lathrup Village gets very little of the taxes and that a large part of what they received goes to the Police Department. Karen Harris, of Cambridge Blvd., thanked the Tree Committee and expressed her excitement for the new trees, as well as the new construction at the School, and thanked Mayor Garrett for recognizing our 105-year-old resident, Marjorie Jones, with a Resolution from the City delivered in person, and getting the State of Michigan and Rashida Tlaib to recognize her as well. Roger Linn, resident, promoted the Parks and Recreation Department and the Tree Committee joint event for Earth Day and Arbor Day at City Hall Park, this Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, with food trucks, games, questions and answers, and for tree planting. Jeffrey Liggens, Kilbirnie Ave., introduced himself to the Council as a new resident to Lathrup Village. Diane Anderson expressed that Bruce Kantor and Timothy Hillman did a great job with the Finance Review Committee presentation, and that it was informative, and she wanted it to be highlighted on our Website. She also asked if the City has found the memorial plaque of PFC. William Beske, Jr., who used to be on the wall in City Hall. 27400 Southfield Rd | Lathrup Village, MI 48076 | 248.557.2600 | www.lathrupvillage.org Autumn Sousanis, Rainbow Drive, commented on Vicki Hall’s water bill, water meters in Lathrup Village, and comments from the City’s past Treasurer regarding water billing. Ian Ferguson, resident, spoke of concerns impacting 6 houses on Roseland Blvd. SE and Lathrup Blvd. regarding water that has nowhere to go, due to a water main drain being removed two years ago. He also said that his Mother-in-Law moved out of her home last year, and they shut the water off, and her water bill went up, from $80 to $183, and there is an issue for the City to address. Laurie Kunz, resident, asked about a new business on 12 Mile with signage of TOHQ. Shelly Reeves, Calif NE, shared information about water leaks at an abandoned house at 27735 California NE, that have taken place over the years, where massive amounts of water have leaked, and thought the Council could use that as a comparison, for other bills with water leaks. Timothy Hillman, San Quentin Blvd., stated that he enjoyed the three Parks and Recreation events that he attended, and asked about follow-up regarding the Council having a Town Hall about the School Building project 14. Mayor and Council Comments Mayor Garrett:  Promoted the Town Hall/State of the City on Thursday, April 24, 2025, with information presented regarding the last year and time for residents to communicate with Council, and future Town Halls will consider those topics.  That TOHQ stands for Take Off Headquarters, an online retail store that sells luggage, and has nothing to do with marijuana.  To Earlene, she responded to a March 18th email, and will look into the payment being sent back.  To Ms. Anderson, City staff have not found the memorial plaque, and she sent her an 8 paragraph letter regarding the plaque.  She is trying to get the Secretary of State to come here to help with the Real IDs Mayor Pro Tem Kantor:  To Mr Mouhajer, that he will work with CA Greene regarding his concerns  Thanked Ms. Anderson for her comments, but disagrees with her about the 2 tier system, stating residents who bought houses on Southfield Rd knew the area  To Ms. Sousanis’s, running toilets impact on water bills, requested that she stop misquoting him, because he is not pushing for new water meters; he clarified that the City does not have Smart meters but meters that communicate, and he thought she misstated the former Treasurer’s comments regarding water bills.  Thanked the Planning Commissioners and HDC for their work with the School Site plan  Offered condolences to the Police force and the family of Officer Paul Chickensky.  Thanked the Parks and Recreation Department for the egg hunt event  Recommends all residents attend a Finance Review Committee educational event and spoke of advertising in the Southfield Sun, notices on the Website, and on Water Bills.  Shared that there are 2 more Flock Cameras online, sponsored by the DDA. 27400 Southfield Rd | Lathrup Village, MI 48076 | 248.557.2600 | www.lathrupvillage.org Councilmember Hammond’s comments included:  Encouraging attendance at the Earth Day/Arbor Day Event on Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm on City Hall grounds  To Mr Mouhajer that he was not aware of the issues until it was brought to the Council’s attention, and will look into it.  To Ms. Sousanis, to look at the history of water usage at the Hall residence, with an average use of $154.22  To Ms. Kunz, please call and ask the City before jumping to conclusions about TOHQ or any other business opening or operating in the City.  To Ms. Reeves about the abandoned house with water pipes that burst, and that in April of 2024, the water was shut off at the street, and it is a good case study.  He will have “Office Hours” in the Conference Room from 4-6 pm on April 24, 2025. Councilmember Jennings was glad that the City came to a solution for the water bill, and hopes it won’t be recurring, and encouraged residents to email City Council members, so they do not have to wait until meetings to communicate with them. Councilmember Barksdale announced that this will be his last meeting; he is stepping down from the Council, due to family matters, and that it was a pleasure to serve on the Council, and that we have very engaged citizens who, whether they agree or not, want the best for Lathrup Village. 15. Adjourn Moved by Councilmember Hammond, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Kantor, to Adjourn at 9:38 pm. 27400 Southfield Rd | Lathrup Village, MI 48076 | 248.557.2600 | www.lathrupvillage.org