City Council Study Session

CITY OF LATHRUP VILLAGE CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 22, 2021 MINUTES OF THE STUDY SESSION MEETING OF THE CITY OF LATHRUP VILLAGE HELD ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 HELD REMOTELY VIA ZOOM. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem Kantor and Roll Call was taken. Present: Mayor Mykale Garrett and Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Kantor Council members Ian Ferguson, Saleem Siddiqi Excused: Council member Donna Stallings Also Present: City Attorney, Scott Baker, Treasurer, Pamela Bratschi, Susie Stec, Director, Community and Economic Development ,Government Operations, Kelda London and City Clerk Yvette Talley This meeting was held remotely. All City Council members stated they are in Lathrup Village, MI- Oakland County. Mayor Garret is located in Davenport,FL-Polk County. Mayor Pro Tem Kantor is located in Harbor Springs, MI – Emmet County. Purpose of meeting is to discuss City Council Agenda items. A. Discussion Items: A. Discussion – Realtor Contract – House in the Woods Property Dr. Sheryl Mitchell Theriot gave an overview and answered specific questions. Terms of contract – Natasha Hughes Smith d/b/a Lynn and Associates will list/market the property known as House in the Woods Property. There is a 6% commission on sale price, $500 fee for listing the property payable when sold. Contract will end August 8, 2021. B. Discussion – Cannabis Update Scott Baker – City Attorney had no comments. C. Infrastructure Committee Update Mayor Pro Tem Kantor stated: Transparency - Every Council meeting, Planning Commission, Downtown Development Board, every City Board we actively ask for resident ideas to promote different points of views. All meetings were advertised on city’s facebook page, city’s website, all meetings recorded on You Tube and on the public access channel. Publishing the Notice of Intent – that was published in the Oakland Press is cheaper than the Southfield Sun and the issue of timing. Oakland Press publishes daily where the Southfield Sun publishes once per week. Publication in the Oakland press met the publication deadline legal requirements. The townhall meeting was intentionally done after the publication to educate the residents on the details of the proposal and to inform them of the Notice of Intent so they were aware and exercise CITY OF LATHRUP VILLAGE CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 22, 2021 their right of referendum if they so choose. On all the streets that are being paved the following replacements will take place: gate valves, fire hydrants, all of the homes will have will undergo material service line identification, 7 culverts replaced, ditch repair. Fiscal responsibility - Financial issues: City Administrator works up to 80 hours per week, there are significantly more work to be done due to COVID-19 and all of the projects that are going on. Rather than hire an assistant manager for $80,000 per year, the department was reorganized. We offloaded some of he responsibilities to existing employees which have many values – it gives growth opportunities to the individual, it gives them more responsibility and it results in less turnover. The City’s portion cost $19,000 but is saves the city $60,000. Another question by a resident is that the city wasted $54,00 on a new passenger van. This is not true; the City has $40,000 to spend from Community Development and Block Grant Funds that can only be used for senior programs and transportation. Could not spend this money on water mains or gate valves. The van expands the ability to provide transportation to seniors. Other comments on City Administrator’s car allowance are part of her compensation package from day one. City Manager Car Allowance - Most cities provide a car allowance and it’s a standard benefit. Residents should get involved and get engaged your participation is encouraged and watch city council meetings. Villagers FB page is not an official site and City is not going to get involved with commenting on this page. Encouraged residents to get involved and get engaged. Also, watch city council meetings on public access television. Villagers facebook page is not an official site and City is not going to get involved with commenting on this page. Notice of Intent closed end of business February 22,2021 - Petitions were signed by 202 residents opposing the bond proposal.  CITY OF LATHRUP VILLAGE CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 22, 2021 Working on a contract with Sunde Services (DPS for Lathrup Village) to assist with some of the services. There will be replacements of culverts, 54 gate valves, 40 fire hydrants and material line excavations. Self- identification of water line will take 5 minutes for residents to participate. Street pavement project will start May 3 on 2 miles of streets – will do portions of -Sunnybrook, Avilla, Glenwood, Wiltshire, Bungalow, Sunset, Alhambra, San Jose. Bids came in lower than expected and that will leave more money to more roads. Sidewalk replacement program will be tabled for further discussion. D. Municode Meetings - Update Dr. Sheryl Mitchell Theriot gave an overview and answered specific questions. Started the transition to use Municode for meetings packet. E. Technology Upgrades Dr. Sheryl Mitchell Theriot stated process of point and pay – pay for water bills, permits online using credit card. Intellinetics, Inc.- provide secure document scanning for the Police department and Administration is now utilizing this service to digitize our building files documents into storage on a cloud-based system. Mayor and Council Comments Mayor Pro Tem Kantor – stated the Notice of Intent - 45 -day referendum is for residents who would like to exercise their right if they choose. Public Comments Ian Zitron – stated the infrastructure bond was rushed. Kalyn Danforth- 18750 Glenwood Blvd. – Didn’t feel welcome when she stated the dance studio should remain in city hall. She signed the petition because she wanted majority to have a chance to vote on a hot topic. Clarence Mosby – House in the woods project was not communicated to residents. Mayor Garrett stated there will not be 9 homes developed on this property. Elsie Babcock – 27661 Lathrup Blvd. – She has water issues in her yard. Adjourn: 7:02 p.m.