City Council Study Session

CITY OF LATHRUP VILLAGE CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MEETING MINUTES MARCH 15, 2021 MINUTES OF THE STUDY SESSION MEETING OF THE CITY OF LATHRUP VILLAGE HELD ON MONDAY, MARCH 15, 2021 HELD REMOTELY VIA ZOOM. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Garrett and Roll Call was taken. Present: Mayor Mykale Garrett and Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Kantor Council members Ian Ferguson Excused: Council members Saleem Siddiqi and Donna Stallings Also Present: City Administrator Dr. Sheryl Mitchell Theriot, Asst. City Administrator/Treasurer Pamela Bratschi, Police Chief Scott McKee, Susie Stec, Director, Community & Economic Development & DDA, Kelda London, Government Operations, City Attorney, Scott Baker, Scott Ringler, Giffels Webster and City Clerk Yvette Talley All City Council Members stated they are in Lathrup Village, Michigan – Oakland County Purpose of meeting is to discuss City Council Agenda items. A. Discussion Items: A. Discussion – Insufficiency of Referendum Petition Dr. Sheryl Mitchell Theriot gave an overview and answered specific questions. The City of Lathrup Village published on January 7, 2021 in the Oakland Press the Notice to Taxpayers -Notice of Intent to Issue Bonds and the Right of Referendum. As of February 22, 2021 there were 202 signatures received by the City Clerk which was an insufficient number. Also, the form of the petition does not meet the requirements of Michigan law as a valid referendum petition. Based on the fact that the form of referendum petition does not satisfy the requirements of Michigan law and it was not signed by 10% of the registered voters of the City as required by law. B. Discussion – Sidewalk Ordinance - Amendment Scott Baker, City Attorney gave an overview and answered specific questions. Residents will be directly billed and if the bill is not paid, it will go on the special assessment roll. There will not be a special assessment, therefore, it will not be a public hearing for sidewalk replacement. Mayor Pro Tem Kantor stated there is an issue with some sidewalks due to city trees. Discussion to see if the city will take on the cost but at this point we’re not sure of how much it’ll cost. 1 C. Discussion -Sidewalk Replacement Program Dr. Sheryl Mitchell Theriot stated – The sidewalk program is for all sidewalk repair. Year 1- will be the commercial Southfield corridor from Lincoln to 12 mile through the residential areas (East & South of Southfield Rd. but below 11- mile I696 overpass. Discussed sidewalks that have been lifted due to tree roots and the cost to shave will be $100 each. Technically, the responsibility is that of the residents. The city will take a survey of the trees that have damaged sidewalks and also look at the cost to replace them. By April or later, it will be decided by City Councill if the city will be pay for sidewalks damaged by tree roots. D. Discussion Water Meter & Related Projects - Update Dr. Sheryl Mitchell Theriot stated relevant to water meters were tested but the official report has not been received. As meters age they run slow, audit of billing system, looking into remote reading of meters so that vehicles will not have to go around picking up readings which was included in the capital improvement bond. Susie Stec and Scott Ringler are working on drafting an RFP. Disclaimer -Council member Ian Ferguson stated he does not own a water meter business. Ten homes have been identified as having lead and the city is working with sub-contractor through SOCWA to work on this issue. Service line verification stop box- will work with Sunde Inc. to work on this matter and will start as soon as EAGLE gives us specifications on how to make the identifications and if it has to be every resident or will a sample suffice for their verification purposes. Reminder to do the water survey of their water meter. E. Discussion – Infrastructure Committee – Update Mayor Pro Tem Kantor stated road repairs starting around May 3rd. There have been several water main breaks in the city. When alerts of water main problems are issued, the information is shared with City of Southfield Police and Fire Department. F. Discussion – Marijuana/Cannabis - Update Dr. Sheryl Mitchell Theriot – Planning Commission is working on the language for this. We have received a lot of calls regarding this matter but the official response should be: The opt out ordinance is still in place and there is no conversation to be had . If and when the ordinances are adopted, the primary contact will 2 be Susie Stec – Economic and Community Development Director. G. Discussion – Profession Auditing Services RFP - Update Dr. Sheryl Mitchell Theriot – stated she will have a meeting with Plante Moran later this week as to the services they provide so that it can be incorporated into the RFP language. H. Discussion - Agenda Items Mayor Pro Tem Kantor – discussed the repaving Cambridge east of Southfield Rd to Lathrup Blvd. (ditches are being worked on) City Administrator will work with Susie Stec, Scott Ringler to work on dates, notices. Council member Ferguson would like a list of what is being done and when to communicate to the residents. Mayor and Council Comments Mayor Garrett stated that sidewalks along the 11- mile service drive for snow removal Downtown Development Authority will take care of this area. Council was asked to look at goal’s worksheet before the goal setting meeting. Culvert gardens discussed as the ditching projects move along to notify the residents not to plant in the culverts. There is a new social group forming for the LGBTQ community and to have a pride parade – will discuss with Recreation Director because large gatherings are not taking place now. Will discuss in the future. Public Comments None Adjourn: 6:51 p.m. 3