City Council Study Session

City Council Study Session Monday, December 02, 2024 at 6:00 PM 27400 Southfield Road, Lathrup Village, Michigan 48076 1. Call to Order by Mayor Pro Tem Kantor at 6:01 pm Present: Kantor, Hammond, Jennings Excused: Garrett, Barksdale 2. Discussion Items A. Short-Term Rentals Kyle Bryce, Planning Manager of the City of Ferndale, shared what Ferndale is doing with Short-Term Rentals, referring to a packet that he has presented in Oakland County, copies of the packet were available at the meeting for audience members. He discussed concerns, requirements, occupancy, and registering the units, along with the ordinances and enforcement of the ordinances for short-term rentals. Attorney LeAnn Kimberlin shared that other municipalities have addressed short-term rental parking concerns, by limiting parking to only in driveways or an approved area, and prohibited street parking. Councilmember Hammond, and Councilmember Jennings, asked about enforcement of repeat violations at the short-term rentals. B. Community Project Funding Grant – Engineering City Administrator Greene explained the requirements of getting the reimbursement related to the grant, presented two options, and asked for feedback, on the options. Councilmember Hammond, Councilmember Jennings, and Mayor Pro Tem Kantor discussed the options, and there was a consensus to proceed with utilizing Giffels Webster as the engineer for the project. A proposal will be put together by City Administrator Greene, at the next City Council meeting. C. CDBG Reprogramming City Administrator Greene explained that we have a signed 2025 CDBG project, but DDA Director Colson and CA Greene, are working with Oakland County regarding the 2021- 2023 CDBG funding being reprogrammed. The recommendation is that the funding go 27400 Southfield Rd | Lathrup Village, MI 48076 | 248.557.2600 | www.lathrupvillage.org  to the Oakland County Home Improvement Program, which accepts applications from anyone in Oakland County. Councilmembers Jennings, and Councilmember Hammond, discussed the recommendation and believe this is the best way to move forward to return the City to good standing with CDBG. D. Voter Change Charity City Administrator Greene explained that after every major election, Dr. Pernick commits some money to the local municipalities, and donates to a nonprofit organization. Councilmembers Jennings and Councilmember Hammond discussed some of the non-profits and agreed that it should go to a non-partisan organization and that they wanted input from residents for the allocation of the money. E. Council Meeting Dates & Times The meeting dates and times were discussed for the 2025 calendar year. There was consensus that the meeting schedule should stay the same as it is currently as it works for the current Council and the public. 3. Public Comments Lawrence Levy, of Levy Tax Professionals, a Lathrup Village business owner for the last 26 years, discussed the challenges regarding the ordinance citation that he received regarding the RV that is parked in his business parking lot, wrapped in advertising for his business. Mr. Levy referenced other vehicles with advertising wrap including the Phone Doctor and Dominos Pizza’s delivery truck. Mr. Levy referenced not feeling supported by the City. Mayor Pro Tem Kantor, Councilmember Jennings, Councilmember Hammond, and Attorney Kimberlin, discussed the issue with him, reiterating the City ordinance, and previous contact regarding the wrapped vehicle going back to 2018, and gave him recommendations, of what he can do to advertise instead of using the parked RV. Autumn, who has lived here for 20 years, does not remember a time when the wrapped RV wasn’t parked in the lot, and said that precedent has been set, because Rita’s Ice, Dominos, and the Phone Doctor have wrapped vehicles, and asked if this is the look Lathrup Village wants? Autumn also referenced money that the DDA had given Mr. Levy for new windows in his building. 27400 Southfield Rd | Lathrup Village, MI 48076 | 248.557.2600 | www.lathrupvillage.org 4. Mayor and Council Comments Councilmember Hammond said Code Enforcement is happening, and it takes time, in both the residential and business districts. Lance, from Levy Tax Service, said window advertising helps bring customers in and keeps businesses operating, in reference to the City’s ordinance of only 10% of the window being covered in advertising. Mayor Pro Tem Kantor thanked Councilmember Jennings for helping to put together the Michigan First Lighting Ceremony. Councilmember Jennings reported that canned goods were brought, there was a good turnout, and Michigan First gave a donation to the Southfield A and T High School marching band. Mayor Pro Tem Kantor stated his office hours for Wednesday, December 4, 2024, from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, in the Conference Room. 5. Adjourn at 7:30 pm 27400 Southfield Rd | Lathrup Village, MI 48076 | 248.557.2600 | www.lathrupvillage.org