City Council Study Session

City Council Study Session Monday, July 21, 2025, at 6:00 PM 27400 Southfield Road, Lathrup Village, Michigan 48076 1. Call to Order by Mayor Garrett at 6:00 pm 2. Discussion Items A. Flag Flying Policy Mayor Garrett, City Council, CA Greene, and Attorney Baker discussed:  The approval process for flags, receiving the request, and applying the standards  Flags being flown conveying the City’s endorsement/message  Non-public forums of speech, limited public forums  Lists of Flags that are acceptable, that have been flown in the Nation’s Capital, State Capital, Oakland County, and previously at City Hall  Remaining neutral  The views of who is on the City Council can impact the flag decisions  Temporary flags – City-sponsored events, sports teams, National Holidays, cultural milestones  Non-public forum, only official actions of this Government  Actions of other communities that were different than their actual Flag Flying policies  Waiting to get another flagpole, and exchanging the POW/MIA flag during the time allowed for the approved flags B. Rental Ordinance Mayor Garrett, City Council, CA Greene, and Attorney Baker discussed:  Updates that specifically pertain to short-term rentals  Making the landlord-tenant license consistent  Logistical issues for getting them inspected regularly  Inspecting them if the City receives a complaint  Having a local contact person who lives within a 20-mile radius of the rental property for short-term, long-term, Commercial, and Residential properties  How the Ordinance will be enforceable and verifiable  If the local contact is on vacation or not available, having a time limit for the response, or someone who can cover for the designated local contact 27400 Southfield Rd | Lathrup Village, MI 48076 | 248.557.2600 | www.lathrupvillage.org   The local contact would be for the City and Police, not for the neighbors to contact  No street parking for the short-term renters, to minimize impact on long-term renters and homeowners  Impact for short-term properties with smaller driveways, if street parking is not allowed  Some units have been used for gatherings, and we have put a limit on the number of people  The major complaints relating to short-term rental units in Milford were based on the number of people and parking  Ordinances for overnight parking that already exist, and the recommended no street parking for short-term rentals  Limiting the number of cars C. 2025 Community Champions Playground Grant CA Greene explained that Gametime playground manufacturer is offering 100% matching funds for this grant; however, we don’t have it in the budget this year, but wanted to see if the Council is interested in staff applying for this grant. Mayor Garrett, City Council, CA Greene, and Attorney Baker discussed:  The October 17th deadline/time limit to apply for the grant  If it were ADA accessible, but with the mulch at Sarrackwood Park, it would not  If residents approve the Headlee Override, we could match the money, but if not, we would not have the money  Possibly making Sarrackwood Park a green space  Holding off at this time D. City Hall DIA Mural Mayor Garrett, City Council, CA Greene, and Attorney Baker discussed:  Whether or not the Historic District Commission approval is needed  Best practice to get the HDC approval  The council can approve it if the HDC decides not to move the project forward  Suggestions on making the wording for Lathrup Village bigger 3. Public Comments Leslie Balian, Rackham, commented on the PILOT Town Hall, and what tax revenue would come in if the School project were not done without a PILOT agreement. Diane Anderson made comments, including that a mural would desecrate City Hall, and about comments made by Mayor Garrett, that she believed were directed towards her on social media, and she wants her reputation restored. 27400 Southfield Rd | Lathrup Village, MI 48076 | 248.557.2600 | www.lathrupvillage.org Lauren Beras thanked DDA Director Colson for his work on the Lathrup Village Music Festival and watering plants in the Community, and promoted the Lathrup Village Music Festival on September 13, 2025, with a rain date of September 14, 2025. Autumn Sousanis, who is an Art graduate and has done murals, does not believe a mural should be on City Hall, which is a Historic building in the Historic District, and questioned the involvement that residents were allowed to have in the mural process, as well as the Historic District Commission being involved. Mrs. Sousanis expressed that she was glad there would be more mulching at Sarrackwood Park, because there are exposed footings, and she stated that there are supposed to be three bids for the roof and cars. Kevin Pough, BSB Communications, expressed having been onsite since January of this year surveying the equipment, cabling, telephone system, lines, fax, and Police lines, and the solution that has been submitted as a bid from BSB, and that they have worked in other cities including: Dearborn, Ann Arbor, Romulus, Flint, and Rochester Hills. Tim Hillman, San Quentin, made comments regarding Cities that have flown the Pride flag and several communities that have already resolved the ordinances regarding flying the Pride flag, including Pleasant Ridge, Ferndale, and Madison Heights. Erica Reed, Lathrup Blvd., expressed that she loves to live here and has been here for twenty- eight years with her husband and two boys, and has concerns about the City flying a Pride flag. John Roberts, Lathrup Blvd., has lived here for 46 years, made comments, including saying that he has lived next door to an Airbnb, and parking has been an issue there. Mr. Roberts said he is glad the Council is considering the impact on the community. Bob Beras expressed that flying Pride and Juneteenth flags are very important, and if a flag pole is needed, he thinks the community will help, if the Council will allow it. The mayor read letters: Bruce Copus, who was against the City having a Flag flying policy, spoke on the PILOT application fee, and asked why we need new ordinances for expanding the Business District. 4. Mayor and Council Comments Mayor Pro Tem Kantor, explained the current amount of $23,000 in taxes collected from the School building and ~$11,000 goes to the DDA, and the estimated amounts with a PILOT ordinance in place, where the City could negotiate to received more of this money with the DDA, and the estimated amount if there were no PILOT ordinance if the development is able to be completed without a PILOT ordinance. 27400 Southfield Rd | Lathrup Village, MI 48076 | 248.557.2600 | www.lathrupvillage.org Mayor Garrett’s comments:  She asked Mayor Pro Tem Kantor if we would lose money by entering into a PILOT ordinance agreement, and Mayor Pro Tem Kantor said “no.”  To Diane, that she prefers to have a witness with her when meeting someone who has challenged her character and threatened her with a lawsuit  To Autumn, there was a survey that went out regarding the mural  To Mr. Hillman, thank you for your feedback  To Mr. and Mrs. Reed, thank you for your comments  To Bob Beras, she agreed that it could be a fundraiser Mayor Pro Tem Kantor’s comments:  Renderings of the Mural are online  Regarding bids and competitive bidding, the City Administrator reaches out for multiple bids for items, and uses Michigan Bid to vet many companies  Regarding short-term residence ordinances, they are to allow them, but put restrictions in place  He asked CA Greene if there were multiple bids for the new phone system, and CA Greene confirmed that there were three bids Councilmember Jennings brought up regulating Vape shops in Lathrup Village. 5. Adjourn 7:29 pm 27400 Southfield Rd | Lathrup Village, MI 48076 | 248.557.2600 | www.lathrupvillage.org