City Council Study Session

City Council Study Session Monday, March 16, 2026, at 6:00 PM 27400 Southfield Road, Lathrup Village, Michigan 48076 1. Call to Order by Mayor Kantor at 6:00 pm Present: Kantor, Garrett, Jennings, Sousanis, Hammond Also Present: City Administrator Greene, City Attorney Baker, DDA Director Colson, and City Clerk Emanuel 2. Discussion Items A. Master Plan Update Councilmembers, CA Greene, City Attorney Baker, and DDA Director Colson discussed:  Responses from Giffels Webster to the City Council’s previous questions  Should Council be involved (more touch points) before the Fall in the Master Plan?  Council providing comments for the Planning Commission Master Plan meetings and/or a joint meeting, and the timing of a joint meeting  The framing of comparisons in their responses  It feels like we are leaning away from a Boulevard, and if we want it back in the discussion  Considering the cost of a road study, for something that might not happen, with the City’s financial situation impacted, which is why Council did not approve the road study  Letting Giffels Webster know what our vote was on the Road Study  Parking study and parking issues if Southfield Road became a Boulevard  If residents are interested in a Village Center Concept with a Blvd or not  Increased Community engagement and input for the Master Plan, and the online surveys B. Council Rules of Order & Procedure - Video/Audio Recording Councilmembers, CA Greene, City Attorney Baker, and DDA Director Colson discussed:  The goal of the rule was to get rid of disruption, but in the practice of it (implementing it), are we causing more disruption?  The rule of using tripods – versus different wording, that would include - making sure nobody obstructs views, or is in someone’s personal space  There were numerous complaints from residents who came to the meetings and felt bullied, and/or threatened by cameras close to and/or pointed in their face, and the Council’s duty to protect the residents, so that they do not feel harassed 27400 Southfield Rd | Lathrup Village, MI 48076 | 248.557.2600 | www.lathrupvillage.org   Residents are complaining because they did not want to be recorded and have their comments (video of them) used by someone who recorded them on different platforms  Enforcing the rule that the camera must be set up before the meeting begins, and the wording related to this rule  Trying to encourage more people to be involved, and that there has been a drop off due to people feeling intimidated and uncomfortable because of the video taping that was being done at prior meetings  Using the recordings for click baiting  The Public Body can implement reasonable regulations to limit disruptions  Council can reconsider the rules  What would happen if someone turned around to record? How would we respond/address it  The City of Southfield requires anyone recording to be in the back of the room  Presenting revisions to CA Greene to be considered at the next meeting  Considering how we encourage more participation if revisions are made C. City Administrator Evaluation Councilmembers, CA Greene, City Attorney Baker, and DDA Director Colson discussed:  ICMA – International City/County Management Association template guide in the packet and scoring criteria  Making it a fillable PDF  A summary of what CA Greene has done this year – a self-evaluation – in each category – with a space for narrative  Derived goals out of the feedback from last year – performance goals  Council coming up with a template before the next Study Session D. Regular Meeting Agenda Items N/A 3. Public Comments Rick Wisz expressed in part that plans for a Boulevard would make Southfield Road less walkable, with the added lanes that would make it harder to cross. The buildings at the end of Southfield (East side of Southfield by 12 Mile Road) get packed at times, if there is less parking than what would normally happen, and we don’t know what is in there. He is also against getting rid of See, Click, Fix, which allows people to anonymously take photos of their concerns, and having to come to City Hall could deter complaints. Mr. Wisz mentioned the 360-degree evaluations process that includes feedback from bosses/ supervisors, co-workers, and outside departments. Lauren Beras, Goldengate, expressed in part: that she wanted Councilmember Sousanis to review with other Councilmembers the problems that have happened in the past, they haven’t happened since he came on Council, she was a victim of some of the harassment with a video device being turned around in her face and had asked over and over for the 27400 Southfield Rd | Lathrup Village, MI 48076 | 248.557.2600 | www.lathrupvillage.org  person to stop and she complained about it and that a segment has been used of her on Facebook pages, and asked if someone’s freedom to record is greater than her freedom to be here and feel safe with the change of the rules. Ms. Beras also mentioned that she knows some people who still won’t come to meetings because of the past issues and wanted Councilmember Sousanis to take this under consideration. Jonathan Tara, expressed in part: that he didn’t know See, Click Fix was considered to be discontinued, and suggested looking into a similar platform that can fit our budget, he is a proponent for Boulevard and was disappointed that the City did not approve going forward with the Road Study, he does not support the Village Center and wonders if a house on Village Center can also be a business, how that would affect property values? Robert Beras, expressed in part: that he appreciates the decorum of the Council, yet he expressed to Councilmember Sousanis, that it was Councilmember Sousanis’s wife that has repeatedly harassed and broken the Council rules for recording and pointed the recording device in the direction of people including him, and even out of a sense of decency and when she was asked not to do it, she still broke the rules, and he is not sure she will adhere to the rules if they are amended. Laurie Kunz, expressed in part: about how long Council took discussing videotaping, because it would not be a discussion if Council had not stopped recording the Study Sessions, that are now recorded, but not live, which means they can be edited, the City residents have a right to know what is going on in the meetings and they want to have a voice and have it recorded. Ms. Kunz mentioned harassment by the Beras’s and MPT Garrett, and she wants MPT Garrett to prove the harassment she is saying. 4. Mayor and Council Comments None 5. Adjourn at 7:05 pm 27400 Southfield Rd | Lathrup Village, MI 48076 | 248.557.2600 | www.lathrupvillage.org