City Council Regular Meeting

City Council Regular Meeting Madison Heights, Michigan August 12, 2024 A City Council Regular Meeting was held on Monday, August 12, 2024 at 7:30 PM at City Hall - Council Chambers, 300 W. 13 Mile Rd. PRESENT Mayor Roslyn Grafstein Mayor Pro Tem Mark Bliss Councilman Sean Fleming Councilman William Mier Councilor Emily Rohrbach Councilman David Soltis Councilor Quinn Wright ALSO PRESENT City Manager Melissa Marsh Assistant City Attorney Tim Burns Deputy City Manager/City Clerk Cheryl Rottmann Councilman Mier gave the invocation, and the Pledge of Allegiance followed. CM-24-154. Additions to the Agenda. Motion to add to the agenda under Reports, Key Employee Incentive Program - Deputy Police Chief Jeff Filzek. Motion made by Councilor Wright, Seconded by Councilman Mier. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: Deputy City Manager/City Clerk Rottmann read an email from Cory Holland Sr. with a complaint pertaining to the Police Department. CM-24-155. Consent Agenda. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda as read. 1 08-12-24  Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Seconded by Councilman Mier. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. CM-24-156. Purchase of Portable Construction Sign. Motion to approve the purchase of one Wanco model WVTM(A) Variable Message sign from Truck and Trailer Specialties, of Howell, in the amount of $19,125, through the Rochester Hills cooperative purchasing contract. Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Seconded by Councilman Mier. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. CM-24-157. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of July 24, 2024. Motion to approve the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of July 24, 2024, as printed. Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Seconded by Councilman Mier. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. CM-24-158. 11 Mile Streetscape Project- Main Street Placemaking Grant. Motion to approve the three-lane configuration of the 11 Mile Streetscape Project between John R and Lorenz and to authorize the City Manager to sign the interlocal agreement between the City of Madison Heights and Oakland County accepting the Oakland County Placemaking grant for a total $313,981.50. Motion made by Councilor Rohrbach, Seconded by Councilman Fleming. Mayor Pro Tem Bliss stated he is concerned about time delay during school getting out and starting. He expressed interest in obtaining a grant with a four-lane configuration. Councilman Fleming stated that he lives close to this area and drives this stretch often. The Police Department has had to address a lot of close calls, and he thinks that a three-lane configuration would be safer for pedestrians. 2 08-12-24 Councilor Rohrbach commented that when we looked at the options that were presented, the four lane was visually more attractive, but the three lanes appear to be a safer option for our pedestrians. Councilman Mier noted that this is one of the things that the DDA has been working to get traction on and is supported by the City’s new Zoning Ordinance as well. While the three lanes worry him due to the three-minute delay during the end of the school day, it also offers a left turn lane. Three lanes will certainly slow down the traffic near the schools and is cheaper to implement. Councilor Wright noted that it looks like staff stated that the cost savings would be significant with the three-lane option. In response to Councilor Wright, CED Director Tucker stated that both the three and four lane proposals include on-street parking. With the four lanes, you are using more of the existing right-of-way and adding center curbing. With the three lanes, you are utilizing the existing roadway rather than using the right-of-way. With the 3-lane option, there will be some added curbing, but the cost is significantly less than a center median curbing. We will also be adding a 10-foot-wide multi-use path, but not on the roadway. Maintenance cost would increase with a center median as well. Mayor Pro Tem Bliss stated that he appreciates the safety aspect and inquired if we have asked for input from the Madison schools. CED Director Tucker noted that the Traffic Safety Commission, Department of Public Safety, Police and Fire Departments were okay with the three-lane configuration. Director Tucker added that there was a short time frame for grant application, and this is also a great opportunity for a Safe Roads to Schools grant. He stated that he would reach out to the school for further input and feedback. In response to Councilman Soltis, CED Director Tucker answered that not acting tonight would delay acceptance of the grant and the implementation. Mayor Grafstein commented that this has been a long and slow process, and her concerns are with overall safety. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Voting Nay: Mayor Pro Tem Bliss Motion carried 6-1. CM-24-159. 11 Mile Streetscape Project - Budget Amendment Motion to approve a budget amendment to increase the DDA expenditure line item 248- 863-987-0006 11 Mile/John R Road Improvements by $313,981.50 for a total of $713,981.50 and to increase the DDA revenue line item 248-025-588-1000 County Grant to a total of $313,981.50. Motion made by Councilor Rohrbach, Seconded by Councilor Wright. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. 3 08-12-24 CM-24-160. Key Employee Incentive Program (KIEP) - Deputy Chief Jeff Filzek. Motion to approve a KIEP Agreement for Deputy Chief Jeff Filzek as presented. Motion made by Councilor Wright, Seconded by Councilman Mier. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. CM-24-161. Body Armor Personal Protective Equipment. Motion to award the bid to the lowest qualified vendor, On Duty Gear, LLC, for the purchase of Armor Express Body Armor in the amount of $19,020.00. Motion made by Councilman Mier, Seconded by Councilor Wright. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. CM-24-162. EMS Plus Program. Motion to approve the Stryker four-year EMS Plus contract in the amount of $687,284.26. Motion made by Councilman Mier, Seconded by Councilor Wright. Captain Gilson provided an overview of the equipment that was being purchased including: power load mechanisms for stretchers, AED upgrades, CPR devices, stretchers, scopes, stair chairs, and life pack monitors. Fire Chief Lelito added that the city businesses and residents can use a 40% discount for to purchase AED equipment as well. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. CM-24-163. Scheduled Replacement of Vehicle #119 – Sale of Vehicle #461 to the General Fund. Motion to approve the sale of Van #461 from the Water and Sewer fund to the General Fund for its fully depreciated value of $2,308.09, by transferring this amount from account 101-301-985-0000 to account 592-047-626-6950. Motion made by Councilor Wright, Seconded by Councilor Rohrbach. 4 08-12-24  Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. CM-24-164. Scheduled Replacement of Vehicle #119 – Budget Amendment. Motion to approve a budget amendment of $31,832 to account 592-901-985-0000. This represents the $30,332 price of the truck, plus $1,500 for the safety lighting and other equipment for replacement vehicle #119. Motion made by Councilor Wright, Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bliss. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. CM-24-165. Purchase of Replacement Vehicle #119. Motion to approve the purchase of one Ford Maverick as specified to Lunghamer Ford, of Owosso, in the amount of $30,332, through the MiDeal vehicle purchasing program. Motion made by Councilor Wright, Seconded by Councilman Mier. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. CM-24-166. Scheduled Replacement of Vehicle #434 – Budget Amendment. Motion to approve a budget amendment in the amount of $886.00 to account 592-901- 985-0000 for the purchase of replacement vehicle #434. Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Seconded by Councilman Mier. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. CM-24-167. Purchase of Replacement Vehicle #434. Motion to approve the purchase of one Chevrolet Colorado work truck from Berger Chevrolet, of Grand Rapids, in the amount of $36,886 through the MiDeal Vehicle Purchasing Program. Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Seconded by Councilman Mier. 5 08-12-24  Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. CM-24-168. Construction of Pickleball Courts at Rosie's Park. Motion to approve the construction agreement with Frank Rewold and Sons under the Oakland County Annual Contraction contract for the construction of pickleball courts at Rosies’ Park for an amount not to exceed $379,004. Motion made by Councilor Rohrbach, Seconded by Councilor Wright. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilman Mier stated that most of the time there is not a quick answer to the problems we face in the city. Those who are experiencing power outages, we hear you. Staff is working with DTE to help mitigate some of the outages. He is working with the City Manager to help alleviate some of these problems. He stated that he attended the Rosie Park meeting and the design meeting on the former Ambassador Park. He also attended the golf outing last Friday and had a lot of fun and gave big kudos to the Rec team for their work on the outing. Mayor Pro Tem Bliss noted that today would have been his dad's birthday and he went to his memorial tree which is in the line of vision of the newly being constructed band shell. He also saw kids playing on the renovated basketball courts. His dad would have been thrilled with all the improvements that are taking place in the city. Councilor Wright expressed thanks to the Fire Department for answering the Council's questions this evening; he appreciates their input and is glad they will have the equipment that the need. Rev’n in the Heights is September 14th - bring your classic car, come on out and it will be a great event. There will be a DJ and prizes for the cars; the National Guard is going to join us as well. Come on out and support the event. Also, please remember to be kind. Assistant City Attorney Burns stated that he had the opportunity to go out and watch the Little League Baseball championship. It is great for kids to get out and enjoy and he had a good time; it is a great little league program. City Manager Marsh had no comments this evening. Deputy City Manger/City Clerk Rotmann thanked all the city residents that worked the election and thanked staff for administering a smooth election. Councilor Rohrbach commented that she had an opportunity to do early voting for the first time and it was very easy and convenient. The next meeting is August 26th, the day after the first day 6 08-12-24 of school and it will be an exciting time. Please plan, think about your routes to school, and safety. Have the best first day possible. Councilman Fleming noted that September 21st is the Canine demonstration with Harko at Rosie’s Park. It is a great event, and it will be taking place before Trail Tunes. The Historical Commission has Heritage Rooms in the basement of City Hall, and they are looking for volunteers to work the rooms. You do not have to be on the Historical Commission to volunteer. There have had several articles on the room, they have had programming, and it is a great place to learn about the history of our city. Please let our Library Director know if you are interested in volunteering. Councilman Soltis had no comments this evening. Mayor Grafstein Council received an email about a horrific incident with child in our city; if you suspect any abuse please reach out and report it. Our next meeting is August 26th. ADJOURNMENT: Having no further business, Mayor Grafstein adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Roslyn Grafstein, Mayor Cheryl E. Rottmann, City Clerk 7 08-12-24