City Council Regular Meeting

City Council Regular Meeting Madison Heights, Michigan February 10, 2025 A City Council Regular Meeting was held on Monday, February 10, 2025 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 Councilor Quinn Wright ABSENT Councilman David Soltis ALSO PRESENT City Manager Melissa Marsh Assistant City Attorney Tim Burns Deputy City Manager/City Clerk Cheryl Rottmann The invocation was given by Councilor Wright and the Pledge of Allegiance followed. CM-25-12. Excuse Council Member. Motion to excuse Councilman Soltis from tonight’s meeting. Motion made by Councilor Wright, Seconded by Councilor Rohrbach. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilor Wright Motion carried. CM-25-13. Addition to the Agenda. Motion to add to the agenda under Consent Agenda, Fire Chief KEIP Extension. Motion made by Councilor Rohrbach, Seconded by Councilor Wright. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilor Wright 1 02-10-25  Absent: Councilman Soltis Motion carried. PRESENTATIONS: Fire Chief - 2024 Firefighter of the Year Award Chief Lelito presented Lieutenant Damon Brown with the Firefighter of the Year Award. Chief Lelito stated that in 2024, Lieutenant Brown’s tireless work and commitment to excellence have significantly impacted the department, our operations, and the level of care we provide to our community. This year, Lieutenant Brown achieved numerous accomplishments, including leading the training of our paramedics on over 100 revisions to our EMS protocols. In June, Lieutenant Brown was appointed to the Oakland County Medical Control Authority Protocol Committee, a well-deserved recognition of his dedication to advancing EMS care throughout the county. He has also played a critical role in implementing our new state-of-the-art heart monitors, ensuring our paramedics are trained and prepared to use them at the most critical times. His commitment to education extends beyond his role as an EMS instructor. He attended specialized fire training and participated in the Great Lakes HOT Fire Training, bringing back valuable knowledge and skills to the department. In every role he assumes, Lieutenant Damon Brown has demonstrated the highest standards of dedication, professionalism, and excellence. His contributions this year have immediately impacted the department and will affect it in the future, setting an example for all to follow. Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg - Presentation on Foreclosure Prevention Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg gave a presentation on foreclosure prevention and noted that March 31st is the deadline to pay property taxes from 2022 and prior to prevent foreclosure. Oakland County Treasure's office tries to prevent foreclosure whenever possible, so please reach out to us if you need help. Available resources include taxpayer assistance meetings, the financial empowerment center, and community outreach, so please help us spread the word. MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: Peter Richard Taylor, resident, spoke but was inaudible. CM-25-14. Consent Agenda: Motion to approve the Consent Agenda with the following amendments: a) addition of the Fire Chief KEIP Extension b) remove the Random Act of Kindness Proclamation 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, Councilor Wright 2 02-10-25  Absent: Councilman Soltis Motion carried. CM-25-15. 2025 Fireworks Display Permit Approval. Motion to approve the permit for the 2025 Festival in the Park Fireworks Display from Pyrotechnico Fireworks and authorize the Mayor to sign on the City's behalf. 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, Councilor Wright Absent: Councilman Soltis Motion carried. CM-25-16. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of January 27, 2025. Motion to approve the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of January 27, 2025, 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, Councilor Wright Absent: Councilman Soltis Motion carried. CM-25-17. Fire Chief KEIP Extension. Motion to approve the Fire Chief KEIP Extension as presented. 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, Councilor Wright Absent: Councilman Soltis Motion carried. CM-25-18. 2025 Random Acts of Kindness Proclamation. Motion to adopt the 2025 Random Acts of Kindness Proclamation. 3 02-10-25  Motion made by Councilor Wright, Seconded by Councilman Mier. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilor Wright Absent: Councilman Soltis Motion carried. Former Councilwoman Margene Scott thanked Council for passing the Proclamation this evening. She stated that she was thankful to the Mier's for bringing her to the meeting this evening. She read from a Proclamation from the State of Michigan recognizing the Random Act of Kindness Week in Madison Heights in the past and distributed cards that could be passed out which promote the event. She concluded her comments by congratulating the city for supporting Random Acts of Kindness Week year after year and encouraged others to write their acts of kindness on the display board at City Hall. CM-25-19. Ordinance 2202 - Rezoning PRZN 24-02 - 1357 W. 14 Mile Road [R-2 to B2], First Reading Motion to adopt Ordinance # 2202 (PRZN 24-02) upon first reading, waive the public hearing, and schedule the second and final reading for the February 24th, 2025 City Council Meeting. Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Seconded by Councilor Rohrbach. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilor Wright Absent: Councilman Soltis Motion carried. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilman Mier expressed his congratulations to Lieutenant Brown on his recognition, thanked Treasurer Wittenberg for his presentation, and thanked Margene Scott for all the years she has promoted the Random Acts of Kindness Week. He stated he received an act of kindness from a neighbor who shoveled his snow and thanked him. It is Black History Month, please keep learning of all the contributions that black citizens have made over the years. Little League registration is open and remember to think Spring! Mayor Pro Tem Bliss concurred with all the thanks given by Councilman Mier this evening. He announced that Councilwoman Scott will be at the Heritage Rooms as a special guest on March 8th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., please join us. 4 02-10-25 Councilor Wright expressed kudos to Lieutenant Brown and to the entire Fire Department for supporting and lifting each other up. As we celebrate Black History Month, challenge yourself to take the opportunity to have the uncomfortable conversations and get to know your neighbors; this is a time to reflect and acknowledge contributions. We have more in common than differences. He stated that there are a lot of people that have concerns about what is happening currently in our government and he does as well. He is hosting a Conversation with Quinn - office hours at the library - please come out. Remember to be kind, remember to connect and it is okay to have uncomfortable conversations we are better off for them. Assistant City Attorney Burns had no comments this evening. City Manager Marsh stated that tax due date is March 14th; however, after the 14th, the City will be collecting taxes with a penalty for two weeks. She noted that there is a new law that requires a minimum space allowance between cars and snow plows, so please give them the required space that they need to operate safely. She stated that fireworks are a trigger for some of our residents and pets, and while the fireworks for the Festival in the Park are locked in for this year, options for a drone show will be going out for bid next year. Initial costs look like a drone show may be $10,000 more, but the details need to be examined further. Currently, the City's firework show last approximately 20 minutes and we will be looking for something comparable for a drone show. Deputy City Manager/City Clerk Rottmann had no comments this evening. Councilor Rohrbach stated that there will be a Lunar New Year Festival Lantern Parade at Lao Pot this Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It will be a fun activity to participate in and nice community event, so please come out and participate. Councilman Fleming stated his congratulations on Lieutenant Brown's hard work and for all the things he has done to make our department one of the bests. February 22nd opening day Tiger Spring training. He encouraged all to visit the Charles H. Wright Museum to celebrate Black History Month, noting they have a lot of information available. Mayor Grafstein stated thank you to Lieutenant Brown for everything that he does for our community and our Fire Department and noted that we are lucky to have him. Taxes are due March 14th. If you have any questions for Council, please feel free to contact us. You can contact us via email or call, so please reach out. Our next Council meeting is February 24th. ADJOURNMENT: Having no further business, Mayor Grafstein adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m. Roslyn Grafstein, Mayor Cheryl E. Rottmann, City Clerk 5 02-10-25