City Council

APPROVED 08/15/2016 SPECIAL QUARTERLY ROUNDTABLE MINUTES JULY 25, 2016 THE SPECIAL QUARTERLY ROUNDTABLE OF THE RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL WAS CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:00 P.M., ON MONDAY, JULY 25, 2016, BY MAYOR RIX. ROLL CALL Present: Allen, Greene, LaFore, Misteravich, Rix, Warn, Yaroch Absent: None Others: City Manager Moore, City Clerk Stagl Visitors: Lori Misch AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Lori Misch commented on a recent incident in her neighborhood and how our animal ordinance affected her neighbor. Her neighbor’s 2 dogs ran out of her yard and scared another neighbor walking her small dog. Even though the dogs were not aggressive, because her dogs were not on a leash, the resident walking her small dogs pressed charges. The resident with the 2 dogs was charged with a misdemeanor and had to appear in court and now has criminal charges on her record. Feels this is quite extreme. The City needs to consider having another type of charge for first time offenders. Mayor Rix indicated that the City has changed some violation of ordinances to Civil Infractions. The Council would look at this issue when they review the City’s ordinances, later during this meeting. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion by Warn, seconded by Greene, to adopt the agenda as presented. All yeas Motion carried ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION 1. Discussion of Items of General Concern Goals and Objectives Issue #1 – Promoting Industrial and Commercial Growth. City Manager Moore informed Council that County staff will be meeting with the Planning Commission on July 28th to present their ideas on how best to conduct the public outreach as well as formulating the remaining sections of the Master Plan. Ccm: 07/25/2016 Page 1 of 4  APPROVED 08/15/2016 Both the Master Plan and the TIFA plan require a financial projection section. Since we have both a new Treasurer and Assessor, we held off with these projections. Now that they have been with the City for one budget year, they are better able to assist the City Manager in developing the information for the financial projections sections. We will be moving forward with both of these plans in August. The Recreation Board has reviewed the first sections of the revised Recreation Master Plan. They will be sending out a survey and conducting a “Pizza in the Parks” event to get public input. Promotional material videos have been produced by Baker College. They are available to be viewed by Council at the end of this meeting. Sun Communities the 1st 4 acre industrial parcel and the 2nd 4 acre parcel is in the process of being sold. Discussed with Council whether the City should pay for the lead into the City’s water main. Recently had a resident state that the responsibility should be the City’s. The consensus of Council was to enforce the City’s current policy which states it is the owner’s responsibility to pay for the lead into the City’s water line. Council discussed the current sidewalk policy and when the City is responsible for the cost of replacing a sidewalk. The current policy indicates that it is the City’s responsibility to replace an unsafe sidewalk. In the case of new installation the cost is to be shared 50/50 between the property owner and the city. It was stated that a written policy should be on file stating what the City’s position is on sidewalk installation. Greene commented on areas in the City where there is no continuity of sidewalk where lots have been purchased and combined. How do we encourage residents to install sidewalks? City Manager said Administration will look at the lot combination issue. Yaroch questioned the status of SWIP program. City Manager Moore informed Council that when the Sidewalk Program (SWIP) was active, we installed new sidewalks where needed, with the cost being shared by the City and resident. With the downturn in the economy, the program had been stopped. This is something we can look at again. Discussion on the current Muttonville Agreement with Lenox Township that will be expiring in 2018. This may be something that Council will want to begin having special meetings to discuss. Council expressed an interest in beginning discussions with the townships again. Recess at 7:34 p.m. Reconvene at 7:44 p.m. Ccm: 07/25/2016 Page 2 of 4  APPROVED 08/15/2016 Issue #2 – Traffic congestion and accessibility on Main Street. Commented that the recently installed bump-outs are working as intended. City Manager Moore informed Council that he has not yet organized a meeting between Kmart property owners and Lake Angela owners to discuss a joint entrance/exit. Some discussion on whether the City still needs to maintain a transportation plan. It was suggested that the City Manager speak with St. Augustine’s regarding the possible of developing parking at Main Street and Gleason. Issue #3 – Streetscape Implemented. City Manager Moore informed Council that the street furniture will be manufactured by early August. MDOT has permitted the banner pole replacement at the old post office location. The City Manager will be schedule a Streetscape Committee Meeting to discuss the flower pots. The Streetscape Committee will also be discussing signage in support of our local sports teams. The City Manager has also been developing a maintenance plan with the DPS Director, for upkeep of our streetscape furniture. Issue #4 – Rails to Trails. The bushes at the trail entrance need to be mowed down – they look more like weeds. It was suggested that mile markers be placed along the City’s portion of the trail Rix – discussion on the City’s 22 acres – would it possible to have a pavilion constructed. Rix – questioned if bike racks could be purchased by the Streetscape Committee to be placed at different locations to help promote the trail. Rix – questioned the status of the purchase of the railroad property. City Manager Moore informed Council that the DPS Director will be working with the railroad on this issue. Discussion on the Desert Storm Memorial. This is in a very poor location – maybe we should take it down and put up another memorial in the trail head park. Rix – suggested that the City express our interest to St. Clair County regarding our residents having access, by way of a bike trail, to the Columbus County Park. Issue #5 – Orientation and Training for Board Members. Discussed the possibility of getting videos from the MML to provide training to Board members Recess at 8:39 p.m. Ccm: 07/25/2016 Page 3 of 4  APPROVED 08/15/2016 Reconvene at 8:50 p.m. Issue #6 – Code Enforcement. Council was provided with a list of the City’s ordinances. In most cases, violation of an ordinance is a misdemeanor. Council needs to review the list and identify those ordinances which they would like to have changed to a civil infraction. Rix questioned if a Committee should be established to make a recommendation to Council. It was the consensus of Council to identify which ordinances they wanted changed to civil infraction – return the list to the City Manager. Discussion on whether the City wanted to hire a part-time code enforcement officer. It was suggested that Administration speak with the Richmond Township part-time code enforcement officer, to see if she would be interested in doing code enforcement for the City. Issue #7 – Technology. City Manager Moore informed Council that we were moving forward with the installation of our own cable access channel. COUNCIL COMMENTS None ADJOURNMENT Motion by Misteravich, seconded by Greene, to adjourn the Special Quarterly Roundtable Meeting at 9:35 p.m. All yeas Motion carried Respectfully submitted: Karen Stagl City Clerk Ccm: 07/25/2016 Page 4 of 4