City Council

CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012 IN CITY HALL Mayor Richard J. Notte called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Mayor Notte led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and Walter C. Blessed, City Clerk, gave the Invocation. Council Members present at roll call: Deanna Koski, Richard J. Notte, Joseph V. Romano, Maria G. Schmidt, Paul Smith, Michael C. Taylor, Barbara A. Ziarko. Also Present: Mark D. Vanderpool, City Manager; Jeffrey Bahorski, City Attorney; Walter C. Blessed, City Clerk; Madeline L. Ranella, Recording Secretary. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilman Romano requested that Agenda Item 2 be moved and made Consideration Item 6. Moved by Koski, seconded by Romano, to approve the Agenda as amended. Yes: All. The motion carried. REPORT FROM CITY MANAGER Mr. Vanderpool reported on upcoming road projects for 2012 and 2013: 2012: Van Dyke Bridge over Clinton River Utica Road Approaches to Van Dyke Resurfacing Ryan Road Concrete Repairs (Franklin Park Drive to 18 ½ Mile Road) 19 Mile Road Resurfacing (Merrill Road to Van Dyke Avenue) 17 Mile Road Concrete Repairs (Mound Road to Van Dyke Avenue) Gainsley Drive Resurfacing. 2013: Delco Drive Resurfacing (Canal Road to M-59) Tyler Drive Concrete Reconstruction Mr. Vanderpool reported on Phase II of the Oakland-Macomb Interceptor Drain Sewer Repair Project scheduled to begin shortly. Phase I involved the installation of flow control structures. Phase II will entail the physical repair to the interceptor and grouting of potential voids. The aboveground work on Phase II will consist of approximately 10 Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 3, 2012 Page 2 locations along Dodge Park Road and 15 Mile Road in which borings will be made to allow for the pressure grouting. Work at these locations will require temporary daily lane closures or traffic shifts and last 1-2 weeks per location depending on the grouting needs. Flagmen will be provided as necessary and two-way traffic will be maintained at all times. Access to all businesses and residential properties will be maintained during construction. In addition, existing manholes will be accessed frequently during this period to perform work within the interceptor. The project is tentatively scheduled to begin this week. It is anticipated that repairs will take 6-9 months to complete. The repairs will take place on the portion of the interceptor along Dodge Park (from Utica Road to 15 Mile Road) and on 15 Mile Road (from Dodge Park to the ITC Corridor). Mr. Vanderpool discussed the Sterling Heights Employee Recognition Program designed to honor and reward outstanding performance and exemplary service by City government full-time & part-time employees, volunteers, and boards and commissions members. Nominations are welcome from all citizens, community and business organizations and City employees to honor those individuals who have gone “beyond the call of duty” in serving the public. Mr. Vanderpool reported in observance of the Easter holiday, City offices will be closed Friday, April 6, 2012 as an employee unpaid furlough day. Refuse collection will remain as scheduled. PRESENTATION Councilman Taylor presented the Nice Neighbor award to Jeff Moyer, nominated by Pat Richard. PUBLIC HEARING 1. Mayor Notte opened the public hearing to consider the request by General Dynamics Land Systems, Inc. for an Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption Certificate at 38500 Mound Road/6420 Seventeen Mile Road. Mr. Matt Schmidt, City Assessor, made a presentation. Mr. Peter Keating, Vice-President of Communications for General Dynamics Land Systems, stated the abatement would reduce their city and county taxes to $1.7 million over the period of time and he welcomes the City’s support. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 3, 2012 Page 3 Mayor Notte closed the public hearing. Moved by Taylor, seconded by Romano, RESOLVED, that the application for an Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption Certificate by General Dynamics Land Systems, Inc. at 38500 Mound Road/6420 Seventeen Mile Road is hereby approved for a period of nine years in accordance with the guidelines established by City Council and the Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized to sign, as applicable, all documents required in conjunction with this approval. Councilman Taylor questioned whether the investment by General Dynamics Land Systems would be made whether or not the Council approved the abatement. Mr. Keating responded yes they have already made the investment and they have a six- month period to apply for this abatement. Councilman Taylor questioned the number of facilities General Dynamics has in Michigan. Mr. Keating responded their principal facility is in Sterling Heights. They lease a building on 15 Mile Road and Mound and have two buildings in Shelby Township. Councilman Taylor questioned the numbers of facilities in the Midwest. Mr. Keating responded they have facilities in seven states. Councilman Taylor questioned whether a denial of this tax abatement request would have any affect on the future. Mr. Keating responded regardless of how the Council votes they are here for the long run. Councilman Taylor stated he is in favor of these tax abatements because they are the policy the City is stuck with and we have to show we are friendly and open to businesses. Councilman Romano supports the motion for this thirty-year outstanding corporate citizen with 2,200 employees in Macomb County and stated that’s enough for him. Councilman Smith compared General Dynamics to BAE Systems since they are both suppliers for the US Government and stated General Dynamics has more income than the State of Michigan and they should pay their own taxes. Mayor Notte spoke in favor of the tax abatement because General Dynamics has been a good corporate neighbor. He stated Public Act 198 is a state program and Sterling Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 3, 2012 Page 4 Heights wants to be a part of that program and that is the reason he has always supported tax abatements. Councilwoman Ziarko agreed with Mayor Notte and stated she is in favor of tax abatements as well. The City is not providing anything different than what the state allows. Councilwoman Schmidt stated from a resident’s point of view, there are millionaires and billionaires in this world who look for every possible deduction they are allowed on their taxes. The system allows for these companies to ask for these tax abatements and half of something is better than half of nothing. Councilwoman Koski stated she is in favor of the motion because we have been trying to bring business into Sterling Heights. General Dynamics has been in the City for thirty plus years and they have done a lot for the community. They have given back much more than the Council is giving them today. Roll call vote on the motion to approve the tax abatement: Yes: Taylor, Romano, Koski, Notte, Schmidt, Ziarko. No: Smith. The motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA 3. Moved by Koski, seconded by Romano, RESOLVED, to approve the Consent Agenda: A. To approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 20, 2012, as presented. B. To approve payment of the bills as presented: General Fund - $354,352.05, Water & Sewer Fund - $1,275,337.95, Other Funds - $661,272.41, Total Checks - $2,290,962.41. C. RESOLVED, to award the bid for turf fertilization and weed control to Green Meadows Lawnscape, Inc., 47515 Ryan Road, Shelby Township, MI 48317 for the period April 4, 2012 through November 30, 2013 at unit prices bid. D. RESOLVED, to award the bid for the purchase and planting of street trees to Greg Davis Landscaping Services, 471 Renaud Drive, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236 for the period April 4, 2012 through December 31, 2013 at unit prices bid. Yes: All. The motion carried. CONSIDERATION Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 3, 2012 Page 5 4. Ms. Stephanie Burgess, HUD Program Coordinator, made a presentation and thanked the Citizens Advisory Committee members for their participation in the process. She acknowledged Jeff Norgrove, Chairman, and Charles Jefferson, Vice-Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Committee, in the audience. Mr. Jeff Norgrove thanked Ms. Burgess for all the work she does. He stated this is another good project and he hopes the Council approves it. Moved by Romano, seconded by Schmidt, RESOLVED, to approve the fiscal year 2012/13 Community Development Block Grant Program One Year Action Plan as recommended by the Citizens Advisory Committee and City Administration based on an entitlement of $624,269 and authorize the City Administration to complete the Federal application and secure the funds. Councilman Romano stated this is another example of our volunteer committees. It is these volunteers that help other people out and we appreciate their time and effort. Yes: All. The motion carried. 5. Mr. Vanderpool made a presentation highlighting the wage and benefit concessions by the UAW Unit 41 of Local 412 Supervisory Employees. Moved by Ziarko, seconded by Schmidt, RESOLVED, to approve the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Sterling Heights and UAW Unit 41 of Local 412 – Supervisory Employees for the period July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2014 and authorize the Mayor and City Manager to sign it on behalf of the City. Councilwoman Ziarko questioned whether the Administration feels they have reached their goals in this contract. Mr. Vanderpool responded yes they have reached their target goal as it relates to legacy savings. Councilwoman Ziarko questioned whether this a model for the contracts the City would be negotiating in the future. Mr. Vanderpool responded this contract models the previous one that is in place; it is the model needed and he will work to get it across the board. Yes: All. The motion carried. ORDINANCE INTRODUCTION Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 3, 2012 Page 6 6. Mr. Vanderpool presented the 2012/13 City budget and stated this is the first of four budget hearings. A video overview of the proposed budget was shown at this time. Presentations were made by Mr. Brian Baker, Finance and Budget Director and Mr. Kelton Winnega, Human Resources Director. Moved by Romano, seconded by Ziarko, RESOLVED, to introduce the Appropriations Ordinance for the 2012/13 fiscal year. Yes: All. The motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Mr. Eugene Placido – Misconduct by police officers stealing from the taxpayers. Mr. Dennis Polansky, 4393 Gardner – Paving of Gardner. Mr. Ron Typinski – Paving of Gardner. Mr. Rick Belotti, 4454 Gardner – Paving of Gardner. Mr. Greg Watt, 4424 Gardner – Paving of Gardner. REPORTS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATION AND CITY COUNCIL There were no reports at this time. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no Unfinished Business. NEW BUSINESS 1. Councilwoman Ziarko questioned whether Gardner Street would qualify for CDBG funds. Mr. Vanderpool indicated he didn’t believe so, but he would verify it. 2. Councilwoman Schmidt questioned whether a public hearing would be held for a special assessment. Mr. Vanderpool indicated a public hearing would be held once the special assessment district was established. The Council would have to consider a budget amendment first and then proceed to prepare a special assessment. 3. Councilwoman Schmidt asked to be excused from the next regular scheduled City Council meeting because her son would be making his Sacrament of Confirmation. She asked if Mayor Notte would submit her questions. 4. Councilman Smith wants to see all gravel streets paved at the same time. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 3, 2012 Page 7 5. Councilman Smith discussed the new Menards store in Warren. 6. Councilman Smith discussed the use of throwaway water bottles. 7. Councilman Smith discussed the plans for Freedom Hill activities and suggested Sterlingfest be held at the park. 8. Moved by Koski, seconded by Ziarko, RESOLVED, to amend the 2012/13 proposed budget for the required amount to pave Gardner Street and increase funding in the Local Road Fund. Councilman Smith questioned the opposition from the eleven people on Gardner Street and how that would be addressed. Mr. Bahorski indicated this motion is only to put the funding in the budget. Notices would be sent out to all the residents and they will have an opportunity to come to the public hearing on the issue. Yes: All. The motion carried. 9. Councilman Romano discussed the issue of misconduct by certain police command officers and pointed out it was none of the rank and file officers. The correct action is being taken to make sure this never happens again. He is satisfied with the recommendation from the City Manager and Police Chief on this issue. ADJOURN Moved by Ziarko, seconded by Schmidt, to adjourn the meeting. Yes: All. The motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:46 p.m. WALTER C. BLESSED, City Clerk