City Council

CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2013 IN CITY HALL Mayor Richard J. Notte called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Mayor Notte led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and Mark Carufel, 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 Vanderpool, City Manager; Jeffrey Bahorski, City Attorney; Mark Carufel, City Clerk; Madeline L. Ranella, Recording Secretary. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Moved by Koski, seconded by Romano, to approve the Agenda as presented. Yes: All. The motion carried. BUDGET WORKSHOP DISCUSSION 1. Presentation of Budget Capital Project & Other City Funds City Administration Department Administrative Services Division Finance and Budget Division Police Department Mr. Vanderpool explained this evening is the first of three budget hearings. He presented an overview of the proposed 2013/14 Budget. He stated there would be a number of presentations by department heads and then questions and comments from the City Council. He recommended the Appropriations Ordinance be introduced this evening. Mr. Vanderpool pointed out the proposed 2013/14 Budget is on line for the 7th year. A video was shown at this time. Mr. Vanderpool discussed ongoing problems in the City’s financial plan due to decreased state shared revenue, decreased property tax revenue and elimination of the personal property tax. Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 9, 2013 Page 2 Mr. Brian Baker, Finance & Budget Director, gave an overview of the total 2013-14 Budget numbers and reviewed each of the departments individually. Mr. Walt Blessed, Human Resources Director, discussed wage and benefit saving, retirement health care savings, defined benefits and the defined contribution plan. He stated the City would continue to evaluate the alternative service delivery options. Mr. Sal Conigliaro, Public Works Director, discussed the difficulty with road improvements as a result of the reduced revenues. He explained the nearly $3.2 million in road improvements scheduled for this upcoming budget year were made possible by the use of federal matching grants. Mr. Conigliaro explained the one-time stopgap measure, which allows for asphalt resurfacing of Amsterdam, Wheaton, Gainsley and Fortner Drives and pointed out the funding sources. He introduced Ms. Susan Stefanski from S.E.M.C.O.G. Ms. Stefanski explained the long-range transportation plan and their role. She stated they need $2.7 billion per year to maintain the system. She pointed out public meetings that would be held in May and invited residents to get involved and provide input. Mr. Vanderpool pointed out the City of Sterling Heights is a former member of S.E.M.C.O.G. and we are doing all we can to make sure the City receives its share of road funding. Police Chief Michael Reese discussed the police department’s budget. He pointed out the staffing levels of 1.2 officers per 1,000 residents, well under the FBI recommended 1.9 staffing level. Chief Reese stated for the first time in the City’s history, four police officers were laid off and adjustments were made in the command staffing. Chief Reese pointed out the DARE program has been eliminated, they have privatized the detention facility, they have reduced the police department fleet by 11%, they have entered into a service-sharing agreement with the City of Troy police department for use of their gun range, they have signed a memo of understanding with the City of Warren police department allowing both department’s special response teams to work together and agreed to be a member of the Metro-Macomb SWAT group. Most recently, the City would be consolidating their dispatch center with Macomb County. Chief Reese discussed the improvements in technology with the optional Coplogic online citizen Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 9, 2013 Page 3 reporting system and the full implementation of the E-ticket program. He provided updates on the Leads On-Line program for secondhand merchants and officer development and training programs to increase training and reduce liability. He explained the two community service initiatives – CERT and COPS program and showed a video at this time. Mayor Notte opened the discussion to the audience. Mr. Harry Marchlones discussed the suggested public safety millage and questioned the amount needed and the length of time it would be in effect. Mr. Jeffrey Norgrove discussed the status of his recommendation to increase ticket fines and permit costs. ORDINANCE INTRODUCTION 2. Moved by Romano, seconded by Notte, RESOLVED, to introduce the Appropriations Ordinance for the 2013/14 fiscal year. Mayor Notte thanked all department heads for their thorough presentations. He requested Administration prepare a motion for the next regular City Council meeting for the reduction of two Sterling Heights Police Canine Units. Also, for Administration to prepare a motion for the next regular City Council Meeting to reduce the fine for snow emergency tickets from $75 to $50, first repeat offense reduced from $100 to $75, second and subsequent repeat offenses reduced from $125 to $100. Councilman Smith is relieved that the current budget has only $170,000 in what he calls deficit spending and that we are close to a balanced budget. He is also glad that we don’t have a tax increase included in the budget. Councilman Smith suggested the Fire Department reduce their budget at this time by $3 million and apply $200,000 of it to fund balance, thereby having a balanced budget for the first time in recent history, $200,000 to restore cuts in the Library, Senior Center, Nature Center and Sterling Heights TV and the remaining $2.6 million applied to immediate remedial action to fix the streets. Councilman Taylor is hesitant to give his approval to the reduction of the police canine units because there is no clear understanding of the need, what the savings would be and what the Canine Units actually do. Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 9, 2013 Page 4 Councilwoman Ziarko questioned the funds available for road funding as discussed by Ms. Stefanski and whether it would be matching funds. She questioned the streets that would be taken care of with the stopgap measures and how many are actually the entrance to a subdivision for public safety. Councilman Romano questioned how long a street would last when we overlay them with concrete and discussed the possibility of having guarantees from the concrete company. He suggested the City require a five-year warranty. Mr Conigliaro stated concrete roads are guaranteed for two years by the contractor, extended warranties are available at additional cost. He added that deterioration here in Sterling Heights and in other communities, according to MDOT, was caused by concrete that has not held up, and that different construction methods are now in use. Councilman Romano questioned the cold patch used on the roads and the reason it is not pounded down. He recommended it be mandatory for the DPW to pound the cold patch down into the pothole. Mr. Conigliaro pointed out the department does use a heated box used to hold the patch and stated they are requesting one more in the budget. He stated the hot patch compacts better than cold patch, however in cold weather the patch does not adhere as well. He stated the permanent solution is resurfacing of these areas. Councilwoman Schmidt agrees with Councilman Romano as it relates to warranties on the roads. She believes there are other materials that could be used on the roads to make them last longer. Councilwoman Schmidt asked Mr. Conigliaro to explain asphalt resurfacing. She questioned the costs for future major road improvements. Councilwoman Koski questioned warranty on the roads and questioned whether we have warranties on sidewalks at the present time. She inquired the cost to get a five-year warranty on the roads. Mr. Conigliaro replied that longer warranties are available, at an additional cost, and he will research the issue and provide additional information to City Council. Councilwoman Koski questioned the plan Mr. Conigliaro would use if funds were available to put all the City roads in good condition. Mr. Conigliaro stated they would reconstruct the roads in very poor condition, resurface the roads in fair condition to extend their life, and maintain the roads in good condition, with the goal of keeping all Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 9, 2013 Page 5 roads in a fair and good condition. She discussed the additional funding for municipalities through legislation and requested Mr. Conigliaro keep City Council informed. Councilman Taylor discussed the age of every local road in the City and asked Mr. Conigliaro to provide that information to the City Council. Councilman Smith pointed out the streets in his subdivision have held up very well, even with the heavy bus traffic. Mr. Conigliaro discussed the quality of the roads and the drainage systems in the different areas of the City. Councilwoman Ziarko questioned whether the Police Department is doing promotions and Chief Reese indicated they are in the process of doing Sergeant promotions at this time. They have no plans to promote Lieutenants until next year. Councilwoman Ziarko commended the Chief for the videos on the CERT and COPS programs. Councilwoman Ziarko questioned the Copligic online reporting and whether there are other cities using this type of reporting. Chief Reese gave a brief overview of Coplogic and emphasized that it is only for minor incidents such as a damaged mailbox, lawn damage or a stolen cell phone, and that residents will always have the option of requesting that a police officer respond. He stated other large cities in Michigan also use Coplogic for similar citizen reporting. Councilman Smith asked Chief Reese to discuss the canine units. He stated Mayor Notte made a recommendation to reduce two canine units and since there is only three he inquired why it would even be necessary to retain one unit. Chief Reese replied the major expense of the canine units are the start up costs which include the vehicle, cage, accessories and acquiring the dog, and the yearly costs are very manageable. Mr. Smith questioned how often an incident occurs that would justify the deployment of the animal and the handler. Chief Reese stated the canine units assist the patrol and narcotics divisions with searches, and he will follow up and additional information. Councilman Taylor questioned the yearly cost to maintain the canine units, whether the officers would be able to do more without the canines and why they are in training one Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 9, 2013 Page 6 day a week. Chief Reese responded that the officers and the animal are in training one day a week to maintain their certification for testifying in court. Councilwoman Koski discussed the canine unit’s recognition with national awards and honors and inquired whether other municipalities use them. She discussed their use in tracking narcotics and whether they are a major factor in obtaining drug forfeiture funds. Councilwoman Koski discussed the use of canines in the tracking of seniors that have wandered out of a home. She stated she would be very interested in any additional information the Chief could provide to the City Council. Councilwoman Schmidt questioned whether there is a plan to educate the residents on Copligic and whether traffic accidents could be reported online. She discussed the police presence in the schools and stated it is very effective with the kids. Councilman Romano questioned the use of yellow lights on the cars used by the COPS volunteers and Chief Reese responded they have that available to them. Councilman Romano questioned the amount of money in the drug forfeiture fund. He stated the canine units are very useful to the officers when they respond to a building alarm or when they investigate the possibility of drugs in a vehicle. He agrees additional information is needed. Councilman Romano questioned the number of senior citizens in the City and stated many of them would not report an incident online. He believes people are used to the great services provided by the police department and would want to continue those services. Councilwoman Ziarko questioned Mr. Carufel as it relates to the use of computers at the polls and inquired the possibility of an opt-out clause on the length of dog licenses. Vote on introduction of Appropriation Ordinance: Yes: All. The motion carried. Moved by Schmidt, seconded by Ziarko, to direct City Administration to prepare a budget amendment for consideration at the April 15, 2013 Budget Hearing to fund the resurfacing of Amsterdam, Wheaton, Gainsley and Fortner Drives. Councilwoman Schmidt stated we have a great opportunity here and we should take advantage of it. Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 9, 2013 Page 7 Councilman Smith questioned whether this would be new money or redirected money and where it would come from. Mr. Baker responded it is a combination of both, $396,000 of Major Road Fund reserves would be used to fund the resurfacing of Amsterdam Drive and $400,000 of Local Road Fund reserves and redirecting $100,000 of Joint Sealing funds and $256,000 of miscellaneous concrete sectional repair dollars would be used to fund the resurfacing of Wheaton, Gainsley and Fortner Drives. Yes: All. The motion carried. Mayor Notte withdrew his recommendation on the canine units and continued his request for decreasing fines for snow emergencies. Councilman Romano objected to the reduction in fees for snow emergencies. Moved by Koski, seconded by Notte, to direct City Administration to prepare a budget amendment for the April 15, 2013 Budget Hearing to reduce fines for cars parked in violation of snow emergencies. Councilman Romano doesn’t see a problem with people getting their cars off the streets and sees no need to reduce the fines. Mayor Notte believes the fines are excessive and stated he received many complaints. Councilwoman Ziarko stated people know when schools are closed there is a good possibility that a snow emergency would be called. She stated this is not just about snow plowing, it is about public safety and emergency vehicles being able to get down streets. Councilman Smith supports Mayor Notte’s proposal, but would prefer $25.00 for the first offense and have the highest at $100.00. He believes there is no effective way of communicating the snow emergencies to the residents. Councilwoman Schmidt stated the City notifies the residents of snow emergencies. Councilwoman Koski doesn’t have a problem with reducing the fees, especially with the economy. She suggested residents be notified that they would be receiving a ticket if they have their car parked on the street during a snow emergency. She questioned the criteria for calling a snow emergency and how soon tickets are issued. Mr Vanderpool stated it takes approximately 36 to 48 hours to plow all City streets, however enforcement occurs only during the snow emergency. Public Works takes all the Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 9, 2013 Page 8 weather conditions into consideration when declaring a snow emergency. He stated tickets are issued by Police and by Code Enforcement personnel. Councilman Taylor supports the reduction in the first snow emergency parking fine and would be comfortable with reducing the fine to $25.00 for the first offense and leaving the second and subsequent fines unchanged. Roll call vote on the motion: Yes: Koski, Notte, Schmidt, Smith, Taylor. No: Romano, Ziarko. The motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Mr. Jeffrey Norgrove – Against reducing fines during snow emergencies. Mr. Charles Jefferson – Time when snow emergencies are called. Mr. Harry Marchlones – Against reducing fines during snow emergencies; In favor of Canine Units. Mr. George Hamcik – Suggest enforcing snow emergencies two hours after sunrise. REPORTS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATION AND CITY COUNCIL There was no report from Mr. Bahorski at this time. Mr. Vanderpool made a point of clarification as it relates to snow emergencies and stated he is not aware of any snow emergency called at 2:00 a.m. They usually wait until 7 or 8 a.m. Councilman Smith discussed the proposed budget and spending in general. ADJOURN Moved by Ziarko, seconded by Schmidt, to adjourn the meeting. Yes: All. The motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:38 p.m. MARK CARUFEL, City Clerk