City Council

CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014 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 Mark Carufel, City Clerk, gave the Invocation. Council Members present at roll call: Deanna Koski, Richard J. Notte, Joseph V. Romano, Maria G. Schmidt, Doug Skrzyniarz, 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. REPORT FROM CITY MANAGER Mr. Vanderpool reported on the snow emergencies issued in the City and stated all remaining residential streets would be plowed between tonight and tomorrow morning. He pointed out almost 300 parking tickets were issued for on-street parking during the snow emergencies and some vehicles had to be towed. In addition, the Police and Fire Departments had to deal with almost 100 vehicle accidents and there were 5 water main breaks. Mr. Vanderpool stated once the roadways are completed, they would be focusing their attention on sidewalk enforcement, mainly along the commercial corridor. He Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, January 07, 2014 Page 2 commended the DPW and mechanics for working around the clock to clear the streets and keep all the equipment running smoothly. Mr. Vanderpool reported there was no refuse collection on Monday due to the snow and Waste Management experienced problems today with their trucks, which prevented them from completing Monday’s collection. As a result, refuse collection would be delayed one day for the remainder of the week. Mr. Vanderpool reported coordination continues with Macomb County and the Clinton River Watershed to remove significant woody debris from the Clinton River so that the river can be opened for canoeing, kayaking and other water-related opportunities. A recent survey completed by the Clinton River Watershed indicated approximately 25 sections of the Clinton River needed attention. Clean-up dates have been scheduled for January 15th, February 19th, March 19th and April 16th. Mr. Vanderpool reported the first section of focus would be from Heritage Park in Utica to the North Clinton River Park in Sterling Heights. If these first clean ups are productive, a spring ribbon cutting is anticipated to celebrate the opening of liveries at Heritage and North Clinton River Parks. The Chrysler Foundation and the Macomb County Public Works Office will also supply volunteers. Mr. Vanderpool reported a representative of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services would be conducting an in-depth explanation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on Thursday, January 16, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. The program will cover how the new law will affect consumer and senior health coverage today and in the future, including information of Health Insurance Marketplace. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, January 07, 2014 Page 3 Mr. Vanderpool reported in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, City offices would be closed for business on Monday, January 20. The municipal offices include City Hall, Public Library, Parks & Recreation Center, Senior Active Life Center, 41-A District Court and the Nature Center. Refuse collection would not be impacted by the closure. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Mr. Mike Lombardini thanked the Council and Administration for the Sidewalk Gap Completion Program and complimented City Engineer Brent Bashaw for his well- thought-out plan in selecting the gaps to fill. Mr. Lombardini pointed out the project came in under budget, costing $17,000 less than budgeted for a savings of 13%. Moved by Koski, seconded by Schmidt, RESOLVED, to approve the Consent Agenda: A. To approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 17, 2013, as presented. B. To approve payment of the bills as presented: General Fund - $955,525.53, Water & Sewer Fund - $107,712.92, Other Funds - $1,197,903.06, Total Checks - $2,261,141.51. C. RESOLVED, to award the bid for transmit mix to Superior Materials, LLC, 33469 W. 14 Mile Road, Suite #100, Farmington Hills, MI 48331, based on unit prices bid for a one-year period. D. RESOLVED, to approve the application by US Auto-Sterling Heights, Inc. for a junkyard license at 7575 18 ½ Mile Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48314. E. RESOLVED, to approve the application by Admiral Metals, LLC, for renewal of a junkyard license at 41200 Mound Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48314. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, January 07, 2014 Page 4 F. RESOLVED, to approval final payment in the amount of $18,465.26 plus interest on retainage for the 2010 Sidewalk Gap Completion Program, City Project #07-173. G. RESOLVED, to approve final payment in the amount of $7,709.14, plus interest on retainage, for the Baumgartner Park Restroom Facility ADA Accessibility Upgrades, City Project #10-213. H. RESOLVED, to approve final payment in the amount of $52,919.23, plus interest on retainage, for the Mound Road Water Main – 17 Mile to 18 ½ Mile Road, City Project #06-142. Yes: Koski, Schmidt, Taylor, Ziarko, Notte, Skrzyniarz, Romano Abstain: Romano (Item 1D only). The motion carried. CONSIDERATION 2. Moved by Romano, seconded by Notte, RESOLVED, to appoint Jeffrey Norgrove to the Planning Commission to an unexpired term ending June 30, 2014, subject to the appointee meeting the qualifications set forth in Charter §4.03 and taking the oath of office within two weeks. Yes: All. The motion carried. 3. Moved by Schmidt, seconded by Ziarko, RESOLVED, to nominate Robert C. Maleszyk for consideration as an appointee to the Police and Fire Pension Board at the January 21, 2014 regular City Council meeting. Yes: All. The motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, January 07, 2014 Page 5 Mr. Charles Jefferson – Hot line for reporting large potholes in the City; Welfare cuts affecting Sterling Heights residents; Number of Sterling Heights residents retired from the City of Detroit; Participation in the New Years Eve ball drop; Two-step process for appointments to boards and commissions; Councilman Skrzyniarz response to resident’s questions. REPORTS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATION AND CITY COUNCIL There was no report from Mr. Bahorski at this time. Mr. Vanderpool thanked the DPW employees, police, fire and facilities maintenance groups for all the good work they have been doing in the last couple of weeks and especially in the last couple of days. Councilman Skrzyniarz reminded residents of the Strategic Planning Session scheduled for Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. He stated it would be an opportunity for residents to come and share their opinions on how to enhance the City. Councilman Skrzyniarz applauded the DPW for all the hard work over the last couple of days. Councilman Romano read portions of a letter received from a professional truck driver with over 30 years of experience. He is amazed at the great job the City does with the road conditions in the City of Sterling Heights and stated the snow removal team does an excellent job. Councilman Romano pointed out, in addition to the heavy snowfall and water main breaks, there have been 3 sewer breaks in the City. He sympathizes with the residents Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, January 07, 2014 Page 6 that are dealing with all the snow and stated the DPW is doing the best it can with less manpower. Councilman Romano stated the residents were kind enough to approve a millage proposal for police, fire and roads and now it’s time for those departments to step up, in particular the Police Department. He questioned the number of detectives and Mr. Vanderpool answered 25. Councilman Romano inquired whether 25 detectives were really necessary and felt that more officers could be placed on the streets. Mayor Notte responded to Mr. Jefferson that he did not have the information he requested from him at this time. He stated he appreciates Mr. Jefferson’s concern for the City, but would hope he could make his comments without directing them at individual council members. ADJOURN Moved by Ziarko, seconded by Romano, to adjourn the meeting. Yes: All. The motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:52 p.m. MARK CARUFEL, City Clerk