City Council

CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 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 Walt Blessed, acting 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 D. Vanderpool, City Manager; Jeffrey Bahorski, City Attorney; Walt Blessed, acting City Clerk; Meghan Ahearn, 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 that the City’s November 2013 unemployment rate of 6% continues to be significantly below the state, county, and national rate of 7.8%. The City of Sterling Heights foreclosure rate is also down. Mr. Vanderpool reported that tickets are currently available for Black Thorn Group. There will be two performances on Sunday, March 9, 2014 at the Recreation Center on Dodge Park. Tickets can be purchased at the Rec Center in advance for $14 for residents and $18 for non- residents. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, February 4, 2014 Page 2 Mr. Vanderpool reported that there will be an upcoming small business summit in Sterling Heights featuring Boeing Corporation Kuka Systems North America. The summit is being organized by the Pure Michigan Business Connect Initiative and will feature Governor Snyder as a speaker. Mr. Vanderpool reported that Ethnic Community Committee will be holding their annual Cultural Exchange which will take place on Friday, February 7, 2014 from 6-10 pm at the Senior Center. He showed a brief video to highlight what the Cultural Exchange event has to offer. Mr. Vanderpool reported about snow emergencies. He stated that so far the City has had 4 declared snow emergencies. He reported that we are averaging 250 citations being issued during each emergency for on-street parking. He stated that we have also had to tow vehicles. He is requesting community support to remove vehicles from the road when we have a snow emergency. Mr. Vanderpool showed a map that explained how snow plowing is handled within the City. Mr. Vanderpool reported on potholes on the City roads. He explained that there are many major roads that are in great need of patching. He stated that we have put down over 400 tons of asphalt in the last month. Mr. Vanderpool reported that City offices will be closed on Presidents Day, Monday, February 17, 2014. He explained that refuse collection will not be affected. Mr. Vanderpool and the City Attorney are requesting that the City Council convene in closed session at the conclusion of the regular agenda to discuss labor negotiations. CONSENT AGENDA Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, February 4, 2014 Page 3 1. Mr. Norgrove commented on item C, the resolution to adopt the 2014/15 Budget Workshop schedule. He requested the dates of the budget meetings. He also commented on item D, the emergency water main repair on Ryan Road, North of 15 Mile and thanked DPW for doing a great job in a timely manner. Moved by Koski, seconded by Romano, RESOLVED, to approve the Consent Agenda: A. To approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 21, 2014, as presented. B. To approve payment of the bills as presented: General Fund - $702,934.61, Water & Sewer Fund - $1,300,477.54, Other Funds - $631,530.90, Total Checks - $2,634,943.05. C. RESOLVED, to adopt the resolution establishing a schedule of City Council Workshops for the purpose of reviewing and acting upon the fiscal year 2014/15 proposed budget and to direct the City Clerk to provide the appropriate notice as required by Michigan’s Open Meetings Act. - RESOLUTION - To establish a schedule of City Council Workshops for the purpose of reviewing and acting upon the recommended 2014/15 fiscal year budget UPON MOTION BY MEMBER and SUPPORT BY MEMBER THE FOLLOWING PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED AND ADOPTED ON FEBRUARY 4, 2014. AYES: NAYS: WHEREAS, pursuant to City Charter, the City Manager forwards the recommended budget to the City Council together with such supporting information and schedules as required by April 1; and WHEREAS, the City Charter requires that the City Council adopt a final budget no later than May 10th of each year; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, February 4, 2014 Page 4 The City Council will conduct televised workshops in the City Council Chambers. 2014/15 Budget Workshop Schedule Thursday, March 27  Budget Submitted and Distributed to City Council (Thursday packets) Monday, April 14 6:30 p.m. BUDGET WORKSHOP -9:00 p.m.  Presentation of Budget Annual Budget Message Vanderpool Executive Summary Vanderpool/Baker Trends & Summaries  Capital Project & Other City Funds Capital Equipment & Vehicles Vanderpool/Baker Major Road Fund Local Road Fund Economic Development Corp. Fund Brownfield Redevelopment Fund Comm. Development Block Grant Fund Land & Water Conservation Fund Public Safety Forfeiture Fund Local Development Finance Authority Fund Debt Service Funds Capital Projects Road Bond Construction Fund  City Administration Department City Management Vanderpool/Baker/Blessed Economic Development Hicks Administrative Services Division - City Clerk Carufel Act 78 Civil Service Commission - Information Technology Deon Monday, April 14 (continued) Finance and Budget Division - Assessing McLachlan - Financial Services Reinhart - Purchasing Buhlinger - Treasury Varney - General Employees Retirement System Baker - General Expenditures  Police Department Police Administration Reese Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, February 4, 2014 Page 5 Police Investigations Police Operations Police Support Services Tuesday, April 15 7:30 p.m. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING Budget Workshop continued after regular meeting (if necessary) Tuesday, April 22 6:30 p.m. BUDGET WORKSHOP -9:00 p.m. Community Services Department Public Library Turgeon Historical Commission Parks & Recreation Langlois  Fire Department Fire Administration & Training Martin Fire Extinguishment Fire Prevention  Community Relations Community Relations Guitar Beautification Commission Cultural Commission  Public Works Department Building & Facilities Maintenance Viazanko Engineering Bashaw Fleet Maintenance Conigliaro Neighborhood Services Gerstenberg Parks & Grounds Maintenance Conigliaro Planning Mende Planning Commission Zoning Board of Appeals Public Works Center Conigliaro Refuse Collection Street Services  Water & Sewer Fund Water & Sewer Administration Conigliaro Water Distribution Sewage Collection  Legal Vanderpool/Bahorski Tuesday, May 6 7:30 p.m. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING Charter Budget Hearing Budget Adoption Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, February 4, 2014 Page 6 D. RESOLVED, to receive the report of the Purchasing Manager pursuant to City Code §2- 221(B) regarding the emergency repair to the public water main installed in the Ryan Road right-of-way north of 15 Mile Road by Dan's Excavating, Inc., 12955 23 Mile Road, Shelby Twp, MI 48315 in the amount of $30,547.29. E. RESOLVED, to award the bid for self-contained breathing apparatus and components to Argus-Hazco, Inc., 46400 Continental Drive, Chesterfield, MI 48047 for a two-year period at unit prices bid. F. RESOLVED, to set a public hearing date of February 18, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. regarding the application by Lounis, Lounis & Lounis, LLC to establish an Industrial Development District at 34100 Mound Road. G. RESOLVED, to adopt the resolution designating Tapinder Singh as the Sterling Heights Millennial Mayor Congress representative for the period February 1, 2014 to January 31, 2015. ~ Resolution ~ A resolution of the Sterling Heights City Council designating a City representative to the Millennial Mayors Congress. WHEREAS, the City of Sterling Heights is participating in the Michigan Suburbs Alliance’s Millennial Mayors Congress, which is a regional partnership of city officials and young leaders who will work together to address metropolitan issues; and WHEREAS, by incorporating the ideas and perspectives of southeast Michigan’s young residents into public problem solving, the Millennial Mayors Congress creates opportunities to significantly innovate local governance and grow a culture of civic engagement throughout the region; and WHEREAS, the City of Sterling Heights and the Millennial Mayors Congress recognizes the health and vibrancy of the region's urban core is essential to greater regional prosperity and competitiveness; and Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, February 4, 2014 Page 7 WHEREAS, the City of Sterling Heights and the Millennial Mayors Congress believes that Metropolitan Detroit's ability to retain and attract young adults (approximately 18- 35 years old) is vital to economic prosperity; and WHERAS, the Millennial Mayors Congress recognizes the ability of southeast Michigan's local governments to cooperate is essential to resolving region-wide challenges. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, to designate Tapinder Singh as the City of Sterling Heights’ millennial representative to Millenial Mayors Congress for the term of February 1, 2014 to January 31, 2015. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Sterling Heights to be affixed this 4th day of February, 2014. ___________________________ Mark Carufel, City Clerk Yes: All. The motion carried. CONSIDERATION(Sum up what was presented. Not too long) 2. Mr. Fadi Toma, the attorney for Mr. Faisal Hana, presented the business owner and spoke about his client’s business. He stated that Mr. Hana has been operating the restaurant since 2008 and plans to hire 3 to 5 employees upon approval. He stated that Mr. Hana has been already been approved by the Liquor Control Commission. He explained that Mr. Hana intends to have all of his staff go through the LCC training upon approval. Moved by Romano, seconded by Ziarko, RESOLVED, that the request to transfer ownership of an escrowed Class C liquor licensed business located at 4173 Fourteen Mile Road, Sterling Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, February 4, 2014 Page 8 Heights, MI 48310 from Frank Lim, Inc. to Almahhar, LLC, and transfer location to 4197 Fourteen Mile Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48310 be considered for approval. Councilman Romano commented that the business owner has been in business for 6 years and is a Sterling Heights resident. He explained that it will be a liquor license transfer, not a brand new liquor license. Councilwoman Ziarko commented that all of her questions were answered in the attorney’s presentation and wished the business owner luck. Yes: All. The motion carried. \ COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Mr. Mike Morrow spoke against the merging of the SHFD with surrounding municipal Fire Departments. He commented that he would like to know what SH would gain. He commented that we should protect our city using our own resources and staff. He expressed concerns about more work for chiefs. He commented on a conflict of interests between the different cities. Mr. Charles Jefferson commented about Code Enforcement pulling signs, the Strategic Planning Council Meeting, and potholes. Mr. Jeffrey Norgrove spoke about the misinformation given on Channel 7 News about merging fire departments. He stated that the resolution only approved a feasibility study. Dr. Matthew Bruzek, director at Paws for the Cause Feral Cat Rescue, commented about the current animal control policy. REPORTS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATION AND CITY COUNCIL There was no report from Mr. Bahorski at this time, just a reminder for closed session. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, February 4, 2014 Page 9 Mr. Vanderpool responded to questions from residents. He responded that the first budget meeting will be on Monday, April 14 starting at 6:30 pm and the second meeting will be on Tuesday, April 22 starting at 6:30 pm. He responded to Mr. Morrow that the City has no plans to consolidate the fire department. He stated that it is only a study. Mr. Vanderpool responded to Dr. Bruzek that there has been no change in the past practice of handling stray animals. The only thing that has changed is the venue. The animals will now be sent to an animal hospital in Sterling Heights. The main reason for the change of venue and service sharing is due to updated rates from the County. He stated that the facility is licensed. There is no change in the practice and that it’s in the best interest of the communities involved. Councilman Romano commented about snow plowing. He explained that there is a liability factor if people plow the snow back into the street. He also commented about cars in the street. He encouraged residents to call the City to report cars in the road. Councilman Romano inquired about the animal control issue. Animal Control Officer Kim Walton responded by explaining about feral cats stating how they are a nuisance. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no Unfinished Business discussed. NEW BUSINESS There was no New Business. CLOSED SESSION PERMITTED UNDER ACT 267 OF 1976 Moved by Schmidt, seconded by Romano, RESOLVED, to recess to closed session to discuss labor negotiations with the City Attorney, as an open discussion could have a detrimental financial effect on the City. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, February 4, 2014 Page 10 Roll call vote: Yes: Schmidt, Romano, Koski, Notte, Skrzyniarz, Taylor, Ziarko. The motion carried. The meeting was recessed at 8:22 p.m. ADJOURN Moved by Ziarko, seconded by Schmidt, to adjourn the meeting. Yes: All. The motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:37 p.m. MARK CARUFEL, City Clerk