City Council

CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 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 D. Vanderpool, City Manager; Jeffrey Bahorski, City Attorney; Mark Carufel, 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 of Sterling Heights will join with the Chaldean Chamber of Commerce, the Chaldean Community Foundation, Utica Community Schools, Warren Consolidated Schools, and Macomb Community College in presenting a Chaldean Summit, titled Embracing our Community, on April 3rd, 2014 at the Lorenzo Cultural Center. He explained that the conference will bring together educators, local officials, and social service organizations together to examine the Chaldean community in Macomb County, discuss the challenges and needs of the community, and establish opportunities for change through Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, March 18, 2014 Page 2 understanding and knowledge. He explained that four focus groups will be held at the event to address specific issues of schools, community relations, employment, and law enforcement. He stated that invitations will be distributed in the coming days and for more information, individuals can contact City of Sterling Heights Community Relations. Mr. Vanderpool reported that on Monday, March 31, 2014, the City will continue its 23rd year of separate yard waste collection. He explained that residents are asked to use garbage containers with the City yard waste sticker or using paper bag and that the use of clear, plastic bags would not be accepted. Mr. Vanderpool reported on the Detroit Tigers opening day viewing party, which is a special event for seniors to wear Tigers gear and join fellow fans for food, fun, and the Tiger’s game on a big screen in the Senior Center. He stated that the game begins at 1:05 on Monday, March 31, 2014 and that registration goes to March 27th. Mr. Vanderpool reported on the Chrysler Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP). He stated that the City Council has been very involved in saving the Chrysler stamping facility located within the City of Sterling Heights. He gave a timeline of events leading from the announced closure of the plant on December 31, 2010 to this month when an event was held at SHAP, celebrating the investment that was made in order to keep the plant open. He stated that out of all of the closures that were announced, the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant was the only one, nationwide, that was saved from closure due to the efforts of a coalition created for the sole purpose of keeping the plant open. Mr. Vanderpool explained that this effort was important to the City because Chrysler is the highest taxpayer of the City of Sterling Heights and it contributes to the growth of the City’s economy by way of creating more jobs and revenue. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, March 18, 2014 Page 3 Mr. Vanderpool showed a short video of the celebration, then congratulated the Mayor and members of City Council for their success in reaching their goal. PRESENTATION Councilman Skrzyniarz presented the Nice Neighbor Award to Ms. Tracy Maniaci Thomas. PUBLIC HEARING 1. Mayor Notte opened the public hearing to consider approval of a resolution authorizing the issuance, sale and delivery of bonds by the City of Royal Oak Hospital Finance Authority in an amount not to exceed $550,000,000. Ms. Leslie Reinhart, City Controller, explained that even though the City is required to hold the public hearing regarding the request by the City of Royal Oak Hospital Finance Authority, the City’s approval does not create a liability for the City and it does not affect our ability as a city to issue bonds in the future. Ms Reinhart introduced Ms. Katrina Desmond, from Miller- Canfield, and Mr. John Peetz, from Beaumont Hospital. Ms. Katrina Desmond explained that her firm represents Beaumont Hospital as bond counsel. She stated that they are seeking to issue bonds to refinance bonds from 2009. She explained that the bond does not affect the credit rating of the city of Sterling Heights and that the public hearing is simply a formality under the internal revenue code. Mr. John Peetz explained that this is refinancing current debt for the hospital and that there are no new construction related to the bonds. He stated that the original debt was taken on to construct the East Campus on the east side of Dequindre in Sterling Heights and that the facility houses outpatient services for the community. He explained that the refinancing will Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, March 18, 2014 Page 4 result in savings of interest expense for the hospital and allow them to further their mission and provide services to the community. Mayor Notte opened the discussion to the audience. There was no audience participation. Mayor Notte closed the public hearing. Moved by Ziarko, seconded by Schmidt, RESOLVED, that solely for the purpose of fulfilling the public approval requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, the City Council of the City of Sterling Heights hereby approves the resolution authorizing the issuance, sale, and delivery of bonds by the City of Royal Oak Hospital Finance Authority in an amount not to exceed $550,000,000. Councilwoman Ziarko stated that the only reason why this issue comes before Sterling Heights City Council for approval is because some of the money is spent on the east side of Dequindre within the City of Sterling Heights. Yes: All. The motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA 2. Moved by Koski, seconded by Romano, RESOLVED, to approve the Consent Agenda: A. To approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 4, 2014, as presented. B. RESOLVED, to approve payment of the bills as presented: General Fund - $776,244.02, Water & Sewer Fund - $1,878,718.30, Other Funds - $2,635,955.73, Total Checks - $5,290,918.05. C. RESOLVED, to: (A) Award the bid for security upgrades at the Sterling Heights Police Department to Precision Contracting Group, LLC, 28 West Adams, Suite 330, Detroit, MI Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, March 18, 2014 Page 5 48226, in the amount of $109,620 for renovations to the Front Desk / Lobby, Detective Bureau Counter, Records Counter, New Wall / Door Construction on Second Floor, Alternate Bids for Lighting Replacement, Lobby Wall Paint, Lobby Ceiling Paint, and Lobby Stair Paint; and (B) Authorize a budget amendment from Capital Projects Fund reserves in the amount of $109,620. D. RESOLVED, to award the bid for the hauling and disposal of street sweepings to Dale’s Disposal, Inc., 31475 Utica Road, Fraser, MI 48026, at the unit prices bid for a two-year period. E. RESOLVED, to receive the report of the Purchasing Manager pursuant to City Code §2- 221(B) regarding the emergency purchase of an asphalt hotbox from Bell Equipment Company, 78 Northpointe Drive, Lake Orion, MI 48359, in the amount of $26,550. F. RESOLVED, to award the bid for automobile and light truck body repairs to Lakeside Collision, Inc., 14665 23 Mile Road, Shelby Township, MI 48315 for a two-year period based on unit prices bid. G. RESOLVED, to receive the lawsuit, McMillan vs. City of Sterling Heights, et al; Macomb County Circuit Court Case No. 14-533-NI. Yes: All. The motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Mr. Jeffrey Norgrove spoke about the Chrysler plant celebration and thanked Mr. Vanderpool and DPW for helping with a mailbox problem. Mr. Harry Marchalones spoke about the City hiring retired City employees. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, March 18, 2014 Page 6 Mr. Ray Sharer requested that Council eliminate unpaid furlough days in the MAPE Clerical bargaining unit. Mr. Joel Thomas congratulated Council and thanked them for bringing jobs into the City. Ms. Mary Kulik spoke about the Trap-Neuter-Return program. Dr. Matthew Bruzek spoke about the Trap-Neuter-Return program. REPORTS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATION AND CITY COUNCIL Mr. Vanderpool responded to questions from residents. He explained that there are approximately 15 retirees that have temporarily been rehired by the City to retain institutional knowledge. He explained that this year about half of the 15 rehires will be leaving and that the rest will be phased out over the next couple of years. Mr. Vanderpool stated that the animal hospital that Sterling Heights uses to board stray animals is 100% licensed by the State of Michigan and that inspectors, as well as City staff members, have been to the facility and it remains in compliance with all state regulations. He explained that the City has the option of looking at other facilities should the current one become full. Councilman Skrzyniarz spoke about a meeting with the Michigan Municipal League about making communities more walkable, more sustainable, and incorporating more bike paths in communities. He also spoke about residents with Ukrainian heritage and eastern European immigrants in the community and offered up support to those families struggling with the issue in the Ukraine. Councilwoman Schmidt inquired what the response is if their dog is lost and is not licensed or microchipped. Mr. Vanderpool stated that they advise the resident to call the Animal Clinic or Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, March 18, 2014 Page 7 stop by the Clinic to see if their animal is there. Councilwoman Schmidt also stated that the Mayor received the greatest applause at the SHAP celebration. Councilwoman Ziarko inquired about the RFP that went out for animal control services. Mr. Vanderpool stated that the RFP process varies and can be as short as a week up to 60 days. He stated that in the case of the animal control services RFP, the City was already working with animal hospitals and was in contact with establishments in Sterling Heights and surrounding cities. He explained that with the County contract expiring soon, the City was comfortable with the short time frame since we had already been working with hospitals and could respond quickly. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no Unfinished Business discussed. NEW BUSINESS There was no New Business discussed. ADJOURN Moved by Ziarko, seconded by Schmidt, to adjourn the meeting. Yes: All. The motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. MARK CARUFEL, City Clerk