City Council

CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2014 IN CITY HALL Mayor Pro-Tem Michael C. Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Mayor Pro-Tem Taylor led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and Mark Carufel, City Clerk, gave the Invocation. Council Members present at roll call: Deanna Koski, Joseph V. Romano, Maria G. Schmidt, Doug Skrzyniarz, Michael C. Taylor, Barbara A. Ziarko. Council Member absent: Richard J. Notte. Also Present: Mark Vanderpool, City Manager; Jeffrey Bahorski, City Attorney; Mark Carufel, City Clerk; Madeline L. Ranella, Recording Secretary. Mayor Pro-Tem Taylor read a letter from Mayor Notte: Dear Friends: Due to some outpatient medical tests and procedures, I have been unable to attend the past two City Council meetings. Once this process is complete, I anticipate being able to return to a normal schedule. I wish to thank my colleagues on City Council for stepping up in my absence, as well as all those who have sent get well wishes. Gratefully yours, Richard J. Notte. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Moved by Koski, seconded by Romano, to approve the Agenda as presented. Yes: Koski, Romano, Schmidt, Skrzyniarz, Taylor, Ziarko. Absent: Notte. The motion carried. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, July 15, 2014 Page 2 REPORT FROM CITY MANAGER Mr. Vanderpool reported the Sterling Heights Police Department joins law enforcement agencies across the county in hosting the 31st annual "Nation Night Out", Tuesday, August 5th from 6:30 - 9:00 pm at the Sterling Heights Police Department. The event will include demonstration of public safety equipment and displays from the police and fire departments. Emergency service personnel will speak to residents about established volunteer programs like the Citizens' Emergency Response Team (CERT), Neighborhood Watch and Citizens on Patrol (COPS) unit. Raffles, prizes and refreshment will be available. Mr. Vanderpool reported Sterlingfest will take place this month beginning Thursday, July 24 and extending through Saturday, July 26 from 10 am to 11 pm each day. A short video snip-it was shown at this time. Mr. Vanderpool thanked all the sponsors that make Sterlingfest possible and stated there are so many corporate partnerships that step up to the plate. He acknowledged Charlie Pryde and Marie Alexander from Ford Motor Company in attendance this evening for their community support and stated they are a great partner to have in Sterling Heights. Mr. Vanderpool reported the next regular scheduled City Council meeting would be held on Wednesday, August 6th due to the August 5th Primary Election. Mr. Vanderpool reported at the conclusion of tonight's agenda, the City Attorney and he are requesting that the City Council convene in closed session to discuss strategy in connection with the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement. PRESENTATION Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, July 15, 2014 Page 3 Councilman Romano presented the Nice Neighbor award to Parkside Community Church. Pastor Doug Connelly was present along with Associate Pastor Tim Holcomb- Donsmore and Thomas Manual. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Moved by Koski, seconded by Romano, to approve the Consent Agenda: A. To approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 1, 2014, as presented. B. To approve payment of the bills as presented: General Fund - $624,926.62, Water & Sewer Fund - $1,352,183.92, Other Funds - $1,815,779.97, Total Checks - $3,792,890.51. C. RESOLVED, to award the bid for washing, cleaning and reconditioning of City- owned vehicles to Backus Incorporated, d/b/a Backus Auto Wash, 7755 17 Mile Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48313, for a two-year period at unit prices bid. D. RESOLVED, to award the bid for construction and utility castings to EJ USA, Inc., 301 Spring Street, East Jordan, MI 49727 for a two-year period based on unit prices bid. E. RESOLVED, to award the bid for the Dell OptiPlex 9020 Desktop PC system, Dell Latitude E6540 Laptop system, Dell R720 Server system and Microsoft Office 2010 volume licenses to Access Interactive, L.L.C., 46665 Magellan Drive, Novi, MI 48377, based upon unit prices bid. F. RESOLVED, to split the award of the bid for sign materials for the Department of Public Works between the following vendors at the unit prices bid within the specified bid items for a two-year period: Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, July 15, 2014 Page 4 1. To Vulcan Signs, PO Box 1850, Foley, AL 36536-1850, for bid items A (sign faces), L (sheeting, electronic cutting machine) and N (aluminum sign blanks); 2. To MD Solutions, 8225 Estates Parkway, Plain City, OH 43067, for bid items B (posts) and O (u-channel sign brackets); 3. To Road Dog Traffic, 12038 N. Vulcan Signs, PO Box 1850, Foley, AL 36536-1850, for bid item P (highway marker delineators); and, 4. To Osburn Associates, Inc., PO Box 912, Logan, OH 43138, for bid item C (reflective sheeting, high intensity), D (reflective sheeting, high intensity), E (reflective sheeting, conspicuity tape), F (3M electrocut transparent acrylic file), M (application tape, standard tack), Y (3M graphic film), Z (3M prismatic reflective sheeting) and AA (diamond grade reflective sheeting). G. RESOLVED, to authorize the purchase of 6,000 tons "early delivery" road salt and 5,500 tons of "late delivery" road salt at pricing available through the City of Farmington Hills cooperative bid for the 2014/2015 winter season. H. RESOLVED, to accept the proposal by GDI Omni, 24300 Southfield Road, Suite 220, Southfield, MI 48075 for custodial and janitorial services for a one- year period, with an option to extend the terms and conditions of the proposal for three (3) additional one (1) year terms upon mutual consent, and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign all required documentation on behalf of the City, subject to review and approval by the City Attorney. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, July 15, 2014 Page 5 Yes: Koski, Romano, Schmidt, Skrzyniarz, Taylor, Ziarko. Absent: Notte. The motion carried. CONSIDERATION 2. Moved by Romano, seconded by Schmidt, RESOLVED, to nominate Aaron Wawrzyniak for consideration as an appointee to the Zoning Board of Appeals at the August 6, 2014 regular City Council meeting. Yes: Romano, Schmidt, Skrzyniarz, Taylor, Ziarko, Koski. Absent: Notte. The motion carried. 3. Mayor Pro-Tem Taylor indicated that the appointments to the Ethnic Community Committee and Local Development Finance Authority are Mayor's appointments and after discussing this with Mayor Notte, he asked for a motion to postpone the appointments to August 6, 2014. Moved by Schmidt, seconded by Taylor, RESOLVED, to postpone the appointments to the Ethnic Community Committee and Local Development Finance Authority to the regular City Council meeting of August 6, 2014. Yes: Schmidt, Taylor, Ziarko, Koski, Romano, Skrzyniarz. Absent: Notte. The motion carried. Moved by Romano, seconded by Schmidt, RESOLVED, to appoint Jeanne Schabath to the Citizens Advisory Committee-Community Development Block Grant to a term ending June 30, 2015, subject to the appointee meeting the qualifications set forth in Charter §4.03 and taking the oath of office within two weeks. Yes: Romano, Schmidt, Skrzyniarz, Taylor, Ziarko, Koski. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, July 15, 2014 Page 6 Absent: Notte. The motion carried. Moved by Romano, seconded by Schmidt, RESOLVED, to appoint Mona A. Yassine to the Cultural Commission to a term ending June 30, 2016, subject to the appointee meeting the qualifications set forth in Charter §4.03 and taking the oath of office within two weeks. Yes: Romano, Schmidt, Skrzyniarz, Taylor, Ziarko, Koski. Absent: Notte. The motion carried. Moved by Ziarko, seconded by Schmidt, RESOLVED, to appoint Laura Szpont to the Cultural Commission to a term ending June 30, 2016, subject to the appointee meeting the qualifications set forth in Charter §4.03 and taking the oath of office within two weeks. Mr. Bahorski noted that Laura Szpont did not want to be reappointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals and he questioned whether she wanted to be appointed to the Cultural Commission. Mr. Carufel did not have any updated information from Laura Szpont. Councilwoman Ziarko withdrew her motion. Moved by Romano, seconded by Schmidt, RESOLVED, to postpone the unexpired term on the Cultural Commission to the regular meeting of August 6, 2014. Yes: Romano, Schmidt, Skrzyniarz, Taylor, Ziarko, Koski. Absent: Notte. The motion carried. Moved by Romano, seconded by Taylor, RESOLVED, to appoint Raymond Nadolski to the Housing Commission to a term ending June 30, 2018, subject to the appointee Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, July 15, 2014 Page 7 meeting the qualifications set forth in Charter §4.03 and taking the oath of office within two weeks. Yes: Romano, Taylor, Ziarko, Koski, Schmidt, Skrzyniarz. Absent: Notte. The motion carried. Moved by Ziarko, seconded by Romano, RESOLVED, to postpone the appointment to the Solid Waste Management Commission to the regular meeting of August 6, 2014. Yes: Ziarko, Romano, Schmidt, Skrzyniarz, Taylor, Koski. Absent: Notte. The motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Mr. Charlie Pryde - Support for Proposal One on the August 5th Primary Election. Mr. Charles Jefferson - Fireworks violations. Mr. Geoff Gariepy - City's position on Proposal One. Mr. Jeff Norgrove - Citizen participation in National Night Out and Sterlingfest. REPORTS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATION AND CITY COUNCIL Mr. Vanderpool responded to questions from Mr. Jefferson in regard to the number of firework complaints and violations issued that it was less than last year. He did point out that it is very difficult to enforce the state regulations because our police department has to catch the violators in the act. Mr. Vanderpool strongly encouraged residents to call their state legislators, as the City has very little control over the use of fireworks. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, July 15, 2014 Page 8 Mr. Vanderpool responded to Mr. Gariepy, a year ago, the state legislators only provided about 80% reimbursement to communities across the state for the personal property tax rolls. The City was guaranteed to lose $2 million each year in lost revenue. He pointed out the City lobbied the state legislators very hard, along with the Michigan Municipal League and in addition had a one-to-one meeting with the Lt. Governor. Mr. Vanderpool pointed out the new legislation contained in Proposal One does provide 100% reimbursement for personal property tax losses. He believes the City is in a much better position with Proposal One legislation compared to a year ago. Mr. Bahorski reported as indicated by Mr. Vanderpool in his report this evening, they are requesting closed session to discuss strategy in connection with a collective bargaining unit. Councilman Skrzyniarz attended a Leadership Forum at General Dynamics about how to get Michigan economy back to where it should be and he stressed the importance of being proactive both at the state and local level. Everyone agreed we have to make sure we are constantly reinventing ourselves and preparing for the next downturn. Councilwoman Schmidt pointed out to residents there are ways for families to save some money at Sterlingfest by purchasing tickets in advance. For the wrist bands, residents can visit the website, sterlingfest.info and download a $2.00 off coupon or purchase a $16.00 pre-paid wristband and Thursday only a $50.00 family pass. Councilman Romano pointed out there is a petition drive to repeal the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act of 2011. He stated if residents want to participate in this Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, July 15, 2014 Page 9 petition drive, they can visit moveon.org and sign their name on the petition. Councilman Romano stated he contacted State Senator Tory Rocca and he refused to support the Petition. He did point out that Henry Yanez was in favor of the Petition. CLOSED SESSION PERMITTED UNDER ACT 267 OF 1976 Moved by Ziarko, seconded by Romano, to recess to closed session to discuss strategy in connection with a collective bargaining unit. Roll call vote: Yes: Ziarko, Romano, Schmidt, Skrzyniarz, Taylor, Koski. Absent: Notte. The motion carried. The meeting was recessed at 8:09 p.m. ADJOURN Moved by Skrzyniarz, seconded by Ziarko, to adjourn the meeting. Yes: Skrzyniarz, Ziarko, Koski, Romano, Schmidt, Taylor. Absent: Notte. The motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:01 p.m. MARK CARUFEL, City Clerk