City Council

CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015 IN CITY HALL Mayor Michael C. Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Mayor 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, Nate Shannon, Doug Skrzyniarz, 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 STRATEGIC PLAN DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Staff Presentations A. Introduction to Visioning and Place Making Mr. Vanderpool reported that we are very excited to kick off our Strategic Planning session this year. He stated that there are many ways that we obtain feedback from the community including citizen surveys, public meetings, email, social media, etc. He reported that Strategic Planning is an important process as it gives us a chance to look into the future and Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, January 27, 2015 Page 2 establish some big picture objectives and initiatives to help build a community for which we can all continue to be proud to call home. He stated that the city of Sterling Heights has had a very successful history since its incorporation in 1968, but after 46 years the city needed to take a hard look at the future. The city decided that the best way to prepare for the future was to undergo a thorough Visioning process involving stakeholders including residents, businesses, employees, and elected officials. He stated that after months of this effort, City Council approved a new Visioning statement, along with guiding principles, last year. He reported that with the new Vision statement as the destination and the guiding principles as a way to get there, we are confident that the Sterling Heights of tomorrow will be an even greater place. He stated that the city is committed to incorporating this vision into key planning tools that include the master zoning plan, master parks and recreation plan, master road plan, succession and manpower plans, technology plans and other long- range plans. This plan will serve as a road map over the next five years to implement the City’s bold vision. B. Vision 2030 Ms. Tammy Turgeon, Community Services Director, reported on the 2030 Visioning process. She explained that the 2030 Visioning process began last year with a community survey, employee focus group, and previous surveys to create a vision statement that encompasses what this Sterling Heights community strives to be. She stated that a vision is not a forecast, but a version of the world that we want to create and it is created in concert with the values of the stakeholders, residents, businesses, and staff. The vision statement unites everyone around one vision and then drives the strategic plan. She stated that the Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, January 27, 2015 Page 3 2030 Vision has laid the foundation for formal plan updates, service delivery plans, and enhanced outcomes. She explained that each word in the vision statement was carefully selected to encompass all the hopes and dreams for Sterling Heights’ future. She reported that the city of Sterling Heights’ 2030 Vision statement is: A vibrant, inclusive community for residents and businesses that is safe, active, progressive, and distinctive. Sterling Heights – a bold vision for an exceptional quality of life. The guiding principles are the core beliefs of the organization and future choices we make will be based on these principles that were developed. With the new vision and guiding principles we can all move forward in the same direction to make this city the best that it can be. She explained that the next step in the initiative is to create a brand for the city. Identity Creative was hired to provide an updated look and message that conveys the new vision of the city moving forward. A new logo was designed to create a strong recognition for the strength of our city along with a slogan to concisely express the vision and what the city is doing for our residents and businesses. Ms. Turgeon introduced Bill and Linda Kleist who founded Identity Creative, the company that helped to create the new City of Sterling Heights slogan and logo. Ms. Linda Kleist spoke about the process in creating the city’s new identity. She explained that creating a strong logo and maintaining it with logo standards, creates the potential to attract new businesses and attract new residents to the city. She stated that their challenge was to create a symbol that encapsulates the 2030 Vision and a phrase that can be easily shared to unite people around the vision. She stated that they sifted through all of the information they received from the 2030 Visioning to find the key attributes that make Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, January 27, 2015 Page 4 Sterling Heights unique. She explained that the key attribute that kept rising to the surface is innovation. She stated that the city of Sterling Heights has the potential to become the city that innovates transition for a sustainable, exceptional quality of life and known as Macomb County’s center for innovation. She reported that the visioning team chose the slogan “Innovating Living” based on the key attribute of innovation. She stated that slogan can be expanded to “Innovating Community, Innovating Business, and Innovating Recreation, Innovating Living.” “A city with a bold vision for an exceptional quality of life, Sterling Heights, Innovating Living.” Mr. Bill Kleist spoke about how they took the key attributes of the city and translated it into a new brand/logo. He stated that the old logo served the city well for 20 years, but it is aging and time to update and better align with the 2030 Vision team goals and objectives for the next twenty years. He explained how the new logo shape was formed. He showed a diagram that took three circles representing community, business, and recreation, and intersected them as they are all connected in the life of the city. He explained that where the three circles intersect, we see the three primary attributes of the city’s 2030 Visioning committee, which are active, safe, and growth, and the key attribute at the center, innovation. He stated that the triangle shape in the center, which represents strength and stability, protection, and upward direction, was chosen to represent the city Sterling Heights’ new logo. He then showed a map of the city and the Clinton River. He explained that the shape of the river was blended using the “s” and “h” to create the combined s/h graphic. He stated that once the shape was chosen, the blue and green colors were chosen which represent reliability, security, loyalty, trust, balance, growth and progress. He Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, January 27, 2015 Page 5 reported that the city of Sterling Heights now has an updated, relevant and distinctive new brand presence that will serve to reinforce the 2030 Vision goals and objectives, attract those businesses and residents that are drawn to a great city, and it will carry the city of Sterling Heights into and through the next twenty years as a vibrant city with a bold vision and an exceptional quality of life. Mr. Vanderpool played a video that will run on the Sterling Heights channel that explains the new logo and Vision. C. Place Making Mr. Vanderpool stated that the next topic will be place making. He stated that we have a great reputation as a community that has excellent core services as is clean and safe. He explained that the challenge is quality of life services that are beyond what our residents would consider basic or core services. He stated that the challenge is creating a place that residents continue to love and a place where prospective residents will want to join. Mr. Vanderpool introduced Mr. Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League (MML). Mr. Dan Gilmartin spoke about authenticating our community. He stated that with the state and federal government trying to make all cities the same, Sterling Heights needs to create a place that is distinct and authentic. He explained that a great city has something to offer for everyone to try. He stated that the world is different today than it used to be when cities were being created around industries. He explained that now manufacturing is still very important, however, it’s a different kind of manufacturing. He explained that people are choosing where they want to live, then finding employment. He reported that people are Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, January 27, 2015 Page 6 choosing areas because of the dynamic places and quality of life programs, and that points of interest that appeal to potential residents are physical design and walkability, messaging and technology, green initiatives, welcoming, cultural economic development, transit, entrepreneurship, and education. D. Action Plans required to implement Vision 2030 Mr. Vanderpool introduced Mr. Kyle Langlois, Parks and Recreation Director. Mr. Langlois spoke about quality of life improvements through place making that are in the planning stages, as well as some that have already begun in the city of Sterling Heights. He stated that on June 4, 2015, the Dodge Park Farmers Market will open. Mr. Langlois introduced a video about the impact of farmers markets in communities. He stated that special events will be planned to coincide with the Farmers Market to attract shoppers. Mr. Langlois spoke about a disc golf course at James C. Nelson Park where people of all ages can enjoy the game. He explained that it doesn’t necessarily provide fitness, but more of a social purpose and that many municipalities have implemented disc golf courses. Mr. Langlois directed our attention to a disc golf video that highlighted how disc golf is played. He reported that a group of volunteers has begun cleaning the park to install the course and that the baskets, which are the most expensive cost in disc golf, have been donated and they will continue to work together to come up with ways to enhance the park and playing experience moving forward. He stated that the efforts to clean the park will continue and as the weather gets warmer, they will work with the volunteer group to have the equipment installed, including the new baskets. He explained that having the disc golf course will open the door to additional types of revenue through parks and recreation programming. Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, January 27, 2015 Page 7 Mr. Langlois introduced a city-run dog park. He stated that a city-run dog park would be a place to let dogs run legally and safely, a great meeting place for dog and dog owners, and provide obstacles for exercise. He stated that the dog park is in the conceptual stage and there is still discussion about the final location as many factors including available space, proximity to the existing trail system, and available infrastructure will play a role in determining the final destination. Ms. Denice Gerstenberg, City Development Director, discussed river and trail initiatives. She explained that the Clinton River Blue Economy Initiative is meant to capitalize on the Clinton River, a natural asset that flows through the community. She reported that the cleaning of the Clinton River has been initiated and volunteers have cleaned much of the Clinton River and cleaning efforts will continue. Ms. Gerstenberg introduced a video highlighting the Clinton River. She reported that they are planning on installing pad launches for canoes and kayaks. Ms. Gerstenberg spoke about the development of bike/hike trails. She reported that 70% of Americans have said that trails are important to them in their community. She stated that the city of Sterling Heights already has over 3 miles of existing mountain bike trails, as well as over 5 miles of the regional freedom trail that, when complete, will link Lake St. Clair and Stoney Creek Metroparks. Lt. Dale Dwojakowski reported on the Clinton River Area Mountain Bike Association (CRAMBA) volunteers helping build and maintain the trails. He explained that members of CRAMBA have been turning flood plain land into new mountain bike trails, donating money and time to the efforts. He reported that there is a new mountain bike patrol trained Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, January 27, 2015 Page 8 in first aid/CPR that ride the trails to educate bikers and hikers about safety and use of the trails.. Ms. Gerstenberg reported that the city of Sterling Heights is part of Governor Snyder’s showcase trail plan. She explained one of the trails is planned to go through Sterling Heights, and is to be completed by 2017. Ms. Gerstenberg reported on the North Van Dyke River District where the city is considering an adventure park, gourmet food trailers, urban camping, and wayfinding signs. Mr. Sal Conigliaro spoke about major infrastructure projects. He explained that the parking lot in the city center will be repaired, and work is scheduled to begin this spring. He stated that they are considering using a round-about, removing the boulevard, and enhancing current walkways with trees and plants. He proposed improvements to the retaining wall behind the police department, improved drainage, the addition of a new trench drain and pump. He also proposed installation of security gates that would provide security for police officers and police vehicles, while eliminating thru traffic behind the Police Department. He reported that these improvements are to occur over two years and will cost $3 million. He stated that the City has applied for grants to offset the cost. Mr. Conigliaro spoke about reconstruction and landscaping on Van Dyke including road rehabilitation and road reconstruction. He explained that part of the plan is for new street lighting, new mast arms, colored pavement crosswalks, and irrigation system. He stated that mile marker icons have been suggested at major road intersections. He explained that Dodge Park will be repaired between Metro Parkway and Utica Road and will include new mast arms, landscaping, and adding sidewalks where gaps exist. Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, January 27, 2015 Page 9 2. Resident Comments Mr. Jeffrey Norgrove spoke about the new city logo, security gate in the parking lot, cultural concerns, and the economy. Ms. Moira Smith spoke about the economy, the Farmers Market, and the bike trails. Ms. Jazmine Early spoke about the new logo and taxes. Mr. Paul Smith spoke about the 2030 Vision, the new logo, disc golf, Farmers Market, and service sharing, Ms. Jackie Ryan spoke about the new logo, city streets and sidewalks, Farmers Market, the parking lot upgrades and security gate, and the dog park. Ms. Suzanne Cohanowitz spoke about basic government services. 3. Mayor and City Council Comments Mayor Pro-tem Skrzyniarz thanked everyone for hard work. He stated that Sterling Heights is competing to attract new residents in our city and that it takes more than great basic services to attract new people. He is supportive of new logo and likes the idea of a new Farmers Market in Sterling Heights. He likes the idea of disc golf and the location to bring people into the city. He stated that it is important to be creative with new activities. He likes idea of a dog park, but not the overall cost, and would like to look further into possible crowd funding. Councilwoman Koski spoke about the new visioning statement which she likes, however, would like to keep the old logo. She likes the idea of the dog park, however, not the cost. She is concerned about the security gates so city center traffic can utilize both roads. She does not prefer the round-about in the city center. Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, January 27, 2015 Page 10 Councilwoman Schmidt stated she likes the idea of the Farmers Market, using local farmers, and has received positive feedback regarding it. She asked Mr. Langlois how much park space the disc golf course would need. Mr. Langlois responded that it would be the entire west side of the park. She is glad the dog park is in the works, not in the near future but on the wish list. She supports the idea of the adventure park and stated she has visited West Bloomfield and Howell adventure parks and suggested the reuse of the former amusement park property on Van Dyke . She spoke about the parking lot and stated she hopes the changes will accommodate better vision as she feels there are too many blind spots with traffic. She asked Mr. Vanderpool if the Safe Streets Millage money was being used on Van Dyke updates. He stated that it is not. Councilwoman Ziarko spoke in favor of the 2030 Vision. She is excited about a Farmers Market within the city. She inquired if there are disc golf tournaments. She asked Mr. Conigliaro to explain the security gate location in the parking lot. Mr. Conigliaro stated that the idea is for a secure location for police officers and police cars. She asked if persons making used book donations would still be able to access the back of the library. Mr. Conigliaro replied that there is a plan to designate space in the front of the library for persons making used book donations. Councilwoman Ziarko commented on the new logo and supports the logo use on banners in the Dodge Park and Utica Road area. She agrees that if it’s going to be changed, now is the time to do it. She thinks that the letterhead takes up too much space, but she likes the new logo. She asked if the cost of Dodge Park Road improvements are coming out of the safe streets millage. Mr. Vanderpool reported that it is not and also clarified that the round-about would be an option and separately priced out in any future bid. She likes Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, January 27, 2015 Page 11 the idea of a new adventure park and the suggestion by Councilwoman Schmidt to use of the former amusement park property on Van Dyke.. Councilman Romano thanked administration for the presentation and emphasized that the city is planning for the future. He stated that Sterling Heights is a mature community and that the core services have been satisfied. He said the vision for the future is coming along nicely. He stated that he doesn’t care for the logo. He asked Mr. Vanderpool for a cost breakdown of what changing the logo will cost. Mr. Romano questioned Lt. Dwojakowski if there has been vandalism on police vehicles. Lt. Dwojakowski stated that there isn’t a rash of vandalism, however, there is concern about officer safety considering current events. Councilman Romano doesn’t feel it’s feasible to put a security gate up. He also spoke about street repair stating that the roads are on a schedule to be repaired, however, they can’t all be done at the same time. Councilman Shannon spoke about the progressive idea of the city. He is in favor of the Farmers Market as it is not just shopping, but a community experience. Mayor Taylor thanked administration and departments for hard work putting together the presentation. He is in favor of the new logo, but would like to see how it can be rolled out strategically so it is most cost effective. He stated that this strategic planning meeting is different as we focused on progressing the city. He stated that code enforcement is a priority and we are coming up with solutions. He said that we have to provide basic services, but we need to provide community to attract new residents and attention to the city. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, January 27, 2015 Page 12 Mr. Paul Smith spoke about Smart Meters, speaker time limits, city facilities, and dog licensing. REPORTS FROM COUNCIL Councilwoman Ziarko spoke about flood protection for the information technology office. She congratulated Mayor Taylor on his State of the City speech. Councilman Romano stated that he thinks Mayor Taylor has done an outstanding job as Mayor of Sterling Heights. ADJOURN Moved by Ziarko, seconded by Romano, to adjourn the meeting. Yes: All. The motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:44 p.m. MARK CARUFEL, City Clerk