City Council

CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015 IN CITY HALL Mayor Michael C. Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:30 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, 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 the University of Michigan Institute for Labor Research, Employment and the Economy (IRLEE) received a grant from the Department of Defense (DOD) under the Defense Manufacturing Assistance Program (DMAP). He explained this program is in partnership with Purdue University and Ohio State University. The DOD has provided funding to IRLEE to assist communities impacted by the downsizing within the Defense Industry. In short, DMAP assists communities in creating strategies for economic development projects that will lead to new job growth Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 7, 2015 Page 2 and investment. The City of Sterling Heights, Michigan Defense Center, Macomb OU- INCubator and Macomb County collaborated and brainstormed on a project that could be an innovative way to attract small-scale robotics companies to Macomb County. The City will qualify for a $25,000 grant under this program. Mr. Vanderpool reported the separate collection of yard waste is beginning its 24th year. Homeowners are asked to use either garbage containers labeled with city "yard waste" stickers or paper yard waste bags. Trash containers cannot be larger than 32 gallons in ` size. Yard waste stickers are available in the Community Relations Department at City Hall or at the Department of Public Works Facility on 18 Mile Road. He asked residents to keep in mind that clear plastic bags can no longer be used for yard waste disposal. The separate collection of yard waste is tentatively scheduled to cease effective the end of November 2015. Mr. Vanderpool reported on two fund raisers in the Police Department: The Sterling Heights Honor Guard will be holding its annual All-U-Can eat Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser on Tuesday, April 21st from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Penna's of Sterling. The proceeds help with the cost of uniforms, equipment and travel. The Sterling Heights Police Explorers will be holding its annual fundraiser on Monday, April 20th from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Buffalo Wild Wings, 44671 Mound Road. On the day of the event, Buffalo Wild Wings will donate 15% of all pre-taxed food sales (less alcohol and promotional discounts) from any guest that presents the fundraising ticket. Police Explorers purpose is to provide experiences to help young people mature and become responsible and caring adults. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 7, 2015 Page 3 Mr. Vanderpool reported Saturday, April 25, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. the Department of Public Works will hold their "E-Cycling Day" for the general public. This is an opportunity for residents to dispose of old televisions, computers and other electronic items. Also, on Saturday, May 9, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. the Department of Public Works will hold their "Shred Day" for the general public. There is a limit of 2 Xerox size boxes per vehicle. Mr. Vanderpool reported the City of Sterling Heights has scheduled the first of the year spring Community Pride & SHINE day for Saturday, May 2nd. Residents are encouraged to make their properties "SHINE" in preparation for the summer months. The citywide cleanup is part of the SHINE (Sterling Heights Initiative for Neighborhood Excellence) program through the Neighborhood Services Division. The program is aimed at protecting property values by encouraging all residents to maintain the exterior of their homes. Volunteers from area churches, businesses and the Sterling Heights Volunteer Corps will be available on the Pride & SHINE Day to help residents with such chores as raking, pruning dead flowers and picking up debris. Volunteers will be gathering at the First Church of Sterling Heights, at 17 Mile on Dequindre. Anyone wishing to help is welcome to join the volunteer groups at 9:30 a.m. Mr. Vanderpool showed a brief presentation about the City of Sterling Heights being recently ranked as the safest city in the state of Michigan with a population of more than 100,000 by CQ Press in its publication, "City Crime Rankings 2015". Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 7, 2015 Page 4 Mr. Vanderpool introduced Mr. Bill Anderson from S.E.M.C.O.G. (Southeast Michigan Council of Governments) to make a presentation regarding Ballot Proposal 1 on the upcoming special election of May 5, 2015. Mr. Anderson presented a detailed explanation on the state transportation revenue and pointed out Michigan has 121,000 miles of roads. He noted that only two states have more road miles than Michigan, that being Texas and California. He illustrated the major road condition ratings from 2004, 2014 and the projected 2020, showing the steady decline in the 8,000 miles of major roads. Mr. Anderson discussed the gasoline taxes and sales tax revenue. He pointed out only the citizens could amend the Constitution and people will be voting to amend the Constitution to approve language that will allow the sales tax to be increased from 6% to 7%. It also changes several other issues in terms of where school aid money can go and prohibits sales taxes being placed on gasoline sales. Mr. Anderson also discussed the registration fees on vehicles, weight registration fees and the increase in fees for electric vehicles, which all generate additional revenue. He pointed out the earned income tax credit is restored to 20% of the Federal level and goes to low income wage earners. With respect to the transportation revenues, an additional $1.3 billion per year will be generated for transportation purposes, with $1.165 billion going into the road fund. He pointed out this means an additional $5 million in revenue per year to the City once the proposal is fully implemented. Mr. Anderson stated it is important to note that when it comes to fixing the roads, the last dollar in is far more important than the first dollar in. The first dollar pays for the system to fix the roads, snow removal, trucks, etc. that are necessary to maintain the roads. Each dollar at the end Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 7, 2015 Page 5 is going to end up going for road construction. Mr. Anderson pointed out in the first few years, most of this money will be going to pay for the bonds that were used to fix the roads 15 years ago. In the first year, $800 million is designated to go back into paying off the $2 billion dollars in bonds and in the second year, an additional $400 million. PRESENTATION Councilman Romano presented the Nice Neighbor award to Robert Collins, nominated by his neighbor, Judy Kowalczyk. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Mr. Mike Lombardini discussed Items D, E and F and inquired whether these are annual renewals. He suggested that the renewals be done every 2 or 3 years to save the City money. Ms. Linda Godfrey discussed Item C and requested that the meeting be held on May 6th instead of May 5th to allow the poll workers and voters to attend this very important City Council meeting on the budget. Ms. Linda Godfrey addressed Item H and believes that information is lacking in the backup. She asked the City Council to reconsider this item on the Consent Agenda and place it as a Consideration Item. Mr. Paul Smith also takes exception to the inclusion of Item C on the Consent Agenda. He believes this is a normal occurrence for the City Council Meeting to be held on Wednesday when there is an election on Tuesday and people expect that to happen. Mr. Jeffrey Norgrove spoke on Item C and stated this is the first time this has been done. There has never been a council meeting on an election night. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 7, 2015 Page 6 Mrs. Jackie Ryan also states that no one wants a City Council meeting on election day. The residents should have an opportunity to attend the City Council meeting and not have to choose. Ms. Susan Kochanowitz does not believe there is a valid reason to hold the City Council meeting on May 5th. She urged the City Council to hold the meeting the day after the election. Mayor Taylor stated it would be his preference to move Item C from the Consent Agenda and make it Consideration Item 4. Mr. Bahorski recommended two separate motions. The first one to move Consent Agenda Item C and make it Consideration Item 4 and the second motion to approve the Consent Agenda as amended Moved by Koski, seconded by Taylor, RESOLVED, to move Consent Agenda Item 1C to Consideration Item 4. Yes: Koski, Taylor, Ziarko, Schmidt, Shannon, Skrzyniarz. No: Romano. The motion carried. Moved by Koski, seconded by Romano, RESOLVED, to approve the Consent Agenda, as amended: A. To approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 17, 2015, as presented. B. To approve payment of the bills as presented: General Fund - $831,935.85, Water & Sewer Fund - $81,981.65, Other Funds - $1,955,658.08, Total Checks - $2,869,575.58. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 7, 2015 Page 7 C. Moved to Consideration Item 4. D. RESOLVED, to approve the application by American & Import Auto Parts, Inc. for renewal of a junkyard license at 6785 16 Mile Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48312. E. RESOLVED, to approve the application by Admiral Metals, LLC, for renewal of a junkyard license at 41200 Mound Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48314. F. RESOLVED, to approve the application by U.S. Auto - Sterling Heights for renewal of a junkyard license at 7575 18 ½ Mile Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48314. G. RESOLVED, to waive the competitive bidding requirement in accordance with City Code §2-217(A)(9)(b) and approve a contract for the 2015 Concrete Sectional Replacement Program, City Project #15-265, and Fire Station #5 Parking Lot Reconstruction, City Project #14-252, between the City of Sterling Heights and Hard Rock Concrete, Inc., 38146 Abruzzi Drive, Westland, MI 48185, in the cumulative amount of $2,312,005 and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign all documentation required in conjunction with this approval. H. RESOLVED, to approve the Interlocal Agreement between Sterling Heights and the City of Utica for the Clinton River Corridor Restoration Project and authorize the City Manager and City Clerk to sign all documentation required in order to secure the EPA grant funding for this Project. I. RESOLVED, to receive the lawsuit, Nikac vs. City of Sterling Heights; Macomb County Circuit Court Case No. 15-0642-NO. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 7, 2015 Page 8 Yes: All. The motion carried. CONSIDERATION 2. Moved by Shannon, seconded by Romano, RESOLVED, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the City Council for March 3, 2015, as corrected. Yes: All. The motion carried. 3. Ms. Denice Gerstenberg, City Development Director, made a presentation on the 2015/16 Community Development Block Grant One-Year Action Plan. She explained the City's CDBG allocation will be $719,782, which is approximately 4% higher than last year's allocation. Ms. Gerstenberg pointed out the CAC is recommending funding for all of City Administration's capital project requests: $15,000 for the Minor Home Repair Program, $323,815 to fund improvements to the Senior Center Parking Lot, $30,000 to fund Operable Partitions walls in the Senior Center, $100,000 for concrete replacement for Comstock Drive and $20,000 for Code Enforcement. She requests the City Council approve the Fiscal Year 2015/16 CDBG Program One-Year Action Plan. Ms. Joanne Paraventi, chairperson of the Citizens Advisory Committee, was present to answer questions. Mr. Jeffrey Norgrove thanked the CAC for all the hard work they do and hopes the City Council will accept their current budget as is. Moved by Romano, seconded by Schmidt, RESOLVED, to approve the fiscal year ` 2015/16 Community Development Block Grant One-Year Action Plan as recommended by the Citizens Advisory Committee and City Administration based on an estimated Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 7, 2015 Page 9 entitlement of $719,782, and authorize City Administration to complete the Federal application and secure the funds. Councilman Romano discussed the entitlement for the Special Recreation Program and pointed out the request was for $35,000 and they were only approved for $19,000. Ms. Gerstenberg responded that they only have a certain amount of dollars to spend on public services and all the public services asked for more than they had to give. Councilman Skrzyniarz echoed the appreciation from the people that spoke and thanked the CAC for all their hard work. Yes: All. The motion carried. 4. Item C from the Consent Agenda. Mr. Mike Lombardini stated there is a rule and we should stick to it. Mr. Paul Smith thanked the City Council for pulling this item off the Consent Agenda. He questioned the person that made the decision, why they made the decision, what made them move the meeting and what made them think they could move it. Mrs. Pauline Holeton of Shelby Township agrees with the residents who spoke and believes it is important for the residents to be able to attend the City Council meeting. Moved by Koski, seconded by Taylor, RESOLVED, to change the date of the first regular City Council meeting for May 2015 from May 5 to May 6 and direct the City Clerk to post the appropriate notice in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 7, 2015 Page 10 Councilwoman Koski stated whenever there is an election we have always moved the City Council meeting to the next day. She sees no harm in changing it because that is what we have done in the past. Councilman Romano stated the City Council meetings are always held on the first and third Tuesdays of the month and people know this is when the budget is adopted. He believes there would be a better turnout if we don't change the meeting date. That is the reason he will be voting no on the motion. Councilwoman Ziarko questioned the reason for keeping the meeting on an election day rather than the way it has been done in the past. Mr. Vanderpool stated the reason is because it is a unique meeting; it's approval of the budget and people are accustomed to the pattern of regular meeting nights. That was the only reason from Administration and City Council has the flexibility to either change the date or keep it the same. Councilwoman Ziarko wanted an assurance from Mr. Vanderpool that this would have no effect on the budget if we approve the budget on Tuesday or Wednesday. Mr. Vanderpool responded that is correct. Mayor Taylor stated it is a very close call and there are good reasons on both sides. He agrees that we should move the meeting to Wednesday because there would be no conflict with anyone on that day. He suggested something be placed on the City's website that the meeting would be held on Wednesday instead of Tuesday. Roll call vote: Yes: Koski, Taylor, Shannon, Skrzyniarz, Ziarko, Schmidt. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 7, 2015 Page 11 No: Romano. The motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Ms. Linda Godfrey of Sterling Heights - Requests a clear, concise and clean Ballot Proposal. Mr. Charles Jefferson of Sterling Heights - Ballot proposal; Use of Sterling Heights Police parking lot for E-Bay transactions; Electronic smoke detectors in new homes. Mr. Jeffrey Norgrove of Sterling Heights - Article about Upton House in the Sterling Magazine, SHINE day; Proposal One; state law for cement standards; truck weights; toll roads for Michigan. Mr. Joel Thomas of Sterling Heights - Ballot proposal literature. Ms. Dolores Hanton of Sterling Heights - Against Proposal One. Mr. Mike Lombardini of Sterling Heights - Author of article regarding Upton House; Proposal One; Mr. Jodie Horan of Sterling Heights - Against Proposal One. Mr. Joe Deschryver of Sterling Heights - Proposal One; Letter from Mayor Taylor to the Attorney General regarding Smart Meters. Mr. Jerry Grijak of Sterling Heights - Smart Meters/radiation standards; Cement standards/Italian cement workers; closing of weigh stations; Proposal One. Mr. Paul Smith of Sterling Heights - S.E.M.C.O.G. presentation on Ballot Proposal. Ms. Jackie Ryan of Sterling Heights - Ballot Proposal and cost of presentations; Smart Meters/Intimidation by DTE/Protection for residents. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 7, 2015 Page 12 Ms. Megan McHugh of Sterling Heights - Proposal One meeting at St. Malachy Church/funding for cameras at intersections; Smart Meters. Ms. Karen Wiegand - Clarification of Earned Income Tax Credit. Mrs. Verna Babula of Sterling Heights - Smart Meters. Mrs. Pauline Holeton of Shelby Township - Smart Meters. Mr. John Holeton of Shelby Township - Smart Meters. Mr. Dennis White of Sterling Heights - Ambulance safety. Mrs. Moira Smith of Sterling Heights - Smart Meters/water shortage in California. REPORTS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATION AND CITY COUNCIL There were no reports from Mr. Vanderpool or Mr. Bahorski at this time. Councilwoman Schmidt inquired whether there was a limit on the number of electronic items a person could bring on E-cycling day. Mr. Vanderpool responded he will provide her with an answer. Councilwoman Schmidt asked Administration to research the use of the Sterling Heights Police parking lot for safe exchanges of items from E-Bay and Craig's List, as requested by Mr. Jefferson. Councilwoman Schmidt asked Mr. Vanderpool to respond to a question from a resident as to whether Universal Ambulance has control over intersection signals. She pointed out the Sterling Heights Fire Department doesn't even have control. Mr. Vanderpool indicated that was true. Councilman Skrzyniarz addressed some of the comments on the road funding issue and stated it is a very complex issue and it should be dealt with at the state level. He stated Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 7, 2015 Page 13 something has to give as far as road funding. State tax revenue is the lowest it has been since the 1990's. Taxes are at a historic low both on the state, federal and local level. The gas tax has not been adjusted in twenty years. He pointed out Michigan is the lowest in the Midwest on spending for roads and lowest in the country. It's not just money, but the quality of road construction is an important issue. This proposal would increase road funding by $1.3 billion per year. He encouraged everyone to research the issue as much as possible on their own. Councilman Skrzyniarz thanked the Police Department for their hard work in keeping the crime rates low in Sterling Heights. Mayor Taylor responded to Mr. Thomas about the alternative to use money from the catastrophic road fund. He stated we all pay $150 to $180 per year per vehicle for this. He stated there are about 14,000 to 15,000 active insurance claims processed under this fund and the state estimates the future liability at about $80 billion. He pointed out the people that have claims right now will continue to receive money for the rest of their life and every year they estimate more people will be filing catastrophic claims. Mayor Taylor stated the proposal to take the interest on that $20 billion dollars and divert it to the roads would be great, but there are other uses that the money has already been earmarked for. He encouraged residents to continue to research the issue. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no Unfinished Business discussed at this time. NEW BUSINESS There was no New Business discussed at this time. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 7, 2015 Page 14 ADJOURN Moved by Ziarko, seconded by Taylor, to adjourn the meeting. Yes: All. The motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m. MARK CARUFEL, City Clerk