City Council

CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2016 IN CITY HALL Mayor Michael C. Taylor called the meeting to order at 6:30 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 D. Vanderpool, City Manager; Jeffrey Bahorski, City Attorney; Mark Carufel, City Clerk; Carol Sobosky, Recording Secretary. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Moved by Koski, seconded by Romano, to approve the Agenda as presented. Yes: All. The motion carried. BUDGET WORKSHOP DISCUSSION 1. Public Library Department Parks & Recreation Department Police Department Community Relations Public Works Department Water & Sewer Fund Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 2 Legal Mayor Taylor announced that this is a budget workshop, which is a continuation of their budget workshop from two weeks ago. Mr. Vanderpool stated that, like the last budget hearing, they have a number of presentations this evening. He advised there are two proposed budget amendments for the sidewalk gap completion and a budget amendment for commercial and analytical data that was discussed at the last City Council meeting and should be introduced this evening. He advised that other amendments desired by City Council should also be introduced this evening so they can be incorporated into the final appropriation for Council’s consideration at the May 4th, 2016 City Council Meeting. Mr. Brian Baker, Finance & Budget Director, presented an overview of the individual departments, including the Library, Parks & Recreation, Police, Community Relations, Public Works and also included the Water & Sewer Fund. He began with Community Services, which includes both the Library and Parks & Recreation Department. He advised that there are 21 full-time and 27 part-time positions, along with numerous Parks & Recreation seasonal staff. He reviewed the Parks & Recreation budget, noting the slight rise due in part to the conversion of a Recreation Supervisor from part-time to full-time, and the increase in part- time wages. He outlined some of the improvements, including the expansion of services, the purchase of equipment and supplies, and new Parks & Recreation software. Mr. Baker summarized the expenditures from the Capital Budget and Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 3 Capital Projects Fund, as well as the improvements to the Senior Center funded through Community Development Block Grant Program funds. He provided a brief overview of library trends, noting that the number of items circulated has declined over the last ten years, and added that library visits increase during economic downturns but are now returning to normal levels. He reported that the Library’s Sunday hours were brought back last fall. Mr. Baker informed that due to loss of revenue, the City had to reduce its spending on park improvement projects; however, in the past several years, they had increased their spending due to one-time funding, and he reviewed some of the improvements made using that funding. He advised they do not have sustainable funds for future park improvements. Mr. Baker reported on the Police Department, which is the City’s largest department totaling nearly 40% of the General Fund. There are 202 total employees divided into four divisions. The budget increased 2.4%, with a 1.7% increase in personnel cost. Increased funds are budgeted for the early hiring of additional officers in advance of upcoming retirements, and increased overtime is also funded for investigations, to cover staffing shortages as new hires are being trained, as well as increased court time due to additional traffic enforcement. Mr. Baker informed that one police officer position has been transferred from Operations to Investigations, but partially offsetting the increased costs is a reduction in required funding for general employee pension and retiree medical liabilities. He explained that supplies rose by nearly $42,000, primarily due to the Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 4 one-time purchase of bullet-proof vests, and uniforms and firearms needed for new officers. Mr. Baker stated the Capital Budget funds the replacement of 12 vehicles, four emergency warning sirens, as well as needed repairs to the Police Station. Mr. Baker addressed the budget for the Community Relations Department, which has 8 staff members, including an intern, so there may be 9 staff members next year. The 9.4% increase in personnel costs is mainly due to a new full-time Digital Contact Coordinator position to better market the City and coordinate social media efforts. He reviewed some of the other costs in the department, including the capital purchases for the purchase of SHTV editing drive storage capacity, the replacement of the 16-year-old video equipment for televising public meetings, and the citizen-interactive customer service software, “SeeClickFix”, which will be utilized to record and track non-emergency resident requests. Mr. Baker reported on the proposed budget for Public Works, which includes 5 divisions and a total of 55 employees. He noted that the budget decreased by 3.2%, mainly attributed to lower fuel prices, which saved the City about $275,000. Labor fell by 1.1%, mainly due to transferring a laborer position from street services to the sewage collection division. Supplies decreased 11.3% reflecting the fuel savings, but partially offset by costs of repairing city vehicles and equipment, and increased funding for ballfield maintenance. He outlined some of the other costs for contractual maintenance of retention ponds, utilities and additional weed control; however, they have seen reduced vacant property Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 5 mowing costs as a result of greater homeowner compliance. Mr. Baker reviewed the equipment expenditures from the Capital Budget. Mr. Baker concluded with the Water & Sewer Fund, comprised of three divisions with 28 full-time and 12 part-time employees. He reported that the City purchases its water from the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) and sewer from the Macomb County Public Works Office, so their costs total about 80% of the City’s budget for this fund. Water costs from the GLWA increased 6.7% but water consumption is estimated to climb by 6%, which lowers water sales revenues. He outlined how the City is charged by the GLWA, noting the majority of costs are fixed. Sewage costs for Macomb County are estimated to increase by 10.4%, while the City shares the district’s debt. Macomb’s actual fixed sewer charge increase last year was higher than anticipated. The 20% of costs the City controls decreased last year due to a decrease in capital costs. Supplies rose $56,800 and that is for the first year of a new water main replacement program. He provided details on the start of a 10-year preventative maintenance program. He reviewed some of the purchases under the Capital Budget, including software and equipment. Mr. Baker pointed out that the residents of Sterling Heights pay much less for their water and sewer in comparison to residents in other similar size communities, and those in nearby smaller cities and townships as well, with the average residential customer in Sterling Heights paying $57 per month for water and sewer services. The costs passed on by Detroit and the Public Works Office in Macomb have continued to rise, but he emphasized the City has a Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 6 greater say in the process. He noted that usage of water has declined by 30% in the last ten years, and as they sell less water, they bring in less revenue; however 90% of the GLWA and the County’s sewer costs are fixed, so the bill is still owed regardless of whether or not any water is sold. Mr. Vanderpool informed that Mr. Baker serves on the Great Lakes Water Authority, representing all of Macomb County, and he commended him for doing a great job. Ms. Tammy Turgeon, Library Director, gave the next presentation. She informed that they are focusing on learning, building and technology. She reviewed the numerous quality-of-life services they offer to the community through their budget, including their Youth Services programming, from birth through elementary school. In the first nine months of this fiscal year, they have had almost 15,000 people attend their children’s programming. She outlined this year’s summer reading program, and acknowledged the Friends of the Library as the major sponsor of this programming, noting they have added some additional sponsors. She focused on the early literacy programs, and highlighted their adaptive story time program they started this year for special needs children. Ms. Turgeon reported that each year, the library has over 375,000 visitors. They are now open again on Sundays between Labor Day and Memorial Day, with over 16,000 patrons taking advantage of the Sunday hours during the first seven months. Computer and internet access is one of the greatest needs they are serving, with computer usage up 25% over the first seven months. She outlined Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 7 some of the proposed updates to their building and equipment, and noted that the library also offers printing and scanning capabilities, with 12,000 items scanned so far this year. Mr. Kyle Langlois, Parks & Recreation Director, provided a presentation outlining some ongoing department initiatives and some quality-of-life initiatives proposed for the upcoming year. He reviewed some of the activity, including the implementation of new software, RecPro. They are working to finalize their 5- Year Parks & Recreation Master Plan and Non-Motorized Plan, and he added the State of Michigan requires this plan to be on file in order to apply and potentially receive state grant funding. He explained they have been working on increased maintenance on their athletic fields, which includes school-owned fields as well as the many city-owned facilities, and during the economic downturn, the lack of staffing, funding and proper equipment made proper maintenance of these facilities difficult. He credited the cooperation between Parks and Recreation, DPW, the two school districts and the local athletic clubs for making tremendous strides in maintaining the quality despite those challenges. They have acquired equipment and taken steps to ensure the fields remain in good shape, and he outlined some of their plans and enhancements for the future. The Parks & Recreation Department is proposed to grow in both staff and programming, adding that the one remaining supervisor responsible for recreation programming will be going from part-time to full-time this July. He summarized some of the upcoming activities, including the expansion of the “Music in the Park” series, Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 8 held on Thursday nights from June 2nd through August 26th, with the exception of Sterling Fest Week. Mr. Langlois outlined some of the anticipated activities scheduled to take place during Sterling Fest, thanks to local sponsors. “Battle of the Bands” will be a new offering in June 2017, where junior high school and high school students can work together in small bands to compete with each other for the grand prize of free studio time. Mr. Langlois summarized some of the upcoming projects, with the new Community Center serving as the cornerstone. Multi-purpose rooms will allow an array of activities ranging from pickle ball, volleyball, basketball and futsal, along with dance and fitness rooms, training and meeting rooms, and a community room. Dodge Park will see improvements, including the installation of a permanent structure to house the Farmer’s Market, as well as house the refrigerated ice rink in the cold months, or converted to covered parking when there are activities on site that require the additional parking space. Other additions include the installation of a splash pad at the location of the current ice rink, development of a skate park for skateboard enthusiasts, enclosing the bocce ball courts and updating the workout room. He reported that they have plans to make improvements to the twenty-six parks in the city by resurfacing paths, play areas and parking lots, replacing play structures and replacing entrance signage, giving the City’s parks a consistent look across the park system. The plans for the major parks also include renovation of restroom facilities and athletic fields. Other improvements include a dog park at Magnolia Park, a non-motorized path stretching from Delia Park to the Nature Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 9 Preserve in the northwest section of the City, improving accessibility to Beaumont Hospital, and the major commercial corridor on M-59 and to the City of Troy. He concluded his presentation by thanking everyone for taking time to look into their department’s future, with their goals to make sure their programs and services remain relevant, value-driven and fiscally-responsible. Mr. Vanderpool thanked Mr. Langlois and his staff for all of the work they have put into the Master Plan, and he informed there will be much more on this at one of the Council Meetings in June when they present more comprehensive plans for Council’s consideration. Police Chief Berg stated their succession plan is the largest and most consuming issue they have at this time. The Sterling Heights Police Department will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary this May, which means the second generation of the Department’s officers are now retiring. He provided some history of the Police Department, and informed that as part of the second generation of officers retiring, there will be a total of 52 Command and Patrol Officers have or will be retiring by the end of 2017. With 22 retiring by the end of June 2016, he emphasized the difficulty in making sure key positions are filled, which involves a selection process and subsequent training. This affects every aspect of their department. Chief Berg outlined some of this year’s performance objectives, including equipping and training all road patrol officers in the deployment of Narcan medications in order to reduce the number of deaths related to opiate overdoses in the City. The entire country is experiencing an epidemic of heroin Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 10 and other opiate overdoses, and generally law enforcement is the first to arrive on the scene, providing life-saving medications if available. Equipment will be purchased, including replacement four emergency warning sirens. He explained that members of the Criminal Investigation Division will be increasing the number of public presentations on subjects such as awareness and prevention of juvenile-involved computer sex crimes, along with drug awareness crimes. They will be working with Community Relations to provide information to the public, which will include more social media presence containing pertinent and real-time information. He reviewed the capital purchases for the Police Department, including vehicles. He informed that over $230,000 of computers and hardware/software for inside the vehicles was purchased using their Federal Forfeiture Narcotics account, resulting in no cost for the taxpayers of the city. Chief Berg addressed the continuous training needed, not only for the new officers and those being promoted to specialized services, but annual training consisting of CPR and first aid, firearms and TASER training, emergency vehicle operations, and active shooter training, which they take part in combined with the Fire Department. This is all in addition to new training for the members of the Criminal Investigations Division, capturing and preserving the criminal evidence from personal handheld computer devices. They will also be receiving training from groups like the Middle Eastern Law Enforcement Officers Association and others so they can better communicate with the people whom they serve in the community. Chief Berg outlined the building improvements they recently Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 11 experienced, including, with the help of a grant, the expansion of their animal kennel in the basement of the Police Department. They have been awarded $5,000 this year from the same grant source because they were so impressed with the use of the grant dollars last year. Their Special Response team has received approximately $32,000 in grant funding over the past couple of years to update their equipment. He stressed that Sterling Heights continues to be one of the safest communities in America with a population of over 100,000, and this is due to many reasons, including their partnership with both the Utica and Warren Consolidated School Districts and their Safe Schools Initiative, where officers are in each school every day communicating with the administration and school staff, making their presence known. Their partnership with the community as a whole, as well as the pride and support of the community through Safe Streets Initiative and other community outreach programs, combined with the hard-working dedicated officers of the Police Department, all contribute to make Sterling Heights a safe place to live. Chief Berg concluded by thanking the City Council on behalf of the Police Department for their continued funding and support. Mr. Vanderpool noted it is clear with the training and state-of-the-art technology and commitment to succession plan why the City continues to have one of the safest communities in the Country. He announced that the Fire Department improved its ISO rating and it is now a “2”. He added there are only two cities in the State of Michigan that have reached that level, one being Sterling Heights and Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 12 the other being Kalamazoo, and reported there is no city in the State of Michigan that has a “1” rating. Mr. Steve Deon, IT Director, presented an overview of the proposed budget. He stressed infrastructure is the most critical component of Information Technology Department, and that includes the wide area network that provides all voice and data communications citywide. He explained that the data center is the heart of the Information Technology Department, and with the help of Facilities Maintenance, major improvements have been made over the last year. He reviewed some of these improvements, including a new fire suppression system, air conditioning unit, a new UPS for power outages, hardware updates, and keeping mobile and cellular devices current. Desktop computers are replaced on a 5-year rotation, and replacement of Mac desktop publishing computers for the Community Relations Department. The desktop publishing software continues to drive the need for frequent upgrades to the hardware. Mr. Deon explained the 30 access points installed in all city buildings for wireless internet access. These wireless access points allow connectivity for employees, residents and guests at these locations. He added these will continue to be upgraded as their need for wireless activity steadily increases. He talked about the enhancements made to the Public Safety mobile network, which is critical for them to receive calls for service, communicate with the dispatch center and operate the Public Safety software. He further addressed the technology installed in the buildings and vehicles to ensure faster transfer of data and connectivity. They have increased Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 13 band width, which is necessary to provide more mobile to cloud-based technology. IT will be requesting a replacement of the current outdated phone system and an increase in data storage in 2017-2018. Software in several departments has been upgraded, and the 2016-2017 budget will allow for upgrades to the GIS system, which is critical for all modern applications that require any type of mapping services. It will also include funding for CityWorks Asset Management software for the Public Works Department, which will replace several legacy software packages to streamline it into one easily accessible database. SeeClickFix software will also be installed and used as a service tool that empowers active citizens a simple avenue to reach their local government about non-essential issues they see within their communities, and it will interact with other city software. IT has discovered that email encryption can be offered to all city employees at no additional cost. Current security hardware is already being configured for this enhancement. Mr. Deon concluded his presentation by noting that the Technology Plan will be updated, incorporating input from all city departments and community members, as well as stakeholders involved. Mr. Vanderpool commented it is easy to see how technology has become the backbone of their organization and how much they rely on it every day, and he commended Mr. Deon for ensuring the system works without glitches. Mr. Michael Moore, Department of Public Works (DPW) Director, reviewed the vehicles and equipment included in the upcoming budget, and their important day-to-day uses in the city. He explained the CityWorks software is a Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 14 comprehensive web-based work and asset solution, and manages infrastructure data. It will eliminate five other proprietary programs that the DPW operates and pays for. This program will let the DPW to property track its utility assets and associated costs, and it uses the current GIS mapping system to label and identify assets such as underground water, sanitary and storm lines. Mr. Moore explained that this past winter the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) visited the Public Works Department to conduct an assessment of their water supply. He discussed in detail the water booster station located at Dobry Drive and Dequindre, explaining that it will need a bypass system installed to meet DEQ requirements. Installation of a bypass system will result in uninterrupted water pressure and quality to the residents during pump failures and maintenance. He added that the monitoring system to collect and relay this information is outdated and cannot be upgraded. The DEQ requires a SCADA system that effectively monitors and reports any issues with the community water supply, and these will be upgraded this year. They are also being mandated by the State to educate residents on a residential cross control program. He explained that a cross connection is any arrangement of piping on a building’s plumbing system that could result in a backflow of contaminants into the public drinking water supply system. A simple garden hose connected to the faucet at one end with the other end lying in a mud puddle could result in a backflow reversing the flow from a building’s plumbing system back into the public drinking water supply. Each residential home will be required to have some type of backflow device on Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 15 irrigation systems or the exterior hose fittings. They do not have an effective date yet, but he felt it will be mandatory and eventually testing will be required by a certified backflow testing licensed plumbing contractor at the resident’s expense. Mr. Moore discussed the importance being placed on tree-planting in the rights- of-way throughout the City, noting that during the month of May, residents can purchase a tree at a $50 discount for those who want to plant a tree in the right-of- way in front of their home. He showed a map depicting areas that may be receiving trees this year. He reported that the Street Services Division will continue repairing roadways, and he outlined the five areas of concern that will be addressed this summer. He stated they have been working diligently with their new refuse contractor, Rizzo Environmental Services, and he advised that mailers have been sent out to every home informing them of any changes and new options to purchase carts for refuse and yard waste. By next week, Rizzo will have over 15 new trucks in the community every day, collecting refuse and yard waste. He reviewed a list of acceptable materials that can be comingled into the recycling cart. Any residents wishing to sign up for the curbside recycling program will receive a 64-gallon cart with a weekly pick-up at a cost of $57 per year. Mr. Moore indicated that concludes his presentation for the 2016-2017 proposed budget for the Department of Public Works. Ms. Bridget Doyle, Community Relations Director, made the last presentation of the evening. She noted that Community Relations has the opportunity to be involved in every facet of the City’s government, and are the voice of the City. Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 16 They are the first line of communication to residents. They work every day to share the good work of their volunteers, and organize Sterling Fest each year, with more than 100,000 visitors to the City’s campus. They coordinate and promote the City through media coverage, promote the City’s stellar safety services and celebrate diversity. They celebrate community success in athletics and academics, as well as work to promote tolerance and understanding among the City’s ethnic and cultural groups. Ms. Doyle informed that they are revisiting the City’s marketing strategy in an effort to make sure they are achieving the City’s goals and meeting the needs of the residents. She reported that technology is constantly evolving, and while some residents still prefer to make a telephone call to the city for information, many others are using other forms of media such as the website, social media, video coverage, media contact, the City magazine that is mailed numerous times throughout the year, through events and activities and advertisements. They are working to streamline communication and increase accessibility. They have started to use YouTube to share city meetings. She added that SeeClickFix, the all-in-one iPhone app, will provide a convenient way for residents to reach City Hall. They have updated their website to make it more user-friendly, and she urged residents to continue to share their thoughts with the City at webmaster@sterling-heights.net . Ms. Doyle informed that they will be hiring a Digital Content Coordinator this year whose job will be focused on creating and driving content on all of the City’s digital platforms, and she outlined some of the responsibilities of this new position. She advised they are in the Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 17 process of gathering applicants and hope to begin interviews next week. She stressed they appreciate their volunteers in the community and have added an easy button on the website for those interested in volunteering for one of the many opportunities available. She emphasized that placemaking is important in a community because it strengthens the connection between people and the places they share and results in the creation of quality public spaces that contribute to peoples’ health, happiness and well-being, and has measurable economic impact. She assured they will continue to support the City and all of its departments focused on placemaking. She outlined some of their recent and upcoming placemaking efforts. She reported that, at the recommendation of City Council, they will also be kicking off a new resident program in 2016 as a compliment to placemaking, and she advised the meetings will be held at 6 p.m. on two weeknights throughout the year. She added that the goal will be to reach residents in a more personal way and inform and educate newcomers on City programs, events, guidelines and more. The first of these meetings will be held on Wednesday, August 31st at the Library Programming Center. Ms. Doyle stated that their broadcast system is outdated, and she outlined what the complete City Council’s broadcast audio equipment upgrade will include. She advised that the City will be holding its first State of the City Address on Friday, September 30th, 2016 at 8 a.m., at the Wyndham Gardens (the former Sterling Inn), and those interested can purchase tickets through the Sterling Heights Regional Chamber of Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 18 Commerce and Industry. She advised that SHTV will be covering the event in full, and it will also be available on YouTube. Mr. Vanderpool commented that the scope of service offered in this City is outstanding, and the proposed budget continues the City’s longstanding tradition and commitment to excellence. He announced that this concludes the presentations for this evening and indicated they are willing to answer questions. Mayor Taylor asked for comments from citizens. Mr. Jeffrey Norgrove thanked the City Administration for their hard work in preparing this budget. He questioned whether any consideration has been given to replacing the furniture in Upton House to more accurately represent the period of the home. He was in favor of the proposed plans by Parks & Recreation. He requested an update on the Great Lakes Water Authority. Ms. Linda Godfrey thanked the department heads for their wonderful presentations. She was opposed to spending money for additional land acquisition for a dog park. She felt there should be transparency for the costs associated with the proposals in the Placemaking 2030. Mr. Charles Jefferson inquired as to the plans in place to assure the Police Department is more diversified. He further inquired as to whether there are plans to have cameras on the police officers. He felt they need to look at the possibility of metal detectors here at City Hall. He asked how many current programs will be moved to the Community Center once it is Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 19 complete. He suggested that, in the process of obtaining bids to renovate some of the restrooms at the local parks, some thought should be given to getting estimates for unisex bathrooms. Mr. Jefferson inquired as to the age requirement to be a participant at the Senior Center. There were no further comments from citizens, and Mayor Taylor closed that portion of the meeting. Councilman Skrzyniarz inquired as to whether some of the police officers carry Narcan, and if so, how many. Chief Berg replied they do not have it at this time, although there are agencies in the area that do have it. He anticipated they will be carrying it once their officers are trained to administer it. Councilman Skrzyniarz felt the Council should do what they can to support the police force, and he added if they can save even one life, it would be beneficial to speed this up. He was pleased to hear about the tree-planting program, and inquired as to the regulations for tree-planting on city streets versus those under the jurisdiction of the County when considering road rights-of-way. He supported Mr. Norgrove’s comment about the furnishings at the Upton House and felt they should look at either taking dollars from the budget or the possibility of having city-supported fundraisers. He stated he would like the City to present them with a plan on road funding, and inquired as to whether they can infuse additional dollars into the roads this year. He added that he would love to get the public involved in this process so they can voice their concerns. Mr. Skrzyniarz Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 20 questioned whether some of the money they are saving with the new refuse contract could be put into the roads. Councilman Shannon questioned an earlier comment that the City may be able to acquire Narcan for no cost. Chief Berg replied through the grant process, there is an organization that is supplying Narcan to law enforcement, and they are investigating that possibility. He added one form is a nasal spray, and another form is similar to an EpiPen injector. They are looking at which one is more feasible, and he anticipated they will be putting it to use in the next couple of months. Chief Berg informed the Fire Department carries the Narcan, and they are generally dispatched before the Police in a medical emergency. Councilman Shannon felt it should be done as soon as possible. He also inquired how important social media software is to the Police Department. He indicated the social media software can aid them in monitoring what is being said about different activities or possible disruptions. It also helps them to identify threats in and around schools, and provides a tool to help predict or intercept these incidents before they occur. It would allow them to collect data and be proactive when there are threats. He replied to further inquiry that the type of activity of predators trying to pick up children through the use of the internet is a different type of activity and would not be included in the software the Police Department is requesting. Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 21 Councilman Shannon questioned the requested $50,000 for ammunition for training, and yet noted they are not budgeting anything for this. He questioned how many new Police Officers this year. Chief Berg replied they have 24 new employees and they will be hiring another 26 over the next year. Mr. Baker responded that they had $41,000 in last year’s budget for Administration, and they are not increasing it but continuing with that increased $41,000 from the prior year, so two years equates to $82,000, which will cover any training for new officers. Councilman Shannon raised the question about the backflow testing that is currently being done on condominiums, and he inquired as to whether this is similar to what they are anticipating will be required of each single-family residential homeowner. Mr. Moore replied affirmatively, noting that any condominium with more than four units on one meter is currently required to be tested. It is anticipated that all residential homes will eventually be required to have this same testing. He did not know how frequently they will have to test, but estimated it may be approximately $100 or less per inspection. Councilman Shannon stated that, a couple of weeks ago, he went out on the road with some of the Department of Public Services employees, and he inquired as to what would make their jobs easier. He noticed they had requested a sewer camera. Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 22 Mr. Moore responded that they have a video inspection camera but it can only accommodate a pipe 8” to 12” in diameter. The reason he requested a camera that can handle larger pipes is that they have not yet begun to clean any of their sanitary or storm sewers, and he felt it would be helpful to determine issues before they become problems. Councilman Shannon was pleased to see them moving forward on a Technology Master Plan. He suggested DPW hold an Open House and felt families would love to see the large equipment and trucks up close. Councilwoman Schmidt agreed that the roads need work, but could not imagine one more road being under construction at this point. She inquired as to whether DPW has increased the number of spray applications for mosquitoes at Dodge Park. Mr. Moore responded that he believes the budget was increased by $10,000 for additional spraying for mosquito control. Councilwoman Schmidt inquired as to how much of the cost increase for water is related to making up for the unpaid water bills in Highland Park and Detroit. Mr. Baker estimated that approximately 3.5% of their sewer rates are going toward Highland Park’s unpaid water bills. He indicated they wrote a letter to the Governor requesting his help. Highland Park is continuing to remain connected to the system but is not paying their bill, so something needs to be done. He assured that is one of the things they are trying to fight since they have a seat on the Water Authority. Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 23 Councilwoman Schmidt felt all residents should be outraged at having to pay for the unpaid bills of other communities. She inquired as to whether residents will be able to use PayPal accounts when signing up for Parks & Recreation programs using the new RecPro software. Mr. Langlois replied they can take cash, check or charge, and they have a drop box available for after hours, but PayPal is not one of their accepted forms of payment. Councilwoman Schmidt urged them to look into PayPal as an option. She felt a lot of residents feel more comfortable paying through PayPal rather than having their bank information on line. She was pleased to see the expanded Music in the Park series, and urged Parks & Recreation Department to let the local high schools and junior high schools know way in advance about the upcoming “Battle of the Bands” so they can start practicing early. Mr. Langlois replied that program is not starting until June 2017. Councilwoman Schmidt inquired as to whether the Dodge Park Pavilion will be available as a covered parking area when not in use for the Farmer’s Market or the ice skating rink. She also suggested that some of the old playground equipment being replaced with newer playscapes could be sold because it is still usable. She inquired as to whether the City has an “Adopt-A-Park” program. Mr. Langlois responded the pavilion is rated for parking, and the cooling coils for the ice rink are positioned underground. He added it could also be used for inline skating. He replied to further inquiry that the City used to have an “Adopt-A- Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 24 Park” program, but they found most people would only sign up one time, and their volunteers started to drop off, after the City went to all the trouble to make signs and promote the program. Councilwoman Schmidt felt neighborhood associations may be interested, especially for the parks in their neighborhoods, because it creates a sense of pride. She questioned where the Police Department will receive the training for Narcan, and whether that training can be done by the Fire Department personnel who are already using it. Chief Berg responded that Judge Linda Davis is spearheading a program and has arranged for physicians to train city personnel at no charge to the community. Councilwoman Schmidt felt having officers in the schools is important, to show there is someone to take care of business but also to go to as a resource. Councilwoman Koski inquired as to the ratio of police officers to residents in the City. She asked Chief Berg if he felt they should increase the number of officers, and by how many. Chief Berg responded any police chief is going to say they need more. He informed they have 149 sworn officers for approximately 130,000 residents. He felt they are doing a very good job policing the city, but believed they could use more, and will be requesting more in the next fiscal year. Councilwoman Koski noted an officer was taken off the road and placed in investigation. She questioned whether that officer should be replaced, noting how important it is to have officers on the road. Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 25 Chief Berg replied he would not object to that request. Councilwoman Koski recalled a canine officer position was reduced in the last budget year, and she suggested bringing that position back so there are three canines in the department: one for day shift, one for night shift and one for narcotics. She inquired as to whether Chief Berg would object to that request. Chief Berg cautioned that it would need to be properly funded. Councilwoman Koski commented she had an idea where they may be able to find the money. She further inquired as to whether the Chief is still in charge of Emergency Management. Chief Berg replied that, as far as having another officer with a dog, he stated he will never turn down the offer to have more officers on the shift. Regarding Emergency Management, he replied he is still in charge until they move forward. Councilwoman Koski stated the Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) Program is a great program. She inquired as to whether the Police Chief has thought about working with them and training them. She estimated their membership to be only 25. Chief Berg agreed the CERT program is great but the training comes through the County and through some of their Training Officers. He would be glad to work with them if it was feasible to do that type of thing. Councilwoman Koski understood they get trained at the county level but felt it would be better to train in their local community, similar to what the Fire Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 26 Department does. She felt if they had their own people involved and trained, they could train anyone new coming in. Chief Berg replied the cost would depend upon the type of training. The City’s Training Bureau is very proficient and that would be another option. He also suggested that there is training available on the computer. Councilwoman Koski inquired as to the item in the budget on animal control. Chief Berg replied they have a temporary holding process for stray dogs or cats, with kennels in their basement, cared for by their Animal Control Officers. They are receiving a grant to add more kennels and have an area approved by the Department of Agriculture. The County is going through some changes and hopefully they will be going back to using their services in the near future, although they will still need the temporary housing. Councilwoman Koski inquired to Ms. Doyle whether she has given any thought to asking volunteers to offer training classes for senior citizens to be able to use some of the technology applications, such as SeeClickFix. Ms. Doyle replied it would be beneficial to hold a couple of classes at the Library once they get SeeClickFix up and running. They have held Facebook classes and also held a class on the website, which was very helpful. She assured the SeeClickFix app is fairly easy for those used to iPhone apps, but felt it would still be helpful to hold a couple of classes. They will also be putting together a tutorial on how to use it, and that will be on SHTV. She replied to further inquiry by elaborating a little more on the proposed two meetings a year for residents, noting Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 27 they have worked with the “English as Second Language” adult groups that come through the Warren and Utica Schools, and have brought them in to give them a brief informative slide presentation about the services of the city and how they can reach the City. The idea is to provide new and current residents a basic breakdown of their city services. Councilwoman Koski questioned whether they can partner with another community with regard to water services. Mr. Baker replied that is one of their performance objectives that they will study, and there was an idea that some of the communities in the County could share their water demand, enabling a collective savings. He stated Public Works and legal counsel, will be involved in investigating this possibility. Mr. Baker replied to further inquiry that, with regard to the general expenditures for DPW, the majority of that nearly $1 million is for street lighting. He replied to further inquiry that there is street lighting on major roads. Councilwoman Koski noted a dark area on Utica Road, just beyond the round-about, and she inquired as to how much it would cost to add a couple of lights in that location. Mr. Baker assured there are street lights in the traffic circle, but City Development could take a look at it to determine feasibility and cost. Councilwoman Koski felt that may be something they can look at in the near future, and added she would like a cost estimate. She further inquired as to whether Mr. Vanderpool could prepare a budget amendment for the next meeting with regard to adding a canine officer to the Police Department. Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 28 Mr. Vanderpool assured he would be happy to consider that at the direction of Council, although he cautioned that with the new Chief, he was not sure if the next meeting would be feasible to put this information together. He felt they could have an update in 30 days, although he assured they will respond to the pleasure of the Council. He felt if they come back in December with a budget amendment, that would give Chief Berg some time to assess the needs of his department and possibly do some other tweaking. Councilwoman Koski felt that would be no problem and urged them to take as much time as they need. Councilwoman Ziarko inquired as to whether eBooks are counted in the Library’s circulation statistics. Ms. Turgeon replied affirmatively, noting they are offering a lot more in the way of electronics, including downloadable music and magazines. Councilwoman Ziarko inquired as to whether there are plans to extend the Farmer’s Market season since they will have a new shed. Mr. Langlois replied it is something they can consider, but pointed out that attendance dropped considerably in the fall. He felt they may have a few extra dates for more specialized markets, possibly at Christmas, and he replied to further inquiry that it may not be limited off-season to Thursday evenings but could be on a Saturday morning barring any scheduling conflicts. Councilwoman Ziarko questioned the current number of Police Officers and whether this includes an overlap of people so that those scheduled to retire can Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 29 train the new hires. She added she is concerned about so much institutional knowledge “walking out the door”. Chief Berg replied they are currently 8 officers above their budgeted number and anticipate 22 leaving in June. They hired 10 in March, so their numbers are up, but they will be understaffed once again in June. They will bring in 6 more in July, and another 8 in the fall. He advised they will need to create a new eligibility list in the fall and will be hiring again in January of next year, but anticipate another 17 officers retiring next June. Councilwoman Ziarko requested information on what would be a good operating number for the Police Department at any given time, and whether they can function with two canine officers. Chief Berg replied they have one canine officer on days and one on afternoons, although they are both good about reporting to the station relatively quick if they need to come in after hours. He informed that if they are not available, there are other agencies they can call on occasionally. He assured they are not deficient in that if they need a canine, they can get one. He replied to further inquiry that they have mutual agreements with surrounding communities, and although they have not been called upon recently by others, it is still available. Chief Berg added that they get different types of calls now that requires a different kind of dog. Councilwoman Ziarko requested clarification on the changes that have taken place regarding forfeiture accounts. Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 30 Chief Berg responded that the federal government completely shut down forfeiture methods. They got a certain percentage based on what was seized. That was stopped, and the $1.2 billion that was supposed to be in local communities was taken out of their budgets and into the federal budget. He added that was reversed in the last couple of weeks, and they should start to see it return, but he is not sure if they will get the same return on it. Councilwoman Ziarko requested that the Police Chief keep the Council informed on this matter. She relayed that she is receiving calls regarding “grow houses” in the City, and although she felt they have a great ordinance regulating this, she inquired how many are registered. Chief Berg replied they have one currently licensed and one applicant, but he estimated there are hundreds in the City that are not registered. He urged residents to call the police if they suspect there is illegal activity, and he stressed the Police Department will conduct the investigation. If it is illegal, it will be shut down and the appropriate enforcement action will be taken. Councilwoman Ziarko thanked Mr. Deon for finding the free encryption software. She inquired as to clarification from Mr. Moore as to whether the dump truck proposed for purchase is the second truck purchased in the last two to three years. Mr. Moore replied they purchased a single-axle dump truck last year, but this is a tandem-axle truck. He noted the possible needs for the future, including a small dump truck for the City campus. Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 31 Councilwoman Ziarko inquired as to whether water can be tested in older homes, and if so, who gets charged for it. Mr. Moore replied the City does not do water testing, but there is information on the Public Works page of the City’s website, and he indicated he can work with Ms. Doyle to have that link highlighted on the front page of their Public Works page. He advised there is some brief information on how to properly collect the water sample, and there is a $15 charge. They can send the sample, along with their fee, to Mount Clemens, and the results will be sent back to them. He replied to further inquiry that currently a residence with four dwelling units or more on one meter has to be tested for backflow devices, and that is regulated by the State. Mr. Moore replied to still further inquiry that the information from Rizzo was mailed, but it may be a couple more days before everyone receives their letter in the mail. He felt everyone should receive it no later than this Friday. Councilwoman Ziarko inquired as to whether the intern position in Community Relations will be a paid position or whether it will be in lieu of a college credit for the student. Ms. Doyle replied they are looking at a paid intern from Specs Howard because they place a lot of very qualified interns. She reminded that there are still only two full-time staff members so they were not sure they would have the time to work with an intern, but they feel they are now ready. After the 120 days is up, they will rotate and get another intern. Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 32 Councilwoman Ziarko inquired as to the SeeClickFix app that will soon be available. Ms. Doyle explained that some people are intimidated with having to come into the City Hall, but if they see a code enforcement issue, it will be simple for them to report by using this new software application on their computer or phone. Councilwoman Ziarko stated she was pleased to see this new service available to the residents, and complimented Mr. Baker on his knowledge of the budget. Mayor Pro-Tem Romano commended Mr. Baker and his entire staff for putting this together and keeping the numbers down. He questioned Chief Berg as to whether the bullet-proof vests and weapons are returned to the department when an officer retires. Chief Berg explained that a new hire’s contract specifies that they will be supplied with a weapon, a vest and the first draw of uniforms. He noted that a new vest cost $756 each. He stated that each person assigned a pistol treats it differently, but there is a shelf life on them. Some go for target shooting every day and others do not use theirs as often. Each officer is responsible for taking care of their own pistol, and that is their lifeline. The pistols are not recycled because they are not sure of the care that was taken with it, so they are retired with their officer. The federal government has determined the vests have a 5-year shelf life, and the officers are required to replace them using their uniform allowance. Chief Berg replied that they have to put a policy together to protect both the citizens and the community when it comes to Citizens on Patrol. Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 33 Because the Police Department will have new vehicles, they can possibly share some of the older vehicles after July 1st with the Citizens on Patrol. Mayor Pro-Tem Romano inquired as to whether the backflow devices are something that can be purchased in local hardware stores. Mr. Moore replied they can be purchased at any hardware store for less than $5, and if they are eventually mandated, they can be installed by a plumber. Mayor Pro-Tem Romano could not understand why residents would not want to be proactive and install them if the cost is low. He addressed Mr. Langlois, noting he had requested a golf cart as an option to driving cars around for short distances. Mr. Langlois replied he was not able to obtain a golf cart from the former Sunnybrook because they leased theirs out. He acknowledged they received a cart from Utilities Maintenance; however, it is a good vehicle for passengers but not good for holding trash and other materials they need to haul on a day-to-day basis. He replied that the cost of a used cart is around $6,000. A new Toro version sells for $8,000. Mayor Pro-Tem Romano stated he would like to see the budget adjusted to include this purchase, noting that Mr. Langlois has been requesting this since he has been hired. He did not feel it is a big request. He inquired as to the covered canopy requested for the Nature Center and what it would cost. He felt they do not do a lot for the Nature Center, but children enjoy it. He noted that there is a proposed budget amendment for $50,000 to hire a firm to provide data and Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 34 strategic analysis for retail recruitment in the City, and he inquired as to whether this amount could be reduced. He commented that they are already paying Bonner Advising Group, so he stated he cannot vote in favor of this much money for this purpose. Mayor Taylor thanked the department heads for their presentations, and inquired as to whether the Police Department has statistics on overdoses occurring in the City. Chief Berg replied it is difficult to quantify because they come through the system as “medical”. They are not classified as overdoses so they cannot keep statistics. He suggested the Fire Department may have more data because they are actually providing treatment. He replied to further inquiry that he estimates they get at least from 3 to 6 calls each week related to overdoses. Mayor Taylor emphasized this has become a huge problem, and he has heard of statistics that there is a drug-related death in Macomb County every 2 to 3 days. He questioned whether Narcan can bring an overdose victim back to life. Chief Berg replied that seeing a lifeless person coming back to full consciousness within moments after receiving Narcan is amazing. Mayor Taylor felt it is a great life-saving device, but it does not fix the systemic problem. He felt it is important they deal with this crisis, and questioned how police can partner with other communities and schools on this, adding that many of the drug users start with a prescription drug, and when they can no longer get the prescription medicine, they resort to heroin or something stronger. Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 35 Chief Berg reported that when they were dispatched to a location for an overdose, they had been treating these emergency calls as “medical”; however, they would be back at the same location in another month for the same cause. They are now charging the person with heroin/drug possession. He stressed this charge puts them into the court system. He added that many of these people get addicted by using Vicodin or Oxycodone, but those drugs end up being more difficult to obtain than a $20 pack of heroin. Mayor Taylor appreciated that these individuals are now being charged with drug possession, but he felt the court system cannot handle it. These people are thrown in jail or are fined, and he inquired as to what cities can do to implement drug courts. Mr. Vanderpool assured the City is very concerned about this issue, and they have had many meetings about it. They are working with numerous government entities to try to get more funding. He stressed the parents need to understand the severity of this issue, and they are working with the medical industry as well. He felt possibly looking to change the courts for these types of incidents is an option, and he assured they will report back to Council. He further assured they will be working hand-in-hand with all of the stakeholders who need to be involved. Mayor Taylor commented that these drug overdoses are occurring in people of all ages, ranging from junior high all the way up to older adults. On a lighter note, he was pleased to see the expansion of the Music in the Park series. Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 36 Mr. Langlois replied they will continue four weeks after Sterling Fest, and they will be ramping up their advertising campaigns for these events. He replied that the first Farmer’s Market will coincide with the first Music in the Park concert, taking place on Thursday, June 2nd. Mayor Taylor recalled there have always been additional attractions tied in with the Farmer’s Market, such as the Music in the Park series. He questioned whether there will be other activities once the Music in the Park series is over. Mr. Langlois replied that Music in the Park is a main attraction, and once those end, they will be hosting special events such as the Pet Parade and a pie-making contest. He advised residents to watch for these events through the marketing efforts that will be taking place later this summer. Mayor Taylor announced that this concludes the presentations and workshop discussion. 2. Budget Amendments Motion by Skrzyniarz, supported by Taylor, resolved, to increase the 2016/17 Proposed Budget by $50,000 and reduce the contribution to General Fund reserves in order to fund a retail recruitment strategic analysis for the City. Councilman Skrzyniarz spoke about the drug overdose crisis being brought to the forefront this evening, he felt there is a lot the City can do about the drug issue. He suggested a lot of communities hide from it, but he felt by accepting the fact they have a problem may lead to their coming up with a plan. He admitted it may be limited to just bringing awareness to the community and educating youth on Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 37 the dangers of drug abuse. He stated he would be glad to retire this amendment on the floor but would ask Council to come up with a subsequent amount to fund a plan for this City with regard to the drug abuse, possibly finding matching funds to support their aggressive efforts to start this. Councilman Skrzyniarz withdrew his motion. Motion by Koski, supported by Romano, resolved, to increase the 2016/17 Proposed Budget by $100,000 for the cost of completing the sidewalk gaps on the Clinton River Road, west of Schoenherr to Hayes Road. Councilwoman Koski felt this is promoting a hike/bike path and the entrance to that path is south of Clinton River Road, just west of Schoenherr. This will complete the sidewalk from Hayes all the way to that location, where they will be able to access the park system. She stressed that Clinton River Road, being a two-lane road with a lot of curves, is not conducive for bikers, and the sidewalk will help. Councilwoman Ziarko agreed with her colleague. She inquired as to whether any water main work will impact traffic in the area, because she did not feel the area can handle another detour. Mr. Vanderpool assured the water main they need to gain access to will be in the area of the sidewalk, although when the tap is made there may be some disruption but he felt it would be minimal. Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 38 Councilman Shannon inquired as to whether this infrastructure would need to be done and they are going to do it at this time so as not to have to tear up the sidewalks later. Mr. Vanderpool replied some of the houses may want to tap in, and they could do it at this time because they will not have to tear up any sidewalk. Yes: All. The motion carried. Councilwoman Ziarko requested more information from the Police Chief as to their department needs before allocating money. Councilman Skrzyniarz agreed, and felt they need to make sure when they take action they want to make sure they have allocated enough and not just a few thousand dollars. Motion by Romano, supported by Schmidt, resolved, to increase the 2016/17 Proposed Budget by up to $8,000 to fund a utility cart for the Parks and Recreation Department. Yes: All. The motion carried. Mr. Langlois replied to inquiry that he estimated a cost of approximately $40,000 for a covered pavilion, including the concrete, picnic tables and labor. Mayor Taylor stated he would be comfortable looking at this when the Parks & Recreation Master Plan is presented in the fall. Mayor Pro-Tem Romano noted the canopy is on a conceptual plan at this point, but questioned whether they will still get the canopy if the plan does not come to fruition. Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 39 Mr. Langlois replied they would not get the canopy at that point. Mr. Baker replied to inquiry that if the Council wants to make an amendment, an amount should be included. It would have to come back before Council when awarding the bid, and at that time, they can amend the budget to include more money or save the money if it is less than budgeted. Motion by Romano, supported by Koski, resolved, to increase the 2016/17 Proposed Budget by $40,000 in order to fund a canopy outside the Nature Center. Councilman Shannon inquired as to the proposed use for this canopy. Mr. Langlois reported that they host many school trips at the Nature Center, and the canopy would provide a staging area for learning. They could gather under the canopy, and then proceed into the Nature Center. It would also provide a place for the school groups to eat the lunches they bring. He added that residents would also be able to enjoy the covered area as well. Councilman Shannon commented that, while it sounds like a good idea, it is a lot of money to commit to in a short time without being able to research it. He added he would like to hold off on this until he sees the entire Parks & Recreation Master Plan. Councilwoman Ziarko agreed with Councilman Shannon, and felt that it is a good idea but this may not be the right time. She did not anticipate that it would be constructed until after July, and it is their plan to have a ballot proposal in November. She questioned why it would be included now, and yet be part of the Master Plan in November. Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 40 Councilman Skrzyniarz agreed that he would like to hear the entire plan sometime within the next couple of months, and see how it fits into the entire Parks & Recreation Master Plan. Councilwoman Schmidt agreed with her colleagues, and felt it would be great for the children. She questioned as to whether they could vote now to add this item to the Budget if the ballot proposal does not pass in November. Mr. Bahorski replied he felt that would be problematic for Mr. Baker, but advised that the budget can be amended throughout the year. Councilwoman Schmidt felt even if the Council approves this budget amendment tonight, the pavilion would not be constructed until sometime late summer or early fall. She stressed she would have no problem amending the budget right away if the ballot proposal does not pass. Mayor Taylor felt it is a project very deserving but it should be part of the bigger plan that includes all of the parkland up and down the river. The Master Plan will be looking at how to best use all of their assets. He commented that he would support it as part of the Master Plan to be presented this fall. Yes: Romano, Koski. No: Skrzyniarz, Taylor, Ziarko, Shannon, Schmidt. The motion failed for lack of votes. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Mr. Charles Jefferson – Questioned whether the police officers are multi-lingual, and expressed concern about real estate becoming overinflated like it prior to the Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Page 41 recession. Concerned about ultimately having to pay for the water problem in Flint. Mr. Jeffrey Norgrove – Liked the idea mentioned about a drug court, but also suggested having a veteran’s court because a lot of veterans are addicted to drugs. REPORTS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATION AND CITY COUNCIL Mr. Vanderpool stated he had nothing further to report at this time. Mr. Bahorski added that he had nothing to report at this time. ADJOURN Moved by Ziarko, seconded by Romano, to adjourn the meeting. Yes: All. The motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m. MARK CARUFEL, City Clerk