City Council

Delivered April 12, 2017 Agenda Item 2-A Meeting: April 18, 2017 CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017 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, Gary Lusk, Maria G. Schmidt, Nate Shannon, Liz Sierawski, Michael C. Taylor, Barbara A. Ziarko. Also Present: Mark Vanderpool, City Manager; Don DeNault, Assistant City Attorney; Mark Carufel, City Clerk; Carol Sobosky, Recording Secretary. APPROVAL OF AGENDA, Moved by Koski, seconded by Ziarko, to approve the Agenda as presented. Yes: All. The motion carried. REPORT FROM CITY MANAGER Mr. Vanderpool reminded the residents that yard waste collection starts this week, and clear plastic bags are not permitted. He advised that when using a container, it must have a sticker on it and be set apart from other trash that is set out for pickup. He advised the stickers can be obtained from any of the City’s public facilities, including City Hall. Mr. Vanderpool stated that Pride & Shine Month will span two months, and will be known as Spring Sterling Pride with the adoption of the resolution this evening. He introduced Community Relations Director Bridget Kozlowski to explain the schedule of events in more detail. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 4, 2017 Page 2 Ms. Bridget Kozlowski, Community Relations Director, provided a brief update on Spring Sterling Pride and assured all the information provided this evening is also available on the City’s website and in the Spring magazine edition, which is being delivered to homes this week. She explained the concept of Spring Sterling Pride months was initiated in 2016 as an effort by the City to encourage residents to protect their property values by making their property “shine” in preparation for the summer months. She outlined the activities planned for Spring Sterling Pride, including Shred Day, which took place this past Saturday; and Hazardous Waste Day, scheduled for Saturday, April 8th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., where hazardous waste items such as, but not limited to, used motor oil, pesticides, drain cleaner and more can be dropped off at DPW. She stated that Clinton River Clean-Up Day will be held on April 19th in partnership with the Clinton River Watershed Council, and those interested can sign up through the Watershed Council website at www.crwc.org. Electronics Recycling Day is scheduled for April 22nd from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., where residents can drop off old televisions, computers and other electronic items at DPW. Pride and Shine Day will be held on May 6th, where volunteers gather every Spring and Fall to clean up multiple properties throughout the city for individuals who are unable to do so on their own. Groups of two to five will be assigned a home or specific projects and are often provided tools by Community Relations. DPW Clean-Up Saturdays will be held on April 29th, May 6th, May 13th and May 20th at DPW from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and residents can drop off items they wish to dispose of, including tires, paint, old furniture, lumber, loose lawn clippings, dirt and more, with the entire list Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 4, 2017 Page 3 available on the City’s website. Ms. Kozlowski explained that, as part of Clean- Up Saturdays, the City is partnering with Habitat for Humanity to collect donations for the organization’s ReStore. Habitat for Humanity will be onsite taking donations at DPW on May 6th and May 20th during the Clean-Up Saturdays for items being dropped off that can potentially be used by someone else, as outlined on a list available on the website. She also informed that, for larger items, Habitat for Humanity will arrange a pickup free of charge and can be reached by calling (586) 263-1540. She advised the Sterling Heights Beautification Commission will host its annual Plant Exchange from 10 a.m. to noon on May 20th at the Nature Center. This is a free event that allows gardeners the opportunity to exchange plants with others, and she stated the plants can be packaged in plastic bags, pots or boxes. She added that participants are encouraged to make up cards with the plant’s name, description and care. Ms. Kozlowski announced that DPW is discounting the price of trees in the month of May to promote property owners beautifying the streetscapes. She stated trees will be available for $150 each in May, which is a $50 discount from their normal purchase price of $200. DPW will distribute a list of tree choices to residents, and trees purchased in May will be planted following the first frost of the season, which will most likely be in October or November 2017. She advised that interested residents can call DPW at (586) 446-2440. Mr. Vanderpool thanked the Community Relations Director and her team for the good educational material they are putting out on these activities, and he thanked Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 4, 2017 Page 4 the DPW for their effort in coordinate activities. He added that these events help to improve property values. Mr. Vanderpool stated that Sterling Heights will be home to one of the first Tru Hilton Hotels in the country. The four-story, 98-room hotel, to be located on the west side of Van Dyke, south of Metro Parkway, is under construction, with completion anticipated in late spring 2018, and will include amenities such as an indoor pool, fitness center, lounge and breakfast bar. He showed some renderings of the new development. He also noted a Holiday Inn Express opened recently, as well as a couple of other proposed hotels going through the review process, that are all along the Van Dyke corridor. Mr. Vanderpool stated the City of Sterling Heights, partnering with Utica Community Schools, Fiat Chrysler and community businesses, are offering more programing than ever before through the Velocity Jr. endeavor. He announced that this is a great opportunity to sign up students for summer camps, where they can learn while having fun. He stated those interested can sign up on the Utica Community School’s website, or visit the City’s website to learn more about the summer camp opportunities. Mr. Vanderpool stated that, according to a recent report released by the Michigan Department of Treasury, the City of Sterling Heights has the fifth highest taxable property value in the State of Michigan, and the highest taxable property value in Macomb County for 2016. He stressed that this is good news for homeowners in Sterling Heights. He stated that this ranking validates that the economic development initiatives, proactive property maintenance programs and increased Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 4, 2017 Page 5 aesthetic standards have all paid off for the City. He reviewed the rankings through a brief Power Point presentation, noting that although property values are still lower than they were in 2008 when the recession began, they are rebounding in some communities, including the City of Sterling Heights. He pointed out that there are still many communities in the State of Michigan that are in financial distress, but because of the pro-active measures of City Council and City administration, including the elimination of a couple hundred positions, the elimination of fixed pension program and retiree health care, the reduction of the pension multiplier, incorporation of privatized services. He concluded that the City is on the right track and their initiatives are paying off, with strong property values and low taxes. 1. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Taylor opened the floor to comments from the audience regarding the Consent Agenda. Mr. Paul W. Smith – opposed to Item “E”. Mr. Thomas Neil – regarding Item “C”, requested consideration to expand hazardous materials collection into summer months; opposed to Item “E”. Ms. Jazmine Early – regarding Item “C”, requested consideration to expand the help given to seniors in the summer months. Moved by Koski, seconded by Ziarko, RESOLVED, to approve the Consent Agenda: A. To approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 20, 2017, as presented. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 4, 2017 Page 6 B. To approve payment of the bills as presented: General Fund - $656,844.82, Water & Sewer Fund - $1,207,160.13, Other Funds - $915,370.78, Total Checks - $2,779,375.73. C. RESOLVED, to adopt the resolution designating the months of April and May 2017 as Spring Sterling Pride months in the City of Sterling Heights. ~ Resolution ~ A resolution of the City Council designating the months of April and May 2017 as Spring Sterling Pride months in the city of Sterling Heights. The city of Sterling Heights is renowned throughout Michigan as a great place to live, work, and raise a family as evidenced by a growing population, continual safe city distinctions, and new corporate investments. A key element in establishing this reputation has been clean, well-maintained, and safe neighborhoods that enhance the overall quality of life for residents. In order to preserve the city’s excellent reputation, the Sterling Heights Initiative for Neighborhood Excellence (SHINE) was created. Through SHINE, city personnel are working directly with a variety of groups in a concerted effort to maintain high standards of property maintenance. SHINE is also coordinating volunteers from churches, service clubs, schools and other civic organizations to help homeowners who are unable to help themselves with exterior property maintenance. To prepare for the forthcoming summer months, the Departments of City Development and Community Relations are encouraging residents and businesses to participate in a community-wide Spring Sterling Pride initiative during the months of April and May. This initiative offers many opportunities for residents to demonstrate community pride by participating in making the City shine and improve the overall appearance of their properties. To highlight all of these activities and build momentum for this effort, recommendation is being made to designate April and May 2017 as Spring Sterling Pride in Sterling Heights. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Sterling Heights, County of Macomb, and State of Michigan, does hereby designate the months of April and May 2017 as Spring Sterling Pride months in Sterling Heights. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Sterling Heights to be affixed this 4th day of April, 2017. _______________________________________ Mark Carufel Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 4, 2017 Page 7 City Clerk D. RESOLVED, to set a public hearing on Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. regarding the application by Quadrate 1031, LLC to establish an Industrial Development District (IDD) at 42373 and 42501 Van Dyke. E. RESOLVED, to set a public hearing on Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. regarding the application by BAE Land and Armament, L.P. for an Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption Certificate at 34201 Van Dyke. Yes: All. The motion carried. CONSIDERATION 2. Mayor Taylor explained this is a consideration of appointments to the Local Development Finance Authority and to the Beautification Commission. Moved by Ziarko, seconded by Taylor, RESOLVED, to postpone the appointment to the Local Development Finance Authority to the next Regular City Council Meeting, scheduled for April 18, 2017. Yes: All. The motion carried. Moved by Taylor, seconded by Ziarko, RESOLVED, to postpone the appointment to the Beautification Commission to the next Regular City Council Meeting, scheduled for April 18, 2017. Yes: All. The motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Mr. Charles Jefferson – feral cats in neighborhoods; vetting of Planning Commissioner; time limit on public comments. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 4, 2017 Page 8 Ms. Jazmine Early – amount of road repairs done annually in terms of miles. Mr. William McGregor – questions on Fire Code regarding open burning. Mr. Giulio Russo – reduced speaker time; quality of cameras in City Council chambers. Mr. Paul W. Smith – improvements to Dodge Park; reduction of speaker time; nominating petitions for City Council positions. Mr. Thomas Neil – possible alternate firework locations. REPORTS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATION AND CITY COUNCIL Mr. Vanderpool addressed some of the questions raised this evening. He confirmed that Animal Control will respond to calls about feral cats and will attempt to capture them, but he clarified that, under the County’s policy, the cats are spayed or neutered and returned to that location based on the theory that eventually the population will decrease. Mr. Vanderpool addressed the resident’s concern about the fuzziness of the cameras in the City Council chambers, and advised that the City is going through a significant upgrade of all their equipment in the Council chambers, including the screen and projection, so it will become much clearer to the audience at home. He added that this upgrade is anticipated to be completed within the next couple of months. Mr. Vanderpool assured there is absolutely no plan to put 18 Mile Road through Dodge Park. He stressed there has been no discussion of that, there is no planning document, no intent, nor any funding or desire to do that. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 4, 2017 Page 9 Mr. Vanderpool stated that, regarding the question of open burning, he will request the Police Chief contact the individual and clarify the City’s rules and regulations. Mr. DeNault stated he has no items this evening. UNFINISHED BUSINESS / NEW BUSINESS Councilman Lusk commented that there are over 1,500 visitors each day to the Sterling Heights Library, not all of them Sterling Heights residents, but they come because of the daily events, DVD’s, computers, and books in every subject imaginable. He explained his recent experience meeting a charter school teacher at the library who stated she utilizes the library for materials for her students’ education because her school does not have a lot of materials available, and she considers the library “a lifesaver.” He indicated her library visit was being followed up by a visit to a local store so she could buy more out-of-pocket supplies for them. Councilman Lusk urged anyone who has not visited the library to do so, and he was confident they will find it to be a great experience. Councilman Shannon stated they occasionally receive letters, generally emailed, highlighting some of the good work the City employees are doing. He cited a letter he received from an employee in the Fire Department about a recent experience where Mr. Steve Deon, Information Technology Director for the City of Sterling Heights, showed up on a Sunday afternoon to look into an issue that a staff member had emailed him about 15 minutes prior. He stated he was on his way home from his son’s sports event, and he quickly evaluated the situation and was able to bypass a faulty phone to correct the situation. He assured he would Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 4, 2017 Page 10 order a new phone the next day. Councilman Shannon stressed that IT is so critical to every department, and he wanted to recognize Mr. Deon and all his staff for their dedication and going above and beyond. Mayor Taylor reiterated Mr. Vanderpool’s earlier response regarding there being no plans to extend 18 Mile Road through Dodge Park. He stressed he would not support any plans of that sort, and he felt Dodge Park and the Clinton River Trail is a great asset that he would not be willing to disrupt. ADJOURN Moved by Ziarko, seconded by Schmidt, to adjourn the meeting. Yes: All. The motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m. MARK CARUFEL, City Clerk