City Council

CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017 IN CITY HALL Mayor Michael C. Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Taylor led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and Melanie D. Ryska, City Clerk, gave the Invocation. Council Members present at roll call: Deanna Koski, Michael Radtke, Maria G. Schmidt, Nate Shannon, Liz Sierawski, Michael C. Taylor, Barbara A. Ziarko. Also Present: Mark Vanderpool, City Manager; Marc D. Kaszubski, City Attorney; Melanie D. Ryska, City Clerk; Carol Sobosky, Recording Secretary. APPROVAL OF AGENDA, Moved by Koski, seconded by Ziarko, to approve the Agenda, pulling Consent Agenda Item K and making it Consideration Item 5. Yes: All. The motion carried. REPORT FROM CITY MANAGER Mr. Vanderpool provided an update on the recent snow events, with three events occurring last week. The first event, which occurred last Monday evening, resulted in approximately three inches of snow, which was not enough to call a snow emergency, nor was it enough for full plowing operations. He advised that when there is less than four inches, the center Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Page 2 lanes of neighborhood streets are plowed and salted so it permeates the road from curb-to-curb. The second snow event occurred on Wednesday, resulting in nearly nine inches, and they were able to get through plowing all the city’s roads within 36 hours, which is within their goal of trying to get through the entire city with the plows within 36 to 48 hours following the event. A snow emergency was declared, and it was canceled by about 3:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon. He stated that, during that snow emergency, nearly 500 citations were issued for on-street parking violations. He explained that on-street parking prohibits curb-to-curb plowing where cars are parked, but plows were able to clear roadways curb-to-curb in all other areas. He explained that the City is divided into two phases: those in the first phase are plowed on the first day, and those in the second phase are plowed the second day, and that order is reversed for the next snowstorm. The third snow event took place on Friday night with the snowfall of a couple of inches. Since all roads were previously salted with the first event, along with the significant warming trend in the forecast, there was no need for additional salting or snow clearing over the weekend. He emphasized the importance of keeping parked vehicles off the streets during the entire duration of a snow emergency, because often the plows need to come through more than once. He stated the first offense for on-street parking during a snow emergency is a $25 fine, but that increases to $100 for subsequent fines. He advised those who want to receive instant notice whenever there is a snow emergency can sign up on Listserv, accessible Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Page 3 through the City’s website, and a message will be sent whenever the storm or emergency is declared. He encouraged residents to sign up for this free service. He extended thanks to the DPW workers who worked around the clock during the snow emergency, and their hard work and dedication is appreciated. Mr. Vanderpool reminded that City offices will be closed on Monday, December 25th, Tuesday, December 26th, and the following Monday and Tuesday for the New Year’s holiday, with refuse collection delayed one day each of those two weeks. Mr. Vanderpool announced that, for the 25th year, the City is recycling Christmas trees left at the curb by 7 a.m. on resident’s normal trash day. He reminded residents to have all decorations removed, and added that the trees will not be picked up if they are in plastic bags. He stated this program extends through January 31st. Mr. Vanderpool informed that this year, 620 families in Sterling Heights and surrounding communities have received assistance through the City’s Holiday Assistance Program, with twenty local organizations participating through sponsorships of local families. He added the City is still receiving calls from local businesses, asking how they can help. He commended the Community Relations staff for their hard work on this program, as well as all the local businesses that help with their generosity through the holiday season. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Page 4 Mr. Vanderpool stated the annual Cops and Kids event was held on December 9th at the Target store, located at 16 Mile and Dequindre, supported by the Sterling Heights Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 118, the Sterling Heights Police Department and Target. He explained the program assists area children and their families during the holidays. Thirty officers who volunteer their time help each child spend $120 on toys, clothing and gifts for their families. He stated retired Sterling Heights Police Sergeant Randy Depriest and Detective Margaret Wemple have been organizing this event for the past 19 years, helping over 1,000 children to have a special day because of their efforts. Mr. Vanderpool stated the Department of Public Works held their annual Ken Stempowski Food Drive, and they surpassed last year’s monetary donations, raising $432. DPW delivers almost 400 pounds of non-perishable food to the Macomb Food Program, who distributes the food to 52 pantry sites across the region, which feeds 500 people per day. He added that DPW had their yearly donation of 20 frozen turkeys from Thread Craft Inc. in Sterling Heights, and those were distributed to needy families. He concluded his report by thanking the Department of Public Works for their good work with this holiday program, adding he is proud of the City team for helping families who are in need during the holidays. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Page 5 ORDINANCE INTRODUCTION 1. Mayor Taylor indicated that this item is to introduce the first amendment to the Appropriations Ordinance for the 2017/18 fiscal year. He invited Ms. Jennifer Varney, Finance and Budget Director, to give a presentation. Ms. Jennifer Varney explained the budget is generally amended twice each year, once in December and once toward the end of the fiscal year. She stated this amendment carries forward the unspent funding for projects approved in the prior year, and recognizes new grants and items that have already come before Council since the budget was adopted. She explained the General Fund budget contributes $2,472,800 to Fund Balance Reserves, which decreased only $111,000 from the original 2017/2018 budget, primarily due to the carrying forward of the prior year’s unspent encumbrances and the cost to replace bullet-proof vests for the police officers per their recently approved bargaining agreement. She stated the budget for other funds was adjusted by $14 million; however, this is primarily carrying forward amounts that were previously approved last year. She added that unspent road projects in the amount of $6.6 million are being carried over, including M-59 reconstruction and Dequindre Road widening. This also accounts for $1.3 million increase to local road spending that was previously approved by Council. Re- appropriation of funds for Parks & Recreation is set at $3.2 million, with $1.6 million to carry over the remaining Clinton River Bank Restoration Grant Funds, and $1.1 million to re-appropriate unspent capital projects, including the 2017 Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Page 6 Sidewalk Repair Program, repairs to the air conditioning in the Police Department and a replacement generator for Fire Station #1. Ms. Varney concluded that this is the first reading, which is scheduled for adoption at the January 3, 2018 City Council Meeting. Mayor Taylor opened the floor for comments from the audience, but there were no comments made. Moved by Ziarko, seconded by Schmidt, RESOLVED, to introduce the first amendment of the Appropriations Ordinance for the 2017/18 fiscal year. Yes: All. The motion carried. ORDINANCE ADOPTION 2. Mayor Taylor indicated that this item is to consider adoption of an ordinance amending Chapter 20 of the City Code to adopt the 2015 International Fire Code with local amendments. He opened the floor for comments from the audience, but there were no comments made. Moved by Schmidt, seconded by Ziarko, RESOLVED, to adopt the ordinance amending Chapter 20 of the City Code to adopt the 2015 International Fire Code with local amendments. Yes: All. The motion carried. 3. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Taylor opened the floor for comments from the audience for the Consent Agenda with the omission of Item “K”. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Page 7 Mr. Charles Jefferson – questioned Item L and how it fits into the City’s ordinance. Moved by Koski, seconded by Ziarko, RESOLVED, to approve the Consent Agenda as amended: A. To approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 5, 2017, as presented. B. To approve payment of the bills as presented: General Fund - $1,119,910.74, Water & Sewer Fund - $1,933,685.24, Other Funds - $3,116,200.25, Total Checks - $6,169,796.23. C. RESOLVED, to award the bid for light and heavy-duty vehicle transmission overhauls to J.B. DLCO Transmission, Inc., 24111 Groesbeck Highway, Warren, MI 48089, based on unit prices bid for a two-year period. D. RESOLVED, to receive the report of the Purchasing Manager pursuant to City Code §2-221(B) regarding the emergency purchase of sod and installation services at the new skate park located adjacent to 40111 Dodge Park Road from Green Meadows Lawnscape, Inc., 2359 Avon Industrial Drive, Rochester Hills, MI 48309, at a cost of $14,000. E. RESOLVED, to award the bid for fencing repairs at Jaycee Park to American Fence and Supply Co., Inc., 21200 Schoenherr Road, Warren MI 48089, at unit prices bid. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Page 8 F. RESOLVED, to purchase ball field lighting systems for L.W. Baumgartner Major Park and Jaycee Park and tennis court lighting system for Joseph J. Delia, Jr. Major Park from Musco Sports Lighting, LLC, 2107 Stewart Road, Muscatine, Iowa 52761, at pricing available through a National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA) cooperative RFP, Contract #082114-MSL, in the cumulative amount of $328,377. G. RESOLVED, to: (a) Accept the proposal by R.W. Mead & Sons, Inc., 33795 Riviera, Fraser, MI 48026, as the primary contractor for heating and cooling maintenance and repair services for a two-year period, with an option for the City Manager to extend pricing, terms and conditions of the proposal an additional one-year period upon vendor’s consent; and (b) Designate Allied Building Service Company of Detroit, Inc. 1801 Howard Street, Detroit MI 48216, as the secondary contractor providing competitive estimates for repair or replacement of heating and cooling equipment in excess of $1,000. H. RESOLVED, to adopt the resolution accepting Mitchell Drive in the City Local Street System as a public street located within City right-of-way and operated for public street purposes. RESOLUTION FOR STREET ADDITION MITCHELL DRIVE Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Page 9 At a regular meeting of The City Council of Sterling Heights, Michigan, held at the City Hall on December 19, 2017 the following resolution was offered by Member ________,and supported by Member ___________. Whereas the City of Sterling Heights did on September 01, 2017 acquire title to a certain street, and Whereas it is necessary to furnish certain information to the State of Michigan to place this street/plat within the City Street System for the purpose of obtaining funds under Act 51, P.A. 1951 as amended. NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED: 1. That the center line of said street is described as: 2. Part of the SE 1/4 of Section 16, T.2N, R.12E, City of Sterling Heights, Macomb county, Michigan, being more particularly described as: Commencing at the Southeast corner of Section 16; thence N 89º23'00"W 1582.52 feet along the South Section line of Section 16 to the Point of Beginning; thence N 00º37'00"E 1767.45 feet; thence Northerly along a curve concave to the East with 300.00 feet radius and chord bearing N 15º29'05"E 153.96 feet; thence N 30º21'11"E 243.16 feet; thence Northerly along a curve concave to the West with 300.00 feet radius and chord bearing N 15º21'09"E 155.30 feet; thence N 00º21'08"E 141.79 feet; thence Northerly along a curve concave to the West with 53.0 feet radius and chord bearing N 14º03'17"W 26.37 feet; thence N 28º27'42"W 151.98 feet to the point of ending. 3. That said street is located within a City right-of-way and is under the control of the City of Sterling Heights. 4. That said street is a public street and is for the public street purposes. 5. That said street is accepted in the City Local Street System. Resolution duly adopted. Dated this 19th day of December, 2017 Certification Melanie Ryska, City Clerk of the City of Sterling Heights, does hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the City of Sterling Heights City Council on Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Page 10 I. RESOLVED, to approve Amendment No. 3 to the Water Service Contract between the City of Sterling Heights and the Great Lakes Water Authority and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the amendment on behalf of the City. J. RESOLVED, to approve final payment to Spartan Paving, Inc., 9690 Andersonville Rd., Clarkston, MI 48346, in the amount of $22,471.19, plus interest on retainage, for Senior Center Parking Lot Reconstruction, City Project #15-270. K. This item was removed from the Consent Agenda and moved to Consideration Item 5. L RESOLVED, to approve Contract #17-5474 between the Michigan Department of Transportation and the City of Sterling Heights for the installation of an art mural under the M-53 overpass over the Clinton River and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the contract on behalf of the City. Yes: All. The motion carried. CONSIDERATION 4. Mayor Taylor indicated this item is to consider approval of a memorandum of understanding between the City of Sterling Heights and MAPE Professional and Technical Employees Union, and he invited Mr. Vanderpool to make a presentation. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Page 11 Mr. Vanderpool stated that a recent retirement within the office of the City Clerk has provided an opportunity to address the need for increasing the experience level and skill set within the City Clerk’s staff. He added that although the staff is dedicated and working well, it is relatively new, and the existing scope of job duties is focused on clerical tasks, with discretionary and supervisory duties limited to the position of only the City Clerk. The Human Resources Department worked with the City Clerk to establish specific job duties and qualifications needed for a new position that achieves dual objectives of having an experienced and technically sound employee, leading to the creation of a Clerk Coordinator position. He outlined the job duties, and indicated the candidate for this Clerk Coordinator position must have a minimum of five years’ experience in a city or township Clerk’s Office, and a minimum of three years’ experience with public records/records retention. Mr. Vanderpool stated that, to create this position, the City was required to negotiate with the MAPE Professional and Technical Employees Union. He advised that these negotiations produced the Memorandum of Understanding that is before Council for approval this evening, including the job description. He concluded that if this is approved, it is anticipated the new job classification will be filled in January 2018, and he added that City Administration is respectfully recommending approval of the Memorandum of Understanding. Mayor Taylor opened the floor for comments from the audience, but there were no comments made. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Page 12 Moved by Sierawski, seconded by Radtke, RESOLVED, to approve the memorandum of understanding between the City of Sterling Heights and MAPE Professional and Technical Employees Union creating the Clerk Coordinator classification and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign it on behalf of the City. Yes: All. The motion carried. 5. Mayor Taylor indicated this Consideration Item 3-K from the Consent Agenda to award the bid for the M-59 Corridor Marker and Ground Signs, City Project #17-301 at a total cost of $339,350. He invited Mr. Vanderpool to make a presentation. Mr. Vanderpool explained that, in anticipation of this item being pulled from the Consent Agenda, and a request from Council for additional due diligence, he determined a thorough presentation would be important. He explained the item being considered is for the construction and installation of the icon and two signs on M-59. He emphasized the importance of the signage to provide exposure for hundreds of Sterling Heights businesses located in the area, noting the market value of these businesses is hundreds of millions of dollars. With over 100,000 motorists traveling through the area daily, businesses and residents expect the City is doing everything possible to preserve and enhance these prominent corridors, and that expectation was clearly identified during the focus group discussions with business representatives and residents during development of the City’s Visioning 2030 plan. He explained one of the Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Page 13 weaknesses identified by stakeholders and outlined in the plan was that there is a lack of defining features throughout the City, and he pointed out the best opportunity to have an impact is on the major corridors. As the roads are improved, they are trying to address this weakness. Mr. Vanderpool restated the vision statement of the 2030 plan as a vibrant, welcoming city dedicated to a safe, attractive and distinctive community for residents and businesses. Sterling Heights…a bold vision for an exceptional quality of life. He explained there are seven guiding principles as part of their Visioning 2030 statement, and he restated the two that address this weakness: Focal points that are both public and private to serve as destinations for residents and visitors; and well- maintained and aesthetically-pleasing roads and green spaces. Mr. Vanderpool noted these goals can be best accomplished when roadways are reconstructed, which was the case with Van Dyke and Dodge Park Road, and now M-59, because they offer the most cost-effective means and provide the greatest impact. He stated the signage is also important from a regional perspective, citing the Lakeside area as an important economic development for the entire area, employing about 2,000 workers, making it Sterling Heights’ fourth largest employer. He explained that for the last couple of years, the City of Sterling Heights, along with neighboring communities, Michigan Department of Transportation and County representatives have been involved in developing a comprehensive plan for the M-59 corridor, starting in Utica and ending at Lake St. Clair. The communities involved with the M-59 improvements have agreed Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Page 14 it is important to have better identity for what has become widely known as “The Golden Corridor”. Features of the conceptual plan included enhanced landscaping, more aesthetically-pleasing traffic control devices, delineated crosswalks, and improved signage promoting “The Golden Corridor” brand. A short video was shown which focused on the importance of the M-59 corridor from a regional perspective. Mr. Vanderpool stated there is a lot of marketing money being spent on the corridor. Branding the corridor with appropriate signage and landscaping helps motorists and visitors traveling through the area with the “Golden Corridor” marketing brand, and the idea is to enhance the corridor as a destination place. Mr. Vanderpool outlined, through a PowerPoint presentation, the signage package being proposed this evening, which includes one sign located near Delco which will be visible to motorists traveling eastbound over the M-53 bridge. Another identical sign will be at Hayes, which will be visible to motorists traveling westbound into the boundary of Sterling Heights. A marquee sign in the shape of a large golden ring, representing “The Golden Corridor,” will be in the median across from Lakeside Mall, and this will draw attention to this specific area in Sterling Heights. He noted that Sterling Heights does not have any welcome signs along M-59, and the City of Utica is the only community at this time with a welcome sign on M-59. He outlined the details of the proposed signs, and he explained the construction contract is for $339,350, with $170,000 of that for the icon itself, and $85,000 for each of the Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Page 15 other two signs. He noted that the landscaping in the median will be installed through the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) contract, which was already approved by the City Council in the amount of $834,970. He stated the landscaping will be installed in the spring, and they have tried to concentrate the landscaping in the highly-visible intersections, thereby minimizing maintenance costs. The total cost of the M-59 project is $60 million, with the City’s local share of roadwork being $340,000, and with the vast majority of the overall project funded through state and federal funding sources. The total median enhancement cost is approximately two percentage of the total construction cost. He compared that to both Van Dyke and Dodge Park, with the signage and aesthetic elements equaling between two and three percent of the total construction cost. He stated two percent is very consistent with industry norms for the costs dedicated to landscaping and various aesthetic elements of the project in relation to the cost of the total construction project. He concluded that the package presented this evening is consistent with the City’s Visioning 2030 plan, and consistent with the overall Master Plan for the entire M-59 “Golden Corrido,r” is strongly supported by the business community, it is cost-effective and not reliant on property tax revenue, nor is any portion of the Safe Streets funding being utilized for this project. He stated that Sterling Heights is the first community on the corridor to make this commitment because the first part of the project took place in Sterling Heights and has been completed. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Page 16 Mayor Taylor opened the floor for comments from the audience, but there were no comments made. Moved by Ziarko, seconded by Taylor, RESOLVED, to award the bid for M-59 Corridor Marker and Ground Signs, City Project #17-301, to Warren Contractors & Development, Inc., 14979 Technology Drive, Shelby Township, MI 48315 at a total cost of $339,350 and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign all documentation required in conjunction with this approval. Councilwoman Ziarko appreciated that Councilwoman Koski pulled this item off the Consent Agenda because it is a lot of money to spend and there were questions as to why so much money is being spent on items that some may not feel is necessary. She stated after listening to Mr. Vanderpool’s presentation, she understood that it is important to look at the big picture for the community, not just the residents but the businesses that are trying to promote themselves. She referred to Mr. Vanderpool’s comment that Sterling Heights is the first community doing this along the corridor, and she inquired as to whether other communities will be encouraged to do the same so that it will all look the same up and down the corridor. Mr. Vanderpool stated they have had discussions with other communities along the corridor, and he added that this is the Master Plan that the communities studied and agreed would be appropriate for the entire corridor. Since the construction touched into Clinton Township this past summer and will continue in their community during the next construction season, he has Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Page 17 had discussions with the Clinton Township Supervisor, and he confirmed they are very interested in installing similar signage, although he does not know whether it will be the exactly the same. He assured the communities have all agreed to the concept, and it will be up to each community to go through their own review and approval process. Councilwoman Ziarko pointed out that communities are in competition with one another to bring businesses in as well as to retain businesses, and she noted this will all play a part in moving the area forward, especially with the redevelopment of Lakeside. It will also make the City competitive as to how they look to other communities and to businesses that may want to invest their money in Sterling Heights. She stated that, after having listened to the presentation, she will be voting in favor of this expenditure. Councilwoman Schmidt questioned the placement of the welcoming signs and whether the sign at Hayes, visible to westbound traffic, will be situated on the Macomb Township side of the median. She questioned how that will be handled when Macomb Township wants to put up a welcome sign for their community. Mr. Vanderpool clarified the westbound welcome sign is in the Sterling Heights jurisdiction in the median, and it will visually be oriented looking southward, slightly angled. Councilwoman Schmidt questioned whether it will appear crowded with each municipality putting up their own signs. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Page 18 Mr. Vanderpool appreciated that concern, but pointed out this is a vast corridor stretching for many miles, and it is not uncommon to have welcome signs on major corridors as motorists move from one jurisdiction into another. He did not anticipate that it will seem crowded, and with the common themes, it will be aesthetically pleasing signage that will have to comply with the overall brand of the corridor. He acknowledged that not all municipal jurisdictions will install the marquee, or they may not install the welcome signage, so that remains to be seen. He assured there is a Master Plan in place for the entire corridor. Councilwoman Koski questioned the M-59 corridor marker, and whether each community is going to have one of those marquees. She pointed out that the proposed marquee is to be in the median across from Lakeside, and she inquired as to whether Shelby Township, which is the abutting community to the north, will be paying for half the cost of the marquee. Mr. Vanderpool replied that, at this point in time, both the City of Utica and Shelby Township have participated with the other aesthetic elements, being the traffic control devices and delineated crosswalks that will be installed in the spring, but they are still reviewing whether they are going to put any specific signage in the median. He noted that they have installed welcome signage on Schoenherr, just north of M-59, but he did not know if they will have a welcome sign on M-59. He did not anticipate that they will be putting up a marquee Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Page 19 close to the Sterling Heights marquee, but whether they install one further down the corridor remains to be seen. Councilwoman Koski requested that Mr. Vanderpool review the funding once again for the signage. Mr. Vanderpool stated the overall project is $60 million, and almost all that funding has come from state and federal sources. The City’s local share was just over $300,000. Shelby Township had a local share, although he does not know whether Utica was exempt from a local share because of their population. He pointed out the local share for Van Dyke was much higher because it was entirely in the jurisdiction of Sterling Heights. He stated the City is getting a lot for their money in this corridor with some of the enhancements they are paying for, including the signage, when considering the overall cost of the project. He replied to further inquiry that the $339,350 is for the two welcoming signs in addition to the corridor marker. He added that there are some ancillary costs, including electrical work to get the signs hooked up because they will be backlit and visible at night. He explained there are also some engineering and design costs, so the total cost for the signage package is $442,500. Councilman Radtke questioned the size of the icon sign. Mr. Vanderpool replied it will measure 35 feet in height and 35 feet in diameter, so it will be a large marquee, although it is not obtrusive because it is not a solid surface. He assured it will be very distinctive and will be visible when Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Page 20 heading eastbound over the M-53 overpass. It will also be visible heading westbound from Hayes, so as motorists see the welcoming sign, they will also see the marquee sign in front of Lakeside. They are working with many stakeholders and many partners to reimagine Lakeside, and position it for continued success in the future, so these types of delineating features are important. Councilman Shannon stated his support of this agenda item, commenting that it adds an aesthetically-pleasing element to Hall Road and highlights this economically-important corridor. He added he will be voting in favor of the motion. Mayor Taylor commented that when the City invests in any of the items such as sculptures, mile markers on Van Dyke, and countless other things the City has done to improve the look of Sterling Heights, any one of these single improvements will not raise the value of homes and businesses in the City. He added, however, that when these unique, distinctive amenities are coordinated together, over time the City benefits from it. He pointed out that many of the people who drive on M-59 do not live in Sterling Heights or Macomb County, but when they drive on M-59, they will see very unique, distinctive, eye- catching monument signs that are going to give Sterling Heights exposure and it will build up the businesses as a result. He stated he is in favor of all the branding initiatives, and he was confident that the things Sterling Heights has Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Page 21 been doing year after year will be incredibly beneficial to the residents and businesses in the years to come. Yes: All. The motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Mr. Charles Jefferson – talked about Public Act 436 – Emergency Manager law; concerned about Utica Community Schools. REPORTS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATION AND CITY COUNCIL Mr. Vanderpool stated he has nothing further to report. Mr. Kaszubski stated he has nothing further to report. Councilman Radtke attended the candlelight vigil for Ms. Hopson, who was recently murdered in this community. He stressed the crime is unacceptable, it was a tragedy, and he was proud to stand with her family and remember her. Councilwoman Schmidt noted that the construction of the Tim Horton’s is underway at the southwest corner of Moravian and Schoenherr. She inquired as to when the designated left-turn improvement will be made at that intersection. Mr. Brent Bashaw, City Engineer, explained they started moving dirt and installing utilities, and the sanitary sewer is going in on the south side of the road. Once that is installed and they have the road base, they will be working on the intersection improvement, which is anticipated to take place in early spring. He added that the City is following right behind them with the signal. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Page 22 Councilwoman Schmidt was pleased to hear the progress being made, adding that is a dangerous intersection and she is excited to see that improvement will be taking place. Mayor Taylor wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. ADJOURN Moved by Ziarko, seconded by Schmidt, RESOLVED, to adjourn the meeting. Yes: All. The motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:54 p.m. MELANIE D. RYSKA, City Clerk