City Council

CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020 IN COMMUNITY CENTER 1. Mayor Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. Mayor Taylor led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and Melanie D. Ryska, City Clerk, gave the Invocation. 3. Council Members present at roll call: Deanna Koski, Michael V. Radtke Jr., Maria G. Schmidt, Liz Sierawski, Michael C. Taylor, Henry Yanez, Barbara A. Ziarko. Also Present: Mark Vanderpool, City Manager; Marc D. Kaszubski, City Attorney; Melanie D. Ryska, City Clerk. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Moved by Koski, seconded by Ziarko, RESOLVED, to approve the agenda as presented. Yes: All. The motion carried. 5. REPORT FROM CITY MANAGER Mr. Vanderpool stated that in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, the City offices and a few other facilities will be closed for business on Thursday and Friday, November 26 and 27, 2020, resulting in a one-day delay in refuse collection, so Thursday’s collection will be on Friday, and Friday’s collection will be on Saturday. The last week for collection of yard waste will be December 7 through December 11, and the City Ordinance requires that leaves be collected from yards or mulched. He addressed snow emergencies, which can happen at any time now, and he urged everyone to sign up for the Snow Emergency alert systems by going onto the City’s website, input name and cell phone number, Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Page 2 and those who sign up will receive a text and email to alert them when there is a snow emergency. They also issue these alerts through traditional means as well, but the texts and emails are the best way to stay informed, with thousands of people on the alert system. Cars cannot be parked on the roads when a snow emergency is issued, and hundreds of tickets are issued every time there is a snow emergency, which is necessary to ensure safe passage of emergency vehicles and snow plows. He added that sidewalks have to be cleared as well within 24 hours of a snow event. Mr. Vanderpool advised there are a number of on-demand services, but one with whom they have developed a relationship is Lawn Guru. Anyone interested can go to the City’s website, download their app, and get more information on the on-demand service, which does not require a contract. They can be used as needed, and it is a very good service, with an average cost between $40 to $45, depending upon the depth of the snow. He added they are very dependable and their service comes in very handy when they have a snowfall. Mr. Vanderpool provided an update on COVID-related matters in light of the new order issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. He showed some statistics with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation on the number of COVID cases they have had in Sterling Heights starting on April 3 through last week, with another update expected this week. He pointed out there was a peak in April with around sixty cases per day, which steadily declined with the stay-at-home order. The cases started rising with the Fourth Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Page 3 of July and Labor Day holidays, and then through the month of October into November, the cases have skyrocketed, mirroring the trends across the state and the country. He stated it is unfortunate that Macomb County has one of the highest positivity rates, hovering around seventeen percent, with the City of Detroit experiencing a much lower positivity rate of under seven percent. He stressed it is imperative that everyone needs to do more to control the spread of this virus. He reviewed the data on the death rates in Sterling Heights, noting they have unfortunately had over two hundred deaths, or about four percent of all positive cases in Sterling Heights result in death. Mr. Vanderpool reviewed what the community has done since the emergency was declared in March, noting the emergency declaration is still in place, and they do not envision rescinding it in the near future based on the data. He explained the City developed a very comprehensive reopening plan once the Stay-At-Home order was rescinded, and that has worked very well protecting those who visit the City’s facilities. They have had no major outbreaks in City Hall with employees, due in large part to the comprehensive reopening plan, which is posted on their website. He stated all of their employees go through daily electronic screening before they can enter facilities, and if they do not pass the screening, they cannot enter and must go home and through a quarantine and testing process. They have had numerous community-wide “Mask-Up” public service announcements (PSA’s), including on cable and other mediums. He noted they had an outbreak in their Chaldean community, and Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Page 4 they have done all they can to get the “Mask-Up” announcements to them. The City has been involved with the Macomb County Public Works office, testing sewage samples at six locations across the city, and that data is showing the concentration of COVID is far greater than what is being validated through testing. Numerous communities across the state have been participating in testing, and the information is being shared with the Health Department. They have unfortunately had to work with some businesses that were non- compliant and had to shut down one or two businesses and cite others with violations, but most have complied with the various orders. They are meeting with businesses everyday to make sure they quickly come into compliance, and have done what they can to help them with the Council-approved “Sterling Heights Inside Out” program, where businesses can conduct their business outdoors on the sidewalk or in the parking lot. A number of businesses have taken advantage of it, and they hope it continues through winter with igloos, tents, etc. They have been involved with the Chamber of Commerce to help coordinate and assist the distribution of over $3 million to businesses to help their efforts suffering through the pandemic. He added that they have secured an ample supply of personal protection equipment (PPE), not only for the City’s organization, with thousands of N95 masks for police and fire, and hundreds of thousands of surgical masks, thanks in part to FCA and Ford Motor Company, who have donated thousands of masks. He advised the City is happy to Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Page 5 distribute surgical masks to community groups who need them, and he suggested they email him or contact the Mayor or any of the Council members. Mr. Vanderpool assured they are collaborating with health care leaders regularly and monitor their reports daily and doing all they can to make sure they have up-to-date information. City Council meetings have been moved to this building to make it safer, but unfortunately, they will have to go back to Zoom meetings for the next couple of Council meetings. They have developed a volunteer corps to assist seniors with their needs such as shopping or taking their pets to the vet. Seniors who need assistance can call the city, and they will help them get connected. Mr. Vanderpool informed that 150 employees have now been provided state- of-the-art equipment to be able to work remotely on a rotating schedule so they can continue to provide city services and keep employees safe at the same time. They developed an impressive at-home city services program, so almost any city business can be conducted online from home or business. He added they can conduct inspections virtually to keep everything moving along so they are not creating additional hardship on businesses. They monitor twenty- seven senior living facilities regularly, and they are providing emergency services almost daily because of COVID incidences in those facilities. They have coordinated and hosted a number of community-wide testing events. The Mayor and City Council have made direct appeals to the community in various forms, including numerous video productions, emphasizing the precautions Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Page 6 that must be followed by businesses and residents to remain safe. The City reduced recreational programming and they are still closing problematic park amenities because they are not getting the compliance they need with mask- wearing. The Sterling Heights firefighters, who are all certified paramedics, just received approval today to begin administering rapid COVID testing to all police and fire personnel, which allows them to be tested quickly in the event of exposure rather than quarantining and the lengthy testing procedures. The City has a health clinic located in City Hall, staffed with a fully-certified doctor, nurse, and related support personnel, and they provide services to City personnel, including COVID-19 testing. He added that they have thankfully not had the outbreaks in City Hall like they have had in some other communities. He advised the City is preparing for vaccination distribution for first responders and the community-at-large in conjunction with the State’s plan, which they have studied carefully, and expect to play a significant role in that eventual process. The City meets regularly with federal, state, and county officials to make sure they are covering every possible area with respect to this pandemic. Mr. Vanderpool explained that the City provided financial relief to the residents who have not been able to pay their water bills due to financial hardship, and that program started this past summer. He suggested anyone wanting more information on the items mentioned tonight can go to their comprehensive website. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Page 7 Mr. Vanderpool stated that, in light of the recent order the Governor mentioned, the City is taking additional measures to make sure they comply, and he reviewed those changes. There will be no change in essential service departments, including Police, Fire, and DPW, who will continue providing emergency services 24/7. There will be no change at City Hall, although they have had to reduce their in-person employee numbers further, but City Hall will remain open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., with closure for lunch from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. because there is not enough manpower to cover the lunch hour period. He urged residents to use the City’s At-Home service to keep everyone safe, by going to sterling-heights.net/athomeservices to see what they can do, which covers about ninety-five percent of every imaginable service. The library will continue to provide curbside and home delivery services; however, the building itself will be closed effective tomorrow. Digital library services are available at shpl.net. The Community Center and Senior Center will be closed starting tomorrow until December 8, and it is likely to be extended. Senior transportation is still available for medical and shopping appointments only. He sadly announced that Sterling Christmas will be canceled this year, but he added that the Dodge Park ice rink will open on December 1, with a maximum of twenty-two skaters at a time. Skate rental will not be available, but they are glad to be able to open the ice rink. The Nature Center will remain open but limited to five visitors at a time. The District Court is not open to the public, but most matters are being handled by video Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Page 8 conference, and he recommended calling the court’s number to get more information. He stressed face masks are required at all facilities, or those not wearing them have to be turned away, although there are a few exceptions. Mr. Vanderpool explained the biggest change is that restaurants can no longer provide in-restaurant services but can only provide walk-up, take-out, or delivery services. There is no bar service, and this order goes through December 8. He noted that high schools, colleges, restaurants, theaters, stadiums, arenas, bowling centers, indoor ice rinks, indoor water parks, bingo halls, casinos, arcades, and the like are all closed. Mr. Vanderpool concluded his report by requesting a City Council convene a Closed Session, pursuant to Section 8(h) of the Open Meetings Act to consult with the City Attorney regarding a confidential written legal opinion. 6. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Taylor stated this item is consideration of the Consent Agenda. He opened the floor for public comments, but no one spoke. Moved by Koski, seconded by Ziarko, RESOLVED, to approve the Consent Agenda as amended: A. To approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 4, 2020. B. To approve payment of the bills as presented: General Fund - $534,919.81, Water & Sewer Fund - $3,259,500.40, Other Funds - $4,035,109.65, Total Checks - $7,829,529.86. C. RESOLVED, to purchase twenty-two (22) Dell Latitude 5424 rugged laptop computers from Access Interactive, LLC, 46665 Magellan Drive, Novi, MI 48377, at pricing available through the Midwestern Higher Education Commission cooperative purchasing program, contract #MHEC-07012015, at a cumulative cost of $63,316. D. RESOLVED, to award the bid for twenty-two (22) Wireless AirLink RVSS routers to Digital Highway Wireless Solutions, 175 Hill Brady Road, Battle Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Page 9 Creek, MI 49037, based upon the unit pricing bid at a total cost of $12,935.34. E. RESOLVED, to award the bid for medical assessments and fitness evaluations of Sterling Heights firefighters to Bio-Care, Inc., 1778 Holloway Drive, Suite A, Holt, MI 48842, at unit pricing bid and authorize a budget amendment in the amount of $55,935 from General Fund Reserves. F. RESOLVED, to receive the lawsuit, John Copenhagen v Sterling Heights Police Department; 41A District Court Case No. S-20-2105-GZ. Yes: All. The motion carried. 7. CONSIDERATION A. Mayor Taylor stated this is to consider approval of a memorandum of understanding between the City of Sterling Heights and Teamsters Local 214 – Department of Public Works Field Unit Employees. He invited Mr. Vanderpool to give a presentation. Mr. Vanderpool stated this is the sixth collective bargaining agreement that the City Council has considered over the last few months regarding their funeral leave policies. They are trying to update all of their funeral leave policies with all of their bargaining units, and what they currently have in place is very dated and needs to be updated. He explained the new agreement creates some certainty and very little ambiguity, with greater flexibility and uniformity with the new funeral leave policies. He added that it is a less intrusive process for city employees, so it has been well received by the employees. He respectfully requested that the Mayor and City Council approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) before them this evening. Mayor Taylor opened the floor for public comments, but no one spoke. Moved by Schmidt, seconded by Ziarko, RESOLVED, to approve the memorandum of understanding between the City of Sterling Heights and Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Page 10 Teamsters Local 214 – Department of Public Works Field Unit Employees and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the memorandum on behalf of the City. Councilwoman Schmidt stated she felt this has been well-covered a number of times and she is satisfied with the explanations they have received in the past. Yes: All. The motion carried. B. Mayor Taylor stated this is to consider nominations to the City of Sterling Heights Board and Commissions. He opened the floor for comments from the audience, but no one spoke. There were no nominations for the two open positions to the Board of Ordinance Appeals II Alternates. Moved by Ziarko, seconded by Schmidt, RESOLVED, to nominate John Fenn, for consideration as an appointee to the Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate at the December 1, 2020 regular City Council meeting. Yes: All. The motion carried. There were no nominations for the position to the Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate. Moved by Radtke, seconded by Taylor, RESOLVED, to postpone the nominations to the Board of Ordinance Appeals II Alternate (2) and Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate to the December 1, 2020 regular City Council meeting. Yes: All. The motion carried. C. Mayor Taylor stated this is to consider an appointment to the City of Sterling Heights Youth Advisory Board. He opened the floor for comments from the audience, but no one spoke. Moved by Sierawski, seconded by Schmidt, RESOLVED, to appoint Angelina Toma to the Youth Advisory Board to a term ending June 30, 2021, subject to Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Page 11 the appointee meeting the qualifications set forth in Charter §4.03 and taking the oath of office within two weeks. Yes: All. The motion carried. 10. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Mayor Taylor opened the floor for comments from citizens. • Mr. Charles Jefferson – procedure for breaking up large gatherings; breakdown of where people are contracting COVID-19; process of expanding Van Dyke freeway; Riverland Shopping Center property; Single Parent/Displaced Homemaker program through CDBG. • Mr. Paul Maney – thanked Mayor, Council members, City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk for all they have done this year; thankful for diversity in this City; thanked Councilwoman Schmidt for her previous comments and the good message about diversity. • Ms. Brandi Wright – suggested Simple Recycling, a curbside clothing recycling program, bags are distributed, filled by residents, placed at curbside on trash pickup day, and are picked up by the company and clothing is reused; added that City makes a small amount of money annually for doing this. 11. REPORTS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATION AND CITY COUNCIL Mr. Vanderpool stated they try to do their best to enforce large-scale gatherings, but it is difficult to legislate common sense. He felt most people are aware they should not be having large-scale gatherings and should be limited to family members. When they become aware of a large event that is clearly violating the order, they send their CORE officers out to speak to a homeowner, who will typically understand and try to disperse the crowd. They do not know exactly where individuals are contracting COVID, and it is difficult to pin it down. Contact tracing has been somewhat successful, but through science and research, they have found that mask-wearing is clearly effective Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Page 12 and vitally important to stop the spread of this virus until they can get the vaccines, which look promising. Mr. Vanderpool explained that the Van Dyke speedway project is on hold indefinitely. He added that the progress on the Vincenzio Banquet Center is frustrating because it is taking so long, but they have no legal rights to take the building away from the current owner or pursue legal proceedings to do that, but he assured it will eventually get done because they are working on it. There are a number of development opportunities for North Van Dyke, and that is why they are going through the process of updating the long-range development plan. Mr. Vanderpool also reminded that the next City Council meeting, scheduled for December 1, will be a virtual meeting via Zoom, so they will not be meeting in person on that date. He added it is likely they will need to conduct the December 15, meeting via Zoom as well. Councilwoman Schmidt noted that Mr. Vanderpool had mentioned the skating rink will be opening but there will only be twenty-two skaters allowed at a time. She inquired as to whether they will be in shifts, and how that will be monitored. Mr. Vanderpool stated they will rotated in shifts and their rink monitors will take care of that, although he is not sure of the amount of time each shift will be allowed to skate, assuming there is another group waiting to go. He admitted it will be a hardship that they do not have skate rental this year, and they are trying to work through it. They are trying to work with some skate Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Page 13 shops and they could possibly develop some promotional programs and work out discounts for residents to purchase skates at an affordable price. There will be some trial and error, but they will do the best they can, although they know for certain that they cannot have more than twenty-two people on the ice at one time. Councilwoman Schmidt provided a shout-out to the DPW and their efforts for their annual Christmas food drive, and she advised that any residents who wish to help their cause can drop off their donations at the DPW facility on 18 Mile Road from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays. She added that all non-perishable food is welcome, or a monetary donation can be made by sending a check through Community Relations. She extended her appreciation to all of their employees during the COVID pandemic because everyone has gone beyond expectations of keeping everyone in this community as safe as possible, including themselves. She felt they all need to do their part. She wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and urged everyone to stay safe. Mayor Pro-Tem Sierawski also mentioned the DPW food drive, and suggested that the additional non-perishable items people may have because they are not having the large Thanksgiving or Christmas gatherings they were planning on this year can be donated to a good cause. She thanked the city employees for all they have done, and she and her family extend their wishes to everyone Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Page 14 for a Happy Thanksgiving, and she urged everyone to keep their gatherings small to be safe, noting there will only be four at her house this year. Councilwoman Ziarko wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, acknowledging it will be different for everyone in an attempt to be safe and celebrate with their own households only. She reminded everyone to “mask-up” and added that the City has masks to provide if needed. She questioned whether there is a chance that the City could take donations of skates, and they could be provided to someone at a reasonable price or given to them. Mr. Vanderpool stated that is a great idea, and he will meet with the Parks and Recreation Director to explore the logistics. He stated he will report back. Councilman Radtke extended wishes to everyone for a Happy Thanksgiving. He agreed with his colleagues that this year will be unlike other years, and he urged everyone to keep celebrations small, wear their masks, and social distance. He hoped they will have a vaccine and be back to normal next year. Councilwoman Koski stated they received a letter that was emailed to them, and the letter was from the Area Agency on Aging 1-B, and it was in regard to the Resolution the City sent to them regarding the Chore Program. She asked if they could let the senior residents know the status. Mr. Vanderpool thanked the Mayor and City Council for passing the Resolution opposing the almost $100,000 cut in the program. The Chore Program has been longstanding to help seniors and others who are low-income and qualify for grass-mowing and snow removal during the winter months. It has been a Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Page 15 popular program and cherished by those who qualify and use it. He informed there are about one hundred people in Sterling Heights who qualify for and take advantage of the program every year. Through this reduction, the program would have had to have been almost eliminated, with possibly only thirty people at the most being able to be helped. He stated that thankfully through the City Council’s effort, they appealed to the County Commissioners, and he thanked County Commissioner Joe Romano who worked diligently, and he also thanked County Commissioner Rob Mijac who supported his effort to restore funding for next year only. As a result, the one hundred residents who take advantage of this program now do not have to worry because funding is restored in full for the next year. They have a one-year reprieve, and they will have to collaborate with the County to figure out a long-term solution. Councilwoman Koski extended her wishes to the residents for a Happy Thanksgiving. Councilman Yanez wished the residents a Happy Thanksgiving and agreed with his colleagues that it will be different this year. He reminded that every holiday season, there are people who are alone on the holidays, so he urged everyone to look out for their neighbors. He urged them to call a neighbor if they know that person is alone, just so they know they are being thought of. Mayor Taylor wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and urged everyone to stay safe and enjoy it with the people who live in their households. He also extended a special birthday wish to his son at home, and stressed this Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Page 16 pandemic is taking a toll on kids when they cannot participate in school and sports in person. He encouraged everyone to take this seriously, and he is optimistic that by this time next year, the vaccines will be available and they will be “looking at COVID in the rear-view mirror”. He thanked the residents for their continued efforts to keep everyone safe. 12. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. 13. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business. 14. CLOSED SESSION PERMITTED UNDER ACT 267 OF 1976 Mr. Kaszubski stated there is a Closed Session tonight. 15. ADJOURN Moved by Ziarko, seconded by Schmidt, RESOLVED, to adjourn the meeting and recess into Closed Session at 7:51 p.m. Roll Call: Yes: Koski, Radtke, Schmidt, Sierawski, Yanez, Ziarko, and Taylor. No: None The motion carried. The meeting adjourned from Closed Session at 8:20 p.m. MELANIE D. RYSKA, City Clerk