City Council

CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2021 IN CITY HALL 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; Carol Sobosky, Recording Secretary. 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 reminded that City offices will be closed for business on Thursday, November 11, 2021, in observance of Veteran’s Day, and the closures include city hall, the library, community center, senior center, nature center, DPW recycling, and 41A District Court. He advised that normal hours will resume on Friday, November 12, and the closure will not affect the refuse collection schedule. Mr. Vanderpool stated the annual Veteran’s Day Ceremony, which is co-sponsored by local Veteran’s groups, will be held on November 11, 2021, at 11 a.m. at the Sterling Heights Community Center. It is open to the public, and he encouraged everyone to attend. Regular City Council Meeting Wednesday, November 3, 2021 Page 2 Mr. Vanderpool reminded that the second SHINE Clean-Up Day for this year will be taking place this Saturday, November 6, 2021. Volunteers go out and help those unable to clean up their yards by raking leaves, trimming bushes, mowing lawns, etc., and they generally get about seventy-five volunteers who help approximately thirty homes. It starts at 9:30 a.m. at First Church, located at 39400 Dequindre Road, and they are always looking for volunteers for a couple of hours. He encouraged those interested to meet at the church at 9:30 a.m., and the City will provide all of the tools and supplies needed. He stated this concludes his report for this evening. 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 presented: A. To approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 19, 2021. B. To approve payment of the bills as presented: General Fund - $488,084.18, Water & Sewer Fund - $387,253.67, Other Funds - $3,720,958.62, Total Checks - $4,596,296.47. C. RESOLVED, to: 1) Purchase metal roofing materials and accessories from Garland / DBS Inc., 3800 East 91st Street, Cleveland, OH 44105, at pricing available through OMNIA / U.S. Communities cooperative purchasing contract, #PW1925, in the amount of $148,519.99; 2) Award the bid for Senior Center Sloped Roof Replacement Project, Phase III, to Royal Roofing Company, Inc., 2445 Brown Road, Orion, MI 48359, in the amount of $126,800. D. RESOLVED, to purchase elevator repair services from Kone, Inc., 11864 Belden Court, Livonia MI 48150, at pricing available through the OMNIA Partners / National IPA Cooperative Request for Proposals, contract #EV2516, in the amount of $113,550, and authorize the City Manager to sign all required documentation in conjunction with this approval. E. RESOLVED, to purchase weights and equipment from Life Fitness, Inc., 10601 Belmont Avenue, Franklin Park, IL 60131, at pricing available Regular City Council Meeting Wednesday, November 3, 2021 Page 3 through General Services Administration purchasing contract #GS-03F- 120DA at a total cost of $73,874.84 and authorize a budget amendment using State Forfeiture Fund reserves. F. RESOLVED, to purchase two (2) 2021 Dodge Durango Police Pursuit AWD vehicles from LaFontaine CDJR-Lansing, 6131 S. Pennsylvania Ave, Lansing, MI 48911, at pricing available through a State of Michigan MiDeal cooperative purchasing contract, #071B7700183, in the cumulative amount of $68,464. G. RESOLVED, to accept the proposal by Allied Building Service Company of Detroit Inc., 1801 Howard St., Detroit, MI 48216, for interior renovations to meeting room no. 8 at the Sterling Heights Senior Center at a cost of $48,000.70. H. RESOLVED, to award the bid for pruning of street trees to Wonsey Tree Service, Inc., PO Box 1142, Alma, MI 48801, at unit pricing bid. I. RESOLVED, to direct the City Attorney to prepare the necessary agreement to vacate a portion of the 30-foot sanitary sewer easement for the proposed residential development on Unit 1 of Hidden Estates of Sterling Heights, commonly known as 4888 Harriet Lane, in Section 8; PSP17-0008, and the Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the City; and RESOLVED, that City Council has no objection to the issuance of a building permit for the proposed residential development on Unit 1 of Hidden Estates of Sterling Heights, commonly known as 4888 Harriet Lane, in Section 8; PSP17-0008, subject to the following terms and conditions: 1) That site plans and/or building plans be approved by the City Development Department prior to issuance of a building permit; 2) That Applicant pay all costs incurred by the City in preparation and recording of the easement vacation document(s), including attorneys’ fees; and, 3) That Applicant agrees in writing to indemnify and hold the City, its officers, and employees, harmless from all damages to persons or property arising from construction activities in the existing easement prior to completion of the vacation process. J. RESOLVED, to approve the purchase of the Arx Alert Transparency software module from Tyler Technologies, Inc., 840 West Long Lake Road, Troy, MI 48098, at a cost of $14,014. K. RESOLVED, to approve the Independent Contractor Agreement between the City of Sterling Heights and Doug Mazzola, d/b/a Dance In Sync, 42374 Parkside Circle, Sterling Heights, MI 48314, and authorize the City Manager to sign the Agreement and any extension on the same terms and conditions. L. RESOLVED, to approve the Pass-Through Agreement between the City of Sterling Heights and Southeast Michigan Council of Governments Regular City Council Meeting Wednesday, November 3, 2021 Page 4 (SEMCOG) and authorize the Mayor to sign the Agreement on behalf of the City. M. RESOLVED, to approve the Settlement Agreement and Release in resolution of Fraley vs. City of Sterling Heights, et al; Macomb County Circuit Court Case No. 19-1606-NI and authorize the City Manager to sign all documents required in conjunction with this approval. Yes: All. The motion carried. 7. CONSIDERATION A. Mayor Taylor stated this is to consider an appointment to the City of Sterling Heights Sustainability Commission. He opened the floor for public comment, but no one spoke. Sustainability Commission Moved by Schmidt, seconded by Ziarko, RESOLVED, to appoint Michael Tabbert to the Sustainability Commission to a term ending June 30, 2022, subject to the appointee meeting the qualifications set forth in Charter §4.03 and taking the oath of office within two weeks. Councilwoman Schmidt stated she spoke with Mr. Tabbert last week, and he is excited to serve on this Commission. She felt he will be a tremendous addition. Yes: All. The motion carried. Citizens Advisory Committee Moved by Radtke, seconded by Taylor, RESOLVED, to appoint Benjamin Orjada to the Citizens Advisory Committee (CDBG) to a term ending June 30, 2022, subject to the appointee meeting the qualifications set forth in Charter §4.03 and taking the oath of office within two weeks. Councilman Radtke commented that Mr. Orjada is present this evening, and he frequently attends the meetings. He has requested to be on this Committee but did not get his application in on time to be considered last year. He felt Mr. Orjada will be a tremendous addition to the committee, adding he is young and wants to make Sterling Heights even better. Regular City Council Meeting Wednesday, November 3, 2021 Page 5 Mayor Taylor appreciated Mr. Orjada’s willingness to serve, and he agreed that Mr. Orjada has been at most, if not all, City Council meetings in the recent months. Yes: All. The motion carried. 8. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Mayor Taylor opened the floor for comments from the audience. • Benjamin Orjada – congratulated the Mayor and Council members for their recent reelection; thanked the Mayor and Council for his appointment to the Citizen’s Advisory Committee and he looks forward to serving. 9. REPORTS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATION AND CITY COUNCIL Mr. Vanderpool stated he has nothing further to report this evening. Councilman Yanez thanked the City Clerk and her team for their outstanding job running the elections this year. He added his thanks to the volunteers and those who worked the polls and counting boards. He explained he received an education during the last presidential election to see what it takes to run an election, and it involves a long period of time and a lot of work, so he reiterated his appreciation of the fantastic job they did. Mayor Pro-Tem Sierawski thanked the City Clerk and her office, noting it was a slightly different process this year through the County, but it went smoothly. She thanked the voters for reelecting herself and her colleagues, and she appreciated their support and reaffirmation that they are doing what the voters want. She assured they will continue to strive to support and represent all of the residents, and she urged them to let Council know if they do not like something. She thanked the challengers who ran for office, adding everyone who wants should Regular City Council Meeting Wednesday, November 3, 2021 Page 6 have a voice and try to represent their city. She congratulated her colleagues, wishing them the best, and they look forward to another four years. Councilman Radtke echoed his colleagues’ sentiments. He stressed it is wonderful to have such a great City Clerk and her excellent staff. He noted the new process forced upon them by the County Clerk did not provide partial results, so they were all waiting for the final results. He thanked the workers and also thanked the voters, both those who came to the polls and those who voted by absentee ballots. He felt they have a great team, the City is moving forward, and the voters provided a resounding mandate to keep the City moving forward. Councilwoman Schmidt thanked the City Clerk and her department, adding that they not only had to work this election, but they also worked in August for a primary election. She thanked the voters who supported her and her colleagues, adding she is looking forward to the next four years, not always agreeing but being respectful and working together. She thanked all of the residents who voted in person and by absentee ballots. Councilwoman Ziarko thanked the City Clerk and the entire Elections Department for all they have done. She felt one of the best lessons she received a year ago was witnessing how their ballots are processed, and she felt if there is a way they can do something to educate the community, they would understand the fairness that goes into their elections. She has been able to let people know that the elections in Sterling Heights are accurate. She thanked all who voted, and she is looking forward to the swearing-in next week. Regular City Council Meeting Wednesday, November 3, 2021 Page 7 Councilwoman Koski thanked the residents who voted in person and by absentee ballots. She is glad to see their team is back together again, and she added they have a lot of work to do in the next four years. She emphasized they have some important projects coming up, and she urged residents to let Council members know their desires and the direction they would like to see them go. She congratulated her colleagues and looks forward to continue working together. She commended Clerk Ryska on having the best Election Department. Mayor Taylor thanked Council members for their comments. He congratulated them as well for a hard-earned victory, and he thanked all of the voters. He congratulated Clerk Ryska and her team for running an incredible election. He added the work they do is complicated and difficult, but he has the utmost respect for what they do, and he assured residents that their elections are secure and conducted with integrity. He reminded that they will have a swearing-in ceremony next Tuesday evening, November 9, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. 11. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business. 12. CLOSED SESSION PERMITTED UNDER ACT 267 OF 1976 Mr. Kaszubski stated there are no items for closed session this evening. 13. ADJOURN Moved by Ziarko, seconded by Schmidt, RESOLVED, to adjourn the meeting. Yes: All. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m. MELANIE D. RYSKA, City Clerk