City of Allen Park

Council Minutes of October 8, 2002

The meeting was call to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor King. Roll Call showed present Councilpersons Babbage, Bowdell, Rossman, Tertzag, Tucci and Mayor King, excused was Councilman Burtka. Also present was City Attorney Tamsen and City Administrator Welch.

MOTION by Tucci

SUPPORTED by Babbage

Resolved, that the Agenda for October 8, 2002 be approved as amended.

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Rossman

SUPPORTED by Tucci

Resolved, that the Minutes of September 24, 2002 be approved as submitted.

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Babbage

SUPPORTED by Rossman

Resolved, that Claims and Accounts in the amount of $3,155,146.79 be approved for payment.

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Rossman

SUPPORTED by Bowdell

Resolved, that the City of Allen Park proclaim Bible Week.

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Babbage

SUPPORTED by Bowdell

Resolved, that commendations be given to retirees Judith Glynn, Clerk Typist III and Jill Tringer, Deputy City Clerk for years of faithful service.

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Rossman

SUPPORTED by Bowdell

Whereas, present and planned development in the area north of Outer Drive has placed new demands on the resources of the City of Allen Park to provide fire and rescue services to the part of our city; and

Whereas, the law allows municipalities to proved services to assess the properties benefited, therefore

Now, Be It Resolved, that the City Attorney, City Administrator and City Engineer commence research on the establishment of a special assessment district to construct a fire station in northern Allen Park, and to use the power of eminent domain to acquire the land.

MOTION by Tertzag

SUPPORTED by Bowdell

Resolved, to strike the “and to use the power of eminent domain to acquire the land”, in the resolution for Special Assessment District for Fire Station.

ROLL CALL VOTE: Yeas: Tucci, Bowdell, Babbage, Tertzag

Nays: Rossman, King

Absent: Burtka

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Tertzag

SUPPORTED by Rossman

Whereas, public health and safety requires sidewalks to prevent pedestrians from walking in the streets and being exposed to vehicular traffic; and

Whereas, there are presently no sidewalks in the Fairlane Business Park; and

Whereas, the law allows municipalities to provide for sidewalks and assess the benefited properties;

Now, Therefore Be It Res0olved, that Legal Counsel and the City Administrator be authorized to commence research in cooperation with the City Engineer to establish a Special Assessment District for the Fairlane Business Park, with the purpose of constructing sidewalks therein, and collecting assessments from property owners to pay for same. Counsel, Administrator and Engineer to report findings within sixty (60) days.

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Tertzag

SUPPORTED by Rossman

Resolved, that the Regular Council Meeting scheduled for December 24, 2002 be held on December 17, 2002, due to the Christmas Holiday.

MOTION ADAPTED

MOTION by Rossman

SUPPORTED by Babbage

Resolved, that the City Clerk be authorized to increase fees as follows:

1. Registered Voter and Absentee Voter Lists

1. On disc - $25.00

2. On paper - $.01 per name

3. On labels – 4.01 per name plus cost of labels

2. Animal Licenses:

1. Regular - $5.00

2. Senior Citizen - $1.50

3. Garage, Basement, Estate Sale Permits

1. $10.00

4. Business Licenses

1. All licenses increase 100%

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Bowdell

SUPPORTED by Tucci

Resolved, to accept and file the Annual Report from the Planning and Zoning Commission, as presented by Chairman Kettelhut.

MOTION ADOPTED

Mr. Ron May, Sr. Vice President of Energy DTE informed the Council of their resolutions to the problems with power outages.

Annette Knowles, Director of the Downtown Development Authority presented a status report on the DDA Southfield/Allen project.

MOTION by Tertzag

SUPPORTED by Rossman

Resolved, to approve the application from Universal Insurance Agency to pass out flyers, subject to payment of fee and normal caveats.

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Babbage

SUPPORTED by Rossman

Resolved, to table the request from Deeper Life Christian Church to solicit donations.

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Tertzag

SUPPORTED by Bowdell

Resolved, to approve the Parade Permit Application for the Annual Elks Pumpkin Patch.

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Rossman

SUPPORTED by Bowdell

Resolved, that Derek Tamsen of Boy Scout Troop #842 is given permission to install a handicapped ramp at the City of Allen Park Historical House as an Eagle Scout project.

MOTION ADOPTED

Mr. Ricky Moursouleas spoke to Council in opposition regarding the variance at 19330 Champaign.

MOTION by Tucci

SUPPORTED by Babbage

Resolved, to accept and file the letter regarding the Fire Chief’s reimbursement from the Public Safety Commission.

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Babbage

SUPPORTED by Rossman

Resolved, that after a Public Hearing, the request for an alley vacation for the alley between Jane and Kim and Southfield and Beatrice, is approved with the normal caveat regarding building on the alley.

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Babbage

SUPPORTED by Rossman

Resolved, that a 1^st and 2^nd Reading, by title only, for proposed Ordinance 2002-5 “Blight Ordinance” be heard.

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Rossman

SUPPORTED by Tucci

Resolved, that a 1^st and 2^nd Reading, by title only, for proposed Ordinance 2002-6 “Ethics Board Complaint Process Amendment” be heard.

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Bowdell

SUPPORTED by Babbage

Resolved, that a 1^st and 2^nd Reading, by title only, for proposed Ordinance 2002-7 “Vending in City Parks” be heard.

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Rossman

SUPPORTED by Tertzag

Resolved, that a 1^st and 2^nd Reading, by title only, for proposed Ordinance 2002-8 “Domestic Violence Ordinance” be heard.

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Tertzag

SUPPORTED by Rossman

Resolved, to hold a Council Work Session on December 3, 2002 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss Allen Park District I Sanitary Sewers and Weeping Tile Disconnection Grants.

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Tucci

SUPPORTED by Bowdell

Whereas, the City of Allen Park has granted Baker College a Special Use Permit for the property at 4500 Enterprise Drive for a college; and

Whereas, Baker College is a tax exempt organization; therefore

Be It Resolved, that the property at 4500 Enterprise Drive, Tax Item Numbers 30-006-99-0002-002, 30-006-99-0002-001 and 30-006-99-0002-004, be changed to tax exempt property on the City Tax Roll.

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Tertzag

SUPPORTED by Rossman

Whereas, the State of Michigan’s municipal finance, infrastructure and economic development policies have encouraged unending outward expansion via the construction of new subdivisions and shopping centers in areas that were until recently farmlands and open space;

Whereas, Southeast Michigan’s rapid outward development encourages racial and economic segregation and threatens the viability of numerous established cities, which are losing population, business activity and tax base as residents are induced to move to new subdivisions on the region’s fringe;

Whereas, older suburbs in southeast Michigan are at a crossroads similarly to the situation that confronted Detroit a generation ago, as they struggle to maintain their quality of life in the face of aging infrastructure, growing numbers of needy residents and diminished revenues;

Whereas, the deteriorating fiscal condition of government at all levels requires communities to work together more closely to ensure that taxpayer resources are invested wisely and with a maximum return in the form of needed services that promote a livable community for every resident;

Whereas, the Michigan Suburbs Alliance (MSA) has organized for the purpose of:

1. Enabling cities to cooperate in addressing the root causes of the social, economic, fiscal and environmental crisis in our region,

2. Informing collective understanding about the challenges facing older urban and suburban areas; and

3. Developing policy solutions to equip the region to meet the needs of our communities on a long-term basis.

Whereas, the MSA seeks to harness the political power of 1.5 million people residing in Detroit’s suburbs to demand a stop to the systematic disinvestments in older cities and to insist on fairness and wisdom in the allocation of Federal, State and Local resources;

Whereas, the MSA seeks broader alliances based on numerous areas of common interest that can unite the City of Detroit and the established suburbs in support of policies that recognize the value of our communities.

Now, Therefore Be It Resolved, that the City of Allen Park authorizes its City Administrator to join the Michigan Suburbs Alliance on behalf of the City of Allen Park, to participate in the activities of the MSA and to pay annual dues to the MSA in the amount of $.05 per capita of the city population ($1,400.)

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Rossman

SUPPORTED by Babbage

Whereas, the operating budget of the City of Allen Park is adopted on a department or activity basis; and

Whereas, it appears necessary to revise FY2002-2003 expenditure authority in the certain funds and activities;

Now, Therefore Be It Resolved, that the General Fund Budget be amended as follows:

Reduction of funds:

City Administrator $ 18,000

City Treasurer $ 700

Police Department $140,000

Fire Department $ 16,000

Engineering Department $ 4,000

Public Service Department $ 54,000

Parks & Recreation Department $ 37,782

Library $ 10,877

Insurance $116,500

Retirement Contribution $127,000

24^th District Court $ 60,000

District Court Services $ 4,000

TOTAL $588,859

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Babbage

SUPPORTED by Bowdell

Water & Sewer Bonds

MOTION by Bowdell

SUPPORTED by Babbage

Resolved, that the Appointment of a City Planner be referred to the Council Administrative Committee with the Mayor and City Administrator.

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Tertzag

SUPPORTED by Rossman

Resolved, that payment #1 in the amount of $97,650 is paid to C. Davis Roofing, Inc. for 2002 Fire Department Roof Project, funds to be derived from Budget Account 401-340-931-000.

MOTION ADOPTED

City Engineer Kozuh informed the Council of the status of the Rosedale Watermain Project.

MOTION by Babbage

SUPPORTED by Rossman

Resolve, to approve the request to hold a Public Vehicle Auction on October 24, 2002 and to instruct the City Clerk to publish notice in the News Herald on October 16 and October 20, 2002.

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Tertzag

SUPPORTED by Bowdell

Resolved, to set a Public Hearing on November 12, 2002 for variance requests at: 1. 14888 Belmont

1. 10333 Pelham

2. 15610 Russell

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Rossman

SUPPORTED by Tucci

Resolved, to set a Public Hearing on November 12, 2002 for an alley vacation request south of Ecorse between Larme and Osage.

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Babbage

SUPPORTED by Rossman

Resolved, to have any and all DDA projects submitted to the Council for approval prior to the project going to bid.

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Bowdell

SUPPORTED by Rossman

Resolved, to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation and contract negotiations.

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Babbage

SUPPORTED by Tucci

Resolved, to reconvene as City Council.

MOTION ADOPTED

MOTION by Bowdell

SUPPORTED by Tertzag

Resolved, to adjourn the meeting at 11:25 p.m.

MOTION ADOPTED

__________________________ ______________________________

Levon G. King, Mayor Beverly J. Kelley, City Clerk

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