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City of
COUNCIL MINUTES
OF TUESDAY – DECEMBER 9, 2003 –
Mayor Richard Huebler called the meeting to order at
Invocation by Rev. Albert Prouty
Motion by Rourke
Supported by Burtka
Resolved, to approve the agenda, as amended, for
December 9, 2003
MOTION ADOPTED
A presentation of Unit Citations, Bravery Citations,
Meritorious Awards and Professional Excellence Certificates by Police Chief
Kenneth Dobson and Deputy Chief Dennis Gallow to the following: Lt. Lori
Sanford, Cpl. Raymond Politz, Ofc. Daniele Cerroni,
Motion by Grose
Supported by DeGiulio-Galka
Resolved, to approve the minutes of November 25, 2003 as
submitted.
MOTION ADOPTED
Motion by Gaworecki
Supported by Rourke
Resolved, that Claims and Accounts in the amount of
$2,436,634.78 be approved for payment.
MOTION ADOPTED
Motion by DeGiulio-Galka
Supported by Waidelich
Resolved, that the committee appointments as follows be
accepted and approved:
Administrative: Chairman Eric Waidelich, Vice
Chairwoman Marcy DeGiulio-Galka and Member Gary Burtka
Community Affairs: Chairman Kevin Rourke, Vice
Chairman James Grose and Member Tina Gaworecki
Economic Development: Chairman James Grose, Vice
Chairman Gary Burtka and Member Kevin Rourke
Human Resource: Chairman Gary Burtka, Vice
Chairman Eric Waidelich and Member Marcy DeGiulio-Galka
Legal Affairs: Chairwoman Marcy DeGiulio-Galka,
Vice Chairwoman Tina Gaworecki and Member Eric Waidelich
Public Service: Chairwoman Tina Gaworecki, Vice
Chairman Kevin Rourke and Member James Grose
MOTION ADOPTED
Motion by Waidelich
Supported by Rourke
Resolved, to accept and file, with regrets, the
resignation of Mr. Kevin Welch as Allen Park City Administrator effective
January 4, 2004 and that a Certificate of Service be presented to Mr. Kevin
Welch.
MOTION ADOPTED
Mayor Huebler commented that in light of the resignation
of the City Administrator and the existing vacancy of a Finance Director, that
the Council as a body of 7 have a work session to interview applicants for those
two (2) positions. Mayor indicated
that possibly Saturday, December 20, 2003 beginning at
Motion by Burtka
Resolved, that the recommended appointment by the Mayor
for the positions of Administrator and Finance Director be referred to the
Administrative Committee before taking to the Council.
Voice vote
Burtka: Yes - DeGiulio-Galka:
Yes – Gaworecki: Yes
Grose: No – Waidelich: No – Rourke: No – Huebler: No
MOTION FAILED
Motion by Grose
Supported by Rourke
Resolved, that a Work Session to Interview candidates
for the position of Administrator and Finance Director be held Saturday,
December 20, 2003 beginning at 9:00am in
MOTION ADOPTED
Supported by Burtka
Whereas, Councilman Gary Burtka made a motion, which was
adopted unanimously to have the
Whereas, The Honorable Mayor Richard Huebler has taken
action by requesting the Public Communications Committee begin taking steps in
preparing to perform the necessary activities in the filming and/or live
televising activities of the Allen Park City Council meetings.
Now therefore, be it resolved, that the Allen Park City
Council commit to actively working towards having the first City of Allen Park
televised Council Meeting occur by no later than March 2004.
Therefore be it further resolved, that by the December
23rd Council Meeting the City of
MOTION ADOPTED
Motion by DeGiulio-Galka
Supported by Waidelich
Whereas, the previous City Council adopted a motion on
December 22, 1998, which states, Resolved that the Council concur with the
Public Safety Commission on the issue regarding city vehicles not being allowed
to be taken home if the persons not being city residents.
This adopted motion was not enforced and later revised.
Whereas, the Public Safety Commission adopted a motion
and forwarded a resolution to the previous City Council on February 28, 2002,
which attempted to re-instate the original December 22, 1998 resolution.
Whereas, The City Vehicle Issue memorandum, issued by
the City Administrator, distributed on June 3, 2002, sixth bullet item, which
state, “The City, at its discretion, may eliminate the assignment of any and
all vehicles for any reason. This
may include a change in the employee’s duties, retirement, appointment,
promotion, reduced budgets, mechanical breakdown of the vehicle, or any other
reason as determined by the City.
Whereas, The City Vehicle issue memorandum, issued by
the City Administrator distributed on June 3, 2002, seventh bullet item, which
states, “No Department employee or commission can authorize, change or delete
this policy. It will be the sole
discretion of the City Council”.
Whereas, The City Vehicle Use Policy, draft dated June
12, 2002, seventh paragraph which states, “The City, at its discretion may
eliminate the assignment of any or all vehicles for any reason.
This may include a change in the employees duties, retirement,
appointment, promotion, reduced budgets, mechanical break-down of the vehicle or
any other reason as determined by the City”.
Whereas, The City Vehicle Use Policy, draft date June
12, 2002, eighth paragraph which states, “ No department, employee or
commission can authorize, change or delete this policy.
It will be the sole discretion of the City Council.
Now therefore, be it resolved, the City of Allen Park
Council approve and issue an addendum to the Vehicle Policy, which states
“That no city vehicle will be allowed to be taken home by city employees
should they live outside the City of Allen Park
For the purpose of clarification, this policy shall
apply to all
For the purpose of further clarification, any employee
whose job responsibilities require an on-call status, in the event that travel
is required as an on-call response, those individuals shall be reimbursed for
mileage at a rate, which is listed by the
For the purpose of providing time for such effected
employees to make other necessary arrangements, it is further recommended that
this policy revision become fully in effect and enforceable beginning January 1,
2004
MOTION TABLED (see following motion)
Supported by Rourke
Resolved, that the addendum/revision request to the
MOTION ADOPTED
Motion by
Waidelich
Supported
by DeGiulio-Galka
The City of
Whereas, Discussion has been made at previous City Council meetings
in regard to
Now therefore, be it resolved,, the City of
Be it further resolved, The City Finance Department shall develop the
bid specifications
The bid results will be turned into the
Motion by Burtka
Supported by DeGiulio-Galka
Resolved, to amend resolution eliminating “It is
requested that a RFQ be issued by December 15, 2003 with the opening of the bids
to be made no later than January15, 2004 with the awardee starting services
effective February 1. 2003
MOTION TO AMEND ADOPTED
Motion by Waidelich
Supported by DeGiulio-Galka
Resolved, that the amended motion be referred to the
Administrative Committee, Chairman Eric Waidelich
MOTION ADOPTED
Motion by Waidelich
Supported by Burtka
The City of
possibility of additional hardships in the future. Pro-active steps
need to be taken to
reduce and/or eliminate unnecessary costs to the City of Allen Park,
and to reallocate these
funds to higher priority needs and service expectations of the
greater Allen Park
community.
Whereas, Discussion has been made at previous City Council meetings in regard to cost
effective options with Car Interior Cleaning Services for the City of Allen Park,
Now therefore, be it resolved, the City of Allen
Park Council approves having the City of
Allen Park Car Interior Cleaning Services
publicly released for open bidding to all
interested parties.
Be it further resolved, The City Finance Department shall develop the
bid specifications
and take the necessary steps to inform the public of the opportunity.
This is to include the
Bidnet E-Procurement System, local newspapers and other forms of
public communication
that are deemed normal and customary.
The bid results will be turned into the Allen Parks City Clerks
Office in a sealed envelope
and would be publicly opened.
Therefore, be it further resolved, that this resolution be referred
to the Administrative
Committee, Chairman Eric Waidelich.
MOTION ADOPTED
Motion by Waidelich
Supported by DeGiulio-Galka
It is common knowledge and was widely agreed that the current Allen
Park City Hall and
Police Department are in a condition whereby it is no longer Value
Added to renovate that
facility, as they exist today. This was once again, reinforced by
members of the City
Council members of the DDA, members of the Chamber of Commerce and
Allen Park
residents, which attended the December 3rd, 2003 meeting,
The current Allen Park City Hall and Police Department state of
disrepair from a
structural, operational and logistical standpoint can no longer go
ignored. The safety,
environmental and regulatory issues that exist in and around the
facility today, require us
to begin taking corrective actions in the immediate near future.
Pro-active steps need to be taken to eliminate unnecessary short-term
quick fix costs that
are “imposed on” and “suffered by” the City of Allen Park,
and to reallocate these funds
towards long-term permanent solutions.
Whereas, the property value of the land where
the current city hall resides is of a
significant greater value than the second
location being considered further South, on the
east side of Southfield near the Allen Road
crossing.
Whereas, the sale of the current property would provide approximately
one-third to one-
half of the total cost on a new Allen Park City Hall and Police
Station.
Whereas, the second location is more centrally located in the city.
Benefits include being
closer to the courthouse, closer to the city recreation building, and
immediately adjacent to
the location where the Downtown Development Authority is launching a
development
project.
Whereas, The current proposed City Hall and Police Station
construction project does not
include a parking structure.
Whereas, The Downtown Development Authority is currently seeking to
develop this same
area, some of the development costs are being assumed and/or covered
by the DDA
Downtown Development Project.
Whereas, Councilman Kevin Rourke made an excellent suggestion that
the Allen Park
Library could assume a portion of the building, thereby creating a
higher traffic to the
area, establishing a true campus type environment that can be used
and enjoyed by all
residents and also eliminating a high concern issue surrounding the
current library facility.
Whereas, Councilman Kevin Rourke further stated that the current
library site could be
used for a future fire station, and the current fire station site
could be used for Allen Park
Post Office parking to create a user-friendly and safer traffic
environment.
Whereas, Councilman James Grose made excellent suggestions of new
retail, office, and
business opportunities that could be developed in the immediate
vicinity similar to other
communities such as Dearborn.
Whereas, These separate projects with parallel construction activity
will allow for the
entire area to be looked at with long-term community development
objectives in mind. The
two construction projects can work congruently to allow for the
maximum financial benefit
with the sharing of vision, planning and resources.
Whereas, Fiscal Responsibility, Teamwork, Common Goals and Community
Service are
paramount to the success of these projects and the future of the City
of Allen Park,
Now therefore, be it
resolved, that the Allen Park City Council commit to actively work
towards having the new Allen
Park City Hall and Police Department begin construction at
the same time that DDA
Downtown Development Project begins construction.
Therefore be it further
resolved, that funds the Downtown Development Authority wishes
to allocate and commit for
the City Hall and Police Department project should be
recognized, and factored into the overall budget within the next thirty days to support the Fast-Track process that
Councilman Burtka has
set forth for this council, the DDA, the Chamber of Commerce and the residents
of Allen Park.
Therefore be it further
resolved, that by the December 23rd Council Meeting, the City
Administrator shall identify
by way of memorandum to the Council, the financial options
that exists and how those
costs can be covered through a variety of means. (However, this
shall not include mills
that would be imposed on the citizens of Allen Park).
Therefore be it further resolved, that this resolution be referred to the standing Municipal Complex Committee and that Eric
Waidelich, Marcy DeGiulio-Galka and James Grose
have been appointed to that committee.
MOTION ADOPTED
Motion by Burtka
Supported by Waidelich
Whereas, on 11-25-03, the City Council passed a
resolution that all appointee’s position are to be extended for 90 days and
Whereas, past precedent has extended appointments for 2
years and
Whereas, all current employees have done an exceptional
job for the City of Allen Park; and Whereas, the employees of Allen Park deserve
to have peace of mind and know their jobs are safe and secure: and
Be It Resolved, that all appointee’s jobs be extended
an additional 1 year and 9 months for a total of 2 years as has occurred in the
past.
Be It Further Resolved, that the compensation for each
appointee, for that period of time from March 1, 2004 to November 30, 2004,
shall be increased by the same percentage increase that the AFSCME contract
provided in July 2003, and for that period of time from December 1, 2004 to
November 30, 2005, the compensation shall be increased by the same percentage
increase that the AFSCME contract provided in July 2004, subject to the
Council’s concurrence and review of the second period increase.
Be It Further Resolved, that all appointees receive the
appointee benefit package attached hereto.
Be It Further Resolved, that the Law Firm of Pagnucco,
Kruse & Tamsen P.C. shall have its appointment as City Attorneys extended
for an additional 1 year and 9 months, for a total of 2 years as has occurred in
the past at the same rate as currently in effect;
Be It Further Resolved, that the Law Firm of Richard
Page, shall have its appointment as Assistant City Attorney for Prosecution
extended for an additional 1 year and 9 months, for a total of 2 years as has
occurred in the past at the same rate as currently in effect;
Be It Further Resolved, that the firm of Darnell &
Meyering P.C., shall have its appointment as City Auditor extended for an
additional 1 year and 9 months, for a total of 2 years as has occurred in the
past at the same rate as currently in effect.
Be It Further Resolved, that this resolution be referred
to the Administrative Committee, Chairman Eric Waidelich.
MOTION ADOPTED
Supported by Waidelich
Whereas, the State Legislature is considering holding a
special election in March of 2004 to alter the state term limit laws that were
voted for by the people, and
Whereas, this election will cost the communities of the
State of Michigan approximately $15 million at the same time that the State has
cut revenue sharing payments to cities and cut education funding to our
children’s schools, and
Whereas, in the year 2004 there are already regularly
scheduled elections set for August and November which could have this proposal
on it and not cost the communities any additional money, and
Whereas, the Allen Park City Council feels it would be
financially irresponsible to foist an unfunded mandate upon the city which would
cost Allen Park alone approximately $20,000 while at the same time reducing our
state shared revenue,
Now Therefore Be It Resolved, that the Allen Park City
Council hereby goes on record to OPPOSE holding a special election next year for
the purpose of changing term limit laws or any other laws,
Be It Further Resolved, that a copy of this resolution
be forwarded to Governor Jennifer Granholm, State Senators Raymond Basham and
Samuel “Buzz” Thomas III, State Representatives William O’Neil, Jim Plakas,
Barbara Farrah, Hoon-Young Hopgood, Kathleen Law, Daniel Paletko, Dianne Byrum,
Rick Johnson, the DCC, and the Cities of Melvindale, Lincoln Park, Southgate,
Taylor, and Dearborn Heights.
MOTION ADOPTED
Motion by Burtka
Supported by Rourke
Resolved, that Mr. Joseph Ben Jacob of 933 Liberty St,
Lincoln Park, Michigan 48146 be granted a 2004 Curb Side Pickup License $50
MOTION ADOPTED
Motion by Gaworecki
Supported by Rourke
Resolved, that permission be granted for the Allen Park
Fire Department to dispose of and sell 42 expired SCBA cylinders at a cost of
$10.00 each. Funds received from sale will be place in general fund and that one
(1) cylinder be donated to the Historical Commission if they choose to accept.
MOTION ADOPTED
Motion by Grose
Supported by Waidelich
Whereas, the operating budget for the Water & Sewer
Fund for fiscal Year 2003-2004 has been duly adopted by the Mayor & Council
on a department or activity basis and
Whereas, it appears necessary to amend the Fiscal Year
2003-2004 expenditure authority in the Water & Sewer Fund, now therefore
Be it resolved, that the Water & Sewer Fund transfer
$100,000 from budget line item 592-601-988 Vehicles to budget line item
592-601-923 Professional Services. The
purpose of this amendment is for pending litigation.
MOTION TABLED
Motion by Burtka
Supported by Grose
Resolved, to appoint Marcy DeGiulio-Galka and Eric
Waidelich, Representatives, to the Allen Park/Melvindale Advisory Committee for
the 24th District Court
MOTION ADOPTED
Motion by Burtka
Supported by Grose
Requested that the 24th District Court Audit
for budget year 2003 - 2004 be referred to the Allen Park/Melvindale Advisory
Committee for the 24th District Court.
Representatives Marcy DeGiulio-Galka and Eric Waidelich
Motion by Grose
Supported by Waidelich
Resolved, that the 2003 Sewer Televising Project be
awarded to Advanced Underground Inspection in the amount of $45,107.90, as
recommended by the City Engineer, John Kozuh. The funds will be taken from
account 402-000-985
MOTION ADOPTED
Motion by Rourke
Supported by Gaworecki
Resolved, that payment request #2 to InfraSource
Underground Construction for the 2003-2004 Watermain Project, in the amount of
$228,126.60, as recommended by City Engineer, John Kozuh, be approved.
The funds will be taken from account 592-601-985
MOTION ADOPTED
Motion by Burtka
Supported by Grose
Resolved, to allow the City Engineer to solicit design
services for the 2004 Watermain Replacement Program at the following locations;
Markese – west of Quandt to Park, Park to Fox
Quandt – Markese to Regina
Regina – Allen Road to Park, Park to Fox
Warwick – Quandt to Arno
Keppen – Roger to Lincoln Park
Larme – Ecorse to Devonshire
MOTION ADOPTED
Motion by Rourke
Supported by Burtka
Resolved, that Michael Dinoff be appointed to the
position of Heavy Equipment Operator – DPS effective December 10, 2003,
pending six (6) month probationary period.
MOTION ADOPTED
Motion by Rourke
Supported by Gaworecki
Resolved, that Thomas Murray be appointed to the
position of Laborer II – Water effective December 10, 2003, pending six (6)
month probationary period.
MOTION ADOPTED
Motion by Gaworecki
Supported by Grose
Resolved, that Michael Orosz be appointed to the
position of Building Maintenance – Recreation effective December 10, 2003,
pending six (6) month probationary period.
MOTION ADOPTED
Motion by Burtka
Supported by Marcy DeGiulio-Galka
Resolved, that the Mayor and Council support the
building of a Skate Park.
MOTION ADOPTED
Motion by Rourke
Supported by DeGiulio-Galka
Resolved, to adjourn the meeting at 10:03pm
MOTION ADOPTED