REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
MILFORD CIVIC CENTER
President Nader called the meeting to order in the Milford Civic Center at 7:30 p.m. President Nader led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENT
President Thomas Nader; Councilmembers Michael Glagola, Elizabeth Heer, James Kovach (7:35) and Theresa Rusas.
ABSENT
Councilmembers Richard Kostin and Kevin Ziegler
ALSO PRESENT
Arthur Shufflebarger, Village Manager; Thomas Connelly, Legal Counsel; Phyllis Motley, Water Boardmember; Deborah Frazer, Clerk; Carole Kerr, Chairperson Beautification Commission; Dolores Donnellon, Sherette Mickles, Beautification Commissioners; Ann Barnette, DDA Director
APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA
CM-02-031-09 Heer moved, Glagola seconded, to approve the February 17, 2009 consent agenda as presented. Motion CARRIED
Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of February 2, 2009
Minutes of Budget Session of February 9, 2009
Council Approval of Direct Debits
Council Approval Payroll 02/03/09
Transfers and Disbursements:
| General |
$111,700.80 |
| Major Street Fund |
5,202.71 |
| Local Street Fund |
4,012.15 |
| Police Fund |
13,210.59 |
| Parking Fund |
6,797.20 |
| Downtown Development Authority Fund |
874.64 |
| Senior Citizens Fund |
676.56 |
| Water/Wastewater Fund |
34,515.07 |
| Escrow Fund |
13,623.00 |
| Total |
$190,612.72 |
APPROVE REGULAR AGENDA
CM-02-032-09 Heer moved, Kostin seconded, to approve the February 17, 2009 regular agenda as revised. Motion CARRIED
PRESENTATION
Huron Valley Schools Superintendent Jackie Johnston
Jackie Johnston, Huron Valley Schools Superintendent, addressed Council. She gave them the “vision” of the school system for the future and listed their academic, artistic and athletic achievements. She explained how they are funded and stated they are not allowed to ask the voters for millages to fund operating expenses. She said they would be asking the voters to approve a millage renewal and a bond that would replace one that will be paid off in November. She said they are currently in contract negotiations with the bus drivers and food service staff and if concessions are not granted, the school district will consider privatization.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Discuss Zoning Ordinance Amendment Language for RV Storage
Shufflebarger provided a memo dated 2/11/09 suggesting four items for consideration.
Council discussed the proposed amendment to recreational vehicle storage.
Kostin stated the current ordinance should be enforced and that the amendments under consideration would lower property values.
Glagola stated he would like some control over the appearance of vehicles similar to the ordinances for junk vehicles, perhaps a permit.
Nader stated he agreed with Glagola. He said the vast majority of residents will not have the large RV’s stored on their property. He said the screening requirements should be eliminated. He said if he objected to something in his neighbor’s yard, it was his responsibility to put up screening. He said he supported allowing people to use their property, but did agree with a permitting system.
Kovach stated he had concerns with items stored in the front yard. He agreed with the licensing of vehicles, but at the same time did not want to legislate what people can do on their property. He said he would rather relax the current restrictions.
Shufflebarger said we are talking about two different sections of the ordinance, both Zoning, Sec. 94 and Storage of junk vehicles, Sec. 42.
Connelly said they could both be amended.
Heer was not in favor or any restrictions, other than not allowing vehicles to be parked in the right-of-way.
Ziegler supported the current ordinance.
Rusas stated she did not want storage allowed in the front yard. She said anything behind the front line of the house would be all right. She also is in favor of screening requirements.
Ann Barnette, 205 East Street; Robert Mickles, 632 East Street and Michael Yaylaian, 1052 Eagle Nest supported the current ordinance and wanted the current ordinance enforced.
Ray Salazar, 1100 Queen, said he has had a boat parked at the side of his driveway for 25 years and never had any problems.
Judy Paul, 778 Byron Ct, did not want any restrictions.
Dolores Donnellon, 937 S. Main, said she has parked her 34ft. RV at the side of her garage for ten years because she can not park it in her back yard. She did not want parking in allowed in the front yard.
Ron Fowkes, 320 W. Huron, suggested people be allowed to go to ZBA to request a variance if they have to park in the front yard.
Shufflebarger said ZBA grants variances based upon hardships, and economics does not count.
Larry Hewitt, 883 General Motors, asked Connelly if it was a good idea to have an ordinance on the books that was not enforced. He recommended again, that it be taken off the books (1st time at 1/5/09 VC meeting). He asked if these issues could be addressed administratively. Connelly said the ordinance would have to allow it.
Kostin and Ziegler recommended leaving the current ordinance in place, the other five Councilmembers agreed to ask Planning Commission to consider allowing loading/unloading in the driveway; allow storage behind the front line of the house; consider some sort of permit for parking in the driveway during the summer months.
NEW BUSINESS
Recognize Non-Profit Organization
CM-02-033-09 Kovach moved, Heer seconded, to Recognize StarLine Dancers Parent Association as a nonprofit organization operating in the community for the purpose of obtaining a charitable gaming license. Motion CARRIED
Motley Light Project
Joe Strauss, representing the Tom Motley Memorial Lights Committee, provided Council with pictures and explained their plans.
CM-02-034-09 Kostin moved, Glagola seconded, to approve the concept of the Motley Memorial as presented. Approve placement of the proposed structure within the Village right-of-way. And, direct and authorize administration to work with the committee to finalize plans and accomplish completion of the project. Motion CARRIED
Request Approval of Village Entrance Signage
Carole Kerr, 317 E. Liberty, Chairperson of the Milford Beautification Commission requested Council approval to replace existing north/south Village entrance signage.
Nader asked Mrs. Kerr to notify the civic organizations on the current signs to let them know their individual signs will not be on the new entrance signs.
CM-02-035-09 Rusas moved, Heer seconded, to approve the concept of the Village entry way signage as presented. Approve placement of the proposed structure within the Village right-of-way. Direct and authorize administration to work with the Beautification Committee and the DDA to finalize plans and accomplish completion of the project. Motion CARRIED
Adopt Amendment 231-137 to Sec. 94-68, Fire Stations
CM-02-036-09 Kovach moved, Glagola seconded, to amend section 94-2 of the Village of Milford Zoning Ordinance and Section 94-68 of said Zoning Ordinance as set forth in the Code of Ordinances of the Village of Milford said amendments dealing with a definition of fire station and placement requirements for fire station structures. Motion CARRIED.
Add Frazer as Bank Signatory
CM-02-037-09 Kovach moved, Kostin seconded, to remove Ann Collins and add Deborah Frazer as bank signatory for the Village of Milford. Motion CARRIED
Remove Stith from Beautification Commission
CM-02-038-09 Heer moved, Rusas seconded, to accept the resignation for Gail Stith from the Beautification Commission. Motion CARRIED
CALL TO THE PUBLIC
Nader asked if there was anyone who wished to address Council on an item that was not on the agenda. There was no input from the Public.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Discuss Pending Litigation
CM-02-039-09 Kovach moved, Glagola seconded, to go into Executive Session at 9:15 p.m. to discuss pending litigation. Roll Call Vote Yes – Ziegler, Glagola, Kovach, Rusas, Heer, Kostin, Nader Motion CARRIED
CM-02-040-09 Kostin moved, Glagola seconded, to return to the Regular Meeting at 9:35 p.m. Motion CARRIED
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Ann Collins, MMC
Milford Village Clerk | 
