Council Minutes

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), Kevin Ziegler

 

ABSENT Councilmembers Richard Kostin, Theresa Rusas

 

ALSO PRESENT Keith Hughes, Richard Harrison, & Dean Rottermond, Parking Authority; Jennifer Elowsky, Legal Counsel; Arthur Shufflebarger, Village Manager

 

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

 

CM-09-143-09 Heer moved, Glagola seconded, to approve the September 8, 2009, consent agenda. Motion CARRIED.

 

Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of August 17, 2009

 

Council Approval of Direct Debits

 

Council Approval Payroll 08/18/09

 

Council Approval Payroll 09/01/09

 

General	$ 93,920.67
Major Street Fund	5,993.80
Local Street Fund	1,119.26
Police Fund	12,974.70
Parking Fund	407.35
Downtown Development Authority	10,063.10
Senior Citizens	1,616.67
Water/Wastewater Fund	153,243.03
Escrow Fund	1,789.00
Total	$281,127.58

 

APPROVE REGULAR AGENDA

 

CM-09-144-09 Heer moved, Glagola seconded, to approve the September 9, 2009, regular agenda as revised. Motion CARRIED.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

 

CM-09-145-09 Heer moved, Glagola seconded to accept the donation of property originally owned by Tom Callan (sidwell 16-10-252-052) contingent upon a clear title requested by the Village of Milford with a cost of less than $200 for the title work. Motion CARRIED.

 

This is a vacant lot. Benefits for Village would be to use for drainage or utilities. Property could be sold as developable lot if street was extended.

 

Approve ZBA Pay Suspension

 

CM-09-146-09 Glagola moved, Ziegler seconded to approve the ZBA’s request to suspend payment. Motion CARRIED.

 

Consider Milford Skate Park Location Request

 

Ric Mueller, 808 Old Milford Farms Dr., Chairman of the Friends of Milford Skate Park presented Council with a proposal for the Milford Skate Park to be placed on HCMA property on G.M. Road next to the Milford Trail. After working with a consultant, it was decided the use of the YMCA property, which was the original site considered, was not feasible due to a wellhead being located there, wetlands and the terrain being a problem.

 

The goal is to have a grant application ready to go to the DNR by March 2010. They need design and location approval for this process. The idea is to have eco-friendly skate pods for beginners to advanced skateboarders with landscaping, picnic shelter and restrooms included in the plans. They hoped for this to be a “destination” park.

 

Jennifer Elowsky, Village Attorney, stated once the Village approves the concept, the HCMA would ultimately have to allow for the placement of the park since they own the property. She stated the Village should take into consideration any liability associated with the park, who will be responsible for the on-going maintenance, and the potential costs for the continued up keep of the park. She also suggested the Skate Park committee contact the DNR to find out what they will require in regards to agreements for park maintenance.

 

Mr. Mueller stated part of the plan was to have a trust fund set up with funding for future, on-going maintenance. Council decided to allow for public input by having a public hearing.

 

CM-09-147-09 Kovach moved, Glagola seconded to set a Public Hearing for Monday, October 5, 2009 to discuss proposed location for Milford Skate Park. Motion CARRIED.

 

 

Mr. Shufflebarger stated the proposal from OHM included design requirements and inspections during construction. The addendum would include additional reconstruction, replacement or relining of eighteen manholes.

 

CM-09-148-09 Heer moved, Kovach seconded to approve proposal from OHM to design the addendum for the Bid Spec and to amend their contract to cover additional costs in the amount of $20,400. Motion CARRIED.

 

 

Mr. Shufflebarger stated it does not appear the Village will be able to obtain an installment loan for the sanitary sewer relining project as originally planned. An alternative would be to borrow from the operating side of the Water/Wastewater Fund until funds were accumulated in the sewer debt fund to pay for project.

 

CM-09-149-09 Heer moved, Ziegler seconded to approve the use of the existing debt fund to finance the sanitary sewer project should the installment loan response be negative. 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.

 

Dean Rottermond, Rottermond Jewelers, 351 N. Main, commented on the bike race held August 22, 2009. He appreciated Council working to bring activities to the downtown area, however the businesses on the west side were land locked during the race on Saturday and therefore sales were bad. After canvassing the businesses downtown the consensus was they would rather the race be held on Sunday in the future.

 

Phil Harris, 169 Marlene St., thanked Council for recent repairs of sidewalks on E. Huron. He inquired why some signs were posted in the Village’s right-of-way. Mr. Shufflebarger stated they should not have been.

 

Mr. Harris inquired the status of the retaining wall at the back of his property. He stated there was a crack in the wall that was allowing water run-off into his yard. Mr. Shufflebarger stated repairs were made to the curbing to correct any run-off, but no repairs were made to the wall. The crack in the wall Mr. Harris was referring to was an expansion joint. Mr. Harris stated he is still getting run-off through the wall. Mr. Shufflebarger stated he would investigate further.

 

Mr. Harris made reference to the Village’s weed ordinance and asked why his neighbor was allowed to grow tall grass in the Village right-of-way. Mr. Shufflebarger knew the residence Mr. Harris was referring to had a Michigan Natural Grassland Designation. He stated he would need to research further regarding growing the grass in the right-of-way, and whether there is a health or safety issue, or causing a problem for pedestrians or traffic visibility. Mr. Harris said the tall grass harvested animals such as skunks, raccoons, etc.

 

Jim Crane spoke to Council on behalf of the Lee Home on Commerce Rd., regarding their concerns with the possible change of language for the Office District. He referenced the new language provided by the Planning Consultant and asked the Village to define what would be allowed with this new language amendment. He wanted Council to state what proposed uses this would include. Council to date had not seen the language. Mr. Shufflebarger stated the language would be given to the Attorney for review before going to Council.

 

MANAGER’S REPORT

 

Report on CSX Repairs

 

Mr. Shufflebarger stated CSX will be doing repairs on the track at Huron St. Huron will be closed from Main to River St. from September 14-28. The only concern was the Car Show on September 20. If CSX is unable to open the tracks on that day, detours will reroute traffic using Oakland St. and Peters Road.

 

Report on Trash Compactors for Downtown District

 

Keith Hughes, Richard Harrison and Dean Rottermond from the Parking Authority spoke to Council regarding the Parking Authority’s plan to replace the trash dumpsters in the East and West parking lots downtown with trash compactors. This would allow for additional parking spaces. The Parking Authority would provide funds to install the electricity and meters for the compactors, as well as fencing and screening. Merchants will now have the opportunity to recycle cardboard.

 

COUNCILMEMBER REMARKS

 

Ziegler reminded everyone of the upcoming election and the importance of the road millage.

 

Kovach asked if signage could be placed at Family Drive (entrance to YMCA) to encourage pedestrians to use the sidewalk rather than the roadway.

 

ADJOURN

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:17 p.m.

 

Deborah S. Frazer, Clerk

Village of Milford