REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
MILFORD CIVIC CENTER
President Rusas called the meeting to order in the Milford Civic Center at 7:30 p.m. President Rusas led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENT President Theresa Rusas, Councilmembers Jerry Aubry, Jennifer Frankford, Michael Glagola, Elizabeth Heer, James Kovach
ABSENT Kevin Ziegler
ALSO PRESENT Gary Goodenow, Planning Commission; Don Green, Township Supervisor; Ann Barnette, DDA Director; Phyllis Motley, Water Board; Jennifer Elowsky, Legal Counsel; Arthur Shufflebarger, Village Manager
APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA
CM-02-015-10 Heer moved, Glagola seconded, to approve the February 1, 2010, consent agenda. Motion CARRIED.
Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of January 19, 2010
Minutes of the Joint Meeting of January 11, 2010
Minutes of the Budget Meeting of January 13, 2010
Council Approval Direct Debits
Council Approval Payroll 01/19/2010
Accept Donation for Milford Trail/Parks and Recreation
Sewer Use Request – 670 Highland Ave. – 2.9959 Taps Taps Remaining – 100.4215
Transfers and Disbursements
| General |
$ 81,900.23 |
| Major Street Fund |
15,662.29 |
| Local Street Fund |
5,001.46 |
| Police Fund |
13,527.39 |
| Downtown Development Authority |
17,167.55 |
| Senior Citizens |
22.75 |
| Water/Wastewater Fund |
18,113.10 |
| Escrow Fund |
4,660.00 |
| Total |
$156,054.77 |
APPROVE REGULAR AGENDA
CM-02-016-10 Heer moved, Glagola seconded, to approve the February 1, 2010, agenda as presented. Motion CARRIED.
President Rusas set ground rules for the meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
Adopt Ordinance Amendment 231-134, Section 94-344, Recreational Vehicles
CM-02-017-10 Kovach moved, Heer seconded, to adopt Ordinance Amendment 231-134, Section 94-344, Recreational Vehicles. Motion CARRIED.
Aubry questioned what was a vented garage. Gary Goodenow stated if Council wanted they could remove “vented”, there was no known definition.
Adopt Ordinance Amendment 231-144, Article II, Licensing, Chapter 6, Alcoholic Liquors
CM-02-018-10 Heer moved, Glagola seconded, to adopt Ordinance Amendment 231-144, Article II, Licensing, Chapter 6, Alcoholic Liquors.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Glagola, Rusas, Heer, Aubry, Frankford
Nayes: Kovach
Absent: Ziegler
Motion CARRIED.
Council discussed Item #15 under facilities which addressed the exterior facade of the applicants building. Jennifer Elowsky stated the Planning Commission would be involved if there was a new site plan for the applicant’s property. If this were the case, Council would have the option of approving the liquor license application subject to conditions on the site plan.
NEW BUSINESS
Discuss Police Department Budget
Mr. Shufflebarger stated there are two sides to the budget that are being discussed, revenue and expenditures. Revenue comes from a Township wide millage and therefore the Township would need to place a millage question on the ballot. Mr. Shufflebarger provided four different millage rate scenarios to be considered, which ranged from no layoffs to layoffs of up to ten officers. He stated with the current millage collection (after Headlee rollback) of 3 mills, an additional 1.7 mills would be needed to maintain the Police Dept. as a whole. He stated discussion needs to take place with the Township to make a decision on a millage request to present to the tax payers.
Rusas suggested a committee be formed of Council members, Township trustees, and individuals from the public, to work on a proposal. Mr. Green, Township Supervisor, stated he did not know when General Motors will get their response regarding the property tax reduction; however, whenever this is decided, it will be retroactive to 2009. There is also the issue of the reduction in tax revenue that needs to be addressed in the millage proposal.
Language would need to be provided to the County by May to be placed on the August 2010 ballot.
CM-02-019-10 Aubry moved, Kovach seconded, to form a committee consisting of two Councilmember’s, two Township Trustees and a Milford resident and business owner to discuss potential Police Department millage rate increase. Motion CARRIED.
Mr. Shufflebarger stated that he, the Treasurer and a representative from the Police Department would also be involved in this discussion.
CM-02-020-10 Heer moved, Kovach seconded to appoint Michael Glagola and Jerry Aubry to represent the Village on the Police Department millage committee. Motion CARRIED.
Consider Road Maintenance Millage Proposal
CM-02-021-10 Heer moved, Glagola seconded, to direct the creation of ballot language for approval of 0.5 mills to be approved for five years for maintenance of major and local roads to be presented on the August primary ballot.
Mr. Shufflebarger stated this millage would be similar to last years proposal which would cover road maintenance and/or matching funds for road projects.
Kovach had concerns with everything that was proposed during the past budget session that could be charged to the residents, plus adding the road millage.
CM-02-021-10
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Heer, Glagola, Frankford, Rusas, Aubry
Nayes: Kovach
Absent: Ziegler
Motion CARRIED.
Approve Sale of Ordinance Vehicle through EBay
CM-02-022-10 Heer moved, Glagola seconded, to approve the sale of the 2002 Chevy Impala, VIN#2G1WF55K339254322, using an EBay listing. Motion CARRIED.
Approve Contract with A&D for Audit of the Village’s Phone System
Mr. Shufflebarger explained the audit would provide an analysis of the Village’s current phone systems and invoices, and make recommendations of changes that could be made to reduce costs.
Council liked idea of audit and requested Administration check further for other rates and references.
CALL TO THE PUBLIC
Rusas asked if there was anyone who wished to address Council on an item that was not on the agenda.
Jennifer Kerns, 542 Hickory St.; Kelly Miltimore-Kelley, 165 River Dr.; and Beth Ginsbach, 415 E. Commerce, approached Council separately with their concerns of the school districts’ decision to close Baker Elementary. They felt a closed, boarded-up school would have an adverse affect on the community and their neighborhood. Ms. Kerns requested Council make a statement for the residents of the Village that this is the wrong decision for the Village.
Janet Roberts, Director, Community Relations, Huron Valley Schools, stated she appreciated the resident’s comments. She informed Council of future meetings and forums to be held to discuss the districts budget. The community was invited to attend these meetings. Ms. Johnston, Huron Valley Schools Superintendent, plans to be at the next Council meeting.
Gary Goodenow gave Council the Planning Commissions response regarding the preferred location of the Skate Park, reading the P.C. motion as follows: “To state that Planning Commission supports the location of a skate park in Hubbell Pond Park, with the preferred location being the north end of the park, or an alternative location being on the south end of the park and provided access and safety issues are addressed during site plan review.”
Anthony Raimondo, 638 N. Main St., asked if the Village has done any energy audits on the Village buildings.
Mr. Shufflebarger stated a State of Michigan audit, in conjunction with Milford Township, was done in the past year. He added a private company, Green Team, has also done a recent audit in preparation of an EECBG application to be submitted for the Village of Milford, and Milford and Highland Townships.
Jean Belcher commented on the phone system audit and suggested having the phone company do the audit.
MANAGER’S REPORT
Mr. Shufflebarger stated the EECBG application was approved awarding approximately $173,000 to the Village of Milford and Milford and Highland Townships. The money will probably be used for lighting replacement.
Mr. Shufflebarger stated the portion of Marlene St. Mr. Harris felt was a T-turnaround is actually private property.
Household Hazardous Waste Day is approaching, and a contract should be available at the next Council meeting.
A budget session is scheduled for Monday, February 8, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
COUNCILMEMBER REMARKS
Aubry asked how the volunteers from the public for the Police millage committee would be selected. Rusas stated volunteers could be solicited through the Milford Times, and then choose from those.
Aubry inquired the status of the Woodland Apts. on Peters Rd. Jennifer Elowsky stated the case is in the Court of Appeals and we are awaiting an opinion.
Rusas thanked audience again for cooperation.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Deborah S. Frazer, Clerk
Village of Milford | 
