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, and James Kovach
ABSENT Councilmember Kevin Ziegler
ALSO PRESENT Jennifer Elowsky, Legal Counsel; Dave Ebert, Planning Commission; Arthur Shufflebarger, Village Manager
APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA
CM-03-034-11 Heer moved, Glagola seconded, to approve the March 21, 2011, consent agenda as presented. Motion CARRIED.
Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of March 7, 2011
Council Approval Payroll 03/16/2011
Sewer Use Request – 1193 Riverside, Remaining Taps – 88.4047
Transfers and Disbursements
| General |
$ 91,653.99 |
| Major Street Fund |
3,541.42 |
| Local Street Fund |
2,348.61 |
| Police Fund |
8,963.48 |
| Downtown Development Authority |
3,227.50 |
| Senior Citizen Transportation |
67.77 |
| Water/Wastewater Fund |
115,707.26 |
| Escrow Fund |
2,300.00 |
| Total |
$227,810.03 |
APPROVE AGENDA AS PRESENTED
CM-03-035-11 Heer moved, Glagola seconded, to approve the March 21, 2011, agenda as presented. Motion CARRIED.
NEW BUSINESS
Set Public Hearing for Parking Authority Special Assessment District, May 2, 2011
CM-03-036-11 Heer moved, Aubry seconded, to set a Public Hearing for Parking Authority Special Assessment District for May 2, 2011. Motion CARRIED.
Set Public Hearing for 2011-12 Budget Adoption, May 2, 2011
CM-03-037-11 Heer moved, Glagola seconded, to set a Public Hearing for 2011- 2012 Budget Adoption for May 2, 2011. Motion CARRIED.
Consider Holiday Parade Run/Walk Event, November 26, 2011
Dave Armstrong, Race Director, was present. He stated the event was sponsored by the Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce, however if there were additional costs incurred for this set-up and the parade, the race event will cover those costs. The streets would be closed from 9:00 a.m. until the end of the parade.
CM-03-038-11 Heer moved, Aubry seconded, to approve the Holiday Parade walk/run event for November 26, 2011 as presented. Motion CARRIED.
Consider Use Request for “The Gathering Place”
Kim Russo, applicant/owner of “The Gathering Place” was present. Applicant was requesting a change in use in the banquet center to add performing arts, which would allow concerts. The events would be timed between 6-10 p.m., with a two hour timeframe. Events would be cultural versus a traditional concert. No alcohol or food would be served at these events, they would be strictly a listening evening. Concert use was not included in The Gathering Place business plan. Mr.
Shufflebarger stated the applicant was before Council because concerts needed to be considered through the Planning Commission and approved through Council. Ms. Russo stated she was not involved in the original plans for a jazz club, and is not proposing this type of use.
Ms. Russo explained she does not have a liquor license and does not plan to request one. She stated each catered event provides its own food and alcohol.
CM-03-039-11 Heer moved, Glagola seconded, to direct Planning Commission to amend Office District zoning to allow requested use as presented for The Gathering Place. Motion CARRIED.
It was agreed previous concerns attached to the original request for a jazz club were the use of alcohol, late hours of operation and parking. Rusas hoped the Planning Commission would tighten the perimeters since it is in an Office district. Heer was not in favor of setting time constraints and questioned whether this building needed to be zoned Office. She was in favor of an outlet for the arts.
Ms. Russo stated the concept is to open a building of historic nature to encourage historic preservation. She felt it was also good for the area businesses by bringing people into the community. She stated they are working positively with the neighbors that had previous issues with the original jazz club plans.
Dave Ebert, Planning Commission, wanted clarification on what Council was looking for from the Planning Commission.
Mr. Shufflebarger stated that concerts were not a part of the approval of the applicant’s original plan and concerts in general were also not allowed in the O-1 District. There needs to be a differentiation between what was disallowed and the use being requested. Council did not want a club or bar to be allowed in the wording.
Ms. Russo asked what the difference was between a charity event, which is included in her plans, and concerts. Mr. Shufflebarger stated this is what needs to be addressed and decided.
CALL TO THE PUBLIC
Greg Wikaryasz, 942 S. Main, approached Council regarding a sewer back-up that occurred at his residence in January. He did receive compensation from the Village’s insurance company; however it was for actual cash value which left him with substantial out of pocket costs. He was asking for relief from the Village to cover more of his actual costs, being approximately $4,000.
Mr. Shufflebarger stated the Village has always stood with the insurance company’s decision on payment. Jennifer Elowsky stated P.A. 222 sets the parameters of when municipal liability begins and when it is the homeowners’ responsibility. The Village has insurance coverage on the sewer system and the insurance company has paid for the loss. The Village has satisfied its legal obligation. Council took no action.
Dave Armstrong commented, after being in several different communities following a snowfall, the Village’s Department of Public Services snow removal job was superior in comparison to these other communities.
MANAGER’S REPORT
Mr. Shufflebarger gave an update on the alleged gasoline leak/spill along Highland Ave. Councilmember Frankford, who is also a Kroger employee, stated the leak was from a construction vehicle and the Police Department was investigating the matter.
Mr. Shufflebarger will also provide the Governor’s statement regarding revenue sharing. Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce is holding their Chamber Showcase at the Milford High School on Sunday, March 20.
COUNCILMEMBERS REMARKS
Kovach inquired if anything further had been looked into regarding household hazardous waste collection. Mr. Shufflebarger stated an inquiry had been made in the past and it will be looked into again when going into negotiations.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:33 p.m.
Deborah S. Frazer, CMC
Milford Village Clerk | 
