City of Northville issued the following announcement on April 07.
Water bill resolution advances – City Council approved a draft resolution that protests the added cost that Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) is charging members, including Northville, to cover 10 years of nonpayment by the City of Highland Park. That debt has reached more than $54 million. Since 2017, Northville and 17 other members of the Conference of Western Wayne Region (CWWR) communities have been charged 27 percent of $14 million of that debt. The resolution further states that the city, as a CWWR community, will not pay the Highland Park debt portion of the city’s water bill in 2022 and in the future. It also requests that the payment dispute be settled soon by GLWA and the State of Michigan, and the city be reimbursed by the state for past payments that went toward the debt.
Infrastructure construction – City Council awarded the 2022 construction season contract to Nagel Construction for a total cost $1,854,426 plus a 10% contingency to reconstruct approximately 2.85 lane miles of road and replace water mains and storm sewers on Lake Street, Andover Drive, Grasmere Street, Randolph Street and Morgan Blvd. (north side). Council Member Andrew Krenz asked about previewing a list of streets that will be repaired or replaced in coming years. However, due to many unknowns, including utility work, the list isn’t drawn up until the same year the work is done. City Manager Pat Sullivan said a list of criteria for street repair/replacement could be provided to council and communicated to residents.
City takes second attempt at grant – Council passed a resolution requested by DPW Director Mike Domine to permit the city to apply for MDOT funding to repair or replace the Rural Hill Drive bridge, located in the cemetery. A similar application made several years ago was unsuccessful, but now the state has additional funds to make bridge repairs and the city will increase the local match to 20 percent of the cost from the initial 5 percent. The construction cost is estimated to be up to $600,000. If approved, MDOT funds would be awarded in 2025.
Let there be music – Council members approved the DDA’s request to contract with JAG Entertainment to secure talent, and manage event production of summer concerts every Friday and Saturday evening from Memorial Day through Oct. 29. There will be 41 acoustic concerts (with one to two performers) and three stage bands (in the summer months), providing a segue from acoustic background music in the social district to outdoor concerts that draw more people. The DDA expects to raise $20,000 in sponsorships and has budgeted $9,100 in support of the $29,100 contract cost.
Meeting date to be decided – Council temporarily scheduled a second strategic planning session for Thursday, April 14, at 5:30 p.m. but may reschedule it so all members can be physically present.
Closed session – Council went into closed session with City Attorney Greg Need to discuss a confidential matter, citing client-counsel privilege.
Supplemental agreement to option to purchase – Hunter Pasteur Northville has asked to execute the purchase option for the city-owned property at 118 E. Cady Street, which currently serves as a parking lot with 92 spaces, without having obtained final site plan approval of their Downs PUD. The city’s real estate attorney, Greg Need, has been working with legal counsel for Hunter-Pasteur Northville to ensure that the conditions specified in the initial purchase agreement will apply post-closing. After council heard public comments (see below) it voted to delay a decision on the supplemental agreement.
Public comments regarding the parking contract
Jim Long, 400 Fairbrook Ct., said Hunter Pasteur Homes plans to purchase 14 north acres of the Downs property tomorrow (April 6) through the company, Perennial Homes, with Randy Wertheimer as the authorized signatory. Long said that is why the company wants to also close on the sale of the Cady St. parking lot without meeting the condition of first securing the PUD final site plan. He asked council, “Why the urgency to purchased city property?” He said there will be a separation of ownership of the Downs property – between Perennial Homes and Hunter Pasteur Northville – and now the buyers are apparently splitting off the property. He encouraged Council to reject the supplemental agreement to option to purchase.
Nancy Chiri, 661 W. Main, noted the property parcel was appraised for $855,000, which is much higher than the stated purchase price of $465,000 (originally $422,917 in the first contract). She noted the difference in price is much higher than the “reasonable reduction in market value” stated in the contract. She said the 92 parking places being removed with the sale should be provided elsewhere to the city at no cost. (Note: The contract renewed in Fall 2021 states that the 92 parking spaces must be provided to the city within 600 feet of the project.) In her view, the supplemental option is “too risky” and recommended that council reject it because of too many downsides.
Note: Public comment is conducted at the beginning of the meeting yet appears after agenda items in the City Council recap. At the time, citizens have up to five minutes to state their concerns. Council listens and may act on those concerns later but does not typically engage in a discussion.
Public comment
David Raimondo, 420 Mountain View Drive, stated his concern about heavy traffic near Hillside school on weekdays from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. when many vehicles are dropping off or picking up kids along Baseline Road. He said when a school bus comes down that road, it’s very tight. He is concerned that emergency vehicles may not be able to navigate the traffic congestion. As a resident of the nearby Mountain View Estate condos, he and his neighbors have a hard time passing by vehicles during those busy times. He asked council whether there are plans to change the traffic pattern.
David Reich, 401 High Street (Allen Terrace), returned to Council to report on his recent actions and discussions with Mayor Brian Turnbull and Council Member John Carter since he first appeared before council on March 21. He continued to ask for support for the Ukrainian people during the invasion by Russia, starting with a resolution of support from council. He says Carter is investigating the possibility of having a sister city in Ukraine, and the mayor is discussing the Ukrainian refugee situation with elected officials and what role Northville could play. Reich said he is asking the Housing Commission to allow the Ukrainian flag to be flown over Allen Terrace. Of Jewish heritage, Reich said it's important to remember the Holocaust and abide by the saying “never again.” Yet, he says, the atrocities of World War II appear to be playing out in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Council communications
Council Member Andrew Krentz said he is stepping down as chair of the Farmers’ Market Task Force, which is being folded into the Rouge Restoration Task Force.
Mayor Pro Tem Barbara Moroski-Browne emphasized the urgent need to have grant writers in place to pursue the RAP (revitalization and placemaking) grants due in June. She wished fellow council member Marilyn Price “Happy birthday,” which was echoed by others.
Mayor Brian Turnbull thanked council members for their vision and role in financial planning and strategic planning as they hold several special meetings this month to work on the budget and priorities for task force initiatives.
Consent agenda
City Council approved Northville Parks & Recreation’s request to submit a project proposal to Wayne County that would allocate $8,123 in designated park millage funds for the City of Northville to the Northville Skatepark Project. This project is a 10,000 square-foot skateboard park, estimated to cost $600,000, which will be built in Millennium Park and paid for through a combination of fundraising and up to $150,000 in matching funds from Northville Township. The impetus for the project stemmed from a hit-and-run accident that killed Dominic Duhn while skateboarding. His family began a grassroots effort that quickly gained widespread support to develop a stimulating yet safe community-based skateboard park that would also be a welcoming place for all youth.
The proposed FY 2023 budget and five-year plan were included in the package to Council. Budget study sessions will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, and Monday, April 11, at City Hall with the option for guests to attend via Zoom. At that time, city officials will present the proposed budget and be available for questions from Council. See city website calendar for Zoom link.
Original source can be found here.
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