1. The regular meeting of the Howell City Council was called to order by Mayor Nick Proctor at 7:00 p.m.

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1 Regular Meeting of the Howell City Council Monday August 24, 2015 Howell City Council Chambers Lower Level 611 E. Grand River Howell, Michigan The regular meeting of the Howell City Council was called to order by Mayor Nick Proctor at 7:00 p.m. Council Members Present: Robert Ellis, Jeff Hansen, Doug Heins, Jan Lobur, Steven Manor and Mayor Nick Proctor. Council Member Absent: Scott Niblock Also Present: City Manager Shea Charles, City Attorney Dennis Perkins and City Clerk Jane Cartwright. Others in Attendance: Police Chief George Basar, Finance Director Catherine Stanislawski, DPS Director Erv Suida, Community Development Director Tim Schmitt, DPW Superintendent Marcel Goch, IT Director Mike Pitera, Tom Allgood, Mike Beebe, Jerry Douglass, Mike & Linda Dinoff, John & Margaret Dixon, Alex Smith, Michael Mulvahill, Tom Richardson, Carol Davis, Joyce O Donnell, Bobby Bendzinski. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. APPROVED MINUTES: MOTION by Ellis, SUPPORT by Hansen, To approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the City Council held August 10, CITIZENS COMMENTS None. 5. REPORTS COUNCIL MEMBERS SERVING ON COMMISSIONS Member Ellis reported on the August 18, 2015 Howell Area Parks & Recreation meeting. Howell Township had previously agreed to join the authority however the Board voted against it and sent a counter proposal which included higher program fees. Melon Festival went very well overall however there were personnel conflicts expressed to the Board at the meeting. A special meeting will be held Wednesday August 26, 2015 to try to resolve these issues. The authority s biggest challenge is their budget however their current budget is expected to increase revenue; a potential millage proposal in 2016 has been discussed. Mayor Proctor commended City staff, especially DPW and Police for their assistance with the Melon Festival.

2 HOWELL CITY COUNCIL MTG. MINUTES AUGUST 24, 2015 Member Lobur reported on the August 19, 2015 Planning Commission meeting. Construction continues at Thai Summit, Taco Bell, and the Livingston County Jail; the state legislature is making progress on medical marijuana regulations; and the commission recommended approval of the rezoning from HL1 to B2 under a conditional zoning agreement for 415 W. Grand River. Mayor Proctor reported on the August 19, 2015 Howell Area Fire Authority meeting. The authority ended their fiscal year with $265,000 in excess funds and the Board authorized a $120,000 contribution to the MERS retirement system to bring their funding to 100%, and the remaining surplus will be split between health insurance funding and the building fund. 6. COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCE Janet Shoemaker, Request to Place Ribbons on Light Posts, Ovarian Cancer Awareness. MOTION by Hansen, SUPPORT by Lobur, to approve the request to place teal ribbons on light posts in downtown (South/North Michigan & Grand River) for ovarian cancer awareness starting September 1, 2015 with the condition that they be maintained and removed no later than the end of September, or until such time that Howell Schools requests to hang the spirit week ribbons prior to the Homecoming Parade. Council members expressed concern that there was no policy on these type of requests, it was submitted at the last minute, and there was no clear indication of the sponsoring organization. Comments in support included no labor cost to the City, the importance of the cause, and it displays a caring City. It was suggested that staff check into the sponsoring organization and include a statement in the approval letter that this was a 1 time only authorization. Discussion followed on the need for a policy on the approach with a possible 6 to 8 week notice. A roll call vote was taken. Lobur yes, Hansen yes, Heins no, Ellis no, Manor yes, Proctor yes. MOTION CARRIED (4-2). 7. DISCUSSED DOWNTOWN INFRASTRUCTURE Mayor Proctor referenced the previous discussion on potential downtown infrastructure projects to include rehabilitation of Parking Lot #4 and alley, rehabilitation of Parking Lot #2, and rehabilitation/expansion of the Depot Lot. In an effort to keep the cost at a responsible level, he suggested removing the rehabilitation/potential expansion of the Depot Lot from the potential list of projects until the financial climate improves. Discussion followed on proceeding with the rehabilitation of Parking Lot #2, Parking Lot #4 & alley along with the utility work/burial of overhead lines, and associated funding/debt service payments (General Fund portion) on the reduced amount. It was noted this would be a conceptual approval until staff could present clear financial projections and updated design engineering proposals for both parking lot projects. MOTION by Hansen, SUPPORT by Ellis, To direct staff to proceed with the rehabilitation of Parking Lot #4 & the alley including utility work, and the rehabilitation of Parking Lot #2. City Manager Charles indicated that DTE would need to be

3 HOWELL CITY COUNCIL MTG. MINUTES AUGUST 24, 2015 notified by the end of September in order to design/schedule the burial work. Council already approved design proposals for the Sewer/Water improvement to the alley. The projects will probably be phased starting with Parking Lot #4 & alley work in order to schedule with DTE; then Parking Lot #2 would follow. He also noted that some design work would have to be completed prior to scheduling with Detroit Edison; if Council decides to postpone the project early next year, some design work will have already been expended. Member Heins indicated he is opposed to the project which spends City money to improve the infrastructure for developers. The DDA was created to fund downtown infrastructure improvements and the DDA is not participating in this project. He keeps hearing how tight the City budget is and this should not be a City-at-large project. Member Ellis indicated the DDA rehabilitated the building owned by the City which will save expenses by not having to rent a downtown office, and it will also bring in additional rental income. Between the renovation of the building and the reduction in taxable values, there is very little revenue. Some of the infrastructure projects are not feasible and the DDA is still paying bond payments for Parking Lot #1. Member Manor referenced the individual investment of $2 million on the north side of the downtown and stated similar parking lot work was completed on the south side of the DDA district which has enhanced that area. He supports the infrastructure improvements and they will attract additional investments. Parking Lot #2 is in poor shape and improvements will help serve those businesses in the northwest quadrant. Member Heins questioned why special assessments were not being considered and eluded that infrastructure improvements were subject to prior back room deals. Mayor Proctor stated there were no back room deals; everything was open and transparent. The infrastructure improvements are part of the macro economic development plans and he will be bringing forward efforts after the City election to reorganize the City s economic development; the DDA is part of that component. Member Lobur stated the City has to invest in infrastructure to keep good businesses. Member Hansen referenced the decline in DDA revenues, acknowledged the debt service payments for Parking Lot #1 improvements, and also noted that 204 West has lost clients because of the poor parking conditions (Parking Lot #2). A roll call vote was taken. Hansen yes, Heins no, Ellis yes, Manor yes, Lobur yes, Proctor yes. MOTION CARRIED (5-1). 8. APPROVED RESOLUTION NO , CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT & REFUNDING BONDS MOTION by Ellis, SUPPORT by Hansen, To adopt Resolution No authorizing 2015 Capital Improvement and Refunding Bonds (Limited Tax Obligations). Bobby Bendzinski, President of Bendzinksi & Co., stated the resolution authorizes the City to issue $300,000 in Capital Improvement Bonds for improvements to City Hall and refinances the 2010 capital improvement bonds issued under the Build America Bonds program. The original 45% subsidy of the interest through the federal government was reduced starting in 2013 by 7.2%; the reduction in subsidy has continued each year and will be 6.8% for The federal government subsidy is not expected to be fully restored and current

4 HOWELL CITY COUNCIL MTG. MINUTES AUGUST 24, 2015 interest rates are extremely favorable. They plan to sell the bonds by the end of September so that the original bonds can be called by November 1st. It was noted this is a negotiated sale so the timing can be flexible to receive the best rate. 9. APPROVED HAVA GRANT AGREEMENT, ACCESSIBLE VOTING BOOTHS MOTION by Manor, SUPPORT by Lobur, To approve the Help America Vote Act Grant Agreement between the Michigan Department of State and the City of Howell for the Accessible Voting Booths purchase in the amount of $570 and authorize the City Clerk to sign the Grant Agreement. MOTION CARRIED (6-0). 10. APPROVED DIAMOND CHROME PLATING RIGHT OF ACCESS AGREEMENT MOTION by Manor, SUPPORT by Ellis, To approve the Access Agreement as to form between the City of Howell and Diamond Chrome. City Manager Charles stated that minor revisions to the agreement were suggested today however they do not substantially change the intent of the agreement. MOTION CARRIED (6-0). 11. APPROVED ROAD EDGE MARKER POLICY Member Heins suggested a revision to the policy to include the stipulation that road edge markers above 12 inches must be reflective. MOTION by Ellis, SUPPORT Hansen, To approve the Road Edge Marker Policy as amended. 12. APPROVED PAYMENT OF BILLS MOTION by Hansen, SUPPORT by Ellis, To approve payment of bills ending August 24, 2015 in the amount of $428, and payroll to cover the period which ended August 22, Member Lobur questioned Psybus Phychological Consultants. 13. CITY MANAGER S REPORT Annual Report. The annual report was presented which is the first step in the review process. The annual evaluation will begin at the September 14, 2015 meeting. Electronic evaluation forms will be distributed and paper copies can be requested if preferred. Thompson Lake Boating Concerns. At the last meeting residents attended to voice their concerns regarding the noise and speed of boats on Thompson Lake. Police Chief Basar included an update in the Council packet. The Police Department identified and spoke with 2 of the boat owners which were the subject of complaints, and have also been in contact with the Sheriff s Marine Patrol. They will continue to monitor the lake activity and staff will present additional considerations to monitor the boat launch for the next budget year. Other suggestions included increases to non member fees,

5 HOWELL CITY COUNCIL MTG. MINUTES AUGUST 24, 2015 distributing lake rules with park stickers, and looking into reducing the speed limit on the lake. Tom Allgood, 240 Lakeside, stated conditions have been better noting a few people have decided not to use the lake. He also indicated boaters are breaking the law if their exhaust system is not on silent choice, and suggested a sign mandating it. Linda Dinoff, 1167 Lakeside, indicated there is still a speed problem on the lake and the boats travel close to the swimming area; the City is also losing revenue and their presence at the boat launch will help detour problems. Jerry Douglass, 1345 Lakeside, suggested checking for boater safety requirements and also noted other safety violations on the lake. Echoed the Mayor s comments under item 5 regarding the great job by staff assisting with Melon Festival. Reported on the Thai Summit ground breaking/tree planting ceremony held today. They should be on track to start production early next year. 14. OLD BUSINESS Mayor Proctor commended the refurbishing of cross walks in the commercial district and questioned if the residential areas would also be completed. DPS Director Suida stated the cross walk work will continue into the fall, weather permitting. 15. NEW BUSINESS MOTION by Manor, SUPPORT by Hansen, To excuse Member Niblock from the August 24, 2015 City Council meeting due to family vacation. Mike Beebe, 230 Lakeside, expressed concern with the lack of weed trimming at the intersection of Glenn Street and M-59. City Manager Charles stated that MDOT is responsible for that work and staff will check into the issue. Member Manor questioned proposed repairs to the Grand River Curb. DPS Director Suida stated the bids came in over double the estimate. MDOT has authorized spot repairs by the City under the normal maintenance agreement. Member Ellis questioned the status of the speed study on M-59. City Manager Charles indicated the Michigan State Police is responsible for conducting the study. 16. ADJOURN MOTION by Hansen, SUPPORT by Ellis, To adjourn the regular meeting of the City Council at 8:23 p.m. Nick Proctor, Mayor Jane Cartwright, City Clerk