City of Utica Regular Council Meeting April 11, 2017

Transcription

1 City of Utica The City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Dionne at 7:20 p.m. Members present: Sikora, Osladil, Terenzi, Cuddington, Sylvester, Dionne Absent: Czapski Executive Session Motion by Sikora, seconded by Terenzi, to recess to executive session to discuss litigation. Voting by roll, all ayes, motion The City Council meeting was reconvened by Mayor Dionne, who led the pledge of allegiance at 7:30 p.m. Zita Burton Teacher of the Year Recognition Mayor Dionne congratulated and presented Zita Burton, a city resident, on her achievement of Teacher of the Year and retirement after 40 years of teaching. David Faber Recognition Mayor Dionne presented retired Police Chief Dave Faber with a plaque, thanked and congratulated him for over 23 years of service with the City. Also certificates of congratulations were given by Congressman Miller and State Representative Diana Farrington. Sean Coady, Asst. Chief, presented Dave with his service revolver. Police Chief Appointment Mayor Dionne administered the Oath of Office to Sean Coady as Police Chief. Minutes of 3/14 & 3/22/17 Motion by Sikora, seconded by Cuddington, to approve the minutes of 3/14 & 3/22/17. Voting all ayes, motion Public Hearing 7:45 p.m. Bike Night Request Mayor Dionne opened the public hearing at 7:45 p.m. Eva Komini Jaraczewski, owner of Danny J s, was present to request approval for a Bike Night reserving parking spots on Auburn and Cass in the downtown district. They are asking for every Wednesday night from May until October. John Panetta, owner of Flaunt is concerned with parking and against the request. He suggested changing to Monday evenings. Joe Mayernik, owner of the Shamrock, expressed he knows the bar business and the City. He is against the request as he stated it is o.k. for large, diverse cities. This would impact the City s image, with motor vehicles or as a walkable community. The 24 Wednesday becomes a bike clubhouse and show, bringing in elevated noise. He would prefer we

2 Page 2 of 5 promote the Hike & Bike Trail and a family community. He objects to the request as a downtown restaurant owner and for the future of the City. Councilman Cudddington agrees with Joe Mayernik it would be crowded and noisy, bikes leaving at p.m. would be a disturbance to the City. Would we need more police due to the number of bikes? Councilman Sikora stated Danny J s is a great restaurant, we already have parking issues downtown. He is against the proposal. Also suggest a one day show like the car show. Councilman Sylvester stated the days are excessive, Romeo s success is because they have wider streets and this is opposite of the direction for the City. He is opposed to Bike Night. Mayor Dionne stated he is also concerned with parking, noise and would like to have reduced nights. Councilman Osladil suggested finding a different place to park the motorcycles. Councilwoman Terenzi thanked Joe Mayernik for his thoughts and agrees with only a one day show. s from Joe Mayernik and the Osey s (residents) against the proposal were received. As there were no other comments from the public, motion by Sikora, seconded by Osladil, to close the public hearing at 8:10 p.m. Voting all ayes, motion Motion by Sikora, seconded by Dionne, to deny the request to reserve parking for Wednesday nights Bike Night. Voting all ayes, motion Public Comments for Items Listed on the Agenda Joe Mayernik congratulated and thanked Jim McGrail and Dave Faber for all their help over the years. Unfinished Business Consent Business Correspondence New Business Department Reports Mayor Dionne Mayor Dionne stated he has been in office for 100 days and is working to make Utica better. Since being in office he s added sidewalk crossing signage, stop sign at Brownell/ McClellan, obtained billboard usage with Jimmy John s Stadium, new appointments to the DDA, Planning and Parks and Recreation Commissions, went door to door at Senior Housing during the power outage, obtained an ATV vehicle for Police/Fire use, developing paying for downtown parking, changed the City Council meeting agenda format, hiring a new City Attorney, developed a new logo, new system, more blight enforcement, increased Facebook traffic.

3 Page 3 of 5 Veteran s Parking Space Designation Motion by Dionne, seconded by Sikora, to approve the request to designate one Veteran s Parking Space at Grant Park, Heritage Park, the fire department parking lot and City Hall, on your honor system, as recommended by Mayor Dionne. Voting all ayes, motion Council Meeting Date Change Motion by Sikora, seconded by Terenzi, to approve changing the August Council meeting date to Wednesday, August 9 th, to avoid a conflict with Park It Movie night. Voting all ayes, motion Council Reports Councilwoman Terenzi stated she recently attend the MML Conference, attending seminars on crowd-funding and marijuana laws. Councilman Sylvester also attended the MML Conference, attending seminars on street design, municipal funding issues. Mayor Dionne thanked them for attending. Assessing- Nancy Strehl, Assessor Building- Jason Rhoades Fire- Kevin Wilseck, Chief Kevin Wilseck, Chief, reported the new replacement pickup truck has been received. Police- Sean Coady, Chief Taser Purchase Request Sean Coady, Police Chief, requested to purchase 4 tasers with accessories, to allow all officers to have assigned tasers. Motion by Dionne, seconded by Terenzi, to approve the request to purchase 4 tasers with accessories, at a cost not to exceed $5,600.00, funds from equipment purchases. Voting all ayes, motion DPW- Bill Lang, Superintendent Bill Lang, Superintendent, request permission to purchase a new 2017 Ram 5500 dump truck. The unit is on the lot, outfitted to meet our needs and through the MiDeal purchasing program. The old 1996 truck is sadly deteriorating beyond repair. Motion by Cuddington, seconded by Sikora, to approve the purchase of the 2017 Ram 5500 dump truck from LaFontaine, Lansing, at a cost of $84, Funds from Voting all ayes, motion Disposal of Old Truck Motion by Dionne, seconded by Terenzi, to approve of the disposal of the old truck and miscellaneous items, following the disposal policy. Voting all ayes, motion

4 Page 4 of 5 No Left on Brownell Bill Lang, Superintendent, spoke on the no left turn on Brownell from Auburn Road east. Councilman Cuddington stated he is against it. Councilman Sikora asked if they could still turn at Cass and Auburn, yes. Councilman Osladil stated that turn has created problems. Councilwoman Terenzi supports the change. Would it still allow emergency vehicle access, yes. Motion by Terenzi, seconded by Dionne, to approve the no turn onto Brownell from eastbound Auburn Road. Voting 5 ayes, 1 nay (Cuddington), motion Treasurer- Philip Paternoster Revenue & Expenditure Report Phil Paternoster, Treasurer, reviewed the revenue & expenditures for the month of March. No action necessary. Administration- Beth Ricketts, City Clerk Library- Marsha Doege, Director Marsha Doege, Director, announced another Poetry Slam on Thursday, 4/20/17, in the Gibbing room of the Library. Also, she gave reminders of services offered by the Library Co-Operative. Parks and Recreation Commission The Easter Egg Hunt was a great success and thank you s were given to Nancy Carter and family and all who donated to this event. Historic District Commission City Attorney- James McGrail James McGrail Resignation Jim McGrail, City Attorney, announced his resignation with much regret, he has accepted a magistrate position with the 41B court. He thanked the City and spoke on the combined 95 years of service given by the McGrail family. Motion by Sikora, seconded by Terenzi, to approve the appointment of Linda McGrail Belau as interim attorney, as recommended by Jim McGrail. Voting all ayes, motion Tax Tribunal Settlement- JK Utica Real Estate LLC Motion by Sikora, seconded by Terenzi, to approve the settlement of the tax tribunal MTT # , as discussed in executive session and recommended by Nancy Strehl, Assessor. Voting all ayes, motion Planning Commission

5 Page 5 of 5 Senior Housing Steering Committee Riverwalk/ Bicentennial Celebration Requests Linda David-Kirksey and John Sattmann, chairpersons, were present to request approvals for the Riverwalk/ Bicentennial Celebration of June There will be a carnival, entertainment with stage, beer tent, vendors and petting zoo, all throughout the downtown area. Road closures include Auburn from A-Line Staffing to Van Dyke and Cass from the service drive to Summers Street. Fireworks will be on Saturday evening. The City Planners and Planning Commission recommended approval. Motion by Terenzi, seconded by Sikora, to approve the road closures for June 22-25, 2017, Auburn from 7529 Auburn to Van Dyke and Cass from Summers to M-59. Voting all ayes, motion Motion by Sikora, seconded by Dionne, to approve the fireworks request for Saturday 6/24/17, launching from the DDA property. Voting all ayes, motion Motion by Dionne, seconded by Terenzi, to approve temporary structures, carnival and a beer tent, June 22-25, 2017, as presented. Voting all ayes, motion Bills Payable Motion by Sikora, seconded by Cuddington, to approve the payment of all bills as presented. Voting all ayes, motion Communication from the Public Paula Givens, Oakpark, attorney representing a Utica property owner, spoke on allowing Medical Marijuana facilities in Utica. Explaining there are taxes to be gained and showing a facility in Colorado. John Sattmann welcomed Chief Coady and congratulated Jim McGrail. Linda Davis-Kirksey thanked Jim McGrail for all he s done. Councilman Sikora thanked the McGrail family for their service over the years and congratulated Jim McGrail. Adjournment As there were no further comments from the public, motion by Sikora, seconded by Osladil, to adjourn the meeting. Voting all ayes, motion Meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Beth Ricketts CITY OF UTICA City Clerk