City of Utica The City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Dionne at 7:23 p.m. Members present: Sikora, Osladil, Terenzi, Cuddington, Czapski, Sylvester, Dionne Absent: Terenzi Executive Session Motion by Sikora, seconded by Osladil, to recess to executive session to discuss personnel matters. Voting by roll, all ayes, motion CARRIED. The City Council meeting was reconvened by Mayor Dionne, Boy Scout Troop 90 led the pledge of allegiance at 7:30 p.m. Minutes of 1/10/17 & 1/24/17 Motion by Sikora, seconded by Cuddington, to approve the minutes of 1/10/17 & 1/24/17. Public Comments for items on the agenda Joseph Mayernik, 7715 Auburn, spoke on the DDA appointments. He has been chairman for 10 years and his input was asked for prior to any appointments. He asked Council to delay voting on the DDA appointments adding his support for Jacqueline Noonan to be appointed to the DDA. He would like to continue the relationship of trust and a diverse group. Councilman Sikora responded he has been a Councilman for 28 years and was never advised prior to a Council meeting who was going to be appointed. Councilman Czapski asked for no name smearing. Councilman Sylvester heard the frustration and does not want to follow past practice but to have transparency. Mayor Dionne stated he interviewed and received many applications, under the Charter, as CEO he has the right to present appointees. Unfinished Business None. Consent Business Motion by Sikora, seconded by Osladil, to accept the following: State of Michigan- Tribute to Jacqueline K. Noonan, Sterling Heights Resolution, Jacqueline Noonan, Macomb County Executive Special Recgonition, Jacqueline Noonan, Resolution- City of Utica to Jacqueline K. Noonan, U.S. Senate Congressional Recognition, Jacqueline K. Noonan, U.S. House of Representatives Recognition, Jacqueline K. Noonan, U.S. Congressional Recognition, Jacqueline K. Noonan. Correspondence Correspondence received from Joseph Mayernik, DDA Chairman Resignation and Jerry Noonan, MBA Resignation.
Page 2 of 5 New Business Department Reports Mayor Dionne Mayor Dionne spoke on the increase in Facebook traffic and thanked everyone for a successful Ice Festival. Parks & Recreation Commission Appointments Mayor Dionne presented the names of Trevor DeRocca and Tiffany Hadjantoni as new members. Councilman Czapski questioned the appointment of non-residents of the City. Jim McGrail, the City Attorney responded there is nothing in the Charter stating they must be City residents. Mayor Dionne stated there were no City residents that applied for the Parks and Recreation Commission to date. Motion by Sikora, seconded by Mayor Dionne, to approve the appointments of Trevor DeRocca and Tiffany Hadjantoni to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Terms to expire 2/14/2020. Voting 5 ayes, one nay (Czapski) motion CARRIED. Planning Commission Appointments Mayor Dionne presented the names of Thomas Galazka and Aaron Hrynyk as new members. Motion by Sikora, seconded by Cuddington, to approve the appointments of Thomas Galazka and Aaron Hrynyk to the Planning Commission. Terms to expire on 2/14/2021. Voting 5 ayes, one nay (Czapski) motion CARRIED. Downtown Development Authority Appointments Mayor Dionne presented the names of Bryan Ede, Rick Michelon and Gaspare Calandrino as new members. Councilman Czapski stated he would like to see the hiring process. Motion by Dionne, seconded by Sikora, to approve the appointments of Bryan Ede, Rick Michelon and Gaspare Calandrino to the Downtown Development Authority. Terms to expire 2/14/2021. Voting 4 ayes, 2 nays (Czapski, Sylvester) motion CARRIED. Medical Marihuana Ordinance Public Forum Mayor Dionne informed and invited all to attend a public forum on March 14, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss a Medical Marihuana ordinance. Council Reports Councilman Czapski commended Utica Community Schools on their recent progress awards. He will also be attending the MML Energy Committee meetings. Assessing- Nancy Strehl, Assessor Beth Ricketts, City Clerk, announced the Board of Review will be meeting on 3/15/17 and 3/16/17. Assessment notices will be mailed at the end of the month. Building- Jason Rhoades Fire- Kevin Wilseck, Chief Firefighter s Resignations Motion by Osladil, seconded by Czapski, to receive and file the resignations from Jason Cloonan and Brittany Weitz.
Page 3 of 5 Pick-up Truck Purchase Request Kevin Wilseck, Chief, requested to purchase a 2017 Ram 1500 Quad Cab to replace the totaled pickup truck for departmental use. At a cost of 26,494.00, the purchase will be through the State government purchasing contract. Motion by Czapski, seconded by Dionne, to approve the request to purchase a 2017 Ram 1500 Quad Cab, at a cost of 26,494.00. Motion by Cuddington, seconded by Sikora, to amend the budget transfers of: 14,070.00 from Ambulance Reserve and 12,930.00 from Insurance Proceeds to the Vehicle Purchase account. New Hire Request Motion by Sikora, seconded by Osladil, to approve the request to hire Andrew Doroh. Police- Dave Faber, Chief Traffic Control Order #17-07 Dave Faber, Chief, explained the request for a stop sign on southbound Brownell at the intersection of McClellan. Councilman Sikora asked if the signs were already out; yes. Motion by Mayor Dionne, seconded by Sikora, to approve the Traffic Control Order #17-01, for a stop sign at Brownell/ McClellan. Dave Faber Retirement Request Dave Faber, Chief, explained his request for early retirement, with a date of March 27, 2017. Motion by Dionne, seconded by Sikora, to approve the request for an early retirement for Dave Faber. Councilman Sikora and Osladil expressed sentiments on what a great chief Dave is. DPW- Bill Lang, Superintendent Remote Gate Request Bill Lang, Superintendent, informed Council of the recent vandalism to the DPW yard entry gate. Discussion was held on additional security, cameras and a remote gate installation. Councilman Cuddington asked what the cost to replace the gates is, approximately $6,000.00 and if we could fix it. Bill Lang stated the gate is very heavy and obsolete. Motion by Sikora, seconded by Osladil, to approve the request to fix the DPW yard gates. Bill Lang, Superintendent, asked for patience in repairing pot holes. Councilman Cuddington stated the intersection of Hall Rd. and Van Dyke/ Canal are in really bad shape. Bill Lang responded that they priced repairs approximately 2 years ago. Treasurer- Philip Paternoster Revenue and Expenditures Phil Paternoster, Treasurer, reviewed the revenue & expenditures for the month of January. No action necessary.
Page 4 of 5 PRIP Resolution Phil Paternoster, Treasurer, explained the resolution between the City of Utica and the Michigan Department of Transportation amending the completion of improvements to Auburn Road. Motion by Osladil, seconded by Sikora, to approve the Resolution to Amend Contract No. 2014-0923/A2, as presented. Utility Billing Change Request Phil Paternoster, Treasurer, informed Council that the City will be changing its water/ sewer billing structure in the near future. No action necessary. Public Hearings- 8:45 p.m. Muldoon s Temporary Tent Request Shamrock Pub Temporary Tent Request Beninati Pool & Spa Temporary Tent Request Motion by Sikora, seconded by Osladil, to open the public hearing at 8:45 p.m. Voting all ayes, motion CARRIED. Muldoon s and the Shamrock are requesting permission to have a temporary tent covering their existing patios for St. Patrick s Day. Beninati Pool & Spa is requesting a temporary inflatable tent, one weekend in April/June and Sept. As there were no other public comments, motion by Sikora, seconded by Osladil, to close the public hearing at 8:55 p.m. Motion by Sikora, seconded by Dionne, to approve the temporary tents for Muldoon s, Shamrock and Beninati Pool, as presented. Voting all ayes, motion CARRIED. Ray Noughton, manager of Harbor Freight, was present for a temporary tent request. As submittal for this request was not published, it will be addressed at the next Council meeting. Administration- Beth Ricketts, City Clerk CDBG Funding Reallocation Fiscal Year Correction Motion by Sikora, seconded by Osladil, to approve the correction of FY17 to FY16 for the CDBG funding reallocation in the minutes of November 15, 2016. Voting all ayes, motion CARRIED. Election Amendments Request Beth Ricketts, City Clerk, explained the request for election budget amendments due to higher costs for the Presidential election and City recount. Motion by Sikora, seconded by Osladil, to approve the budget amendments to: 101262701000 Election worker salaries- increase of $890.20, 101262726000 Election Supplies- increase of $47.03 and 101262904000 Election Publications- increase of $64.65. Library- Marsha Doege, Director Marsha Doege, Director, thanked all for another successful Book Sale during the Ice Festival, DigUtica voters- we came in second and the Library has tax forms. Book shed Request Marsha Doege, Director, explained the request to have books in the parks, using a small shed (bird house size) for storage. These would be used on a Good Samaritan basis. She has volunteers who would supply and take care of the shed. Councilman Sikora
Page 5 of 5 questioned if a permit would be required, no and what about vandalism, the volunteers would take care of repairs. Councilman Cuddington responded it s a great idea and would like more. Motion by Sikora, seconded by Cuddington, to approve the request to host a book shed in Grant Park, as presented. Parks and Recreation Commission Historic District Commission City Attorney- James McGrail MDOT Noise Ordinance Waiver Request Motion by Sikora, seconded by Sylvester, to waive the Noise Ordinance during construction of M-59, allowing work 7 days a week, evenings/ overnights. This is revocable if evening noise becomes intolerable. Planning Commission Senior Housing Steering Committee Kiwanis 5K Pennant Race Request Andre Laubach, organizer, was present to request Auburn Rd. from Jimmy John s Field to the River Bends Trail on 5/7/17 at 9:50 am and 10:20 am for runners safety. Motion by Cuddington, seconded by Dionne, to approve the request to close Auburn Rd., as presented. Bills Payable Motion by Sikora, seconded by Dionne, to approve the payment of all bills as presented. Communication from the Public Kelly Calandrino, 45301 Brownell, thanked the DPW and police for the new stop sign at Brownell/ McClellan. Adjournment As there were no further comments from the public, motion by Osladil, seconded by Cuddington, to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:24 p.m. Beth Ricketts CITY OF UTICA City Clerk