REGULAR COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF FLAT ROCK, MICHIGAN 25500 GIBRALTAR ROAD FLAT ROCK, MI 48134 MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018 The regular meeting of the Flat Rock City Council convened at the Municipal Building, 25500 Gibraltar Road, Flat Rock, Michigan 48134, on the above date at 7:30 p.m. 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 2. ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS: PRESENT ELECTED OFFICIALS: Mayor Dropiewski Mayor Pro Tempore Wrobel Council Members: Little, Martin, Maul, Tefend ALSO PRESENT: City Attorney David Grunow, City Clerk Meaghan Bachman, Fire Chief Bill Vack, Police Chief John Leacher, DPS Director Jim Lancaster, Recreation Director Rodney Wade, Treasurer/City Administrator Brian Marciniak, Economic Development Director Liz Hendley, Building Director Larry Dishaw. Resolution 06-04-18-01 RESOLVED, that Flat Rock City Council hereby excuses Council Member Bergeron as absent at the regular City Council meeting of June 4, 2018. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Resolution 06-04-18-02 Supported by Martin RESOLVED, to approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of May 21, 2018 as presented. 4. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD: Sue Farrar of the Beautification Commission thanked all who participated in the City-Wide Garage Sale. She noted over 100 permits were issued and three PODS for St. Vincent de Paul were
filled with donations. She gave a special thank you to Heather Larson and her daughter, Heather Farrar for covering the sale and working all weekend, as she was not able to work the garage sale. Ryan Moore, Director of Information Technology at The Senior Alliance, presented the 2017 community report. The match contributed by the City of Flat Rock was $679.00, serving over 283 residents. Some services included: State Health Insurance Program, Meals on Wheels, Information and Assistance, Friendly Reassurance, Legal Assistance, Long Term Care, Medicare/Medicaid Assistance, Nursing Facility Transition Services, Transportation, and Senior Community Service Employment Program. A resident who resides near the corner of Thomas and Brown noted the dirt road hasn t been conditioned with water/oil and asked that it is addressed. A resident of Brown Street noted he cut down the trees in the ditch and he called several times, but the trees were never picked up. Director Lancaster noted they will be picked up this week. Edna, a young resident on Winslow Drive had a lemonade stand to help fix the roads. She raised $114 and donated the funds to fix the roads. Mayor Dropiewski noted the City has sufficient funds to fix the roads this year and suggested to Edna the funds are donated to help the Animal Shelter; Edna agreed. 5. REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENT HEADS: Recreation Director Rodney Wade introduced the Senior Coordinator Shelly Reichlin to talk about the 2018 Downriver Senior Olympics. Shelly announced from Monday, July 23rd through Friday, July 27 th, the City of Flat Rock will be hosting the 2018 Downriver Senior Olympics. She spoke about the program and noted applications are available at the Flat Rock Community Center. Economic Development Director Liz Hendley presented several updates: the Boat Ramp field review is nearing the end; Calder s Dairy Grand Opening is scheduled for June 23 rd from 11:00 am 3:00 pm and will have a ribbon cutting around noon; and the DDA Banner Sponsorship Program is going well. DPS Director Jim Lancaster gave an update about the Spray Patching in Hawthorne Ridge. He also noted the DPS is still looking for part-time summer help. 6. REPORTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Council Member Maul congratulated the Flat Rock Girls Softball Team form winning District Championship. He further commented a packet was sent by him to all Council Members and the Mayor. Council Member Jim Martin congratulated the graduates from Flat Rock High School. Council Member Ken Wrobel asked if the City Council meetings can be aired on the website so residents that do not have cable can watch it. The Mayor noted it is something the City is working on. 7. MAYOR COMMENTS:
Mayor Dropiewski congratulated the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars on a successful Memorial Day Parade. He also thanked them for allowing him to walk and speak at the ceremony. He noted it was a great honor. The Mayor congratulated the Varsity Girls Softball Team on their District Championship. Mayor Dropiewski congratulated the Flat Rock High School Class of 2018 and wished them the best of luck on their future endeavors. The Mayor announced the Flat Rock Summer Blast will kick off on Friday night, June 8 th through June 10 th, with fireworks on Friday at 10:00 PM. He encouraged all to come down and enjoy the festival. 8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None 9. NEW BUSINESS Item 9-A-Request to Set Public Hearing for the Special Assessment Roll for June 18, 2018 Resolution 06-04-18-03 Supported by Tefend RESOLVED, to set a Public Hearing for the Special Assessment Roll for June 18, 2018. Item 9-B-Approval of the 2017-2018 Budget Amendments Resolution 06-04-18-04 Supported by Martin RESOLVED, to approve the 2017-2018 Budget Amendments as presented by the City Treasurer. Item 9-C-Public Hearing for the Proposed 2018-2019 Fiscal Year Budget Resolution 06-04-18-05 RESOLVED, to open the Public Hearing for the 2018-2019 Fiscal Year Budget. Discussion: Mayor Dropiewski asked if anyone would like to comment on the budget. The Mayor commented on the budget, including State funding and how it is allocated, the personal property
tax reform (possibly a proposed plan), he spoke of many challenges and why there is very little capital spending in this budget. The Mayor shared ideas on how to fund the road repairs now and in the future. The Mayor noted past discussions to put on a road millage on the ballot. He mentioned road concerns with the newer subdivisions. Council Member Tefend asked if we could put a millage on the August 2018 ballot; it was noted we can t for August. Council Member Maul asked if the City built and repaired roads in the past. He noted the City could hire more DPS employees and train them properly. He also suggested the City doing their own spray patching. Council Member Martin noted Red Cedar was done in the past, but the equipment was severely damaged because of it. The Mayor noted the equipment would be very costly. Council Member Wrobel asked how communities such as Dearborn, repair their roads with blacktop. Director Lancaster responded to the question. Council Member Wrobel was concerned they are recycling the old concrete and using it in the new concrete mix, that is currently used for new road repair. Council Member Wrobel asked if we could propose 1 millage for one (1) year and place it on the ballot for the residents to vote on it. He mentioned something needs to be done and the City can t wait any longer. Council Member Wally Little asked to check on equipment prices and see if the DPS can perform some of the road work. He noted Red Cedar, that was done by the City is still in good condition. Council Member Maul asked Director Lancaster to research the cost of labor and equipment for the City to repair the roads. Mayor Dropiewski asked if City Council would like to put a millage proposal on the ballot. Council Member Tefend noted the residents would like to see progress with the roads and agreed a millage should be placed on the ballot to allow the residents to decide. It was noted a vote would be taken once the Public Hearing is closed. Resident & Business Owner Alisa Maul voiced concern regarding negativity towards the budget and road. She is concerned people and business owners may not want to come to Flat Rock because of this. She suggested repairing the roads and turning them over to the homeowner s associations for them to manage and maintain. Attorney Grunow noted the associations haven t owned the roads in the past and that is something they would have to agree to. Council Member Tefend voiced some concern regarding this. The Mayor also commented on this. He noted all services would be the responsibility of the association such as, garbage collection, snow plowing, street lighting, etc. Alisa Maul noted concern with new businesses in Flat Rock. She asked how many businesses came to Flat Rock in 2018; it was noted five (5). She then asked how many in 2017; it was noted sixteen (16). Council Member Martin noted Meijer was opening in 2017 and that was a big draw of businesses. More discussion took place regarding the budget and future of Flat Rock. Resolution 06-04-18-06 RESOLVED, to close the public hearing for the proposed 2018-2019 Fiscal Year Budget. Resolution 06-04-18-07 RESOLVED, to accept the proposed 2018-2019 Fiscal Year Budget. Motion carried 5-1 with Maul voting no
Resolution 06-04-18-08 Supported by Tefend RESOLVED, to set the water rates for the 2018-2019 Fiscal Year Budget as follows: WITHIN THE CITY: o Residential $8.25 per 1000 gallons metered o Non-Residential $8.56 per 1000 gallons metered o Commercial $9.75 per 1000 gallons metered o Industrial $10.00 per 1000 gallons metered OUTSIDE THE CITY: o Water Only $5.25 per 1000 gallons metered o Water & Sewer $8.56 per 1000 gallons metered Minimum usage billed: 10,000 gallons not applicable to senior citizens (age 65 or older) Resolution 06-04-18-09 Motion by Tefend RESOLVED, to levy 1 mill ($1.00 per $1,000 of taxable value) and to place on the State General Election ballot in November of 2018 and; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, if the voters of Flat Rock reject this millage increase, a vote of City Council will be taken to remove the mill. Motion carried 5-1 with Maul voting no 10. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD: No additional comments 11. LATE CORRESPONDENCE: Item 11-A- Resolution Opposing Senate Bill 943 Resolution 06-04-18-10 Supported by Tefend RESOLVED, Whereas, the State of Michigan has proposed, through Senate Bill 943, a huge increase in landfill fees; and
Whereas, the proposed increase is from $0.36 to $4.44 for each ton of solid or municipal waste; and Whereas, these fees would ultimately be borne by local municipal taxpayers; and Whereas, these fees are expected to cost the city over $13,000; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and City Council of the City of Flat Rock on behalf of its citizens hereby opposes the huge increase; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Council opposes any increases to the landfill tipping fees because of the burden created on local units of government. Item 11-B- Reappointments to the TIFA Board Resolution 06-04-18-11 Supported by Martin RESOLVED, to approve the reappointments to the TIFA Board as follows: TIFA Board John Fiorelli 6/11/2022 TIFA Board Tom Havera 6/11/2022 TIFA Board Mike Whalls 6/11/2022 TIFA Board William Neal 6/11/2022 CLOSED SESSION ITEM A Clerical Union Contract Negotiations Resolution 06-04-18-12 Supported by Maul RESOLVED, to convene into closed session to discuss the Clerical Union contract negotiations. Resolution 06-04-18-13 Supported by Maul RESOLVED, to reconvene into open session.
Resolution 06-04-18-14 Motion by Dropiewski Supported by Maul RESOLVED, to approve a MERS 457 DC+ Plan for the Administrative Officers and Employees of the City of Flat Rock, to reflect that the City will contribute up to a three percent (3%) matching contribution for an employee. The City s contribution will vest after five (5) years from the hire date of the employee. 12. ADJOURNMENT: Resolution 06-04-18-15 RESOLVED, to adjourn the regular City Council meeting of June 4, 2018 at 9:13 PM. All voting yes; motion carried unanimously 6-0 DATE: Approved JONATHAN D. DROPIEWSKI, MAYOR MEAGHAN K. BACHMAN, CITY CLERK