The Jackson City Council met in special session for a goal setting session in the 10th floor conference room in City Hall. Mayor Ludwig convened the meeting at 6:06 p.m.
Present: Mayor Jerry F. Ludwig and Councilmembers Carl L. Breeding, Robert B. Howe, Kenneth E. Gaiser, Andrew R. Frounfelker and John R. Polaczyk--6. Absent: Councilmember Daniel P. Greer (who arrived at 6:22 p.m.) --1.
Also Present: City Manager William R. Ross, City Attorney Julius A. Giglio and City Clerk Lynn Fessel.
The Following Objectives/Goals from the Special City Council Meeting of August 13, 2008 were Discussed.
1. Objective/goal: Have the City police take over the enforcement for parking within all of the City.
¨Leave parking enforcement in the downtown area with the City Engineer.
¨Enforcement of front yard parking remains important. Police Department continue enforcement.
¨Consider increasing fines.
¨Look at the East Lansing model.
Councilmember Greer entered the meeting at 6:22 p.m.
2. Objective/goal: Establish a mosquito control program by Spring 2009.
¨Glenn Chinavare, Director of Public Services, will prepare a preliminary report on the cost of implementing a mosquito abatement program.
3. Objective/goal: Ensure enforcement of the City curfew in all sections of the City and to amend the curfew to align with the neighboring townships.
¨It was the consensus of the Council that the curfew does not need to be changed at this time.
4. Objective/goal: Develop and implement a plan to create a corridor authority for Cooper Street north and implement the plan as directed by the City Council.
5. Objective/goal: Prepare plans and implement additional corridor authorities on N. West Avenue and E. Michigan Avenue as appropriate.
¨Items 4 and 5 above were discussed together. The Council wishes to stress code enforcement at every major corridor coming into the City, with an emphasis on Cooper Street and look for ways to put available funds into improvement.
6. Objective/goal: Beautify the neighborhoods.
7. Objective/goal: Establish a fee based annual inspection program for all rental units in addition an inspection will be required upon change of occupants.
¨Items 6 and 7 above were discussed together. Carol Konieczki, Community Development Director, will look into what other communities are doing regarding a rental registry and point of sale inspections, and report back to the Council.
¨The dangerous building situation was discussed, including the fact that some properties have appeared on the dangerous buildings report for years. Three categories were noted: Uninhabitable, dangerous and condemned. It was mentioned that “thinning out” structures can be positive, as some of our neighborhoods are quite dense.
¨Find a more efficient way of controlling overgrowth of grass/weeds.
¨Keep the Acme building on the forefront. Be the “squeaky wheel” and keep searching for ways to deal with it.
8. Objective/goal: Consider providing an annual incentive payment increase for those City employees who reside with their families inside the City limit.
¨Survey employees who are living outside to see what incentives they would need to move into the City. Refer completed surveys to the Rules & Personnel Committee.
The Following Councilmember Goals were discussed.
Councilmember Gaiser: Instead of spending 80% from the General Fund on human resources and 20% on “bricks and mortar,” get the spending to 60%/40% or 50%/50%. Look at attrition and technology to reach this goal.
Councilmember Greer: Would like to see North Street west of Cooper and Cooper Street to the railroad tracks improved. Inquired if some recommendations from the Metro Fire Study could be considered. Also remarked that the City should continue to exhaust every avenue necessary to continue to ensure the financial stability of the City.
Councilmember Frounfelker: Emphasized the importance of road repair/maintenance. He would also like to see CDBG funds prioritized.
Mayor Ludwig: Would like to see concrete considered for road improvements instead of asphalt. He would also like to see a resurgence of the Thoroughfare Plan.
Councilmember Polaczyk: Would like to see a pit bull ordinance considered.
ADJOURNMENT.
No further business being presented, Mayor Ludwig adjourned the meeting at 8:36 p.m.
Lynn Fessel, City Clerk
© City of Jackson, 2012
