JACKSON CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
OCTOBER 25, 2011
CALL TO ORDER.
The Jackson City Council met in regular session in City Hall and was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Karen F. Dunigan.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – INVOCATION.
The Council joined in the pledge of allegiance. The invocation was given by Councilmember Polaczyk.
ROLL CALL.
Present: Mayor Karen F. Dunigan and Councilmembers Carl L. Breeding, Robert B. Howe, Daniel P. Greer, Kenneth E. Gaiser, Andrew R. Frounfelker and John R. Polaczyk—7. Absent: none.
Also Present: City Manager Laurence Shaffer, City Attorney Julius A. Giglio, City Clerk Lynn Fessel, City Assessor David Taylor, Police Chief Matt Heins, City Engineer Jon Dowling and Deputy City Manager/Community Development Director Patrick Burtch.
AGENDA.
Motion was made by Councilmember Breeding and seconded by Councilmember Frounfelker to delete Item 9 - Appointments - from the Agenda. The motion was adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Dunigan and Councilmembers Breeding, Howe, Greer, Gaiser, Frounfelker and Polaczyk—7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0.
Motion was made by Councilmember Polaczyk and seconded by Councilmember Howe to adopt the Agenda, as amended. The motion was adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Dunigan and Councilmembers Breeding, Howe, Greer, Frounfelker and Polaczyk—6. Nays: Councilmember Gaiser--1. Absent: 0.
CITIZEN COMMENTS.
Jonathan Greene discussed the closing of Kuhl’s Bell Tower Market and the Kuhl’s commitment to Jackson. He remarked that the Farmers Market will continue to be open. 10/25/11 2
Mary Hamilton and Jerry Kasprzycki spoke in opposition to TCO Nos. 2094 and 2095, which were approved on September 27, 2011, and installed no parking zones on Maguire and Orange Streets.
Henry Grayson, on behalf of the NAACP, discussed a letter sent to the Council regarding reapportionment. He also announced that the NAACP will host a candidate forum on October 26 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Lane Montgomery asked if the false alarm ordinance could be amended so that there would be no charge for the first false alarm.
Gerald Montgomery stated that the City could not afford the cost of the annual deer harvest or new laptop computers for the Council. He discussed homes sold at tax sales and where the proceeds go.
Laura Schlecte remarked that she heard great things about Patrick Burtch’s presentation on the Economic Stabilization Program and stated that it has generated a lot of enthusiasm. She complimented Wendy Clifton for putting together a vendor fair, which included 16 merchants, in the lobby of Consumers Energy. She encouraged the Council to adopt Ordinance No. 2011.18.
Charles Aymond asked the Council to authorize the submission of a Letter of Inquiry to ArtPlace by the Ella Sharp Museum to support the inclusion of additional art pieces in the Park.
Jon Hart spoke in support of recognizing the 22nd day of each month as a day of peace and healing and asked the Council to encourage their constituents to do the same.
Pastor Ovella Andreas, President of the United Communities of America, explained her organization is community based and focuses on the reduction of crime. The initiative she is bringing to Jackson is the citywide day of peace and healing on the 22nd of each month, which has been adopted by nine other cities.
PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS.
A. MAYOR’S PRESENTATION OF A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO PASTOR OVELLA ANDREAS, UNITED COMMUNITIES OF AMERICA, SUPPORTING THE GOAL OF A DAY OF HEALING AND PEACE ON THE 22ND DAY OF EACH MONTH IN THE CITY OF JACKSON.
Mayor Dunigan read the special tribute and presented it to Pastor Andreas.
Motion was made by Councilmember Polaczyk and seconded by Councilmember Greer to declare the 22nd day of each month as a day of healing and peace. The motion was adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Dunigan and Councilmembers Breeding, Howe, Greer, Gaiser, Frounfelker and Polaczyk—7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0.
CONSENT CALENDAR.
Motion was made by Councilmember Polaczyk and seconded by Councilmember Frounfelker to approve the following Consent Calendar. The motion was adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Dunigan and Councilmembers Breeding, Howe, Greer, Gaiser, Frounfelker and Polaczyk—7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0. 10/25/11 3
Consent Calendar
A. Approval of the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of October 11, 2011.
B. Approval of the request from the Jackson YMCA to conduct their Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 24, 2011, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Recommended approval has been received from the Police, Fire, Parks, Engineering, and Public Works Departments, and the Downtown Development Authority. Contingent upon receipt of proper insurance coverage.)
C. Approval of the request from Downtown Jackson Christmas Parade Committee to conduct their Annual Downtown Jackson Christmas Parade on Friday, November 18, 2011, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Recommended approval has been received from the Police, Fire, Parks, Engineering, and Public Works Departments, and the Downtown Development Authority. Special event insurance is covered by the DDA.)
D. Approval of the proposed Letter of Agreement between the City of Jackson and the Michigan Association of Public Employees (MAPE) extending the Collective Bargaining Agreement to December 31, 2011.
E. Receipt of the Dangerous Building Report through September 2011.
F. Receipt of CDBG and HOME Financial Summaries through September 30, 2011.
G. Receipt of the City of Jackson’s summary of revenue and expenditures for three (3) months ended, September 30, 2011.
COMMITTEE REPORTS.
None.
APPOINTMENTS.
Appointments were deleted when the Agenda was adopted.
PUBLIC HEARINGS.
None.
RESOLUTIONS.
A. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE IRON CITY SANDWICH COMPANY, LLC, FOR A NEW FULL YEAR CLASS C LIQUOR LICENSE WITH SUNDAY SALES, DANCE, ENTERTAINMENT, AND OUTDOOR SALES PERMITS UNDER MCLA 436.1521a(1)(b) TO BE LOCATED AT 133 E. WASHINGTON STREET.
Motion was made by Councilmember Frounfelker and seconded by Councilmember Howe to adopt the resolution. The motion was adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Dunigan and Councilmembers Breeding, Howe, Greer, Gaiser, Frounfelker and Polaczyk—7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0.
ORDINANCES.
A. ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2011.18, AMENDING CHAPTER 28, SECTION 28-32, CITY CODE, REZONING PROPERTIES WHICH COMPRISE 1314 LANSING AVENUE (ID#2-111.1000), AND 1310 LANSING AVENUE (ID#2-2108.1000) FROM R-2 TO C-1.
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Motion was made by Councilmember Howe and seconded by Councilmember Frounfelker to adopt Ordinance No. 2011.18. The motion was adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Dunigan and Councilmembers Breeding, Howe, Greer, Frounfelker and Polaczyk—6. Nays: Councilmember Gaiser--1. Absent: 0.
OTHER BUSINESS.
None.
NEW BUSINESS.
A. CONSIDERATION OF THE REQUEST TO APPROVE AN ENGINEERING PROPOSAL FROM SPALDING DEDECKER, ROCHESTER HILLS, FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PAKA PLAZA (JACKSON CROSSING) SANITARY SEWER LIFT STATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $39,144.92, AND AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT.
Motion was made by Councilmember Polaczyk and seconded by Councilmember Frounfelker to approve the request. The motion FAILED adoption by the following vote. Yeas: Councilmembers Howe, Frounfelker and Polaczyk—3. Nays: Mayor Dunigan and Councilmembers Breeding, Greer and Gaiser—4. Absent: 0.
Motion was made by Councilmember Greer and seconded by Councilmember Gaiser to award the bid to ARCADIS at a not-to-exceed amount of $35,009.00.
Motion was made by Councilmember Howe and seconded by Councilmember Polaczyk to postpone consideration of this matter for three (3) weeks. The motion was adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Dunigan and Councilmembers Breeding Howe, Gaiser, Frounfelker and Polaczyk—6. Nays: Councilmember Greer—1. Absent: 0.
B. CONSIDERATION OF THE REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO SUBMIT A LETTER OF INQUIRY TO ARTPLACE BY THE ELLA SHARP MUSEUM TO SUPPORT THE INCLUSION OF ADDITIONAL ART PIECES IN ELLA SHARP PARK. (ELLA SHARP BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS APPROVAL.)
Motion was made by Councilmember Polaczyk and seconded by Councilmember Howe to approve the request. The motion was adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Dunigan and Councilmembers Breeding, Howe, Greer, Gaiser, Frounfelker and Polaczyk—7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0.
CITY COUNCILMEMBERS’ COMMENTS.
Councilmember Polaczyk reminded everyone that Halloween is on October 31 and to please drive safely during the hours of 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. when the children are "trick or treating."
Councilmember Frounfelker reported on his attendance at a residents’ meeting at Reed Manor and a Jackson Housing Commission meeting. He thanked the Police Department for their quick handling of the recent tragedy at Reed Manor and believes they (Reed Manor) will need the assistance of the City for such things as street lighting, tree trimming, fencing and the possible conversion of Steward Street to 10/25/11 5
two-way. He also announced a Fifth Ward Neighborhood meeting on November 7 at 7 p.m. Patrick Burtch will be the guest speaker.
Councilmember Gaiser reminded everyone to vote at the November 8 General Election.
Councilmember Greer apologized for his absence from the last Council meeting. He reported that the recent MML conference held in Grand Rapids was excellent. The main focus was on "creating a sense of place" and the resurgence of downtowns. He reported that he anticipates being appointed to the MML Board after a vacancy occurs on January 1. He encouraged his fellow Councilmembers to purchase or borrow his copy of The Economics of Place published by the MML. He also reported that he only spent 4/5’s of the travel money that was approved by the Council.
Councilmember Howe recognized the November 10 birthday of the Marine Corps and gave a special nod to audience members Gerald Montgomery and Jerry Kasprzycki who served in the Marines. He reminded everyone that all veterans will be honored on November 11, at 11 a.m. in Withington Park.
Councilmember Breeding, in response to Lane Montgomery’s request, asked the City Attorney to "tweak" our false alarm ordinance, looking at possible exceptions. He also discussed that he spoke with the owner of Jack’s Take Out who stated he is losing $500 per day, six days a week, since July 5 due to street reconstruction. There has never been a sign stating that the street is open to local traffic/businesses. He thinks the City should compensate the owner by reducing his assessment or by doing something of that nature.
Mayor Dunigan thanked Laura Schlecte for recognizing Wendy Clifton’s initiative to take businesses to the Consumers headquarters. It was an outstanding success.
MANAGER’S COMMENTS.
None.
EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS COLLECTIVE BARGAINING NEGOTIATIONS AND A LEGAL OPINION.
Motion was made by Councilmember Howe and seconded by Councilmember Greer to go into executive session. The motion was adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Dunigan and Councilmembers Breeding, Howe, Greer, Gaiser, Frounfelker and Polaczyk—7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0.
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION.
Motion was made by Councilmember Greer and seconded by Councilmember Howe to return to open session. The motion was adopted by unanimous voice vote.
ADJOURNMENT.
No further business being presented, a motion was made by Councilmember Howe and seconded by Councilmember Greer to adjourn the meeting. The motion was adopted by unanimous voice vote and the meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.
Lynn Fessel
City Clerk
© City of Jackson, 2012
