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 Jerry F. Ludwig.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - INVOCATION.
The Council joined in the pledge of allegiance. Councilmember Mead gave the invocation.
ROLL CALL.
Present: Mayor Jerry F. Ludwig and Councilmembers Carl L. Breeding, William A. Mure, Daniel P. Greer, Sarah E. Mead, Andrew R. Frounfelker and John R. Polaczyk-7. Absent: 0.
Also present: City Manager William R. Ross, Assistant City Manager Richard J. Marsh, City Attorney Julius A. Giglio and City Clerk Lynn Fessel.
AGENDA.
Mayor Ludwig announced the addition of Item F under New Business.
Motion was made by Councilmember Polaczyk and seconded by Councilmember Greer to adopt the agenda, with the above addition. The motion was adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Ludwig and Councilmembers Breeding, Mure, Greer, Mead, Frounfelker and Polaczyk-7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0.
PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS.
None.
CITIZEN COMMENTS.
George Haynes, 3457 Tracey Drive, distributed a letter to the Council and stated he would like to see hunters used to decrease the deer population in Sharp Park instead of sharp shooters being hired for that purpose. In addition, he does not advocate the use of high-powered rifles.
Virginia Huntoon, 2140 Robinson Road, stated she would rather see the deer relocated.
John Wilson, 1045 S. Durand, commented, in response to recent Citizen Patriot articles, that he doesn't think the City Council has bullied the County Commission. He believes, because of the reverter clause, that the City has every right to take back the 68 acres of property that Ramco Gershenson wants to develop; and, if there is any way the City can be financially reimbursed for this property, they should be.
Greg Gallant, 744 Edgewood Street, stated that on July 17 he submitted a felony complaint against two police officers to the City Manager's office. He was referred to the Police Chief and denied an investigation, without an explanation. He is still seeking an investigation.
Scott TenBrink, 225 N. Jackson Street, introduced himself as the new Executive Director of the Fitness Council of Jackson. He explained what the Fitness Council does and offered his services through that entity and through the Walkable Communities Task Force.
Irma Ojeda, 1413 N. Waterloo, stated she received a ticket for parking in her side yard and paid it. She drove around her neighborhood and found 30 cars she believes to be in violation. She requested copies of all tickets issued for this type of violation.
Philip Widmayer, 215 N. Harvey, requested property tax relief for the Fraternal Order of Eagles 612, located at 301 Detroit Street.
CONSENT CALENDAR.
Councilmember Breeding requested Items J and U be removed for separate consideration. Motion was made by Councilmember Frounfelker and seconded by Councilmember Polaczyk to approve the following Consent Calendar, with Items J and U removed for separate consideration. The motion was adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Ludwig and Councilmembers Breeding, Mure, Greer, Mead, Frounfelker and Polaczyk-7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0.
Consent Calendar
A. Approval of the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of July 17, 2007.
B. Approval of the request from Foote Health System to conduct their annual Foote Race on Saturday, September 8, 2007, beginning at 8:00 a.m., with police assistance. (Recommended approval received from the Police, Fire, and Traffic Engineering Departments. Proper insurance coverage received.)
C. Approval of the request from the Grand River Environmental Action Team (G.R.E.A.T.) to hold their G.R.E.A.T. River Clean-up on Saturday, September 15, 2007, from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. (event 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.). (Recommended approval received from the Amphitheater Review Committee, Downtown Development Authority, Police, Engineering, and Public Services Departments. Proper insurance coverage received.)
D. Approval of the request from the Michigan Theatre of Jackson Inc. to hold their Obsessions fundraising event and with authorization for temporary outdoor service on Friday, September 28, 2007, and to close City Parking Lot No. 14, beginning at 2:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m., and tear-down on Saturday, September 29th. (Approval recommended by the Police, Fire and Traffic Engineering, Public Works Departments, and the Downtown Development Authority. Proper insurance coverage received.)
E. Approval of the request from MP Entertainment to hold their September Live! event on Friday, September 28, 2007, and to close City Parking Lot No. 8, beginning at 2:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. (Approval recommended by Police, Fire, Traffic Engineering, Public Services Departments and the Downtown Development Authority. Contingent upon receipt of special event insurance coverage.)
F. Approval of the request from the American Cancer Society to hold their Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on Saturday, October 20, 2007, beginning at 8:00 a.m. (Recommended approval received from the Police, Fire, Traffic Engineering and Public Works Departments and the Downtown Development Authority. Contingent upon renewal of insurance coverage.)
G. Approval of payment of the Region 2 Planning Commission invoice, in the amount of $7,103.24, for planning services cost adjustments for July 2007, in accordance with the recommendation of the City Manager.
H. Approval of payment of the Jackson County Emergency Dispatch Services invoice, in the amount of $11,374.25, for the period of April through June 2007, in accordance with the recommendation of the City Manager.
I. Approval of the request to rescind previous action related to the location of memorial plaques on the northeast side of the Farmer's Market, and to relocate the memorial plaque for Paul Dupuis as well as the placement of any future plaques along the fence on the southwest side of the river adjacent to the Farmer's Market, in accordance with the recommendation of the City Manager, Downtown Development Authority (DDA), and the Midtown Association.
J. Removed for separate consideration.
K Approval of an Offer to Purchase City Owned property located at 1023 Williams Street (vacant lot), with a purchase price of $250.00, and to waive the requirement for a development agreement, conditioned upon the homeowner's combining this parcel with their current property, and authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to execute all documents necessary to close the sale, subject to approval and minor modifications by the City Attorney, in accordance with the recommendation of the Community Development Director.
L. Approval of Amendment No. 3 to the contract with the Great Lakes Engineering Group, for
bridge inspection and engineering services, in the amount of $5,420.00, bringing the final professional service agreement amount to $172,283.58, and authorization for the City Engineer and City Manager to execute the appropriate contract document(s), in accordance with the recommendation of the City Engineer.
M. Approval of Amendment No. 4 to the Consulting Agreement with DLZ for inspection and testing costs on the Denton Road Bridge Replacement project, in the amount of $13,840.75, bringing the final professional service agreement amount to a not-to-exceed cost of $158,243.70, and authorization for the City Engineer and City Manager to execute the appropriate contract document(s), in accordance with the recommendation of the City Engineer.
N. Approval of Traffic Control Order Nos. 1954 and 1955, regarding the change from yield signs to stop signs at the intersections of Homewild at Perrine and Homewild at Park, in accordance with the recommendation of the City Engineer.
O. Approval of Traffic Control Order Nos. 1956, 1957, 1958, and 1962, regarding bridge weight
limits for bridges over the Grand River, in accordance with the recommendation of the City
Engineer.
P. Approval of Traffic Control Order Nos. 1950, 1951, 1959 and 1960, regarding truck routes and signs in the City, in accordance with the recommendation of the City Engineer.
Q. Approval of Traffic Control Order 1961, regarding the former Pedestrian Mall area on Michigan Avenue between Blackstone Street and Francis Street, in accordance with the recommendation of the City Engineer.
R. Referral of an application to the City Planning Commission from Frauenshuh (building
developer), to rezone property located at 1201 E. Michigan Avenue from R-4 and C-2 to C-4.
S. Receipt of the City Engineer's report for street construction on First Street from Greenwood to Morrell Street, and establishment of September 11, 2007, at the City Council meeting as the time and place to hold a public hearing of necessity.
T. Receipt of the Superintendent of Ella Sharp Park's report regarding the deer population in Ella Sharp Park.
U. Removed for separate consideration.
V. Receipt of Dangerous Building Status Report through July 31, 2007.
W. Receipt of the Community Development Department's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Financial Report through June 2007.
X. Establishment of September 25, 2007, at the City Council meeting as the time and place to hold a public hearing to amend the City's Brownfield Plan to include Wellworth Street (previously 2001-Jackson Drop Forge Superfund Site).
Y. Establishment of September 25, 2007, at the City Council meeting as the time and place to hold a public hearing for the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) and HOME Annual Performance Report, and authorization to disseminate draft document for public review and 30-day comment period.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM J.
Approval of the request to extend incentives for the United Way campaign to city employees who are eligible, as well as a cost not to exceed $200.00 for refreshments for the campaign kick-off, in accordance with the recommendation of the City Manager.
Motion was made by Councilmember Mure and seconded by Councilmember Greer to approve the request. The motion was adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Ludwig and Councilmembers Mure, Greer, Mead, Frounfelker and Polaczyk-6. Nays: Councilmember Breeding-1. Absent: 0.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM U.
Receipt of notification from the Community Development Director of executive action taken by Mayor Ludwig to approve the Waterfront Redevelopment Grant Agreement Amendment #2, City of Jackson, Riverwalk Trail Project.
Motion was made by Councilmember Frounfelker and seconded by Councilmember Greer to receive the notification. The motion was adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Ludwig and Councilmembers Mure, Greer, Mead, Frounfelker and Polaczyk-6. Nays: Councilmember Breeding-1. Absent: 0.
COMMITTEE REPORTS.
None.
APPOINTMENTS.
A. APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR'S RECOMMENDATION TO REAPPOINT TERESSA DELPH TO THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 1, 2007, AND ENDING AUGUST 31, 2010.
Motion was made by Councilmember Breeding and seconded by Councilmember Mure to concur with the Mayor's recommendation. The motion was adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Ludwig and Councilmembers Breeding, Mure, Greer, Mead, Frounfelker and Polaczyk-7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS.
RECESS AS CITY COUNCIL AND CONVENE AS BOARD OF REVIEW.
Motion was made by Councilmember Greer and seconded by Councilmember Polaczyk to recess as City Council and convene as Board of Review. The motion was adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Ludwig and Councilmembers Breeding, Mure, Greer, Mead, Frounfelker and Polaczyk-7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0.
A. PUBLIC HEARING ON SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL NO. 4153 FOR STREETSCAPE CONSTRUCTION ON CORTLAND STREET FROM BLACKSTONE STREET TO FRANCIS STREET.
Mayor Ludwig opened the public hearing. Tom Ratchford, owner of 121 E. Cortland, addressed the Council stating that the people who did the streetscape work did a “lousy job.” There are many cracks in the concrete and pieces are broken and coming out. Mitch Ross, representing The Assembly at 141 E. Cortland Street, discussed that because of this construction the entrance to their rear parking lot was reduced from two lanes to one. He would like a reduced assessment because of this change. The Mayor closed the public hearing.
1. RESOLUTION CONFIRMING SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL NO. 4153.
Motion was made by Councilmember Frounfelker and seconded by Councilmember Mead to delay the paying of the assessments until the repairs are done in accordance with the warranty period for this project, including the trees. The motion was adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Ludwig and Councilmembers Breeding, Mure, Greer, Mead, Frounfelker and Polaczyk-7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0.
B. PUBLIC HEARING ON SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL NO. 4154 FOR STREETSCAPE CONSTRUCTION ON JACKSON STREET FROM LOUIS GLICK HIGHWAY TO WASHINGTON AVENUE.
Mayor Ludwig opened the public hearing. No one spoke. The Clerk reported on correspondence received from Donald Webb. He is the owner of five properties in the downtown area and would appreciate consideration of a reduction of his special assessments, those in particular are Stencil Nos. 1-0086, 1-0087 and 1-0088 known as the Jackson Comedy Club. The Mayor closed the public hearing.
1. RESOLUTION CONFIRMING SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL NO. 4154.
Motion was made by Councilmember Greer and seconded by Councilmember Polaczyk to adopt the resolution. The motion was adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Ludwig and Councilmembers Breeding, Mure, Greer, Mead, Frounfelker and Polaczyk-7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0.
ADJOURN AS BOARD OF REVIEW AND RECONVENE AS CITY COUNCIL.
Motion was made by Councilmember Greer and seconded by Councilmember Frounfelker to adjourn as Board of Review and reconvene as City Council. The motion was adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Ludwig and Councilmembers Breeding, Mure, Greer, Mead, Frounfelker and Polaczyk-7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0.
C. PUBLIC HEARING ON THE VACATION OF A 20-FOOT WIDE ALLEY RUNNING NORTH AND SOUTH BETWEEN THE SOUTH LINE OF CHAPIN STREET AND THE NORTH LINE OF DEYO STREET AND LYING EAST OF LOTS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, AND 6 AND LYING WEST OF LOTS 7 AND 8, BLOCK 4, EATON'S EAST ADDITION, (CITY PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE ALLEY VACATION.)
Mayor Ludwig opened the public hearing. Brian Wilson, 1406 Deyo, explained that he requested this vacation for the safety of his children - for the traffic, the drug dealing and the peering into windows. The Mayor closed the public hearing.
1. RESOLUTION APPROVING THE VACATION OF THE ALLEY.
Motion was made by Councilmember Mure and seconded by Councilmember Greer to adopt the resolution. The motion was adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Ludwig and Councilmembers Breeding, Mure, Greer, Mead, Frounfelker and Polaczyk-7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0.
D. PUBLIC HEARING ON THE VACATION OF ALL OF ELIZABETH STREET LYING BETWEEN THE WEST LINE OF SOUTH WATERLOO AVENUE AND THE EAST LINE OF STATE STREET AND SITUATED SOUTH OF BLOCK 35 AND NORTH OF BLOCK 46, FORD'S EASTERN EXTENSION. (CITY PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE STREET VACATION.)
Mayor Ludwig opened the public hearing. Hendrik Shuur from Foote Hospital explained that this vacation is not for new parking, but will shift existing parking east of Page Avenue to the west. The Mayor closed the public hearing.
1. RESOLUTION APPROVING THE VACATION OF ALL OF ELIZABETH STREET.
Motion was made by Councilmember Mure and seconded by Councilmember Polaczyk to adopt the resolution. The motion was adopted by the following vote. Yeas: Mayor Ludwig and Councilmembers Breeding, Mure, Greer, Mead, Frounfelker and Polaczyk-7. Nays: 0. Absent: 0.
RESOLUTIONS.
A. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION REGARDING THE REQUEST FROM THE JACKSON AFFORDABLE HOUSING CORPORATION THAT THEY BE RECOGNIZED AS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION OPERATING IN THE COMMUNITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING CHARITABLE GAMING LICENSES.
© City of Jackson, 2012
