City Council - December 8, 2008

493. Moved by Councilwoman Baker, seconded by Councilwoman Gumbleton, to approve the On Premises Public Act 501 of 2006 Liquor License (Class C license with Sunday Sales) requested by Dabro LLC d/b/a Maria's Front Room located at 215 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale, Michigan and approved at the above location above all others.

AYES: Council Members Galloway, Gumbleton, Lennon, Baker, Mayor Covey

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Trevor Johnson reported on the Good Neighbors Garden and announced his new business, Rent A Farmer.

Julie Glazier, Publicity Chair for Ferndale Youth Assistance, promoted the volunteer recognition event, and described the proposed membership list.

Chris Hughes, Downtown Development Authority (DDA), announced the Holiday Ice Festival.

Wyll Lewis promoted American Pop and a fundraiser for Ferndale Food Bank, and commented on his desire for more accountability for the DDA.

Peggy Snow, Beautification Commission, announced the upcoming judging of the holiday lights.

Dan Martin Chair of Ferndale Community Foundation promoted the upcoming Taste of Ferndale event.

Item C, Approval of 2009 Boards and Commissions Meeting Schedule, was removed from the Consent Agenda to be considered following the Regular Agenda.

494. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilwoman Baker, to approve the Consent Agenda as submitted:

A. Approved the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held November 24, 2008.

B. Approved of the annual donation of $300.00 included in the FYE-2009 Budget 101-172-885 Account to the Ferndale Goodfellows.

D. Approved application for a $3,000 Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the DTE Energy Foundation (MDNR/DTE) Tree Planting Grant.

E. Approved the AT&T Lease Extension and authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to sign it.

F. Approved the bills and payrolls as certified by City Manager to be paid subject to review by the Council Finance Committee.

AYES: Council Members Galloway, Gumbleton, Baker, Mayor Covey

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

495. Moved by Councilwoman Baker, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to confirm the appointment of Jerome Raska to the Downtown Development Authority to fill the unexpired term of Jason Krieger, term ending December 31, 2011.

AYES: Council Members Galloway, Gumbleton, Lennon, Baker, Mayor Covey

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

496. Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to approve participating with the Michigan Department of Transportation in constructing a new salt-storage building in fiscal 2011 and to direct the DPW Director to contact MDOT to develop the appropriate contract documents to be brought back to Council for its review and consideration.

AYES: Council Members Gumbleton, Lennon, Baker, Galloway, Mayor Covey

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

497. Moved by Councilwoman Gumbleton, supported unanimously, to adopt the Resolution urging Congress and the President to partner with cities on economic recovery.

AYES: Council Members Lennon, Baker, Galloway, Gumbleton, Mayor Covey

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

City Manager Bruner introduced discussion regarding Council’s preference regarding the two most current options for location of a new district courthouse. One option is to build on City-owned property on the east side of City Hall. The other option is to enter into a public/private partnership to build a mixed used development on the west side of City Hall.

The general consensus of Council was to move forward with plans to locate the courthouse on the east side of City Hall, while simultaneously pursuing a private/public partnership for a development on the west side of City Hall which would not contain a court facility.

CONSENT AGENDA (continued)

498. Moved by Councilwoman Baker, seconded by Councilman Galloway, to approve the Year 2009 City Boards and Commission Meetings Calendar as amended to change the time of the Police and Fire Board meetings from 6:00 p.m. on the second Monday of each month to 7:00 p.m.

AYES: Council Members Baker, Galloway, Gumbleton, Lennon, Mayor Covey

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

F. Woodward Avenue Action Association (WA3) – City Manager Bruner announced the holiday get-together.

499. Chief of Police Kitchen reported on the trend in crime statistics. Chief Kitchen announced the two newest police officers are starting this month, and a third officer is being extended a conditional offer of employment.

500. Fire Chief Schmidt promoted various Goodfellows fundraising events. Mayor Covey reported on the recent Goodfellows fundraiser hosted by Monica and Larry Mills in celebration of the 75^th anniversary of the repeal of prohibition. Councilman Lennon presented a donation to Goodfellows from the David Lennon Foundation.

501. City Clerk Tallman asked for and received confirmation the Council would like to amend its Rules of Procedure to require public hearings before Council for all Special Land Use permits. Council asked that the City Clerk relay its suggestion that the Plan Commission consider a similar amendment to the Zoning Ordinance. City Clerk Tallman announced the City Clerk’s office will be unstaffed for approximately an hour on Wednesday to allow staff to attend the Oakland County Clerks Association holiday meeting. City Clerk Tallman commented that membership in the Plan Commission is regulated by the Planning Enabling Act.

502. City Manager Bruner commended the activism of Ferndale’s residents.

503. Councilman Lennon promoted Christmas shopping in Ferndale.

504. Councilwoman Baker announced several upcoming and ongoing fundraising efforts for the FernCare free clinic being hosted by A.J. O’Neil at AJ’s Café.

505. Councilwoman Gumbleton encouraged council members and the Mayor to consider applying to serve on one of the Michigan Municipal League’s committees.

506. Councilman Galloway announced an informational meeting regarding the South Oakland Shelter to be held at First Baptist Church.

507. Mayor Covey announced the City of Detroit is proposing another water and sewer rate hike and requested that staff draft a resolution requesting any increase be as conservative as possible. Mayor Covey announced that all seats on the Ferndale Arts & Cultural Commission will be available at the end of the year and encouraged interested persons to apply.

11. CLOSED SESSION - for the purpose of considering the purchase or lease of real property pursuant to Section 8d of the Open Meetings Act, Act 267 of 1976.

508. Moved by Councilman Lennon, seconded by Councilwoman Gumbleton, to adjourn to closed session for the purpose of considering the purchase or lease of real property pursuant to Section 8d of the Open Meetings Act, Act 267 of 1976.

AYES: Council Members Galloway, Gumbleton, Lennon, Baker, Mayor Covey

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

Mayor Covey adjourned the meeting to closed session at 9:00 p.m. and reconvened to open session at 9:11 p.m.

509. Moved by Councilman Galloway, seconded by Councilwoman Gumbleton, to direct the City Clerk and the Mayor to sign the counter offer of the Ferndale American Legion Memorial Home Association for the sale of the property at 1741 Livernois for $129,900.00.

AYES: Council Members Gumbleton, Baker, Galloway, Mayor Covey

NAYS: None

MOTION CARRIED

There being no objections, Mayor Covey adjourned the meeting at 9:12 p.m.

Craig Covey, Mayor

J. Cherilynn Tallman, City Clerk

At a Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Ferndale, Oakland County, Michigan, held in the Council Chambers at 300 E. Nine Mile, Ferndale MI 48220 on the 8^th day of December, 2008

The following Resolution was moved by Councilwoman Gumbleton, and supported unanimously:

The number of American homes in foreclosure stands above 2.2 million, record numbers of American families remain at risk of losing their homes to foreclosure, and those Americans not at risk are seeing their home values decline; and

Retirement plans have lost about 20 percent of their value in the past 15 months; and

More than 1.2 million jobs have been lost in the last 10 months throughout the country, with unemployment at the highest levels since 1994; and

Earlier this year, Washington enacted a $700 billion bailout bill to rescue financial institutions and is now considering an additional $25 billion bailout to rescue the auto industry; and

Cities and towns are the economic engines of our country, housing more than 80% of the country’s residents, providing more than 80% of the country’s jobs and generating 90% of the nation’s gross domestic product; and

State and local governments are experiencing record budget shortfalls yet still need to provide essential services; and

The national credit crisis has resulted in cities across the country reporting difficulty selling bonds and accessing short-term financing, adding to the costs of local government operations and curtailing good local government capital projects; and

Public infrastructure investment not only creates jobs but generates a healthy multiplier effect throughout the economy by creating demand for materials and services; and

Infrastructure generates long-term effects, increasing America’s competitiveness by providing the necessary components for business development and job creation.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Ferndale City Council calls on Congress and the President to partner with cities and towns on a hometown stimulus package; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Ferndale City Council calls on Congress and the President to include in any economic recovery package:

Funding for infrastructure projects including public transit programs, airports, housing, highways, bridges, clean water, sewers, communications technology and schools to create jobs, stimulate the economy, increase America’s competitiveness and provide long-term benefits to hometowns; and

Support for families and children through increases in funding for Medicaid and food stamps, an extension of unemployment insurance benefits and job training funding for dislocated workers and employment activities; and

Access to the financial markets for state and local governments by clarifying that the Department of Treasury and the federal Reserve have the authority under the $700 billion bailout package to ensure that state and local governments have access to short-term credit facilities and the capital markets; and

An increase of the bank-qualified debt limit from $10 million to $30 million to allow small issuers to place their issuance directly with banks.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that bringing a stable economy back to our nation, our hometowns and our families is the first of many important steps that all levels of government must take to build a better future, and that Ferndale stands ready to go to work.

AYES: Mayor Covey, Council Members Baker, Galloway, Gumbleton, Lennon

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

RESOLUTION ADOPTED