Calling to meeting, calling to order a regular meeting
of the city council, Tuesday,
April 23rd, 2024 at 7:00 PM Please
stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance
To the flag of the United States of America
and to the republic for which it stands.
One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty
and justice for all.
Roll call Madam Secretary. Thank you,
President Roy.
Here. Ms. McGee.
Here. Mr. Dwyer. Here. Mr. Bokey. Present. Mr.
Newan? Here. Mr. Lafferty? Here. Moore is present.
We have a quorum.
Thank you. Next item. Next item
Is for adoption of the consent agenda. So moved.
Support Lafferty. Any additional or any discussion?
Madam President, Council member Lafferty. I
Don't want to pull them off,
but I do want to make note that we have, uh,
consideration for approval.
Two high dollar items
and one is, uh, letter H.
Item H is a ward of contract for the Hudson pavement
and water replacement for $2.5 million.
And then we have a, another one for,
Uh, Replacement of Ryan Road.
And that is,
Uh, Gosh, there it is.
10 Mile Road. I'm sorry.
10 mile road water replacement, Ryan
to Ryan Road at center line.
Uh, $3.8 million.
I didn't want to pull them off the agenda just to say that,
but I wanted to make note of
that. Thank you. And what, what
Item is 10 Mile. GG, G.
Thank you. Thank you. Any additional discussion?
Hearing none. I will call the question. Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr.
Lafferty? Yes. Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes.
Uh, Mr. Nunan? Yes. Ms. McGee? Yes. Rogan C is a yes.
Motion carries the next item. Next
Item is five.
Adoption of the agenda. So moved.
Support Lafferty.
Discussion. I have two items I would like
to add. One.
Motion to, um, suspend the rules to allow Ms.
Rogan to put two items on the agenda.
Support Lafferty. You can only put one.
Got it. Thank you. All in, uh, all in favor? Aye.
Aye. Aye. Rules are suspended.
One is discussion regarding HB 49 65,
which is relating to video services,
which is a bill in the House of Representatives.
And the second is a letter of support for
two, um, secretary Buttigieg
regarding funding from eight mile
to 11 Mile Road on Mound Road.
Okay. Madam Chair, Council member Moore,
Those items will be 13 F Um,
the House Bill 49, 65,
and G is the, um, transportation, the roads.
Um, funding eight. That'll be G.
Thank you. Motion
to resume.
So moved. Oh, we don't have, I don't think we have
to. We have to resume.
Motion to resume the rules. Support.
All in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye.
Aye. Motion carries. Next
Item. Next item is
six a calendar pending matters.
Motion to receive and file
Support. Lafferty.
Any discussion? Hearing none.
I will call the question. Ms. Moore? Yes. Ms. Lafferty? Yes.
Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes. Mr. Nunan? Yes. Ms. McGee?
Yes. Rogan C is a yes. Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is eight seven.
A approval of the minutes of the regular meeting
of April 9th, 2024.
So moved. Support Dwyer.
Any discussion? Hearing none? I'll call the question.
Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Lafferty? Yes. Mr.
Bokey? Yes. Mr. Newnan? Yes. Ms. McGee? Yes.
Rogan C is a yes. Motion carries. Next item. Next
Item is eight. A
approval of the bills of the General Revenue Funds.
Motion to approve with discussion.
Support Lafferty. Discussion, Madam Secretary.
Thank you. Um, just to point out to the public,
there's some pretty large amounts of, um, money being, uh,
wire transferred out.
The first is for $19,032,
and that is for Barry Mormon in the OD showcase case.
Um, there is another amount
for 16,763
for the mound development, uh, case, um,
to seek rest Wordle,
and another large amount
for $21,496 38 cents.
And that is for the TW Wade case to, um, uh,
Kirk, who, Lang and Bad Mente.
Any additional discussion? Hearing none.
I'll call the question. Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Lafferty? Yes.
Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes. Mr. Nunan? Yes. Ms. McGee?
Yes. Rogan C is a yes. Motion carries. Next item. Next
Item is eight B.
Approval of the bills of the water and sewer system.
So moved. Support Dwyer.
Any discussion? Hearing none? I'll call the question.
Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Lafferty? Yes. Mr.
Bokey? Yes. Mr. Nunan? Yes. Ms. McGee? Yes.
Rogan C is a yes. Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is eight C.
Approve or, um, receive
and file the general fund revenue
reports. So moved. Lafferty,
Support, Support. Dwyer.
I made any discussion?
I had a question,
potentially Mr. Fox could answer.
It appears from reading this,
and correct me if I'm wrong, that our revenue projections
for building permits are really off.
It looks like we budgeted 1.9 million
and we've brought in just 474,000.
Do we know why that's low?
And is that doesn't appear
to be trending in the right direction?
Good evening, counsel. Richard Fox, city controller.
Um, it could be timing, uh, some of the stuff
that's coming up in the spring, um,
where we get more permits.
Um, revenue could come in,
but I'll, I'll keep an eye on, uh, if,
if we're gonna run it short, I'll re report it to council.
Thank you. You're welcome.
Anything further? Okay.
Hearing none, I will call the question. Mr. Lafferty?
Yes. Lafferty? Yes. Mr. Dwyer?
Yes. Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes. Mr.
Newnan? Yes. Mr. McGee? Yes. Grogan C is a yes.
Motion carries. Or actually, that was a receive and file.
The motion carries. Next item.
Next item is eight D General Fund expenditure reports.
Motion to receive and file support. Lafferty.
Any discussion? All in favor, aye. Aye. Any opposed?
Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is an, uh, audience participation.
Members of the audience who would like
to address City Council this evening may do so
by filling out an audience form located at the
right side of the stage.
This is a reminder that per our council rules
and procedures, uh, you must write your name
and address on the audience form,
or give your full name and address at the podium.
You have three minutes. We have a clock there.
Uh, this audience is for agenda items only.
There is additional time at the end
of the meeting for our general audience.
First is, uh, mayor Lori Stone.
Thank you, council President.
I am here as a resident for the purposes of comment.
I, um, am here to address item 13 A.
Um, regarding the veto as a resident, I'm a taxpayer
and I am, uh, I depend on city services
and I, um, I recognize that the mayor is responsible
for ensuring the day-to-Day operations of our cities.
It is important that the mayor have access
to emergency port purchasing ordinance as, um,
laid out in the charter.
The importance of this purchasing power is important
because, well, it's recognized by, um, a situation starting
with a major malfunction of the wastewater treatment plant.
Uh, back in November 27th, 2023,
a major malfunction that caused the collapse of a hearth.
Um, and the director had
to make a rapid decision on how we would handle the business
of the city's sewage sludge.
Um, this was a repair that was anticipated
to cost roughly $700,000.
And the amount necessary to respond is far
above the arbitrary amount that was imposed
by the council's, um, amended, uh,
ordinance, uh, regarding emergency purchasing.
The city charter also already includes emergency purchase
ordinance to provide for continuity of service.
When unexpected situations arrive
that potentially disrupt services, the mayor is responsible
to ensure services are delivered.
The ordinance was framed not only to achieve continuity
of service, but also to include checks and balances
and transparency to the council
and the public as defined in the city's charter, um,
emergency is more than a dis a
disaster or public crisis.
It is the, uh, inhibition
or inability to, um,
provide those services they're tasked with daily.
I just wanted to bring up, I know that, um, it's arguably
been abused in the past,
but quite rightly, it has been exercised regularly
to address issues.
So January 23rd of 20 of 2017,
the wastewater treatment plant
required in the incinerator repairs amounting to $93,000.
Um, and when we require sewage
to be handled regularly, do we have time to wait?
18 hours to convene, um, a flooding
that occurred in the library on, uh,
June 2nd, 2017, $94,000.
Property rest re restoration, 9 28 20 17,
$80,000 replacement of an elevator hoist and
Motor. Your time
Is up. Thank you. Thank
you. If anyone would like additional
information, I can provide additional examples.
Thank you. Next is Gary Watts.
Good evening everybody. I just wanted
to talk just briefly about the road
millage that's up for renewal.
I certainly don't have a problem
with the renewal by any means.
Well, I do, but I'm not convinced that
as a city that we've proved to the taxpayers
that we're putting that road millage to good use.
So renewing it for 20 years, I think is an issue.
I think it should be renewed, but then adding parks
and parking lots to it, that's not
what a road millage is for.
Let this let the budget fund the parks and the parking lots.
Fund the roads. The side streets are horrible.
You know, as the last four years, I did a lot of traveling
around this city, and I got tons
and tons of pictures of side streets.
Every side street in this city needs to be replaced.
A parse can live on their own.
There's plenty of money in that budget.
We got an $89 million fund balance. Tap a little bit of it.
So that's where I'm at. Thank you.
Thank you. Next is Kevin Meyer.
I too would also like to, uh, speak of, uh, 14 G
and the word accountability.
Um, this past winter,
we had a water main break down the street.
They came out, uh, fixed it like they, they always do.
Uh, and then a couple weeks ago,
they marked some pink paint on it
that they obviously have to, to fix.
And then down the street for me, I live on a corner.
I seen, uh, a manhole cover that had pink around it.
And, uh, I'm like, that's odd. I got a storm sewer.
That's a hell of a lot worse than, uh, than that one.
And it's getting fixed. And my son was with me.
And, uh, he says, dad, he says,
I'll be graduating next year from college in engineering.
He said, I'm working co-op now.
He says, if something goes wrong in one of my designs,
he says, I'll graduate with being one
of the highest in the school.
But he says, I'll never get a good job.
He says, that's accountability.
He said, they don't give a damn.
You go from point A to point B,
you drive right past the storm sewer that's in dam shambles,
and they don't do anything.
I called the water department
lady said they'd come out and take a look at it.
And that's been a couple weeks called today.
And a guy said, uh, I see it's on the list,
but funding, we don't have any budget for it.
And I said, well, that's kinda odd.
I said, you guys, the council's in
budget hearings right now.
And I said, you're putting pink paint on it now,
and you're gonna start probably in the summer.
And I said that that's, that's stupid.
And, uh, a couple years ago, we, uh,
I in front of our house, the road was real bad.
And, uh, this guy was coming
around the corner in the engineering truck,
and I stopped him and I said, can you look at this road?
And, uh, he says, uh, yeah, looks, it looks bad.
And I said, well, why is the road
behind me being done first before this one?
And he says, well, you know,
we grade the roads and all this.
And I said, okay. He says, call the engineer.
And it was, uh, a guy that, a, a male,
and he got on the phone
and he says, sir, he says, we grade the roads
and, you know, one through five.
And he says, let me, uh, I said, well,
I know you won't gimme the, what my road is graded at.
And he says, oh, no, I will.
And he told me, and he goes, oh s**t.
He said, we did the road behind you and it was,
and your road was worse.
And I said, well, that's kind of stupid.
And he says, well, some.
He goes, well, he goes, I'm the new guy.
And, and I said, don't gimme the new guy.
I said, you screwed up.
And, you know, it's like
there's gotta be some kind of accountability.
I know this thing will pass, but, you know, it's,
it's just like Jonathan said, you know,
they're putting 2.5 million into the roads.
It's the same yo-yo that did, uh, Barnard,
and now you're throwing another two
and a half million at 'em.
If there's no accountability, it's, it's just stupidity.
And the, the guy this afternoon, I, I,
I could understand he just wanted to get me off the phone.
Mr. Meyer, you're out of time. Thanks. Thank you.
Next, uh, Sue Osh, it's a senior center.
Is there an item on the agenda related to it? No. Okay.
No, you're good. I'll just put you in at the end. Um, Mr.
Vander Linen, Joel Vander linen.
Joel Valen, longtime worn resident.
I'm hear about the Mayor's veto.
I think you guys did the excellent job
with setting the limits the last time we were here.
Obviously, we don't need another mayor like Fouts,
and yet we got one.
Anyways. There's gotta be limitations.
We have an excellent council.
We can meet within 18 hours
and we can take care of whatever problem comes up
to the city within that 18 hour period.
You need 18 hours to assess everything and get the prices.
So nothing needs to be done. And it a knee-jerk response.
Obviously, this area has no background
or any training whatsoever on
how things are done in the city of Warrenton
or of the city of Warrenton.
So maybe she can lean on this console
and learn a little bit more
before she starts vetoing everything.
I think this council has more knowledge than she does.
Thank you.
Thank you. That is the end of audience.
Next item, Madam Secretary.
Next item is announcements. Madam Chair,
Madam Secretary.
Yes. I would like to announce that the last, um, concert
of the 50th season
of the Warren Symphony will be this Sunday,
a week from, yeah, this Sunday.
Um, April 28th at three o'clock.
And that it will be at the Warren Woods Middle
School Auditorium.
Um, if anyone is interested, I have a couple
of complimentary tickets up here.
If you wanna see me after the meeting, um, I'd be glad
to give you a couple.
Uh, love to see you at the concert.
It's just, it'll, you'll be shocked how wonderful it is.
You should really, really give it a try. Thank you.
Oh, one more thing. Sorry. Mm-Hmm.
We are having, um, I know we noticed it for Thursday,
but we're having a budget hearing tomorrow at six o'clock in
conference room a in this building.
Um, we have a couple of, um,
departments that we didn't get through.
Um, we went almost all day.
We did go all day Sunday or, uh, Saturday and,
and in the evening on Monday last week.
So, um, we will be finishing up those tomorrow.
If anybody wants to stop by, we'll be there. Thanks.
Any additional announcements?
Six o'clock. Madam President.
Council member Lafferty.
Thank you. I have two on behalf
of Warren Parks and Recreation.
And the first one is, uh, it is Arbor Day
on Friday, April 26th.
City Hall. And the Warren Community Center will be offering
to anybody that wants one, a white pine sapling.
So you can come by from 10:00 AM
to 2:00 PM both at City Hall
and the Warren Community Center to pick up your, uh,
white pine sapling.
Uh, everybody knows, or maybe you don't.
When is the best day of the week to plant a tree?
Maybe Councilman Nunan would know
Every Day. Every
day is, is close.
The, the correct answer is yesterday,
but today is a good, a good start. Okay.
I like That. Very close.
And then the other one is family bowling night.
Uh, that will be held at Sterling Lanes on, uh,
Shayna Road and 14 mile.
That will be Sunday, April 28th from four to 6:00 PM And
that includes a photo, two hours of bowling shoes,
pizza pop, and a goodie bag.
So bring the family for a night of bowling.
And, uh, I will be there to watch and enjoy the bowlers.
I love watching some good bowling. Thank you.
Any additional announcements?
Yes, Vice President McGee. Okay.
Um, I wanted to remind everyone
that the we're having our upcoming Skill Trace Fair, um,
in the City of Warren.
Um, there will be, uh, all types of skill trades
for apprenticeship programs as well as, um, companies.
There, there will be hiring, um,
for construction in the area of skilled jobs such
as healthcare and trucking.
It will be on May 16th,
is on a Thursday from four to 7:00 PM.
Um, we are allowing senior students, um, to come in
as early as three o'clock.
If you are a contractor or in construction or skill,
and you are a company, you are welcome to notify, um,
the office and we can make sure that we add you to the list.
Um, I appreciate it. Thank you so much.
Council Member Noonan?
Yes. Uh, on May 9th at the Mayville Burnett Library,
from six o'clock until eight o'clock, I'm having a, a gun
lock giveaway event.
And, uh, there will be speakers who have been affected by,
um, firearms that didn't have gun locks on them.
And, uh, some book bag, uh, book bags for kids, uh,
will, I think be there.
Uh, my friend Joshua was planning on giving those away.
And I also hope to have some, uh, lock bags,
which would be the type that you'd use
for prescription drugs.
Drugs you didn't want kids to be able to get their hands on,
or, um, things like, um,
recreational use, marijuana edibles.
You don't want the kids to be able
to get their hands on those.
And, um, so I think we're gonna have, uh,
a donation of some of those also.
And, uh, I hope you can make it
Shooters.
Any additional announcements? Yes, Ms. McGee?
I, I do apologize. Um, we will be giving, uh,
active shooters for our seniors
and those who are disa disabled on this coming Monday,
um, at the, uh, senior Stillwell manner.
And that would be from two to four o'clock.
All are welcome, um, to attend.
Again, it will be from two
to four o'clock at Stillwell. Manner and Worn.
Thank you. Anything further?
I have one, want to remind folks in Warren
and also neighboring communities
that we have a vaccination fair.
The Animal Welfare Commission, uh, puts that on, uh,
Saturday, April 27th.
I believe it's nine to three. It is a great event.
You can bring your dogs
and cats get vaccinated, uh, get, um, a variety
of information from all about
animals and a number of partners.
You don't need an appointment
or anything, you just come at any point in time.
And then also want to, uh, make sure folks know that there
is a, will be a vacant county commission seat.
Uh, and everyone should put their name in the hat if, uh,
they so desire, uh,
but wanting to make sure folks check the Board
of Commissioner, uh, website, uh,
for information regarding that.
Uh, that will be, it's a Warren specific seat.
Uh, happy to share information with folks as well.
Um, but there's a vacancy
that will need to be filled. Is the
Deadline tomorrow, today, four o'clock?
No, I think it's May 1st. Yeah.
For this, yeah. So the filing separate thing, uh, vacancy by
now, elect, uh, state rep my song.
There's an appointment that will be made
by the Board of Commissioners.
Uh, I don't have the date in front of me,
but feel free to catch me after the meeting or email me,
and I will send you the information
or check the Board of Commissioner's website
for, uh, that information.
Anything further? Okay.
Madam Secretary. Next item.
Next item is 11 a,
which is a public hearing fiscal year 2024.
2025. City of Warren General Fund and Water Budget Judge.
Thank you Madam Secretary.
If someone from the administration could
summarize the matter.
Good evening Counsel. Richard Fox, city Controller.
So on a, pursuant to the charter on an annual basis,
the Mayor Schmitts, uh, her recommended budget
to the council on the second, April 2nd,
um, Monday in April.
And from there, the Council, um, has begins
to have budget hearings also.
Uh, as part of that, um, the charter,
it recommends a public hearing,
and that's what's here today.
It's for the public to make comments on the budget.
Thank you. I will
open the public hearing.
Uh, ask for any audience who would like
to speak on this matter.
Okay. Close the public hearing
and turn it over to counsel for action.
We don't take, take action tonight.
Receive and file motion.
Motion to receive and file the public comment.
Support lap. Support Lafferty.
All in favor, aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed?
Motion carries. Next item 12.
A request to add the delinquent water
and sewer charges in an estimated amount of $424,000
to the 2024 tax roll consideration
and adoption of a resolution. So moved.
Support Lafferty. Any discussion? Yes.
Uh, council member Wiki,
Mr. Fox, I have a question for you.
Please.
The amount of $424,000 on a tax rose, how does
that relate to the last couple years?
Actually, um, we're gonna have a month,
a quarterly report coming over to council,
and it'll show you that we, the, the amount
of unpaid bills have been coming down.
Coming down, so that we're in a,
we're going in a good direction.
Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. You'll back
Anything further?
A hearing? None. I'll call the question. Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr.
Lafferty? Yes. Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes. Mr. Newnan?
Yes. Ms. McGee? Yes. Rogan C is a yes.
Motion carries. Next item.
Next item. MS. 12 B.
Consideration and adoption
of a resolution authorizing execution of agreements
with six school districts
and taxing authorities to collect,
to collect summer school summer taxes
through 2027. So moved.
So moved. More support, uh, Noonan or sorry.
More is motion. Noonan is support. Any discussion? Yes.
Need? I'm sorry. Nunan discussion? Anyone?
No. Okay. Hearing none, I will call the question. Ms. Moore?
Yes. Mr. Nunan? Yes. Mr. Lafferty? Yes. Mr.
Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes. Ms. McGee? Yes.
Rogan C is a yes. Motion carries. Next item. Next
Item is 12 C.
Consideration and adoption
of a resolution authorizing execution of agreements
with two school districts for the collection
of school summer taxes.
Years 2024 through 2025. So moved.
Support Lafferty. Discussion.
Hearing none. I will call the question. Ms. Moore. Yes. Mr.
Lafferty? Yes. Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes. Mr. Noonan?
Yes. Ms. McGee? Yes.
GaN C is a yes. Motion carries. Next item.
Next item. MS. 12 D, consideration
and adoption of a resolution approving an agreement
between the city of Warren
and the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency
for administration of a master leasing program. So moved.
Support, support. Newan discussion.
Hearing none. I'll call the question. Ms. Moore. Yes. Mr.
Newan? Yes. Mr. Lafferty? Yes. Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr.
Bokey? Yes. Ms. McGee? Yes. Rogan C is a yes.
Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is 13.
A, uh, veto filed 4 12 20 24 consideration
and adoption of a resolution approving an ordinance
to amend chapter two of the warden code
of ordinances relating to emergency purchases.
Second reading motion to override the veto with discussion
Support to override, uh, discussion. Madam Secretary.
Thank you. Uh, Madam Chair.
Um, I would point out
that there is no emergency in the charter,
uh, provision for that.
And, um, the last I checked anyway.
And, um, there with the new ordinance there,
the 18 hour, um, requirement can be waived.
Um, and this emergency purchase allows the mayor
to authorize a purchase in the case of,
of an actual emergency.
Um, and you have to keep in mind
that emergency purchase is a no bid, uh, contract
to a handpicked vendor to address an immediate problem.
Um, there were some, uh, uh,
examples brought up in the mayor's veto, um,
that the definition of emergency
and the ordinance is extreme.
The ordinance borrows the definition
of emergency from state law
as found in the Open Meetings Act, which states
that an emergency is a severe
and imminent threat to the health, safety,
or welfare of the public, and allows the council to meet
and approve expenditures in excess
of $50,000 when there is a true emergency.
Um, uh, there was a, um, uh, um,
an item referenced, uh,
that was a $700,000 emergency expenditure in November
of 2023
to address a malfunction at the wastewater treatment plan,
which is above the $50,000 that would be, uh,
authorized by council.
But the city council was able to add that item
to the agenda, and we approved the $700,000 expenditure.
The new ordinance amendment would not have prevented that,
amend that, uh, expenditure
being approved in a timely manner.
And, um, the, uh, approved city budget allows the city
to respond to emergencies.
The two largest departments, police
and fire respond to emergencies daily.
The city has existing personnel
and funds in the budget across many departments
to address emergency situations.
Um, we have seen examples from the past where
emergencies were declared in an attempt to purchase mulch
and ice rink, a private academy to train cadets, um, uh,
a miscommunication of, uh, uh, recyclables,
which was not an emergency,
and turned out it wasn't an issue at all,
let alone an emergency.
Um, this amendment tightens up the definition of,
of an emergency to prevent these no bid contracts to
outside vendors and maintain counsel oversight in a true
emergency, counsel can quickly
and approve any necessary expenditures in excess of $50,000.
We can waive the 18 hour rule, um,
in a true emergency.
And as soon as we have a quorum, we can hold the meeting,
whether it's in 10 minutes, 20 minutes, an hour,
five hours, whatever.
We can do it. And, um, uh, you know, the, uh,
administration could also have an RFP
for emergency response services
and have vendors at the ready, uh,
which might be a good idea
for the wastewater treatment plant.
Other cities in Michigan with a strong mayor
and separate strong council form of government like Warren,
have limits such as Livonia.
They have a $5,000 emergency fund for the mayor, uh,
Dearborn, $30,000 limit, um,
which is a council threshold amount that is amended
by CPI every year.
Uh, Flint, anything over 10,000 requires council approval,
and Lansing still has no limit,
like the current warrant ordinance,
but requires an attempt by the administration
to get three quotes
and use the lowest qualified bidder
for any expense over $15,000.
Um, so my, uh, you know, strong support of this, um,
uh, ordinance stands
and, uh, I, uh, am in favor
of overriding the veto.
Any additional discussion?
Madam President, Council Member Lafferty.
Thank you. Uh, also in favor of overriding the veto.
The, i i I keep thinking back to
when the charter was originally written, some of the rules
that we still operate by and we understand.
If you look through the, the charter
and you look through the ordinances
and how they've been footnoted over the years,
these rules have matured and,
and, uh, evolved over time.
And this is exactly a, a, another good example of
how our rules need to evolve over time.
Yeah. The, the idea that, uh, the city councils as, uh,
secretary Moore indicated, we have a, a minimum
18 hour notice for our meetings.
That's to ensure that you've been
properly notified of a meeting.
But the virtue of an emergency is just
that there's an emergency that needs to be addressed.
We're not going to call an emergency to buy a fleet
of vehicles or have some special event at City Hall
that's going to cost the taxpayers half a million dollars.
That's not the nature of an emergency.
So I also consider when in looking at the charter and,
and other things, the, the technology that's available.
So maybe back in the, in the fifties,
council members only had landline telephones,
or they were notified by the US Postal Service
of things happening.
Every one of us have one of these,
and every one of us have the ability to get in contact
with one another in a moment's notice.
I completely agree
that if there's a true emergency in the city,
that we can address this in a reasonable amount of time.
And given the, the mayor this, uh,
this cap on spending is a very reasonable measure
for her authority.
And then giving the, the council their equal, uh,
pardon their authority to have oversight
and ensure rules are followed,
and we're making the most prudent financial decisions in
response to whatever emergency, uh, might be occurring.
Thank you.
Any additional discussion?
Hearing none. I will call the question Ms. Moore. Yes.
To override Mr. Lafferty?
Yes. To override
Mr.
Dwier? Yes. To override Mr. Bokey? Yes.
To override Mr. Nunan? Yes. Ms. McGee? Yes. Rogan CS a?
Yes. Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is 13 B.
Request from the Legal Affairs subcommittee.
Request for an ordinance amendment to consolidate the duties
of the publications and mailing commission.
City code section two dash two 11 at sec
with Communications Commission,
city code section 10 dash 91 at sec.
So moved Lafferty with discussion support.
Discussion. Council member Lafferty.
Thank you. So this topic comes back
to city Council once again,
and we've had some lively discussion about
the Communications Commission
and the, the duties
that the Communications Commission in the past has
been responsible for.
And in looking over the charter
and, you know, a little bit of the history,
there are supposed to be, uh, five members
on the Communications Commission.
Now, that was disbanded prior
to the former mayor even taking office.
I believe that was disbanded in the, the last term
of Mayor Steinberg's, uh, last term of office.
And it was never resurrected. It was never brought back.
I'm a big proponent once again of following the rules.
And that's what the charter is all about.
It's our guiding principles, our rules of
how this government is supposed to operate.
And I look at the, the
transgressions that have occurred over the,
the last few terms of our previous mayor
and the city treasurer.
Great example. City Treasurer wanted to have a, uh, program
where she wanted to share tax information with residents
and was denied access to the airwaves
by the mayor of, of the city.
The mayor does not control the airwaves
or any of the channels of communication per the charter.
We have the Communications Commission that is responsible
for evaluating
and ensuring equal access to all branches of government
to our public airwaves and communications channels.
And an interesting thing came up with the,
the Legal Affairs Subcommittee in reviewing which ways we
can, uh, move forward.
I've, I've called for the, the Communications Commission
to be reappointed, uh, a number of times in my,
my first term and have called for it, uh,
more than once in, in this term.
And we looked at the publications and mailing commission.
Now, here's an interesting commission,
and the publications
and mailing commission, which is also not seated,
and is, was illegally
or unlawfully disbanded sometime
over the last 15 to 20 years.
The council never repealed
either of these commissions.
They must be seated by order of the charter.
They shall be seated.
And the, the purpose of the the commission is
to look at any mass mailings paid for by the at city expense
being done so with public interest and to ensure,
and I love this part of it, our fair, objective, factual
and not intended to serve any partisan
or political interests.
Now, how do you argue with that? That's in our charter.
So we talked through, uh,
what could we do if, if we're not going
to have the Communications Commission or the publications
and mailing commission, there are some, some options to us.
But what does that govern that governs your city calendar
and the messaging?
You don't need to get too close on that.
You can see there are three columns
of Text Communications Commission.
The publications and Mailing Commission did not review this.
They didn't exist. I'll save that one for last.
The, one of the copies of a former news beat where the mayor
talks about political differences.
Former mayor, let me make that clarification.
The former mayor talked about political differences.
One of the, another news beat. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you Mayor Fouts. Thank you Mayor Fouts.
Self-aggrandizement self.
Uh, I'm, I'm not even gonna say anymore about that.
Notes upon notes.
Two pages in this, in this particular item, all paid for
by your tax dollars.
This was a abuse of tax dollars. That's what this was.
And that's why the previous counsel stopped printing these.
We took the money away because we weren't going
to allow any further abuse of your tax dollars to go
for the monotonous mailings
that were being sent out by the administration.
That which we had absolutely zero control
and zero oversight of its content.
Why? Because the, the publications
and mailing commission didn't exist.
Why have it if you can control the airwaves
and all of the channels of communication?
Now, this one in particular,
Not to, not meant to politicize or,
or call out anyone in particular.
This is the insert to your water bill.
Alright? And I opened it up.
This was from Fe, uh, April's
or March is, uh, yeah, this was March March's insert.
And lo and behold, here's an advertisement
for a church fish fish fry paid for
with city tax dollars.
I have a real problem with this, don't get me wrong.
The church that was promoted, I love the, the fish fright.
They make delicious fish,
but I shouldn't be learning about it in my water bill
That's coming out of enterprise funds with a publications
and, and mailings commission that is not reviewing it
to take things like this out.
That's what they're here for.
That's why I believe we should
immediately call for the Communications Commission to be
reinstituted, to have those members, uh, uh,
appointed by our new mayor.
Because you can see it's a very important function.
So not only the printing and mailing,
but ensuring that all of the television programs
and all of the programming that we are, uh,
showing on TV worn are also governed under those
same criteria.
Fairness for everyone, fair, equitable, objective
and factual, and not intended to sway one side or the other.
Now, uh, with the Let, the Legal Affairs Committee
recommendation is that we combine
both commissions into one.
We repeal the publications and mailings commission
and transfer their duties from the publications
and mailing commission to the Communications Commission.
So I will ask, uh, through the chair to Mr. Schroeder, uh,
the mechanics of, uh, performing such a, uh, a change
to the charter and,
and how that can be, I'm sorry, not the, the charter,
but the ordinances that establish both of these commissions
and how we would go about making that, uh, uh, in effect
Through the chair to respond to Councilman Lafferty.
Um, we would have to prepare an ordinance that would, um,
essentially repeal the publication and mailing commission
and simultaneously adopt an amendment to the ordinance,
creating the Communications Commission,
and prescribe these extra duties
to the Communication Commission
and, uh, adopt them simultaneously
and, uh, maybe tie bar them together
and make sure that, uh,
one is repealed when the other one goes into effect.
So it wouldn't be that difficult at all.
Alright. Very good. Thank you Mr. Schroeder.
Uh, and then, so Madam Chair with, uh,
I'm sure there might be other, other points of discussion,
but I will make a motion at the end of the discussion.
Thank you,
Madam Chair.
Mr. Newan, I'd like to ask, uh, Councilman Lafferty, um,
from what you were just saying, I'm,
I'm trying to catch up with you here.
Um, it seems like both
of the commissions were disbanded, right?
That's correct. And, um, do you have any point of view
as to whether it would be better to just simply have both
of them, uh, re reconstituted
or whether, whether they should be merged?
Because I don't, if since we haven't had them, we don't know
how they've been functioning.
I'd kind of like to see, I think to have, see them both
reinstituted and see them working well, and then,
and then we could, I think, better gauge how to merge 'em.
But I, I'm, I don't have the experience that you do
and you have, you bring so much, uh, depth of the history
of the city and so forth.
Do you have, may I ask you if you have
an opinion at this time?
Yeah. Through the chair. Mm-Hmm. Thank you.
Councilman Noonan. I, I've considered both, uh, for,
this isn't the first time we brought it up, actually.
We knew that there were
bringing them together is a brand new, uh,
idea, if you will.
Okay. But talking about the, the duties
and the, the responsibilities of both of these organizations
or both of these commissions rather, They are,
they both serve a certain purpose,
but I also think the bifurcation is, is really duplicative
of what one could do.
And you simply, they are both chartered for the same reason.
They're, they're both there for the same purpose,
but they have different channels
that they're responsible for.
And in a world of what we call unified communications,
where you have email and text
and instant messaging
and media all coming in, uh, through, you know, one,
one channel, most people read the newspaper on their,
on their phone or periodicals or websites
or, uh, news, news lists.
Everything comes in through, you know, one medium.
So it really makes, I think, sense, again,
when I talked about the evolution of some of our, uh,
our roles and,
and the, the text within our charter and ordinances.
I think this is among one of those, uh, ideas for evolving
and bringing together why have yet another commission
that could do what,
what the other does if you simply merge their
responsibilities together, since they are both really
following the same charter purpose.
I, I, I think that, uh, that it goes so far as
to say you would be in favor of this motion.
I, I would indeed be in favor of repealing publications
and mailing and merging it with the,
the Communications Commission. Okay.
Madam Chair, thank you, Madam Chair.
Yield your council secretary just to address Mr.
Uh, Newnan's comment once again.
Um, uh, as you're aware, we have, um, uh, of Sea
of Seams that we have a problem filling commissions
with people, right?
And that would alleviate a little bit of the problem.
We'd have the same group,
and they, they're both dealing with communications
to the public, whether it be print, um, you know, mailings,
um, airwaves, um, those things that, um,
come outta the communications department
or other areas of notifications
Of Notifications.
And so it's really communication in one form or another.
And I think one group could see whether something is
appropriate or not appropriate.
Um, you know, and we also have, um, an ordinance,
Mr. Schroeder, what's the ordinance we have that has to say,
um, has to have the, um,
we had an ordinance last term on, um, using City
Marking City, um,
That's advertisement at public expense,
Right? So that's
For running ads on television that were the,
the WJR radio ads that were paid for by the city,
but people thought it was something else, or a radio show.
So that's something that Mayor Fz had a radio show,
and then we found out that it wasn't WJR giving him a radio
show, paying the city was paying for airtime. So,
So that's the kind of thing that
that commission could oversee as well.
Mm-Hmm. Great. So I'm, I'm in favor of it. So of course I'm,
Any additional discussion, I may all
In favor of, I have a couple things.
Ms. Michaels, I, I'll have you work with Mr. Schroer on it.
She's Not, if I, if I may address the council,
We didn't call you up, and I'm trying to stick to
as much protocol as possible.
Um, but I will ensure that Mr. Schroeder sent, oh, sorry.
Sends over a copy to you, uh, to make sure
that you have any additional information
and you all can discuss
offline anything that you need to discuss.
Okay. I will ensure that happens.
Um, so my points are, one is whatever we decide to do,
uh, this seems really bureaucratic.
I appreciate the oversight,
but I don't know how, in realistic terms, how this gets,
how everything from a communications perspective every month
gets filtered through.
Uh, unless all of the appointees
of this commission are paid staff
or showing up at City Hall, it's hard to convene people.
And we do communicate quite a bit.
So that's something I would want
to take into consideration is not keeping the city from
being able to put out the water bill in a variety
of other things while marrying whatever kind
of accountability we need to have,
Uh, Embedded.
And then, uh, additionally, um,
what else did I have?
Yeah, and then if, if Mr.
Shorter could send over the, the ordinances
as they are maybe to counsel so that we can read them.
Uh, so Ms. McGee I know mentioned she hadn't seen the them
before, and I think it would be good. We sent,
We sent them with the backup.
They were included.
I, I don't remember seeing them, but anyways, yeah, they,
So just by me. Mm-Hmm.
Just briefly, number one, I mean,
this would be the first meeting.
It would have to come back two more times to council
before it was officially enacted, number one.
Number two, and we will get everybody a copy
of the ordinances as they are the publication.
And Mailings commission currently exempts a lot of things
that are being produced by the city from this, any
nor regular sort of notice or publication.
Um, so we can certainly look at that issue
to address the concern that this commission would have
to meet weekly to look over everything.
So it's, that's not what it's intended to do.
It's intended to be like major publications with, you know,
opinions possibly that can get in there
and we can, we can work on that.
Understood. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Schroer,
Madam Chair, Uh, secretary Moore.
I can tell you a little how it worked in the past
because it was, um, that the, um,
cable commission, we called it, um,
they approved the programming.
So what was going to be on TV Warren, they would,
you know, approve that.
And that's not a everyday kind of thing.
There's usually a plan for that sort of thing.
Um, the Cal City calendar that goes out once a year, so
that is one thing that would be approved.
The mailing, the things that go in the, um, water insert.
I, I don't know that we've ever gotten a legal opinion about
whether we can put things in a, in something that's paid for
with a fund.
'cause it comes outta the water department.
Whether we can even put that in there.
I, I'm never been sure about that,
but I think that once a group,
the commission met would set guidelines
and, you know, we're not gonna advertise for certain things.
And I think everybody would just get used to, you know,
there's just, you know, certain guidelines of things.
We're not gonna prove things we are.
And I think it's,
it is not gonna be a huge bureaucratic nightmare
that you might envision.
It wasn't before. Um, you know, it was a, you know, just,
you know, maybe somebody would've stopped Frank Sinatra
every five minutes on tv,
the black and the black and white shows.
I'm done. Thanks. Anything further,
Madam? Pre Ms. McGee?
My concern is you're talking about
merging two communications groups in which we, um,
trying to get a clear understanding of
what their responsibilities will be as commission.
And until I have an understanding, um,
once we receive the information, um, from Jeff,
it will be just, I, I will hope that we could move forward
and once they merge and agree whether
or not they should merge,
but as of right now, we don't have a clear understanding.
And I know, um, secretary Mindy said
that she forwarded the information to,
I just would like to review it again.
Well, Madam Chair, um,
and Ms. McGee, this is just approving
Mr. Schroeder to do that.
Okay. To create a document for everybody to look at. Okay.
This is just, this is just an idea
and asking Mr. Schroeder to put something together
and then counsel will look at it
and, we'll, it won't be, it will first and second.
It's just, it's just the beginning.
Let's look at it and see what it looks,
start on it and see what it looks like.
Anything further, Madam President?
Then I'll make the motion
And I would just will point out
that there is some backup in here.
I apologize for not seeing that.
Uh, you can make the motion.
Alright, thank you. And just, uh, to through the chair
to Ms. McGee, the any changes
to ordinance would require two readings.
So very similar to what we did last, uh, last meeting
with the purchasing, uh, emergency purchase.
Uh, that would be, that was the second reading.
The first reading was done at, uh,
at a previous council meeting.
Alright. I move that the City Council direct legal counsel
to draft ordinance amendments
that would affect the combination
of the Communications Commission and the publications
and mailing commission.
Further, drafting an amendment, repealing the publications
and mailing commission, and subsequently transferring the
duties of the publications
and mailing commission to the newly
reformed Communications Commission.
Support Any
discussion beyond what has transpired.
Okay. Call the question. Council member Lafferty? Yes.
Uh, Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes.
Uh, Mr. Noonan? Yes. Ms. McGee? Yes.
Rogan C is a yes. Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is 13 C.
Request from Legal Affairs subcommittee.
Request for ordinance amendment
to update city code section 25 dash 23, uh,
positions exempt from civil service
to ensure proposed fiscal year 20 24, 25 budget will be in
compliance with civil service ordinance and rules.
So moved with discussion
Support Lafferty.
Discussion Ms. Moore?
Yes. And I, I think everybody, um,
remembers we talked about this during the budget hearings
that, you know, um, the civil service rules are out of date.
They don't have the correct, uh, exempt positions.
And, um, you know, the appointed positions have just grown
and grown over the years to, I don't even know
who all is an appointee.
And, you know, that's something we need to look at.
Um, and I would, um, remind everyone that any ordinance
that we create, we have a court order that we, um, present
that first reading.
Is it first reading Mr. Schroeder to the legal department.
And they have 15 days, 15 days to make comment
and we can accept the comment or not.
It's up to us. And then, um,
but everything we do, we have to by court order, submit
to the legal department.
This is just cleaning up this ordinance.
Is it Mr. Schroeder? Am I missing anything?
What it's saying is there are, we obviously in the city,
we have a civil service system
that's actually created by Charter.
And the point of a civil service system is
to have permanent employees who have a job description
and they have job protection that they can't be fired
because of some political reason.
Political appointees are separate from that.
Council by Ordinance has to exempt
appointees from the civil service system.
So if you go to the current ordinance
and you look at positions exempt from civil
service, you will see things.
My favorite one is the helicopter mechanic.
Um, and I don't know what happened to him or her,
but, um, anyway, there's a number of positions here
that are outta date don't exist.
And, and it's not consistent.
And what we've noticed over time is that we're doing this
through the budget positions are being added to the budget.
Deleted, changed, changing job descriptions.
But the ordinance, the civil service ordinance,
which is required by charter
for our civil service system, is not keeping up.
And, and, and really this is the proper way
to define who's exempt from civil service is the,
the ordinance, uh, that describes that.
So I think the idea is to get this all up to date.
And then if changes are made, then you know,
the budget can reflect that,
but also the ordinance needs to as well.
Any additional discussion?
Hearing none. I'll call the question. Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr.
Lafferty? Yes. Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes. Mr.
Nunan? Yes. Ms. McGee? Yes. Ancy is a yes.
Motion carries. Next item. Next
Item is 13 D Council member Gary Bokey.
Discussion in Ray School parking
and traffic issues. So moved.
Adam Chair, Support Dwyer. Thank you.
Uh, discussion Mr. Bokey,
Uh, rec Recently I received, uh, complaints from
residents in the area of Pinewood Elementary
and Wild Elementary.
Uh, both complaints for the same.
They dealt with student safety
after the students were released from school.
Um, the Pinewood,
the location at Bay Drive and Autumn Street
and Bay Drive and Rey.
The, the, the
both intersections have a yield sign and not a stop sign.
And what's happening there is the cars are creeping
through the crosswalk where the students cross
and potentially an accident could happen there.
I'm requesting that the police department do a study at both
of these locations.
Uh, it should to see the feasibility
of removing the yield signs
and putting stop signs in instead
the wild elementary, um,
that their locations are located on Sean and Arden and Sean
and Jenny, uh, talking with neighbors there.
Uh, the parking, uh, that comes along with,
it's been going on for some time.
Originally, when the school discharged the students, uh,
they were let out on the main entrance on Barnard.
Uh, Warren Consolidated made the parking lot bigger so
that the students could be picked up in a parking lot.
Uh, evidently the parents didn't like that.
And what they're doing is using a catwalk.
The children are getting, uh, discharged, walking
through their playground, going
through the catwalk onto Sean,
and, uh, creating a problem there.
Uh, parking, uh, there's signs posted, uh,
for a specific no parking.
They disregard the, uh, parking signs.
Uh, myself, when I went there to look at it, uh,
there was a safety boy
that probably couldn't even see Harley over the hood
of a car, and he was crossing the, the students that, uh,
Sean and Arden when the car westbound on Arden swung
around the corner and almost hit 'em.
Uh, and like I said, that's, uh, requesting that the,
uh, police department look into it
and respond back to the city Council for action.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Bokey.
Uh, are the makers of the motion good with, uh,
the request, Ms. Moore and Mr.
Dwyer requesting the police department
to conduct a traffic study of those two
Ab? Absolutely.
Yep. Okay. Any additional discussion?
Hearing none, I'll call the question. Ms. Moore? Yes. Ms.
Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Lafferty? Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes.
Ms. McGee? Yes. Mr. Nunan? Yes. Rogan C is a yes.
Motion carries. Next item. Next
Item is 13 E Council President Angela Rogan.
C's discussion in Ray Landmark Estates.
And a request to initiate legal action.
Motion. I need a, a motion
To approve, Um, McGee support.
Thank you. Uh, as many of you have heard, if you've been
to council meetings, uh, our manufactured housing situation,
particularly one, uh, facility, two facilities
that are owned by the same folks, uh, are in just
tremendous disrepair.
And the ownership group Cons was here last meeting, uh,
discussing an agreement that the city had entered into, uh,
which was never really approved by City Council.
Uh, I have found this ownership group to be
not cooperative despite their, um, ongoing
position that they, they are, they continue to not, uh,
fulfill on the promises that they have, uh, said
that they would, uh,
these folks continually have issues with water.
Uh, they continually have issues with safety hazards
where they've removed trailers,
which I will give the ownership credit, uh,
the ownership group credit for removing, uh, trailers.
But folks are constantly, I've,
I've gotten three calls this week just on, uh,
mobile home parks, uh,
and issues with, uh, the mobile home parks.
I've, I've started sending them to, uh, the House
of Representatives, uh, regulatory reform committee
because they are currently hearing, uh, bills
that would increase legislation
and make it, uh, much easier for us locally,
but also at the state level to hold these folks accountable.
So what I'm asking is the legal department to,
as we did about a year ago, to file, uh, whatever is needed,
uh, from a public nuisance perspective, uh,
to take these folks to court
because they continually not, uh, to improve the conditions
of the park in a expeditious way
that serves the residents of the city.
Madam Chair, um, councilor Gary Moore,
I'm sure you got all this packet of information earlier.
And I did receive, um, con, um,
an email at 5 0 8 this, um, this afternoon from Michelle
Pel Oppelt, um, with a statement, um, that she wanted
to be read tonight.
And I will just share that with counsel. I'll just email it.
Everyone got it? I think, Oh, this, this came later.
Oh, got it. I think it just came to,
I received, I received it too.
Oh, did you? Oh, I read it. Oh, okay.
Because this, this packet came too.
This the one, the, the, um, Senator
Chang. Oh yeah. Thank you.
The
Stuff from Senator Chang is, Yeah.
So then I will also note, just for the record, there are,
uh, these folks have Fear Mongered the residents,
which in this packet that they sent, uh, they
take video testimony of the residents there talking about
how they don't wanna be homeless.
Um, they have passed out slips of paper to folks, uh,
in the park asking them to call City Council
and begging them and begging us
because they have threatened with the documentation
that we were trying to make them homeless
or, uh, ensure
that they were no longer living in the park, which is not true.
What we're trying to do is hold, uh, the owners
of the park accountable, uh, if they have,
they have consistently fear Mongered folks.
And, and this documentation, which I'm happy to post,
is photos and videos of the residents talking about,
I would like to keep my home.
Um, I would like to be here and continue to do so.
Uh, which is just driven by a lot of fear from a lot
of folks who are living on the verge of homelessness,
but also are afraid that if they say anything
to the contrary, that they will no longer be
allowed to live there.
Because these folks are incredibly retaliatory, uh, both
to the residents, but also to myself
and the media, frankly, they've threatened, um, one
of our local reporters, um, for being on the premises.
So anything additional,
Madam President, president, Ms. McGee.
And then Mr. Lafferty,
I just wanna add to that, um, as you know,
I've been calling you, um, weekly
regarding complaints about, um, landmark.
Um, now I'm getting calls from parents of, um,
adult children who live in the mobile homes
and they're afraid to, to even complain to me
because they're afraid
that they'll be kicked out of the mobile home.
So I think we definitely strongly need to move forward
with this and take legal action.
Mr. Lafferty, thank you.
Thank you, Madam President.
In the email from Mrs.
Pelt, I couldn't get past the threat that she veiled
even to us putting on our shoulders.
And I quote, this could ultimately result in Landmark's,
residence, some
of the community's most vulnerable residents losing their
homes, and the city
of Warren losing this affordable housing option,
which is so desperately needed.
End quote. So don't, don't hold us
to any high standard of living.
Don't expect us to follow the rules.
We're going to do what we want. How dare you challenge us.
How dare you tell us that we have to provide good quality,
affordable housing, quality water, clean water,
and a safe place for people to live?
Or don't you dare.
Or we're gonna throw, you know,
people could lose their homes.
How dare you do this to us.
No, we're holding you to the same standard.
We hold everybody else in this city.
You wanna do business here?
You want to provide housing,
you're gonna do it by our rules.
End of story. Thank you, Madam President,
for your continued work on this.
Anything further? Okay. Hearing none.
I'll call the question. Ms. Moore? Yes. Ms. McGee? Yes.
Uh, Mr. Lafferty? Yes. Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes.
Uh, Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Nunan? Yes.
33. Okay.
Rogan C is a yes. Motion carries. Next item. Next
Item is 13 F Discussion, um,
in Ray House Bill 49 65. Motion to approve
Support Lafferty.
Thank you. Just for folks, uh, education.
This house Bill, uh, let me pull it up, was sent
to us by our lobbyist.
It is, um, I'm gonna read it one second.
I,
Here's the, uh, MLS analysis.
This is the MML one. Oh. And I've got a resolution too.
Thank you.
Yeah, we do. So, so, in summary,
house Bill 49 65 would amend, uh,
the Uniform Video Services Act to provide
that the term video services
as used in the ACT does not include direct
to home satellite services or streaming content.
And just, uh, spec specify that it only includes services
provided by a video service provider.
And why this is important is from a fiscal impact,
which is one of the things that this body has
to take into consideration, is
that it potentially could impact, uh,
our revenue from the communications department
and being able to further support the
communications department in the future.
And so, by supporting this bill,
we're sending a message to our state delegation
that we want streaming services if they can be
to be included in some of the franchise fees
or how that may move forward.
But to ensure that our portion of the revenue
for those services, uh, be appropriated to the city
and that we are, we're not losing those as a result.
Thank you. Madam Chair. Yes.
I received the same communication
and you mentioned you were gonna put it on, um, the agenda.
I did check with the Michigan Municipal League,
and I did put together a resolution for us if we want
to deal with that tonight.
'cause it's sort of timely. Mm-Hmm.
Um, it's, you know, it's pretty easy.
I don't know if you want me to read it,
but, um, I don't Yeah,
Go for it. Yeah. They're, they're meeting
on Tuesday
that I think it's the House regulatory
Reform. Um, whereas
a video cable franchise fees charged
to video cable providers have resulted in approximately a
hundred million of, of revenue
for local governments across Michigan
for the last several decades.
House Bill 49 65 threatens to eliminate that revenue stream.
House Bill 49 65 is advanced by Netflix
and other video streamers,
including satellite video providers in an effort
to avoid the assessment
of these franchise fees on their streaming video services.
Whereas the Michigan Video Service Law 2006 public at four
80 protects these local revenues providing
that all video service providers shall pay a fair rent
for use of the public rights of way, regardless
of the manner of providing their video service,
including internet protocol.
Whereas Netflix, Disney plus YouTube satellite
and other video streamers do utilize the right of way,
at least in part, and transmit their video streaming product
via internet protocol.
And as such, those streamers are subject to franchise fees.
Whereas the transition from traditional cable video
to streaming internet based video has rapidly accelerated
in the last couple of years.
And it is therefore critical that local governments be able
to assess franchise fees on streamers as the new form
of cable video service in order
to maintain current levels of revenue.
Whereas the loss of tens of millions annually
and revenues will be catastrophic to essential funding
for local programming costs
and the right of way maintenance.
Now therefore, let it be resolved
that the Warren City Council opposes house bill 49 65
and directs this resolution to be transmitted
to our state representatives, Senator
and the governor declared, adopted this 23rd day
of April, 2024.
So I would make a motion to press to, um,
approve this resolution, support Lafferty,
and I'll pass down copies.
Any discussion beyond what we've had.
Okay. Hearing none, I will call the question. Ms. Moore.
Yes. Mr. Lafferty? Yes. Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Boye? Yes.
Uh, Mr. Nunan? Yes. Ms. McGee? Yes. Rogan C is a yes.
Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is 13 G.
Um, discussion of, uh, mound Road eight mile to 11.
Thank you. Uh, received and forwarded on a, uh,
A motion to, sorry. Motion to approve
Support Lafferty.
Thank you. Sorry. Slow the
Discussion.
This was also sent in, its, uh, timely.
It is a letter of support that I had Ms.
Campford to everyone, uh, in support of federal dollars
for eight mile to Mound Road.
It came from the County Road Department.
Uh, and just ask that we send over a copy, uh,
of support from Council Ms.
Camp. There is a template in there
that you can just fill out on behalf of council.
Um, does anyone any discussion? Sorry,
I'm in favor.
Absolutely. In favor. I. Aye,
Uh, I will call the question.
Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Lafferty? Yes. Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr.
Bokey? Yes. Mr. Noonan? Yes. Ms. McGee? Yes.
Rogan C is a yes. Motion carries. Thank you. Next item.
Next. A MS 14, a request
for an ordinance amending chapter 41, article four
of the code of ordinances of the city of Warren relating
to water and sewer rates and charges.
First reading. So moved.
Support Lafferty with discussion.
Discussion. Council member Lafferty.
Thank you. Uh, through the chair to Mr. Fox, please.
Richard Fox, city Controller.
Thank you. Good evening, sir. Good
Evening. If you
could kindly, uh, walk us through the, uh,
the proposed changes and
how this is separate from the, this big book here.
Sure. Thank you. Um,
Procedurally the water budget is, um,
on the same fiscal year as the general fund budget.
So, um, as we're been going through the past,
you know, couple of, uh, committee, the whole meetings
to discuss the budget, the water department, water
and sewer department, as part of those discussions
in the recommended budget, the recommendation is
for a 7.5% increase.
Tonight is more of a procedural item
'cause it takes two readings to, um, adopt the rate.
So, uh, tonight will be the first reading.
And then at the, um, probably the May 14th meeting,
I would assume that, um, the council will deliberate
and make a decision on the rate for the fiscal year,
July 1st, 24th through June 30th of 25.
Thank you. And so, in, in looking at this, we,
we don't have it actually called out.
There's, there's a lot of, there's a lot of words right.
In, in this particular ordinance.
Uh, some that, uh, I can almost pronounce as, as it relates
to water and, and treatments and,
and some of these, uh, more scientific terms.
But the, the actual rate, uh, looks like more,
more of a calculation.
Yeah. And in levies, in terms of the size of the meters
versus that, it calls out 7.5%.
Right. And for transparency, I did ask you two questions
during our budget hearings on Saturday.
Uh, and that was how much of a rate increase
did the former administration, uh, propose
for the previous fiscal year?
Um, it was a 0% rate increase
And the year before that, A 0% rate
Increase. Alright.
And
'cause I that's, that's extremely important to, to note
because it is not the current mayor
that is responsible for the lack of funding or,
or the subsidy that, that we're, we're asking
residents to shoulder here all at once
when this could have been gradually increased
year over year by a couple of percentage points.
Now we're being asked to shoulder 7.5%
of an increase all at once in the calendar year.
Now my follow up questions during, during the, uh,
the budget hearing, I wanted to understand priority
and the reason I asked those questions,
because you have supplemental
Spending in the budget
totaling $4.9 million of
various items that the
wastewater treatment plant requires for improvements.
I'm, I'm certain there's probably a, a list that's twice
as long and this is what was brought forward.
Alright. I've, I've seen photos.
I'm, I will be taking a tour now that I'm allowed
to see the wastewater treatment plant.
I'm very much looking forward to that and
'cause I want to see this for myself.
I really want to understand where the problems are.
Uh, but my, my questions do remain and I will double check.
I don't believe that I have yet received from Director Doki.
I have not the prioritized list what is really needed,
what are the, the top needs?
What, what can we, can we shoulder something later on?
And then to Ms.
Gaius, she made a very important comment that
if we didn't pass, if, if we didn't have the proper funding,
let me put it this way, that it could impact road projects
that were also proposed.
Because what, what do you do before you replace the road?
You replace the 70-year-old water main
that runs right alongside it.
It makes perfect sense. We've been doing this for years.
Mm-Hmm. And so,
and in seeing the supplemental information for
the roads, that was also tied in, okay, we've, we want
to do x number of roads this year, X number
of roads next year.
And we were warned, if we don't have that money,
we, what are we gonna do?
Tear up the new road to put in a water main later on.
Doesn't make any sense.
So what I'm,
what I'm still asking, this is the first reading.
We're not making any commitments tonight.
Uh, but what I'm, what I'm still asking for is if we,
we give you 7.5%, obviously that's the total picture
I still want to see at 5%.
What are, what is the impact I want to see at 3.5%
or some other formula that with your expertise
that you can come up with.
Here are some options for us to consider.
I really need to understand if
we can make this a little easier for residents
over the next one to two years.
I know we need the money. It's, it's critical infrastructure
that we have to continue to, to afford.
Everybody knows if you don't fix the roof on your house
and you just let it go, eventually you have
much larger problems.
And the wastewater treatment plant has never been, uh,
an easy one to care for.
We spend so much money
and we spend millions to keep it, keep it up and running.
And we can't afford not to have clean water.
We just simply can't afford it.
But I still want to make a good financial decision.
That's why I'm asking for these, these options.
I need to see the list of priorities
and then if there's, uh,
and in ways that, what is the impact to MS.
Cap's list of road improvements if,
if we adjusted the funding model? Sure.
We'll prepare those. Thank you, sir. Madam Chair, can
You speak to anything, anything additional?
I'm all set. How much would goer any additional discussion?
Nope. Okay. All the question. Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Lafferty?
Yes. Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Bokey?
Yes. Mr. Nunan?
Yes. Ms. McGee?
Uh, yes. I'd just like to say I support
what Jonathan Lafferty said.
I'd like to see alternatives coming forward
that are less than seven point half percent for sure.
Discussion is over. Thank you.
Have you called everybody? Except for myself.
Okay. I'm just trying to keep
Track. Yes. Sorry.
Rogan C is a yes. Okay. Motion carries.
Next item is 14 b.
Request of the police department for an increase in budget
appropriations in the amount of 82,000
to cover costs associated
with implementing commercial motor vehicle enforcement
pertaining to heavy transport trucks
and tractor trailer weight limits, consideration
and adoption of a resolution.
Five votes are needed. Motion to approve
with discussion. Support Dwyer.
Discussion. Madam Secretary.
Thank you Madam Chair. Um, is acting Commissioner
Rushton? Good
Good evening Counsel. I, I, um,
I'm just a little confused.
I guess I didn't know that we, um,
enforce the weight limits.
I thought that was MSP
or maybe just where I see them on gross Beck is m yeah.
Cur. Currently we do have one motor carrier officer
that does enforce, uh, motor carrier violations, uh,
weight limits on trucks.
Uh, we're looking to increase that to two officers
as you s uh, know, mile Road was just correct.
Uh, fixed. Uh, the south half
or 11 mile to eight mile is gonna be affixed.
And we just want to add one other officer
to enforce obviously weight limit laws
and then the truck safety.
That makes great sense to me. Thank you.
I was just confused. I didn't even know we did that. Yeah.
Yes, we do Learn something every day.
My dad said, just listen. You'll learn. Thank you very much.
Any additional discussion? Yeah, I,
Mr. Nunan, uh,
Commissioner Rushton, I I'd like to put in a request
that they be monitoring the trucks
that travel on 11 mile heading west into Van D**e.
It seems that that last, like
before the, uh, two lights there
before Van D**e get, um, tar
or something dripped on them
or they, they, uh, the roads start getting ruts in them
after a year or two of getting fixed.
And I'm pretty sure the, the trucks are too
heavy going through there.
I don't know what they're carrying.
But if, if there's any chance that, that that's a road
that you could, um, get them to go by, what,
what the way they're supposed to, that would be very nice.
Yes, we will, sir. Okay. Thank you. That's all.
Any additional discussion?
Hearing nano call the question? Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Dwyer?
Yes. Uh, Mr. Lafferty? Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes.
Mr. Noonan? Yes. Ms. McGee? Yes. Rogan C is a yes.
Motion carries. Next item
14. I'm
sorry. 14 C requests of the police department
to award the purchase of 1 20 24 Chevrolet Silverado
and two transport truck trailer trailer scales in the total
amount of $62,112.
Consideration and adoption of a resolution. So moved.
Lafferty Support Dwyer.
Discussion. Hearing none?
I'll call the question. Uh, Mr. Lafferty? Yes. Mr.
Dwyer? Yes. Ms. Moore?
Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes. Mr. Nunan? Yes. Ms. McGee?
Yes. Rogan C is a yes. Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is 14 D.
Request of the police department for a transfer of funds
between line items in the amount of $691,000 in order
to provide sufficient funding in several accounts within the
general fund budget for the balance of the 2024 fiscal year
consideration and adoption of a resolution.
Five votes are needed.
So moved with discussion support Lafferty.
Discussion Secretary Moore. Thank
You Madam Chair. Um,
just, just for the public, um, um, these,
these amounts are a, um, some overtime,
some contractual services for, uh, um,
VMware vehicle maintenance, employee insurance,
vehicle maintenance.
Um, and, uh, they're being transferred from police wages,
employee insurance and permanent employees.
Thank you
Madam President. Council
member Newnan,
Uh, on the overtime of $650,000,
it seems like a large amount of money to me.
And, uh, in a year when we're, we're thinking we have
to trim, I was wondering, is there any chance
that police over some of this overtime could be trimmed?
Uh, good evening. Councilman, uh, captain James Wolf?
Yeah, I did a, uh, I checked the numbers in, um,
in early April
and we were already over $50,000 in the overtime budget.
At the same time, we're down manpower.
So we are way down in police wages, which
will more than compensate
for this modest amount in overtime.
'cause we need to project for April, may,
and June still for a fiscal year of 2024.
Sir,
I take it, that means it makes sense
from a fiscal point of view.
Yes, sir. I'm not in a position to judge.
I'll take your word for it. Thank
You.
Any additional discussion? Adam? Chair?
Uh, council member? Voki,
Uh, you mentioned the manpower.
Uh, we have quite a few vacancies.
Is this overtime because of the vacancies?
Um, In, in part, yes.
In part. Thank you. Yield Beck.
Any further discussion? Yes.
Ms. McGee? Uh, do you have a breakdown?
I don't know if Secretary Mindy have a breakdown of
for the cost of the 6 91 690
1000 a wide?
It's in our backup. Okay. Okay.
I just wanna make sure I didn't see. Yeah. Thank you.
That's all. I You're welcome.
Anything further? Yeah. Okay. I, yeah, I did say. Okay.
Council president, can I add one thing to, uh, some
of these are gonna be,
these are grant funded overtime details
where the city is reimbursed for the officer's wages.
Uh, we have the enforcement, uh, bicycle safety enforcement,
uh, distracted driving enforcement,
drunk driving enforcement.
These are re, uh, recouped funds that we will get,
uh, through the federal government for some of this overtime
or a big portion of this overtime.
Thank you Madam Chair.
Um, Madam Secretary,
Um, we're aware that one of your officers was injured, um,
in an incident at Lincoln High School.
And, um, please share our, uh, thoughts, best thoughts
for her Speedy recovery from the
council. We appreciate that.
Thank you. We will.
She is out of the hospital and, and on her road recovery.
That's great news. Thank you. Glad to hear that.
Any further discussion? Hearing none?
I will call the question. Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Lafferty? Yes.
Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes. Mr. Nunan? Yes.
Ms. McGee? Yes. Rogan C is a yes. Motion carries. Next item.
Next item. MS. 14 E.
Request of various departments for a transfer of funds
between line items in the amount of $66,505 in order
to provide sufficient funding in several accounts within the
general fund budget for the balance
of the 2024 fiscal year consideration
and adopt of a resolution.
Five votes are needed. So moved. Support
Lafferty.
Discussion. Hearing none. I'll call the question.
Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Lafferty? Yes. Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr.
Bokey? Yes. Mr. Nunan? Yes. Ms. McGee? Yes.
Rogan C is a yes. Motion carries. Next item. Next
Item is 14 f consideration
and adoption of a resolution approving invoice number PE
number PEG Inc.
2 4 4 2 for a SU group in the amount
of $100,000 consideration
and adoption of a resolution. So moved.
Support Lafferty Discussion.
Hearing none. I'll call the question. Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr.
Lafferty? Yes. Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes. Mr. Nunan?
Yes. Ms. McGee? Yes. Rogan Z is? Yes.
Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is 14 G.
Proposed resolution to renew millage for local street
and road repair and replacement
and proposed resolution
to hold a special election in conjunction
with state primary election on August 6th, 2024.
Consideration and adoption of a resolution.
Motion to approve with discussion
Support Lafferty With discussion.
Discussion. Council Secretary
Moore. Thank you Madam Chair.
Um,
so this is expanding the scope of the millage.
Um, the original intent
and scope of the millage was to fund the gap
between state dollars for local road funding
so we could replace residential streets
and neighborhood streets, paved surfaces
and parking areas of Parks, Republic buildings is
and should be a separately funded venture
departmental budget.
This is nothing more than a bandaid on a woefully
underfunded parks and recreation system.
If you're going to invest in parks, then come up
with an entire plan, not a bandaid
to give the appearance of work.
During the last campaign,
this was an item people wanted to see addressed.
And to date, there has been no plan
presented to fix the parks.
I expected to see a plan in this budget,
but sadly there is none.
Um, I think that we should be taking, um, that, uh,
second part keep the millage as it is
and I'm in favor of, of increasing it to 20 years.
I think that we can accomplish a lot, uh,
using the debt service, but I think we should
stick to local streets.
Thank you.
Council Member Lafferty.
Thank you Madam Chair.
Uh, I too agree with, uh, the Secretary Moore,
the local roads.
Ha and repair millage has been very successful
and we should keep it focused on that.
Not for additional, uh, parks
or buildings, uh, parking areas of parks or buildings.
And then I also wanted to, uh, draw a comparison
between our current funding model, uh, today
and that which is proposed for 20 years through the chair
to Mr. Fox, please.
Richard Fox, city controller.
And good evening again, sir. Good evening.
Uh, so, uh, I would imagine with this,
with this 20 year proposal, can you cite the,
the key differences between what we do today
with our current, our current millage, how that is collected
and how this would be a little somewhat different from, uh,
what you're proposing now? Sure.
So currently the millage is for five years
and we collect on an annual basis about
a little over $8 million out of that $8 million.
Then engineering does an assessment of the local roads,
basically in subdivisions.
And they assess, um, what roads need to be
done in that fiscal year.
Um, unfortunately it, it, um, I believe
that the numbers are like somewhere
around $2 million a a mile.
And so it limits the amount of, um,
subdivision improvements that can be made.
'cause at $8 million, unfortunately doesn't go that far
under this proposal, uh, we would ex it would, the millage,
it gets increased from five years to 20 years.
What we, what I proposed is that the,
that $8 million would then be used for debt service
on a 20 year bond issue,
and we could generate somewhere 80
to a hundred million dollars
and the, the debt service would be paid by this,
uh, by the millage.
And what that would do is then would provide
sufficient funding so that we could upgrade a lot
of the neighborhoods throughout the city
and, uh, again, through worst roads first
and then move moving forward over the years, um, to fix.
So you could accomplish a lot, you could improve a lot of,
uh, the, uh, subdivisions throughout the city would upgrade.
I think the, the city as a whole. Mm-Hmm.
So there's a second component of
what you mentioned is very, that's why I wanted you to, to
cite the differences here.
We're we're talking about creating a 20 year millage
after the current one expires,
and that that expires in 2025, correct?
That's correct. That's correct. Okay.
So end of 25, if we did nothing, we would lose $8 million.
We would no longer have a local road fund. That's correct.
So starting in 26, then we would have
under your proposal, instead of a fixed,
fixed program of a few streets here, spend the money
next, the next fiscal year we, we have the revenue, again,
spend the money, do a couple of streets.
What you're proposing is the second part really right,
which is really the most important component is
engaging bond council and going out for a,
an 80 to a hundred million dollar bond
and then using the levy, using this millage
to pay that off out to July
of 2046.
Correct. Alright.
So I, I love the idea,
I love the idea of being able to make a significant impact
because we have so many roads.
I don't think there's one person that'll disagree
that there's a failing road on, on every corner.
We've, we've made some significant progress. All yeah.
All thanks to Ms. Gapes and her engineering team.
And they were cutting on Cunningham just, uh,
this afternoon making some repairs.
So the work continues, but it's slow. Mm-Hmm.
It's painful. And so it's really the difference of
do we continue to have slow and painful
and rocky roads continuously,
or can we make a significant impact
and do it at, I know John X will, will come in
and I'm going to ask him the question,
alright, what's the rate?
What's the rate? And so we're going
to negotiate bonds at a particular great rate,
and we will have the opportunity to pay those off
at probably a,
a better rate than we would if we were doing
this year over year.
Correct. So I think it, it has a lot of merit.
Like I, like I said earlier, uh, with Ms.
Moore's amendment to remove the second to last, uh,
addition including public access
or parking areas of Warren parks or buildings.
Uh, I think that is a, uh, a very wise, uh, focus.
We keep this, this millage focused only on our local roads,
and then we can address that by some other means.
I'd like to add one more thing. I think that'll be
positive for this, um, being that we'll have a,
we're gonna be doing a, a lot of the subdivision roads with,
when we do this bond issue, I think when we actually go out
to bid a contractor who,
whoever the lowest qualified contractor is,
will have the ability to, to basically have his staff here
for the whole construction season
because he'll have so much work to do.
And so economies of scale,
I would think we're gonna get better bids. Mm-Hmm.
And I, I would almost expect Ms. Moore to,
to mention again that when we had a significant sidewalk
and tree replacement program,
and yes, I think we should include the trees, uh, in, in a,
uh, adjunct form here.
Uh, not part of the millage,
but, uh, you know, making sure that we do that, that
we have homeowners that are also afforded the opportunity.
Here are the rates for sing sidewalk slabs,
and, Hey, you're doing this.
Can you do my approach? Can you also do my driveway?
Uh, Ms. Moore, you've talked about that for years of
how successful that was.
And the improvements beget improvements,
because we all know that blight begets blight.
And if you clean up the worst looking house on the block
or the worst looking street,
now something else becomes the worst.
And it, and it cascades.
So this, this is really a, an innovative
and transformational approach to funding road improvements
that I'm, I'm actually very glad
you you brought this forward.
I think the only downside is in, you know, and,
and granted not all roads are,
are traveled at the, at the same rate.
Uh, I know Cunningham doesn't have heavy gravel haulers
running across it every single day.
So maybe that road will last 30 years.
So it's, I think this is a very wise investment.
I think this is, uh, uh, very prudent
and I'm, uh, I'm looking forward to hearing what council,
other council members have to say about it. Thank you, sir.
Thank you. Any additional discussion?
I have a couple things. Uh, one, I believe Ms.
Capis mentioned in our budget hearings,
the reason why we're going to 20 years
and why this investment is necessary is all
of our infrastructure was built around the same time.
And so it's falling apart as I think Mr. Meyer,
uh, brought up.
A lot of it is falling apart at the same time.
And which requires a large
investment to improve a lot of it.
Um, I don't necessarily ag uh, agree with the amendment.
I think it would be not fiscally responsible to
redo an entire stretch of road that doesn't connect to a
park parking lot that's attached to a city road.
I don't know why we wouldn't do those public spaces,
particularly if we have the, the
construction crew for an entire summer, as you said,
Mr. Fox, to reduce some of these public spaces.
Uh, it is, while not a neighborhood road,
it's still a road you drive on to go to the park
or a road you go into a public access
that we all would likely complain about if it wasn't redone.
Uh, along with the adjacent roads.
Yeah, the connected roads.
I don't know how you reconcile
that if you don't all do them at the same time.
And council, uh, I agree with that.
I, and that was put into the last, uh,
the five year renewal that we had.
And, and we, I mean, just look at Veterans Park
and the improvements that were done there
that probably wouldn't have been done otherwise.
Um, and so mm-hmm.
You know, like Parks
and recreation, I mean, their budget is lean.
They, they, they don't have additional dollars to,
to make improvements.
Um, so I too believe that the park improvements,
uh, parking lot improvements for any city of, um,
facility need to be, if the road's fixed, they should be
as fixed as well to make to, so
that it just upgrades the whole to area.
But that's just my opinion.
Any additional discussion? Madam
Chair, Council, secretary Moore? I will
Say that, you know, my, uh, opinion about taking that out
of the, uh, proposal
is based on my phone ringing off the hook
the last few days, honestly.
Um, I've gotten more calls on that than anything.
So, I mean, that's, that's why I'm proposing that
because the residents are just against it that I've gotten.
And I don't get that many calls about things usually,
but I got a lot on that I think.
Mm-Hmm. I think Mr. Nunan did got some,
I'm thinking. Sure.
I'm ready to go. Mr. Nunan. You discussion? Yeah.
So, um, Your microphone.
I, I would like to see a, uh, parks plan presented such
as Mindy was, uh, secretary Moore was speaking of, um,
it seems that the, uh, most of the parks need work
and figuring out what is the minimum to bring,
um, the parks.
We have so many parks. It's a, it's a big job.
Like, would there be a rotation?
Um, you, you don't, with the roads, you look
for what's the worst and then you fix it.
Perhaps with Warren, with the parks,
you figure out which are the best parks to fix up.
And then say the other ones aren't going to get fixed up or,
or they're going to be left for a later date.
Um, I'm not quite sure how you would do it,
but I would like to, um, see a plan for that.
Um, it makes sense that the two could go together,
but maybe the money for the, um, parking
for the parks would come out of a parks budget
and the money for the roads would
stick with the roads budget.
It's, it, it makes a lot of sense to me.
What the, what, you know, the comments
that I'm hearing from the public on this, they,
they don't wanna see, um, they wanna see the road
millage protected
and they feel that running the, the, uh, uh,
fixing the parks and the civic, um, parking lots
could jeopardize the road funding.
And, um, we need to have the roads fixed for sure.
And especially when it comes to coordination
with fixing the water mains.
So it seems like it would make it less complicated to do
that if the parks
and the, uh,
civic parking lots were separate from the road.
Road millage just saying. Thanks,
Madam Chair.
Mr. Bokey, then Ms. McGee,
I'll yield to Ms. McGee. Go ahead.
Um, I'm in agreement with you, um, secretary Mindy
as Welles, um, president, um, chair, uh, Angela.
But as we stated, um, Councilman, um, Laverty stated
is that if we were to fix the sidewalk, um, it'd be nice
as, uh, secretary Mindy if the,
the resident would like their parking,
um, driveways completed.
Also, I think that the chair, um, Angela stated
that if the park is connected, just
as you will have a driveway connected, you can go ahead
and complete the park as well as the sidewalk.
And I am in agreement that Secretary Mindy,
I get many calls on sidewalks.
Um, people are injured, they're walking down, um,
these broken sidewalks,
or they're more, the level is higher than the other.
And of course, I had a friend that fall
and really hurt herself this past summer, um, regarding,
uh, on some sidewalk.
But if they're already connected, if
that sidewalk is already connected to that part,
I'm in agreement with, uh, having it completed at that time.
I
Thank you Mr. Bohi.
Yes. Uh, Mr. Fox, in the proposed, uh, re the language,
it says the funding would also fund improvements to paved
or parking areas or parks, but the next three words says,
or public buildings.
What's your definition of public building?
Uh, uh, I mean, I, I think the relates to the, the parking
around those buildings, I don't that,
That's what my interpretation
of a public building could be. City Hall.
Well, yeah. I mean, that's what would be City Hall would
be cut parks and recreation building at community
Center. So it, it is more
than this Parks
and recreation than as, as it is written.
Oh, yes. I'm gonna have to agree with Mr.
Lafferty. I think it's too broad.
Uh, I think the citizens want roads repaired first.
Uh, I believe the community center is scheduled
for pavement,
and that money was found, I believe, uh, the due
to parking lots here.
I don't think this money should go to that.
That's my personal opinion.
Uh, one of the major concerns I had outta South End
were the, the streets.
And they're ter terrible, terrible shape.
And one of the residents says, go
behind me on the next street.
So I drove around to the other SI street
and I said, wow, who did this?
I went back to the house. It was East Point,
and all our streets are, and,
and her comment was,
how could East Point do it and not warrant?
And I think this money should go to the streets only
to the streets, and we could look for other avenues
for funding for the parks, the parking lots.
I, I, I would've entertained at Beck
Madam Chair. Thank
you Mr. Dwyer. Then Ms. Moore. Sorry.
Yeah, I was just gonna say, I concur with, um,
council Secretary Moore.
Um, I'm getting those phone calls too.
People are wanting this millage
to be dedicated to the roads.
It's a road millage. They want it for the roads.
They don't want it delegated, uh, or put towards the paved
or parking areas of parks or public buildings.
So I think we should use this millage for roads
and roads only and come up with a different plan
for the parks and the, uh,
public buildings as far as that goes. Thank you.
Thank you. Secretary Moore. Thank you.
Um, you know, I, everybody might, might, might not agree
with me in the vote might be to include both if
the other, um, things are included.
I think the wording should be city owned buildings
rather than just public.
Because that could be misconstrued to be anything
that's out in the public county, county.
Yeah. Right. County or anything else.
Because, um, I think we, we had, we asked the question.
So if we're asking that question, what that constitutes,
I think residents that would be unclear on ballot in,
in ballot language.
Yes. What, Oh, we need five and we need five votes.
Okay, Mr. Lafferty,
Thank you.
And Madam President, I, I agree with you.
They're, they're connected.
The contractors are out there, they're doing the work.
It makes sense, you know, it, it makes total sense.
But the, I I do have
to even question are the
materials even going to be the same?
And so I know several parks we have are
asphalt parking lots,
and, you know, we'll, that,
that requires a completely different tool set.
Completely different, uh, materials.
Uh, yeah, we could do cement,
but could we do, for the parks which are not traveled,
like roads are a different material.
And again, a different program.
But again, back to the language
and my, while I agree that this, every,
everything needs to be redone.
The carpeting in here needs to be replaced.
We need a new coat of paint.
We need a new roof on the building.
Uh, these things still all need to be done,
but we're not including it in, in this ballot proposal
With ballot proposals.
We have to be exceptionally careful
and critical in the wording that we use.
And I think a couple of you alluded to that didn't go quite
that far to say it though, that if we add a,
if we add the language
and someone says, well, I don't, like, I liked everything up
to the point that I read this and they kill the, the vote
because of the extra wording, then we lose
the whole, the whole kit and caboodle is all gone.
We're, we're not gonna have anything.
So I, I want to be exceptionally careful here.
I think it's, it's a, a worthwhile amendment that we remove,
uh, that, that additional language
focus squarely on the roads.
And then again, you, we've all said
we're here, we're willing to work in, in concert with,
with the administration to figure out a way to fund
necessary, uh, improvements to the parks.
Everybody's asking for them.
That's not even a question,
but I don't think using this
as the vehicle is the right answer.
Thank you.
Any additional discussion?
So I, I agree that the language could be changed if
that is Ms. Moore, if, uh, is it city owned?
Should be city owned public buildings, uh,
'cause that would take away Mm-Hmm.
City owned residential and things like that,
but which should be city owned public buildings.
So, um, the makers of the motion are Ms. Moore and Mr.
Lafferty, your motion is to remove,
Keep It strictly streets and streets and roads.
My, my motion would be to, uh, strike
in the words including public access
or parking areas of Warren parks or buildings.
That would be my amendment. And then we have Ms.
Moore's suggested amendment for keeping it in
and then changing, amending the amendment.
We probably should take a vote on that,
The first one. And then,
Yeah, if It fails, then I, I, um, I, I believe
that these should be included because we have
to fix them at some point.
And I, I, I think they need to be, as we, we
move down roads, we should be fixing public spaces.
I think we could ask certainly to prioritize local roads
or prioritize community spaces more.
I'm sure we could stipulate some of that in the future.
Um, but I will, I guess call the question on
Can we make, uh, men
and president, I'm sorry, can we be very specific so
that we can vote on the amendment as a separate question?
'cause I don't necessarily wanna kill it tonight if
we disagree on the amendment.
Sure. So work through it.
You wanna restate the, the motion
that we're currently voting on.
Alright, well, Ms. Morris spoke first.
It's really her first opportunity.
And then if that passes, then well
Now I gotta pull it up. We'll go forward.
Thank you. Hold on Second.
Appreciate the cooperation, everyone.
Of course. That's
What we're here for. Nothing
But cooperative. The
amendment to the amendment still. Okay.
Ms. Moore's amendment would call out public buildings
leaving everything in,
but saying public, uh, city owned buildings,
That would be included In it.
It would be included. So shall we'll make it real clear.
What the, what am I looking for? What the amendment is?
Where, where am I, where am I reading Mr. Lafferty?
Uh, so you are, if you're looking at the,
Okay, shall, shall, shall section 9.1
of the Warren City Charter be amended
to authorize the annual levy of up to 1.98242
on taxable value of property located in the city of Warren
for 20 years, beginning with the July, 2026 levy,
and continuing through the July, 2046 levee,
the millage will raise estimated revenues
of
$808,557,521
in the first year for repair
or replacement of local streets and roads.
If approved, this would renew a previously authorized
millage period.
So you're, you're reading my amendments. Yes. Right?
But what I was, I was deferring to you, you had said
that you wanted to include that the, the additions,
but make it city owned.
No, I said if this fails. Oh, okay.
If this fails, then the, uh, if we're approving all of it,
I think that we should amend the language.
Oh, just to, that's
City owned. Yes.
So we're voting on the, the amendment to remove
the additional language, which is in Clark Yeah.
City areas. Anything that is not roads. Right.
So I will call the question Ms. Moore.
Yes. Mr. Lafferty? Yes. Mr. Dwyer?
Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes. Mr. Nunan? Yes.
Ms. McGee? No. Rogan C is a no.
Motion carries five to two.
And Next item, next item.
Point of order. Mm-Hmm. The, the rest
of the, uh, the motion.
Now we amend it, we amended it. Amend.
Okay, so now we vote on the, we
Have to vote on approving as amended for the ballot.
Thank you. It needs five votes.
Make a motion to approve as amended for the ballot
Support to approve as amended.
And then half Ms. Michaels Support copy
For us to review before.
And, um, if Ms.
Michaels, would you send over a copy for us to review
with the amendment when we send, we'll send it Friday,
but when you've re amended it,
you'll send it to us, please? Yes,
Absolutely. May I address counsel?
Sure.
Just to let you know, George Allworth
with the Attorney General General's
office has been reviewing this.
So I put in the resolution there will be some minor
non-material changes, just
so the council's aware the time is of the essence.
Right. I'll keep you advised
of everything we understand everyth
and the actual amount is Okay.
Good. Thanks.
Thank you. They change with the changed
counsel can't be hamstrung by a community either.
Right? Right.
Ms. Moore, can you please restate the motion? Sorry.
Motion to approve as amended.
Motion to approve is amended. Yes.
To Thank you, Mary.
Correct.
Uh, call the question. Ms. Moore. Yes. Mr. Lafferty? Yes.
Mr. Dwyer?
Yes. Mr. Bokey? Yes. Mr. Newan?
Yes. Ms. McGee?
No. Rogan C is a no. Motion carries five to two.
Next same is, uh, audience participation.
Members of the audience who would like
to address the city council this evening may do
so under the audience portion
by filling out a general audience form here.
First is Sue Osh.
I be Jets Cross. I be you Jets Cross. Oh yeah.
Hello, my name is Sue Osh. I'm a committee.
I'm on the committee of the older adult advisory Committee
for the county commissioners.
And we have two representatives
representing Warren for our city.
And the big discussion we're having is
how wonderful their senior centers are.
And we don't really have one.
The list that they compiled.
Colleen, our city for our city centers.
This is from the county. Got it.
Today, as of April, 2024, they said, oh,
jacks is our senior center.
Owen Jacks hasn't been open for four years.
Then it says Stillwell Manners is a drop off center,
a drop in center for seniors.
It's not a drop in center, it's senior housing.
You don't get in unless you have a key to get in.
It's not a place for seniors to come to.
I think it's kind of, they laughed at me when I said,
well, we kind of have a senior center.
It's open four hours a week,
but they do let us have a four ounce cup
of coffee if you'd like one.
And you know, when you go to Sterling Heights,
they have a beautiful SEN senior center, but voted on.
Clinton Township has the number one
because of how friendly they are.
I talked to Dino and Dino said a
senior center would be great.
And we were gonna talk about one,
but I guess he's not available now to talk about it.
There's ARPA funds. We have cities like Arm Maida.
They built a senior center with their aons.
We have, um, some of these cities only have two
to 4,000 people
and they have a real senior center that's opened all day
where people can come that can have a senior meal.
They can socialize with people, they can get information,
they can get the information they need.
Yesterday I had a lady call me 67 years old.
She needed food. And I said, well, is it an emergency
or can you wait till tomorrow?
She goes, well, I didn't eat yesterday.
I haven't eaten today.
I, and my sister needs food too, but I have one can of soup
and two slices of bread.
My husband can eat at work,
but I guess we could wait till tomorrow.
And I said, well, why don't you come on down.
I don't think I ever had a hug that lasted that long.
She goes, we have nowhere to go.
We have nobody that helps us.
Seniors are growing in the city.
We're the third largest city in this state
and we don't care about our seniors. You're
Out of time. Thank you.
They vote for you Mr. Osh.
Good job.
Good evening counsel. Evening.
Um, I was hoping to attend the, the budget hearings,
but unfortunately, um, my wife's stepfather died.
We were in Florida for both of the previous hearings.
We weren't there. But I was interested
to see a picture online of Mr. Schroeder at the,
the budget hearings.
Did he also get appointed as the defacto city accountant?
I mean, he operates as the defacto city attorney,
which is kind of frustrating.
I mean, why should Mr. Schroeder be
the one authoring our city code when we have a city attorney
and city attorneys that have always done
that since the founding of the city?
Think it's disingenuous. You have Mr.
Lafferty up here bloviating about abuses.
He's got an abuse sitting right next to him.
It didn't go through the purchasing channels
to have Mr. Schroeder, uh, put up there, uh, on that.
Uh, DS I mean, it's kind of funny.
Then he also says, you know,
we should follow the rules more bloviating by, um, Mr.
Lafferty having Mr. Schroeder, uh,
is also not following the rules.
Didn't go through purchasing, just showed up.
Why does he show up at a budget meeting?
Is he charging the city for that too? I'm sure he is.
Like my wife said, parks a rec can't afford,
but a four ounce cup of coffee.
But we got hundreds of thousands of dollars to, to, to, to,
to throw at Mr. Schroeder.
If I worked in the city attorney's office, I mean,
I would be demoralized to think that we can hire an outsider
to pretty much run the legal affairs of the city.
Oh, we'll have Mr. Schroeder contact Mary Michaels.
They'll discuss it, but he'll draft the documents.
That's disingenuous at best demoralizing to the staff
of our city attorney's office.
You guys marginalized,
disrespected our previous city attorney, Ethan Vincent.
And now you're repeating your same sins over and over again.
Why does nobody have a backbone?
So we have money to waste on certain things.
Our parks and rec.
You guys said that today, the budgets
of shambles, it's bare bones.
Our parks are a disgrace.
There's nothing for the kids to do in South Warren.
Nothing can't open.
Owen Jacks don't have the money for that.
What are the kids in South Warren supposed to do?
They can't get over here to the community center.
It's disgraceful. It's disgusting. No priorities.
Thank you
Madam. Madam
Chair. Um, I, um, need to make a motion
to suspend the rules.
Do you wanna do it now? We can do it after.
Audience wanna do it after? Okay. We're gonna have to deal
with something after audience.
Okay. Thank you. Sorry for the interruption.
Uh, next is Mike McFall, state representative McFall
Just gave him money.
Sorry. Hi, uh, my name is Mike McFaul.
I'm state representative currently representing, uh,
Madison Heights, Hazel Park, and parts of Detroit.
Uh, I'm sure you're all familiar
with the redistricting that just occurred.
Uh, the brand new district that will be, uh, that I live in,
uh, represent Hazel Park, Madison Heights, comes into Warren
and picks up center line.
So I just wanted to come and introduce myself.
I know I've spoken to several of you already.
Uh, and, uh, uh, Madam President,
I appreciate you having, uh, me here.
I also appreciate the work that you're doing, um, on behalf
of the residents that live in those mobile home parks.
I actually sit on the regulatory reform committee.
So, uh, I would love to speak with you more about
that, uh, in the future.
So have a good night.
I won't, I guess I can yield my time
to somebody else. Thank you. Thank
You.
Next is Mr. Vander Lenin.
Uh, A few weeks ago, the mayor came up
and gave a speech about our budget.
The only member of the council that was there was Hal.
What freaked me out is I took a good look at the crowd
and there was 20 people,
25 At best.
If you read today's Warn weekly, here was 200 to 300 people.
I wanna know where they were hiding.
They weren't in the seats.
Now, during her speech, she talked about, uh, her budget
and there'll be $3 million in the fund balance.
O Mayor Fouts and his last speech said he was leaving
warn with $86 million in the fund balance.
How do we go from 86 million to 3 million?
Somebody called the cops. We're being robbed.
Now there's, it's confusing to me.
We're talking about, uh, doing the roads and stuff like this
and I think is a great idea.
But does that include the right
of ways in front of all our homes?
Because if you tear up the streets,
you gotta tear up the plumbing.
And many of us have problems with the plumbing at our homes
due to the damn trees.
You guys stuck in our front yards 50 years ago.
The silver maples that grew all around our, uh,
sewage system and water lines
and cost us $15,000 to replace.
Are you gonna fix the rest of them? Now?
Are you going to include all that?
And they were talking about, uh, doing the parking lot
at all the parks, but we gave Dino $6 million
for four years and he couldn't fix a toilet.
So how many millions of dollars is it gonna cost us
to fix a parking lot?
I mean, there's something we have to do.
And this nice lady came up
and talked about the senior centers and stuff.
What about grants?
Why don't we try something new and work with the county?
Why don't we call up our county commissioners
or maybe return their phone calls
and see how we can get some
of this money from the county and from the state?
I know Lazy Laura's not gonna call anyone,
but maybe someone from her team
can call back these commissioners
and get some of these grants
and get this money working for the city.
Senator Lang Got it. Sterling Knight's got it.
Why not warn we're the largest city in this county
and we're not getting a dime.
Now I know Lee. Laura is doing the
three Ls listening. Vander,
You're out of time. Okay.
I'll finish my comments. Listen, alerting
You, you're out of time Mr. Vander.
I'll finish my comments. Thank you.
You're out of time, Mr. I'll finish my
comments. Thank you. You're
Out of Time. I'll finish
my comments. Thank you
Joel. Mr. Vander
Linin, you need to have a seat.
I will. The time is off. Finish my comments.
You do you want me to bring up the, uh, your
Time is up. Vander
Ation paperwork again.
You're disrupting our meeting. And you
Have a seat. I'm not disrupting
the meeting. I am finishing my
Comments. You've had me three minutes. Mr. Vander
Linin, you
Get three Minutes. Need to be respectful.
You need to sit down.
You have been respectful.
You interrupt me every time I'm up here. Mr.
Vander, Len, and please have a seat. You time is up.
Okay, fine. I'll remember that.
Thank you. Next is Kevin Meyer.
The police did.
Um, I would like to thank Mrs. McGee for mentioning the, uh,
skilled trades.
Is it job fair that they're having?
Um, for years I've worked in construction.
Owned a construction company.
My wife is two years from retiring in skills trades.
And it's, uh, done.
Uh, we've had a nice career because of it.
Uh, about six or seven years ago,
I was at a local skating club
and we were hoisting this big wall up in the air.
And, uh, I looked down
and, uh, one of the members is a oral sur
or not a oral surgeon, orthopedic surgeon.
And I said to him, I said,
this is the last time we put this wall up.
I said, we're gonna go with curtains.
And he says, why is that?
I said, you're a $500,000 guy sitting down there.
And I said, I'd be damned if this wall's gonna fall on you.
Then when I came down, he said, look at your hands.
He said, what are they worth?
Damn, that's pretty good.
Talking about the Skating Club.
I know this is outta the city, but, uh, Mr.
Lafferty will be announcing this weekend, uh,
an ice show which both our daughters were in.
Uh, they had great times when they were in it,
and now both of them are past it and onto other things.
But Mr. Lafferty is, uh, volunteering his time
and he is actually tries to get out there and ice skate.
That's a pretty good sight to see,
but he does a hell of a job announcing.
And if you get a chance, it's uh, three
or how many shows we got Jonathan?
Uh, one on Friday, two on Saturday. One on
Saturday. Okay. There's,
you've heard them.
And then also the, the Friday show
that we don't talk about is
because it's not open to the public, they put on a show
for at least 750 to 850
special needs kids from the, the Qantas and the St.
Clare Shores Figure Skating Club, uh, pays
to feed these kids.
Well, they're, some of 'em are adults.
And, uh, so it's, it's a great show if you get to see it.
And then you actually get to see Jonathan
hopefully not fall on his face.
Uh, but, uh, come out and support the local skaters.
One of the skaters is, uh, is a world class skater.
It's actually the daughter of the doctor
that I was talking about.
Uh, she skates at the Olympic level.
And, uh, if you like skating, go out and see it.
I'm sure I'm gonna see Jonathan there.
This one of the, one of the shows.
So if you can support the kids, they're not just from St.
Clair Shores. They're from all over.
Some of 'em are from Warren, like Jonathan's daughter was.
So if you can get out there and support 'em,
please do so. Thanks.
Thank you. Next is Mr.
Uh, Ian.
Hello, counsel. Uh,
I come up here today on behalf of my daughter.
Uh, as you know, she often has an initiative
that she's working on
and her current initiative is Period Poverty.
Uh, 50% of our po of our population are women,
and one in five at some point misses school
because they don't have feminine hygiene products.
Uh, so she's working towards that.
So she's doing a drive, uh, for some
of our lower income students here in Warren, uh,
to collect feminine hygiene products for them, uh, to kind
of carry them over through the summer
as they're about to get outta school.
Uh, so we're accepting donations.
I have, uh, donation baskets at Old 13 Barber Company
and Red Run Skate Shop.
And the mayor was gracious enough to allow her
to put a donation basket at the mayor's office at City Hall.
Um, and I think that's all she has going on,
but there is much more to the initiative.
She would like to get some funding in schools for, uh,
free feminine hygiene products there, as well as all state
and local, uh, buildings.
So, thank you.
Thank you. Next is Ms. Harris. Lori Harris.
I made it. Yay. Uh, hi to Tony and Dorothy Baker.
And I'm sorry that we don't have a way for you
to participate again, uh, in these meetings.
Um, it's easy to do.
We did it at the listening tour,
and I think that we need to have a way
for people to participate.
I wanted to, um, I was listening to this, uh,
while I was at work,
and then on my way here, $16,000 for a band when, um,
Ms. Moore read off some numbers in the, in the, uh,
for money for checks.
Um, 80 to 100 million if I wanna get this right.
Um, for the, the proposed millage is over 20 years,
80 to a hundred in million.
A hundred million over 20 years, or every year for 20 years.
I think it's over 20 years.
That means only 40 to 50 roads get done.
And that little part of Arden right down there, uh,
that was 2 million, over $2 million.
So I, I hear what you're saying,
but I'm not sure that I understand
how much this will really do for us,
unless I've totally misunderstood.
Um, and over 20 years,
that's only 5 million a year,
and right now we have 8 million a year.
So there needs to be a better explanation.
Um, water rates, people like me who use the least amount
of water where I could have months with one unit,
do you know that we pay more than other people per unit
because there's a minimum charge,
and right now it's over $20.
It might be $23, um, that you pay for your water bill.
So seven
and seven point a half percent is
of a $20 bill is an extra dollar 40, right?
Shake your head, yes or no. Okay. Thank you.
Um, um,
and then the state has some proposal for us
to pay two to three more dollars.
Every, every homeowner, every person that uses water.
Um, and so essentially the people that use the least amount
of water are going to have the biggest increase, I think.
Um, I think when you talked about the money,
whether you should do the, um, surrounding areas
for the cement, the DDA should pay for the community center.
Parking should not, it should not be included in this.
That's gonna be millions of dollars. There.
There was a public hearing today for the budget.
No one came for the public hearing. I would've been here.
This is where people needed to talk about the police
and the fire, and the fact that
what we wanna see in our budget.
And, um, I wanna remind Mr.
Tash following the rules isn't so hard. You should try it.
Thank you.
That is the end. Oh, no. Sorry. Um, Ms. Sanker,
He didn't want to.
Good evening counsel. Uh, I wanted to address, uh,
an earlier item that you had regarding the roads, um,
and the renewal of the millage to fix the roads.
Uh, how many million have we paid
and how many million dollars will we have to pay
to fix the roads?
We have the worst roads.
I even suggested that maybe somebody look at Google
to find out how to fix the roads.
There is something that isn't being added to the mix to pre
to, uh, prevent easy cracking and potholes.
Why is Michigan the worst?
Everyone is complaining about the condition of the roads.
Why can't they fix them?
Does anyone make them accountable to do them? Right?
Us common people want to know when we pay so much
for road repair, why don't they stay fixed
for any length of time?
Our cars are jolted by all the potholes,
and maybe people with the city
who drive city cars don't much care
because they get paid by the, uh, by the city.
They're fixed by the city with taxpayer money.
Can't someone fix the roads?
There should be a caveat that says if the road doesn't last
for a year or two years without major potholes,
then a deduction will be made from the payment.
Maybe then we could get some quality roads. Thank you.
Thank you. That is the end of audience, Madam
Chair. Um,
suspend the rules to revisit 14 G. So moved.
Support to suspend the rules.
All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed?
Uh, rules are suspended.
Madam Chair, if, uh, Mr.
Schroer could address this, please.
Thank you. Um, uh, Ms.
Michaels, uh, reached out to us here.
Um, there were actually two resolutions on the item
with the, uh, street in road repair millage.
There was a second resolution.
It's in the backup, um, on this item.
And, um, I'm recommending that we adopt this resolution,
uh, to hold a special election on August 6th.
That is the date of the primary election
that's already scheduled, but due to the requirements
of the Home Rule City Act, um, as I was discussing with Ms.
Michaels, although there's already an election that date,
we are required to pass a resolution.
The council's required to pass a resolution
declaring a special election.
So we meet the technical requirements of the statute.
So I recommend adopting this so that
that matter can be on the ballot as well
as the other items. Madam
Chair, Mo, uh, uh, motion
to authorize special election on August 6th, 2024.
Support Lafferty.
Any dis any discussion?
Hearing none? I'll call the question. Ms. Moore?
Yes, Mr. Lafferty, uh,
Act, actually, I'm gonna go to ask for a point of order.
Point of order. The resolution
also includes language that states, including paved parking
and access areas of public parts and buildings.
We have to amend that to, uh, to strike that language.
So it is in concert with the previous motion. So
I'll accept that amendment.
So I am, I am striking language
and therefore, therefore, it is resolved.
Paragraph, the final sentence to strike,
including paved parking
and access areas of public parks and buildings.
Okay.
So I will restart this vote. Ms. Moore?
Yes. Mr. Lafferty?
Yes. As amended. Mr. Dwyer?
Yes. As amended.
Mr. Bokey? Yes. Mr. Newnan? Yes. Ms. McGee? Yes.
Rogan C is? Yes. Motion carries. Giving
That to me or Give.
Next item? Next
Item is council response.
Madam President. Mr. Nunan? Um,
I'm responding.
Um, in a way, this is an announcement I, for I,
uh, forgot to make.
And that is that there's an event, uh, coming up,
clean up Warrens Parks on May 4th,
and, um, people can go
to signupgenius.com/go/ooh.
Boy, that's a long number.
Anyway, you can contact the mayor's office
and, um, help us clean up the parks there.
It's mainly happening from 11 o'clock to one o'clock.
There are a bunch of hosts for different park cleanups.
And, um, as for myself, I'm gonna be doing, uh,
rinky park from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
and then from 2:00 PM
until 4:00 PM I'll be doing Wagon Park.
If you can come and join me, I'd appreciate it.
But there are lots. Your favorite
parks are probably on the list.
And please, uh, please check in with the Mayor's office.
Thanks. That's
It. Thank you. Council
member Newnan, Madam
Chair, Uh, secretary Moore. Thank
You. Just to remind everybody again,
tomorrow is a budget hearing at six o'clock here in
conference room a also remind council members, uh,
next Monday, is it the Council commissions?
Is that next Monday or week from Monday? Mm-Hmm.
Monday. Monday, Next Monday. Council commissions.
And we have received a couple of items, um,
that have come over to be on the, uh, agenda that we're, uh,
one is, uh, opioid, um, acceptance.
And, um, um, appropriation, I think was the language.
But we're going to have a, I talked to Mr. Fox today.
We're gonna have a committee
meeting outta the whole on that.
As you'll remember, we, um, mandated
that the city create a separate fund.
Well, they didn't. So of course,
that's something else we'll have to do.
And, you know, we had said we wanted a panel to we to get,
um, expert advice from.
So we still wanna, uh, do that.
Also, um, a FOIA to, uh, redo the foia, um, uh,
policy was brought in
and we wanna have a committee meeting on that also.
'cause that'll be a lot of discussion.
And, um, there is one ordinance that's not been put on
because we're waiting for our ordinances to be,
um, put into Muni code.
It's the arts ordinance.
So I just wanted to make sure everybody knows what, um,
we have back at the ranch, so to speak.
That's it for me. Thank you
Madam President. Mr.
Lafferty. Thank you.
I'd like to address a, a comment
or a remark that was made about me during audience.
And it, it is true. I figure skate.
I don't do it. Well. My, my daughter is, is,
and, and my wife actually are both excellent figure skaters.
And I, I learned how to figure skate when I was 19.
Um, it's, it's a challenge.
It's a lot of fun and I don't do much of it.
But, uh, yeah, the Sinclair Shorts Figure Skating Club
is putting on a show this weekend.
So, uh, do a little bit more announcing
and singing than I will skating.
Thank goodness. And, uh, so while I don't figure skate,
well, I can assure you I never, ever bloviate.
Thank you.
Agreed. Thank you.
Good Job. Any
additional responses?
Hearing none. Next item
Adjourn. Motion
To adjourn Support McGee.
All in favor, aye.
Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries.
We are adjourned.