Now calling to order a meeting of city council,
Tuesday, May 19th 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.
Councilwoman Rogensie.
Here.
Councilman Dwyer.
Here.
Councilwoman McGee.
Here.
Councilman Boyke.
Here.
Councilman Noonan.
Present.
Councilman Lafferty.
Here.
Councilwoman Moore. We have a quorum.
Next item.
Next item is for adoption of the consent agenda,
so moved with discussion.
Support with discussion.
Discussion, Ms. Moore.
Yeah, we have one item to add
as
4K, which is proposed resolution approving the
easement agreement with DTE for 13700 to
13750 Sidony, which is the Underwood Park
Library.
That's under consent?
Yeah.
Discussion, Ms. Lafferty.
Thank you. I'd like to remove items 4I and
4J.
Support.
The hearing date is the same here.
Yes, and first reading.
And first reading.
Okay,
definitely. Okay. This is the items.
Mm-hmm.
4I, 4J.
And I'm told we have no sound again.
Oh.
Yeah, we'll have the... I can talk loud.
No, it's not that. We don't have any sound broadcasting on the live stream.
Oh, live stream. Okay.
Any other discussion?
I have no other discussion.
Okay. Any other discussion?
I'll call the question, Ms. Moore.
Yes.
Mr. Lafferty.
Yes.
Mr. Dwyer.
Yes.
Mr. Boyke.
Yes.
Ms. McGee.
Yes.
Mr. Noonan.
Yes.
Rogensie is a yes. Motion carries. Next item.
Thank you. As 11A,
consideration and adoption of a resolution authorizing the mayor and clerks to
sign the Stevens Road Greenway Project pass-through agreement
between the City of Warren and SEMCOG
as-
Sorry, this is?
We're adding.
To the regular-
Yes
... agenda? We didn't do a motion. That's fine.
Oh, I'm sorry. That's all good.
You're making the motion, Ms. Moore?
Yeah.
Support, Lafferty.
Okay. Discussion, Ms. Moore.
Again, 11A, consideration and adoption of resolution authorizing the
mayor and clerk to sign the Stevens Road Greenway Project pass-through
agreement between the City of Warren and
SEMCOG
as
11...
I lost 11B.
11B. There was something else. I have it
written.
Okay.
As under council,
Councilwoman Moore discussion re: House of Hookahs,
and as item-
What item is that?
Under council.
12E.
And then under,
correspondence from the mayor, 13C will
be...
I've got the wrong one. Never mind.
This
should be miscellaneous, this.
What was 4J as 11B?
Pardon me?
What was 4J as 11B?
No.
I don't know if this is 4J. I
think there was supposed to be a 11B, but I'm not
finding it.
What was
4I
will be
13C.
What was
4J will be
13D. What was-
I have a question
... 4K will be 13E.
So that would go under 13E. I think
that's it.
That's it.
We added-
Excuse me?
Did we add 14? We added 4K as DTE.
Yes.
So that's not going under the new, right?
Yes.
Oh, it is.
Yes.
Okay.
We added J.
Got it.
So we don't need 4K.
So 13C is 4K?
The DTE easement.
13C is library.
What was 4I.
Mm-hmm.
And I have 13D as 4J, which is the overlay district.
Mm-hmm.
And I have 13E was 4K,
the DTE easement.
Got it.
That's correct.
Next one.
She had that one.
Did the... Is one of these the SEMCOG, the
Stevens Road?
Is that the one that you see?
11. That's 11A-
11A. Okay
... to sign the agreement.
Okay.
Yeah.
Agreement.
Yeah.
Okay.
Any other discussion?
Okay, hearing and seeing none, I will call the question, Ms. Moore.
Yes.
Mr. Lafferty.
Yes.
Ms. McGee.
Yes.
Mr. Noonan.
Yes.Yes.
Mr. Dwyer?
Yes.
Roggen says yes. Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is calendar pending matters, 6A, motion to receive
and file.
Support, Lafferty.
Any discussion?
Hearing and seeing none, I'll call the question. All in favor?
Aye.
Any opposed? Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is 7A, approval of the bills of the general revenue fund. Noonan.
Yes.
Mr. Boyke.
Yes.
Mr. Dwyer.
Yes.
Roggen says yes. Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is 7B, approval of the bills of the water and sewer system.
So moved.
Support, Dwyer.
Any discussion?
Hearing and seeing none, I'll call the question. Ms. Mohr?
Yes.
Mr. Dwyer.
Yes.
Mr. Lafferty.
Yes.
Ms. McGee.
Yes.
Mr. Noonan.
Yes.
Mr. Boyke.
Yes.
Roggen says yes. Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is audience participation for agenda items only.
Members of the audience who would like to address city council this evening may do
so by filling out a form over at that table.
You have three minutes, and I will give you a minute or a
30-second
countdown.
Looks like Thea Pollard.
Hello, city council. My name is Thea Pollard
Strother.
I am the 13C, I believe now.
I have over 15 years of higher education experience
in various roles at the University of Michigan and University of Michigan Dearborn,
and I've been a resident of Warren for over three years now.
And I have kids who are very passionate about the library.
If you look at the history of the books that
have been checked out in my account, it is very extensive.
My son is
a very passionate reader, and so are my other
children. My family has been
actively visiting libraries for my
entire life. I do have some family members that work as a
circulation clerk at a library in New York, and I come from
a family of teachers. So knowledge,
libraries,
the passing of information in various
forms has always been a passion that I grew up around,
and I look forward to potentially having the
opportunity to continue that in a
slightly more formal role.
I am an open book. You are free to reach out to me anytime
about any questions that you may have.
I
am completely new to this, so I apologize for any wavering in my
voice. This is not my usual element.
I'm an IT nerd, and I manage IT nerds, so
that is the area that I come from. I also have
a background in radio and TV production, so media of
all forms has always been a part of my life.
And,
yeah, as long as the council does not have any major objections, I would
look forward to serving the city of Warren
as a member of the library commission. And thank you for your time.
Thank you.
That is the end of audience. Next item,
announcements.
Anyone have any announcements?
Mr. Lafferty, you had one?
Did I have one?
Ms. Kan?
Oh,
we're going to talk about handle that one later.
But I did want to, once again, congratulate
Mr. Spiller and everybody on the team from
public works to DDA to city council
on the grand opening of the skate park.
Absolutely phenomenal opening.
And I have been reminded
very sternly that if you are going
to skateboard
at the park, you are to wear a helmet.
And so
it has been noted very well,
but very excited. So well done one and all.
Any other announcements?
Hearing and seeing none, we will move on. Next item.
Next item is 11A,
consideration and adoption of a resolution authorizing the mayor and clerk to sign
the Stevens Road Greenway Project pass-through agreement between the city of Warren
and SEMCOG. So moved.
Support, Dwyer.
Support.
Support, Dwyer. Any discussion?
Hearing and seeing none, I'll call the question. Ms. Mohr?
Yes.
Mr. Dwyer?
Yes.
Ms. McGee.
Yes.
Mr. Noonan.
Yep.
Mr. Lafferty.
Yes.
Mr. Boyke.
Yes.
Roggen says yes. Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is 12A, legal update.
It's update today.
Next item is 12B, proposed ordinance amending Section
19.5-15E1 of
the Code of Ordinances to change hours of operation for marijuana provisioning
center facilities and retail establishments, and Sections
19.5-81D and
10.5-17A to make the operation of a medical
marijuana caregiver facility without a certificate a misdemeanor.
Second reading. So moved.
Support, Lafferty.
Any discussion?
Hearing and see-Yes. Mr. Lafferty?
Yes.
Ms. McGee? Yes. Mr. Newnan?
No.
Mr. Boyke?
Yes.
Mr. Dwyer? No.
Roggenbuck is a yes. Motion carries five to two.
Next item. Next item,
Madam Chair, point of order. Do we want to hold this item?
So are we waiting for business to write the behavior?
He will not this evening.
Okay.
Okay. That's fine. Item 12C, proposed resolution
authorizing agreement with Spear MMPH LLC for the sale
and development of tax-reverted properties at 8104
Lozier Avenue, 13890 Ida Avenue,
11028 Maxwell Avenue, and 8292
Continental Avenue, and accepting grant of
easement rights, consideration, and adoption of a resolution. So moved.
Support Lafferty.
Any discussion? Madam Chair? Mm-hmm.
I did have a chance to go and look at the first two houses that have
been placed on Maxwell, and they look really, really
good. They're a good fit, and the neighbors and people driving
around have got a lot of really, really positive feedback
on them. So it's nice to see new things happening.
Any other discussion?
Hearing and seeing none. Call the question. Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Lafferty?
Yes.
Ms. McGee? Yes. Mr. Newnan?
Yes.
Mr. Boyke?
Yes.
Mr. Dwyer? Yes. Roggenbuck is a yes. Motion carries.
Next item. Next item is 12D, consideration and
adoption of a resolution approving a proposed moratorium on gas
stations and car washes, pending development of ordinance amendments.
So moved with discussion.
Support Lafferty with discussion.
Support. I'm going to give that one to Mr. Newnan, but Mr. Lafferty, discussion.
Would you care to start us? I was just going to. Yeah.
Just to point out that
Mr. Lafferty had asked for a moratorium
a few months ago. At the same time, very shortly thereafter, Mr.
Worth told me that planning was going to be working on
proposing that as well. They actually, I don't know
what date they proposed it, January or February, they voted, I think, the planning
commission, and we understand was sent over to the mayor's office,
but we never got it. So Ms. McGee and
Mr.-
Noonan ... Noonan brought it forward to resurrect it,
and Mr. Lafferty has been sort of working with legal counsel
to get it in the proper form, and
Ms. Michaels, that we could exact actually
ask them. So I think Mr. Lafferty probably has something to say.
Thank you.
Madam Chair?
Mm-hmm.
So just a couple of comments.
A moratorium, we've talked about it before, and
now we're codifying it tonight. It's a
responsible and a prudent approach.
This first step provides the following.
One, it signals our intent to contain the sprawl and excessive
proliferation of gas stations and auto washes
businesses in the city. It establishes a reasonable timeframe for
action. Further, to carefully define the activity
so as not to be too broad or to be too narrow and to
avoid unintentional consequences.
Two, it further establishes a timeline for the city attorney's office
and provides for achievable milestones under which updated ordinance
language will be drafted in alignment with the direction
dictated in the city's master plan and with the strategic
direction and vision of the city council.
Three, it enables the city council to track and understand
progress, remove obstacles, or provide additional
resources that may be required to achieve targeted objectives.
Four, while updates are underway, it also pauses the
permitting process under which applications are subject to the present
language we intend to modify and will also avoid conflicts
with the building and planning departments.
It is clear that this action is many years behind where it should be.
Since the administration is not taking action, the city council has taken up the
mantle and will drive the changes intended to transform
development opportunities that complement and add value to
our community, as opposed to the current perception that development
within Warren is limited only to these types of businesses.
Let me be abundantly clear. We welcome all
development. We also support the owners of our present gas
stations and auto washes.
The challenge we face as legislators is achieving balance in
development that not only fulfills our economic
objectives but achieves diversity and development that
complements our neighborhoods. What do we want to be known
for?
Our commercial corridors tell a story, and it defines
us as an overall community.
We welcome any developer who wants to invest into Warren's
economy. It is their right to choose which city
they want to invest in, and it is our responsibility
to establish the ordinances and policies by which these
investments become a reality.
Thank you.
Madam President?
Any other discussion? Mr. Newnan.
I'd like to add, that was
a brilliant synopsis of that. Thank you, Councilman Lafferty.
Also,
I understand that you really
forwarded the intention to have this about a year ago, I think, to the
planning department. So,
I totally honor your
support of this initiative. And in the
something that's a current event in the planning department, which,
since I'm ex officio to the planning
commission-Mr. Wygant,
who has supported the city in so many different ways,
including his
running of the gazebo,
is, I believe, trying to sell-
Mr. Noonan, is it germane to this?
Yeah, it is, because
the Speedway offer is not affected by this,
is what I'm trying to say.
Pardon me if I was too flowery, but
this is a very well-thought-out thing, in my opinion, that
doesn't conflict with ongoing efforts of people who have
already put in their applications.
This is an interim motion.
Thank you.
Madam President?
Mr. Dwyer.
Right. Yeah.
Yeah, I was going to say, I agree with Councilman Lafferty and Noonan.
This is something that really has been a long time coming.
The city of Warren, we're just over 34 square miles, and we have about
69 gas stations city-wide. And then when you look at car
washes, car washes, we have about 25 of them.
And if you look at a radius area around Mound and 12 and a
half, within that mile radius, there's six car washes.
So I really think it's a little over the top and kind of ridiculous to have such a
concentration of car washes in an area
like that, let alone to have so many gas stations within our city.
So I'm glad we're moving forward with this.
And again, it's been a long time coming, so we're going to get it done.
Thank you.
Any other discussion?
Madam Chair.
Mr. Boykin, then Ms. Moore.
I have a question for the Planning Commission, Mr. Brownworth.
Been working on this probably for about a year, it sounds like, from all the
conversation. Are you going to be able to get that ordinance done by the
end of the
resolution?
We're prepared to do that. You're prepared? Most certainly.
Thank you very much. All right.
Ms. Moore.
I have-
You're good.
Okay. Any other discussion?
Okay, hearing and seeing none, I will call the question. Ms. Moore?
Yes.
Mr. Noonan?
Yes.
Mr. Lafferty?
Yes.
Ms. McGee?
Yes.
Mr. Boyki?
Yes.
Mr. Dwyer?
Yes.
Roggen C is a yes. Motion carries. Next item.
13A, request of the Parks and Recreation Department for a line item transfer in the
amount of $37,000 to cover the unexpected cost of pavement
sealant at Eckstine Skatepark and the increased cost
associated with the purchase of ball field mix and supplies.
Consideration and adoption of a resolution so moved.
Support Lafferty.
Sorry, you had a 12E.
Council Feathes?
Oops.
Oh, that was mine. Sorry. We'll go back to it.
Okay, so 13A still?
Yeah.
Okay. Mr. Lafferty, did you make that motion?
Ms. Moore did. I supported it. It's an awful lot of money, but
I think we can handle it.
Okay. Any other discussion?
Hearing and seeing none, I will call the question. Ms. Moore?
Yes.
Mr. Lafferty?
Yes.
Ms. McGee?
Yes.
Mr. Boyki?
Yes.
Mr. Noonan?
Yes.
Mr. Dwyer?
Yes.
Roggen C is a yes. Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is 11E-
12E
... 12E, sorry.
This is actually my item. I was contacted by a business owner
on
9 Mile, and he has asked that... He sent
videos to me of some of the... Pardon
me?
I thought you said it already.
Oh.
Yeah.
I don't. I told him I would put it on the agenda tonight.
Oh, okay.
I talked to this gentleman today.
Okay.
And he would like something to be done with House of
Hookahs.
Captain Hodas.
Ms....
I'm trying to get Mr. Hodas. Captain.
Captain.
Yes.
I just want to refer this to the department on behalf of
this gentleman that is asking for extra patrols be done.
Sure.
I mean, we had something very serious happen there recently.
Three things.
That's the same one. The videos-
Same one
... are the same.
Good evening. Captain Paul Hodas, Warren Police.
This matter was brought to our attention this afternoon.
It's going to be addressed. I've already got community and policing officers will
be reaching out to Mr.
Irfat.
I wasn't going to mess his name.
Yes.
Go ahead.
And then, I'm sorry. And then
we're starting to look at the history for
the neighboring business.
Yeah.
So.
I remember we had a
very serious incident on the one on 8 Mile,
right when it opened up, I think. So
remember? Somebody was killed.
Yes. Yeah, that was four years ago?
Yeah, maybe.
I think.
Yeah. But anyway, they're pretty upset, the business owner there, so
thank you very much.
Yes, ma'am.
That's it.
Any other discussion?
No.
Sorry, who made the motion for this?
I did.
Thank you.
I think.
I don't... Did we take a motion?
I don't know.
I didn't write anything down.
I don't know. I'm not in charge-
All right
... of that part.
Ms. Moore,
Mr. Lafferty.
Support Lafferty.
Thank you.
I will call the-
It's just-
... motion to approve it
... receive and file.
Okay.
All in favor?
Aye.
Any opposed? No. Okay. Next item.
13B, request to review and confirm
the appointment of David Spencer to the Downtown Development Authority with a term
expiration of June 30th, 2029. So moved with discussion.
Support Lafferty.
Discussion, Ms. Moore.
Thank you. This is a return by Mr. Spencer.
He is a GM employee. We haven't had a GM employee on the DDA board
for a long time, and I think this is a good thing to happen.
Thank you. Any other discussion?
Madam Chair?
Mm-hmm.
So, we received the information
very late for review. Our own review,
the unredacted information, which gives us access to
address, and which allows us to review
taxes and water bills and other information online.
I did a cursory view on this one and
found no issues.
Thank you. Any other discussion?
Hearing and seeing none. I'll call to question. Ms. Moore?
Yes.
Mr. Lafferty?
Yes.
Ms. McGee?
Yes.
Mr. Noonan?
Yes.
Mr. Boyke?
Yes.
Mr. Dwyer?
Yes.
Rogan, C is a yes. Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is 13C,
what was 4I, notice of appointment of Theodora
Pollard Strother to the Library Commission with a term expiration of June
30th, 2027.
So moved. Lafferty with discussion.
There.
Support anyone?
Support.
Support. Ms. McGee. Discussion, Mr. Lafferty.
Thank you. And apologies, Ms. Pollard,
again, the same issue that we had with the previous appointment.
The information was not sent over to us ahead of time.
We get our packets from council office on Friday.
We received the unredacted application information this
afternoon. So we were not afforded sufficient time to
look. I did double-check everything, so
you're on par with... There are no outstanding
permits. Water bills, utilities,
and taxes are paid
on time for several years back in history.
Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you, ma'am.
Any other discussion?
Hearing and seeing none. I'll call to question, Mr. Lafferty?
Yes.
Ms. McGee?
Yes.
Ms. Moore?
Yes.
Mr. Noonan?
Certainly.
Mr. Boyke?
Yes.
Mr. Dwyer?
Yes.
Rogan, C is a yes. Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is
13D, an ordinance to amend the code of zoning ordinance Appendix A
to add Article 4H pertaining to
overlay district. So moved.
Support, Lafferty.
Discussion?
No.
Madam Chair?
Mm-hmm.
To Mr. Schroeder,
not only are we setting a public hearing to discuss, so this will be on
the next agenda, and this is also the first
reading of the item. Is that correct?
Correct.
All right. And
anything specific? This is based
on the vote of the planning commission is the reason why we were able
to add this, this evening, correct?
It's a zoning ordinance amendment. Planning director is here.
I see Hunter Manica's here. They both worked on this.
So it's a zoning ordinance amendment, essentially has to come from the planning
commission in the form of a recommendation.
It was recommended by the planning department.
It now needs two readings and a public hearing before the city council.
If you approve this, you'll be setting the public hearing for the next meeting.
We do have three weeks between the meetings to review this.
And at that time, if the first reading is approved today, the second reading
will be on the agenda after the public hearing.
It's creating some overlay districts here.
You want detail, staff is here tonight.
I can certainly answer some questions about it.
But the idea is to have the first reading today, and then on the second reading,
have the public hearing and the thorough review of it.
All right. And Mr. Schroeder, the
public hearing, we don't typically have a public hearing when we're changing
ordinances.
So the requirement for the public hearing,
can you speak to that?
A zoning ordinance amendment?
Yes.
So, like the Zoning Enabling Act?
Okay.
So, yeah.
So that's required by zoning enabling?
Yes.
All right.
Yes.
Thank you.
Yes.
No.
Any other dis-
Well...
Okay, Mary, sorry. Go ahead, Mary.
No, under the act, there has to be a public hearing.
It is held before the planning commission.
When it comes to council, if an item has a certain, it's
important, significant, then council kind of has to have the discretion to
hold a public hearing.
Okay.
I believe this item is very significant to
development, so it's warranted to have a public hearing.
Okay. I don't have any objection to having a public hearing.
So I was curious as to with changing an
ordinance. We've changed ordinance before without a public hearing.
But the significance, I think the importance, that's fine.
Accept public comments if there are any.
Thank you for the clarification.
Any other discussion?
Hearing and seeing none. I'll call to question. Ms. Moore?
Yes.
Mr. Lafferty?
Yes.
Ms. McGee?
Yes.
Mr. Boyke?
Yes.
Mr. Dwyer?
Yes.
Mr. Noonan?
Yes.
Rogan, C is a yes. Motion carries. Next item.
13B, consideration and adoption of the resolution of quoting easement agreement
with GTE for 13700-13750
Cedonia under Woody Park Library, so moved.
Support, Lafferty.
Discussion?
Hearing and seeing none. I'll call to question. Ms. Moore?
Yes.
Mr. Lafferty?
Yes.
Ms. McGee?
Yes.
Mr. Noonan?
Yes.
Mr. Boyke?
Yes.
Mr. Dwyer?
Yes.
Rogan, C is a yes. Motion carries. Next item.
Next item is audience participation on general topics.
There is no audience.
Madam Chair, I would remind council that there is a closed session this Thursday.
Thank you.
Next item. Motion to adjourn.
Support, Dwyer.
All in favor?
Aye.
Any opposed?
Okay. Pass the results online?
Hmm?
Pass the results online?
Sure.