Sher - Dexter, Michigan



THE CITY OF DEXTER CITY COUNCIL MEETINGMONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2019A. CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council Meeting was called to order at 7:08 PM by Mayor Keough at the Dexter Senior Center located at 7720 Ann Arbor Street in Dexter, Michigan. B. ROLL CALL: Mayor Keough S. BellP. CousinsD. FisherJ. KnightZ. MichelsJ. SmithStudent Representatives:A. Covert - AB I. Malek – AB Also present at Council Meeting: Courtney Nicholls, City Manager; Michelle Aniol, Community Development Manager; Mike Auerbach, Assistant Planner; Carol Jones, Recording Secretary; residents and media.C. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:1. City Council Work Session – November 25, 20192. Regular City Council Meeting – November 25, 2019Motion Smith; support Knight to approve the minutes of the November 25, 2019 City Council Work Session and the November 25, 2019 Regular City Council Meeting with the following corrections:Page 4, the last line of the Public Hearing motion, “he” should be “the” andPage 5, Public Services Superintendent, the last bullet point, “ewuipment” should be “equipment”. Unanimous voice vote approval. D. PRE-ARRANGED PARTICIPATION: 1. City Auditor Rana Emmons, PSLZ Ms. Emmons reviewed the 2018-2019 Audit stating that Dexter achieved an unqualified audit opinion which is the highest level for an audit. Ms. Emmons highlighted areas of achievement by the City, which include increase in tax revenue; increase in investment earnings, projects begun or finished, including Mill Creek Park Phase 2, DTE Substation Removal, Central Street Reconstruction, and pedestrian safety, headworks project, water tower improvements; increase in tap fees; paying down principal on bonds; and management of retirement fund and OPEB liability. Consideration of: Acceptance of FY 2018-2019 AuditMotion Cousins; support Fisher to accept the Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Audit.Ayes: Cousins, Bell, Knight, Michels, Smith, Fisher and Keough Nays: NoneMotion carries E. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:Motion Fisher; support Smith to approve the agenda as presented. Unanimous voice vote approval. F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None G. NON-ARRANGED PARTICIPATION:Jim Pulford of 6967 Wellington Drive has lived in Dexter Crossing for 12 years and grew up poor experiencing many of the issues faced by potential Avalon residents. He cited crime comparisons between the Pauline Avalon facility and 7480 Dan Hoey. Sue Sherrill of 3435 Edison Street spoke of residents, in particular veterans and single moms, in the Avalon project and the issues that these residents have. She feels that this is not the place to put a housing development and children could be put in danger.Terry Scherdt of 6776 Joy Road reported on the type of housing that will be in the Avalon project – low income and supportive; and how supportive housing residents come from a list throughout Washtenaw County. She has concerns with these residents being so close to the elementary schools and asked if such a project is filling the need for the community. Barbara Locks of 4881 Strawberry Lake Road compared when she came to Dexter as a child and housing was more affordable then than it is today. She feels that people are assuming that all residents of the Avalon’s project are drug addicts, however there are addicts all over the area. Avalon supportive housing provides a safety net for veterans and those with mental disabilities. Jamie Griffin of 463 Preston Circle stated that she has asked questions related to the need in Dexter for supportive housing and why should it be place across from the elementary schools, but has not received an answer. She also identified community members who are connected with Faith in Action who may influence the community. Michael Wendorf of 4274 Upper Glade Court and President of the Dexter Board of Education spoke as an individual feeling that the location does not hinder the protection of the children, and children who live in low and supportive housing need our schools also. Lynne Cody of 519 Coventry Circle spoke of working at Ann Arbor Schools when low income housing opened in the district and many families took their children out of the schools. Sheri Montoye, Director of Faith in Action spoke of the project and that Faith in Action will be the provider of supportive services for the people who live in the apartments and that the services provided are tailored to the residents’ needs.Jane Boyce of 9441 Lakeview Drive spoke of being a long time Dexter resident, a member of Faith in Action and Family Services, a former teacher in Dexter Schools, and supports the project. She has talked to people who have had to move due to housing and feels that those opposing the project are fearful. Taryn Scherer of 7231 York Street has been in the area since 1985 and has had experience renting a home to Section 8 clients. She said that she had recently moved into the City but was not aware of this project and wonders who is going to monitor the residents of the Avalon development. Doug Smith, Social Worker with Faith in Action stated that Avalon was invited to Dexter by Faith in Action to help those who are in need in Dexter. Faith in Action works with the residents as they are doing now with those in the Chelsea project. Kurt Hiser of 3607 Wilson Drive is attending the meeting as a concerned citizen who first heard about the project a few weeks ago and supports inclusiveness but has an issue with the proximity to the schools. Virginia Wheeler of 3223 Jennings Road lives in the Dexter Area School District who has just heard about this project. She feels that nothing is wrong with the project but is concerned about the placement near to the schools. Roger Koback of 7812 Fourth Street thanked Council Members for serving the community. He feels that City Council has a fiduciary responsibility to the citizens of Dexter on the sale of this property to a non-profit with a loss of tax revenue. Cynthia Pulford of 6967 Wellington Drive inquired as to why the residents aren’t able to vote on this issue. She also inquired as to what the next steps are with the project.Travis Otto of 10144 King Hill Court spoke of growing up disadvantaged and now has a successful business. He feels that we need to consider this project because Dexter needs it.Jake Crawford of 6937 Kingsley Circle has lived in Dexter for three and a half years but did not know about this project. He feels that it is disingenuous to not bring the issue to a vote. H. COMMUNICATIONS:1. Upcoming Meeting List2. Sign CalendarThe following updates were given regarding the meeting list:WATS is cancelled in DecemberWAVE is cancelled in DecemberChamber of Commerce meetings in December are moved to December 16, 2019 for the Board Meeting and December 17, 2019 for a Workshop. I. REPORTS: 1. Public Services Superintendent – Dan SchlaffMr. Schlaff submits his written report as per packet. In Mr. Schlaff’s absence, Ms. Nicholls provided the following updates: Due to the water main break on Thanksgiving, I approved the $5500 cost for the repairs.There was an untimely need of repairs to the leaf machine and the DPW is continuing leaf pickup until Friday, December 13, 2019.2. Community Development Manager – Michelle AniolMs. Aniol submits her written report as per packet. Ms. Aniol provided the following updates:Mr. Augustine is concerned with the location and attachment of the Trailblazer sign for Jolly Pumpkin into the existing sign post. It will need to be placed on its own sign post at its location in the Industrial Park. The draft report from the Housing Task Force is included in your packet and would like to know how Council would like to handle the report. City Council discussed holding a Work Session in January 2020 to go over the report. 3. Board, Commission & Other Reports None 4. Subcommittee Reports None5. City Manager Report – Courtney Nicholls Ms. Nicholls submits her written report as per packet. Ms. Nicholls provided the following updates:The Ice Rink was installed today.We need to replace Council Member Michels on the Election Commission as he will be on the ballot in 2020.The website should be able to go live on Thursday.The new rapid flashing beacons are functioning and the old removed. The pavement markings will be done as weather permits.Council Member Smith requested a brief Work Session to review the material for a ballot issue on Facilities. 6. Mayor Report – Shawn KeoughMr. Keough submits his written report as per packet. Mr. Keough provided the following updates:I am wishing all a nice Holiday Season.On December 6, 2019, I took a tour of the Avalon housing facilities around Ann Arbor.I answered an email from a new Dexter resident about the Avalon project and I am wondering how to get the word out to residents about the project. Discussion followed.We need to replace Mr. Michels on the Election Commission. Discussion followed.7. Council Member ReportsNone J. CONSENT AGENDA:1. Consideration of: Bills and Payroll in the amount of $163,280.912. Consideration of: Setting a Public Hearing for January 13, 2020 to Consider Amendments to the Coal Tar Ordinance3. Consideration of: Setting a Public Hearing for January 13, 2020 to Consider Amendments to the Fireworks Ordinance Motion Fisher; support Smith to approve items 1, 2 and 3 of the Consent Agenda. Ayes: Bell, Cousins, Fisher, Smith, Michels, Knight and KeoughNays: NoneMotion carriesK. OLD BUSINESS-Consideration and Discussion of:NoneL. NEW BUSINESS-Consideration and Discussion of: 1. Consideration of: Recommendation from the Arts, Culture & Heritage Committee to Create the Position of Part Time Paint Dexter Event Coordinator. Motion Cousins; support Fisher to approve the recommendation of the Arts, Culture & Heritage Committee to create the Position of Part Time Paint Dexter Event Coordinator. Ayes: Smith, Bell, Cousins, Fisher, Knight, Michels and Keough Nays: NoneMotion carriesM. COUNCIL COMMENTS:MichelsThis is for City staff regarding the comments tonight from people not knowing what was going on in the City with Avalon Housing, you have done a good job of getting the word out.KnightNoneSmithNone. JonesI’m very impressed with the work on the SAW Grant. I remember the days - 50 years or more - with the DPW consisting of Si Green and S.T. Wheeler who kept the information of the streets, sewers and water in their heads.FisherNoneBellNoneCousinsMy son was one of the crew for the movie “Knives Out”. CovertAbsentMalekAbsent N. NON-ARRANGED PARTICIPATION:None O. CLOSED SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING LABOR NEGOTIATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH MCL 15.268Motion Smith; support Bell to go into Closed Session to discuss labor negotiations in accordance with MCL 15.268 with the following non-Council Members present at the meeting: Carol Jones, Recording Secretary and Courtney Nicholls, City Manager at 9:21 PM.Ayes: Fisher, Smith, Cousins, Knight, Michels, Bell and KeoughNays: NoneMotion carriesMotion Smith; support Knight to leave Closed Session at 9:41 PM.Ayes: Bell Michels, Knight, Cousins, Smith, Fisher and KeoughNays: NoneMotion carriesP. ADJOURNMENTMotion Smith; support Bell to adjourn the meeting at 9:42 PM.Unanimous voice vote approval. Respectfully submitted,Justin BreyerCity Clerk and Assistant to the City ManagerApproved for Filing: _______ ................
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