Novi City Council approves $35,000 in additional discretionary spending
July 19, 2011
 
NOVI, MI – At Monday's Novi City Council meeting, the coffers were once again opened up - this time for an additional $35,000 in discretionary spending.

As has been previously reported here since earlier this year, while Novi has cut back on public safety over the past couple years (eight officers, one firefighter and several support staff have been cut), discretionary spending still seems to be continuing unabated. Year-to-date, the City has spent about a half million on discretionary items.

At Monday's meeting, administration requested and Council approved $14,000 for a January 2012 dinner to recognize people who contribute to the City. At a cost of about $32 per person, this is expected to be a nice evening out at the Novi Sheraton for these contributors, and of course many city officials. Council also approved spending $21,000 on 2012 calendars for the entire city.

During the meeting, a representative from the Detroit Institute of Arts explained that Sunday, August 7th is Novi Day at the DIA. All city residents will be provided free admission for up to four people - just show your ID at the door.

County Commissioner Kathy Crawford also attended Monday's meeting, congratulating the City on being recognized as on of the top ten cities for families by Family Circle magazine. She noted that the City will also be recognized by the county on August 3rd for this honor, and all are invited.

As reported here last month, German manufacturer Tognum is planning to move their headquarters to Novi. Council granted them a tax abatement for up to 8 years as an enticement. Full details are available on the City's website.

In other business before Council on Monday...

CONSENT AGENDA: All approved as presented.

A. Approve Minutes of July 11, 2011 – Regular meeting

B. Enter Executive Session immediately following the regular meeting of July 18, 2011 in the Council Annex for the purpose of discussing City Manager and City Clerk performance evaluations. C. Approval to dispose of obsolete ballistic vests by providing them to officers in need through the Vest for Life.

D. Approval of an agreement with the Sheraton Detroit Novi to host the 2012 Appreciation Dinner, an annual event honoring Boards, Commissions, Committees and Employees for their dedication to Novi, on January 6, 2012 for the estimated amount of $14,000.

E. Approval of a one-year contract renewal to University Lithoprinters, Inc. for design and printing of the Annual Calendar in the amount $21,000.

F. Approval of the final payment to Pro-Line Asphalt Paving Corporation for the 2010 Capital Preventative Maintenance – Phase 2 project in the amount of $16,344.76.

G. Approval of the final payment to Hamlin Grading and Excavating, Inc. for the Miller Creek Pond Dredging project in the amount of $4,333.90.

H. Approval to award an amendment to the engineering services contract for construction engineering services related to the 2010 Neighborhood Road Program Phase II (Asphalt) to Spalding DeDecker Associates, Inc., in the amount of $82,810.

I. Approval of Claims and Accounts – Warrant No. 848.

MATTERS FOR COUNCIL ACTION

1. Approval of Resolution Approving Application of Tognum America, Inc. for an Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate for an approximately 68,450 square foot New Facility to be located at 39525 MacKenzie Drive in the Haggerty Corridor Corporate Park, Phase II. APPROVED

2. Consideration of Zoning Map Amendment 18.699 of Catholic Central High School for the rezoning of property in Section 18, located on the south side of Twelve Mile Road, west of Wixom Road, from the I-1, Light Industrial District to the R-4, One-Family Residential District. The subject property is 39.8 acres. APPROVED

3. Consideration of Zoning Map Amendment 18.695 to approve rezoning of an approximately 20.05-acre parcel of property, located on the north side of Eleven Mile Road between Beck and Wixom Roads in Section 17 from R-3, One-Family Residential to RM-1, Low Density, Low-Rise, Multiple-Family Residential pursuant to the Planned Rezoning Overlay provisions of the Zoning Ordinance, §3401, et seq., and to approve the corresponding Concept Plan and PRO Agreement between the City and the applicant for construction of a 120 bed, 78,560 square foot convalescent (nursing) home building. APPROVED

4. Approval of Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 18.248 to amend the City of Novi Zoning Ordinance at Article 25, “General Provisions,” Section 2515, “Fences (Residential and Non-Residential)” in order to add regulations regarding maintenance and materials, with certain exemptions. Second Reading APPROVED

5. Approval of Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 18.250 to amend the City of Novi Zoning Ordinance at Article 9, “NCC Non-Center Commercial District,” Section 902; at Article 13, “B-1 Local Business District,” Section 1302; at Article 14, “B-2 Community Business District,” Section 1402; and at Article 16, “TC and TC-1 Town Center Districts,” Section 1602, in order to add veterinary clinics as a special land use in each district. Second Reading APPROVED

6. Approval to purchase Panasonic Arbitrator 360 in-car video equipment and training from Advanced Wireless Telecom (AWT) through the Oakland County Cooperative Purchasing Contract in the amount of $136,180.41. APPROVED

7. Approval to award a construction contract for the 2010 Neighborhood Road Program Phase II (Asphalt) project to Ajax Paving Industries, Inc., the low bidder, in the amount of $517,362. APPROVED