NOVI, MI - At Monday evening's meeting, the Novi City Council approved proceeding with the first two phases of an estimated $2 million dollar project to develop the "Landings Property" into a new city park. Much of the project is expected to be funded by a grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund.

The park location has a rich history in Novi, having been the former site of the Walled Lake Park Bath House, and a casino and amusement park over a half-century ago.

During the meeting, council members offered various suggestions on improving the plans. Council Member Mutch had recommendations for some changes as it relates to accessibility. Complete details of the planned development are available here.

Also at Monday's meeting, Council Member Mutch reported that the Walkable Novi Committee had met with the DNR regarding planned enhancements to Maybury Park (located on the south side of Eight Mile Road just west of Beck Road). Mutch reported that the DNR is open to looking at connecting the state park to Novi's pathways in the area.

In other business before Council Monday...

CONSENT AGENDA: All items approved as presented.

A. Approve Minutes of: 1. January 9, 2012 – Regular meeting 2. January 7, 2012 – Special meeting

B. Approval of Pawnbroker License renewal requested by Gary Weinstein, owner of Weinstein Jewelers, 41990 Grand River Avenue.

C. Approval of the final payment to MHM Construction, LLC for the Fuerst Park Lighting Phase II project in the amount of $32,646.70 and acceptance of Assignment of Contract Proceeds executed by MHM Construction, LLC authorizing the City to pay $30,231.13 of the final payment directly to Wyandotte Electric Supply Company, Inc., a subcontractor for the project.

D. Approval of Commercial Card Service Agreement, Commercial Card Rebate Amendment, and Resolution for Authorization Certificate for Purchase Card with Fifth Third Bank.

E. Approval of the final balancing change order and final pay estimate to Z-Contractors, Inc., for the Cranbrooke Drive Bridge Repair project in the amount of $8,590.95.

F. Approval of Resolution Number 2 for Special Assessment District 176 – Woodham Road Water Main Extension and setting the public hearing for February 21,2012.

G. Approval to award a contract for design engineering services for the 2012 Capital Preventative Maintenance Road program to Spalding DeDecker Associates, Inc. (SDA) for a not-to-exceed design fee of $14,708.

H. Approval to enter partnership with Crime Stoppers of Michigan for $500 from State Forfeiture Funds.

I. Approval to award an amendment to the engineering services contract for the Water Storage Feasibility Study to Orchard, Hiltz & McCliment, Inc. in the amount of $4,500 for additional study of a shared water storage tank option with Commerce Township.

J. Approval to award an amendment to the engineering services contract for the Nine Mile Road (Taft Road to Beck Road) Repaving project to Orchard, Hiltz & McCliment in the amount of $12,361 to complete the Michigan Department of Transportation requirements necessary to complete the project in 2012.

K. Approval of a Storm Drainage Facility Maintenance Easement Agreement from LaSalle Technology Centre, LLC, for the LaSalle South Technology Centre development located at 28845 Cabot Drive, in the Haggerty Corridor Corporate Park Phase 1, (parcel 22-12-200-053).

L. Acceptance of sidewalk easement from Novi Hospitality, LLC as part of the Holiday Inn Express development located at 39675 12 Mile Road between Haggerty Road and M-5 (parcel 22-13-200-034).

M. Approval of Claims and Accounts – Warrant No. 860A and 860

MATTERS FOR COUNCIL ACTION

1. Approval to award a two year fuel contract to Petroleum Traders and RKA Petroleum for Truck Transport (over 5,000 gallons) and Atlas Oil for Tank Wagon (under 5,000 gallons) through the Michigan Intergovernmental Trade Network (MITN) cooperative purchasing bid for an estimated annual amount of $365,000. APPROVED

2. Approval of Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 18.254, to amend Ordinance No.97-18 as amended, the City of Novi Zoning Ordinance, as follows: • Delete Article 23, OS-2, Planned Office Service District to eliminate an unused district; • Amend Article 12, OSC, Office Service Commercial District to add permitted uses previously referenced In Article 23; • Amend Article 23A, OST, Planned Office Service Technology District to add uses and conditions previously referenced In Article 23, add minor changes to provide clarity, and add Principal Permitted Uses Subject to Special Conditions to provide for a set of Retail Service Overlay provisions for those areas identified in the Master Plan for Land Use; • Amend Article 24, Schedule of Regulations to remove references to the OS-2 District; and • Amend Article 2, Construction of Language and Definitions, Zoning Districts and Maps, to correct listed districts. First Reading APPROVED

3. Consideration of resolution to set a public hearing for February 21, 2012 for the vacation of part of Orchard Avenue/Paul Bunyan Drive, also known as Sixth Gate, east of Novi Road and south of Grand River Avenue. POSTPONED