City Council recap of Dec. 5 meeting

Allen Terrace to replace apartment flooring - Council approved a request by Interim Housing Director Nate Geinzer to apply for 2023 program funds of $7,000 from the Oakland County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for new flooring in apartments. Allen Terrace is a city-owned apartment building for seniors age 62 and older. Because Northville doesn’t have a high percentage of low-income senior citizens, CDBG grants can be used to rehabilitate senior housing. There were no comments during the public hearing portion of this agenda item. Geinzer introduced Jolyn Gismonde as the new housing director as of Dec. 1. She received a warm welcome from council. 

Farmers’ Market property under contract – Council voted in favor of having City Manager Pat Sullivan sign a purchase agreement with Mainseven, LLC for the former McDonald Ford site, on 7 Mile west of S. Main, to become the new home of the Farmers’ Market. The $1 million sale price allows the city to place a $50,000 nonrefundable deposit for a six-month due diligence period starting Oct. 31, 2022, with the option to renew that for another six months for an additional $50,000. During the six-month period, the city will explore whether there are any potential environmental hazards on the site or other impediments to building. 

Rent increase for nonprofit tenant – The City of Northville owns the property in and around Mill Race Village, including the house at 315 Griswold. Through an agreement with the Northville Historical Society, the Society manages the grounds and maintains the buildings. Initially, the house was used as a storage facility for the city and an archive for the Historical Society. Over the years, the Historical Society rented out the living space to help generate revenue for the nonprofit. In 2018, Council approved an initial lease agreement between the historical society and Living & Learning Enrichment Center to rent the house. This fall, the historical society’s board of directors voted to increase the monthly rent from $1,300 to $1,450 – the first increase in five years. Council approved the new lease agreement between the Historical Society and LLEC, which has a main location at the former Don Massey estate at 8 Mile and Griswold. 

Updated MOU with organization that assists child victims – Council approved an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Kids-TALK Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) and the City of Northville Police Department. The advocacy center coordinates the services of all appropriate agencies and professions when handling child victim cases, such as sexual assault, neglect and abuse, to ensure compliance with Wayne County’s protocol for child abuse and neglect. It also conducts forensic interviews of child victims and offers advocacy, medical services and mental health services to children and their non-offending caregivers at no cost. 

Elevator repair at Cady St. parking deck – Council approved the request by DPW Director Mike Domine to waive the bidding process and accept Otis Elevator Company’s quote to replace a failing hoistway sill at the Cady Street parking deck elevator for $10,167. The hoistway is the enclosed space that the elevator moves through as it travels between levels of the parking garage. 

DDA to hire consultant for changes in boundaries – Council approved a $15,000 proposal from Beckett & Raeder to provide professional services to amend the text and boundaries of the DDA’s TIF and development plan. The DDA will request reimbursement from Hunter Pasteur Northville for the cost since these items are needed solely to finance the development project at the Downs. Partner John Iacoangeli has assisted the DDA previously with other TIF and development plan amendments and with two strategic plans for Downtown Northville. 

Contracted administrative support – Council approved a proposal with Nate Geinzer of Double Haul Solutions to provide short-term project coordination and grant management on strategic plan priority projects. The proposal enables Double Haul to provide 40-80 hours per month of assistance with the non-motorized plan update RFP, Farmers’ Market transition and feasibility study, and coordinate financial strategy for prioritized projects with Vettraino Consulting. In addition, Geinzer will assist the new housing director with transitional support since he was the interim housing director. 

Re: public comment on Double Haul’s proposal 

Nancy Darga, 516 N. Center, noted that deliverables weren’t spelled out in the scope of services in the proposal. She stated that any consultant hired needs to work collaboratively with the task forces to tap into their knowledge, continuity and connections. She said this wasn’t done in the past and the city missed out on some grant opportunities. She said the city brought in $3 million in funding due in part to the task force’s involvement. She said there are four more grants that amount to $1.9 million that the city should be applying for. 

Kathy Spillane, 487 W. Cady, said bundling the projects won’t result in desired outcomes. She said residents are concerned about traffic with the new development, and mentioned the work accomplished by the mobility network, a volunteer subcommittee of various task forces. She says the group has a lot of knowledge of the non-motorized pathway plan and should be involved with this consultant’s work on the project.  

Note: Council members had a long discussion about administrative roles, how consultants fit in, and how to tap into the knowledge base of task forces to achieve short-term and strategic goals. Please watch the tape to learn their views on this matter, starting with the mayor’s comments at 1:17:50.

General public comments

Nancy Darga, 516 N. Center, said she wants the city to hire a project manager dedicated to the Downs project. She said it’s imperative to carefully choose people by defining expectations and results. She called for competitive proposals to be obtained when consultant services are needed to ensure the city is getting the right expertise for the project. 

Ed Brazen, 370 Fairbrook, said he doesn’t like the way things are going in the city, citing the downtown street closures, approval of the Downs preliminary PUD site plan, and plans for a traffic roundabout. He accused council members of not being transparent. He said, “None of you listen to us. We voted for you to do the will of the people.” 

Jeff Snyder, 508 Gardner, said the Downs is going to be a colossal project and it requires that an administrative manager be hired by the city to oversee it. 

Council communication 

Mayor Brian Turnbull thanked City Clerk Dianne Massa for her years of service to the city of Northville as she retires on Dec. 9. She received a standing ovation from council members and guests in the room. Massa said, “It has been an honor and a privilege to be Northville’s clerk for the past 24 years. I will miss you all.” 

Council Member Andrew Krenz said he’s willing to sit with anyone in this city to go over the plans that have been approved by City Council in recent months. He said anyone wanting to do this should send him an email. He noted that civil people disagree every day and that meeting face-to-face is the best way to discuss things. 

Council Member Marilyn Price said she wanted to call out an outstanding citizen – her husband, Don – and also noted that it was their 35th wedding anniversary. 

Mayor Pro Tem Barbara Moroski-Browne said she wants to keep the five-minute time limit for citizens’ comments. Mayor Brian Turnbull was trying out a new three-minute time limit, allowing more time if needed. She also reminded residents that contact information for all city council members is on the city website. 

View the meeting video here.

Photo: Aerial view of Allen Terrace. File photo by CV Media.

Seeing creative concepts at street level

Designers from Grissim, Metz and Andriese (GMA) conducted a walking tour of Downtown Northville on Nov. 7 that showed members of the community how the streets could be revitalized as part of the pedestrian plan. At stops along the walking tour, the GMA team explained the concepts planned for the gateway at Main and Center, common space, merchant space and Town Square. 

The structures owned by restaurants and retailers, and pods and stands owned by the DDA are a big part of the street scene. The appearance of those structures is a topic being addressed by GMA, the DDA and the Historic District Commission. 

The tour was preceded with a summary presentation by the GMA team, who showed concepts (previously presented at DDA Advisory Committee meetings) to approximately 75 people in the audience. It was fitting that the meeting began inside the Marquis Theater, an iconic historic building on Main St. that is poised to provide a new entertainment venue. Questionnaires were made available to participants to solicit their ideas on activating the streets and gather feedback on the GMA plan to date. Others can request copies from DDA Director Lori Ward.

Street safety on Main and Center is being addressed by Fleis and Vandenbrink (See article below).

Photos: Some of the stops along the walking tour. Photos by Liz Cezat.

Community input needed for engineering aspects of pedestrian plan

The Department of Public Works and Fleis & Vandenbrink (F&V) are holding a public meeting on Thursday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. at City Hall to gather input from the community on the pedestrian plan for the Downtown Northville street closures and surrounding streets, as it impacts walkability, new vehicle traffic patterns, safe crosswalks and more.

To aid in gathering input for the meeting, an interactive web page has been developed that presents a map of the area being reviewed. This application gives people the ability to mark areas of concern and leave comments (view it here). All data received will help provide a better understanding of public concerns.

City Council approved a $59,800 contract with F&V with support from MKSK to study traffic patterns and pedestrian safety in and around the closed streets of Downtown Northville and recommend strategies to improve traffic flow. The scope of work will evaluate pedestrian safety improvements to be made within a 1,200 foot radius of Center and Main; and conduct a neighborhood traffic management plan for the non-arterial roads between 7 Mile and 8 Mile and between Rogers and S. Main/Northville Road. 

DPW and F&V are collaborating with the Mobility Network, which is a sub team of the  Sustainability Team and River Restoration Task Force.

F&V’s report will be integrated with Grissim Metz Andriese’s street design and activation recommendations for the pedestrian/business environment on the closed sections of Main Street and N. Center

Volunteers needed to fill role on Northville Senior Advisory Commission

The city of Northville is accepting applications for qualified volunteers interested in serving on the Northville Senior Advisory Commission, which acts as an advisory board for senior services and programs in the Northville community.

The application is available on the city website. To be considered, applications must be submitted by Dec. 16.

Applicants must be a resident of the city of Northville (at least two years) and a registered voter in the city. Meetings are held at 1 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at Northville Community Center. Learn more on the city website or contact Interim Parks and Recreation Director Debra Bilbrey-Honsowetz.

Photo: Senior transportation is among the services overseen by this commission. File photo by Liz Cezat.

Northvillians and friends,

This week, as we continue to get ready for the Holidays, let’s see how Northville embraced the “Industrial Revolution” as it migrated from a milling town with folks journeying down the Erie Canal from the East Coast to the Michigan territory in the 1820’s. The “Northville Dreams” series (which started last week and spans the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries), is intended to help you witness how this town grew into what it is today. 

View the entire letter here or on the city website.

Keep that Northville Faith!

Brian Turnbull

Mayor, Northville

Doing Business

Tis the season for winter tax bills

Winter tax bills have been mailed. Winter 2022 taxes are due Dec. 1 and payable without penalty and/or interest through Feb. 14. On Feb. 15, 2023, a 3% penalty will be added.

Taxpayers who live in Oakland County, north of 8 Mile, will see an additional tax on their winter tax bill to cover the voter-approved .95 mill transportation millage to maintain and expand public transit services in Oakland County for the next 10 years. 

Online payments for utility bills, taxes and more 

Citizens can pay online for taxes, utilities, delinquent property taxes and other miscellaneous payments. Go directly to the BS&A website and enter your address. You will be redirected to the Point & Pay website to make a payment, which also includes a convenience fee of 3% for credit cards (minimum $2) and for e-checks a $3 fee for payments up to $10,000 or $10 for any amount over $10,000. 

Save time – schedule inspections online

The City of Northville offers online inspection scheduling. Contractors and homeowners may schedule inspections using an online portal to request all types of inspections, such as building, electrical, plumbing and heating. Users need an assigned permit number, obtained from the City Building Dept., when using the Inspection portal. If you are requesting an inspection for the following business day, it must be scheduled by 3:30 p.m.

Around Town

Report water main breaks

Each year the City of Northville has between 10 and 20 water main breaks. If you see water bubbling out of the ground on City property, contact the Public Works Department at 248-449-9930 or 248- 349-1234 after hours and report its location. The sooner the leak is identified and reported, the quicker it can be repaired, reducing the chances of contamination entering the water system and minimizing the cost for lost water.

It’s time for cemetery blankets and wreaths 

Winter grave blankets and wreaths are permitted Nov. 15 to March 1. At that time, these holiday items will need to be removed by the owner if they want to keep them. Otherwise, the maintenance staff will dispose of them. During the holidays, many people place items such as pumpkins, Christmas trees, and other holiday decorations on or near grave sites. Any of these items that are unsightly or interfere with normal cemetery maintenance will be removed.

Have fun in city and township Parks

There are many parks – large and small – available for individuals, families and groups of friends to gather in both the city and township. Some are small pocket parks located within a neighborhood; others are larger spaces with plenty of room for nature hikes, ball playing or frisbee tossing. Some parks have play structures. Check out the variety of parks maintained by Northville Parks and Recreation on the department’s legend/map. All the parks are open to the public. (Membership is required at the dog park.) 

At Home

Compost collection

Leaf pickup has ended. The last compost collection for the season will be next week. Residents can continue to rely on brush pick-up throughout winter. Place twigs and branches on your property by the curb on your regular trash pick-up day. When compost season resumes in the spring, brush can once again be placed in or near compost containers.

Northville Police Department has free gun safety locks

Don’t take the risk of having an unlocked gun get into the wrong hands - especially if you have young children and teenagers. You can pick up a free gun safety lock at the Northville Police Department lobby. There are no forms to fill out and no waiting. 

Sewer back ups  

An individual making a claim for property damage or physical injury due to sewerage backup on their property must prove that the public sewer had a defect. Further, they must prove that the City of Northville knew or should have known about the defect, in the exercise of reasonable diligence, and failed to take timely action to repair or remedy the defect.

These steps are outlined in the State of Michigan’s Public Act 222 of 2001, known as sewer backup legislation. The legislation clarifies when municipalities are liable for sewer backups, sets standards to determine the extent to which a municipality is liable, and provides a process to seek compensation when a backup occurs.

If you experience an overflow or backup of a sewage disposal system or storm water system and seek reimbursement, you must file a written claim with the City of Northville within 45 days after the overflow or backup is discovered. Claim forms may be obtained online, by calling DPW at 248-449-9930 or inquiring at the front desk of City Hall.

When presenting a written claim, you will be required to provide the following items:

-Copies of receipts for cleaning costs, plumbing bills, or other bills.

-List of the damaged items and receipts to prove the age of your items. Reimbursement for the actual cash value of damaged items is the maximum amount payable.

- If possible, bring pictures of items damaged during the storm water or sewer back-up.

The filing of a claim does not guarantee reimbursement.

Most homeowner’s insurance does not cover sewage backups but insurance often can be obtained as an added item. Also, consider having a plumber install a check valve - backflow preventer - to reduce the risk of backups and related damage.