Page 3 - eagle070220

July 2, 2020 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN PAGE 3

ROMULUS
ROMULUS

Council considers appointment to zoning board

Adding a member of the city ing within the Romulus bound- Wayne County Circuit Court and
council to the Zoning Board of aries and has the power to ” that could lead to a conflict of
Appeals in Romulus isn't as sim- authorize exceptions to the zon- Sitting and observing and not voting interest were the city to become
ple as it might seem. ing regulations by a majority isn't going to be effective in representing embroiled in litigation.
During the electronic regular vote. “I have no problem putting a
meeting of the council last week, “I realize it is not required by the people of Romulus. council member on the ZBA,” he
several elected officials were in the charter,” Abdo said, “but it is said. “Let's look into it, but we
favor of adding Councilwoman necessary to have a member of can't solve this in the middle of
Kathy Abdo to the five-member the council on the ZBA for trans- explained that a non-voting she wanted to be there to inform people's terms.”
board, but after a great deal of parency.” She noted that while member “sitting and observing her colleagues,” Webb said when He suggested that the council
discussion, settled for taking the the charter “does not speak to it, and not voting isn't going to be Hitchcock explained the charter approve the reappointments of
action when the next regular it is not prohibited. We need effective in representing the peo- provisions. Abdo said that cur- July Alison and Emery Long to
term on the board expires. That someone from the council,” she ple of Romulus.” rently members of the council do the Zoning Board of Appeals
date will be reported to the said. Councilman Williams not have a vote in the actions of with terms to expire in 2023 and
council at their next meeting, Councilwoman Eva Webb was Wadsworth asked which of the the Zoning Board of Appeals that John Clark be appointed as
according to City Clerk Ellen strongly in favor of taking the current members would then actions. “They vote and once an alternate to the ZBA, his term
Craig-Bragg who explained to action and placing Abdo on the have to be eliminated as the they make a decision, it is final,” expiring in 2022.
the council members that she board and encouraged her col- terms of two re-appointments to she said. “The ZBA has the final Council members agreed to
did not have that exact date leagues to make the appoint- the board and one alternate say on variances.” that motion by unanimous vote
readily at hand. ment despite the caution from were on the meeting agenda. Following a suggestion that with Councilwoman Celeste
Abdo explained at the meet- city attorney Steve Hitchcock Webb responded that they the city attorney research the Roscoe absent.
ing that she had brought this who reminded the council that didn't have to take anyone off, issue, Craig-Bragg reminded the During discussion of the
issue up eight months ago and the charter provides for five vot- they could all remain on board. council members that there motion, Abdo suggested that
there has still been no action ing members of the Zoning She said that the council did not were three expiring terms and when the next term expires on
regarding her request to have a Board of Appeals and while it currently know what is going on that the ZBA had a meeting the ZBA, a member of the coun-
council member be appointed to does not prohibit the appoint- at the ZBA and that if the council scheduled July 1, making imme- cil be appointed. The council
the board. She told the board ment of a councilperson, it does had a representative on the diate action on the reappoint- unofficially agreed to that sug-
members repeatedly that some- not allow for six voting members. board, the flow of information ments necessary. gestion and Craig-Bragg said she
one from the elected body Webb suggested that Abdo be would be greatly improved. Wadsworth reminded the would provide the date of that
should be on the Zoning Board appointed to the board as a non- “I didn't think she wanted to council members that decisions next term expiration at the next
of Appeals which regulates zon- voting member, but Abdo be a voting member, I thought at the ZBA could be appealed to council meeting.
Weed cutting regulations in effect in Romulus

”
Now that summer has apparently $100 for each violation, along with other
arrived, property owners and occupants Failure to cut the growths could result costs.
in Romulus had until June 21 to ensure Property owners, occupants or man-
that any weeds, grass or underbrush at in an administration fee of $200 to $300 agers who do not comply will find the
the site was cut to required heights. along with the cost of the cutting weeds trimmed or destroyed by city work-
Romulus is one of many local commu- ers and will receive invoices for the fees
nities with a Noxious Weed Ordinance in addition to a civil infraction fine of $100 and cuttings.
that requires the trimming of weeds, for each violation, along with other costs. The first weed cutting in the city took-
brush or underbrush by owners of land. place the week of June 21 through June
The ordinance was designed, officials 27. Workers will again visit noxious or
said, to ensure that the weeds and growth high grass and weed sites for cutting the
did not become a detriment to public exceed the maximum height proscribed the city if the violation occurs outside the week of July 19 through July 25 and gain
health. in the ordinance. Noxious weeks, which regular cutting schedule. Those who Sept. 13 through Sept. 18.
Owners, agents or occupants who have could cause health problems should be receive a notice from the city will have A final weed cutting by city employees
control of the property or parcel of land in completely destroyed by property owners five days from the date of the notification is set for the week of Oct. 11 through Oct.
the city have a duty, according to the ordi- or occupants. to comply. Failure to cut the growths 17. According to the city ordinance, subse-
nance, to keep the vegetation trimmed to Owners of property where noxious could result in an administration fee of quent cutting may take place if necessary
no higher than 8 inches. All residential weeks or vegetation violate the city regu- $200 to $300 along with the cost of the cut- throughout the growing season, each time
and subdivided lots must be cut and not lation height will receive a notice from ting in addition to a civil infraction fine of at the expense of the property owner.
Police investigation continues

A shooting that took place in Officers also found multiple shell cas-
Romulus June 6 remains under investi- ings and broken glass at the scene.
gation. Police said they are seeking Walter
According to police reports, officers Lee Shackelford, 20, who drives a black
were called to the 2800 block of Zellmer 2006 GMC Yukon for questioning about
Street at about 9 a.m. Saturday, June 6. the incident.
When officers arrived they found two Officers said anyone with informa-
male subjects suffering apparent gun- tion about Shackelford's location should
shot wounds. The men were transported call the Romulus Police Department at
by emergency responders to a nearby (734) 941-8400. Callers can remain
hospital for treatment. anonymous, police said.

To subscribe to The Eagle call 734-467-1900.

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ROMULUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING
June 8, 2020
Romulus City Hall Council Chambers, 11111 Wayne Rd, Romulus, MI 48174
Meeting called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem, John Barden.
Pledge of Allegiance – Led by Councilman William Wadsworth
The council meeting was held in accordance to Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020--48, (1) (a), that a
meeting of a public body may be held electronically, by telephone or video conferencing, in a manner in which
both the general public and the members of the public body may participate by electronic means.
Roll Call
Present: Kathy Abdo, John Barden, Celeste Roscoe, Tina Talley, William Wadsworth, Eva Webb,
Virginia Williams
Absent / Excused: None
Administrative Officials in Attendance:
Ellen L. Craig-Bragg, Clerk
Stacy Paige, Treasurer
1. Agenda
A. Moved by Kathy Abdo, seconded by Eva Webb for Approval of the Agenda.
Motion Carried Unanimously
2. Minutes
A. Res. #20 -132 Moved by William Wadsworth, seconded by Kathy Abdo for approval of the min-
utes from the Regular meeting held on Monday, June 1, 2020. Motion Carried Unanimously
3. Petitioner - None
4. Chairperson’s Report, John Barden, Mayor Pro-Tem.
A. Res. # 20-133 Moved by Kathy Abdo, seconded by William Wadsworth to adopt a resolution to
waive the permit requirement for the City-wide, No Fee, Garage and Yard Sale, scheduled for June
th
th
th
11 , 12 , 13 th & 14 .
Motion Carried Unanimously
Moved by Celeste Roscoe, seconded by Tina Talley to Accept the Chairperson’s Report.
Motion Carried Unanimously
5. Mayor’s Report – LeRoy D. Burcroff, Mayor – No Report
6. Clerk’s Report – Ellen L. Craig-Bragg, Clerk
A. Approval of the Proposed 2020-2021 Fee Schedule
Moved by Celeste Roscoe, seconded by Tina Talley to approve the Proposed 2020-2021 Fee
Schedule. After discussion, Council decided to postpone this item until the next Council meeting on
June 22, 2020. The maker of the motion rescinded the motion on the floor and the following resolu
tion was adopted: (one member of the public requested to speak).
Res. #20- 134 Moved by Celeste Roscoe, seconded by Kathy Abdo to postpone the Proposed
2020-2021 Fee Schedule to the June 22, 2020 Regular Council meeting.
Motion Carried Unanimously
7. Treasurer’s Report – Stacy Paige, Treasurer
A. Quarterly Report Ended March 31, 2020 was presented by Brian Quinn.
8. Public Comment -None
9. Unfinished Business
10. New Business
11. Warrant
A. Res. # 20-135 Moved by Kathy Abdo, seconded by Celeste Roscoe for Approval of Warrant # 20-11
for checks presented in the amount of $1,044,747.49. Motion Carried Unanimously
12. Communication
Councilwoman Talley reminded everyone to remember to pray for the nation, state, and community and
spoke about the 2020 Census. Ÿ Councilwoman Williams announced Forgotten Harvest will be at the
High School from 12:00 noon to 3:00pm; and spoke about the peaceful protest march that took place on
Saturday, 6/6/2020.
13. Adjournment
Moved by William Wadsworth, seconded by Celeste Roscoe to adjourn the meeting.
A. Motion Carried Unanimously
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
I, Ellen L. Craig-Bragg, Clerk for the City of Romulus, Michigan do hereby certify the foregoing to be a
true copy of the minutes of the regular meeting of the Romulus City Council held on June 8, 2020.
RM0504 - 070220 2.5 x 7.504