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December 7, 2017
MINUTES OF REGULAR ROMULUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING
November 13, 2017
Romulus City Hall Council Chambers, 11111 Wayne Rd. Romulus, MI 48174
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Pro-Tem John Barden.
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call:
Kathleen Abdo, John Barden, Celeste Roscoe, Tina Talley, William Wadsworth, , Eva Webb, Virginia
Williams.
Administrative Officials in Attendance:
LeRoy D. Burcroff, Mayor
Ellen L. Craig-Bragg, Clerk
Stacy Paige, Treasurer
1.
Moved by
Wadsworth,
seconded by
Roscoe
to accept the agenda as amended.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
– Abdo,
Barden, Roscoe, Talley, Wadsworth Webb, Williams.
Nays
– None.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
17-387 2A.
Moved by
Wadsworth,
seconded by
Abdo,
to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the
Romulus City Council held on November 6, 2017.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
– Abdo, Barden, Roscoe, Talley,
Wadsworth, Webb, Williams.
Nays
– None.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
4. Chairperson’s Report:
Mayor Pro-Tem John Barden announced that the APA’s annual community Thanksgiving dinner will be held on
Friday, November 17, 2017 – for more information contact Darnell Hearst at 734-746-2656.
4.
Moved by
Roscoe,
seconded by
Abdo
to accept the Chairperson’s Report.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
– Abdo, Barden,
Roscoe, Talley, Wadsworth, Webb, Williams.
Nays
– None.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
5. Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Burcroff presented a video of upcoming City events.
17-388 5A.
Moved by
Abdo,
seconded by
Webb
to concur with the administration and approve the appointment
of Sylvia Makowski to the Municipal Library Board with a term to expire on April 11, 2018.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
– Abdo, Barden, Roscoe, Talley, Wadsworth, Webb, Williams.
Nays
– None.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
17-389 5B.
Moved by
Wadsworth,
seconded by
Roscoe
to concur with the administration and authorize the mayor
and clerk to amend the existing subscription agreement with Munetrix in order to include the Financial Data
Analytic Tool to the City’s platform and also waive the bidding process as the additional cost would be
$1,975.20, for a total cost of $7,945.20.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
– Abdo, Barden, Roscoe, Talley, Wadsworth, Webb,
Williams.
Nays
– None.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
17-390 5C.
Moved by
Roscoe,
seconded by
Abdo
to concur with the administration and authorize the closure of
Goddard Road between Porter Street and the bowling alley, beginning at 5:30 p.m. and ending at 6:00 p.m. on
Wednesday, November 22, 2017.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
– Abdo, Barden, Roscoe, Talley, Wadsworth, Webb,
Williams.
Nays
– None.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
17-391 5D.
Moved by
Wadsworth,
seconded by
Abdo
to concur with the administration and appoint Celeste
Roscoe as the City Council representative on the City of Romulus Planning Commission. The appointment to be
concurrent with Councilperson Roscoe’s City Council term.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
– Abdo, Barden, Roscoe, Talley,
Wadsworth, Webb, Williams.
Nays
– None.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
6A. Clerk’s Report:
City Clerk, Ellen Craig-Bragg, announced that any items left in the cemetery after November 16 th will be discard-
ed.
17-392 6A1.
Moved by
Webb,
seconded by
Roscoe
to appoint Councilwoman Tina Talley as Chairwoman Pro-
Tem.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
– Abdo, Barden, Roscoe, Talley, Wadsworth, Webb, Williams.
Nays
– None.
Motion
Carried Unanimously.
17-393 6A2.
Moved by
Wadsworth,
seconded by
Abdo
to schedule the regular meetings of the Romulus City
Council on the first, second and fourth Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
– Abdo, Barden,
Roscoe, Talley, Wadsworth, Webb, Williams.
Nays
– None.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
17-394 6A3.
Moved by
Abdo,
seconded by
Talley
to adopt Robert’s Rules of Order as the official form of parlia-
mentary procedure for the Council meetings.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
– Abdo, Barden, Roscoe, Talley, Wadsworth,
Webb, Williams.
Nays
– None.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
17-395 6A4.
Moved by
Roscoe,
seconded by
Abdo
to appoint Mayor Pro-Tem Barden, Councilwoman Talley,
and Councilman Wadsworth to the Advisory Appointment Committee.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
– Abdo, Barden,
Roscoe, Talley, Wadsworth, Webb, Williams.
Nays
– None.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
17-396 6A5.
Moved by
Talley,
seconded by
Wadsworth
to concur with the recommendation of City Clerk Ellen
Craig-Bragg and approve the appointment of Barbara Fitzgerald as Deputy Clerk.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
– Abdo,
Barden, Roscoe, Talley, Wadsworth, Webb, Williams.
Nays
– None.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
17-397 6A6.
Moved by
Roscoe,
seconded by
Wadsworth
to appoint Councilwoman Abdo to the City of Romulus
(Employee) Pension Committee.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
– Abdo, Barden, Roscoe, Talley, Wadsworth, Webb,
Williams.
Nays
– None
Motion Carried Unanimously
17-398 6A7.
Moved by
Roscoe,
seconded by
Abdo
to appoint Councilman Wadsworth to serve as the City
Retirees’ Healthcare Council Representative for a two-year term.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
– Abdo, Barden, Roscoe,
Talley, Webb, Williams.
Nays
– None.
Abstain
– Wadsworth.
Motion Carried.
6A8.
Deleted from Clerk’s Report and added to Mayor’s Report (5D).
17-399 6A9.
Moved by
Wadsworth,
seconded by
Roscoe
to appoint Councilwoman Abdo as the Council liaison
to the Cemetery Board of Trustees with the term to run concurrent with Councilwoman Abdo’s Council term.
Discussion: Councilwoman Webb asked Councilwoman Abdo if this appointment will interfere with her other
appointment; answer no.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
– Abdo, Barden, Roscoe, Talley, Wadsworth, Webb, Williams.
Nays
– None.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
17-400 6A10(a).
Moved by
Roscoe,
seconded by
Wadsworth
to concur with the recommendation of the Property
Disposition Committee and approve the following:
Discussion: Councilman Wadsworth inquired about the property coming back to the City.
Councilwoman Williams asked about the plans for the properties; Tim Keyes, Economic Development Director
replied – demolition.
The City of Romulus wishes to acquire the following parcels that are listed on the “Unsold Tax Foreclosure
Properties for Year 2017” list dated 11.01.2017:
80 015 99 0007 000 aka 6578 Washington
80 020 01 0068 000 aka vacant land on Park Place
80 020 01 0069 000 aka 36282 Park Place
80 020 01 0070 000 aka vacant land on Park Place
80 030 01 0001 000 aka vacant land at Ecorse & Ozga
80 044 01 0495 000 aka 7331 Kempa
80 048 99 0002 000 aka 28585 Smith
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
– Abdo, Barden, Roscoe, Talley, Wadsworth, Webb, Williams.
Nays
– None.
Motion Carried
Unanimously.
17-401 6A10(b).
Moved by
Roscoe,
seconded by
Wadsworth
to concur with the recommendation of the Property
Disposition Committee and approve that the City of Romulus acquire the following parcels that are listed on the
“Unsold Tax Foreclosure Properties for Year 2017” list dated 11-01-2017:
Discussion: Councilman Wadsworth inquired about the property coming back to the City. Councilwoman Williams
asked about the plans for the properties.
The City of Romulus does NOT wish to acquire the following parcels that are listed on the “Unsold Tax Foreclosure
Properties for Year 2017” list dated 11.01.2017:
80 003 02 0004 300 aka vacant land on Harrison
80 077 02 0043 301 aka vacant land on Moore
80 077 09 0033 300 aka vacant land on Gabriel
80 079 01 0068 000 aka vacant land on Grant & Schultz
80 100 01 0141 302 aka vacant land on New York
80 144 01 0106 301 aka vacant land on Farnum
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
– Abdo, Barden, Roscoe, Talley, Wadsworth, Webb, Williams.
Nays
– None.
Motion Carried
Unanimously.
17-402 6A11.
Moved by
Roscoe,
seconded by
Abdo
to approve second reading, final adoption of Budget
Amendment 17/18-13, General Fund.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
– Abdo, Barden, Roscoe, Talley, Wadsworth, Webb,
Williams.
Nays
– None.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
17-403 6A12.
Moved by
Abdo,
seconded by
Roscoe
to approve second reading, final adoption of Budget
Amendment 17/18-14, Vining Road Extension – Ecorse Road Construction.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
– Abdo, Barden,
Roscoe, Talley, Wadsworth, Webb, Williams.
Nays
– None.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
17-404 6A13.
Moved by
Webb,
seconded by
Talley
to approve second reading, final adoption of Budget
Amendment 17/18-15, CDBG.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
– Abdo, Barden, Roscoe, Talley, Wadsworth, Webb, Williams.
Nays
– None.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
17-405 6A14.
Moved by
Wadsworth,
seconded by
Roscoe
to approve second reading, final adoption of Budget
Amendment 17/18-16, CDBG.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
– Abdo, Barden, Roscoe, Talley, Wadsworth, Webb, Williams.
Nays
– None.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
17-406 6A15.
Moved by
Abdo,
seconded by
Talley
to appoint Councilman Wadsworth as the Council liaison to
the Municipal Library Board with the term to run concurrent with Councilman Wadsworth’s Council term.
Roll
Call Vote: Ayes
– Abdo, Barden, Roscoe, Talley, Webb, Williams.
Nays
– None.
Abstain
– Wadsworth.
Motion
Carried.
6B. Treasurer’s Report:
City Treasurer, Stacy Paige, announced the need for turkeys and canned goods at Helping Hands.
17-407 6B1.
Moved by
Talley,
seconded by
Abdo
to concur with the recommendation of City Treasurer, Stacy
Paige, and approve the appointment of Tracy Leininger as Deputy City Treasurer.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
– Abdo,
Barden, Roscoe, Talley, Wadsworth, Webb, Williams.
Nays
– None.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
17-408 6B2.
Moved by
Webb,
seconded by
Roscoe
to adopt a resolution designating Comerica Bank, Chase Bank
and Portfolio Funds as depositories in which the funds for the City of Romulus shall be deposited. A copy of its
entirety is on file in the Clerk’s Office.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
– Abdo, Barden, Roscoe, Talley, Wadsworth, Webb,
Williams.
Nays
– None.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
7. Public Comment:
Resident spoke about coyotes being around his house. Resident asked about how much money has been spent on
Vining Road and also about the process of getting a handicap sign. Jan Lemmon, Chairperson, Cemetery Board of
Trustees, welcomed the new Councilmembers. Bob McCraight, City Building and Safety Director, spoke about
“Wreaths Across America.” A resident asked if the City could purchase a leaf vacuum so the DPW could clean the
leaves from residential properties. Mark Edwards, School Representative, thanked voters for passing one of the
school proposals (Hold Harmless).
8. Unfinished Business:
Tim Keyes, City Economic Development Director, spoke about the Vining Road Extension from Smith to Ecorse
Road. Jadie Settles, City Police Chief, said he would look into the process of obtaining a handicap sign. Mayor
Burcroff commented that residents bag their leaves and said the City vacuuming the leaves from residents’ yards
would be quite an expense; however, he will look into the matter. City Treasurer, Stacy Paige, commented that
November 20 th is the last day for yard-waste pick-up and in some areas leaves are just starting to fall – could the
deadline be extended because of the late falling of leaves? Mayor Burcroff commented that his office will check
with Waste Management about extending the deadline for pick-up of yard waste.
9. New Business:
Councilman Wadsworth gave a reminder: people who are looking for pets as holiday gifts to check the animal shel-
ters. Councilwoman Williams inquired about neighborhood watch signs.
10. Communication:
Councilwoman Talley announced the Christian Ministerial Alliance’s community Thanksgiving Service on
Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at Union Grove Church.
17- 409 1A.
Moved by
Abdo,
seconded by
Roscoe
to pay Warrant 17-21 in the amount of $993,832.85.
Roll Call
Vote: Ayes
– Abdo, Barden, Roscoe, Talley, Wadsworth, Webb, Williams.
Nays
– None.
Motion Carried
Unanimously.
17-410 11B.
Moved by
Abdo,
seconded by
Wadsworth
to pay Warrant 17-21E in the amount of $12,820.00.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
– Abdo, Barden, Roscoe, Talley, Wadsworth, Webb, Williams.
Nays
– None.
Motion Carried
Unanimously.
12.
Moved by
Wadsworth,
seconded by
Roscoe
to adjourn the regular meeting of the Romulus City Council.
Roll
Call Vote: Ayes
– Abdo, Barden, Roscoe, Talley, Wadsworth, Webb, Williams.
Nays
– None.
Motion Carried
Unanimously.
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 November 13, 2017.
RM0241 - 120717 5 x 10.073
I
NKSTER
- R
OMULUS
The City of Romulus is getting
help in bringing in additional
funds to the community.
Members of the city council
unanimously agreed to enter into
a personal service contract last
week for a grant writer to seek
out funding for a variety of public
safety issues.
“It's really going to help us in
the public safety arena,” said
RomulusMayor LeRoyBurcroff.
The agreement with Cary
Thompson, a former firefighter
and grant-writer with more than
15 years experience, is specifical-
ly to write two grants: a FEMA
Assistance to Firefighters Grant
(AFG) to help purchase a fire
engine and another AFG grant to
fund fire operations. Thompson
has helped municipalities,
including the City of Detroit and
Dearborn, secure millions in
grant funding. He could help the
city apply for other grant oppor-
tunities, too, officials said.
“It's for any public safety
grant. I'm not just going to limit it
to fire,” said Burcroff. “If there's
anything in the emergency serv-
ice arena grants available, we're
going to go after them.We're look-
ing for opportunities. If we can
put it to use here in the City of
Romulus and get grants, we're
going to look for them.”
The cost of his service will be
paid from the proceeds of the
grants the city receives.
Councilwoman Kathy Abdo
said she'd like to see Thompson
assist the city in securing grants
for other areas, like recreation
and community development, as
well.
“It's a great idea,” she said.
It's for any public safety grant.
I'm not just going to limit it to fire.
”
Council OKs contract with grant writer
Shooting of teen probed
Residents protest well plan
Police are continuing the investigation
into the shooting of a 17-year-old Inkster
resident inRomulus lastmonth.
According to police reports, the teen
was wounded when gunfire erupted just
after midnight Nov. 26 in the parking lot
of the Coleman TJ Community Center,
35351BeverlyRoad inRomulus.
Police have releasedminimal informa-
tion regarding the incident, citing the age
of the victimand fears of repercussions.
Apparently there was a party at the
facility and several of those attending the
event stepped outside into the parking lot
where some type of altercation or argu-
ment ensued.
Police indicated that the teen was shot
twice in the torso but would not confirm
any details including the medical condi-
tion of the victim. Nearly all the
bystanders or witnesses in the parking lot
dispersed immediately when the shots
were fired, police said.
The teen was transported to a hospital
by ambulance for treatment of his
injuries. Police have found no evidence
of any other victims wounded at the
scene.
Officers did say they believed themed-
ical prognosis was a full recovery for the
teen.
Initial reports from police indicated
that the victim and the assailant knew
eachother.
Romulus police said investigators
believe that only the person who shot the
teen fired any shots during the incident.
Anyone with information regarding
the shooting is asked to call Romulus
Police at (734) 941-8400.
Area residents crowded the Romulus
Athletic Center last week during a public
hearing regarding the two controversial
hazardous waste wells operating in the
city.
The hearing, scheduled by the
Environmental Protection Agency, was in
response to an application from the well
owners and operators, Environmental
Geo-Technologies, LLC seeking to
increase the pressure at which the haz-
ardous waste is injected into the ground
at a depthof nearly amile.
Members of the audience voiced their
concerns regarding the effect of the
added pressure on the environment and
public health. Critics of the wells have
been citing health concerns for more
than 20 years.
No decisionwasmade at themeeting.
who can benefit from the Skilled
Trades Training Funds (STTF) pro-
gram. This program benefits both
employers and workers,” Al Haidous,
Wayne County Commissioner and
member of the Governor's Talent
Investment Board.
“The Michigan Skilled Trades
Training Fund Grant has proven to be
an extremely beneficial component to
our ongoing training at Rapid
Response EMS. The STTF grant has
catapulted our training center into
educating dozens of highly skilled
Emergency Medical Technicians who
are now working in the field, obtained
additional job security and have
become a vital part of our organization.
Without hesitation, the STTFGrant has
proven to significantly improve our
training methods at Rapid Response
EMS,” said Jason Hosmer, vice presi-
dent at Rapid Response EMS in
Romulus.
His comments were echoed by
Tracy Westcott of Environmental
Testing&Consulting.
“The Skilled Trades Training Fund
has made a monumental difference to
our company. In 2016-17 we were
awarded almost $33,000 of training
funds and for 2017-18 we have been
awarded another $68,000.
“These funds have allowed us to
train our employees to a much higher
standard than we could have achieved
without this assistance. Further, it has
significantly improved our staffs pro-
duction, professionalism, knowledge
and ability to satisfy our clients. With
the help of the STTF, we have been
able to increase our staff by nearly 50
percent in the past 1½years.
“ I highly recommend that any com-
pany utilizing skilled or scientific
trades consider this fund to improve
the companies staff and by extension
the overall value of their company,”
Westcott, president of Environmental
Testing&Consulting, said.
For more information about the
Skilled Trades Training Fund, visit
Grants
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