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ing, for 2011 showed that Northville had used
a TIFA district to capture $3,005.11 of the zoo
millage funding.
In Plymouth, $4,559.64 was diverted in
2008, $4,434.34 in 2009 and $4,201.68 in 2010.
Therewas no amount reported by the city for
2011.Plymouth Township, however, diverted
funds for all four years. In the first year, 2008,
the township diverted $3,822.42, which in the
second year, 2009, only $968.47 of zoo funding
was taken by the township. In 2010, the town-
ship took $985 and in 2011, another $2,145.45
of funds voters approved for the zoo went to
the township for local improvements. That
community has also joined the suit.
InRomulus, which is also a plaintiff in the
suit, $22,692.52 was diverted in 2008,
$21,845.26 was reported as taken from zoo
funding in 2009, $16,755.58 was diverted in
2010 and in 2011, the city captured $14,728.85.
Van Buren Township also authorized the
capture of the zoo tax, diverting a total of
$16,054.42 in 2008, $15,191.74 in 2009,
$10,156.00 in 2010 and another $10,324.39 in
2011. That community is also a party to the
lawsuit seeking to allow the capture of the
revenue to continue.
The City of Wayne diverted a total of
$21,062.00 in the first year voters approved
the zoo tax and then did not capture any
funds in 2009 or 2010, In 2011, however the
city reported capturing another $5,162 of the
funding approved for the zoo.
InWestland, the city took $4,562.68 in 2008,
$14,477.00 in 2009 and $8,855.50 in 2010.
Westlanddidnot report any capture in 2011.
The legality of the capture of the tax fund-
ing has been a hotly contested issue. Deputy
Wayne County Treasurer David Szymanski, a
former probate court judge, said that there
has “been a significant different of legal
opinion as to the appropriate treatment of
these funds.”
He said the county treasurer's office dis-
covered the capture of the funds in 2009 and
sought a legal opinion from the State
Attorney General. Former Attorney General
Mike Cox issued an opinion that the capture
was illegal. His opinionwas seconded by cur-
rent Attorney General Bill Schuette who also
said the capturewas illegal.
Subsequently, the Wayne County
Treasurer sent letters to all 43 collecting
municipalities telling them to stop these cap-
tures at the risk of facing legal consequences.
Despite that legal opinion, Plymouth
Township continued to capture the funds
and insists that state law allows for the cap-
ture. Officials in both Canton Township and
the city of Plymouth discontinued diverting
the tax funding following the letter from the
county treasurer insisting the practice be
stopped.
The group of nine communities filed the
lawsuit last Friday in Wayne County Crcuit
Court. The communities claim that the cap-
ture of the tax is legal under state provisions.
One of the leaders of the group is Romulus,
where Mayor Alan Lambert said that many
of the communities depend on this funding
for local improvements.
Lambert noted that his city is now collect-
ing about $3 million less per year in property
taxes than before the economic downturn
and that local communities need the provi-
sions of the TIFA districts to continue to pro-
vide improvements in their communities.
His sentiments were echoed by Tim
Keyes, the Romulus economic development
director. Keys said that after the letter from
theWayne County treasurer, Romulus sought
a legal opinion from the city attorneys who
told them they had no choice but to collect
the funds.
WestlandMayorWilliamWild said that his
city stopped capturing the zoo millage funds
after receiving the letter from the county
treasurer.
Westland is not among those communities
who joined the lawsuit.
The approved millage accounts for about
40 percent of the zoo budget and Director
Ron Kagan said the zoo could do better with
the funding approved by the voters.
According to the reports from the Wayne
County Treasurer's office, the total diverted
from the zoo during the past four years by all
the communities has been about $756,000.
Clarification of the situation is imperative,
many city officials said, because of the
recently approved .2 mills for the Detroit
Institute of Arts that could also be diverted
under the same TIFA plan. That millage will
generate about double the amount approved
by voters for the zoo.
A
SSOCIATED
N
EWSPAPERS OF
M
ICHIGAN
P
AGE
2
February 7, 2013
Tax
FROM PAGE 1
MINUTES OF REGULAR ROMULUS CITY COUNCILMEETING
January 14, 2013
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 LeRoy Burcroff.
Present:
John Barden, LeRoy Burcroff, William Crova, Celeste Roscoe, William Wadsworth, Eva Webb
Excused:
Linda Choate.
Administrative Officials in Attendance:
Alan R. Lambert, Mayor
Ellen L. Craig-Bragg, Clerk
Stacy Paige, Treasurer
1.
Moved by Barden, seconded by Roscoe to accept the agenda as presented.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden,
Burcroff, Crova, Roscoe, Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
13-009 2A.
Moved by Wadsworth, seconded by Webb to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the
Romulus City Council held January 7, 2013.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff, Crova, Roscoe,
Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
13-010 3A.
Moved by Crova, seconded by Barden to establish an Industrial Development District for Detroit
Thermal Systems, 6505 Cogswell, Romulus, MI on property described as follows:
06N1A N2 P1A PT OF THE SE 1/4 OF SEC 6 T3S R9E DESC AS BEG
N 88D 40M 35S E 33.01 FT FROM THE CEN COR OF SAID SEC 6
TH N 88D 40M 35S E 1285.69 FT TH S OD 06M 59S W 189.30 FT TH
S 18D 05M 41S W 464.65 FT TH S 17D 58M 20S W 356.54 FT TH S 18D
18M 28S W 87.88 FT TH DUE W 1003.03 FT TH DUE N 1023.85 FT TO
POB 27.84 ACRES
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff, Crova, Roscoe, Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None
Motion Carried
Unanimously
.
4.
Moved by Crova, seconded by Wadsworth to accept the chairperson's report.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden,
Burcroff, Choate, Roscoe, Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
13-011 5A.
Moved by Wadsworth, seconded by Roscoe to award Bid 12/13-19 for the Middlebelt Road Water
Main Replacement Phase II (Wick to I-94) to the lowest bidder, Bricco Excavating Co., LLC
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff, Crova, Roscoe, Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
13-012 5B.
Moved by Barden, seconded by Roscoe to authorize the mayor and clerk to accept three new
SMART transportation vehicles for use by the Romulus Senior Center.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff,
Crova, Roscoe, Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
13-013 5C.
Moved by Wadsworth, seconded by Webb to concur with the recommendation of Abbie Akins,
Assistant Finance Director, to introduce Budget Amendment 12/13-8 to reflect the increase in engineering plan
review fees collected as well as the corresponding expense.
FUND/DEPT.
CURRENT
AMENDED
ACCOUNT NO.
ACCOUNT NAME
BUDGET AMENDMENT BUDGET
GENERAL FUND
Revenue
101-3910-511.47-70
Building Dept Permits & Certs
400,000 30,000
430,000
Expense
101-3910-739.77-30
Building Dept Contractual Services 40,000 30,000
70,000
To reflect the increase in engineering plan review fees collected as well as the corresponding expense.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff, Crova, Roscoe, Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None
Motion Carried
Unanimously
.
13-014 5D. Moved by Crova, seconded by Webb to concur with the recommendation of Abbie Akins, Assistant
Finance Director, to introduce Budget Amendment 12/13-9 to recognize the 50 percent DRANO grant reim-
bursement that will be received in the 2012-13 budget year. The grant is to be used toward salaries and reimburse
100 percent of the overtime for the officer assigned to this detail. (Council resolution #12-364).
FUND/DEPT.
CURRENT
AMENDED
ACCOUNT NO.
ACCOUNT NAME
BUDGET AMENDMENT BUDGET
GENERAL FUND
Revenue
101-3110-512.51-95
Police Bryne JAG DRANO Grant
0
22,500
22,500
Fund Balance
101-0000-390.00-00
General Fund Fund Balance
40,000
22,500
62,500
To recognize the 50% DRANO grant reimbursement that will be received in the 2012-13 budget year. The grant
is to be used towards salaries and to reimburse100% of the overtime for the officer assigned to this detail.
(Council res #12-364)
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff, Crova, Roscoe, Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
13-015 6A1(a).
Moved by Webb, seconded by Barden to authorize the city clerk, Ellen Craig-Bragg, to attend
the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks Master Academy from March 12 through March 14, 2013.
Roll
Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff, Crova, Roscoe, Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
13-016 6A1(b).
Moved by Webb, seconded by Barden to authorize the deputy city clerk, Barbara Fitzgerald, to
attend the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks Institute from March 17 through March 22, 2013.
Roll
Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff, Crova, Roscoe, Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None
Motion Carried
Unanimously
.
13-017 6B1.
Moved by Roscoe, seconded by Wadsworth to schedule a study session for the purpose of dis-
cussing First Quarter Investments on Monday, January 28, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers
11111 Wayne Road, Romulus, MI.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff, Crova, Roscoe, Wadsworth,
Webb. Nays - None
Motion Carried Unanimously.
13-018 11.
Moved by Barden, seconded by Roscoe to authorize the city treasurer to disburse funds as listed in
Warrant 13-01 in the amount of Seven Hundred Thirty-Nine Thousand, Nine Hundred Five Dollars and Seventy-
Eight Cents. ($739,905.78)
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff, Roscoe, Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None
Abstain
- Crova
Motion Carried.
12.
Moved by Wadsworth, seconded by Webb to adjourn the regular meeting of the Romulus City
Council.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff, Crova, Roscoe Wadsworth, Webb.
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 January 14, 2013.
Publish:
February 7, 2013
CITY OF ROMULUS
NOTICE OF
Final Statement
FY 2013/2014
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM
Pursuant to federal guidelines, the Romulus City Council voted on Monday,
January 28, 2013
to adopt the fol-
lowing final projects for the fiscal year
2013/2014 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
(CDBG) Program
. The CITY OF ROMULUS expects to receive an estimated $212,000 plus an additional
$20,000 for Housing Rehabilitation.
The primary objectives of the Federal HUD CDBG program are to assist low to moderate income fami-
lies directly or to provide benefits in areas where 51% of the residents are low to moderate income, such as
replacing the urban infrastructure of streets, improve recreational facilities and programs and assist in meeting
special needs of the elderly and physically disabled.
The following projects have been adopted and will meet HUD objectives by benefiting low and moder-
ate-income families, preserving deteriorating housing stock and enhancing parks and public facilities.
2013/2014 Final Projects
ESTIMATED RECEIVED From
ACTIVITY/Location:
CDBGALLOCATION: * Program Income:
Senior Services - Citywide
$12,000
36525 Bibbins
Chore/minor home repair services,
Transportation, education,
Recreation & staffing
Senior Center - Partial Bond Payment
$200,000
Year ten of a ten year pre-commitment
of the City of Romulus CDBG allocation
to pay for the $3.4 mil bonded construction.
CDBG funds were pre-committed until 2013
Administration (10%)
$ 0
$ 0
TOTAL ESTIMATED CDBG Allocation:
$212,000
*$5,000
Housing Rehabilitation funds
20,000
________
TOTAL
ESTIMATED
Allocation:
$232,000
$237,000
*In addition, the city anticipates receiving approximately $5,000 in Program Income through the repayment of
housing rehabilitation liens, to be used towards the senior center bond payment and for emergency housing reha-
bilitations for any funds received in addition to that amount.
The City of Romulus will also apply for $20,000 to continue the emergency housing rehabilitation program,
as indicated above.
For further information, contact the Economic Development Department, City of Romulus, 11111 Wayne
Road, Romulus, MI 48174 at (734) 942-7545.
Publish:
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Romulus Roman
Northville District Library displays students’ Dr. Martin Luther King tributes
Evening blaze destroys home
Artwork and essays created by
Northville Public School students
honoring the life and legacy of Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr., will be on
display at the Northville District
Library through the end of
February. The display is located on
the library lower level in the open
area adjacent to themain stairway.
In classrooms across all 10
Northville school buildings, students
and teachers took the opportunity
on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
Jan. 21, to reflect on Dr. King's mes-
sages of peace and equality through
teacher-led activities that included
book talks; reading and listening to
selected Dr. King speeches; writing
reflections; art projects; singing
songs, playing music, and sharing
poetry; making food and having
birthday parties for Dr. King; creat-
ing skits and videos about Dr. King's
life and the Civil Rights Movement;
performing random acts of kindness
at school and at home; and class-
room discussions about how Dr.
King's work changed our country. All
of the lessons and student activities
were designed to align with curricu-
lumstandards at each grade level.
"Every day in our community and
in our schools we do our best to fol-
low in Dr. King's footsteps and live
by the principles he taught," said
William Brown, director of Special
Services for Northville Public
Schools and chairperson of the dis-
trict Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
PlanningCommittee.
N
ORTHVILLE
- P
LYMOUTH
More than $400,000 in damage
was caused by an early-evening fire
in a home on a Plymouth Township
home on Essex Court, according to
Brian Nicholson, a senior property
manager fromDiamondRecovery.
Plymouth Township firefighters
were called to the home, at Essex
Court and Wendover, located near
Ridge Road and North Territorial,
at about 6 p.m. Monday and found
the lower level of the structure
engulfed in flames. Firefighters
from Northville and Northville
Township provided mutual aid in
extinguishing the flameswhichhad
started in the walk-out basement of
the two-story home
According to fire reports, there
were four young people in the
house when the fire started but
they had all evacuated the smoke-
filled home when firefighters
arrived. No injuries were reported
in the incident.
Firefighters said the teens were
able to help direct them to the
source of the fire, which was sur-
mised to have startedwhen a space
heater in the basement ignited a
mattress or bedding. The mother of
the teens arrived home while the
firefighters were at the scene,
reports said.
Fire reports indicated that the
lower level was severely damaged
and the two upper floors suffered
extensive smoke damage. Joists
supporting the first floor were dam-
aged and firefighters determined
the house was too damaged to
allow the family to return. They are
reportedly stayingwith relatives.
Nicholson said the recovery
companywas on the scene immedi-
ately after the fire was extin-
guished.
"It was a beautiful home," he
said, but the damage to the lower
level is nearly total, in addition to
the structural damage to the first
floor and smoke damage through-
out the structure.
Firefighters were on the scene
until about 10:30 p.m.
Fire damages estimated at $400,000 occurred at this Plymouth Township
home Monday evening.