State Rep. Jewell Jones (D-Inkster) took
part in Youth Government Day in
Springfield, Ill., recently, an event intend-
ed to inspire high school and community
college students in Illinois to consider pur-
suing careers in government and public
service. Jones was joined by legislators,
judges, lobbyists, journalists, policy mak-
ers and other government officials from
around the nation who came together to
inspire andmentor young people.
“It's great to see so many young people
interested in giving back to their communi-
ties by pursuing a career in public serv-
ice,” Jones said. “Servingmy neighbors is a
meaningful and fulfilling experience, and I
hope that many of the students I met this
weekendwill decide to dedicate their lives
to serving others, whether through work-
ing in government, as a first responder or
in some otherway.”
The Youth Government Day is an annu-
al program through Southern Illinois
University Paul Simon Public Policy
Institute at the Illinois state capitol.
Previous program speakers have included
former President Barack Obama and U.S.
SenatorDickDurbin (D-Illinois).
“I'm thankful to have been asked to par-
ticipate inYouthGovernment Day. It wasn't
long ago that I was a student, too, and still
deciding which direction to take my life,”
Jones said. “I'm grateful for the guidance
and mentoring that was offered to me, and
if I can offer the same to young people
coming upnow, it is anhonor to do so.”
A
SSOCIATED
N
EWSPAPERS OF
M
ICHIGAN
P
AGE
2
May 3, 2018
I
NKSTER
- N
ORTHVILLE
- R
OMULUS
Early organized crime to be lecture topic
Inkster legislator speaks to youth group
MINUTES OF REGULAR ROMULUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING
April 9, 2018
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:
Kathy 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
Talley,
seconded by
Abdo
to accept the agenda as presented.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
.
18-124 2A.
Moved by
Wadsworth,
seconded by
Webb
to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the
Romulus City Council held on April 2, 2018.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
.
3. Petitioner: None.
4. Chairperson’s Report:
4.
Moved by
Roscoe,
seconded by
Talley
to accept the Chairperson’s Report.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
.
5. Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Burcroff presented a video of upcoming City events.
18-125 5A
. Moved by
Wadsworth
, seconded by
Webb
to concur with the administration and award Bid ITB
17/18-23 to the lowest, responsive, and responsible bidder, Signature Ford, for the purchase of two (2) 2018
Police Interceptors and the extended warranties for the Romulus Police Department in the amount of $65,730.00.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
.
18-126 5B
. Moved by
Webb,
seconded by
Roscoe
to concur with the administration and award Bid ITB 17/18-
28 to the lowest, responsive, and most responsible bidder, Applied Concepts, Inc. (dba Stalker Radar),
for the purchase of six (6) radar units for the City of Romulus Police Department in the amount of
$6,702.00.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
.
18-127 5C
. Moved by
Wadsworth
, seconded by
Williams
to concur with the administration and award Bid
17/18-30 to the lowest, responsive, and most responsible bidder, Wm. A. Pritula and Sons, LLC, and authorize
the mayor and clerk to enter into a two-year contract for grass and weed cutting for the City of Romulus
Ordinance Department. Contract shall terminate upon the successful completion of the 2020 weed cutting sea-
son.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
.
18-128 5D
. Moved by
Roscoe
, seconded by
Williams
to concur with the administration and award Bid 17/18-
41 to the only bidder, Motor City Harley Davidson, for the purchase of one traffic motorcycle for the City of
Romulus Police Department in the amount of $19,125.84.
18-129 5E
. Moved by
Abdo,
seconded by
Roscoe,
to concur with the administration and authorize the purchase
of BS&A Primary Residence Exemption Audit Software, install, and all needed training at a total cost of
3,745.00.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
.
18-130 5F
. Moved by
Talley
, seconded by
Wadsworth
to concur with the administration and authorize the
mayor and clerk to enter into Contract Modification Number 3 for the Vining and Ecorse Roads Construction
Project with Dan’s Excavating in the amount of $65,905.26.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
.
18-131 5G
. Moved by
Webb
, seconded by
Abdo
to concur with the administration and authorize the mayor and
clerk to enter into an agreement to upgrade the City of Romulus Cityworks software application to Cityworks
Online and upgrade the GIS software to ArcGIS Online. There will be a one-time cost of $17,280 for Ritter GIS
to implement and train staff on Cityworks Online and a $28,750 fee annually for the support and maintenance of
Cityworks Online. There will be no additional costs to ArcGIS Online.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
.
18-132 5H
. Moved by
Wadsworth
, seconded by
Roscoe
to concur with the administration and introduce Budget
Amendment 17/18-31 for additional funds needed to purchase the VXRail (virtualization) infrastructure system
that will streamline IT operations and lower capital and operational costs.
FUND/DEPT.
CURRENT
AMENDED
ACCOUNT NO
.
ACCOUNT NAME
BUDGET AMENDMENT BUDGET
Technology Services Fund
Expenditures
664-228-970.138 Technology Capital Outlay
83,000 151,792 234,792
Fund Balance
664-000-395.000 Technology Svcs Retained Earnings 675,795 (151,792) 524,003
Additional funds needed to purchase the VXRail (virtualization) infrastructure system that will streamline IT
operations and lower capital and operational costs.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
.
6A. Clerk’s Report:
18-133 6
A
1
. Moved by
Roscoe
, seconded by
Webb
to approve second reading, final adoption of Budget
Amendment 17/18-30, Oakwood Special Assessment District which was introduced at the Council meeting of
April 2, 2018.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
.
6B. Treasurer’s Report: None.
7. Public Comment: None.
8. Unfinished Business: None.
9. New business: None.
10. Communication:
Councilman Wadsworth spoke about the May 11 th Bowl-A-Thon fundraiser with proceeds to go to the Romulus
Animal Shelter.
18-134 11
. Moved by
Abdo,
seconded by
Roscoe
to pay Warrant 18-07 in the amount of $1,287,928.73.
Motion
Carried Unanimously.
.
12.
Moved by
Wadsworth,
seconded by
Roscoe
to adjourn the regular meeting of the Romulus City Council.
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 April 9, 2018.
RM0294 - 050318 2.5 x 9.645
Charter Township of Canton Board Proceedings – April 21, 2018
A special study session meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Charter Township of Canton was held Saturday, April 21, 2018
at 1150 Canton Center S., Canton, Michigan. Supervisor Williams called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. and led the Pledge
of Allegiance to the Flag.
Roll Call
Members Present: Anthony, Foster, Graham-Hudak, Siegrist, Slavens, Sneideman, Williams
Members Absent: None Staff Present: Director Faas, Director Meier Staff Absent: Director Hohenberger, Director Trumbull
Guest Present: James Kosteva – Chairman – Roads Task Force
Adoption of Agenda
Motion by Anthony, supported by
Sneideman to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
STUDY SESSION: TOPIC 1: Continue
Discussion of Roads Task Force Presentation
Director Faas gave an overview of what was presented at the Study Session on
April 17, 2018. He reviewed the projected cost (just over $4.4 million/year) of setting up a Roads Division if Canton Township
became a city explaining the figures excludes overhead (higher level management), building utilities, and any other capital
improvements. It does not include any heavy duty fixes on the roads. Regarding PA51 funds/revenue, Director Faas present-
ed an analysis of how the expenses would most likely be allocated if Canton was a city. Director Faas presented spreadsheets
with calculation comparisons analyzing city vs township scenarios. Director Faas presented a map of potential roads Canton
would have jurisdiction over if it were a city.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
(27 Residents were in attendance) Tony Gramer, 186
Scarlet Drive, commented on contractor accountability for the materials used as well as the expected life of the pavement. Gary
Hotycki, 47596 Ten Point Drive, commented on a statement made by Mayor Wilde of Westland regarding how difficult it is for
cities to obtain funds from the state. Harjot Singh, 2449 E. Woodmont Drive, asked if the contractors be responsible for the qual-
ity of materials used for road repairs/construction. If Canton has control of the roads will they be able to set weight limits? Will
a millage be temporary? Gary Smith, 43697 Swanmere Drive, commented on how the material content of pavement has changed
throughout the years. Ron Letourneau, 6473 Marshall, (Task Force member) commended the board for setting up the Roads Task
Force. Would like to explore becoming a city further. Darian Moore, 4022 Bruton, (Task Force member) supported the com-
ments of Mr. Letourneau on investigating becoming a city. Charles Miller, 47074 Glastonbury, asked what guarantees we would
have regarding getting all the PA51 money. He is against Canton becoming a city. Marc Rankin, 302 Savannah Drive, member
of Savannah Point Association board with private roads. It is difficult to get a majority of the homeowners to vote to pay for
road replacement/repairs. He is encouraged by the proposition of the township getting involved in roads. Mike Andro, 47937
Royal Pointe Drive, thanked the board for this initiative. He would rather have the primary roads fixed first, before we take on
fixing the subdivision roads. These are the most serious roads.
TOPCI 2: Reach Consensus of Roads Plan
Director Faas gave
a general overview of how investments in projects could be handled. State Roads, County Primary Roads, and Local Roads fund-
ing were all addressed. Information was given as to various millage rates and how funds could potentially be handled. Director
Faas presented spreadsheets with comparisons regarding these matters. He included subdivision resident participation in proj-
ects as well. Regarding the Task Force’s recommendations: Investments would be made in maintenance, rehabilitation, and
repair projects balanced amongst 3 different categories of assets – State Roads, County Primary Roads, and Local Subdivision
Roads. Funding for this would be derived from a dedicated Roads Millage to be levied over a 10 year period should the voters
agree to do so at an upcoming election. There would be a provision for the property owners in subdivisions that participated in
the 2016 County Road Assistance Program where repairs have already been made to their neighborhood subdivision roads and
the one remaining subdivision that has a SAD – Lexington Square for preventative maintenance as well as any additional repairs
needed to their streets. Address the desire to dedicate some of the monies for improvements to Ford Road. Address the need to
have a mix of projects: small, medium, and large scale projects. Supervisor Williams summed up the session with several deci-
sions to be made. Do they want a millage, How large would the millage be, How would the monies be directed Faas presented a
spreadsheet with examples of what a 1.45 millage would cost the taxpayers. Copies of the presentations from this meeting as
well as the PowerPoint from the April 17, 2018 meeting are available through the Clerk’s Office by contacting the secretary dur-
ing regular business hours:8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday 734-394-5120. The board will work to compile a
Request for Board Action for the next meeting with a consensus of how they would like to proceed.
OTHER:
None
ADJOURN:
Motion by Anthony, supported by Sneideman to adjourn at 12:06 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
_____Michael A. Siegrist,
Clerk _____Pat Williams, Supervisor
Copies of the complete text of the Board Minutes are available at the Clerk’s office of the Charter Township of Canton, 1150 S.
Canton Center Rd, Canton, MI 48188, 734-394- 5120, during regular business hours or be accessed through our web site
after Board Approval.
CN1693 - 050318 2.5 x 5.524
CITY OF ROMULUS
PLANNING COMMISSION
NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING
Highway Maintenance & Construction
12101 Wahrman
Notice is hereby given that the City of Romulus Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at
7:00 p.m.
on
Monday, May 21, 2018
for Highway Maintenance & Construction for the purpose of
considering the following:
1.
SLU-2018-002, Highway Maintenance & Construction, a proposed special land use for a con-
struction contractor's establishment in the M-1, Light Industrial Zoning District. The property is
located at 12101 Wahrman (Parcel ID# 80-080-99-0020-000).
The public hearing will be held at the Romulus City Hall Council Chambers, 11111 Wayne Road,
Romulus MI 48174-1485. All interested parties are encouraged to attend and will be given an oppor-
tunity to comment on said request. Written comments may be submitted and should be addressed to
Carol Maise, City Planner, Economic Development Department, 11111 Wayne Road, Romulus, MI
48174-1485.
Ellen Craig-Bragg, City Clerk
City of Romulus, Michigan
Publish: May 3, 2018
RM0295 - 050318 2.5 x 3.596
Going to court
Construction for the new 34th District Court building is officially under way. Members of the Romulus City Council joined the judicial staff to break ground on the $17 million proj-
ect last Monday. Romulus City Councilman William Wadsworth, left, Robert McCraight, director of Public Services for the city; Mayor Pro Tem John Barden, Mayor LeRoy Burcroff,
Magistrate Al Hindman, Judge Tina Brooks Green, Judge David Parrott and Judge Brian Oakley participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new 34th District Court build-
ing in Romulus. “We were committed to keeping the court here in Romulus,” said Burcroff. The new court will be a 45,000-square-foot facility with enhanced security features that
the old building did not have. The city sold $17 million in bonds for the project, and those bonds will be repaid by the court through the fees it collects for services. The project
will include dismantling the Veteran's Memorial Wall and rebuilding it after the court construction is complete.
The Northville Historical Society will
host a program about Early Organized
Crime inDetroit thismonth.
The speaker will be Professor James
Buccellato who spent several years
researching his book about the rise of
organized crime inDetroit.
Though detectives denied it, the
Italian mafia was operating in Detroit as
early as 1900, according to Buccellato.
The city was forever changed when boot-
leggers controlled the Detroit River and
created a national distribution network
for illegal liquor during Prohibition.
Gangsters, police and celebrities fell vic-
tim to the violence that accompanied the
climate of crime, according to
Buccellato.
Buccellato, a faculty member in the
department of criminology and criminal
justice at Northern Arizona University,
will discuss the history of crime in the
area. He taught in the Irvin D. Reid
Honors College at Wayne State
University in Detroit for several years.
His work centers on the politics of crime
and has appeared in peer-reviewed jour-
nals, crime anthologies and national
newswebsites.
His book, Early Organized Crime in
Detroit: Vice, Corruption and the Rise of
the Mafia, was released in late 2015. The
book explores the struggle in Detroit
with gang violence, public corruption
and the politics of vice during the first
half of the 20th century and includes
rarely published images fromthe era.
The program will take place at 7 p.m.
May 15 at the New School Church at Mill
Race Historical Village, 215 Griswold St.,
Northville.
The program is free although dona-
tions are accepted at the door to help
defray costs.
