Death of baby remains
under police investigation
Legislators set local meeting
I
NKSTER
- W
AYNE
A
SSOCIATED
N
EWSPAPERS OF
M
ICHIGAN
P
AGE
3
May 5, 2016
easement to DTE Energy and authorize the Township Supervisor and Clerk to sign the document on behalf of Canton Township.
Motion carried by all members present.
Item C-3.Consider Award of a Contract to Suburban Calcium Chloride Sales for
the 2016 Dust Control Program for Local Gravel Roads (MSD)
Motion by Bennett, supported by McLaughlin to award a
contract to Suburban Calcium Chloride Sales of Taylor, Michigan to provide Canton’s 2016 Dust Control Program on Local
Gravel Roads for an amount not to exceed $16,000. Motion carried by all members present.
Item C-4.Consider Approval of
Sign License Agreement (CLS)
Motion by Bennett, supported by McLaughlin to authorize the Sign License Agreement with
Toll MI V Limited Partnership pending the Township Attorney’s approval of final contract language. Motion carried by all mem-
bers present.
GENERAL CALENDAR: Item G-1.Consider First Reading of an Amendment to Appendix A- Zoning of
the Code of Ordinances for the McClumpha Rezoning (MSD)
Motion by Bennett, supported by McLaughlin to introduce and
hold the first reading of the proposed amendment to Appendix A-Zoning of the Code of Ordinances for the McClumpha Rezoning
of the Charter Township of Canton as provided in the attached ordinance synopsis. Motion carried by all members present.
Motion by Bennett, supported by Anthony to table consideration of the amendment to Appendix A-Zoning of the Code of
Ordinances for the McClumpha Rezoning of the Charter Township of Canton and hold a second reading on May 10, 2016.
Motion carried by all members present. A copy of the complete text of this Proposed Ordinance Amendment is available at the
Clerk’s Office of the Charter Township of Canton, 1150 S. Canton Center Road, Canton, MI., 48188, during regular business
hours. The approved text of the Amendment will be published in the Canton Eagle/Associated Newspaper within the meeting
minute’s synopsis of the date of approval. A complete copy of the Ordinances for Canton Township is available at
-
mi.org.
Item G-2.Consider First Reading of an Amendment to Appendix A- Zoning of the Code of Ordinances for the
Iliades Rezoning (MSD)
Motion by Bennett, supported by McLaughlin to introduce and hold the first reading of the proposed
amendment to Appendix A-Zoning of the Code of Ordinances for the Iliades Rezoning of the Charter Township of Canton as pro-
vided in the attached map. Motion carried by all members present. Motion by Bennett, supported by McLaughlin to table con-
sideration of the amendment to Appendix A-Zoning of the Code of Ordinances for the Iliades Rezoning of the Charter Township
of Canton and hold a second reading on May 10, 2016. Motion carried by all members present. A copy of the complete text of
this Proposed Ordinance Amendment is available at the Clerk’s Office of the Charter Township of Canton, 1150 S. Canton Center
Road, Canton, MI., 48188, during regular business hours. The approved text of the Amendment will be published in the Canton
Eagle/Associated Newspaper within the meeting minute’s synopsis of the date of approval. A complete copy of the Ordinances
for Canton Township is available at
Item G-3.Consider Approval of a Budget Amendment & Award of
Professional Services Contract to the Mannik and Smith Group for Survey Services of the Township-Owned Cemeteries
(MSD)
Motion by Bennett, supported by McLaughlin to approve the following budget amendment for the Township-owned
cemetery survey services project: Increase Expenditures: 101-276.801_0050 (Professional Services) $25,708 Increase Revenue:
101-692.000 (Fund Balance Appropriation) $25,708 Motion carried by all members present. Motion by Bennett, supported by
Sneideman to award a contract for professional survey and management services for the Township-Owned Cemetery Survey
Project to the Mannik and Smith Group in the amount of $25,708. Motion carried by all members present.
Item G-4.Consider
Adoption of a Resolution for Approval of Application for additional MERS Service Credit by three employees (FBD)
Motion by Bennett, supported by Sneideman adopt the Resolutions allowing the purchase of additional service credit by Margaret
Green, Mark Price and Andrew Colthurst. Motion carried by all members present.
Item G-5.Consider Authorization of the
Purchase of a Mower and Tractor for the Park Division. (CLS)
Motion by Bennett, supported by McLaughlin to authorize
the purchase of a Kubota Cab Tractor and Grooming Mower in the amount of $37,196.14 from Wolverine Rental and Supply,
5475 South State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48108 with funds coming from Account 101-270-50.970_0030 Capital Outlay Machinery
and Equipment. Motion carried by all members present.
Item G-6.Consider Approval to Create Recreation Specialist - Adult
Services Position. (CLS)
Motion by Bennett, supported by McLaughlin to authorize the creation of a Recreation Specialist –
Adult Services position for the Leisure Services Department. Motion carried by all members present.
Item G-7.Confirm the
appointment of Joshua Meier to Public Safety Director Effective April 30, 2016. (Supv.)
Motion by Bennett, supported by
Anthony to approve the appointment of Joshua Meier to the position of Public Safety Director, effective April 30, 2016. Motion
carried by all members present.
Item G-8.Approve Annual Maintenance – Logos System. (FBD)
Motion by Bennett, sup-
ported by McLaughlin to approve and authorize the Finance Director to sign the Software Maintenance Agreement with Tyler
Technologies for annual maintenance for the Logos Financial Management System, subject to legal review, for the 5 year peri-
od beginning 5/1/2016 and ending 4/30/2021. Motion carried by all members present.
Item G-9. Consider Approval of Wages
for Elected Officials for the Term Beginning November 20, 2016
Motion by Bennett, supported by Sneideman to rescind the
Board resolution of April 12, 2016, approving a 5% wage decrease for the Township Supervisor, Clerk, Treasurer and Trustees
effective November 20, 2017. Motion carried by all members present. Motion by Bennett, supported by Williams to approve a
5% wage decrease for the Canton Township Supervisor, Clerk, Treasurer and Trustees to be effective November 20, 2016.
Motion carried by all members present.
ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENT:
None
OTHER:
Chief Meier informed the
board of a new 911 program. On April 22, 2016 the Conference of Western Wayne implemented the “Text to 911 Program”. This
program allows persons to text an emergency to the 911 operations centers in cases where the caller is unable to communicate
verbally either because of physical handicap or circumstances. The 4 major carriers, Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile are
participating.
ADJOURN:
Motion by Anthony, supported by Williams to adjourn at 7:48 p.m. Motion carried by all members
present.
_________________________________ Terry G. Bennett, Clerk
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 and can also be accessed through our web
site
after Board Approval.
Continued from page 2
EC050516-138 2.5 x 21 + 2.5 x 7.12
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CANTON
ACCESS TO PUBLIC MEETINGS
The Charter Township of Canton will provide necessary, reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities at
the meeting/hearing upon notice to the Charter Township of Canton.
In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), the Charter Township
of Canton will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs,
or activities.
Employment:
The Charter Township of Canton does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment prac-
tices and complies with all regulations promulgated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under Title II of
the ADA.
Effective Communication:
The Charter Township of Canton will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services
leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities so they can participate equally in the Charter Township
of Canton's programs, services, and activities, including qualified sign language interpreters, documents in Braille, and other
ways of making information and communications accessible to people who have speech, hearing, or vision impairments.
Modifications to Policies and Procedures:
The Charter Township of Canton will make all reasonable modifications to policies
and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activi-
ties. For example, individuals with service animals are welcomed in the Charter Township of Canton's offices, even where pets
are generally prohibited.
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to par-
ticipate in a program, service, or activity of the Charter Township of Canton should contact the office of Kerreen Conley, Human
Resources Manager, Charter Township of Canton, 1150 S. Canton Center Road, Canton, MI 48188, (734) 394-5260 as soon as
possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.
The ADA does not require the Charter Township of Canton to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its
programs or services, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.
Complaints that a program, service, or activity of the Charter Township of Canton is not accessible to persons with disabilities
should be directed to Kerreen Conley, Human Resources Manager, Charter Township of Canton, 1150 S. Canton Center Road,
Canton, MI 48188, (734) 394-5260.
The Charter Township of Canton will not place a surcharge on a particular individual with a disability or any group of individu-
als with disabilities to cover the cost of providing auxiliary aids/services or reasonable modifications of policy, such as retriev-
ing items from locations that are open to the public but are not accessible to persons who use wheelchairs.
Publish: 5/5/2016
EC050516-1316 2.5 x 4.72
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
May 5, 2016
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CANTON
1150 CANTON CENTER S
CANTON, MI 48188
(734) 394-5225
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST A RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about May 23, 2016 the Charter Township of Canton will submit a request to the US Department of Housing and Urban
Development for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds under Title One of the Housing and Community
Development Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake the following projects: Project # 1 Housing Rehabilitations for the purpose
of repairing residential homes, $100,000 throughout Canton. Project # 2 ADA Playground Play Feature for the purpose of pro-
viding ADA approved play equipment to our residents, $25,000 at Heritage Park. Project # 3 ADA Pathway for the purpose of
providing greater and safer travel from Heritage Park to Canton Library, $20,000 at Heritage Park.
Project # 4 ADA Aquatic Pool Lift and Stairs for the purpose of providing greater and safer access to the Summit on the Park
pool, $6,842 at Summit on the Park. Project # 5 Sheldon School Structural Repairs for the purpose of rehabilitating and pre-
serving the historic one room school house that houses the Head Start daycare program, $50,000 at Sheldon School.
The activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for
this project is on file at Finance Department, 1150 Canton Center S., Canton MI 48188 and may be examined or copied week-
days 9 A.M to 4 P.M.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Canton Finance Department, 1150 Canton
Center S., Canton MI 48188. All comments received by if notice is published: notice date plus seven days; if notice is mailed
and posted: mailing and posting date plus ten days will be considered by the name of RE prior to authorizing submission of a
request for release of funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The Charter Township of Canton certifies to HUD that Philip J. LaJoy in his capacity as Supervisor consents to accept the juris-
diction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process
and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD's approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA
and related laws and authorities and allows the Charter Township of Canton to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the Charter Township of Canton's certification for a period of fifteen days
following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the
following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the Charter Township of Canton; (b) the
Charter Township of Canton has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR
part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or under-
taken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency
acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of envi-
ronmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec.
58.76) and shall be addressed to HUD at McNamara Federal Building at 477 Michigan Avenue, Detroit MI 48226. Potential
objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Philip J. LaJoy, Canton Township Supervisor
EC050516-1317 2.5 x 6.397
Tempers and patience are apparently
running as thin as available funding in the
proposedWayne city budget.
The 2016-17 city budget may be bal-
anced on paper, but relies on fund trans-
fers to pay operating expenses, officials
cautioned. The proposed budget will ask
for unspecified wage reductions for all
full-time employees beginning in
January; an increase in employee health
care copays; a cap on retiree health bene-
fits; elimination of two budgeted but
unfilled positions in the police depart-
ment and a reduction in the hours of a
clerk in the fire department along with
the elimination of two clerical positions in
city hall. The budget also includes other
employee concessions and a cap on the
medical benefit amounts paid to city
retirees and eliminates all capital outlay
along with a cap on fire department over-
time.
Those cuts are not enough to shore up
the anticipated $1.7million shortfall, how-
ever, without transferring money in dedi-
cated accounts to the general fund, offi-
cials noted. The city will use $765,000
from the Other Post Employee Benefits
account among others, but expenses con-
tinue to exceed revenue, even with the
proposed cuts and the city is expected to
run out of cashbyNovember of 2017.
Those conditions prompted some visi-
ble tension recently as Mayor Susan
Rowe attempted to get consensus on a
budget study session for Saturday, April
23, which had reportedly been tentatively
scheduled two weeks previously. Two
councilmen, Christopher Sanders and
Ryan Gabriel, protested the proposed 9
a.m. until 3 p.m. meeting, noting that they
had conflicting employment obligations.
The Saturday meeting to hear a budget
presentation from city outside finance
director Plante Moran was approved by a
5-2 vote with Sanders and Gabriel voting
no.
The two then exercised provisions of
the Wayne City Charter and called a spe-
cial meeting for last Wednesday, April 27,
“so we could get up to speed on the cuts
and the budget,” Sanders said.
“This is one of the most important
meetings and issues in the city in the last
10 years and I want to fully understand it.
I suspect the rubber-stamping and blind
voting of the past have been amajor cause
of the problems we face in the city today,”
he said.
To that end, Sanders said, during an
early lunch break from his UAW meeting
where he serves as a committeeman, he
took letters to each of the other council
members' homes while they were in the
meeting late Saturdaymorning.
Rowe and the other council members
said they were both surprised and dis-
mayed at Sanders' andGabriel's actions in
calling the additional meeting last
Wednesday. Tempers exploded at the
meeting when Councilman John Rhaesa
expressed his displeasure at sitting
through the second budget presentation,
this time presented by Rowe. Rhaesa
reportedly told Sanders and Gabriel that
if they didn't want to be a part of the coun-
cil and get things done they should submit
their resignations. Rhaesa also said there
were photos of Sanders at Porter's home
delivering the meeting notice a while the
Saturdaymeetingwas taking place.
Rhaesa said he still feels Sanders' res-
ignation is appropriate.
“I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean
it,” Rhaesa said. “We are all tired of his
games. Our city is going though some
extremely tough times and his antics are
only making it worse. This city deserves
better.”
Rhaesa also said that he felt there was
no benefit to themeeting onWednesday.
“What was asked by our two council-
man could have been answered by them
coming in and talking with the city man-
ager on their own time,” he said.
During the Wednesday meeting,
attended by a large group of city retirees,
the proposal to increase their co-pay-
ments on their health care and include a
hard cap on the amount the city would
pay was questioned by Sanders who stat-
ed that Michigan state law allows an
employer to charge only 20 percent to the
retiree or enact a hard cap. (Public Act
152, MCL15.561-15.569)
“You can't do both,” Sanders said.
Sanders' contention was validated by
former City Manager Robert English, now
a city retiree, who spoke from the audi-
ence.
“Mr. Sanders is absolutely correct,”
English said. “You can't do both.”
Another retiree spoke to the council
suggesting that the proposed benefit cut
“is criminal.”
Sanders further questioned the city
plan to eliminate about $290,000 from the
fire department overtime costs.
“How would you estimate that,” he
asked. When informed that the amount
would be capped and further staffing
would be through Mutual Aid with other
communities, Sanders suggested the city
would then be violating the current agree-
ment for combined services with
Westland.
The proposed budget does not include
any funding from the 14 mill question on
the November ballot allowing the city to
join the SouthMacomb Oakland Regional
Services Authority, a funding mechanism
to help fund police and fire. The 14 mills
would generate about $5 million in
Wayne.
Sanders said after the meeting that he
will continue to question the budget and
spending items in the city.
“I used the city charter to benefit the
citizens of Wayne. I don't go along to get
along. If that conduct is characterized as
'antics' then there will be a lot more of
them.”
I don't go along to get along.
If that conduct is characterized
as 'antics' then there
will be a lot more of them.
”
Tempers flare at city budget hearing
Inkster police are continuing their
investigation into the death of a 21-
month-old boy found dead in a bathtub
last week.
Inkster Police Lt. Jeffrey Twardzik
said that the mother of the child was
taken into custody but released last
week. He said she has been cooperative
with police. Her son was found April 25
face down in the bathtub which con-
tained 2 or 3 inches of scalding water by
officers who responded to a 911 call
about a toddler not breathing. Police
said that the mother was the only adult
in the Avondale Street home at the time
of the incident.
On Friday, police said she had been
released without any charges. The office
of Wayne County Prosecutor Kym
Worthy issued a statement saying that no
warrant request had been received by
her office in the case.
Police reports indicate that the child
was still in the tub when officers arrived
on the scene. He appeared to have suf-
fered burns over 50 percent of his body,
police said, apparently caused by the
scaldingwater in the tub.
Twardzik told the media that the tod-
dler and other children had only recent-
ly been returned to the care of themoth-
er following a Child Protective Services
investigation.
Wayne County Commissioner Glenn
S. Anderson, State Rep. Julie Plawecki,
and State Sen. David Knezek will be
hosting their normally-scheduled
monthly coffee hour event In Inkster
from noon until 1 p.m. Monday, May 9.
Themeetingwill be at the LeannaHicks
Public Library, located at 2005 Inkster
Road.
Residents can attend and discuss
issues of importance to them. Citizens
who have questions or concerns in the
meantime can contact any of the elected
officials bymail, telephone, or email.
