A
SSOCIATED
N
EWSPAPERS OF
M
ICHIGAN
P
AGE
2
June 2, 2016
To subscribe to The Eagle call 734-467-1900.
Proposed bill would erase school debt
MINUTES OF REGULAR ROMULUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING
May 9, 2016
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
Present:
Kathleen Abdo, John Barden, Linda Choate, Harry Crout, Sylvia Makowski, Celeste Roscoe, William
Wadsworth.
Administrative Officials in Attendance:
LeRoy D. Burcroff, Mayor
Ellen L. Craig-Bragg, City Clerk
1.
Moved
by Crout,
seconded by
Makowski,
to accept the agenda as presented.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
16-233 2A.
Moved by
Wadsworth,
seconded by
Abdo,
to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the
Romulus City Council held on May 2, 2016.
Nays
– None.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
16-234 2B.
Moved by
Makowski,
seconded by
Roscoe,
to approve the minutes of the public hearings held on
Monday, May 2, 2016, 6:00 p.m., Proposed Projects Transfer Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Program and 6:30 p.m. Proposed Program Statement for the FY 2016/2017 City Budget.
Motion Carried
Unanimously
.
3A. Petitioner: None.
4. Chairperson’s Report:
Members of Boy Scouts Troup 872 announced a spaghetti dinner fundraiser will be held on May 10, 2016 and the
proceeds will go to purchase planter boxes for the senior center. (This is a part of the Scouts Eagle projects.)
16-235 4A1.
Moved by
Wadsworth,
seconded by
Crout,
to adopt a memorial resolution for the family of former
34 th District Court Judge, Henry Zaborowski.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
4.
Moved by
Roscoe
, seconded by
Makowski,
to accept the Chairperson’s Report.
Motion Carried
Unanimously
.
5. Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Burcroff presented a video of upcoming events in the City of Romulus. The mayor announced there will
be a re-dedication of the Charley Lau Field on Saturday, May 14 th at 10:30 a.m. (the field has new scoreboards)
Walter’s Bar ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Friday, May 13, 2016 at 6:00 p.m.
16-236 5A1.
Moved by
Makowski,
seconded by
Roscoe,
to adopt a memorial resolution for the family of
Gwendolyn Smith.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
16-237 5A.
Moved by
Makowski,
seconded by
Wadsworth,
to adopt the General and Special Appropriations
Act and Tax Levy authorization for the City of Romulus and 34 th District Court Fiscal Year 2016-2017 and sub-
mitted by Mayor Burcroff.
A resolution to provide for the adoption of a budget proposed by the Mayor containing estimates of proposed rev-
enues and expenditures for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017 and mill-
age rates to support this budget.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROMULUS
:
SECTION 1. That for the expenditures of the City Government and its activities for the fiscal year, beginning July
1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017, the amounts in the following sections are hereby appropriated.
SECTION 2. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the General Fund on an activity basis,
the following:
COUNCIL ..................................................................................................................................................$81,350
MAYOR 626,840
CLERK 633.260
TREASURER..............................................................................................................................................444,130
COMMUNITY SERVICES/OUTREACH ................................................................................................ 736,780
FINANCIAL SERVICES........................................................................................................................ 2,230,660
COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.................................................................................. 387,080
PUBLIC SAFETY..................................................................................................................................12,850,270
PUBLIC SERVICES ................................................................................................................................2,659,030
TOTAL EXPENDITURES...................................................................................................................$20,649,400
REVENUES
PROPERTY TAXES ..............................................................................................................................$7,296,080
LICENSES & PERMITS .........................................................................................................................1,207,280
FEDERAL SOURCES ................................................................................................................................264,210
INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVENUES .............................................................................................. 2,483,050
CHARGES FOR SERVICES...................................................................................................................1,294,510
FINES & FORFEITS .............................................................................................................................. 3,000,000
MISCELLANEOUS................................................................................................................................ 3,177,620
TOTAL REVENUES .......................................................................................................................... $18,722,750
APPROPRIATED SURPLUS................................................................................................................. 1,926,650
TOTAL REVENUES & APPROPRIATED SURPLUS ..................................................................... $20,649,400
SECTION 3. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the Major Roads Fund on an
activity basis, the following:
MAJOR ROADS FUND EXPENDITURES........................................................................................ $1,863,540
TRANSFER TO LOCAL STREETS......................................................................................................... 245,000
TRANSFER TO DEBT FUND.................................................................................................................. 204,810
TOTAL EXPENDITURES & CONTINGENCIES ................................................................................ 2,313,350
TOTAL REVENUES
$1,501,460
APPROPRIATED SURPLUS .................................................................................................................... 811,890
TOTAL REVENUES & APPROPRIATED SURPLUS ......................................................................... 2,313.350
SECTION 4. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the Local Streets Fund on an
activity basis, the following:
LOCAL STREETS FUND....................................................................................................................... $968,220
TOTAL REVENUES ............................................................................................................................... $771,550
APPROPRIATED SURPLUS.................................................................................................................... 196,670
TOTAL REVENUES & APPROPRIATED SURPLUS .......................................................................... $968,220
SECTION 5. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the Romulus Athletic Center Fund
on an activity basis, the following:
ROMULUS ATHLETIC CENTER....................................................................................................... $2,192,170
TOTAL REVENUES ............................................................................................................................ $2,196,550
SECTION 6. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the Cemetery Restoration Fund on
an activity basis, the following:
CEMETERY RESTORATION FUND ........................................................................................................ $3,800
TOTAL REVENUES ...................................................................................................................................... $200
APPROPRIATED SURPLUS........................................................................................................................ 3,600
TOTAL REVENUES & APPROPRIATED SURPLUS .............................................................................. $3,800
SECTION 7. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the Cable Television Fund on an
activity basis, the following:
CABLE TELEVISION ............................................................................................................................$359,970
TOTAL REVENUES ...............................................................................................................................$382,070
SECTION 8. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the Merriman Road Special
Assessment District Fund on an activity basis, the following:
MERRIMAN RD SPECIAL ASSESSMENT............................................................................................ $95,300
TOTAL REVENUES ................................................................................................................................. $96,280
SECTION 9. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the Street Lighting Fund on an
activity basis, the following:
STREET LIGHTING ............................................................................................................................... $540,870
TOTAL REVENUES ............................................................................................................................... $525,870
APPROPRIATED SURPLUS...................................................................................................................... 15,000
TOTAL REVENUES & APPROPRIATED SURPLUS .......................................................................... $540,870
SECTION 10. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the Oakwood Special Assessment
District Fund on an activity basis, the following:
OAKWOOD SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT ................................................................................ $25,000
TOTAL REVENUES ................................................................................................................................. $19,310
APPROPRIATED SURPLUS........................................................................................................................ 5,690
TOTAL REVENUES & APPROPRIATED SURPLUS ............................................................................ $25,000
SECTION 11. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the Community Employee
Activity Fund on an activity basis, the following:
COMMUNITY EMPLOYEE ACTIVITY................................................................................................. $10,720
TOTAL REVENUES ...................................................................................................................................... $550
APPROPRIATED SURPLUS...................................................................................................................... 10,170
TOTAL REVENUES & APPROPRIATED SURPLUS ............................................................................ $10,720
SECTION 12. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the Sanitation Fund on an activity
basis, the following:
SANITATION ....................................................................................................................................... $1,094,520
TOTAL REVENUES ............................................................................................................................ $1,136,600
SECTION 13. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the Community Development
Block Grant Fund on an activity basis, the following:
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANTS ......................................................................................... $230,080
TOTAL REVENUES ............................................................................................................................... $230,080
SECTION 14. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the 9-1-1 Fund on an activity
basis, the following:
9 1 1 FUND.............................................................................................................................................. $169,550
TOTAL REVENUES ............................................................................................................................... $128,200
APPROPRIATED SURPLUS...................................................................................................................... 41,350
TOTAL REVENUES & APPROPRIATED SURPLUS .......................................................................... $169,550
SECTION 15. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the Federal Law Enforcement
Fund on an activity basis, the following:
FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT........................................................................................................ $102,320
TOTAL REVENUES ................................................................................................................................. $10,100
APPROPRIATED SURPLUS...................................................................................................................... 92,220
TOTAL REVENUES & APPROPRIATED SURPLUS .......................................................................... $102,320
SECTION 16. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the State Law Enforcement Fund
on an activity basis, the following:
STATE FORFEITURE............................................................................................................................. $131,510
TOTAL REVENUES ................................................................................................................................. $50,600
APPROPRIATED SURPLUS...................................................................................................................... 80,910
TOTAL REVENUES & APPROPRIATED SURPLUS .......................................................................... $131,510
SECTION 17. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the Municipal Library Fund on
an activity basis, the following:
MUNICIPAL LIBRARY.......................................................................................................................... $586,550
TOTAL REVENUES ............................................................................................................................... $523,240
APPROPRIATED SURPLUS...................................................................................................................... 63,310
TOTAL REVENUES & APPROPRIATED SURPLUS .......................................................................... $586,550
SECTION 18. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the Special Assessment - Beverly
Road Fund on an activity basis, the following:
SPECIAL ASSESSMENT - BEVERLY ROAD...................................................................................... $112,130
TOTAL REVENUES ............................................................................................................................... $100,170
APPROPRIATED SURPLUS ...................................................................................................................... 11,960
TOTAL REVENUES & APPROPRIATED SURPLUS .......................................................................... $112,130
SECTION 19. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the 2014 Capital Improvement
Debt Service Fund on an activity basis, the following:
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT DEBT SERVICE ...................................................................................... $278,340
TOTAL REVENUES ............................................................................................................................... $277,340
SECTION 20. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the Sewer Debt Service Fund on
an activity basis, the following:
SEWER DEBT SERVICE ....................................................................................................................... $575,000
TOTAL REVENUES ................................................................................................................................. $22,000
APPROPRIATED SURPLUS.................................................................................................................... 553,000
TOTAL REVENUES & APPROPRIATED SURPLUS .......................................................................... $575,000
SECTION 21. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the Water Debt Service Fund on
an activity basis, the following:
WATER DEBT SERVICE........................................................................................................................ $131,520
TOTAL REVENUES ................................................................................................................................. $19,000
APPROPRIATED SURPLUS .................................................................................................................... 112,020
TOTAL REVENUES & APPROPRIATED SURPLUS .......................................................................... $131,520
SECTION 22. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the Downtown Development
Authority Construction Fund on an activity basis, the following:
DDA CONSTRUCTION ........................................................................................................................... $12,000
TOTAL REVENUES .......................................................................................................................................... $0
APPROPRIATED SURPLUS...................................................................................................................... 12,000
TOTAL REVENUES & APPROPRIATED SURPLUS ............................................................................ $12,000
SECTION 23. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the Tax Increment Finance
Authority Vining Road Construction Fund on an activity basis, the following:
TIFA-VINING CONSTRUCTION.......................................................................................................... $115,910
TOTAL REVENUES .......................................................................................................................................... $0
APPROPRIATED SURPLUS .................................................................................................................... 115,910
TOTAL REVENUES & APPROPRIATED SURPLUS .......................................................................... $115,910
SECTION 24. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the Sewer and Water Fund on an
activity basis, the following:
SEWER AND WATER ....................................................................................................................... $22,763,000
TOTAL REVENUES .......................................................................................................................... $20,131,140
APPROPRIATED SURPLUS................................................................................................................. 2,631,860
TOTAL REVENUES & APPROPRIATED SURPLUS ..................................................................... $22,763,000
SECTION 25. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the Vehicle and Equipment Fund
on an activity basis, the following:
VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT ............................................................................................................ $1,756,260
TOTAL REVENUES ............................................................................................................................ $1,794,440
SECTION 26. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the Technology Services Fund on
an activity basis, the following:
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES ....................................................................................................................$758,900
TOTAL REVENUES ...............................................................................................................................$769,570
SECTION 27. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the Retirement Insurance Benefit
Fund on an activity basis, the following:
RETIREE INSURANCE BENEFITS .................................................................................................. $2,581,270
TOTAL REVENUES ............................................................................................................................ $2,510,000
APPROPRIATED SURPLUS...................................................................................................................... 71,270
TOTAL REVENUES & APPROPRIATED SURPLUS ....................................................................... $2,581,270
SECTION 28. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the Property and Liability Self-
Insurance Fund on an activity basis, the following:
PROPERTY AND LIABILITY SELF INSURANCE ............................................................................. $586,490
TOTAL REVENUES ............................................................................................................................... $587,080
SECTION 29. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the Downtown Development
Authority Special Revenue Fund on an activity basis, the following:
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY................................................................................... $389,980
TOTAL REVENUES ............................................................................................................................... $393,900
SECTION 30. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated out of the Tax Increment Finance
Authority Funds on an activity basis, the following:
TIFA DISTRICT II ............................................................................................................................... $3,150,680
TOTAL REVENUES ............................................................................................................................ $3,501,340
SECTION 31. That for the said fiscal year there is hereby appropriated the following Capital Budget expendi-
tures:
CAPITAL BUDGET ..............................................................................................................................$4,702,700
SECTION 32. That amounts budgeted for specific items or purposes and not required to be utilized for such
items or purposes may be spent by the Mayor for other items or purposes within the same activity for which
such allocations are made.
SECTION 33. Be it further resolved that the following millage rates as provided by charter or statute be
assessed:
OPERATING MILLAGE
9.4063
P.A. 359 MILLAGE
0.0608
LIBRARY MILLAGE
0.5000
SANITATION MILLAGE
1.5500
EPA LEVY MILLAGE
2.3868
SECTION 34. Be it further resolved that the Property Tax Administration Fee and any type of late penalty
charge as provided for by charter or statute be assessed.
CITY OF ROMULUS
GENERALAPPROPRIATIONS ACT
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROMULUS:
That for the expenditures of the
34 th District Court
and its activities for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2016
and ending June 30, 2017, the following amount is hereby appropriated.
OPERATING EXPENDITURES
$3,880,172
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes – Barden, Choate, Makowski, Roscoe Wadsworth.
Nays
– Abdo, Crout.
Motion Carried
.
16-238 5B.
Moved by
Wadsworth,
seconded by
Roscoe,
to concur with the administration and authorize the
mayor and clerk to enter into an agreement with the State of Michigan to resurface Wickham Road from Merriman
Road to Wick Road at a cost not to exceed $87,800 (20% of project match.)
Motion Carried Unanimously
6A. Clerk’s Report:
16-239 6A1.
Moved by
Makowski,
seconded by
Choate,
to approve second reading, final adoption of an ordi-
nance to to amend Section 52-24, Ordering Construction and Sec. 52-29, Alternatives to Construction of
Sidewalks; Payment-in-Lieu of Construction and to Remove Sec. 52-28 Sidewalk Appeals of the City of Romulus
Code of Ordinances – introduced at the Council meeting of May 2, 2016.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
16-240 6A2.
Moved by
Wadsworth,
seconded by
Crout,
to approve second reading, final adoption of a zoning
ordinance to amend Section 11.15, Animal/Agricultural; Sections 3.02, 6.02, 7.02, and 8.02, Schedule of Uses;
and Sections 24.02, 24.07, 24.12, 24.19, and 24.22, Definitions of the City of Romulus Zoning Ordinance to
amend regulations regarding Animal and Agricultural Uses – introduced at the Council meeting of May 2, 2016.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
16-241 6A3.
Moved by
Crout,
seconded by
Choate,
to approve second reading and final adoption of an ordi-
nance to amend Sections 13.04, Sidewalks and Non-Motorized Pathways and 20.09, Nonconforming sites of the
City of Romulus Zoning Ordinance to amend regulations regarding Sidewalks and Nonconforming Sites – intro-
duced at the Council meeting of May 2, 2016.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
16-242 6A4.
Moved by
Choate,
seconded by
Makowski,
to approve second reading and final adoption of an ordi-
nance to amend Section 17.02, Uses Requiring Site Plan Review of the City of Romulus Zoning Ordinance to
amend regulations regarding Site Plan Review – introduced at the Council meeting of May 2, 2016.
Motion
Carried Unanimously
.
6B. Treasurer’s Report:
None.
7. Public Comment:
A resident commented on the salary raises that were included in the 2016-2017 City Budget. A resident com-
mented that some elected officials donated their raise in salary back to the City.
8. Unfinished Business:
Councilman Wadsworth reminded the public of the Animal Shelter Bowl-A-Thon Fundraiser to be held on Friday,
May 13, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. Councilman Wadsworth and Mayor Burcroff talked about the Pennsylvania Road
Project with hopes that the City of Romulus and Huron Township will be able to secure federal funds to move for-
ward with said project. (The project would include building a bridge at the Pennsylvania Road railroad tracks
between I 275 and Huron River Drive).
9. New Business
10. Communication:
Councilwoman Makowski announced several upcoming events to be held at the Romulus Public Library. For
information, call the library at 942-7589.
16-243 11.
Moved by
Choate,
seconded by
Crout
to pay Warrant 16-09 in the amount of $1,470,414.11
Motion Carried Unanimously
12.
Moved by
Wadsworth,
seconded by
Makowski,
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 May 9, 2016.
State Rep. Julie Plawecki (D-
Dearborn Heights) and state
Sen. David Knezek (D-
Dearborn Heights) last week
introduced House Bill 5708 and
Senate Bill 1006, which would
amend the State School Aid Act
of 1979 to eliminate the remain-
ing debt held by the dissolved
Inkster Public Schools. The
appropriation of almost $37mil-
lion would come from the state
General Fund budget and not
burden other students around
the state.
This legislation addresses
the concern that the city of
Inkster and its residents are
currently paying down debt for
a school district that no longer
exists, Plawecki said in a pre-
pared statement. In 2013, the
state made the decision to dis-
solve the school district, includ-
ing transferring ownership of its
buildings, which placed a signif-
icant financial burden on the
community.
“The four school districts
surrounding Inkster have wel-
comed their students with open
arms, but the dissolved Inkster
Public Schools still has a sub-
stantial debt, which places an
onerous burden on the city and
its residents,” said Plawecki.
“This is similar to the situation
that Detroit Public Schools are
facing, as they are dealing with
a debt due to several decisions,
many of which were made by
the state. And just as the state is
helping Detroit Public Schools
with its debt obligations, we
believe the same should hap-
pen with the community of
Inkster.”
“Three years ago, the state of
Michigan made the decision to
dissolve Inkster Public Schools
against the will of the people,”
said Knezek. “While local resi-
dents, most notably the stu-
dents, have remained resilient
throughout this difficult
process, it is past time for the
state to step up and remove the
burden of debt from the resi-
dents of Inkster. There has been
enough suffering as a result of
decisions made by the state. It's
time to allow Inkster to move
forward without being forced to
pay for a school district that no
longer exists,” he concluded.
