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EWSPAPERS OF
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A
UGUST
11, 2011
MINUTES OF REGULAR ROMULUS CITY COUNCILMEETING
JULY 25, 2011 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 D. Burcroff.
Present:
John Barden, LeRoy Burcroff, Linda Choate, William Crova, Celeste Roscoe, William
Wadsworth, Eva Webb.
Administrative Officials in Attendance:
Betsey Krampitz, Chief of Staff
Ellen L. Craig-Bragg, Clerk
Stacy Paige, Treasurer
1.
Moved by Crova, seconded by Choate to accept the agenda as amended.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff, Choate, Crova, Roscoe, Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None
Motion Carried Unanimously.
11-212 2A.
Moved by Wadsworth, seconded by Roscoe to approve the minutes of the regular meet-
ing of the Romulus City Council held July 11, 2011.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff,
Choate, Crova, Roscoe, Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None
Motion Carried Unanimously.
11-213 3A.
Moved by Wadsworth, seconded by Barden to grant a no-fee permit to Ball Road
Tabernacle Church, 7007 Ball Road, Romulus for a non-profit fundraiser "Patriots Ride for Hunger
Freedom Festival" on Saturday, September 10, 2011 with proceeds to go to "Nitch-for-the-Needy"
Food Bank and Resource Center.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff, Choate, Crova, Roscoe,
Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None
Motion Carried Unanimously.
3B. No action required by Council.
11-214 3C.
Moved by Choate, seconded by Crova to concur with the police department and
approve the MK Hospitality LLC, request to transfer ownership of escrowed 2011 Class C
licensed business with official permit (food) located at 205-211 W. Congress, Detroit, MI 48226,
Wayne County from Confidential Inc.; transfer location (governmental unit) under MCL 436.1531(1)
to 31500 Wick, Romulus, MI 48174, Wayne County and request to add new SDM license, dance-
entertainment permit and two additional bar permits (for a total of three bars). No topless dancing
will be allowed and owner must comply with all city ordinances and obtain a valid certificate of
occupancy and business license.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff, Choate, Crova, Roscoe,
Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None
Motion Carried Unanimously.
11-215 4A1.
Moved by Wadsworth, seconded by Roscoe to recognize VFW Post 1869 for all their
efforts in the past year promoting anti-drugs and safety programs for children, teens and parents.
Roll
Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff, Choate, Crova, Roscoe, Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None
Motion Carried Unanimously.
11-216 4A2.
Moved by Crova, seconded by Barden to approve a no-fee and special events sign to be
placed at 10940 South Wayne Road to advertise the Farmers Market. The temporary sign will stay at
the location through the end of August, 2011.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff, Choate,
Crova, Roscoe, Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None
Motion Carried Unanimously.
4.
Moved by Crova, seconded by Choate to accept the chairperson's report.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
-
Barden, Burcroff, Choate, Crova, Roscoe, Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None
Motion Carried Unanimously.
11-217 5(1).
Moved by Webb, seconded by Roscoe to approve an application for a New Personal
Property Tax Exemption, PA 328 of 1988, as amended , to General Motors, LLC: WHEREAS, the
applicant, General Motors, LLC, has filed an application for Exemption of New Personal Property for
property located at 36880 Ecorse Road, Romulus, MI 48174, as provided by PA 328 of 1998, a s
amended; and WHEREAS, the City of Romulus meets the definition of an "Eligible Local Assessing
District" under PA 328 of 1998, as amended, MCL 211.9f(8)(g), by virtue of containing an eligible
distressed area as defined by MCL 211.9f(8)(f)(ii), in accordance with PA 24 of 1995, as amended,
MCL207.809; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Public Act 198 of 1974, as amended, after a March 18,
1975 public hearing, on March 18, 1975 the City Council of the City of Romulus lawfully established
an Industrial Development District and this Industrial Development District constitutes an "eligible
district" under PA 328 of 1998, as amended, MCL 211.9F; and
WHEREAS, under PA 328 of 1998, as amended, MCL 211.9f, General Motors, LLC, meets the defi-
nition of an "Eligible Business," is an 'eligible taxpayer,' and is engaged primarily in manufacturing at
locations 36880 Ecorse Road, Romulus, MI 48174 (hereinafter the "Facility"); and WHEREAS, the
new personal property was not placed in the facility within the eligible district prior to approval of the
exemption by the City Council of the city of Romulus; and WHEREAS, General Motors,
LLC, is not delinquent on any taxes related to the facility, including taxes owed on existing personal
property; and WHEREAS, the applicant must promptly enter into a services agreement with the City
of Romulus that is acceptable to the City of Romulus. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by
the City Council of the City of Romulus to hereby grant General Motors, LLC, a New Personal
Property Exemption pursuant to the provisions of PA 328 of 1998, as amended, for personal property,
which after the adoption of this Resolution is placed in the Facility and within the Industrial
Development District at 36880 Ecorse Road, Romulus, MI 48174. This General Property Tax Act
exemption for such personal property shall be for a period of 25 years, beginning December 31, 2011,
and ending December 30, 2036, pursuant to the provisions of PA 328 of 1998, as amended.
Roll Call
Vote: Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff, Choate, Crova, Roscoe, Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None
Motion Carried Unanimously.
11-218 5(2).
Moved by Wadsworth, seconded by Crova to authorize the mayor and clerk to enter into
a
services agreement between the City of Romulus and General Motors, LLC: WHEREAS,
Michigan Public Act 328 of 1998, which is section 9f of Michigan's General Property Tax Act and
MCL 211.9f, permits the City to enact a resolution exempting certain personal property within the
City; and WHEREAS, in the City the Company has a manufacturing facility (hereinafter referred to
as the "Plant"), which has over one million square feet of floor area; and WHEREAS, the Company
has advised the City that it is considering a project (the "Project"), which if approved and implement-
ed as currently contemplated, is expected to result in the Company's investing approximately
$300,000,000 at the Plant; and WHEREAS, the Company has advised the City that for the Company
to approve and implement the Project, conditions that must be satisfied include but are not limited to
personal property tax exemption for twenty-five tax years for the personal property to be placed in
service at the Plant and adoption by the City of the resolution attached hereto as Exhibit A (here-
inafter the "Resolution"); and WHEREAS, the City is willing to adopt the Resolution and approve the
personal property exemption the Company desires as long as the Company enters into this
Agreement, which provides in part that under
specified circumstances the Company will make payments to insure that the City will be able to pro-
vide certain services for police, fire, emergency preparedness and response support (including home-
land security), and other essential services to the Company; and WHEREAS, the Company is willing
to enter into this Agreement to confirm that under specified circumstances the Company will make
payments to insure that the City will be able to provide certain services for police, fire, emergency
preparedness and response support (including homeland security), and other essential services to the
Company; and WHEREAS, the Company and City acknowledge that they are entering into this
Agreement voluntarily.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff, Choate, Crova, Roscoe, Wadsworth,
Webb.
Nays
- None
Motion Carried Unanimously.
11-219 5A.
Moved by Crova, seconded by Barden to extend Bid award 06/07-02, pavement marking
to R.S. Contracting through the end of 2011.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff,
Choate, Crova, Roscoe, Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None
Motion Carried Unanimously.
11-220 5B.
Moved by Choate, seconded by Wadsworth to award Bid 10/11-14 for a three-year con-
tract for office supplies under the MITN Bid to the best qualified bidder, Office Max.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff, Choate, Crova, Roscoe, Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None Motion Carried Unanimously.
11-221 5C.
Moved by Roscoe, seconded by Webb to award Bid 10/11-31 for cellular telephone serv-
ices for the City of Romulus to Verizon Wireless with a term to expire in October of 2012.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff, Choate, Crova, Roscoe, Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None
Motion Carried Unanimously.
11-222 5D.
Moved by Webb, seconded by Barden to approve the attached Senior Alliance Annual
Implementation Plan for Aging Services for fiscal year 2012 as presented.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
-
Barden, Burcroff, Choate, Crova, Roscoe, Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None
Motion Carried Unanimously.
11-223 5E.
Moved by Wadsworth, seconded by Roscoe to authorize HVAC Improvements at the
Romulus Police Department under the existing Honeywell Energy Savings Agreement/Service
Contract at a cost not to exceed $18,000.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff, Choate, Crova,
Roscoe, Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
11-224 5F.
Moved by Roscoe, seconded by Choate to concur with the recommendation of Debra
Hoffman, finance director, to introduce Budget Amendment 10/11-29 to increase health and dental
insurance budgets due to premium increases, changes in coverage, changes in personnel and effects
of health care reform.
FUND/DEPT.
CURRENT
AMENDED
ACCOUNT NO.
ACCOUNT NAME
BUDGET AMENDMENT
BUDGET
GENERAL FUND
Expense
101-1210-712.72.50
Mayor Dental Insurance
4,170
100
4,270
101-1320-713.72-40
Election Health Insurance
9,470
1,000
10,470
101-1320-713.72-50
Election Dental Insurance
780
100
880
101-2110-721.72-40
Assessor Health Insurance
46,555 5,500
52,055
101-2110-721.72-42
Assessor Prescription Reimb
0
20 20
101-2210-721.72-40
Comm Dev Health Insurance
640 290 930
101-2210-721.72-50
Comm Dev Dental Insurance
42 25 67
101-2310-723.72-40
Finance Health Insurance 49,288 4,000 53,288
101-2310-723.72-42
Finance Prescription Reimb
0 160 160
101-2310-723.72-50
Finance Dental Insurance
5,100 620 5,720
101-3110-731.72-40
Police Health Insurance
788,579 104,250 892,829
101-3110-731.72-42
Police Prescription Reimb 0 3,800 3,800
101-3110-731.72-50
Police Dental Insurance
56,559 1,510 58,069
101-3810-738.72-40
Planning Health Insurance
974 12,910 13,884
101-3810-738.72-42
Planning Prescription Reimb
0 35 35
101-3810-738.72-50
Planning Dental Insurance
2,263 20 2,283
101-4110-741.72-40
DPW Health Insurance
7,490 5,485 12,975
101-4110-741.72-42
DPW Prescription Reimb
0 20 20
101-4110-741.72-50
DPW Dental Insurance
732 600 1,332
101-4130-741.72-50
Building & Grounds Dental Ins
1,335 140 1,475
101-4140-741.72-50
Cemetery Dental Insurance
113 15 128
Contingency
101-2920-729.89.01
General Fund Contingency
967,244 (140,600) 826,644
To increase health and dental insurance budgets due to premium increases, changes in coverages, changes
in personnel, and effects of health care reform.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff, Choate, Crova, Roscoe, Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None
Motion Carried Unanimously.
11-225 5G.
Moved by Barden, seconded by Crova to adopt a resolution in accordance with the
GASB Statement Number 54 to authorize finance director, Debra Hoffman, to indicate the City of
Romulus' intent to assign fund balance for a specific purpose for financial reporting purposes.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff, Choate, Crova, Roscoe, Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None
Motion Carried Unanimously.
11-226 10.
Moved by Roscoe, seconded by Crova to adopt a memorial resolution for the family of
Emma Staten.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff, Choate, Crova, Roscoe, Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None Motion Carried Unanimously.
11-227 11.
Moved by Barden, seconded by Choate to authorize the city treasurer to disburse funds as
listed In Warrant 11-14 in the amount of Six Hundred Ninety-Nine Thousand, Six Hundred Ninety-
Six Dollars and Eighty-Seven Cents. ($699,696.87).
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Barden, Burcroff, Choate,
Roscoe, Wadsworth, Webb.
Nays
- None
Abstain
- Crova.
Motion Carried.
12.
Moved by Wadsworth, seconded by Roscoe to adjourn the regular meeting of the Romulus City
Council. Roll Call Vote: Ayes - Barden, Burcroff, Choate, 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 July 25,
2011.
Publish: August 11, 2011
B
ELLEVILLE
- R
OMULUS
Romulus Athletic Center
vies for ‘best of’ honors
New restaurant gets OK
Members of theRomulus City Council are
hoping one of the most popular facilities in
the citywillmakeDetroit's 'A-List.'
The Romulus Athletic Center (RAC) is in
the running for the best gym in metro
Detroit, as voted by members of the public
onDetroit.cityvoter.com.
"This is a big deal," said council president
Leroy Burcroff. "We have one of the best ath-
letic centers in all of this area, but this is a
chance for people to hear from people that
utilize it.
"I'd love to hear that Romulus is number
one," he added.
There are about 140 different categories
to choose fromon the site-anything frombest
live comedy to best pet sitting-and voters can
cast ballots on almost any of them. Another
prominent landmark, the State Wayne
Theater, is in the running forBest Theater.
Councilman William Crova said the RAC
has been successful since it opened three
years ago. Membership is around 3,000mem-
berswith 8,000 participants.
Another restaurant will breathe new life
into an old facility in Romulus and bring
about 100 jobswith it.
The city council approved a liquor
license transfer and dance permit on
Monday for Lucky's Pub and Grille, which
will be located on Ecorse Road near
Merriman Road, and was previously the Z
Bar andGrille.
Waleed Mona, the new owner, said he
plans to completely renovate the premises,
according to his attorney, PatrickHowe.
“It should be a great asset to the commu-
nity,” saidHowe.
Mona is from Iraq, but has lived in the
U.S. for more than 30 years. He owns three
other Lucky's Pub and Grille locations, two
inDetroit and one in Southfield. He said the
new location would be similar to those
three, open for lunch and dinner seven days
a week, and occasionally host a live band or
standup comedy show.
“It's basically a sports pub with some
dancing and entertainment,” saidHowe.
Staying sharp
Keystone Academy students
have been enjoying
Wednesdays at Keystone when
they visit the school library to
catch up on their summer
bridge workbooks, do some
silent reading and use the com-
puters. The l ibrary is open
weekly throughout the summer
to promote and encourage stu-
dents continue learning, read-
ing, and keeping their minds
sharp to prevent the dreaded
summer brain drain according
to instructor Keturah Godfrey.