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November 1, 2018 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN PAGE 7

INKSTER - ROMULUS

Public safety millage crucial to city

Romulus voters will be asked to firefighters and police officers has
approve a ballot proposal to provide decreased, the demands on first
funding for fire and police service in the responders have significantly
city. increased.
"We're asking residents to invest in Ten years ago, there were 30
public safety," commented Romulus firefighters, 15 full-time and 15
Mayor LeRoy D. Burcroff. paid on call). Currently, there are
The public safety millage on the bal- only 15 full-time and four part-
lot in Romulus Nov. 6 asks voters to time firefighters. Ten years ago,
approve 4 mills for a period of five years firefighters were responding to
to be used only for fire and police servic- an average of eight calls per day.
es. Romulus residents can call the asses- Today, crews average 14 calls
sor's office at (734) 942-7520 to find out per day, which is more than
what they will pay if the question is 5,000 per year.
approved by voters. Officials said fire There were 57 police offi-
and police services make up 60 percent cers in 2008-09 and there are
of the city general fund budget and 43 currently. Meanwhile,
Burcroff said public safety is a vital serv- police runs increased from
ice that government provides. Failure to 17,064 in 2009 to 20,607 in
approve the millage increase would 2017.
lead to cuts in funding for fire, police The city had to cut into the
and other essential services. budget fund balance (the
“By state law, the millage funds could “savings account” or “rainy
only be used to help support fire and day fund”) in order to main-
police services,” Burcroff said. Romulus tain current operations this
has experienced a tremendous loss of fiscal year and used $3.5
revenue in recent years. Taxable value million of savings. The Fire
dropped 36 percent between 2008 and and Police Millage would
2016. Experts predict it will not return to alleviate some of the drain
2008 levels until 2041. In addition, on the Fund
Romulus lost $9.4 million of state rev- Balance/Savings Account
enue sharing since 2002. These are the by moving $2.9 million
two primary sources of revenue for the from the General Fund
city. budget to a new Fire and
The city has already implemented Police fund. There is no
multiple cost-saving initiatives including “leftover” money. The
a reduction in staffing resulting in 49 money being displaced
fewer full-time employees than 10 years is less money being
ago, Burcroff noted. drained from the Fund
“It's imperative that we get this mill- Balance. If the trend
age passed,” said Romulus Police Chief were to continue with-
Jadie Settles. out any action, there would be a
Burcroff explained in an earlier negative fund balance by fiscal year sors for special
interview that the current situation is 2020. This is unacceptable for any events and creating foundations.
not the result of any mismanagement or municipality, officials said. “We are making good spending deci- tion, officials are available by calling or
undue expense, but rather one of histo- “These are must-have services. When sions,” Burcroff said. “We are doing visiting the mayor's office at Romulus
ry. When Romulus incorporated as a city you pick up a phone and dial 9-1-1, a more with less. I stand by our record. We City Hall, or view a town hall meeting
in 1970, the city charter called for 10 professionally trained person shows up have been very responsible with tax dol- and Mayor's Corner videos with Public
mills to fund local government in what as soon as possible. That must be sus- lars. We have done a good job.” Safety on the city YouTube channel
was largely then a farming community. tained. We have done a lot of creative For residents wanting more informa- www.youtube.com/CityofRomulus.
When the full-time police department things. We owe it to the residents to be
was formed in 1983, there was no part of the solution,” Burcroff said.”
increase in the millage rate. When the He added that the city administration
full-time fire department was formed in has been fiscally responsible, creating
1999, again, there was no increase in the service partnerships with Detroit
millage rate. Metropolitan Airport and other agen-
While the number of city employees, cies, using grant writers, seeking spon-
Legends raffle under way MINUTES OF REGULAR ROMULUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING

October 8, 2018
Romulus City Hall Council Chambers, 11111 Wayne Rd. Romulus, MI 48174
The holiday season is approaching lamb from Fairway Meats; two tickets to a
quickly, and Inkster Legends Founder Music Hall performance; two ReNue The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Pro-Tem John Barden.
Pledge of Allegiance
and Director Fred Smiley and his volun- teeth whitening packages at Cherryhill Roll Call: Kathy Abdo, John Barden, Celeste Roscoe, Tina Talley, William Wadsworth, Eva Webb, Virginia
teers are concentrating their efforts on Dental; dinner for two at along with other Williams.
Administrative Officials in Attendance:
their annual Christmas effort to help prizes from Texas Roadhouse; dinner for LeRoy D. Burcroff, Mayor
local families. two at Urban Soul; dinner for two at Barb Fitzgerald, Deputy Clerk
Each year, the Inkster Legends pro- Famous Ford Garage; dinner for two at Stacy Paige, Treasurer
vides gifts and food for 100 families in They Say and dinner for two at Red 1. Moved by Talley, seconded by Abdo to accept the agenda as presented. Motion Carried Unanimously.
18-359 2A. Moved by Wadsworth, seconded by Abdo to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the
need in Inkster. The group has been pro- Lobster. Romulus City Council held on October 1, 2018. Motion Carried Unanimously.
viding the help for families for seven Smiley said there will be a bonus 18-360 2B. Moved by Abdo, seconded by Talley to approve the minutes of the special meeting of the Romulus
City Council held on October 1, 2018 – Open Session, City Purchasing Ordinance. Motion Carried
years and volunteers are continuing the drawing this year for a Sunday soul food Unanimously.
sale of raffle tickets for the drawing that dinner for two at the Stardust Lounge. 3. Petitioner
supports the help for Inkster families. The drawing will take place at the 4. Chairperson’s Report
Jan Lemmon, Chairperson – Cemetery Board of Trustees thanked the VFW for their help in preparing for the
Each raffle ticket is priced at $10 and Sheraton Hotel at 6 p.m. Dec. 18, Smiley Medal of Honor Ceremony for Charles Cawetzka. She also announced that the spaghetti fundraiser dinner for
offers a chance to win one of three grand said, and winners do not have to be pres- the VFW raised $770. Jazmine Danci, Community Outreach Department, spoke about the upcoming Fall Festival
prizes; an autographed basketball from ent to claim their prizes. on Friday, Oct. 12; and, she thanked the sponsors of the event - Wayne County Community College, Wings Credit
Union, the local firefighters union, and the Romulus DDA.
the Harlem Globetrotters along with four Smiley stressed that this raffle is the 18-361 4A. Moved by Abdo, seconded by Webb to grant a no-fee permit for a road closure from Hunt Street
tickets to a game or four tickets to the main fundraiser for the Christmas between Goddard and Bibbins on Friday, October 12, 2018 from 5 to 8 p.m. for the Fall Festival event. Motion
Detroit Pistons game against the Toronto Giveaway which helps local families. Carried Unanimously.
4. Moved by Roscoe, seconded by Talley to accept the Chairperson’s Report. Motion Carried Unanimously.
Raptors on March 17 or four tickets to the “We couldn't do it without all those 5. Mayor’s Report
Universoul Circus in Detroit. who donate the prizes,” he said, “we're Mayor Burcroff spoke about the Paint N’ Pour event which raises money for the future Romulus Senior Center
Prizes this year include a weekend very thankful for all the support for all hair salon. The mayor presented a video of upcoming City events. Motion Carried Unanimously.
stay at the Sheraton Hotel including these years.” 18-363 5B. Moved by Roscoe, seconded by Talley to concur with the administration and award Bid ITB 18/19-
09 for a two-year bid (bid to terminate on September 30, 2020) to the lowest bidder, Compton Press Industries,
breakfast; four tickets to the Henry Ford To purchase tickets for the raffle, call for the quarterly printing, handling, and mailing of the City’s newsletter at the pricing reflected in the company’s
Museum; a Birthday Party Blast for 13 at Smiley at (734) 890-2478, Daniel Orr at bid. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Barden, Roscoe, Talley. Nays – Abdo, Wadsworth, Webb, Williams. Motion Failed.
6A. Clerk’s Report
the Romulus Athletic Center; a weekend (313)715-6700 or Larry Spencer at 18-364 6A1. Moved by Webb, seconded by Williams to concur with City Clerk, Ellen Craig-Bragg to grant
stay at the Marriott Hotel; two racks of (313)520-8144. approval for the mayor and clerk to enter into a one-year services agreement with CivicPlus, Inc. for the City of
Romulus meeting agendas and management solution software. Motion Carried Unanimously.
18-365 6A2. Moved by Roscoe, seconded by Talley to concur with City Assessor, Julie Albert, and grant
approval for the mayor and clerk to execute a “Release of Deed of Trust” for 38287 Tyler Road aka 80-069-99-
CITY OF ROMULUS ORDINANCE NO. 2018-006 0049-009, as prepared by City Attorney, Steve Hitchcock. Motion Carried Unanimously.
An ordinance to amend and restate Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan for the 18-366 6A3. Moved by Wadsworth, seconded by Webb to approve second reading, final adoption of Budget
Romulus Downtown Development Authority. Amendment 18/19-14 which was introduced at the Council meeting of October 1, 2018. Motion Carried
Unanimously.
18-367 6A4. Moved by Abdo, seconded by Webb to schedule a public hearing for Monday, Oct. 22, 2018 at 6:30
The City of Romulus, Wayne County, Michigan hereby ordains:
p.m. to hear comments and discuss the City Purchasing Ordinance. Motion Carried Unanimously.
18-368 6A5. Moved by Webb, seconded by Roscoe to approve second reading, final adoption of Romulus DDA
ARTICLE VI. - DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 1990 PLAN Downtown Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan which was introduced at the Council meeting
2018 Restated Plan means the Tax Increment Financing and Development Plan for the Romulus of September 24, 2018. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Abdo, Barden, Roscoe, Talley, Wadsworth, Webb. Nays –
Downtown Development Area Number 1 and Development Area Number 2 for the City, as trans- Williams. Motion Carried.
mitted to the City Council by the authority for public hearing, and confirmed by this article, copies 6B. Treasurer’s Report
of which plan are on file in the office of the City Clerk. 7. Public Comment
8. Unfinished Business
Sec. 12-149. - Definitions through Section 12-162, Agreement with taxing jurisdictions. 18-369 8A. Moved by Wadsworth, seconded by Webb to award Bid ITB 18/19-09 for a two-year bid (bid to
terminate on September 30, 2020) to Johnston Lithograph, Inc. for the quarterly printing, handling and mailing
of the City’s newsletter at the pricing reflected in the company’s bid. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Abdo, Barden,
The full Amended Ordinance may be viewed at the Romulus City Clerk's Office, 11111 Wayne Talley, Wadsworth, Webb, Williams. Nays – Roscoe. Motion Carried.
Road, Romulus, MI. 734-942-7540. 9. New Business
10. Communication
ADOPTED, APPROVED AND PASSED by the City Council of the City of Romulus on this 8th day Councilwoman Talley spoke about the Romulus Fire Department open house that was held this past weekend;
of October, 2018. Ellen L. Craig-Bragg, Romulus City Clerk and, she announced a pancake fundraiser will be held for Pastor Kren on Saturday, November 10, 2018 from 8
a.m. until 11 a.m. at the Community Methodist Church. Mayor Burcroff thanked Block’s Market for the dona-
Within forty-five (45) days after publication of any ordinance duly passed by the Council, a petition tions of pumpkins and apples to the Fire Department open house.
may be presented to the Council protesting against such ordinance continuing in effect. Said peti- 18-370 11. Moved by Abdo, seconded by Talley to pay Warrant 18-19 in the amount of $1,319,814.14. Roll Call
tion shall contain the text of such ordinance and shall be signed by not less than six percent (6%) of Vote: Ayes – Abdo, Barden, Roscoe, Talley, Wadsworth, Webb, Williams. Nays – None. Motion Carried
Unanimously.
the registered electors registered at the last preceding election at which a mayor of the City was 12. Moved by Wadsworth, seconded by Webb to adjourn the regular meeting of the Romulus City Council.
elected. Said ordinance shall thereupon and thereby be suspended from operation and the Council Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Abdo, Barden, Roscoe, Talley, Wadsworth, Webb, Williams. Nays – None. Motion
shall immediately reconsider such ordinance. Carried Unanimously.
I, Ellen L. Craig-Bragg, Clerk for the City of Romulus, Michigan do hereby certify the foregoing to be a true
Introduced: 09-24-2018, Second Reading 10-08-2018, Published/Effective: 11-01-2018 copy of the minutes of the regular meeting of the Romulus City Council held on October 8, 2018.
RM0350 - 110118 2.5 x 4.102 RM0351 - 110118 2.5 x 9.308