A
SSOCIATED
N
EWSPAPERS OF
M
ICHIGAN
P
AGE
3
November 22, 2017
W
AYNE
- W
ESTLAND
‘Tis the season
Communities plan holiday tree lightings, Santa visits
Wayne prepares for national Shop Local Saturday
MINUTES OF REGULAR ROMULUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING
November 6, 2017
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:
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, Clerk
Stacy Paige, Treasurer
1.
Moved by
Makowski,
seconded by
Roscoe
to accept the agenda as presented.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
17-364 2A.
Moved by
Crout
seconded by
Abdo
to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Romulus City
Council held on October 23, 2017
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
17-365 2B.
Moved by
Wadsworth,
seconded by
Abdo
to approve the minutes of the special meeting of the
Romulus City Council held on October 23, 2017; Open Session, Aerotropolis Proposal to Revised Interlocal
Agreement; Closed Session, Attorney Opinion.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
3A. Petitioner: None.
4. Chairperson’s Report:
Mayor John Barden presented awards for the Scarecrow Contest: first prize, Fire Department; second prize, Boy
Scouts Troop 872; third prize, Romulus Library. Councilman Crout announced that “Helping Hands” is in need of
turkey donations for Thanksgiving.
4.
Moved by
Roscoe,
seconded by
Makowski
to accept the Chairperson’s Report.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
5. Mayor’s Report:
17-366 5A.
Moved by
Wadsworth,
seconded by
Crout
to concur with the administration to re-appoint Maria
Lambert, Debbie Hoffman, Julie Wojtylko, Cynthia Keleman, Ellen Craig-Bragg, Lynn Conway and Merrie Druyor
to the Romulus Arts Council with all terms to expire on November 11, 2019.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
17-367 5A1.
Moved by
Makowski,
seconded by
Choate
to concur with the administration to appoint resident
Lauren Wilhide to the Romulus Arts Council with a term to expire on November 11, 2019.
Motion Carried
Unanimously
.
17-368 5A2.
Moved by
Makowski,
seconded by
Roscoe
to adopt a memorial resolution for the family of William
“Billy” Campbell.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
17-369 5B.
Moved by
Makowski,
seconded by
Roscoe
to concur with the administration and authorize the mayor
and clerk to enter into the Tax Increment Revenue Collection and Retention Agreement between the City of
Romulus and the Local Development Finance Authority of the Detroit Region Aerotropolis Development
Corporation
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
17-370 5C.
Moved by
Wadsworth,
seconded by
Abdo
to concur with the administration and authorize the mayor
and clerk to enter into the Aerotropolis Development Area and Tax Increment Revenue Collection and Retention
Agreement.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
17-371 5D.
Moved by
Makowski,
seconded by
Wadsworth
to concur with the administration and authorize the
proposal from WH Canon for holiday lighting along the Merriman Road corridor (from I-94 to Leonardo’s) with
the price not to exceed $6,655.00.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
17-372 5E.
Moved by
Choate,
seconded by
Crout
to concur with the administration and approve the proposed
Sub-Recipient Agreement between the City of Romulus and Wayne County for the expenditure of Community
Development Block Grant Funds. Term July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2022, pending revision of the agreement
to reflect Workers’ Compensation language agreement not to exceed $500,000.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
17-373 5F.
Moved by
Makowski,
seconded by
Choate
to concur with the administration and authorize the change
order for additional services proposed by OHM associated with the CDBG Fire Station Rehab Project in an amount
not to exceed $38,512.50.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
17-374 5G.
Moved by
Wadsworth,
seconded by
Abdo
to concur with the administration to increase the Building
Department’s overtime account for increased workload due to several new large developments. The expenses are
offset with revenues from permit fees.
FUND/DEPT. CURRENT
AMENDED
ACCOUNT NO.
ACCOUNT NAME
BUDGET AMENDMENT BUDGET
General Fund
101-371-477.000 Building Permits/City Certs 725,000 51,810 776,810
Expenditures:
101-371-710.000
Building Safety - Overtime
16,000
50,000 66,000
101-371-715.000 Building Safety-Social Security 31,260 750 32,010
101-371-715.001 Building Safety – Medicare 7,320 720 8,040
101-371-722.000 Building Safety-Worker’s Comp 4,060 340 4,400
To increase the Building Department’s overtime account for increased workload due to several new large devel-
opments. The expenses are offset with revenues from permit fees.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
17-375 5H.
Moved by
Makowski,
seconded by
Roscoe
to concur with the administration to increase the project
budget to cover additional costs with the Vining Road/Ecorse Road improvements (reimbursement funds received
and deposited).
FUND/DEPT.
CURRENT
AMENDED
ACCOUNT NO.
ACCOUNT NAME
BUDGET
AMENDMENT BUDGET
Vining Road Ext-Ecorse Rd. Construction
Expenditures:
402-000-980.001 Project Costs
2,266,000
1,271,290 3,537,290
Revenues:
402-000-674.297 Contribution from Others 2,266,000 1,271,290 3,537,290
To increase the project budget to cover additional costs with the Vining Road/Ecorse Road improvements (reim-
bursement funds received and deposited).
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
17-376 5I
Moved by
Choate,
seconded by
Makowski
to concur with the administration to adjust budgeted expen-
ditures amounts based on Wayne County’s Sub-Recipient Agreement received October 27, 2017.
FUND/DEPT.
CURRENT
AMENDED
ACCOUNT NO.
ACCOUNT NAME
BUDGET AMENDMENT BUDGET
Comm. Dev. Block Grant
Revenuue:
252-000-501.100 Federal Grant Revenue
580,472
(15,184) 565,288
Expenditures:
252-000.831.017 General Admin 17-24-21A
15,180 (1,517) 13,663
252-000-844.017 Senior Services 17-24-05A
22,770 (2,276) 20,494
252-000-847.017 DWTN Fac/Rehab 17-24-14E
20,000 (2,000) 18,000
252-000-887.017 Econ Dev-Rom Fire Sta 17-24-04 93,860 (9,391) 84,469
To adjust budgeted expenditures amounts based on Wayne County Subrecipient Agreement received 10/27/17.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
17-377 5J.
Moved by
Choate,
seconded by
Makowski
to concur with the administration to recognize additional
program income revenue from repayment of liens and additional program income expenses.
FUND/DEPT. CURRENT
AMENDED
ACCOUNT NO.
ACCOUNT NAME
BUDGET AMENDMENT BUDGET
Comm. Dev. Block Grant
Revenue:
252-000-683.000 Program Income-Repayment
15,000
14,440 29,440
Repayment of Liens
Expenditures:
252-000-844.000 Program Income 10,000 14,440 24,440
To recognize additional program income revenue from repayment of liens and additional program income revenue
expenses. (Note: This has no effect on fund balance)
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
17-378 5K.
Moved by
Makowski,
seconded by
Choate
to concur with employee committee, the administration
and legal counsel and adopt the updates to the employee policy and procedure manual – policies #3, #4, #6, #7, #8,
#10, #11, #13, #15, #17, #18, #21, #22, #24; replacement policies #27 and #32 and new policy #36.
Motion
Carried Unanimously
.
17-379 5L.
Moved by
Wadsworth,
seconded by
Roscoe
to concur with the administration and approve the appoint-
ment of Catherine Morse to the City of Romulus Officer Compensation Commission with a term to expire on June
24, 2019.
Motion Carried.
6A. Clerk’s Report:
City Clerk, Ellen Craig-Bragg, announced that November 7 th is Election Day. For those voting at Halecreek and
Barth Schools, they must use the front entrance. At the RAC there will be designated voters parking; and, handi-
cap parking will be available at all locations. Election results will be available on the city website and the returns
will be in after 8:00 p.m. A resident spoke about 6A6, Renters Ordinance.
17-380 6A1.
Moved by
Wadsworth,
seconded by
Makowski
to approve second reading, final adoption of Budget
Amendment 17/18-11, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority which was introduced at the Council meeting of
October 23, 2017.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
17-381 6A2.
Moved by
Choate,
seconded by
Crout
to approve second reading, final adoption of Budget
Amendment 17/18-12, Vining Road Extension – Ecorse Road Construction which was introduced at the Council
meeting of October 23, 2017.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
17-382 6A3.
Moved by
Makowski,
seconded by
Wadsworth
to approve second reading, final adoption of City of
Romulus Distributed Antenna Systems Ordinance (DAS). This ordinance was introduced at the Council meeting
of October 23, 2017.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
17-383 6A4.
Moved by
Makowski,
seconded by
Roscoe
to approve second reading, final adoption of City of
Romulus Ordinance Chapter 36, Article V, Offenses Against Peace to add “Requirements of Property Owners or
Prohibit Disorderly Persons from Use or Possession of Property.” This ordinance was introduced at the Council
meeting of October 23, 2017.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
17-384 6A5.
Moved by
Wadsworth,
seconded by
Choate
to approve second reading, final adoption of City of
Romulus Ordinance Chapter 58, Article II, a new section to Prevent Distracted Driving in the City of Romulus.
This ordinance was introduced at the Council meeting of October 23, 2017. Discussion: Councilwoman Abdo asked
for clarification of the ordinance.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
17-385 6A6.
Moved by
Makowski,
seconded by
Choate
to approve second reading, final adoption of City of
Romulus Ordinance to amend Article VII to add Sections 8-238 to 8-249 for Registration of Rental Properties in
the City of Romulus. This ordinance was introduced at the Council meeting of October 23, 2017.
Motion Carried
Unanimously
.
6B. Treasurer’s Report:
City Treasurer, Stacy Paige, announced that winter tax bills will be mailed out on December1st. The bills are due
on February 14, 2017. For further information, call the Treasurer’s Office at 734-942-7580.
7. Public Comment:
Romulus Flyers treasurer thanked the City for their continued support of the Flyers. A resident asked about the food
pantry that was supposed to open on Merriman Road and asked about the process of getting a handicap sign in front
of her house. A resident asked for a memorial resolution. A resident spoke about putting people first. A resident
asked about the Distracted Driving Ordinance.
17-386 7A.
Moved by
Makowski,
seconded by
Choate
to adopt a memorial resolution for the family of Cynthia
M. Mulenga-Alexander.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
8. Unfinished Business:
Mayor Burcroff advised that he will address the handicap sign process. City Attorney, Steve Hitchcock, addressed
the distracted driving inquiry.
9. New Business:
Councilman Wadsworth presented Councilwoman Choate with a resolution recognizing her retirement. Jan
Lemmon, Chairperson, Cemetery Board of Trustees, spoke about Councilwoman Choate’s dedication to the
Cemetery Board of Trustees as the Council Liaison Clerk Ellen Craig-Bragg presented a gift to Councilwoman
Choate for her retirement; then a video honoring Councilwoman Choate was shown in the Council Chanbers.
Mayor Pro-Tem John Barden turned the meeting over to Councilwoman Choate for her to chair the rest of the meet-
ing and she thanked everyone for all the love and support. Councilwoman Roscoe announced that Boy Scouts Troop
872 will be passing out “Can Do” bags; and, the food that is collected will be donated to Romulus residents.
Councilman Wadsworth spoke about the recent loss of two outstanding citizens of the City of Romulus, Madeline
Arkuski and Phil Renke.
10. Communication:
Councilwoman Roscoe announced that Boy Scouts Troop 872 will be passing out “Can Do” bags; and, the food
that is collected will be donated to Romulus residents. Councilman Wadsworth spoke about the recent loss of two
outstanding citizens of the City of Romulus, Madeline Arkuski and Phil Renke.
11.
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 November 6, 2017.
Publish:
November 22, 2017
RM0238 - 112217 5 x 10.562
InWayne
The official holiday tree lighting cere-
mony in Wayne is planned for 5:30-8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 2 at the Wayne Historical
Museum.
The event, part of the Holiday Night at
the Museum, is being organized by mem-
bers of the Wayne Historical Society. The
evening will include the tree lighting per-
formed this year by local Realtor Pat Rice,
the 2017 winner of the Diamond of the
CommunityAward in the city.
Santa Claus will arrive in a horse-
drawn wagon and be presented the key to
the city. He will then be available to pose
for photographs with are children. There
will be crafts for youngsters and the
Wayne Memorial High School Marching
Band and Choir will entertain along with
music groups from several local churches.
A petting farm will be on site during the
event andwagon rideswill be available.
Cookies and hot chocolate will be
served around aCommunityFirePit.
Last year, between 600-800 people
attended the event, noted Ann Podolski
Zimmerman, president of the Wayne
Historical Society. Of that estimated total,
about 250-300were children, she added.
Donations are now being sought to
help fund the event and those who con-
tribute will be listed as a community part-
ner during the event, in promotional
materials and all social media communi-
cations used to promote the event, esti-
mated to cost about $6,000
Several levels of sponsorship are avail-
able, included the diamond level contri-
bution of $2,500, emerald level contribu-
tion of $1,000 and sapphire level donation
of $500. Ruby level contributions of spon-
sorship are available at $250 and pearl
level sponsors donate $100. Any money
donated that exceed the expenditures this
year will be used as seed money for the
event next year, Poldolski-Zimmerman
said. Gifts for children to be used as prizes
for ticket drawings are also being sought.
Donations can be mailed to the Wayne
Historical Society, P.O. Box 486, Wayne,
Michigan 48184. Checks should be made
payable toTheWayneHistorical Society.
This holiday season Wayne
Main Street is reminding shop-
pers to think small and shop
local. The organization is spear-
heading Small Business
Saturday initiative in downtown
Wayne, which will take place on
Saturday, Nov. 25.
The day will begin with an
event from 10 a.m. until noon at
Karma Coffee & Kitchen, 35634
W. Michigan Ave. Participants
will be able to pick up a free
“shop small” tote and other
Small Business Saturday swag.
Wayne Main Street will also be
giving away gift cards that can
be used at local businesses and
other promotional materials.
The event is free to attend and
the first 100 people to register
will receive a free small coffee
fromKarmaCoffee.
Following the morning event,
participants are invited to visit
the more than 20 participating
stores in downtown Wayne.
Designer Wearhouse, Leo's
Jewelry, Helium Studio,
NorthsideHardware, andPuffer
Reds, and many others are
among the businesses partici-
pating in the event this year.
More information, including
a link to register for the kick off
event, can be found at down-
townwayne.org/smallbizsatur-
day.
For many retailers in Wayne,
Small Business Saturday has a
significant impact on their bot-
tomline.
“Shopping in downtown
Wayne is a great way to get
amazing gifts for your friends
and family, while supporting
local Wayne businesses and
establishments,” commented
Kaitlynn Riley, Wayne Main
Street boardmember.
Started in 2010, by American
Express and the National Trust
for Historic Preservation, Small
Business Saturday is a nation-
wide shopping event aimed at
supporting small businesses and
traditional downtown retail dis-
tricts such as downtown Wayne
by encouraging people to shop
local. Small Business Saturday
complements some of the other
shopping events that take place
throughout the holiday season,
including Black Friday and
CyberMonday.
For more information, con-
tact Wayne Main Street at direc-
call
(734) 629-6822, or visit down-
townwayne.org.
InWestland
Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive in
Westland during a celebration beginning at
5:30 p.m.Wednesday, Dec. 6.
The annual Deck the City Hall celebra-
tion will begin the holiday season in the
city, officials said, when residents and
guests gather in front of city hall to sing
Christmas carols and welcome Santa and
Mrs. Claus. Cookies and hot cocoa will be
served in city hall after the couple helps
Mayor William R. Wild light the official
Christmas tree and city hall grounds. There
will also be interactive dance activities in
order to promote the Westland Healthy
City Initiative and children can write out
their lists for Santa and put them in Santa's
Mailbox that goes direct to theNorthPole.
Children will also have a chance to visit
with Santa and Mrs. Claus. As part of the
Westland Compassionate City Initiative,
anyonewho brings a $5 per child or $10 per
family monetary donation for "Shop with a
Hero" or an unwrapped toy for the
Westland Goodfellows toy drive will get a
Fast Pass to see Santa and will be able to
skip the line.
There will be overflow parking avail-
able at JCPenney at Westland Shopping
Center and free shuttle buses will be pro-
vided.
The City of Westland is also holding a
holiday poster contest for kids. Westland
residents or Wayne Westland School
District students grades K - 6 are asked to
make a poster with the theme, "What an All
American Winter Holiday Looks Like to
Me." Posters should be turned in to the
office at their school, no later than Nov. 27.
Contest entries will be displayed in the City
Hall Art Gallery where visitors will have
the opportunity to vote for their favorite.
First prize for the contest is a guaranteed
white holiday, with a truck of snow being
delivered to the winner's home. Second
and third place finishers will win free
movie tickets and passes to Airtime
Trampoline andGamePark.
For those who cannot attend the "Deck
the City Hall" event, letters to Santa can be
dropped off at Santa's Mailbox at Westland
CityHall fromNov. 28 toDec. 8.
