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PAGE 4 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN December 26, 2019

BELLEVILLE - ROMULUS

Van Buren Township files suit against Visteon

Van Buren Township has not sue claiming a shortfall that edged the weakness of its inter-
filed a lawsuit against Visteon had not yet occurred. Both the ” pretation of the agreement” and
claiming the company has failed Michigan Court of Appeals and The township claims that Visteon agreed to said that the calculation by the
to honor an agreement regard- the Michigan Supreme Court cover any shortfall in tax revenue as payments are township did not comply with
ing $28 million in bonds the agreed with that decision. the agreement.
township issued to help fund the Now, the shortfall has taken due on the bonds issued by the township in 2003. Van Buren Township is ask-
automotive supplier world head- place, according to township ing the Wayne County Circuit
quarters. Again. officials who claim that the rev- Court to order Visteon to pay the
The township claims that enue shortfall of $618,736 was bringing this shortfall to turned out exactly as we project- current shortfall in tax revenue
Visteon agreed to cover any experienced on Oct. 1. Attorney Visteon's attention when we had ed, and Visteon is still and all other future shortfalls
shortfall in tax revenue as pay- Kaveh Kashef of Butzel Long certainty of the shortfall amount stonewalling us,” McNamara along with attorney fees and
ments are due on the bonds notified Visteon of the situation and the date of its occurrence,” continued. court costs. McNamara said the
issued by the township in 2003. at that time and requested pay- stated township Supervisor In the Oct. 8 letter rejecting total shortfalls could amount to
Visteon denies any such agree- ment to the township for the Kevin McNamara in a written the demand for payment from as much as $28 million.
ment and asserts that the com- shortfall. statement. the township, J. Benjamin Kashef said that the shortfalls
pany does not owe the township Visteon responded through “For years, the township told Dolan, an attorney with would now continue to occur
any money. their corporate attorney stating Visteon the shortfall would Dickenson Wright, wrote, “under every six months.
The township first filed suit that the claim was rejected and occur in October 2019. For years, the language of the agreement, “Every dollar that the town-
against Visteon in 2015 noting that no money was due the town- Visteon has been telling the there is simply no money due ship has to pay is a dollar that
the anticipated shortfall. That ship from the company. township and the courts that the from Visteon to the township.” could be used to pay other liabil-
suit was dismissed by the court “We tried to responsibly man- township's projections are hypo- Dolan also said that the town- ities such as pension liabilities
which said the township could age financial responsibilities by thetical or speculative. Well, it's ship has, “at times acknowl- or to pay for services,” he said.

Romulus mayor working to promote new city development

As officials in the City of ” shops into the downtown area,
Romulus look forward to anoth- We've been building notably the former Romulus
er year, they find themselves in Market, a small grocer that has
an enviable position: a lot of land a ton of momentum. been closed for years.
to work from We got people back to work. Burcroff, who will host his
The city, which was recog- annual State of the City address
nized by the Southeastern next month, said he will touch on
Michigan Council of strides in bringing in develop- ing out.” the many successes in the com-
Governments (SEMCOG) as the ment large and small, and with Often, the prospect that wor- munity over the past year. They
largest area of growth in Wayne building bridges with existing ries business owners is talent. all originated in the visioning
County during the past two businesses, he said. He and his That's why Burcroff encourages sessions he opened up to resi-
years, is looking at ways to bring staff go out on weekly meetings them to work with the Romulus dents following his election as
development to the vacant land where they talk with business School District to help build that mayor.
near Metro Airport to capitalize owners to get a sense of what talent pool through education as “We've been building a ton of
on the nearby freeways and they're worried about as well as well as training in skilled trades. momentum. We got people back
other transportation hubs. to uncover any issues they may “It helps the schools, it helps to work,” he said. “Our number Mayor Leroy Burcroff
“We've got a canvass to paint,” have so they can help solve us and it helps the businesses, one objective that we heard from
said Romulus Mayor Leroy them. because they're looking for peo- the residents was jobs, jobs, jobs. ing. Jobs have been our focus
Burcroff. “We want to make sure “It's important to have a rela- ple,” Burcroff said. That's how we've been deliver- and we're delivering on that.”
we bring in development that tionship before there's a prob- City offi-
fits, because it's got to go through lem. It works to get out and talk cials are also MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ROMULUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING
planning, through the city coun- to people-then they know who to working on December 9, 2019
cil and we want to make sure call,” he said. “It's better to have ways to bring Romulus City Hall Council Chambers, 11111 Wayne Rd, Romulus, MI 48174
that process is smooth.” the relationship up front, and more brick-
He and his team have made then they're comfortable reach- and-mortar The Meeting was called to Order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem John Barden.
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call:
Present: Kathy Abdo, John Barden, Celeste Roscoe, Tina Talley, William Wadsworth, Eva Webb, Virginia
CITY OF ROMULUS Williams
CITY COUNCIL Absent / Excused: None.
PUBLIC HEARING Administrative Officials in Attendance: Leroy Burcroff, Mayor Ellen L. Craig-Bragg, Clerk Stacy Paige,
Treasurer
Administrative Staff: Steve Hitchcock, Attorney; Julie Wojtylko, Chief of Staff; Robin R. Underwood, Deputy
Please be advised that the City of Romulus City Council has scheduled a Public Hearing to be held Clerk
Monday, January 13, 2020 at 6:00 p.m., Prevailing Eastern Time in the Romulus City Hall Council Agenda
Chambers, 11111 Wayne Road, Romulus, Michigan 48174-1485. The purpose of the meeting is to Moved by Tina Talley, seconded by Celeste Roscoe to accept the Agenda as presented. Motion Carried
hear comments on the proposed special assessment district for the removal and replacement of Unanimously
pedestrian/street lighting on the WEST side of Wickham from Merriman south to Wick. 1. Minutes
A. #19-376 Moved by William Wadsworth, seconded by Eva Webb to approve the Minutes from the
In accordance with Public Act 64 of 1989, please be advised that this statement serves as notice that Regular Meeting held December 2, 2019, as amended, to reflect the change under the Mayor’s Report,
appearance and protest at the January 13, 2020 public hearing is required in order to appeal the spe- 5D – Resolution B. #19-370, Introduction of Budget Amendment 19/20-11 to pay for final construction
cial assessment to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. costs of Goddard Road. The correction should reflect under Fund/Dept. Account No. “Major Roads,” to
replace Library Fund. Motion Carried
B. #19-377 Moved by William Wadsworth, seconded by Kathy Abdo to approve the Minutes from the
You must either appear in person at the public hearing or notify the City Clerk's Office by mail no Special Meeting - Study Session held on December 2, 2019. Motion Carried
later than 12:00 noon, Monday, January 13, 2020 in order to reserve you right to protest the special 2. Petitioner - None.
assessment. Chairperson’s Report, John Barden, Mayor Pro-Tem
#19-378 Moved by Kathy Abdo, seconded by Virginia Williams to concur with the Administration and
All interested citizens are encouraged to attend and will be given an opportunity to comment on said the Human Resources Director’s recommendation to approve the Tentative Agreement for the successor
request. Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Romulus and International Association of
Firefighters Local 4126, to be effective from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2023. Motion Carried
Unanimously
Ellen Craig-Bragg, CMC, Clerk Res. #19-379 Moved by Tina Talley, seconded by Celeste Roscoe to approve a Memorial Resolution for
City of Romulus, Michigan the family of Shirley Ann Greene. Motion Carried Unanimously
3. Moved by Celeste Roscoe, seconded by Tina Talley to accept the Chairperson’s Report.
PUBLISH: December 26, 2019 Motion Carried Unanimously
4. Mayor’s Report – LeRoy D. Burcroff, Mayor
THIS IS AN OPEN MEETING! A video showcasing community events was presented.
RM0459 - 122619 2.5 x 4.0 A. Res. #19-380 Moved by William Wadsworth, seconded by Virginia Williams to concur with
Administration and authorize the Sole Source purchase and installation of a Polycom Video
Conferencing System at a total cost of $26,419.97 from J Ewing LLC. Motion Carried Unanimously
CITY OF ROMULUS B. Res. #19-381 Moved by Eva Webb, seconded by Celeste Roscoe to concur with Administration and con-
ORDINANCE NO. 19-386 sent to piggyback on the MiDeal Contract #071B7700181 with Gorno Ford to purchase three (3) 2020
Ford Police Utility Interceptors including options and delivery for a total amount of $106,095.00. Motion
Carried Unanimously
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 38 PARKS AND RECREATION, ARTICLE I, C. Res. #19-382 Moved by Kathy Abdo, seconded by William Wadsworth to concur with Administration
SECTION 38-10 of the CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR THE CITY OF ROMULUS. to extend the City’s current Services Agreement with BSB Communications Inc. for the useful life of the
hardware and software or until the agreement can no longer be budgeted for at a cost of $6,220.00 annu-
THE CITY OF ROMULUS ORDAINS: ally with increases not to exceed the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Motion Carried Unanimously
D. Res. #19-383 Moved by Celeste Roscoe, seconded by Eva Webb to concur with the Administration and
Chapter 38 Section 38-10 is amended to read as follows: consent to piggyback on the Farmington Hills Contract #RFP-FH-18-2023 for the purchase and profes-
sional Installation of Furniture at the new/y constructed 34th District Court in the amount of $61,652.02
Sec. 38-10. - Explosives. from the Office Supply Guys. Motion Carried Unanimously
E. Res. #19-384 Moved by William Wadsworth, seconded by Kathy Abdo to concur with the
Administration and consent to piggyback on NCPA Contract 07-16 for the purchase of Cubical
No person, except officers of the law, employees so authorized by the fire marshal or the Workstations and professional installation at the newly constructed 34th District Court in the amount of
approved law enforcement agency, shall carry any missile-propelling device of any description, $64,330.52. Motion Carried Unanimously
fireworks or explosive substances within the parks without a written permit from the city coun- F. Res. #19-385 Moved by Celeste Roscoe, seconded by Tina Talley to concur with the administration and
cil. consent to Piggyback on the US General Services Administration (GSA) Contract GS-28F-0023W sched-
ule 711-18 for the purchase of Multi-purpose seating and professional installation at the at the newly con-
ADOPTED, APPROVED, AND PASSED by the City Council of the City of Romulus this structed 34th District Court in the amount of $14,427.54 from KFI Furniture.
9th day of December 2019. Motion Carried Unanimously
5. Clerk’s Report – Ellen L. Craig-Bragg, Clerk
Madam Clerk Craig-Bragg announced the newly installed Cemetery Gates, “Ribbon Cutting Ceremony,”
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the Ordinance as passed by the City
to be held on Saturday, December 14th at 11:15 a.m. All are encouraged to attend!
Council of the City of Romulus at a regular Council Meeting held in the City Council Room in said A. Res. #19-386 Moved by Eva Webb, seconded by Virginia Williams to approve the Second Reading, Final
City on the 9th day of December, 2019. Adoption of an Amendment to the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 38 Parks and Recreation, Article 1, Section
38-10, Firearms and Explosives. Motion Carried Unanimously
I further certify that the foregoing was published in the Associated Newspapers, a newspa- B. Res. #19-387 Moved by William Wadsworth, seconded by Kathy Abdo to approve the Second Reading,
per of general circulation in the City of Romulus, on the 19th day of December, 2019. Final Adoption of Budget Amendment 19/20-11 to pay for final construction costs of Goddard Road Streetscape.
Motion Carried Unanimously
ELLEN L. CRAIG-BRAGG, CMC, 6. Treasurer’s Report – Stacy Paige, Treasurer - None.
Romulus City Clerk 7. Public Comment - Three (3) residents addressed the City Council.
8. Unfinished Business – Councilman Wadsworth addressed Ordinance enforcement
9. New Business -None.
COMPLETE COPY OF ORDINANCE ON FILE IN THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE, 10. Warrant
11111 WAYNE ROAD, ROMULUS, MI. Res. #19-388 Moved by Kathy Abdo, seconded by Tina Talley to approve Warrant #19-23, Checks pre-
sented in the amount of $1,493,383.78. Motion Carried Unanimously
Within forty-five (45) days after publication of any ordinance duly passed by the Council, a petition 11. Communication:
may be presented to the Council protesting against such ordinance continuing in effect. Said peti- Councilpersons: Abdo, Talley, Williams, and Mayor Burcroff spoke during Communications.
tion shall contain the text of such ordinance and shall be signed by not less than six percent (6%) of 12. Adjournment
the registered electors registered at the last preceding election at which a Mayor of the City was Moved by William Wadsworth, seconded by Celeste Roscoe to adjourn the meeting at 8:16 p.m.
elected. Said ordinance shall thereupon and thereby be suspended from operation and the Council Motion Carried Unanimously
shall immediately reconsider such ordinance. 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 December 9, 2019.
Introduced: 12-2-2019
Adopted: 12-9-2019 Ellen L. Craig-Bragg, City Clerk
Published Effective: 12-26-2019 RM0460 - 122619 2.5 x 6.17 City of Romulus, Michigan RM0461 - 122619 2.5 x 11.332