September 9, 2024
City of Dexter City Council Meeting
Monday, September 9, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
3515 Broad Street, Dexter, MI 48130 and via Zoom
Join Meeting via Zoom (in-person attendance also welcome!)
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82716938464
Dial In 877 853 5247 OR 888 788 0099 US Toll-free
Meeting ID: 827 1693 8464#
Meeting Agenda: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2024/Agendas/2024-09-09-CC-A.pdf
Meeting Packet: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2024/Packets/2024-09-09-CC-P.pdf
PRE-ARRANGED PARTICIPATION
Pre-arranged participation will be limited to those who notify the City office before 5:00 p.m. Monday of the week preceding the meeting, stating name, intent and time requirements. (10-minute limit per participant)
Constitution Week Proclamation. Mayor Keough will read a proclamation recognizing September 17 through September 23 as Constitution Week. (my words: You might enjoy (and remember!) this song about our Constitution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnVmIrAiQB8).
Kyle Mazurek, from ITC Holdings, will address Council regarding electric transmission line improvements.
NON-ARRANGED PARTICIPATION
Non-arranged participation will include those in the audience not listed on the agenda that wish to speak. At the Mayor’s discretion, members of the audience may be called on to speak at any time. Those addressing the Council will state their name, and address. This section is limited to 5-minutes per participant or 10-minutes for group representative.
As always, there are two opportunities for non-arranged public participation: one near the beginning of the meeting and one near the end of the meeting. See the agenda for details. Just state your name and address and then share your thoughts–it’s that easy!
VARIOUS UPDATES
Council will review (1) minutes of its most recent meeting(s) and (2) the upcoming meeting list. We will also hear various updates from staff, including the City Manager and the Mayor (note that corresponding written reports are included in the meeting packet).
Updates that might be of interest:
Development in the City
Dexter Crossing Commercial Outlot Update. The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on Monday, Sept 3rd, to consider a Site Plan and Special Land Use Application for Ziggi’s Coffee, a free-standing, drive thru coffee establishment, located on Outlot #2 of the Dexter Crossing Shopping Plaza (7061 Dexter-Ann Arbor Road). There were no comments offered by the public. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to postpone action on the project to allow the applicant time to submit a revised site plan that addressed the comments and concerns cited in staff’s, CWA’s, OHM’s, and DAFD’s reviews, along with the feedback provided by the Planning Commission during the meeting. You can watch the discussion here: https://youtu.be/wgrs-A0f4HU?t=233
Public Safety
Public Safety Facilities Update. Construction on temporary fire facilities at City Hall is nearing substantial completion. The temporary apparatus structure has been erected, and the contractor is working on painting. Staff has solicited quotes, retained a mover, and will be working with DAFD on coordinating their move. The Sheriff’s Office is planning their relocation on Thursday, September 5, 2024 into the administrative wing of City Hall. Staff was notified by Senator Peters’ office on Tuesday, September 3rd that the City’s Public Safety Facilities project was not selected to move forward with congressionally directed spending.
Upcoming Events
Economic Development. The Save The Date event notice for the Dexter Business Networking Breakfast was distributed to City businesses, the Council, DDA, and EDC, last week. Another, more detailed invitation will be distributed this week, for which recipients will be asked to RSVP their attendance.
CONSENT AGENDA
Following the presentation and any discussion of these reports, Council will consider (i.e., take formal action on) the following items as part of the Consent Agenda. Unless Council votes to do otherwise, these items are voted on as a single bundle without Council discussion.
Bills & Payroll in the amount of: $720,037.16
RF Events Road Closure Permit Request for the Holiday Hustle 5K and Half-Marathon on December 7, 2024
The City of Dexter has received a road closure permit request submitted by RF Events for the annual Holiday Hustle event. Similar to last year, the normal 5K event activities will take place in Monument Park, along with continuing the half-marathon that was added in 2022. The half marathon will take place between the City and Hudson-Mills Metropark, which will start and end at the dirt lot at Forest/Broad St. near Forest Lawn Cemetery. The time of the half-marathon is off-set to begin and end before the 5K begins.
The 5K includes the closure of Central St., and temporary closings of other streets while the race occurs. A copy of the request and route maps are included in the packet.
Zoning Board of Appeals Appointments
Mayor Keough recommends the following appointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals. The recommendation reflects a request from a current regular member of the ZBA to step-down to an alternate position, and a current alternate member to step into a full member role.
Zoning Board of Appeals – Term Ending June 2027
Rita Holmes*
Zoning Board of Appeals (Alternate) – Term Ending June 2026
Christopher Wallaker*
Setting Halloween Trick-or-Treating Hours for October 31, 2024 from 5:00 – 7:30pm
City Council is asked to consider setting Trick or Treat hours on Halloween, Thursday, October 31, 2024 from 5:00 – 7:30pm.
Extension of Mill Creek Flats Preliminary PUD Plan
On Tuesday, September 3, 2024 the Planning Commission considered a request, submitted by Mike Penn, on behalf of Grand Development Group, LLC, to extend approval of the Preliminary Site Plan for Mill Creek Flats, a project consisting of two (2) three story buildings, with seventy-six (76) apartments and eighty-five (85) on-site parking spaces and six (6) on-street parking spaces, along with a stormwater management system, dumpster enclosures, landscaping, and other site improvements, located at 7965 and 7997 Grand Street.
Award of Leaf Machine Repair Services from Rite-Tech for an Amount not to Exceed $5,753.85
In late-August, staff identified that the leaf machine would not start. With leaf season upcoming, the DPW contacted one of the City’s regular heavy equipment service providers, Rite-Tech, to diagnose the issue. In order to ensure the leaf machine would be up and running by the start of fall leaf collection, staff authorized the repair of the leaf machine.
DISCUSSION AND/OR CONSIDERATION ITEMS
In addition to any items described under Consent Agenda (above), Council will consider (i.e., take formal action on; “C”) or discuss (i.e., take no formal action on; “D”) the following business:
DAFD Lease Agreement for Use of a Portion of City Hall, 3515 Broad (D)
As City Council is aware, construction on the temporary public safety facilities has been progressing and is nearing substantial completion. The temporary apparatus structure has been installed in the parking lot at City Hall, and the interior buildout of Section 3 is almost complete (paint is being applied).
Staff has been working with City Attorney Munzel to draft a Lease Agreement with the Dexter Area Fire Department (DAFD). A draft of the Agreement is attached to this memo, and is being shared with Chief Armstrong for feedback.
The draft Lease Agreement used the Webster Township and Dexter Township leases as templates, but included items and City Attorney concerns specific to the City Hall property. Some items included in the draft Lease Agreement:
Term is on-going, but anticipates an end when DAFD occupies the new facility at 8140 Main St.
Rent:
o $1.00/month; plus
o fifty percent (50%) of the cost of utilities consumed at City Hall/month;
o $450/month (for maintenance expenses); and
o fifty percent (50%) of the cost of the insurance premiums for City Hall, divided by twelve (12)/month (altogether the Rent).
o The Rent payment is due on the first day of each month.
Utilities are set at 50% to recognize that, while DAFD occupies less than 50% of the City Hall building, they are going to be occupying the building 24/7/365. There is not currently a good way to measure and bill actual usage.
The City will maintain the structure, HVAC, utility systems, electrical, etc. However, DAFD will be responsible for any and all repairs related to damage over and above normal wear and tear.
Sending a Letter to City Residents with Information Regarding the City of Dexter Charter Amendment Proposal on the November General Election Ballot (C)
A request was received from Council Member Semifero to add an item to the September 9, 2024 City Council agenda regarding “sending a letter to City residents with information regarding the City of Dexter Charter Amendment proposal on the November General Election ballot.”