City Of Albion

City Council Meeting

December 15, 2014

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Joseph Domingo opened the regular session at 7:00 p.m.

MOMENT OF SILENCE WAS OBSERVED

III.	PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

IV. ROLL CALL

Maurice Barnes (1), Lenn Reid (2), Garrett Brown (3), William Wheaton (4), Cheryl Krause (5), Andrew French (6) and Mayor Joseph Domingo.

Administration: Sheryl L. Mitchell, City Manager; Jill Domingo, City Clerk, Scott Kipp, Chief of Public Safety, Tom Mead, Finance Director, Peggy Sindt, EDC Director and Cullen Harkness, City Attorney.

V.	MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS' COMMENTS

Comments were received from Mayor Domingo.

VI.	PUBLIC HEARING

A. Brownfield Development Plan for the City of Albion

Peggy Sindt-Director, EDC gave a brief presentation on the process of Brownfield Project for the City of Albion. Brownfield Properties are for the redevelopment or reuse of property. The MDEQ administers a grant, loan and tax capture program to facilitate the redevelopment of brownfield properties. She also stated that a Brownfield Project must have local support. The Downtown Development Authority has signed an interlocal agreement with the Brownfield Authority in support of the project.

Brett Stundts, Environmental Specialist for SSP Associates stated the redevelopment area will be Superior and Clinton streets in one direction and Porter to Center streets in the other direction. The $9.2 million dollar project will be a three story hotel with a conference center and restaurant. It will encompass 13 parcels and will be approximately 67,000 square feet. He stated the project will not affect base taxes but will however increase taxes after a period of eight years. The construction cost is approximately $2 million of which 15% will be paid up front by the developer.

Comments were received from Council Member Brown.

Dr. Sam Shaheen, President of SSP Associates and the developer for this

project wants to maintain the historic characteristics of downtown and the

designs will be compatible. Dr. Shaheen feels this is a great community

and would like a nice place for people to stay in Albion. He feels this will

also bring people to Albion which would boost out local economy.

Comments were received from Council Members French, Barnes and Wheaton

and Mayor Domingo.

Mayor Domingo opened the Public Hearing at 7:27 p.m.

Comments were received from:

Richard Lewin and Mary Slater, 517 E. Michigan Ave, who both support the project

Frank Passic, 900 S. Eaton St, feels this is a positive for Albion and is keeping with our historical theme

Ron Rice, 910 Irwin Ave, fully supports the project but is concerned about downtown buildings being re-assessed.

Amy DeShon-President, Albion Chamber of Commerce, supports the project and feels it would bring additional revenue for the Chamber that can be used to promote Albion

Wesley Dick. 700 E. Michigan, doesn’t want to see any additional buildings taken down but likes that the hotel is keeping with the historical downtown.

Elizabeth Schultheiss, 101 Irwin Ave, supports the project and feels we need cooperation and collaboration.

Peggy Sindt, EDC Director, stated drawings will be forthcoming in the next few months

Cindy Stanczak, Interim Library Director, supports the project and hopes they will hire Albion people.

Mayor Domingo closed the public hearing at 7:47 p.m.

The council continued discussion with comments received from Council Member

Krause stating that we would be gaining income tax from this project.

VII.	PRESENATIONS

A. United Way-Amy Deshon

Amy DeShon from the Albion Chamber of Commerce gave a brief presentation on the

Albion/Homer United Way. She stated they are still accepting donations until the end

of December and this can be used as a deduction. United Way provides funds for

organizations that provide social services for the community. A donation may be a

designated or undesignated pledge. If a donation is made to specifically to the Albion/

Homer United Way, those funds stay in the Albion and Homer communities. Ms.

DeShon asked that everyone consider making a pledge and forms are available

at the Albion Chamber of Commerce.

B. Presentation-Drug Forfeiture Policy/Use/Application-City Attorney Harkness

City Attorney Harkness gave a brief presentation on the drug forfeiture and use policy.

He stated we are currently utilizing the administrative and judicial forfeiture process.

All forfeitures are civil actions and are administered through the Circuit Court. A

criminal charge is not required for forfeitures. The process is as follows:

A notice of intent to forfeit is served

Documents are forwarded to the City

City Attorney reviews and evaluates

If a defendant posts a bond and claim of interest; an action is filed to forfeit

If the Defendant does not post a bond, the property is administratively forfeited

Some of the items that may be used for forfeiture are controlled substances, personal property and real property. Forfeiture processing must be completed within three months.

We will be starting to incorporate omnibus forfeitures. The process for this type of forfeiture is as follows:

Property is seized from the defendant

Notice of intent to forfeit is provided

Defendant is charged with the offense

Agency must await conviction to proceed if no settlement occurs

Upon conviction, defendant is provided with notice of intent to commence proceedings.

If the defendant claims an interest, an action if filed in District Court; if not, administrative forfeiture

Comments were received from Council Members Brown and French.

VIII.	CITIZEN'S COMMENTS (Persons addressing the City Council shall limit their comments to no more than five (5) minutes. Proper decorum is required.)

No comments were received.

IX.	CONSENT CALENDAR (VV)

A. Approval of Study Session Minutes – November 20, 2014

B. Approval of Study Session Minutes-November 24, 2014

C. Approval of Regular Session Minutes-December 1, 2014

D. Approval Study Session Minutes-December 2, 2014

E. Approval Special Council Session Minutes-December 8, 2014

French moved, Brown supported, CARRIED, to Approve Consent Calendar as

presented. (7-0, vv).

X.	ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSION

A.	Boards & Commissions Appointments and Reappointments (RCV)

Betty Branche, ZBA Board, Reappointment, Term to Expire 12-31-2017

Alfredia Dysart-Drake, DDA Board, Initial Appointment, Term to Expire 12-31-2018

Nidia Wolf, DDA Board, Initial Appointment, Term to Expire 12-31-2017

Peggy Sindt, DDA Board, Initial Appointment, Term to Expire 12-31-2015

Jennifer Schreer, DDA Board, Reappointment, Term to Expire 12-31-2018

Nora Jackson, DDA Board, Initial Appointment, Term to Expire 12-31-2016

George Strander, Planning Commission, Reappointment, Term to Expire 12-31-2017

Garrett Brown, Planning Commission, Initial Appointment, Term to Expire 12-31-2017

Dixie Grant, Library Board, Initial Appointment, Term to Expire 12-31-2018

Comments were received from Council Members Barnes and French and City Manager Mitchell.

Krause moved, French supported, CARRIED, to Approve Boards and Commissions Appointments and Reappointments as presented. (7-0, rcv)

B.	Approval Resolution #2014-12, Approving a Brownfield Plan for the City of Albion (RCV)

French moved, Wheaton supported, CARRIED, Approve Resolution # 2014-12, Approving a Brownfield Plan for the City of Albion as presented. (7-0, rcv)

C.	Approval of Mechanical Amusement Device for R & R

Comments were received from Council Members Barnes, French and Reid and John Tracy, Code Enforcement Officer.

Krause moved, Brown supported, CARRIED, to Approve Mechanical Amusement Device for R & R (7-0, vv)

D.	Request Approval Resolution #2014-14, FY 2014 Budget Amendments (RCV)

French moved, Brown supported, CARRIED, Approve Resolution # 2014-14,

FY 2014 Budget Amendments as presented. (6-1, rcv) (Mayor Domingo	dissenting).

E.	Request Approval Resolution # 2014-15, FY 2015 Budget Appropriations

(RCV)

Wheaton moved, Krause supported, CARRIED, Approve Resolution # 2014-	15, FY 2015 Budget Appropriations as presented. (6-1, rcv) (Mayor Domingo	dissenting).

F.	Discussion/Approval of Union Contracts for ACA, POLC, POAM and AFSCME

Comments were received from City Manager Mitchell.

Brown moved, French supported, CARRIED, to Approve Union Contracts for ACA, POLC, POAM and AFSCME as presented. (7-0, rcv)

G.	Future Agenda Items

Council Member Barnes would like a discussion of City Board Applications on the next agenda.

Council Member Brown would like to goal settings on the next agenda.

Council Member Reid would like an update on Holland Park on the next agenda.

H.	Motion to Excuse Absent Council Member (s) (VV)

No action was necessary as all members were present.

XI.	CITIZEN'S COMMENTS (Persons addressing the City Council shall limit their comments to no more than five (5) minutes. Proper decorum is required.)

Comments were received from Council Members Barnes, Krause and French, City Manager Mitchell and Mayor Domingo.

XII.	ADJOURNMENT

French moved, Krause supported, CARRIED, to Adjourn the Regular Session. (7-0,

vv)

Mayor Domingo adjourned Regular Session at 8:26 p.m.

____________	_________________________

Date	Jill Domingo

City Clerk