Hello!

…and thanks for your interest in the City of Dexter and its City Council. Since my election to office in November 2020, I have distributed annotated meeting agendas (see below) prior to each Council meeting. These newsletters are my personal effort to make it as quick and easy as possible for interested parties to know what Council will be discussing and considering at each meeting. For the most part, descriptions of agenda items come straight from the meeting packet. Following each meeting (and as soon as the video links are available), I share links to the video recordings of the discussion of each agenda item. Past meeting agendas, packets, minutes, and video links (when available) can be found here: https://dextermi.gov/government/cc.php.

Hearing from residents is one of my favorite parts of being on Council! If you have questions, comments, or concerns about upcoming Council business or any other Council or City topic, please feel free to email me at my official City email: jgriffin@dextermi.gov. If you would rather share your thoughts anonymously, please respond here: https://polco.us/n/res/vote/councilwoman-jamie-griffin/i-value-your-input.

If you would like to receive my personal meeting reminders via email, please visit https://www.griffinfordexter.com/ and scroll to the bottom to enter your email address where directed. 

Sincerely,

Jamie

Dexter City Council
Work Session and Meeting

Monday, February 28, 2022

Work Session @ 6 p.m. / Regular Meeting @ 7 p.m.

3515 Broad Street, Dexter, MI 48130 and via Zoom

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https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88998076169

Dial In 877 853 5247 OR 888 788 0099 US Toll-free

Meeting ID: 889 9807 6169#

Work Session Agenda: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2022/Agendas/2022-02-28-CC-A-WS.pdf

Work Session Packet: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2022/Packets/2022-02-28-CC-P-WS.pdf

Meeting Agenda: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2022/Agendas/2022-02-14-CC-A.pdf

Meeting Packet: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2022/Packets/2022-02-14-CC-P.pdf

WORK SESSION @ 6 p.m.: Fire Station Planning and Discussion

(my words) Council is in the midst of of a series work session discussions about the fire station located at 8140 Main Street, the station that, per the Dexter Area Fire Department Interlocal Agreement, is to be “the center of operations and control of the Department.” No formal motions are made or voted on during work sessions. Note that there is an opportunity for members of the public to make comments at the beginning of the work session.

Following the recent development and adoption of principles to guide our discussion, we will be evaluating the following current draft “opportunity statement:”

"The current City of Dexter fire station is functionally obsolete for the demands of a modern fire and rescue station in 2022. The service delivered out of the station is excellent, however, the current station needs significant renovation or we need a new station to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of our firefighters and our residents."

As I indicated in my personal notes following our meeting on 2/14, Chief Smith cautioned us against mentioning anything about "service" in such a statement because, at the end of the day, our first responders get the job done and often at tremendous risk to themselves (my paraphrase). I noted that I was not aware of any information to support or refute the claim that "the service delivered out of that station is excellent." Some council members shared their own personal experience with our emergency response teams, noting a positive experience. I clarified that the "customer service" component is just one part of "service."

We will also review existing conditions at the current fire station as detailed in the following:

1. Partners in Architecture Facilities Assessment Report (2016)
2. Fire Chief Report on Current Station Deficiencies
3. NFPA 1500 Report
4. 8140 Main St. Hazmat Survey
5. 8140 Main St. MIOSHA Report
6. Current Station Lease Agreement
7. Site Renderings by Partners in Architecture (2014/15)

REGULAR MEETING @ 7 p.m.

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.

Council will review (1) minutes of its most recent meeting and work session (2/14/2022) 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).

Following the presentation and any discussion of these reports, Council will consider 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: $263,616.66
• Emergency Repair Services by TLS Construction Services for Hudson Street Water Main Break for an Amount not to Exceed $8,973
  • On Monday, January 31, 2022, a water main ruptured on Hudson Street near Forest Street. The Utilities Department was able to secure the services of TLS Construction, LLC to complete the repair to the water main and the bill totaling $8,973 was provided to the City.
• 5th and Alley Traffic Control Order Resolution
  • Following a traffic engineering investigation on Fifth Street, parking on the street within 20' of the intersection was deemed dangerous and it was noted that it would interfere with the free movement of traffic. A traffic control order (TCO) was made that states: “No Parking At Any Time on Both Side of Fifth Street within 20 feet of its intersection with the alley that runs northeast/southwest between Central Street and Dover Street”. Signage associated with the TCO has been installed.

Council will discuss or consider (i.e., take action on) the following new business:

• Organizational Matters Resolution (Justin Breyer, City Manager and City Clerk and Joshua Tanghe, Assistant to the City Manager)
  • Mayor Keough indicated that, due to scheduling challenges, he would be requesting that another member of Council serve as an alternate to the Washtenaw Area Transportation Study (WATS) Policy Committee.
  • With Dan Schlaff's pending retirement, staff would like to change the WATS Technical representative to the title of Public Services Superintendent to provide for continuity of representation in that role.
  • Staff is recommending that the WRRMA representatives return to the positions of City Manager and Assistant to the City Manager because these meetings take place in the middle of the workday and are often difficult for non-staff representatives to attend.
• Design and Engineering Proposal for the Grandview Commons Connector from OHM Advisors for an Amount not to Exceed $19,000 (Justin Breyer, City Manager and City Clerk and Joshua Tanghe, Assistant to the City Manager)
  • During the conceptual development of the Mill Creek Trail Phase 2 project, the City negotiated a pathway easement with A.R. Brouwer that would serve as a mid-point trail connection out to Grand St., through the Grandview Commons development. The easement was provided with the understanding that A.R. Brouwer and the City would complete the trial connection near the end of the Grandview Commons development project. A.R. Brouwer has indicated that the company will begin work on Phase 3 (the final section) of their development in the spring of 2022, with likely completion in fall 2023 or spring 2024.
  • The OHM Advisors' proposal for $19,000 includes: wetland delineation, boardwalk design, permitting, creation of bid documents, and bidding assistance.
  •