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 when 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.

Sincerely,

Jamie

Dexter City Council Work Session and Meeting

Monday, May 9, 2022 @ 6 p.m. (Work Session) and 7 p.m. (Meeting)

3515 Broad Street, Dexter, MI 48130 and via Zoom

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Meeting ID: 886 6221 9627#

Work Session Agenda: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2022/Agendas/2022-05-09-CC-A-WS.pdf

Work Session Packet: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2022/Packets/2022-05-09-CC-P-WS.pdf

Meeting Agenda: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2022/Agendas/2022-05-09-CC-A.pdf

Meeting Packet: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2022/Packets/2022-05-09-CC-P.pdf

Work Session @ 6 p.m.

My summary: Over the past several months, Council has been having regular discussions about how to address the fact that the City of Dexter fire station is functionally obsolete. Per the Interlocal Agreement, this station serves as the center of control and operations for the Dexter Area Fire Department, which serves the City of Dexter, Dexter Township, and Webster Township. After defining a set of guiding principles and an “opportunity statement,” we are now reviewing, in turn, the most recent proposed remedies: (1) building a new fire station at the corner of Meadow View Drive and Dexter-Ann Arbor Road and (2) renovating the existing fire station at 8140 Main Street. On Monday, April 25, we reviewed option (1) building a new fire station at the corner of Meadow View Drive and Dexter-Ann Arbor Road. During this session, we will review option (2): renovating the existing fire station at 8140 Main Street. See the packet for additional documentation. There is an opportunity for the public to provide comments at the beginning of the work session.

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 sessions 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).

• From the Community Development Manager’s report
  • Mill Creek Brewery – Staff has received confirmation that the project will move forward. The applicants are planning to submit a combined site plan in June, for consideration by the Planning Commission at its July (Tuesday) 5th meeting.
  • 3045 Broad Street Redevelopment Committee – Last week, the 3045 Broad Street Committee met for the second time with representatives from Common Sail to talk more about the 3045 Broad Street redevelopment opportunity. Common Sail made a well-received PowerPoint presentation, which included their concept for the site, which staff understands Mayor Keough has shared with Council. Based on the discussion, staff anticipates the company will request to be placed on the Planning Commission’s June meeting agenda, under pre-arranged participation, for the purpose of presenting their concept and soliciting non-binding feedback from the public and Planning Commission. Pre-arranged presentations are also anticipated for the June 16th DDA and June 27th City Council meetings.
• From the City Manager’s report
  • Farmers Market Opening Day. Opening Day for the Farmers Market will be Saturday, May 7, 2022. The Market will be open from 8am – 1pm. This will be the 16th year that the Market will be operating under the pavilion on Alpine St.
  • Community Survey. The 2022 Community Survey came to a close at the end of April. Staff has sent City Council the bulk answers and responses and is currently working on completing a comprehensive report detailing the various findings of the data. The final report will include benchmarking to the previous 2011 Community Survey, significant findings and common misconceptions as well other supplemental reports going to other boards and commissions
  • Community Garden. DPW staff has been working to install the raised beds and fencing at the Community Garden for opening day. Staff is currently taking applications for this year’s Community Garden. Information and fliers have been distributed on City social media, in email updates, and posted in City kiosks. Plots are a first come, first serve basis and will be available to City residents first.

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: $324,028.13
• Setting Public Hearing for Millage Rate and Budget on June 13, 2022
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• Setting Public Hearing for Water and Sewer Rate Ordinance on June 13, 2022
  • The draft ordinance below includes a 3% increase to water rates and a 7% increase to sewer rates. These rates are based on a rate study performed by Baker Tilly (the upkeep of which has been performed by staff), and prior year projections. These numbers will be discussed at upcoming budget work sessions. Council will be asked to take action on the final version of the ordinance at the June 13, 2022 meeting.
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Council will discuss or consider (i.e., take action on) the following unfinished business:

• DDA Ballot Language Recommendation for August Election
  • On April 25, 2022 City Council considered a recommendation from the Dexter DDA asking the City of Dexter City Council to vote to place, on the August 2, 2022 primary election ballot, a proposal asking the residents of the City of Dexter to approve the transfer of ownership of two properties, which consist of 0.45 acres, and which are located at 8077 Forest Street, Tax Parcel ID #08-08-06-280-024 and 8087 Forest Street, Tax Parcel ID #08-08-06-280-025, and for which the Village Council purchased on behalf of the City of Dexter Downtown Development Authority (DDA), and for which the City of Dexter Downtown Development Authority has reimbursed the city for all costs associated with said purchase, to the City of Dexter Downtown Development Authority; and to direct the City Clerk to forward the ballot proposal to the Washtenaw County Clerk’s office for certification.
  • Council directed staff and the city attorney to bring back a final version of the ballot proposal. Working together, staff and the city attorney have amended the recommended ballot proposal to address Council comments and for consistency with the City Charter. The following motion is offered for Council’s consideration:
  • "Shall the City of Dexter complete the sale of two parcels of land (8077 Forest Street, Tax Parcel ID #08-08-06-280-024 and 8087 Forest Street, Tax Parcel ID #08-08-06-280-025) to the City of Dexter Downtown Development Authority (the DDA), which were purchased in 2011 on behalf of the DDA, and for which the DDA repaid the City in 2020?"