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. 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-inp….

Sincerely,
Jamie

Dexter City Council Work Session and Meeting
Monday, June 27, 2022
Work Session @ 5:30 p.m. / Meeting @ 7 p.m.
3515 Broad Street, Dexter, MI 48130 and via Zoom

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Meeting ID: 889 9807 6169#

Work Session Agenda: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2022/Agendas/2022-06-27-CC-A-WS.pdf

Work Session Packet: Forthcoming

Meeting Agenda: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2022/Agendas/2022-06-27-CC-A.pdf

Meeting Packet: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2022/Packets/2022-06-27-CC-P.pdf

WORK SESSION @ 5:30 p.m.

The purpose of this work session is to discuss the fire station, specifically an updated rendering of an option to renovate the existing building at 8140 Main Street. My hope is that, given this “apples to apples” comparison between the proposed renovation and the proposed new construction, we will make a decision about how to proceed. The public is welcome to attend and comment (non-arranged public participation is the first item on the work session agenda).

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). 

Some staff updates that might be of interest:

CORNMAN FARMS

Cornman Farms – City administration, DPS/DPW staff, City attorney, OHM and the Mayor met with representatives from Cornman Farms and Dexter Township, on Wed, June 22nd. Cornman Farms requested the meeting to discuss the possibility and process for connecting to the city’s public utilities. According to Cornman Farms, public water and sewer is necessary to continue to operate and grow the business, as desired.
The Cornman Farms property is comprised of 3 parcels, totaling over 22 acres. The largest parcel and the one currently developed is located in Dexter Township. The two smaller, undeveloped parcels are located in Webster Township. See map below.

The City and Webster Township have a 425 Agreement to cover the annexation of the two parcels in Webster Township. The City and Dexter Township do not have a 425 Agreement, nor is it necessary to have a 425 Agreement.

If Cornman Farms wishes to pursue the matter, the company will need to submit a letter requesting annexation from Webster Township and Dexter Township into the City of Dexter, for the purpose of connecting to the City’s public water and sewer system. The letter would need to be sent to both Townships and the City. Evaluation of capacity would begin, along with research regarding zoning of the cite and annexation terms, if any with Dexter Township. The City Manager and Mayor Keough may have additional information in their reports.

OWL CAMERA AND COUNCIL CHAMBER TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENTS

Staff has purchased the Owl 3 camera/audio system. Staff utilized it for the June 21st Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. The Owl 3 worked extremely well, and staff anticipates that it will be used for the Monday, June 27th City Council meeting.

INDECENT EXPOSURE AND B/E SUSPECT

Staff was notified by the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office that a suspect has been taken into custody related to a series of indecent exposure and attempted breaking and entering incidents.

From Mayor Keough’s Report: 

DEXTER AREA FIRE DEPARTMENT (DAFD) BOARD MEETING (6/16/2022) – this was the last official DAFD meeting with Chief Smith as Chief. Chief Smith’s retirement starts on July 1, 2022. Assistant Chief Armstrong presented a plan (with assistance from Assistant Chief Gaggi) to lead the department for an Interim period. The plan was very thorough and well received by the Board. Doug Armstrong will be the acting Interim Fire Chief over the next 4 to 6 months.

July 11, 2022 – City Council meeting at 3515 Broad Street – David Lutton has requested to present under Pre- Arranged Participation. He is representing the ownership interest in the former SLOAN KINGSLEY PROPERTY south of the Dexter Business & Research Park.

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.

1. Bills & Payroll in the amount of: $426,684.57

2. Board/Committee Appointments (* denotes re-appointment)

3. FY 2021-22 Budget Amendments

4. FY 2021-22 DDA Budget Amendments

5. FY 2022-23 Fee Schedule Resolution

Changes to the Fee Schedule include:

Updated 2022-2023 water and sewer ordinance charges

Shared refuse container service costs have been increased by 4% to account for the increase in costs associated with the new Waste Management contract. Residential has remained the same as last year as the cost for service for all other residential units has not increased.

Addition of fees for Accessory Dwelling Units, Short-Term Rentals, and Vacation Rentals

6. Road Closures for Holiday Hustle 5k and Half Marathon for December 10, 2022

The City of Dexter has received a road closure permit request submitted by RF Events for the annual Holiday Hustle event. In addition to the normal 5K event activities at Monument Park, RF Events is also proposing a half-marathon between the City and Hudson-Mills Metropark that would 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.

7. Baker Tilly Water and Sanitary Sewer Rate Study Services for an Amount not to Exceed $21,000

8. CBIZ Proposal for OPEB Actuarial for an Amount not to Exceed $6,200

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

GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT TO ADOP THE FY 2022-2023 BUDGET

Provided for Council’s consideration is the General Appropriations Act to adopt the FY 2022-2023 Budget. Council held a public hearing on the draft budget and the millage rate used to support the budget on June 13, 2022.

The City of Dexter creates budgets for the following funds: 101 General Fund, 202 Major Streets, 203 Local Streets, 204 Municipal Streets, 226 Solid Waste Collection Fund, 275 Tree Replacement Fund, 352 Facilities Bond Debt Service Fund, 353 Road Bond Debt Service Fund, 401 Special Projects, 402 Equipment Replacement Fund, 590 Sewer Enterprise Fund, and 591 Water Enterprise Fund.

FY 2022-23 GENERAL FUND BUDGETED DISCRETIONARY EXPENSES 

1. $50,000 (incl. benefits) for addition of 5th Department of Public Works employee (split between funds) $45,000 for various building improvements to 8140 Main St.

2. $17,000 has been budgeted for the purchase and implementation of ClearGov, a budget, CIP, and transparency public communication software tool.

3. $1,500 for the Community Garden, as it is back in service in 2022. $50,000 for improvements for DPW Storage (split with other Funds)

4. $10,000 in the Planning Department to begin a comprehensive review of the General Code of Ordinances in a similar fashion to the process that is almost complete for the Zoning Ordinance.

5. $5,000 has been budgeted for the purchase of new light pole holiday wraps that will serve to fill gaps downtown and replace failing wraps.

6. $250,000 for the Grand Street Trail Connector at Grandview Commons. $250,000 for the Mill Creek Park Playground in FY 2023-24.

7. Staff will be investigating a new phone system in order to make sure that the City is paying an appropriate amount for phone service.

8. The 2022-23 budget assumes that Plein Air will be an in-person event in 2022 and 2023. In addition to the Arts, Culture, and Heritage Committee’s on-going projects such as the temporary sculpture display.

9. $16,500 contribution to the Dexter Senior Center

10. If City Council desires, the remaining revenue – expense amount in General Fund could be assigned for Fire Station improvements and added to the $188,547.52 already set-aside.

STREETS FUND SUMMARY

For the upcoming fiscal year, staff is proposing the following major projects:

1. Completion of the Third St. and Broad St. road project. This project will see the reconstruction of Third St. from Central St. to Broad St., and a portion of Broad St. near the railroad depot. This project has already been bid and awarded to All Start Construction.

2. Design and start of construction on the east and west sides of Dan Hoey (near Baker Rd. and Dexter-Ann Arbor Rd.) along with a proposed sidewalk running along the south side of Dan Hoey from the Community Garden to the Dexter School's sidewalk. Staff is anticipating submitting a grant application for TED-B dollars to help fund this project.

3. Design of Baker Rd. (construction of Baker Rd. would begin in FY 2023-24)

4. Local roads -- Portion of DPW Storage (shared with General Fund)

5. Sidewalk repair and replacement project, including:

o Spot treatment/replacement of existing damaged or uneven sidewalk
o Replacement of significant quantities of failing curb in Huron Farms
o Repair/replacement of the sidewalk band at Ann Arbor St. and Edison St.
o Replacement and installation of new sidewalk to connect the existing sidewalk at Forest St. and Jeffords St. into the City's trail system.

For FY 2023-24, staff is proposing the following major projects:

1. Substantial completion of the Dan Hoey Rd. construction and sidewalk installation (summer 2023)

2. Beginning construction of Baker Rd. from Grand St. to Main St. (summer 2024)

See the packet for additional details about all funds.

CITY COUNCIL ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS RESOLUTION

Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee – 1st Wednesday of each month at 7:00am

Chamber of Commerce – Last Wednesday of each month at 9:00am :Both the Community Development Manager and the City Manager are willing to step into this role if needed.

Washtenaw Regional Resource Management Authority – 3rd Mondays at 11:00am: The City Manager and Assistant to the City Manager used to serve as the primary and alternate for this board. Now that Josh Tanghe has been hired as the Assistant to the City Manager, he is eligible to serve as the alternate to this board.

WATS Policy – Mondays at 9:30am: This board prefers to have City Council Members serve on the WATS Policy Committee, but the City Manager is eligible and willing to serve as the Alternate to this board if necessary.

BAKER ROAD CONSTRUCTION DESIGN SERVICES FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $38,800

The major road project planned for summer 2024 is the reconstruction of Baker Road from Main St. to Grand St. The City has been awarded $336,610 in federal aid grant funding through the Transportation Improvements Program (TIP). Because this is a federal aid eligible project, it is required to be bid through MDOT. Due to the MDOT requirements, staff and OHM are recommending that we start the design in fall 2022/spring 2023. Design would fall in FY 2022-23 as recommended in the upcoming fiscal year’s Budget. This should give us plenty of time to work through State Historic Preservation Office approval and gain necessary environmental clearances.

The memo from OHM indicates that the limits of design are Baker from Main to Hudson. This is how the item was listed in the 3-year Transportation Improvements Plan (TIP) on-file with WATS. While the additional block is unlikely to undergo reconstruction, the inclusion of the additional block does not negatively impact the project.

AP2021.22-15 RWSC VERIZON AT&T SMALL CELL WIRELESS FACILITIES PERMIT APPLICATION 

Council is scheduled to consider the above referenced application, which was submitted by TeleCAD Wireless, on behalf of Verizon Wireless and AT&T. With the application, Verizon and AT&T are requesting approval of the installation/colocation of new small cell equipment on a replacement AT&T pole, located on the north side of Dexter-Ann Arbor Road, in front of 7444 Dexter-Ann Arbor Road (Lat: 42.33214 Long: -83.87918). The above referenced application was received on June 2, 2022.

SALE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY DRAFT CHARTER AMENDMENT BALLOT LANGUAGE RESOLUTION 

At various points over the last year, City Council has discussed the concept of proposing Charter amendment ballot language to re-permit the sale of equipment and personal property.

City Council directed staff to include a survey question in the community survey on this topic. Of the 607 people that responded to the survey question on this topic:

437 (71.99% of question respondents) indicated: “I would support a modification to this Charter Section to exempt personal property (equipment such as trucks, furniture, and electronics), allowing the City to auction or sell these items without a vote of Dexter residents.”

288 (47.45% of question respondents) indicated: “I would support a modification to this Charter Section to set a minimum dollar value for any City property required to go to a vote of Dexter residents for sale.”

86 (14.17% of question respondents) indicated: “This Charter Section, as amended, is appropriate as written.”

123 people skipped this question on the survey

The survey question and responses are included in the packet.
Staff has prepared a draft resolution and draft ballot language to provide a basis for Council to discuss this topic. City Attorney Scott Munzel has reviewed the resolution and draft language. If City Council is interested in advancing ballot language for the November 8, 2022 General Election, the ballot language would need to be submitted to the Washtenaw County Clerk’s Office no later thanAugust 16, 2022 at 4:00pm. However, the Charter amendment language and ballot language would also need to be forwarded to the Governor and Attorney General’s Offices for review and approval.

CITY COUNCIL COMPENSATION ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
See attached screenshots. Proposal to increase council member compensation from $80/regular meeting to $90/regular meeting.

ARTS, CULTURE, AND HERITAGE COMMITTEE COMPENSATION RESOLUTION

During FY 2022-23 Budget discussions, City Council expressed a desire to begin compensating the members of the Arts, Culture, and Heritage Committee. Other boards and committees that are compensated include:

Planning Commission ($40 per meeting)

Zoning Board of Appeals ($40 per meeting)

Parks and Recreation Commission ($20 per meeting)

Election Commission ($20 per meeting)

A line has been included in the ACH department of the General Fund, with an amount that would equate to $20 per meeting per member for each of the 10 members (excludes the ex- officio) of the Arts, Culture, and Heritage Committee.