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City of Dexter City Council Work Session, Meeting, and Public Hearings

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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-input.

Sincerely,

Jamie

Dexter City Council Work Session,
Meeting, and Public Hearings

Monday, June 13, 2022

6 p.m. (Work Session)

7 p.m. (Meeting & Public Hearings)

3515 Broad Street, Dexter, MI 48130 and via Zoom

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https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88662219627

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

Meeting ID: 886 6221 9627#

Work Session Agenda: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2022/Agendas/2022-06-13-CC-A-WS.pdf

Work Session Packet: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2022/Packets/2022-06-13-CC-P-WS.pdf

Meeting Agenda: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2022/Agendas/2022-06-13-CC-A.pdf

Meeting Packet: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2022/Packets/2022-06-13-CC-P.pdf

Public Hearing #1: 2022-2023 Millage Rate and Budget (no separate online notice available at this time)

Public Hearing #2: 2022-2023 Water and Sewer Rate Ordinance (no separate online notice available at this time)

2022-2027 Capital Improvements Plan: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2022/Packets/2022-06-13-COMPLETE-CIP-FOR-CC.pdf

WORK SESSION @ 6 p.m.

The purpose of this work session is to discuss the fire station, specifically potential millage and bond proposal language. To meet the deadline to place a proposal on the November election ballot, language must be submitted to Washtenaw County no later than August 16, 2022 at 4:00pm.

The packet includes the following attachments:

  1. Draft Resolution Submitting Bond Proposal to Voters (pg 4)
  2. Draft Bond Language for Fire Facilities Only, and Fire + Sheriff Facilities (pg 8)
  3. Estimated Bond Payback Schedule Scenarios (pg 10)
  4. MAV Property Reimbursement Resolution (pg 14)
  5. Questions Submitted by Council Member Griffin (pg 16)
  6. Interlocal Agreement with Lease Agreement as Exhibit (pg 18)
  7. Responses to Community Survey Question #35 (pg 62)

(my words) I want to draw your attention to the question I raised in early May and for which I requested legal counsel’s input: Per the Interlocal Agreement, is the City of Dexter solely responsible for renovation or construction costs of the main station? As noted in the packet, per staff notes from their conversation with legal counsel, “The City is under no obligation to renovate or build a new station. The City’s obligations are limited to those identified in the lease agreement” (i.e., repair and maintenance of certain infrastructure components). Further, staff noted the following guidance from legal counsel: “As a part of the amendment to the Interlocal Agreement, the City could re-negotiate the terms of the lease agreement of the ‘Main Station.’ This is considered part of the normal operations of the facility. If the City were to charge more than $1 for consideration of rental of the facility, there would likely not be impacts to the bond process or tax-exempt status of the bond.”

The public may address Council at the beginning of the work session during non-arranged participation.

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.

During pre-arranged participation, Council will hear from Dexter Schools Students about a dog park project proposal.

There are two public hearings:

  1. 2022-2023 Millage Rate and Budget (no separate online notice available at this time)
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  1. 2022-2023 Water and Sewer Rate Ordinance (no separate online notice available at this time)
    1. The City Charter requires that rates for our public utilities be set via ordinance. Council set the required public hearing for Monday, 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 were discussed at the May 18, 2022 work session.
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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:

  1. Update to Zoning Ordinance
    1. The Planning Commission reviewed the complete draft of the update to the Zoning Ordinance at its June 6th meeting. The Commission discussed and then reduced the maximum off-street parking requirement for single- and multiple-family uses to 1 space per dwelling unit. Staff and CWA were asked to bring back alternative regulations for churches, places of worship, along with options for calculating off-street parking for restaurants that is not based on the number of seating or occupancy. The Commission also requested a mechanism be included to allow the use of public on-street parking and/or public parking lots within a 5-minute walk of a restaurant site to count toward up to 50% of required parking. The public hearing has been scheduled for the Planning Commissions August meeting. The complete draft can be accessed from the Planning Commission’s June 6 packet, on the city’s website:https://files.dextermi.gov/Boards_Commissions/Planning_Commission/2022/…- 06.pc.packet.pdf.
  2. Ordinance Enforcement
    1. The City has received a handful of complaints from residents regarding properties with overgrown grass and weeds. Staff conducted drive-by inspections throughout the City documenting properties in violation of the City’s public nuisance and blight ordinance which prohibits “growth of lawn, noxious weeds or other harmful plants over eight inches in height.”
    2. The current Code of Ordinances, Article II, Public Nuisances, Section 18-34 (attached to this memo) requires a notice first be sent upon discovery of a public nuisance or blight and providing the responsible party 10 days or the length of time deemed appropriate by code enforcement to address the nuisance. After this, if the property owner has not contacted staff regarding additional time needed for abatement and the issue has not been mitigated, a second notice is issued allowing an additional 10 days to resolve the issue. If the nuisance has still not been redressed after these 10 days, a civil infraction is issued. This allows the city to pursue court action, but compliance still may not have been reached. This leads to the potential of the city going through a process of up to a month long. There are many other cities and townships in Michigan that go through a more expedited process of dealing with violations. These come in a range of strictness. If the City wishes to pursue a more expedited avenue of enforcement, it is important to continue to practice adequate due diligence.
    3. A shorter enforcement process allows municipalities to address issues of nuisance and blight in a timelier manner, without compromising the property owners’ right to due diligence. If there are not objections, staff would like to provide Council with a draft ordinance amendment, for discussion at the June 27th Council meeting.
  3. Owl Camera and Council Chamber Technology Improvements
    1. Staff is currently investigating a camera/audio solution called the Owl 3. This system contains a 360- degree HD camera as well as eight speakers that will automatically focus on speakers and shows a 360-degree view of the room. It easily integrates with Zoom and can capture audio 20 feet away from the device. Staff is also working on setting-up a Council Chamber specific computer system that will connect with the proposed Owl audio-visual system and Council Chamber television(s).
  4. Walk Your Wheels "Pedestrian Zone" Stencils
    1. Staff has gone out twice to spray the temporary “Walk Your Wheels” stencils. Staff plans to complete a couple more rounds of temporary spraying in other locations downtown before considering a permanent application.
  5. Mayoral Proclamations
    1. With the help of staff, Mayor Keough has prepared two proclamations, which are included as attachments to his report. The first proclamation is to recognize June 3rd as National Gun Violence Awareness Day. The second is to recognize June as Pride Month. He is working on a third proclamation in recognition of Juneteenth, which he anticipates will be included in the Monday supplement to the agenda 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: $456,169.27
  • Student Representative Appointments
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  • Paint Dexter MLCC Permit Request
    • Attached for City Council’s review is an application for a two-day liquor license for the Paint Dexter Plein Air Festival for Friday, August 19th and Saturday, August 20th. This liquor license is designed to allow service for an Artists Wine Reception event Friday evening, then sale of any remaining wine and beer Saturday evening.
  • Production and Installation of Informational Kiosk for an Amount not to Exceed $10,500
    • The Parks and Recreation Commission requested the installation of a new four-sided kiosk to be located near the trailhead of the B2B Trail by Forest Lawn Cemetery. This expense was included in the FY 2021-22 Budget. The new kiosk will be similar if not identical to the current kiosk located at the top of the ADA sidewalk in Mill Creek Park.
    • The sign as quoted by Johnson Sign (the company that created the existing kiosk sign and the sign at the Lions Park playground) is $10,500. City staff applied for, and received a $5,000 grant through the Destination Ann Arbor Community Tourism Action Plan (CTAP) grant program, which will partially offset the $10,500 cost. The proposal does not include the informational inserts.

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

  • Resolution to Adopt of the City of Dexter 2022-2027 Capital Improvements Plan
    • On May 23, 2022 City Council considered the Planning Commission’s recommended 2022-2027 Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) for adoption, but postponed action and directed staff to correct discrepancies between the project funding tables and project worksheets. Additionally, Councilperson Griffin had questions regarding the justification and prioritization ranking system for evaluating projects.
    • The CIP is a program that projects and coordinates public expenditures to improve the City’s transportation and utility systems, facilities, and other capital assets over a six-year period. The Planning Commission prepares and updates the CIP on an annual basis under the authority of the Planning Enabling Act (PA 33 of 2008), as amended. It is the Planning Commission’s goal that the CIP be used as a tool to implement the City’s Master Plan and assist in preparing the upcoming fiscal year’s budget.
    • The CIP was assessed by City staff, the Downtown Development Authority, and the Parks and Recreation Commission between December, 2021 and March, 2022. The Planning Commission reviewed and discussed CIP updates at the Commission’s March 7, 2022 regular meeting. On May 2, 2022 the Planning Commission held a public hearing to take comment on the proposed 2021-2026 CIP. There were no public comments.
  • Dexter-Ann Arbor Rd. Speed Limit Traffic Control Order
    • In January, City Council discussed the posted speed limit on Dexter-Ann Arbor Rd. following the receipt of a request from a resident for the City to consider lowering the speed near Carrington Dr. As described by OHM Advisors, the City has the ability to introduce a speed transition zone of 40mph between Carrington Dr. and Dan Hoey Rd. This is because of the existing (and unusual) speed limit change of 15mph (from 50 mph to 35 mph) on Dexter-Ann Arbor Rd. at Ryan/Dan Hoey.
  • Roads Capital Planning Report
    • In November 2021, City Council approved a proposal from OHM Advisors to assist with capital planning for roads. OHM proceeded to take road core samples for those roads where previous core samples were not available to evaluate “road thickness.” OHM also evaluated the City’s road network to update the PASER ratings map. At the same time, OHM met with City staff to determine where DPW spends the most time with regard to maintenance.
    • Using this information, OHM has prepared options for the rehabilitation/maintenance of the City’s various roads and the cost estimates associated with those treatment options. The intent of gathering this information is to assist the City in prioritizing road improvement projects going forward – using the City’s Streets Funds (Major and Local) to develop a plan that will be the most effective and cost effective in maintaining the City’s streets network.
    • There is a substantial amount of information to digest in the report. Because the report is based on a snapshot in time of existing conditions, there are a number of assumptions made with regard to conditions and the various possible treatment options. If City Council would like to take a deep-dive into this report, staff could put together a work session, or the report could be forwarded to City Council’s Streets and Sidewalks Sub-Committee.

3515 Broad Street
Dexter, MI 48130
United States

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