City Council Minutes

City of Inkster, Michigan
Regular Council Meeting
October 3, 2011

The Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Inkster, Wayne County, Michigan, convened in the Council Chambers, 26215 Trowbridge, on Monday, October 3, 2011.

Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Hampton called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance
City Council and the public in attendance pledged allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

Roll Call
Honorable Council Present: Michael Canty, Henry Crump, Marcus Hendricks, Courtney Owens, Timothy Williams, Patrick Wimberly, Mayor Hilliard Hampton

Approval of Agenda
11-10-280R Moved by Hendricks Seconded by Canty
Approve agenda with changes to Item D under new business (rescind ban on layoffs and proceed with implementation of the Budget Deficit Elimination Plan) and the addition of Item F under New Business (appoint a new City Manager within 90 days).
Motion carried unanimously.

Public Participation
- Ruth E. Williams: Requested that Mayor & Council attend & walk in the Inkster High School Homecoming Parade that will be held on October 15, 2011.
- Willie Johnson: Spoke regarding tax increases and 3 millages that recently passed.
- Karen Lee: Stated that the City of Inkster still needs their own Police and Fire Department and Court. Asked how much Ann Capela was paid to leave the City of Inkster and how we can afford a new City Manager if the City doesn’t have any money.
- George Williams: Requested a break-down of Detroit Water Rates again. He wants to know how much additional the City increased those water rates. Asked who the legal owner of Annapolis Pointe is.
- Larry Motley: Received a threatening anonymous letter. There will be a prayer vigil and march on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 9 a.m. at Baylor Woodson. Expressed concerns with water bills and explained that if the city rezoned they would have a tax base.
- Gabe Henderson: Announced that the Inkster Goodfellows will be holding their annual pancake breakfast at the Booker Dozier Complex on Saturday, October 22, 2011 from 7:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. for a cost of $8.00. The newspaper sale will also be held on the first Friday in December.
- Arthur Hudgens: Would like to open First Positive Rehab, Inc. (a hospital for drug addicts and alcoholics) in the City of Inkster which would provide jobs but the City is unwilling to speak with them. Explained that there are currently businesses operating without Certificates of Occupancy and that are behind on their taxes. Asked for a resolution to turn in all credit cards.

- Virginia Rockmore: Questioned why the water bills increased and stated they are a hardship.
- Sandra Watley: Announced that there will be a 50th Anniversary tribute program and reception for the Marvellettes on November 11, 2011 from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. It will be held at the Inkster High School Auditorium and tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Announced that the Watsonia Park Association will be holding Octoberfest on Saturday, October 8, 2011 in the parking lot of the Stardust from 10 a.m. -6 p.m. where people can purchase gently used items. Also announced there will be a candidate forum during this event from 3 p.m.- 6 p.m. Questioned if Council will be issuing a retraction regarding campaign violation statements that were made. Asked that someone seek donations for a copy machine for block clubs to make copies at 710 Middlebelt. Questioned if Council will overturn some of the decisions made by the former City Manager and asked for the specifics of her severance package.
- Dorothy Gardner: Thanked Ron Wolkowicz & his staff for their prompt response to her questions. Requested assistance for Seniors Focus Hope & commodities because food is being taken from senior citizens who are unable to leave their homes. Questioned if Council’s expenses are a matter of public record and if so, how she could get a copy.
- Velma Overman: Expressed the importance of Inkster residents becoming change agents, educating people, and encouraging them to re-invest in Inkster to save our community.
- Ernest Hendricks: Encouraged citizens to get involved and improve our community by cutting the grass and not leaving grass and leaves in the street to block sewers. Discussed set-outs and enforcement of ordinances. Questioned the use of city funds.
- Hassan Sutherland: Spoke regarding a new non-profit organization he has opened in the City of Inkster called the Truth Foundation with the intent of providing grassroots foundations to youth. He plans to generate funds through his connections but wants the permission/support of Council. They are having a car show on October 15, 2011 at Michigan Avenue and Harrison and are requesting that city officials be in attendance.
- Martin Bryant: Spoke regarding the shortage of funds for the City’s Annual Halloween Party. The Mayor Hampton Youth Foundation donated $1,000 but he is challenging leaders to donate the remaining $1,000 that is needed to host the event.
- Walter Starghill: Spoke regarding a home eviction that occurred on Pine in which items were left for 2 weeks. The block club cleaned up the refuge but he questioned who is responsible for pick up. Stated that the turn around time for replacement garbage cans is about 6-8 weeks and wanted to know what could be done about this. Stated neighbors should share in the responsibilities of cutting the grass of vacant homes in their neighborhoods. Gave a Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA) update regarding the Justice Center and study.

Presentation
Ann Kalass, CEO - Starfish Family Services
Starfish is an Inkster based non-profit agency with approximately a $13 million budget (publicly and privately funded). They have been in Inkster for over 30 years, have approximately 280 employees and many volunteers, and serve over 10,000 children a year. They sponsored the “kid zone” at the Inkster Summerfest, currently donate food boxes, run a teen shelter, and provide counseling, educational sessions, and support for parents and children. They have recently placed full time social workers in the Inkster and Westwood School Districts. Their goal is to have Inkster children “start school ready to succeed.” Invited residents to RSVP and attend their monthly luncheon which is free and will be held on Thursday, October 20, 2011 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Public Hearings
Consent Agenda
11-10-281R Moved by Hendricks Seconded by Canty
Approve
- September 19, 2011 regular meeting minutes
- September 27, 2011 special meeting minutes
- Allen Brothers, City Attorney invoice in the amount of $8,725.00
Motion carried unanimously.

Boards and Commissions
11-10-282R Moved by Hendricks Seconded by Crump
Appoint Sam Brown to the Planning Commission for a 3 year term to expire in Oct. 2014.
Motion carried unanimously.
Previous Business
Ordinances
First Reading
Second Reading
New Business
11-10-283R Moved by Crump Seconded by Hendricks
Approve a street closure request for the Truth Foundation on October 15, 2011 on Harrison.
Motion carried unanimously.

11-10-284R Moved by Hendricks Seconded by Crump
Accept and submit an amended 2011 Inkster Greenways Initiative application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund, which is requesting $300,000 in MDNR Trust Fund monies along with $649,827 in committed MDOT Transportation Enhancement Grant funds to cover the remaining amended total project costs for phase II in the amount of $949,827.00.
Motion carried unanimously.

11-10-285R Moved by Crump Seconded by Hendricks
Authorize Administration to solicit RFP with alternatives that will outline different cost factors for –all or separate costs to: design, print and deliver the City’s 2012 Community Calendar.
Motion carried unanimously.

11-10-286R Moved by Canty Seconded by Wimberly
Rescind ban on layoffs and proceed with the implementation of the Budget Deficit Elimination Plan consistent with the Draft submitted to the State Treasurer’s Office on September 28, 2011. Final reductions in Appropriations and Staff shall be reviewed with Department Heads and approved by City Council.
Motion carried. Roll Call – Yes: Canty, Crump, Hendricks, Wimberly, Mayor Hampton; No: Owens, Williams

11-10-287R Moved by Hendricks Seconded by Canty
Authorization to add the City Treasurer, Mark Stuhldreher to the depository card as an authorized signer on behalf of the City of Inkster and to have the former City Manager Ann K. Capela’s name removed as signer.
Motion carried. Roll Call – Yes: Canty, Crump, Hendricks, Owens, Wimberly, Mayor Hampton; No: Williams

11-10-288R Moved by Canty Seconded by Owens
Appoint new City Manager within 90 days.
Motion carried unanimously.

11-10-289R Moved by Hendricks Seconded by Crump
Turn in City Credit Cards.
Motion carried unanimously.

Council Concerns
Crump: Received complaints that there is not adequate lighting at the bus stops, specifically at Judith and Western. Commended Jean Overman & Jeannie Fields for a job well done with the Inkster Task Force.

Hendricks: Discussed issues with water bills including that notices were not sent out to the residents to inform them of the increased water rate. Stated the City is going to fight Detroit to reduce the water costs.

Owens: Made reference to being attacked at the meeting by residents. Wanted to revisit a subject of cutting non-union salaries by 15% across the board and that reductions should be proportionate. Stated the owner of a business on Michigan Avenue complained that their water bill was $1,000 for one month; bill tripled.

Williams: Announced his Town Hall Meeting that will be held on October 4, 2011 at the Recreation Complex from 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. and invited his colleagues to participate. Questioned what’s being done about the trees that were planted on Thomas Circle. Pledged $100 to the Halloween Party. Would like more information regarding the key person/representative for the Justice Center and their qualifications. Asked that Council reconsider the water shut off policy since residents were not informed, in a timely manner, of the increasing water rates and everyone is not able to attend council meetings or does not have access to the cable television channel.

Hampton: Mentioned that Detroit is setting their water rates for 2012/2013. He would like to have a citizen, possibly from the Inkster Water Board, attend their meetings. He would also like to have the meeting dates posted, handed out to Council, and put on the cable television channel. Discussed the annual Halloween Party and how there are usually 1,400 -1,600 children in attendance; encouraged others to donate. Stated that if an error was made using the city credit cards then the money must be refunded; city credit cards were only to be used to traveling purposes.

City Clerk
No report at this time
City Manager
No report at this time
There being no further business to come before Council, on motion duly made by Councilman Williams, seconded by Councilman Crump and carried, the Regular Council Meeting of October 3, 2011 was adjourned at 9:53 PM.

Carolyn Taylor
(for Velida Gutierrez, City Clerk)
City of Inkster

ATTEST:
Hilliard L. Hampton II, Mayor
City of Inkster

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City of Inkster, Michigan
26215 Trowbridge • Inkster, Michigan 48141
(313) 563-4232

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