PROPOSED Minutes of a Regular Meeting Pittsfield Charter Township Board of Trustees, October 23, 2015 E.A. Jackson Morris Hall, The Robert A. Lillie Service Center 6201 W. Michigan Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108 Members Present: Grewal, Scribner, Krone, Lotfian, Yi. Members Absent: Israel, Hunt. Others Present: Ernest Milligan III (Recording Clerk), Deputy Clerk Lyn Badalamenti, Director Trish Reilly, Hillary Schmitz, Attorney James Fink, Director Craig Lyon, Director Mark Gasche, Director Patricia Denig, Director Tracy Watkins, Township Assessor Barbara McDermott, Township Farmers Market Manager Tina Lloyd, Township Planner Matthew Bourke, Nathan Voght, Bill De Groot, Christina Lirones, Stephen Berger, Scott Aughney, Amanda Joslin, Eric De Jonghe, Duane Hughes, Steven VanSingel. ______________________________________________________________________ 1. Call Meeting to Order Supervisor Grewal called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. A quorum was present. 2. Pledge of Allegiance Led by Supervisor Grewal. 3. Roll Call Members Present: Grewal, Scribner, Krone, Lotfian, Yi. Members Absent: Israel, Hunt. 3.1 Approval of the Agenda. Moved by Trustee Krone, supported by Trustee Lotfian, to approve the agenda as amended. Supervisor Grewal requested the addition of item 13.4, closed executive session to discuss pending litigation MIA vs. Pittsfield Charter Township. MOTION CARRIED. 4. Public Comment I Christina Lirones, resident at 151 E. Textile Road, stated her opposition to the Township’s millage rate and inquired where the publications for Rezoning were published. Duane Hughes, resident at 6980 Wapiti Way, stated his opposition to the Gallery Park rezoning. 1 PITTSFIELD CHARTER TOWNSHIP Board of Trustees 2 Minutes for a Regular Meeting Held October 23, 2015 Steve VanSingel, resident at 7117 Wapiti Way, voiced his opposition to the Gallery Park rezoning plan and stated his concerns about the potential increase in cut through traffic. Director Mark Gasche, reading on behalf of Linda Vella, President of Pittsfield Seniors Inc., commented on the transition of staff member within the Township Parks and Recreation Department and was pleased with the staff’s willingness to work with PSI. Scott Aughney, resident at 550 Ann Arbor Road, commented on the litigation brought forth by the Department of Justice against the Township, and voiced his opposition to US Attorney Barbara McQuade and the Federal Government. 4.1 Board Response to Public Comment Supervisor Grewal noted that the feedback and concerns brought forth by residents in regard to the rezoning for Gallery Park have been compiled, and will be brought formally to the Planning Commission through Resolution #15-57. She clarified that the Board was not approving any plan, only the rezoning. She clarified that the traffic studies will be conducted by the Washtenaw County Road Commission and MDOT (Michigan Department of Transportation), and would not be initiated without a proposed development plan at the given location. 5. Approval of Minutes 5.1 Approve Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on October 14, 2015. Moved by Trustee Lotfian, supported by Trustee Krone, to approve the minutes of October 14, 2015 regularly held meeting as submitted. MOTION CARRIED. 6. Public Hearings/Presentations/Proclamations 6.1 Report on the CPI by Assessing Director, Barb McDermott. Assessor Barbara McDermott reported that according to the Michigan State Tax Commission’s annual inflation rate multiplier, the 2015 inflation rate was 1.003. She noted that due to this exceptionally low rate, it would be increasingly more difficult to assess the taxable values for 2016 and projected a decrease in tax revenue due to new State tax exemptions for personal property and small businesses. She advised the Board that these changes in values should be taken into consideration for the 2017 budget. Trustee Krone inquired if the new construction projects within the Township would help balance the budget, to account for the decrease in revenue. Assessor McDermott acknowledged that new construction would help offset the decrease. Supervisor Grewal clarified that the taxable new developments would help revenue for the upcoming fiscal year, however it may not be a sustainable source for 2017 due to the low CPI. 2 PITTSFIELD CHARTER TOWNSHIP Board of Trustees 3 Minutes for a Regular Meeting Held October 23, 2015 6.2 2015 Farmers Market Presentation: Tina Lloyd, Farmers Market Manager. Township Farmers Market Manager Tina Lloyd, provided a recap of the 2015 farmers market season. She commented on changes made for the third season, including receiving a license from the Michigan Department of Agriculture for onsite cooking demonstrations and the implementation of the food assistance programs. She recognized the market’s sponsors and partnerships with THI, Bank of Ann Arbor, StoryPoint and Gym America. Market Manager Lloyd reported there was an increase in vendor sales, and noted that the Township was planning on utilizing the $25,000 of USDA grant funding for the next farmers market season. Trustee Lotfian commended Manager Lloyd on her work on the farmers market. Supervisor Grewal requested clarification on the total amount of food assistance dollars distributed during the season. Market Manager Lloyd clarified that there was a total of $1,400 circulated in food assistance. 6.3 Quarterly AAATA Presentation. Bill De Groot of AAATA, provided an update on changes to the bus routes within the Township. He noted a growth in patronage in the area because of the expanded services. He reported on a study done on decreases in ridership along certain regional routes due to the college calendar year, lowered gas prices, and alternative transportation such as Uber. Mr. De Groot commented on proposals for installing new riders’ shelters based on the increased patronage; plans to transition to smaller buses; and partnering services to coincide with the Township’s farmers market. Mr. De Groot notified the Board that the plan for the proposed Saline express service route had been eliminated because the City of Saline had declined to participate in the program. He elaborated on the changes to the existing routes that would be made in order to expand service and make the routes more efficient. Trustee Lotfian inquired how AAATA planned on notifying residents of the changes, and stated the concerns of residents on Route S. Mr. De Groot elaborated on the way that the public would be notified. Trustee Yi requested information on the number of passengers that utilize the current bus system. Mr. De Groot noted that they were currently in the process of implementing a new monitoring system that would be able to give them a more accurate account of riders per stop, and that they would be able to provide the Board with exact numbers in the future. Supervisor Grewal clarified that the two routes that are proposed for 2017 were requested by residents and local businesses. Mr. De Groot noted that they are working on finalizing the new service routes by August 2016. 3 PITTSFIELD CHARTER TOWNSHIP Board of Trustees 4 Minutes for a Regular Meeting Held October 23, 2015 6.4 Reimagine Washtenaw Project Update Presentation: Nathan Voght. Nathan Voght, Washtenaw County Economic Development Specialist, provided an update on the Reimagine Washtenaw Project. He presented on the proposed two year work plan for the project, noting plans for the installation of pedestrian super stop points in addition to midblock crossings. Mr Voght recognized the requests noted by Supervisor Grewal that were made by residents for inclusion of a crossing area on Washtenaw near the Glencoe Hills apartment complex and requested the Township’s continued support for the Reimagine Washtenaw project. 7. Communications Moved by Trustee Krone, supported by Trustee Yi, to receive and file communications. MOTION CARRIED. 8. Consent Agenda 8.1 Approve payment of Payables. Check #18687 through #18830 in the amount of $286,652.09. 8.2 Approve payments from Tax Checking Fund. Check #21604 through #21616 in the amount of $2,936,584.48 8.3 Receive the September 2015 Revenue/Expenditure Report. 8.4 Receive the October 28, 2015 Personnel Report. 8.5 Receive the September 2015 Activity Report for the Department of Public Safety. Moved by Trustee Lotfian, supported by Trustee Yi, to approve consent agenda items 8.1 through 8.5. MOTION CARRIED. 9. Items from the Treasurer 9.1 Quarterly Cash Balance Update. (See Attachment 1) Moved by Trustee Krone, supported by Trustee Lotfian, to receive and file report from the Treasurer. Treasurer Scribner provided a summary on the Township’s invested funds. Trustee Lotfian requested clarification on the data in the report. Treasurer Scribner provided clarification on the data. MOTION CARRIED. 4 PITTSFIELD CHARTER TOWNSHIP Board of Trustees 5 Minutes for a Regular Meeting Held October 23, 2015 10. Items from the Clerk 10.1 Approve placement of the Street Lighting Special Assessment Districts on the 2015 tax roll as provided in the list dated October 12, 2015. Moved by Trustee Krone, supported by Treasurer Scribner, to approve placement of the Street Lighting Special Assessment Districts on the 2015 tax roll as provided in the list dated October 12, 2015. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Grewal, Scribner, Krone, Lotfian, Yi. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Israel, Hunt. ABSTAIN: None. MOTION CARRIED. 11. Items from the Supervisor 11.1 Adopt a Resolution to Approve the FY 2016 Budget Res #15-54. (See Attachment 2) Moved by Trustee Lotfian, supported by Trustee Yi, to adopt Res #15-54, a resolution to approve the FY 2016 Budget. Supervisor Grewal provided the Board with an annual budget review, from 2009 until the present. (See Attachment 3) ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Grewal, Scribner, Krone, Lotfian, Yi. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Israel, Hunt. ABSTAIN: None. MOTION CARRIED. 11.2 Adopt a Resolution to Establish the AOL Pedestrian Crossing Improvement Fund, Construction Fund 418 Res #15-55. (See Attachment 4) Moved by Trustee Lotfian, supported by Trustee Krone, to adopt Res. #15-55, a resolution to establish the AOL Pedestrian Crossing Improvement Fund, Construction Fund 418.