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Monday, January 30, 2017

Minutes of January 10th City Commission Meeting

Adopted: January 10, 2017
CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS OAKLAND COUNTY MICHIGAN
December 13, 2016, The regular meeting of the City Commission was called to order at 7:30 p.m., at City Hall 45 E. Long Lake Road Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304. Mayor Sherr opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Commission Present:
Commission Absent: Staff Present:
Staff Absent:
116-2016
Mayor Michael Coakley Mayor Pro Tem Sarah McClure Commissioner Michael Dul Commissioner Stuart Sherr
Commissioner Susan McCarthy
Finance Director / Treasurer Keith Francis Interim City Manager David Hendrickson Building Official Keith Woodcock
City Attorney Bill Hampton

City Clerk Amy Burton
Consent Agenda
Motion by Commissioner Dul, supported by Commissioner McClure, the city commission adopt the consent agenda, as presented.
Ayes-4
Nays-0
Absent-1 (McCarthy) Motion Adopted.

117-2016 Citizens in the Audience
Mr. Bill Putney, resident on Trowbridge, spoke to the commission regarding the paving of the Trowbridge subdivision.
Mr. John Henke, resident in Trowbridge subdivision, requested the city administration provide assistance to the Trowbridge Association in researching their options to restore access to the Trowbridge bridge.
The commission suggested Interim City Manager Hendrickson can make himself available to the residents of the Trowbridge Association as he sees fit to aid in their endeavors working with MDOT.
118-2016 Resolution Honoring City Attorney Bill Hampton
Motion by Commissioner Coakley, supported by Commissioner Sherr, the city commission adopt a resolution honoring the years of dedicated exceptional service from City Attorney Bill Hampton.
Ayes-4
Nays-0
Absent-1 (McCarthy) Motion Adopted.

City Commission 1 December 13, 2016
Adopted: January 10, 2017
CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS OAKLAND COUNTY MICHIGAN
119-2016 Cell Tower at 1805 Kensington Road
Interim City Manager Hendrickson provided an overview of the history of the proposed cell tower. He noted the improvement for DPS communications, as well as the location, height and screening of the tower have all been extensively researched over the last several months. Mr. Hendrickson noted the construction of the proposed tower will improve Public Safety radio communications, as well as cellular coverage for AT&T.
Mr. Andy Feld, the city’s wireless consultant, stated the proposed height of the tower at 140 ft. has been studied in great detail. As the proposal currently stands, 140 ft. tower with the antennae on top is the best option to improve communication and taking into consideration the aesthetics of the structure in the neighborhood.
Mr. Wally Haley, representing AT&T, was also in attendance.
City Attorney Hampton noted the planning commission approved the site plan location of the proposed cellular tower at their October 2016 meeting. Mr. Hampton stated if the city commission approves the request, the lease and contract negotiations can begin between the city and AT&T.
The commission commended Interim City Manager for his detailed study of the proposed tower including all the possible alternatives to find a solution to the DPS communication coverage issue.
Motion by Commissioner Coakley, supported by Commissioner Sherr, the city commission approve the proposal from AT&T and grant land use and site plan approval for a wireless communications tower to be located at the Department of Public Works building located at 1805 Kensington Road as submitted, subject to (a) meeting the conditions of the Hubbell, Roth & Clark review letter and the LSL Planning review letter (b) the City Manager and the City Attorney negotiating a lease agreement for said tower with AT&T.
Ayes-4
Nays-0
Absent-1 (McCarthy) Motion Adopted.

120-2016 Appointment of Finance Director / Treasurer
Motion by Commissioner McClure, supported by Commissioner Sherr, the city commission appoint Keith Francis to serve as the Finance Director / Treasurer.
Ayes-4
Nays-0
Absent-1 (McCarthy) Motion Adopted.

121-2016 Grading Ordinance Administrative Policy
Interim City Manager Hendrickson provided a memo dated 12/7/16 regarding the grading ordinance amendments.
Commissioner McClure stated ordinance amendments may need further consideration at some point to clean up some of the ordinance language, however she supports the grading policy as proposed by Interim City Manager Hendrickson.
City Commission 2 December 13, 2016
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Adopted: January 10, 2017
CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS OAKLAND COUNTY MICHIGAN
Commissioner Dul expressed his support for the grading ordinance policy approach.
Mayor Coakley suggested the contractors and building professionals should be educated about the grading policy.
The commission directed the Interim City Manager and the Building Official to educate the building community on the city’s grading ordinance policy to ensure utmost compliance with the city’s ordinances.
Motion by Commissioner McClure, supported by Commissioner Dul, the city commission adopt the recommendations for a grading policy as proposed the memo dated 12/7/16 from Interim City Manager David Hendrickson.
Ayes-4
Nays-0
Absent-1 (McCarthy) Motion Adopted.

122-2016 2017 Meeting Calendar
Motion by Commissioner McClure, supported by Commissioner Dul, the city commission adopt the 2017 meeting calendar.
Ayes-4
Nays-0
Absent-1 (McCarthy) Motion Adopted.

123-2016 Building Department Fees
Interim City Manager Hendrickson explained the detailed process staff developed to determine the actual costs to run the building department and related fees necessary to cover those expenses. Mr. Hendrickson stated the application fees and re-inspections fees the building department was charging for permit applications didn’t cover the costs to issue the permits. He noted the proposed changes are focused on the application fees and re-inspection fees. Mr. Hendrickson also stated the Building Official and Finance Director should consider reviewing the fees on an annual basis as part of the budget process.
Motion by Commissioner Sherr, supported by Commissioner McClure, the city commission adopt the resolution setting the revised building department fees, as proposed.
Ayes-4
Nays-0
Absent-1 (McCarthy) Motion Adopted.

124-2016 Boards & Commissions Appointments
Commissioner Dul requested in the future for the individual applications to be included with the commission packets.
Motion by Commissioner McClure, supported by Commissioner Sherr, the city commission approve the boards and commissions appointments as presented in the memo from City Clerk Burton dated 12/9/16.
Ayes-4
City Commission 3 December 13, 2016
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CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS OAKLAND COUNTY
Nays-0
Absent-1 (McCarthy)

125-2016 City Manager Comments
Adopted: January 10, 2017
MICHIGAN
Motion Adopted.
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Interim City Manager Hendrickson commended the DPW on their hard work during the snowstorm last week.
Mr. Hendrickson also noted the preliminary reports from Oakland County Equalization show the city’s taxable value is estimated to increase by approximately 2.6% - 3.1%.
126-2016 Other Business
Commissioner McClure noted there should be some budget amendments necessary to address approved changes to salaries and building department activity. Finance Director / Treasurer Keith Francis stated he will be looking at the first 6 months of the fiscal year and bringing amendments to the commission after that point.
Mayor Coakley suggested the commission review the approved goals and commission members may be assigned a participatory role in accomplishing these goals.
There being no further business, the regular meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
_____________________________ Michael Coakley, Mayor
____________________________________ Amy L. Burton, City Clerk
City Commission 4
December 13, 2016 

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