December 11, 2023
City of Dexter City Council Meeting
Monday, December 11, 2023 at 7 p.m.
3515 Broad Street, Dexter, MI 48130 and via Zoom
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Meeting ID: 881 4138 1694#
Meeting Agenda: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2023/Agendas/2023-12-11-CC-A.pdf
Meeting Packet: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2023/Packets/2023-12-11-CC-P.pdf
NON-ARRANGED PARTICIPATION
Non-arranged participation will include those in the audience not listed on the agenda that wish to speak. At the Mayor’s discretion, members of the audience may be called on to speak at any time. Those addressing the Council will state their name, and address. This section is limited to 5-minutes per participant or 10-minutes for group representative.
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. Just state your name and address and then share your thoughts–it’s that easy!
VARIOUS UPDATES
Council will review (1) minutes of its most recent meeting(s) 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).
Updates that might be of interest:
Zoning Amendments – The Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing for January 3, 2024 to consider an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance regarding fence height in the I-1 and RD Zoning Districts. The Planning Commission postponed action to schedule a public hearing to consider a text amendment to Article 19 regarding public hearing for PUD’s, to January 3, 2024 due to the Chair being absent.
Fire Station Conceptual Elevation – The Planning Commission was asked to provide feedback regarding the conceptual elevations for the new fire station, which were presented to the Public Safety Facilities Committee, on November 21st. Consensus of the Planning Commission was that the Fire Station will be a landmark building in the downtown for the next 50 – 100 years. They liked the front entrance on Alpine, but felt the conceptual exterior design missed the mark and the elevations were very industrial in appearance and lacked creativity. They didn’t feel the elevation concept conveyed quality and for them, that was a problem. They didn’t like the angled roof line over the engine bays and they commented that the Main Street frontage looked like what the back of a building would look like. The Commissioners commented that the exterior elevation of the previously proposed fire station (at the corner of Meadowview and Dexter-Ann Arbor Road) had much better architectural quality of design and architectural detail than any of the current concepts. Based on the feedback, it appears the Planning Commission would be open to a pitch roof design, based on the architectural style of the historic grist mill that used to occupy the site before the current fire station or a flat roof line with parapet walls, similar to the historic buildings in downtown.
Public Safety Facilities Update.
Project Timeline. On December 6, 2023, staff received a timeline of activities for the Public Safety Facilities project from Partners in Architecture. A copy of the timeline is included on page 28 of the packet. Staff has not had a chance to vet the proposed timeline, but is aware of a few inconsistencies, such as a line identifying Planning Commission’s consideration of the temporary facilities PUD, when Council has already made the decision to not take that step.
Construction Manager Contract. Staff will be meeting with the City Attorney and representatives of Cunningham-Limp to review and discuss the draft Construction Manager contract for the public safety facilities project on Friday, December 8, 2023. Staff anticipates a recommendation to City Council shortly thereafter.
CONSENT AGENDA
Following the presentation and any discussion of these reports, Council will consider (i.e., take formal action on) 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: $179,871.31
2024 Boards and Committees Meeting Calendar
Committee Appointments
Mayor Keough recommends the following appointments. (* denotes re-appointment)
Board of Review – Term Ending January 2027
James Smith*
Economic Development Corporation – Term Ending December 2029
Michelle Aniol*
Art Selection Committee – Term Ending December 2024
Anna Oostendorp* – ACH Representative
Beverly Hill* – ACH Representative
Phil Arbour* – ACH Representative
Rich Bellas* – DDA Representative
Wa-Louisa Hubbard* – Planning Representative
Jeanette Frost* – Parks Representative
Meredith Giltner* – Resident Representative
Rita Holmes* – Resident Representative
Sanam Aldag* – Ex-Officio
Current Vacancies
Arts, Culture, and Heritage Committee (1)
Downtown Development Authority (1)
Economic Development Corporation (1)
DISCUSSION AND/OR CONSIDERATION ITEMS
In addition to any items described under Consent Agenda (above), Council will consider (i.e., take formal action on; “C”) or discuss (i.e., take no formal action on; “D”) the following business:
Sloan Kingsley Update (D)
This item was postponed at the last Council meeting.
On November 8th, the Scio Township Interaction Committee (STIC) met with Mr. Lutton, at his request, to discuss how he would address the goals Council discussed during its work session on Sept. 11th. Those goals are included in the packet for reference. For the meeting Mr. Lutton provided a packet of information, which is included in the meeting packet. See the packet (Part Two, beginning on page 31) for copious documentation.
Review of Annexation Request
The STIC offers the following comments for Council’s consideration:
The City Council established the following policy and general guidelines for “planning for properties outside of the current city limits, in the City’s Master Plan.
From to time, and under mutual agreement between the City of Dexter and adjacent Townships, the municipal boundaries of the City may expand. Municipal expansion of the City boundaries will typically occur in relation to a corresponding extension of sewer and water facilities into underserved areas of adjacent Townships.
The City’s water and sewer systems were designed to serve City property within the present boundaries of the City. The City has made a significant investment in building the capacity, quality, and reliability of the water and sewer systems to serve existing areas of the City, but limited capacity is currently available. Due to the significant investment in these facilities, the City will carefully consider the following general guidelines in accepting potential municipal service expansions:
1. The City of Dexter is willing to work with surrounding communities in developing appropriate agreements that may include the extension of municipal sewer and water services. These agreements must be beneficial to the economic development of the City of Dexter and bring new tax base. Ideally, agreements would benefit the economic development of the surrounding community.
On April 24, 2023 Dave Lutton presented a development concept for the Sloan-Kingsley property (the annexation of 45 acres for residential development, an agrarian development (Many Hands), and preservation of Open Space for Scio Township). After which, Scio Township Clerk, Jessica Flintoff asked that City Council speak directly with the Scio Township Board in a “good faith discussion” regarding the property.
On May 8, 2023, City Council created the Scio Township Interaction Committee (STIC), consisting of Council members Aldag, Semifero, and Hubbard and Community Development Manager Aniol, as the representative from City Staff.
On May 17, 2023 Baker Road Holdings, LLC submitted a Request for Annexation in to the City of Dexter.
On July 14, 2023, August 11, 2023, and September 22, 2023, the STIC met with Scio Township Board representatives, Flintoff, Knol and Reiser. STIC presented Council with a summary after each meeting (attached for reference).
On November 8, 2023, the STIC met with Mr. Lutton, as referenced at the beginning of this memorandum.
On November 14, 2023, the Scio Township Board of Trustees adopted a Resolution regarding the Township’s position on the application for annexation by the City of Dexter for the “Sloan-Kingsley” Property. With the Resolution, the Township Board has taken an official position “that the proposed annexation request does not promote or meet Township goals of open space and preservation or pathways” and the Township will have no further discussion “until a formal request for annexation of the property is received from the City of Dexter.” A copy of the Resolution is included in the packet (Part Two; page 311) update.
Resolution to Adopt Ballot Language Relating to Petitions for a Charter Amendment (C)
During the August 28, 2023 meeting, City Council voted to postpone the consideration of a resolution to adopt ballot language relating to the submitted citizen-initiated petition proposing an amendment to the City of Dexter Charter. Below is the information that was provided to City Council during the last round of discussions.
On Tuesday, May 2, 2023, the City of Dexter received from a group called “Friends of Mill Creek Park” a citizen-initiated petition proposing an amendment to the City of Dexter Charter:
“Section 1.04 MILL CREEK PARK NORTH
THE CITY-OWNED PUBLIC LAND BOUNDED BY ALPINE STREET, MAIN STREET, MILL CREEK, AND THE RAILROAD SHALL BE RETAINED IN PUBLIC OWNERSHIP, IN PERPETUITY, AND SHALL BE SET ASIDE FOR AND DEVOTED TO ACTIVE RECREATION, PASSIVE RECREATION, OR BOTH.”
Per MCL 117.21, the City Clerk has 45 days to certify that the petition forms contain signatures from a minimum of 5% (180) of the 3,599 registered electors within the City of Dexter. As of Friday, June 16th, staff reviewed the petitions and found the forms to contain no less than the minimum number of signatures required. Since the certification of the petitions, staff has notified the Attorney General’s Office of the certification.
The letter accompanying the petition requested placement of a ballot question on the August 8, 2023 election. Based on staff’s and the City Attorney’s understanding of the process and reading of state election law, citizen-initiated charter amendment petitions may only be placed on the November 5, 2024 General Election ballot.
Regardless of the length of time before the requested charter amendment may be placed on a ballot, staff is continuing to work with the City Attorney to move the process forward. The next step in the process is for City Council to adopt a resolution to approve ballot language. Below is draft ballot language along with a proposed resolution for Council’s review. If Council is comfortable with the language and the resolution, staff will bring the item back for approval at the next City Council meeting.
Proposed Ballot Language
A proposal to amend the Dexter City Charter to insert language related to City-owned land bounded by Alpine Street, Main Street, Mill Creek, and the Railroad:
Shall the Dexter City Charter be amended to insert language relating to the City-owned land bounded by Alpine Street, Main Street, Mill Creek, and the railroad to retain the land in public ownership, in perpetuity, and devote the land to active recreation, passive recreation, or both?
[Yes] [No]
Setting a Public Input Session for Proposed Sloan Kingsley Annexation Parcel (C)
Council Member Semifero requested a consideration item related to the setting of a public input session for the proposed Sloan Kingsley annexation be included on the December 11, 2023 agenda. His request is attached to this memo.
From Council Member Semifero:
Dexter Bicentennial Celebration (D)
At the November 27th Council meeting, staff presented the concept for the Bicentennial Carnival. The concept as presented included closing two blocks of Central St. (from Main St. to 4th St.). Staff is currently working on a draft of the letter that will be sent to potentially impacted Central Street residents to inform them of the proposed carnival and provide them the opportunity to speak with staff regarding the event, pending City Council support. As WadeShows is currently holding the date for the City, staff would like to provide feedback to WadeShows as soon as possible if the carnival is not a desired piece of the Bicentennial Celebration. See the packet for additional details.
Public Input Session for Future of 3045 Broad St. Development (D)
Council Member Semifero requested a discussion item related to soliciting public input for the future of 3045 Broad St. be included on the December 11, 2023 agenda.
From Council Member Semifero:
