January 8, 2024
City of Dexter City Council Special Meeting
Monday, January 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
3515 Broad Street, Dexter, MI 48130 and via Zoom
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Note that the regularly scheduled meeting for January 8 at 7:00 p.m. was moved up to 6:00 p.m. to accommodate
those who want to watch (live) the NCAA College Football Playoff National Championship.
Meeting Agenda: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2024/Agendas/2024-01-08-CC-A.pdf
Meeting Packet: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2024/Packets/2024-01-08-CC-P.pdf
PRE-ARRANGED PARTICIPATION
Pre-arranged participation will be limited to those who notify the City office before 5:00 p.m. Monday of the week preceding the meeting, stating name, intent and time requirements. (10-minute limit per participant)
Mayor Keough will give a proclamation to recognize the Dexter High School Women’s Field Hockey Team.
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:
Text Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance:
The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing at its regular meeting on January 3rd, 2024 to consider a text amendment to Article III, Section 3.09(G) of the City of Dexter Zoning Ordinance, to remove the requirement that a property must have a principal building with an approved industrial use, in order to be permitted an 8-foot-high fence in the I-1 and R-D zoning districts. There were no comments offered by the public and after a brief discussion, the Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the amendment to City Council.
The Planning Commission scheduled two public hearings for its regular February 5, 2024 meeting to consider the following text amendments;
Amend Article 14 of the Zoning Ordinance to establish regulations on the placement and screening of air conditioning condensers, heat pumps, and emergency electrical generators.
Article 23, Section 23.01 to allow the Zoning Administrator to be able to initiate an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance.
Business Updates – The Fillmore Restaurant closed permanently on Saturday, December 30th. According to Fillmore staff, the business was sold. Staff has reached out to the owner of the Fillmore and will provide updates as they become available.
Baker Rd. Welcome to Dexter Sign.The“Welcome to Dexter” sign on Baker Road was improved with help from Dave Steptoe of the Dexter Lions Club, Craig McCalla, and the Dexter Community Schools. As the sign was not located in the City’s right-of-way, the City had no authority to make improvements to the sign. With the help of the Schools and the Dexter Lions Club, the sign has been revamped and re-installed.
2024 Dexter Bicentennial. Happy New Year and happy Bicentennial Year! In 1824, Judge Samuel W. Dexter purchased a large tract of land along Mill Creek that became what is now known as the City of Dexter. Originally named the "Mill Creek Settlement," the platting of the village in 1830 saw the official name change to the Village of Dexter. Then, in November of 2014, the residents of the Village voted to adopt the City's Charter to become the City of Dexter. Additional information regarding the Bicentennial can be found at https://dexterbicentennial.com/, which will be updated during the year as the community, residents, and various organizations find ways to celebrate Dexter's 200th anniversary.
Paint Dexter Plein Air Festival. Registration for the 12th Annual Paint Dexter has officially opened on Wednesday, January 3rd. Since this is also Dexter’s Bicentennial year, staff and ACH have added an additional competition for artists to compete in: the Dexter Bicentennial Competition. For this competition, artists will be given a set of historic images of Dexter to choose from and then recreate “en plein air”. This will be a one-time competition in celebration of Dexter’s 200 years.
Bicentennial Carnival Location.Staff will be meeting with Mike Prelesnik from Wade Shows on Friday, January 5th, to review other possible locations for the Bicentennial Carnival. During the last Council discussion regarding the carnival, members of Council expressed interest in looking at other locations that are farther away from residential areas. Staff and Mike will be looking at areas by Broad and Grand near Forest Lawn Cemetery.
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: $233,283.14
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:
Request Legal Opinion on Fire Station Funding (C)
As requested by Council Member Zach MIchels:
The Dexter Area Fire Department interlocal agreement sets the terms for the operation and funding of the Department.
The City’s legal counsel has provided a brief opinion on the terms of the interlocal agreement with respect to funding responsibility for the main station.
In order to facilitate further funding investigation, it would be beneficial to have a formal written opinion from counsel on this topic.
Suggested motion:
Move to direct the City’s legal counsel to provide a written opinion for review at the first City Council meeting in February 2024 describing the responsibility, as defined in the Dexter Area Fire Department interlocal agreement, for:
1) financing construction of the Dexter Area Fire Department’s main station and
2) providing furnishing and finishing of the main station.
Request Legal Opinion on Police Station Funding (C)
As requested by Council Member Zach MIchels:
The contract between the City of Dexter and the Washtenaw County Sherrif’s Office sets the terms for the relationship between the two, including services provided and expectations.
The facility provided by the City of Dexter for use by the Washtenaw County Sherrif’s Office is also used to provide support for surrounding communities, including Dexter Township and Webster Township.
The City manager has provided a brief opinion on the City’s responsibility to provide space through the contract, but a written opinion has not been provided by the City’s legal counsel.
In order to facilitate further funding investigation and understand the City’s responsibility to provide space, it would be beneficial to have a formal written opinion from counsel on this topic.
Suggested motion:
Move to direct the City’s legal counsel to provide a written opinion for review at the first City Council meeting in February 2024 describing the responsibility, as defined in the contract with the Washtenaw County Sherrif’s Office, for:
1) providing space for use by the Washtenaw County Sherrif’s Office to serve the City of Dexter;
2) providing space for use by the Washtenaw County Sherrif’s Office to serve other communities;
3) financing construction of the facility for use by the Washtenaw County Sherrif’s Office to serve the City of Dexter;
4) financing construction of the facility for use by the Washtenaw County Sherrif’s Office to serve other communities; and
5) furnishing and finishing of the police facility.