September 12, 2022
Dexter City Council Meeting
Monday, September 12, 2022 @ 7 p.m.
7610 Ann Arbor Street, Dexter, MI 48130 and via Zoom
St. Andrew’s Church Fellowship Hall
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Meeting ID: 886 6221 9627#
Meeting Agenda: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2022/Agendas/2022-09-12-CC-A.pdf
Meeting Packet: https://files.dextermi.gov/City_Council/2022/Packets/2022-09-12-CC-P.pdf
Please note the change in meeting location above. The 3515 Broad St. meeting space is currently being renovated.
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!
During pre-arranged participation, Mayor Keough will proclaim September 17th – 23rd, 2022 as Constitution Week (see page 9 of the packet).
Council will review (1) minutes of its most recent meeting 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).
A staff update that might be of interest:
Zoning Ordinance Update
The Planning Commission was scheduled to conduct a public hearing to consider the Ordinance updates, on Tuesday, September 6, 2022. Unfortunately, we experienced technical difficulties which prevented virtual and in-person attendees from fully participating in the meeting. The Planning Commission did not open the meeting, and instead, conducted an informal public engagement session. In doing so, the planning consultant was able to explain the zoning ordinance updates and it provided the public in attendance the opportunity to ask questions.
There were several attendees who expressed concerns that the proposed ordinance changes would allow commercial uses in their neighborhoods, which they do not want. Staff and the planning consultant are compiling the comments, in anticipation of providing a more detailed update at your meeting. Additionally, we will be scheduling meetings with these property owners to get to the root of their concerns and outline options for the Planning Commission to consider, where applicable. The public hearing is rescheduled to October 3rd.
Following the presentation and any discussion of these reports, Council will consider 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: $418,834.78
Closure of Central St. from Main to Fifth for Apple Daze Road Closure (Apple Daze is Saturday, October 1st from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. in Monument Park)
Council will consider (i.e., take formal action on; “C”) or discuss (i.e., take no formal action on; “D”) the following business:
Connecting Communities Grant Application Resolution – Grand St. Connector (C)
This project will see the construction of the Grand Street Connector that will connect Phase Two of the Mill Creek Trail to Grand Street via 250 feet of boardwalk constructed by the City over wetlands and a 490-foot paved pathway created by AR Brouwer on the northern property line of Grandview Commons. Together, this new connector will provide additional recreational and emergency access to Phase Two at the halfway point between the Baker Road access and Forest Lawn Cemetery access.
This trail project was included in the FY 2022-23 Budget. To assist with project costs, the City is seeking a $75,000 grant from the Washtenaw County Connecting Communities Grant program in the 2022-23 grant cycle.
The Connecting Communities Grant offered by the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission is designed to promote the development of non-motorized trails within Washtenaw County. The grant is funded by the 20% of the County road millage that is dedicated to non-motorized trails. This program makes up to $600,000 available per year through 2024 for this purpose.
Fire Station Design and Millage Informational Publication(s) (D)
Fire Station Design
During the August 22, 2022 City Council meeting, City Council considered a proposal from Partners in Architecture for Pre-Bond Design Study Fire Station Options. City Council opted to approve a portion of the proposal for an amount not to exceed $20,000 to allow staff and the architect to immediately proceed with design work so that information could be presented at the September 26th Council meeting, aligning with the issuance of absentee ballots for the November 2022 Election.
Following City Council approval, staff worked with Partners in Architecture to set-up three stakeholder meetings involving City staff, Partners in Architecture representatives, DAFD Chief Doug Armstrong, and Council Member Sanam Arab. The dates of the meetings were/are: August 30th, September 6th, and September 16th. The understanding emerging from the last Council meeting was that the group is to prepare a set of site plans, floor plans, cost estimates, and 3D renderings of the possible options for the use of the MAV site and 8140 Main St. Such options would include having Fire/Sheriff at MAV or 8140, or move fire to MAV and remodel 8140 Main St. for the Sheriff’s Office. Options would need to be at or below an all-in total project cost of $9,400,000 (including contingency).
The initial meeting on August 30th involved introductions between PIA staff and Chief Armstrong and a discussion regarding operational needs of the building; building flow; and a comparison of expectations for the building compared to prior designs that have been provided by Partners in Architecture. City staff also shared information relating to the proposed millage and cost expectations. The group discussed possible opportunities for reductions in square footage.
In response to the feedback provided at the August 30th meeting, David Gassen prepared hand sketched floor plans for discussion and presentation at the September 6, 2022 meeting. These sketches are attached to this memo. Although these sketches are more geared towards the MAV site, Mr. Gassen is aware that we will be looking to have floor plans and site renderings of 8140 Main St. as well. Mr. Gassen indicated that the revised floor plans could achieve a square footage reduction of 4,100 – 4,500 sqft., which would put the building in-line with budget expectations. Mr. Gassen also indicated that he would be providing renderings showing the Sheriff’s Office with a similar (~25%) reduction in square footage.
Millage Information Publication
During the August 22, 2022 meeting, City Council discussed how to present information about the November Election public safety millage proposal. Generally, City Council liked what was submitted by Council Member Hubbard from Green Oak Township. Staff has used Green Oak Township’s informational flyer as a template for presentation at City Council’s September 12, 2022 meeting. However, staff also found other millage proposal informational flyers/handouts/one-pagers, which are attached for City Council’s review.
Please note that any information published by the City of Dexter must be unbiased and cannot contain the words “vote for”. However, the publication can include something to the effect of “Vote on November 8, 2022.”
To provide information on the millage proposal, staff can:
Create a page on the website containing unbiased information (as we receive it)
Issue an E-Mail Update and Facebook post directing residents to the website
Release an edition of the City’s Newsletter containing the same information.
Have a handout or one-pager containing the same information available at the City Offices
See beginning page 97 of the packet for the current draft