Video: Ypsilanti City Council Feb 17, 2009

City Council meets about Chickens, the Beal Amendment, State of the City, and Housing Commission

Topics this evening included State of the City by Mayor Paul Schreiber (Dem), Chickens in the City, the Beal text amendment which was denied, and Housing Commission. The meeting was 3 hours and 48 minutes.

City Council Agenda, Feb 17, 2009

Video: Ypsilanti City Council Dec 16, 2008

Former Mayor Cheryl Farmer rejected for position on Ethics board.

Brandy’s Party Store

The main topic of the second regular December meeting of the Ypsilanti City Council was an impromptu hearing on Brandy’s Liquor Shoppe. Brandy’s, old timers call it Forbes Party Store, on West Michigan and Summit has been the subject of numerous complaints by neighbors and city police as a chronic nuisance. Ypsilanti Police said there have been nearly three times as many calls for service at Brandy’s than any other party store in Ypsilanti. Thirteen people, including Mr. and Mrs Hanna owners of Brandy’s, spoke in favor of the store and asked the city council to stop the court action.

The City Attorney had filed a show cause notice with the intent of declaring Brandy’s a nuisance and ordering it closed for one year. Council had previously voted to postpone the court hearing for 60-days with the hope the owners and City Attorney could work out an agreement.

Citizen Board Appointments

Normally Citizen appointments are a formality. The Mayor makes the appointment and council approves the appointment to the board or commission. Tonight was no different as City Council approved the appointment of Thomas (Scotty) James to DDA and Krista Nordberg to Human Relations Commission.

The third appointment, former Mayor Cheryl Farmer to the Ethics Board, drew special attention from Council. In a rare move, Council voted 5 to 2 to reject Farmers appointment.

After the vote, Mayor Paul Schreiber (Dem) chastised the council for the apparent divisiveness and said he hoped this was not a sign of things to come, Schreiber said it was the practice of past councils to speak with a unanimous voice.

Schreiber had tried to appoint Farmer to the Ethics board before the November election when he had a majority voting block on Council. However the City Charter prevented Farmer from being seated before two new council members took office in November. Incumbent John Gawlas (Dem, Ward 2) lost his bid for a fourth term and Brian Filipiak (Dem, Ward 3) decided to not run for a second term.

All three of the candidates Schreiber backed for the November election, Gawlas, Rod Johnson (Dem) running for an open seat, and Megan Turf (Dem) running against incumbent Lois Richardson (Dem, Ward 1), lost in the August primary.

Schreiber seemed surprised that Farmer was rejected, seemingly unaware that Farmer had actively, and in some cases, quite viciously campaigned against many of the City Council members now sitting on the board. The two votes Farmer received, Schreiber and Bill Nickels (Dem, Ward 2), were from the only two remaining council members Farmer backed in the 2006 election.

City Council Minutes, Dec 16, 2008

Video: Ypsilanti City Council Water Street Update Dec 15, 2008

City Council convenes special meeting to discuss Water Street.

The Ypsilanti City Council held their monthly Water Street update.

Water Street Presentation by City Staff

City Manager Koryzno gave an overview of the direction given by City Council regarding Water Street. Assistant City Manager McGrath reported on progress with the Water Street project and stated that there are potential developers for some of the parcels and the city has received two offers. Ms. McGrath introduced Joe Fazio from the law firm of Miller-Canfield who gave Council his credentials and explained what his role would be in negotiating with potential developers. Drew Chorney, CB Richard Ellis, gave an update on progress and explained why people are looking to develop in Ypsilanti.

McGrath gave an overview of the financials stating the city had $2.7 million in reserves to pay upcoming Water bond payments. The city should have enough to make the next three years of payments.

Council passed a resolution directing City Staff to bring forward any proposal to clear the properties from the site.

Council passed a resolution to schedule a third meeting each month specifically to discuss Water Street. The special meeting will be held the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7pm at City Hall.

City Council Minutes, Dec 15, 2008

Video: Ypsilanti City Council Goal Setting Dec 13, 2008

Third Goal Setting session.

The Ypsilanti City Council held their third goal setting session this evening.

Presentation by Stewart Beal

Mr. Beal presented an update on the Thompson Blok in Depot Town. Beal said that the Depot Town merchants were opposed to one of his earlier tenants. Beal said that Kircher was suing him in four different counties. Beal also said he was offended by an email sent by Council Member Pete Murdock (Dem, Ward 3). Beal said that he thought the City was his partner and he didn’t know that he had to address individual concerns. Beal also said that he would meet with any Council member.

Murdock in his remarks said he asked Mr. Beal for a meeting and showed an email where Beal refused to meet with Murdock. Beal said he did not remember the email.

There was about five minutes more of back and forth discussions between Council and Beal.

Goal Setting with Dr. Joe Ohren

Council then resumed their goal setting discussions led by Dr. Jow Ohren from Eastern Michigan University.

This meeting is always interesting as it is a round table with each city department head as well as the DDA and Housing Commission give their perspectives on budgets, services, and goals.

City Council Minutes, Dec 13, 2008

Video: Superior Twp Dec 15, 2008

One of the shortest government meetings YpsiNews has ever broadcast.

This meeting lasted just 33 minutes. So sit back and enjoy the very brief Superior Township Board of Trustees meeting from December 15, 2008.

Unfortunately, Superior Township releases their minutes as a Word document rather than a PDF. So we converted the document to PDF and have made it available here.

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