Dearborn
Federation of Neighborhood Associations
Meeting
Minutes for October 3, 2007
1.
Call to order:
Sal
Gencarelli opened the meeting at 7:42 PM.
Attendance:
|
Ann Basse
|
Terry Pulido
|
Gary Pollard
|
|
Sylvia Tillman
|
Jerry Leonard
|
Myron Lemecha
|
|
Dave Tillman
|
Marshall Wehr
|
Thomas Korte
|
|
Scott Smith
|
Sal Gencarelli
|
Susan Moran
|
|
Dave Vaseau
|
Judy Byrwa
|
Godfrey Udoji
|
|
Vera Ventre
|
Mary
Petlichkoff
|
Jack
O’Reilly
|
|
Craig Dahlke
|
Ned Nikodem
|
|
2.
Approval of Prior Minutes:
Dave
Tillman noted that Ford Homes Historical District was the
first neighborhood highlighted in the Mayor’s Cable TV
program; not Aviation as reported. Craig Dahlke motioned
to approve Terry Pulido seconded, motion carried.
3.
Treasures Report:
Ned
Nikodem read the report:
|
Beginning
Balance
|
1009.43
|
|
Income
|
20.00
|
|
Expenses
|
0.00
|
|
End Balance
|
1029.43
|
Note:
Treasures report is under dispute. Ned Nikodem to provide
updated information and balance. 11/07/2007
Associations Current with Dues as of 6/6/07:
|
Aviation
|
Dearborn Hills
|
Ford Homes
Historic District
|
|
Ford Woods
|
Hemlock Park
Neighborhood Association
|
Henry Ford
|
|
Highland
|
Oakman Grove
|
Riverbend
|
|
Woodbridge/Fordson
|
Woodworth
|
West Lane
Civic Association
|
|
Morley Area
Residents Association
|
|
|
Individuals
Current with Dues:
|
Charlene
Dreyer-Sharp
|
Sal Gencarelli
|
|
Scott Smith
|
Sylvia Tillman
|
Associations
in Arrears:
|
Concerned
Residents for South Dearborn
|
Golfcrest
Country Club
|
|
Golfview
|
Golfview Oaks
|
|
Levagood Link
|
Snow Woods
|
4.
Guest Speaker: Godfrey
Udoji addressed the group and provided information on
current and upcoming public works projects in Dearborn.
The city has an ongoing cycle of infrastructure
improvements that are prioritized and completed based on
need and funding availability.
Several
sidewalk replacement projects are underway in the city.
The sidewalks in a given area are evaluated and slated for
maintenance approximately every 12 years.
Mr.
Udoji explained that funding for city improvement projects
are principally financed in one of three ways:
General
Fund – (not used for construction.) Funds put up by the
city are used as matching money from areas such as block
grants.
Dedicated
Street funds – taxes collected from areas such as
gasoline and license fees are earmarked for roadway
improvements.
Sewer
– Fees levied on our water bills are used for
improvements in sewer and water infrastructure projects.
Projects
can overlap and funds earmarked for the project can spill
over top other areas of improvement. Such exceptions as
new streets and sidewalks are included when sewer
improvements are needed.
New
projects include Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) retention
tanks. These tanks are comprised of 60 by 120 foot shafts
dug in to the ground and designed to separate solids from
liquid, then treat the liquids before discharge into the
pipelines heading to the Detroit Sewage treatment plants.
There are two new shafts under construction, one at Outer
Drive near Dearborn High School and the other at Military
Street and the Rouge River.
Mr.
Udoji offered maps of proposed and current city projects
to interested parties for the benefit of the
neighborhoods. For questions and comments Mr. Udoji asked
we contact his department at 313 943 2145.
Gary
Pollard of Senator Clark-Coleman’s office advised
the group of recent events regarding the State of
Michigans’ near shut-down. Mr. Pollard wanted to let us
know that the senator is actively soliciting constituent
feedback and Gary wants to address the DFNA at the next
meeting with more specifics on the path the state will be
taking to resolve our budget crisis. In the mean time
please see the Senator’s web site SenIClark-Coleman@senate.michigan.gov
for
highlights of the proposed changes and the compromises
that put the temporary budget in place.
Thomas
Korte, Susan Moran and Mary
Petlichkoff representing the Dearborn Charter
Commission spoke to the group, items addressed were:
Copies
of the proposed charter are available at the City
Clerk’s office and on line at:
http://www.cityofdearborn.org/cityclerk/New%20Charter.pdf
The
commission studied many neighboring city’s charters and
tried to use “best practices” to modify our charter.
All residents are encouraged to examine the proposal prior
to the November election to make an informed decision.
Major
changes include:
·
15 mill cap max levied by council approval
·
Eliminate the naming of city departments
·
Define succession of Mayor
·
Increase Civil Service commission to 5
persons
The
charter will be approved or rejected as a whole document.
In the case of rejection the commission is seated for one
more year, allowing 12 months to refine and present
changes to Dearborn’s voters.
Mayor
O’Reilly offered questions and answers and highlighted
the following issues:
·
Service Days will be enforced! On the
scheduled garbage days of the first and third full week of
the months ALL vehicles are to be removed from the streets
to facilitate maintenance and cleaning. This step will
enhance our city as well as maximize the Department of
Public Works efforts to do their duty. A gentle reminder
to offenders will be followed with increasing penalties
for non-compliance. The
City calendar will help remind all residents.
·
City commission roles are being re-evaluated
for membership. Volunteers are expected to be productive
participants and represent the city as a whole.
Consideration is being given to expertise, participation,
and diversity based on zip code. Interested persons
seeking a seat on a commission should send a resume to the
Mayor’s office.
5.
Adjournment:
With
no further business to attend Scott Smith motioned for
adjournment, Jerry Leonard seconded, motion carried and
meeting adjourned at 9:14pm.
Associations in attendance:
|
Aviation
|
City of Dearborn
|
Dearborn Charter
Commission
|
Dearborn Hills
|
|
Ford Homes
Historic District
|
Ford Woods
|
Golfcrest
Country Club Estates
|
Hemlock Park
|
|
Henry Ford
|
Highland
|
Morley Area
Residents Association
|
Oakman Grove
|
|
State of
Michigan
|
Riverbend
|
West Lane Civic
Association
|
|
These
minutes have been compiled and submitted by Dave Tillman,
Secretary DFNA.
http://www.dfna.org