CITY OF HUNTINGTON WOODS REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, April 21, 2015

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1 CITY OF HUNTINGTON WOODS REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, Mayor Gillham called the Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. PRESENT: ABSENT: Mayor Gillham, Mayor Pro-Tem White, Commissioner Jenks Commissioner Olsman and Commissioner Paul, City Manager Sullivan and City Attorney Rosati None City Staff Present: City Clerk/Treasurer Solanskey, Finance Director Lehmann, DPW Manager Galed APPROVAL OF AGENDA APPROVAL OF MINUTES COMMUNICATIONS None Moved by Commissioner Olsman and supported by Commissioner Paul to approve the agenda for the meeting of with the addition of agenda item #5, setting a special meeting for an additional budget work session. Upon said resolution being put to a vote, the City Commission voted Commissioner Paul Moved by Commissioner White and supported by Commissioner Olsman to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 7, 2015 and the Special Meeting of April 7, Commissioner Paul.

2 Page 2 of 7 COUNTY COMMISSIONEER REMARKS County Commissioner Zack passed on County Commissioner remarks. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Todd Sperl of Borgman reminded residents to vote for the School District Bond Proposal on the May 5, 2015 election. PRESENTATION Oakland County Water Resources Commission and City Engineer Tim Germaine of Nowak and Fraus. Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash and Water Resources Staff members Steve Korth and Craig Covey reviewed the Water Resource Commission findings of the August 11, 2014 flood event. The rainfall on August 11, 2014 was a unique and incredible event overwhelming the George W. Kuhn drain system causing street flooding and basement back-ups. Statistically the amount of rain was a once in 330 year event raining ¾ of an inch every 15 minutes. The sewage treatment facility sustained over a million dollars in damages. Steve Korth urged residents to visit the Water Resource Commission website at for further details and information. Mayor Pro Tem White asked what homeowners can do in the future to prevent backup in their own basements. Should homeowners install a sump pump, backflow valve or maybe consult with a landscape engineer? Commissioner Nash suggested homeowners consult a plumber regarding a sump pump, backflow valve or a drain cover. Homeowners should consider green infrastructure methods to limit the amount of rainwater going into the storm sewer system. The methods might include rain barrels, rain gardens, gutter extentions and decreasing the amount of impervious surfaces which forces rain water into the storm sewer system. Commission Olsman asked if in this kind of rain event, does a backflow valve just force the back-up into your neighbors basement who may not have a backflow valve. Commissioner Jenks asked if the Water Resources Commission is considering providing courses on mitigating this kind of crisis. This crisis was not unique to Huntington Woods and knowledge may lower the anxiety of homeowners. The Mayor then opened the meeting to questions by homeowners. Jan Dembs of Lincoln said that during a heavy rain, water becomes a pool in her backyard. She asked if she should allow that to happen. Stan Hazan of Winchester asked where the rain water eventually ends up after it is treated. During a major storm event like this, why is the flow restricted at the treatment facility. Steve Korth of the Water Resources Commission responded that the flow is not restricted. There are no gates that are opened or closed. If the water level is high, it spills over the screens. Jim Nash responded that this water had tremendous force and was supercharged by the sheer volume. The rain water flooded Dequindre Road east of the George W. Kuhn treatment facility. Karen Nanos asked if there could have been an accumulation of sentiment in the drains after this event. On a City level is there anything that could be done.

3 Page 3 of 7 Chris Anderson of Lincoln said to follow up on Commissioner Olsman s question, studies have shown a problem for a homeowner who doesn t install a back flow preventer when his neighbor has one installed. Gail Linden of Concord asked if the City could apply for grants to remedy some of the problems. Tom Franco of Humber asked if the drain system could be separated. Cost is an issue but could retention tanks be placed under the streets. Art Mondrala of York said the issue at his house isn t just a sewer system problem, it is also a water table issue. When the water is retained in the street it floods his front yard. City Manager Amy Sullivan then introduced Tim Germaine, the City Engineer from Nowak and Fraus to speak about the basement flooding that occurred to approximately 34 homes on April 9, Tim Germaine explained that a micro storm occurred on April 9, 2015 that affected not only some homes in Huntington Woods but also his home in Farmington Hills. The City Department of Public Works has been using a camera to inspect the sewer system in the area that flooded. Tree root intrusions have been found in the main sewer system that have migrated from individual homeowner sewer lines and taps. The engineers have recommended to the City that all main sewers in the City be televised and cleaned. Unfortunately, the cost would be in the area of $900,000 and that price does not include any repairs that may be needed. He recommended residents contact a plumber regarding a back flow preventer, inspect home foundations for cracks, look for damage to weeping tile and install gutter extensions. Cassandra Durant of Allor asked if the City has ever had a system in place to check the sewer system. Francine Turkish of Winchester said her home has flooded twice in 8 months, she wants to know what the City is doing to maintain the sewer lines. If the City doesn t have the personnel then why is it not being hired out to be done annually. She wonders what will happen to the home values. Ryan Velzy of Allor says his basement has flooded 3 times in the last 8 months. Was there due diligence in maintaining the sewer lines, what is the City going to do to restore his basement. Marjorie Masoud of Vernon wants to trust that the City is doing everything it can. Many of us at our own cost have had to replace our sewer line from the house to the street. Mayor Gillham said the City will do everything it can to clean and televise the sewer lines as fast as possible. City Manager Sullivan said the basement flooding is not anything the City takes lightly. Rosemary Jackson of Kingston said she had no flooding in the most recent storm but did have an overwhelming sewer smell in her basement. PROCLAMATION Recognizing the week of May 6-12 as Nurses Week.

4 Page 4 of 7 Mayor Gillham asked Mayor Pro Tem White to read the proclamation declaring May 6-12, 2015 as Nurses Week in Huntington Woods RESOLUTION R Appointments to Community Fund Board Moved by Commissioner Paul and supported by Commissioner Jenks to endorse the Mayor s recommendation to appoint Kenneth Katz and Teresa Fraley to the Community Fund Board Commissioner Paul. RESOLUTION R Appointment to the Environmental Advisory Board Moved by Commissioner Paul and supported by Commissioner Jenks to appoint Dr. Earl Bogrow to the Environmental Advisory Board and to reappoint Eric Gurwitz and Mary Austin to the Parks and Recreation Board for a second term. Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem White, Commissioner Olsman, Commissioner Paul and Commissioner Jenks and Mayor Gillham. RESOLUTION R Michigan Street Lighting Coalition intervention in MPSC rate case

5 Page 5 of 7 Moved by Commissioner Jenks and supported by Commissioner Paul to support the resolution of the Michigan Street Lighting Coalition to intervene in the in the Michigan Public Service Commission rate case U and to authorize the contribution of $1,000 to Michigan Suburbs Alliance to support the intervention. Commissioner Paul. RESOLUTION R Set Public Hearing Date for Budget Moved by Mayor Pro Tem White and supported by Commissioner Paul to set May 19, 2015 as the date to receive public comment regarding the City s proposed 2015/2016 Budget in accordance with Chapter IX, Section 8 of the City Charter. Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem White, Commissioner Olsman, Commissioner Paul and Commissioner Jenks and Mayor Gillham. The following reports and minutes were brought in front of the City Commission. a. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, March 24, 2015 b. Senior Advisory Board, March 19, 2015 The reports and minutes were received and filed. RESOLUTION R Set additional Budget Study Session Moved by Mayor Pro Tem White and supported by Commissioner Olsman to set May 12, 2015 at 7:00 pm as the date for an additional Budget Work Session.

6 Page 6 of 7 Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem White, Commissioner Olsman, Commissioner Paul and Commissioner Jenks and Mayor Gillham. WARRANT 296 Moved by Commissioner Paul and supported by Commissioner Jenks that the attached transfers and disbursements as listed on the Accounts Payable Distribution Report due by, 2015 and paid between March 14, 2015 and April 17, 2015 on pages 1 through 10 in the amount of $712, be approved and paid, subject to full audit. Upon said resolution being put to a vote, the City Commission voted Carried unanimously PUBLIC PARTICIPATION None CITY MANAGER REPORT City Manager Amy Sullivan noted that the May 5, 2015 has been cancelled due to the May 5, 2015 Election. COMMISSIONER S REMARKS Commissioner Olsman thanked Water Resource Commissioner Jim Nash, his staff and City Engineer Tim Germaine for the presentations at this meeting. Mayor Pro Tem White said she received a call from a resident regarding a dog incident. She asked that residents keep their aggressive dogs on a leash. She wished her husband a Happy Birthday. Commissioner Jenks thanked the City Staff for the quick response time regarding the basement flooding that occurred on April 9, By 10:30 pm information was available on the City website and staff put in overtime investigating the problem. He also thanked Water Resource Commissioner Jim Nash, his staff and City Engineer Tim Germaine.

7 Page 7 of 7 Commissioner Paul said the proposed 2015/2016 Budget document is available at City Hall and the Library. He thanked the City Staff for a tremendous document. He urged all residents to vote on May 5, Mayor Gillham urged residents to vote for the Berkley School Bond issue, the schools are getting old including Burton Elementary. The Regular adjourned to Executive Session at 9:45 pm Joy Solanskey, City Clerk Ronald F. Gillham, Mayor