Livonia City Council Study Meeting - December 3, 2025

The Livonia City Council held a Study Meeting on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, convened at 8:45 PM by Vice President Ptashnik. All Councilmembers were present except Scott Morgan. The meeting set the agenda for the December 17 Regular Meeting. Nine of the ten new business items were recommended for the Consent Calendar, while Item 1 (elected official salaries) was directed to the Regular Agenda for a formal vote after extensive debate.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jim Biga (Lancashire): Requested clarification on how Civil Service Commission matters are reported to the Council.
• Stephen King (Coventry Gardens): Delivered a critical statement against numerous city expenditures, advocating for more efficient budgeting and accountability.
• Councilmember Donovic (During Council Discussion): Defended Councilmember Toy against a prior public criticism regarding her eating, noting it was related to her diabetes treatment and calling for greater decorum.
• Christopher Martin (Resident): Questioned the process for elected official salary increases, alleging they have been historically passed without a direct vote.
• Denise Mika (Resident): Requested that the Finance Committee investigate total compensation for officials, including fringe benefits.
• Cindy Fleming (Resident): Expressed strong support for the Hegira Health law enforcement/mental health co-response program.
• Eileen McDonnell (Resident): Sought clarification on the scope of the traffic signal modernization project at Levan and Five Mile.

Discussion Items

1. Local Officers Compensation Commission (LOCC) Salary Recommendation The LOCC, represented by Chair Glen Long, presented a recommendation for a 3.5% salary increase for elected officials in 2026 and a 4.5% increase in 2027, based on comparative data. Councilmembers Scheel, McCullough, Donovic, and Toy expressed opposition, citing the city's tight budget, potential layoffs of city staff, and the need to prioritize raises for city employees. City Attorney Carter Fisher confirmed a two-thirds majority vote is required to deny the commission's recommendation. Councilmember Scheel made a formal motion to deny the increases. The matter is scheduled for a vote at the December 17 Regular Meeting.

2-10. Remaining New Business Items (All Directed to Consent Agenda) Department heads presented the following items, all of which received motions to be placed on the Consent Agenda for the December 17 Regular Meeting:

• Police Division: Waiver of bidding to renew the agreement with Hegira Health for co-response mental health services, funded by the opioid settlement. Chief Goralski reported 2,212 referrals, 894 co-responses, and an over 80% reduction in use of force.
• Fire & Rescue: Purchase of five Power Pro Two stretchers from Stryker Medical.
• Fire Department: Purchase of two Zoll cardiac monitor/defibrillators.
• Parks and Recreation: Purchase of sole-source insecticide, fungicide, and fertilizer for the 2026 golf season.
• Public Works: Award of a two-year bid to Ferguson Waterworks for water main repair clamps ($100,000/year).
• Public Works: Extension of the 2026 Municipal Park Mowing Program with Brantley Development ($87,276 for 136 acres).
• Public Works: Approval of a contract with ETNA Supply Company for water meters, not to exceed $1,500,000.
• Public Works: Approval to purchase a jack unit replacement for a vehicle hoist through the HGAC cooperative purchasing consortium.
• Engineering Division: Amendment of the engineering contract with OHM Advisors for construction engineering on traffic signal modernization at Levan/Five Mile and Lyndon/Newburgh ($133,413). City Engineer Todd Zilincik noted the project is 90% funded by the state.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1 (Elected Official Salaries): Directed to the December 17 Regular Agenda for a supermajority vote on the motion to deny the LOCC recommendation.
• Items 2 through 10: All recommended for approval as part of the Consent Agenda for the December 17 Regular Meeting.