Livonia City Council 2030th Regular Meeting - December 3, 2025

The 2030th Regular Meeting of the Livonia City Council was held on December 3, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Vice President Martha Ptashnik presided. Roll call showed six members present (Toy, Donovic, McCullough, Budzinski, Scheel, Ptashnik) and one absent (Morgan). The meeting began with special recognitions for the Livonia JV Falcons football and cheerleading teams and for Carol Strom for her service on the Schoolcraft College Board of Trustees. The Night of Lights event at Greenmead was also promoted.

Consent Calendar

• #381-25: Approved a three-year contract extension with Allie Brothers, Inc. for police uniforms, including a 3% inflation increase, from budgeted funds.
• #382-25: Approved a three-year sole-source service agreement with Brett M. Naumcheff (Michigan Police Legal Advisor Group) for constitutional policing and policy advising, totaling not to exceed $108,000.
• #383-25: Approved a $70,000 contract with Plante & Moran, PLLC for temporary accounting and financial services due to department vacancies.
• #384-25: Authorized an additional $45,000 expenditure to Plante & Moran for accounting services related to the FY2024 audit.
• #385-25: Authorized the issuance of up to $5,000,000 in 2026 Capital Improvement Bonds (Limited Tax General Obligation) for improvements to Shelden Park (splash pad, playgrounds, sports fields, walking paths, pavilion).
• #386-25: Approved a contract amendment with Tivity Health Services to continue Silver Sneakers memberships at the Jack E. Kirksey Recreation Center at no cost to the city, with a $3.25 per visit fee and $26 monthly cap per person.
• #387-25: Approved a new sublease agreement with Livonia Civic Arenas for Devon-aire and Eddie Edgar arenas (August 1, 2026 – July 31, 2031, with a five-year extension), including a 5% ice rate increase and a $25/hour surcharge for capital needs.
• #388-25: Authorized purchase of two 2026 John Deere Gators and one utility tractor through the MiDEAL consortium for a total of $99,602.15, replacing aged equipment.
• #389-25: Approved the proposed 2026 City Council meeting schedule (Study and Regular Meetings).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Denny Baronson (Wayne Rd.): Criticized Councilmember Morgan for being unprofessional at the November 17 meeting, stating Morgan refused to allow an extra minute for a resident speaking on Sheetz. Baronson requested an apology.
• American Heritage Girls Troop 711: Presented wreath sponsorships for Wreaths Across America at Glen Eden Memorial Park, with a ceremony on December 13 at noon.
• Steve King (Coventry Gardens): Thanked DPW for leaf pickup but criticized the scheduling; questioned cost credibility of Shelden pool renovations compared to Dearborn; raised concerns about auditor independence, noting Plante & Moran has served for 39 years and suggesting a conflict of interest.
• Patty Riggio (Resident): Questioned Councilmember Scheel about who she was texting during the Sheetz November 5 vote, alleging she was coached on Robert's Rules to reverse the denial. FOIA requests for the texts were denied as Scheel used a personal phone.
• Jason Murray (Michigan Enjoyer): Stated he received a veiled lawsuit threat from a council member over a critical article he wrote, calling it inappropriate and intimidating.
• Christopher Martin (Resident): Opposed eating or texting during meetings, advocated free speech, and opposed giving elected officials a raise.
• Jenaveve Lenoir (9063 Beatrice): Requested a historical sign at Union Cemetery to acknowledge the impact of the Fuller family, abolitionists buried there.
• Noah Wojcik (15351 Brookfield): Reported icy sidewalks near the Recreation Center and a lifted sidewalk at Community Choice Credit Union, requesting safety improvements.
• Lynn Mills (Resident): Announced the Livonia Vision 21 plan is evolving into "Livonia 26," with public comment period from January to March 2026.
• Greg Ralko (Golf Ridge Villa): Argued the November 5 Sheetz site plan vote was improper because the rescission motion did not follow Robert's Rules; asked council to correct minutes to reflect Sheetz's concessions (no drive-through, no outdoor music). Cited city charter authority to limit gas stations.
• Jim Biga (Lancashire): Asked for clarification on what exactly was approved in the Sheetz site plan, noting the minutes did not reflect conditions Sheetz had stated.

Discussion Items

• Item 10 – Council Office Staffing and Salaries: Council President McCullough reported on the Committee of the Whole meeting of November 17, noting discussions on staffing levels and salary adjustments. The item remains in committee to allow further review.
• Item 11 – Auto-Wash Establishment (Clean Express Car Wash): Council President McCullough announced this item was removed from the agenda at Councilmember Morgan's request and will be placed on the December 17 agenda. Councilmember Donovic clarified that the removal was a routine courtesy for an absent member.
• Items 12 & 13 – Plymouth Road Development Authority Amendments: Councilmember Donovic gave first reading to two ordinances: (12) amending district boundaries and (13) amending the Development Plan and adopting a new Tax Increment Finance Plan. Both are routine updates for the PRDA.
• Item 14 – Rezoning at 13400 Newburgh Road (J&J Land Holdings): Councilmember Toy gave first reading to rezone from M-1 to C-2 to construct a gas station and convenience store at Newburgh & Schoolcraft. Councilmember Donovic expressed excitement, noting the site will feature a large American flag and landscaping. The petitioner claimed gasoline would be no more than $1.99/gallon.
• Item 15 – Retirement System Qualifications for Membership: Councilmember Ptashnik proposed sending the ordinance to the Finance & Budget Committee rather than proceeding to a second reading. She cited concerns about potential retroactive application and unintended consequences. Councilmembers McCullough and Toy recused themselves due to potential financial interest. After public comment, the motion to refer passed 4-0.
• Item 16 – Fox Creek Restaurant Lease Amendment: Council President McCullough offered an approving resolution. The amendment increases lease payments for the second five-year term, adds one five-year renewal option, and transfers the tenant LLC from George & Murphys, LLC to Coach's Corner of Livonia, LLC (owned by Nicholas Sykes). Mike and Nick Sykes addressed the council, noting no major changes are expected. The resolution passed 6-0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (6-0) via Resolution #381-389.
• Item 15 Referral: Resolution #390-25 passed 4-0 (Ptashnik, Budzinski, Scheel, Donovic) to refer the retirement system ordinance to the Finance & Budget Committee for further study.
• Item 16 Approval: Resolution #391-25 passed 6-0 to approve the Fox Creek lease amendment and ownership transfer.
• Item 11 Postponed: The auto-wash establishment request was removed from the agenda and will be taken up at the December 17 regular meeting.
• Audience Communication: Multiple residents raised concerns about Sheetz, traffic lights, and procedural issues; the city engineer stated that the proposed traffic signal at Six Mile and Fox Drive would allow left turns into Quakertown subdivision.