2031st Regular Meeting of the Livonia City Council - December 17, 2025

The Livonia City Council held its 2031st regular meeting on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Auditorium. The meeting included the approval of a consent agenda, a deeply debated 4-3 vote on a new Clean Express Car Wash, unanimous adoption of amendments to the Plymouth Road Development Authority, rejection of salary increases for elected officials, and approvals for infrastructure and parks projects. The meeting also featured farewells to outgoing councilmembers Laura Toy, Scott Morgan, Lynda Scheel, and Rob Donovic.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved resolutions authorizing bulk purchases, contract renewals, and sole-source acquisitions for the Police, Fire, Public Works, and Parks departments (Items 1-9).

Public Comments & Testimony

• General & City Services: Multiple residents addressed the council on a variety of topics. Bob Hauser requested an update on a proposed native plant ordinance. Patty Riggio and Debbie Pinnell criticized the city's snow removal efforts and icy street conditions. Eileen McDonnell announced the passing of community volunteer Sue Daniel. Arbrinna Armstrong expressed concerns about her child's safety on a school bus. Jim Crowley voiced frustration that resident opposition to recent developments is being ignored by the council. Scott Bahr, Jackie Graham, and others thanked the outgoing councilmembers for their service.
• Clean Express Car Wash (Item 10): A large number of residents voiced strong opposition to the proposed car wash at 38888 Six Mile Road. Arguments included the oversaturation of car washes in Livonia (14-17 cited), negative traffic impacts on an already congested intersection, the proximity to an historic cemetery, low property tax revenue compared to a restaurant, and a perceived lack of public input being valued. John Pastor and Brandon Grysko, representing the petitioner, spoke in support, highlighting the developer's agreement to fund a new traffic signal and intersection improvements, add an 18-foot buffer to the cemetery, and make a $5-6 million investment.

Discussion Items

• Clean Express Car Wash (Item 10 - Unfinished Business): Councilmember Donovic (in favor) argued the current vacant restaurant will likely be replaced by another busy restaurant without traffic improvements. The car wash provides a unique opportunity for a privately-funded, $1.4 million traffic signal at Six Mile Road and Fox Drive, reconstruction of the intersection, and an enhanced buffer for the cemetery. Councilmember Budzinski (opposed) argued Livonia is oversaturated with car washes, which are low-tax, low-job, and hard to repurpose when the market bubble bursts. She suggested a moratorium was needed. The item was approved on a 4-3 roll call vote.
• Plymouth Road Development Authority (Items 11 & 12 - Unfinished Business): The council unanimously adopted second readings of ordinances amending the downtown district boundaries and adopting a new Tax Increment Finance (TIF) plan for the Plymouth Road Development Authority pursuant to Act 57.
• Local Officers Compensation Commission (Item 13 - Unfinished Business): The council unanimously rejected the commission's recommendation for salary increases for elected officials for 2026-2027. Councilmember Donovic cited upcoming tough financial decisions and the need to set an example. Councilmember Toy cautioned that rejecting the increase might lead to a larger compounded increase in two years.
• Belmond Properties Settlement (Item 16 - New Business): Following a closed session, the council unanimously authorized the Department of Law to settle the claims in Belmond Properties, LLC v. City of Livonia.
• Rotary Park Pavilion (Item 17 - New Business): The council unanimously awarded the bid for the construction of a pavilion and restrooms at Rotary Park to George H. Pastor and Sons for $568,245. Councilmember Budzinski highlighted the funding sources: a $300,000 state appropriation, a $275,000 fund balance draw, and a $260,828 insurance reimbursement.

Key Outcomes

• Clean Express Car Wash: Approved (4-3, Donovic, Ptashnik, Scheel, Morgan in favor; Budzinski, Toy, McCullough opposed) subject to 22 conditions.
• PRDA District Boundaries & TIF Plan: Adopted (7-0).
• Elected Officials Salaries: Raises Denied (7-0).
• 2025 Concrete Road Program (Item 14): Additional expenditure of $476,000 authorized (7-0).
• Newburgh Road Emergency Repairs (Item 15): $99,350 expenditure authorized (7-0).
• Belmond Properties Lawsuit: Settlement authorized (7-0).
• Rotary Park Pavilion/Restrooms (Item 17): Bid awarded to George H. Pastor and Sons (7-0).
• The meeting was adjourned at 9:23 p.m.