Livonia City Council Study Meeting - January 26, 2026

The Livonia City Council held a study meeting on January 26, 2026, at 9:21 PM in City Hall Auditorium, with President Reid presiding. Councilmember Ptashnik was absent recovering from surgery. The meeting primarily served to review agenda items for the February 9, 2026 regular voting meeting. A key focus was a letter from Mayor Brosnan updating the council on the Livonia Police Department's policy amendment regarding federal immigration law and notification of Customs and Border Patrol. All new business items were moved to the consent agenda for the February 9 regular meeting, except for Item 12 (Vegetation Control Program) which was removed. The meeting adjourned at 10:18 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1 – Noise Ordinance Waiver: Request by Knights of Columbus for a car show with DJ at St. Colette's Catholic Church on June 6, 2026, 9 AM–3 PM. Moved to consent.
• Item 2 – Reappointment of Mary Ciolino to the Livonia Board of Review for a three-year term expiring February 16, 2029. Moved to consent.
• Item 3 – Reappointment of Lora Weingarden to the Livonia Board of Ethics for a three-year term expiring March 1, 2029. City Attorney Fisher expressed gratitude for her service. Moved to consent.
• Item 4 – Board of Review Meetings: Approval of 2026 dates, compensation ($120/day for chair, $100/day for members), and hardship guidelines. A resident confirmed members' certification requirements are met. Moved to consent.
• Item 5 – DIA Public Art MOU: Authorization to execute a memorandum of understanding for a community-driven mural at Ben Celani play area. A council member will participate. Moved to consent.
• Item 6 – Pool Chemical Automation System: Purchase of granular chlorine system at $3.55/lb, held for two years. Only one bidder. Moved to consent.
• Item 7 – Tennis/Hockey Court Resurfacing: Dufour Park court resurfacing (eight years overdue) awarded to Laser Sports Surfacing for $33,850. Moved to consent.
• Item 8 – Greens Rollers: Purchase of two Agrimetal greens rollers for Idyl Wild and Whispering Willows golf courses from Revels Turf and Tractor for $50,050. Moved to consent.
• Item 9 – Right-of-Way Tree Planting: 2026 program for 450 trees (38 species) at $155,250, with option to extend to 2027 at $144,800. Awarded to Crimboli Nursery. Moved to consent despite public concerns about tree survival rates.
• Item 10 – Ford Field Backstop Replacements: Removal and replacement of backstops and players' benches at Diamonds #3 and #6 awarded to Nationwide Construction Group for $30,440. Moved to consent.
• Item 11 – FOG Prevention Treatment: Contract with GANIX for fats, oils, and grease treatment through 2026 with three two-year extension options (3% cap increase). Moved to consent.
• Item 13 (renumbered 12) – Ford F150 Purchase: Replacement of a fleet truck (F-250, 8–10 years old) via state contract at $64,351.35, including upfitting and tariff contingency. Moved to consent.
• Item 14 (renumbered 13) – Rock Salt Increase: Authorization to increase rock salt allotment from 2,500 to 2,800 tons (with 30% overage) through 2029 via Farmington Hills Consortium. Moved to consent.
• Item 15 (renumbered 14) – Act 51 Street System Updates: Yearly reporting of new road segments and decertifications to clean up mapping and funding. Moved to consent.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Steve King (Coventry Gardens): Argued the city has no legal obligation to assist ICE, citing the 10th Amendment and Supreme Court rulings. Criticized MITN bidding platform, questioned cost savings, and requested side-by-side comparisons. Opposed the purchase of a chlorine-based pool system, advocating for alternatives like ozone, UV light, or saltwater sanitation. Expressed concern about tree survival rates and contractor quality.
• Eric Fitzpatrick (Rosedale Gardens): Requested an outdoor lighting policy to address excessive LED illumination, citing safety and nuisance issues, and noted that higher-class communities enforce such standards.
• Laurie Shuck (Resident): Disappointed with recent ICE activity, clarified that seeking asylum is not a crime. Requested investigation of snow plow gates to prevent driveway buildup, and reported ongoing issues with recycling pickup by the new contractor.
• Christopher Martin (Resident): Criticized council meeting etiquette—texting, whispering, and eating—and questioned the attendance record of a councilmember prior to election.
• Cindy Fleming (Resident): Complained about the poor quality of a boulevard tree planted by the contractor, noting the small planting hole and structural defects despite her nurturing efforts.
• Jerry Karasinski (Bainbridge): Inquired about pricing of other truck brands (Chevrolet, Ram) compared to Ford.

Discussion Items

• Exterior Lighting Referral: Councilmember McCullough requested adding the topic of exterior lighting and luminosity to the Law and Education Committee for review, citing safety and liability concerns with overly bright LED retrofits. A motion will be made at the next regular meeting.
• Hashimoto's Disease Awareness Month: Vice President Brockway proposed declaring March 2026 as Hashimoto's Disease Awareness Month in Livonia. City Attorney Fisher confirmed a resolution could be offered at the next regular meeting.
• Pool Chemical System: Parks Superintendent Davis explained the switch from tablet to granular chlorine to avoid supplier warranty issues and increase flexibility. Councilmember Budzinski noted the bid had only one respondent.
• Tree Planting Program: Assistant Director Moore defended Crimboli Nursery's performance, noting hand-digging and improved handling. Councilmembers discussed species diversity (48% maples) and past losses from emerald ash borer. The contractor has worked with the city for years and with Dearborn.
• FOG Treatment: New Assistant Director Hoppola introduced the GANIX contract, which has been used since 2022 and won an APWA award. The treatment reduces labor for jetting lines and includes restaurant inspections.
• Fleet Management: Moore confirmed the F150 purchase replaces an older truck without increasing fleet size. He noted DPW trucks face hard use (e.g., plowing) and may have high engine wear regardless of miles.

Key Outcomes

• All 14 presented new business items were directed to the consent agenda for the February 9, 2026 regular meeting (Item 12 on the agenda—Vegetation Control—was removed).
• Councilmember McCullough's request to refer exterior lighting to the Law and Education Committee will be formalized via motion at the next regular meeting.
• Vice President Brockway's proposal for Hashimoto's Disease Awareness Month will be brought as a resolution at the next regular meeting.
• No formal votes were taken; directions were unanimous among present councilmembers.