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Record of Proceedings

Livonia City Council Study Meeting - February 23, 2026

City Council — Monday, February 23, 2026
BodyLivonia, Michigan
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, February 23, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

0:45

February 23rd, 2026 study session of the Lavonia City Council.

0:49

Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance led by the Honorable Robin Persiconi.

Speaker 2

1:00

And to the Republic

Gary Laundroge · Speaker 3Inferred

1:01

for which it stands,

Speaker 2

1:02

one nation under God, indivisible with the justice

Gary Laundroge · Speaker 3Inferred

1:07

problem.

Speaker 1

1:13

This meeting sets the agenda for the 2036 regular meeting, which is a voting meeting that will take place on Monday, March 9th, 2026, where tonight's items will be officially voted on.

1:24

We are just missing Councilwoman McDonald tonight.

1:26

She's recovering from an outpatient surgery, and we wish her well.

1:52

Good evening.

1:53

Hi, good evening, Laura Sheemaker, Call Fort Villa.

Unassigned speaker

1:56

Um,

Speaker 4

1:56

I wasn't gonna speak this evening.

1:58

Um, but Brandon, um, thanks to you, you got a little bit of courage here.

2:04

You spoke passionately about the Noble Library and the inner workings of city council administration and so on.

2:13

A couple things that you said.

2:14

You said we work for the people.

2:17

And it's the it's to we have to do the right thing, not for political motivation or otherwise.

2:24

You said, get some stuff done, make the decisions to get some things done.

2:28

And you said, we have some serious issues.

2:30

Well, we do.

2:31

We're passionate.

2:32

That's why we're here all the time, fighting the same fight over and over while the whole time we look out here, and all we see is this.

2:43

A deer and headlights.

Unassigned speaker

2:45

A

Speaker 4

2:46

couple nods, yes, acknowledging some of the votes that each person took.

2:51

But Greg mentioned he called all of you out by name and spoke about the votes that you did have regarding the sheets proposal.

3:02

And you know, the thing that needs to be done is to correct the wrong.

3:13

But yet nobody on this board, this council does anything about it.

3:18

Don't bring it up, don't talk about it, don't have another vote.

3:23

Linda Scheel was able to rescind the vote that wasn't on the agenda.

3:28

How do we get that on the agenda?

3:31

How do we get one of you to stand up for what is right?

3:35

We we have sat here numerous times and and shown you with a big board of the misdeeds of the ZBA.

3:44

They did not have the authority to grant a use variance.

3:49

They did not.

4:06

That's not what they

Unassigned speaker

4:07

meant.

Speaker 4

4:22

Not because something was wrong or something was not say something was wrong.

4:29

Not because there was a miscue.

4:31

It was done for ill intentions, and you all know it.

4:34

Somebody needs to stand up and do the right thing.

4:37

Thank

Unassigned speaker

4:37

you.

Speaker 4

4:38

Thank you.

4:39

Good evening, sir.

4:40

Name and address

Speaker 1

4:40

for the record, please.

Speaker 5

4:41

Yes, Steve King Cumberfree Gardens.

4:43

I want to address uh item 22 from the last meeting.

4:46

I want to be clear.

4:48

I fully support improving the acoustics in the recreation center.

4:51

A 35-foot steel deck gym is one of the most acoustically challenging environments you can have.

Unassigned speaker

4:57

For context, I've spent decades as a professional band leader.

Speaker 5

5:00

I've designed and built my own sound systems and performed over more than 10,000 events in every type of building imaginable.

5:07

I've worked in spaces exactly like that, so I'm speaking from practical field experience.

5:12

In a structure this tall with a steel deck ceiling, the dominant reflection surface is overhead.

5:19

Wall panels will reduce some lateral reflections, but they won't address the primary vertical slap echo that causes long reverberations and poor speech clarity.

5:29

My concern is simple.

5:31

Are we targeting the dominant reflective service?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████████████████████27%
Public Engagement██████████████14%
Public Safety████████████12%
Procedural████████8%
Community Engagement████████8%
Parks and Recreation████████8%
Cannabis Regulation█████5%
Economic Development███3%
Environmental Protection███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Livonia City Council Study Meeting - February 23, 2026

The Livonia City Council convened a study meeting on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. in the City Hall Auditorium. The session was held to review and set the agenda for the regular voting meeting scheduled for March 9, 2026. Councilwoman McDonald was absent, recovering from outpatient surgery. The meeting featured extensive public commentary on development controversies and city policies, along with detailed staff presentations and council deliberation on nineteen agenda items.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • St. Rafka Noise Ordinance: Multiple residents spoke on the request. Susan Dobin (Hubbard St.) reported her windows vibrated during past festivals and requested earlier end times to respect working neighbors. Jerry Kerasinski supported standardizing noise limits city-wide. Christopher Martin appealed to the principle of "loving thy neighbor."
  • City Policy & Accountability: Steve King (Coventry Gardens) criticized the council for approving significant expenditures on the consent agenda without sufficient discussion. He referenced a drowning at the Embassy Suites and an armed robbery in the police station parking lot, urging proactive safety and sustainability requirements for new developments.
  • ZBA and Scheels Controversy: Multiple speakers, including Greg Ralko and Laura Shoemaker, strongly criticized the ZBA and Council over the Scheels development process. Ralko stated that a majority of council members are on record opposing the project yet it continues. Shoemaker accused the ZBA of acting with ill intentions. Christopher Martin argued the root issue is the Council's practice of making ZBA appointments based on political loyalty rather than merit.
  • Fleming's Liquor License: Ralph McNabb questioned the city's capacity to monitor underage alcohol delivery and bottle return requirements if the SDM license is granted.
  • Master Plan & Finance: A speaker questioned the efficiency of using an outside vendor for the Master Plan update and requested more detailed financial reporting for the council and public.

Discussion Items

1. Noise Ordinance Waiver (St. Rafka Maronite Catholic Church) Council considered a request to waive the noise ordinance for a cultural festival scheduled for August 7-9, 2026. The agenda text contained a typographical error listing the Saturday and Sunday dates as 2025, though the intended weekend was August 7-9, 2026. Councilwoman Tashnick noted a history of noise complaints. Councilman McCullough successfully urged for an amendment recommending music (specifically the bass) end by 11:00 p.m., with decibel limits matching St. Mary's festival. Councilwoman Budzinski advocated for consistency, noting St. Mary's was historically permitted later hours on Saturdays. Councilwoman Persicone offered a substitute to keep existing hours with decibel limits. The petitioner agreed to the conditions. Outcome: Placed on the Regular Agenda for March 9, 2026.

2. Shoppes at College Park (Buildings F & I) Plans were presented for Building F (Charles Schwab Investment Services, 7,400 sq. ft.) and Building I (Fogo de Chão Brazilian steakhouse, 8,575 sq. ft., 210 seats) at the Shoppes at College Park. The Planning Commission completed its review. Outcome: Placed on the Consent Agenda.

3. LAG Development (Stark Road Parking) Request to redevelop a residential parcel into 26 parking spaces for a neighboring dealership. The petitioner agreed to install motion-sensor lights and a screen wall to address neighbor concerns. Outcome: Placed on the Consent Agenda.

4. Fleming's SDM Liquor License Request for a specially designated merchant (SDM) license at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse to sell wine and spirits for off-premises consumption. The Planning Commission verified compliance with distance requirements. Outcome: Placed on the Consent Agenda.

5. Schoolcraft Lodge Hotel A proposal for a 94-room, four-story hotel at 31501 Schoolcraft Road, identical to a 2023 plan that expired. Councilman McCullough requested it be moved to the regular agenda. Outcome: Placed on the Regular Agenda.

6. Early Voting Plan City Clerk Lori Miller proposed establishing City Hall as the permanent early voting site, approving a plan required by Public Act 81 of 2023. She detailed significant challenges at the Housing Commission office used in 2024, including security risks, lack of space, ADA issues, and power outages. She stated City Hall offers controlled access, backup generators, ample parking, and curbside voting options. Clerk Miller noted City Hall received a 12/14 score in an ADA audit. Councilwoman Budzinski supported the plan, citing the April 6 deadline to file with Wayne County. Councilwoman Tashnick expressed reluctant support. Councilman McCullough formally offered a denying motion on the record, asserting the ramp does not meet ADA requirements (1:20 slope vs. required 1:12) and requested a review from city building officials. Outcome: Placed on the Regular Agenda.

7. AFSCME Local 1917 Contract A three-year collective bargaining agreement (Dec 1, 2025 - Nov 30, 2028) was presented. It includes a 3.5% wage increase in year three, a 2% wage adjustment, modifications to vacation accrual, Juneteenth as a paid holiday, and increased city contributions to the retiree health plan and defined contribution plan (from 12% to 13% of base pay). Outcome: Placed on the Consent Agenda.

Consent Calendar

The following items were placed on the consent agenda for formal approval on March 9, 2026:

  • College Park Buildings F & I (Item 2)
  • LAG Development Stark Road Parking (Item 3)
  • Fleming's SDM Liquor License (Item 4)
  • NeoGov Talent Acquisition Software (Item 7)
  • AFSCME Union Contract (Item 8)
  • Kirksey Rec Center Air Handler Repair (Item 9)
  • LJAL Sponsorship (Item 10)
  • Alexander Blue House Carpet Installation (Item 11)
  • ARC Annual Assessment (Item 12)
  • Generator Preventative Maintenance (Item 13)
  • Sewer Inspection Software (Item 14)
  • Amrhein Road Design Engineering (Item 15)
  • 2026 Concrete Road Program Award (Item 16)
  • Concrete Road Construction Engineering (Item 17)
  • 2026 Selective Slab Program Award (Item 18)
  • Selective Slab Construction Engineering (Item 19)

Key Outcomes

  • All 19 agenda items were reviewed and placed on either the consent or regular agenda for the March 9, 2026, voting meeting.
  • A formal denying motion was filed by Councilman McCullough against the Early Voting Plan location at City Hall.
  • The St. Rafka festival was recommended for approval with specific noise restrictions (11 p.m. music cutoff, decibel limits).
  • The proposed three-year AFSCME Local 1917 contract was endorsed for approval.
  • Multi-million dollar infrastructure contracts, totaling over $6.4 million for the 2026 Concrete Road and Selective Slab programs, were advanced.

Meeting Transcript

February 23rd, 2026 study session of the Lavonia City Council. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance led by the Honorable Robin Persiconi. And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with the justice problem. This meeting sets the agenda for the 2036 regular meeting, which is a voting meeting that will take place on Monday, March 9th, 2026, where tonight's items will be officially voted on. We are just missing Councilwoman McDonald tonight. She's recovering from an outpatient surgery, and we wish her well. Good evening. Hi, good evening, Laura Sheemaker, Call Fort Villa. Um, I wasn't gonna speak this evening. Um, but Brandon, um, thanks to you, you got a little bit of courage here. You spoke passionately about the Noble Library and the inner workings of city council administration and so on. A couple things that you said. You said we work for the people. And it's the it's to we have to do the right thing, not for political motivation or otherwise. You said, get some stuff done, make the decisions to get some things done. And you said, we have some serious issues. Well, we do. We're passionate. That's why we're here all the time, fighting the same fight over and over while the whole time we look out here, and all we see is this. A deer and headlights. A couple nods, yes, acknowledging some of the votes that each person took. But Greg mentioned he called all of you out by name and spoke about the votes that you did have regarding the sheets proposal. And you know, the thing that needs to be done is to correct the wrong. But yet nobody on this board, this council does anything about it. Don't bring it up, don't talk about it, don't have another vote. Linda Scheel was able to rescind the vote that wasn't on the agenda. How do we get that on the agenda? How do we get one of you to stand up for what is right? We we have sat here numerous times and and shown you with a big board of the misdeeds of the ZBA. They did not have the authority to grant a use variance. They did not. That's not what they meant. Not because something was wrong or something was not say something was wrong. Not because there was a miscue. It was done for ill intentions, and you all know it. Somebody needs to stand up and do the right thing. Thank you. Thank you. Good evening, sir. Name and address for the record, please. Yes, Steve King Cumberfree Gardens. I want to address uh item 22 from the last meeting.

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