Livonia City Council 2036th Regular Meeting Summary – March 9, 2026

The Livonia City Council held its 2036th regular meeting on Monday, March 9, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall. The meeting included presentations from the Youth Commission, extensive public comment on police facilities and early voting, approval of a consent agenda, and votes on noise ordinance waivers and early voting site selection. Key outcomes included approval of a four-story hotel site plan, establishment of City Hall as the early voting site with accommodations for accessibility, and referral of ordinance updates on blight and data centers to the Law Department.

Youth Commission Report

• Three Youth Commission members (Hunter Anderson, Drew Buwani, Ovia J. Sunker) presented findings from the 2024 Youth Summit, highlighting student concerns about mental wellness, college/career planning, physical health, harassment/bullying, and substance abuse (especially vaping). They urged the council to consider actionable solutions and announced the 2027 Youth Summit.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Debbie McDermott thanked the Livonia Fire and Rescue for their professional response to a medical call.
• Rhonda Snyder opposed the proposed police station at the same location on Brookville, citing the 70% vote against the previous downtown plan in August 2025 and objecting to a 1% administration fee.
• Leslie Resnick criticized the police response to a February 13 assault at Rotary Park, stating the victims had not been contacted in nearly a month and neighbors were not canvassed.
• Steve King raised concerns about city vehicle idling, providing statistics: 0.8 gallons per hour per vehicle, 1,600 gallons annually per vehicle at $3.50/gallon costing $5,600/year per vehicle, plus engine wear equivalent to 50,000 miles per year. Urged city to adopt idle reduction policies.
• Christopher Martin questioned transparency around police high-speed chases and shootings, calling for the police chief to appear before council.
• Wayne Snyder argued against tearing down the existing police station, suggesting remodeling instead, and criticized the 1% fee.
• Laura Jannika read a statement from Iris Ramirez challenging officials to spend a day in a wheelchair to experience accessibility barriers.
• Michelle Chambers wore a "No to More" shirt and asserted residents voted against the police station; urged council to listen to voters.
• Jim Biga criticized the 1% administration fee, noted $6 million in deferred maintenance citywide, and said the police station plan was the same as the rejected millage.
• Clare Ceresnie requested transparency regarding ICE enforcement activity involving Amazon Flex drivers and asked that Livonia Police maintain their current policy of not investigating immigration status.
• Jay Murray defended the police department, calling them broadly popular (80-90%) and accusing opponents of selection bias.
• Lynn Mills reported that the Livonia Housing Commission meeting on Feb24 lacked an agenda posted in advance, and that police were present watching residents.
• Denise Micah requested that future study meetings on the police station be held in the auditorium and televised for transparency; noted city has paid ~$2.5 million to Granger Construction and Hobbss & Black for paused contracts.

Consent Calendar

• Items 2 through 16 were approved unanimously (6-0) en bloc, including: waiver petitions for Haggerty Six Partners (Buildings F and I moved to regular agenda as Item 20), for LAG Development (parking lot at 11315 Stark Road), and for OSI/Fleming's (SDM liquor license); contracts and expenditures for NeoGov talent acquisition ($20,151.92), AFSCME Local 1917 contract (Dec1,2025-Nov30,2028), emergency repair of air handler at Kirksey Rec Center ($23,500), Livonia Junior Athletic League sponsorship ($24,000), carpet at Alexander Blue House ($24,274.25), Alliance of Rouge Communities 2026 assessment ($40,660), generator maintenance ($24,000 for 2 years), sewer inspection software ($75,710 year1, $22,856 year2, $23,565 year3), engineering for2027 Amrhein Road Reconstruction ($110,000),2026 Concrete Road Program ($5,004,759.25 to Hard Rock Concrete), construction engineering for same ($600,571 to Anderson,Eckstein & Westrick),2026 Concrete Road Maintenance/Selective Slab Program ($1,491,827 to Hard Rock Concrete), and construction engineering for same ($186,478 to Anderson,Eckstein & Westrick). Item 1 (Haggerty Six Partners Buildings F & I) was removed and approved later under New Business.

Discussion Items

• Economic Development, Strategic Planning and Technology Committee Report (Item 17): Councilmember Budzinski summarized the Feb25 committee meeting covering three subjects: (a) blighted and vacant businesses on Plymouth Road – recommendation to draft ordinance expanding Inspection Department ability to issue civil infractions for blight; (b) data centers and zoning – recommendation for one-year moratorium to update zoning using German Energy Efficiency Act as model; (c) gas stations and car washes – no action needed given existing limits and moratorium on car washes. Subsequent motions on (a) and (b) were approved 6-0.
• Noise Ordinance Waiver (Item 18): Rev. Dr. Rodrigue Constantin requested waiver for St. Rafka Maronite Catholic Church festival Aug7-9,2026. After public testimony (Jennifer Marr described bass disturbing her children until midnight in prior years; others supported or opposed), council amended motion to music ending at 11 p.m. on Friday/Saturday, 8 p.m. on Sunday, and decibel limit of 60 dB. Approved 6-0.
• Early Voting Plan (Item 19): Council voted on duplicate motions. Initial motion to deny was offered (McDonnell/Brockway). Substitute motion to approve (Budzinski/ Persicioni) passed 4-2 (Brockway and McDonnell dissenting). Resolution #110-26 establishes City Hall as early voting site for all statewide/federal elections, conditioned on: (1) Administration to remediate external ramp by Apr8,2026 or clerk will arange machine to be rolled out to voters who cannot access building; (2) referral to Administration for report on ramp accessibility by Apr8,2026. Council added request for Administration to present a ramp improvement proposal by Apr8 at cost.
• New Business – Buildings F & I at Shoppes at College Park (Item 20, moved from Consent): Petition by Haggerty Six Partners for two buildings (Building F – unspecified, Building I – Fogo de Chao steakhouse). Councilmember McDonell praised investment; approved unanimously 6-0 subject to conditions including landscaping, lighting, and building material compatibility.

Key Outcomes

• Yuth Commission Report received and acknowledged; council expressed support and invited future collaboration.
• Consent Agenda (items 2-16) approved 6-0.
• Noise ordinance waiver for St. Rafka festival approved with amendments: music ends 11 p.m. Fri/Sat, 8 p.m. Sun; 60 dB limit.
• Early voting site at Livonia City Hall approved 4-2 with ramp remediation or alternative ballot delivery for those unable to access building.
• Waiver petition for Buildings F & I approved 6-0.
• Law Department directed to draft an ordinance on expanding civil infractions for blight and vacancy (approves 6-0).
• Law Department directed to draft a one-year moratorium on data centers to update zoning with german energy efficiency standards (approves 6-0).
• Police station discussion deferred to Capital Outaly and Infrastructure committee meeting on March 11 (Wednesday) at 7 p.m. in Council Chamber.
• Meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.