2037th Regular Meeting of the Livonia City Council - March 23, 2026

The Livonia City Council held its 2037th regular meeting on March 23, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall Auditorium. All seven council members were present. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the March 9, 2026 minutes. The consent agenda was approved with the exception of one item removed for separate discussion. Major topics included updates on the proposed new police station, several ordinance amendments, and the placement of millage renewal questions on the August 2026 ballot.

Consent Calendar

• Approved waiver use for restaurant/outdoor seating at 35841 Plymouth Road (Petition 2026-02-02-07).
• Approved site plan for new gas station and convenience store at 29230 Five Mile Road (Petition 2026-01-08-01).
• Approved appointment of Benjamin Grier to the Livonia Economic Development Corporation (three-year term).
• Approved appointment of Robert Donovic to the Livonia Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (completing vacated term).
• Approved salary and benefit adjustments for appointed department heads, non-represented employees, non-appointed department heads, and updates to unrepresented classifications (various resolutions).
• Approved AFSCME Union Local 192 contract agreement (December 2025 - November 2028).
• Approved hourly rate increase for Schultz and Young, P.C.
• Approved additional appropriation of $27,000 for Livonia Type III Landfill investigations.
• Accepted stormwater maintenance agreements from Livonia Public Schools for Early Childhood Center and Career Technical Center.
• Adopted Arbor Day proclamation (Item #11, pulled from consent, passed separately unanimously).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Chris Hench: Criticized the council's restriction on applause, arguing it infringes on free speech and contrasts with allowing threats.
• Cindy Fleming: Requested improved notifications from DPW after water main breaks, including boil water alerts.
• Debbie McDermott: Provided historical context on the courthouse location (2008) in relation to the proposed police station site.
• Steve King: Praised student art display; warned that restricting applause may violate First Amendment; expressed intent to challenge a proposed 1% administration fee in court.
• Laura Shoemaker: Questioned the authority for contracting former city attorney Carter Fisher as a consultant.
• John Schaefer: Raised concerns about missing traffic light generators at key intersections; also spoke on native plant ordinance and hotel development.
• Bob Hauser: Supported native plant ordinance and urged council to consider biodiversity in development decisions.
• Lucas McGrail: Urged caution on police station project, citing need for clear plans and voter approval.
• Rhonda Snyder, Wayne Snyder, Nick Hefty, Mark Smith, Barbara Glover, Jim Biga, Kyle Lis, Robert Walters, Lynn Mills, Tyler Vines, and others: Expressed concerns about the police station cost, location, transparency, potential wetland impact, and urged separation from the operating millage.
• Tyler Vines (LPD POA President): Supported new station but emphasized need for competitive contracts and staffing; clarified millage funds are spent as intended.
• Denise Mika: Questioned out-of-town fees for senior center and raised concerns about timing of bond resolution.
• Brandon Grysko ("Attorney for hotel developer"): Presented plans for a four-story extended-stay hotel; noted prior delays due to COVID and inflation.
• Additional speakers on native plant ordinance (Stephen Ray, Jim Baringhaus) supported with suggestions for clear standards and education.

Discussion Items

• Police Station (Item #15): The Capital Outlay and Infrastructure Committee reported on two meetings (March 2 and March 11). The administration presented a proposal for a new police station on the civic center campus, with estimated building cost of $48 million and total project up to $56 million. Alternative sites are being evaluated. The council authorized the publication of a notice of intent to issue general obligation limited tax bonds of up to $45 million (Resolution #127-26). A recommendation was made to include the Capital Outlay Committee in future planning meetings.
• Law & Education Committee (Item #16):
  • Noise ordinance: Committee reviewed proposed amendment; will remain in committee for further work on decibel metering.
  • Noxious weed ordinance: Council approved motion to refer to law department for preparation of an amendment allowing native plant gardens and providing a list of specific noxious weeds (Resolution #128-26).
  • Charter process improvement: Remains in committee.
  • Residential property enforcement: Discharged from Law & Education Committee as it is being handled by another committee (Resolution #129-26).
  • Exterior lighting ordinance: Council approved motion to refer to law department for an updated ordinance addressing LED and light pollution (Resolution #130-26).
• Site Plan – Hotel (Item #17): Approved for a four-story hotel at 31501 Schoolcraft Road, with conditions including landscaping, lighting, and screening of rooftop equipment. The property was rezoned to C4, eliminating adult entertainment as a permitted use (Resolution #131-26).
• Waiver – Great Lakes Pawn (Item #18): Tabled until April 8, 2026 regular meeting as the petitioner was not present.
• Lane Line Marking (Item #20): Approved waiver of formal bidding and contract extension with PK Contracting for $125,000 (Resolution #132-26).
• Charter Amendments for Millages (Item #21): Council approved placing two charter amendment questions on the August 4, 2026 special election ballot:
  1. Renewal of 1.7 mills for police and fire personnel and support costs for ten years (Resolution #133-26).
  2. Renewal of 0.25 mills for cultural and senior services, including Livonia Senior Center and Greenmead Historical Village, for ten years (Resolution #134-26).

Key Outcomes

• All resolutions on the consent agenda passed unanimously.
• Arbor Day proclamation (April 24, 2026) adopted.
• Notice of intent to issue bonds for police station (not to exceed $45 million) approved 7-0.
• Noxious weed ordinance amendment referred to law department; residential property enforcement discharged; updated lighting ordinance referred.
• Hotel site plan approved 7-0.
• Great Lakes Pawn waiver tabled.
• Lane line marking contract approved.
• Public safety millage renewal and cultural/senior services millage renewal placed on August 4, 2026 ballot.
• Several items remain in committee for further consideration.
• Meeting adjourned at 9:26 p.m.