Livonia City Council 2039th Regular Meeting - April 20, 2026

The Livonia City Council held its 2039th regular meeting on April 20, 2026, at 7:00 PM in City Hall. The meeting included recognitions, consent agenda approvals, numerous public comments, and a major discussion on the proposed new police station, which was ultimately referred to the Committee of the Whole. All votes were unanimous (7-0) unless noted.

Consent Calendar

The following items were approved unanimously (7-0) as part of the consent agenda, with the exception of Item 8 which was pulled for separate consideration:

• Item 1: Waive noise ordinance for St. Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church festival (Aug 14-16, 2026) with conditions including 60 dB limit.
• Item 2: Proclamation designating May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month.
• Item 3: Waiver petition for Wade Shows carnival (May 18-June 1, 2026) at former Sears lot.
• Item 4: Site plan for new gas station/convenience store at 36300 Five Mile Road.
• Item 5: Additional benefit (clothing voucher increase from $100 to $125/year) for non-represented employees.
• Item 6: Adoption of Wayne County Hazard Mitigation Plan (approved by FEMA Feb 20, 2026).
• Item 7: Award of bid for bridge repairs at Idyl Wyld Golf Course ($40,900 to Custom Bridges and Boardwalks).
• Item 8: (Pulled – see Discussion Items) Replacement of HVAC/boiler at Sandburg Library.
• Item 9: Waive bidding for temperature controls at City Hall Annex ($43,312 to Havel).
• Item 10: Award of contract for 2026 Sidewalk & Pavement Replacement Program ($287,458 to Rotondo Construction).
• Item 11: Proclamation for April as Autism and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Awareness Month.

Public Comments & Testimony

During Audience Communication (7 residents spoke on non-agenda items):

• Mathew Wilk (Northville) spoke against the proposed $570 million SMART bus system renewal, citing 3.88 average riders per bus and a $20-72 million pension hole. Urged residents to vote it down.
• Rhonda Snyder (Livonia) called for government transparency and trust, stating citizens are "angry and distrust our government."
• Betsy Calhoun (Livonia) expressed fear that the public safety millage renewal in August might fail due to resident distrust, citing the failed bond issue last year and the importance of optics.
• Steve King (Livonia) warned of economic downturn (tariffs, rising costs) and advised fiscal discipline, saying "you don't spend aggressively when the ground is shifting."
• Katy Rogowicz (Livonia) complained about sidewalks, enforcement of ordinances, and criticized the mayor for not attending meetings. Noted she was unblocked from the police Facebook page after contacting the city attorney.
• Wayne Snyder (Livonia) urged council to reconsider large expenditures if a majority of citizens oppose them, and argued any tax increase should go to voters.
• Christopher Martin (Livonia) criticized library closures over Easter weekend and urged better maintenance.

On Item 8 (Sandburg Library HVAC): Eight residents spoke overwhelmingly in favor of proceeding with the boiler replacement, arguing against deferring maintenance and noting the building had recently received a new roof. They emphasized that the funds come from the library millage, not the general fund, and delaying could lead to more costly emergency repairs.

On Item 17 (New Police Station): Following the referral to committee, 26 residents spoke on the police station topic after council suspended rules. Key themes:

• Strong opposition to building on the proposed wetland site (Five Mile & Farmington area). Many cited cost of engineered fill, flooding risks, and desire to preserve natural areas.
• Suggestions to renovate/expand the existing station or build at the corner of Five Mile and Farmington (non-wetland site).
• Concerns about the $55 million cost, funding model (1% admin fee), and impact on future millage renewals.
• Calls for greater transparency and involvement of residents in the process.

Discussion Items

Item 8 – Sandburg Library HVAC Replacement: Councilmembers moved to table the item to allow more time to assess long-term plans for the library. After debate (some members argued deferring maintenance leads to larger costs; others wanted to ensure prudent spending), the motion to table was withdrawn and the original motion to approve the bid (Guardian Environmental Services, $121,922) passed 7-0.

Item 12 – Capital Grille Liquor License: Unanimous approval (7-0) for both resolution A (Class C/SDM license) and resolution B (waiver of 1,000-foot separation requirement). Petitioner noted it would be their second Michigan location, creating about 150 jobs.

Item 13 – Axe Parlor Liquor License: Unanimous approval (7-0) for resolution A (Class C license) and resolution B (waiver of 1,000-foot separation). A third resolution C was added and passed 7-0 to waive the 400-foot separation from a church, as noted by the planning director.

Item 14 – Assistant Library Director Classification: Unanimously approved (7-0). The Human Resources Director clarified it is a title change, not a new position, with no increase in headcount or cost.

Item 15 – Myrna Avenue Water Main Replacement: Unanimously approved (7-0) contract to Bricco Excavating for $689,000.

Item 16 – Easement from Livonia Public Schools: Unanimously approved (7-0) for a water main easement related to the Early Childhood Center.

Item 17 – New Police Station (CR 38-26): A motion to send the matter to the Capital Outlay and Infrastructure Committee was initially made but withdrawn after debate. A substitute motion to refer it to the Committee of the Whole (open to all council members and the public) was made and passed unanimously (7-0). Councilmembers emphasized the need for more data, transparency, and public input before any site decision. Subsequently, council voted 7-0 to suspend rules to allow public comment on the item, after which 26 residents spoke.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda (Items 1-7, 9-11): Approved 7-0.
• Item 8 (Sandburg HVAC): Approved 7-0 after motion to table was withdrawn.
• Item 12 (Capital Grille): Both resolutions approved 7-0.
• Item 13 (Axe Parlor): Resolutions A and B approved 7-0; Resolution C (church separation waiver) added and approved 7-0.
• Item 14 (Assistant Library Director): Approved 7-0.
• Item 15 (Myrna Avenue Water Main): Approved 7-0.
• Item 16 (Easement): Approved 7-0.
• Item 17 (Police Station): Referred to Committee of the Whole (7-0). Public comment allowed after rules were suspended. The committee will meet to deliberate site options, financing, and gather more information.
• Meeting adjourned at 9:28 PM.