2041st Regular Meeting of Livonia City Council - May 18, 2026

The Livonia City Council held its 2041st regular meeting on Monday, May 18, 2026, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:02 p.m. at City Hall. Five councilmembers were present (Persiconi, Ptashnik, Brockway, McDonnell, Reed); two were absent. All votes passed 5-0. A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to public comments on the upcoming Wayne County Transit Millage, with over a dozen residents speaking in support.

Consent Calendar

The council approved 10 items on a single vote, including:

• Minutes of the May 4, 2026 meeting (Resolution #181-26).
• Block party for Jasmine Cone on June 4, 2026, on Alexander Street.
• Sidewalk waiver for Shadyside Development LLC at three properties on Shadyside Street.
• Waiver petitions for Costco Wholesale (reconfigure fueling and parking at 13700 and 13550 Middle Belt Road), Meijer Inc. (new gas station and convenience store at 13000 Middle Belt Road), and El Car Wash Mid-West LLC (auto wash at 13000 Middle Belt Road). Each was granted with conditions.
• Amendment of Resolution 151-25 replacing the authorized representative for the Drinking Water Revolving Fund project with Zach Haapala.
• Approval of Water Service Contract Amendment No. 5 between GLWA and the City, effective July 1, 2027.
• Acceptance of storm water maintenance agreements from Plymouth Auto Sales, Seven Mile/Farmington Venture Limited Partnership, and JB Tool.

Public Comments & Testimony

First Session (7:13 p.m. – 7:35 p.m.):

• Transit millage supporters dominated the first audience period. Speakers (including Justin Gooch, Chris Hench, Alice Angdahl, Kim Snider, Valerie P., John Lauderman, Jeremy Cubs, Sean C., Matthias Reed, Debra Freier, Sarah Blouin, and Anaya Kelly) urged the council to support the Wayne County Transit Millage on the August 4, 2026 ballot. They highlighted that 12% of Livonia residents have a disability, 3% of households lack a car, and that for a median-value home the tax would be about $12 per month. Several shared personal stories of limited mobility and the high cost of alternatives like Uber ($80–$160 round trips). Jeremy Cubs and Sean C. from the group PEAK described their travel training and desire for independence.
• Steve King raised concerns about a $1M+ HVAC contract on a previous consent agenda, alleging that two of three bidders were disqualified and the process lacked transparency. He also stated he had contacted the Attorney General about an alleged Open Meetings Act violation.
• Christopher Martin criticized the "rubber stamp" approval of spending, suggested broadcasting ZBA meetings, and recommended a new appointment to the ZBA.

Second Session (7:50 p.m. – 8:02 p.m.):

• Peter Dale (Livonia Historical Society) supported the transit millage, recalling the loss of historic interurban rail.
• Chris Urso questioned why council does not directly answer resident questions from the podium, asking for a better system.
• John Pastor opposed the transit millage, stating it would harm Livonia's existing Livonia Community Transit (door-to-door service) and that SMART would only serve a few major roads, not adequately serve disabled seniors.
• Laura Jannika argued for equity, recounting the story of a blind engineer who spends $30 each way to attend meetings.

Council Response: Vice President Brockway acknowledged frustrations and directed residents to submit questions via email, the "ticket" system, or attend study sessions for more dialogue.

Discussion Items

• Items 11–14 (Easements and License Agreement): The council accepted three grants of easement from Seven Mile/Farmington Venture Limited Partnership (one storm sewer, two water main) for the Meijer development, and approved a license agreement with Consumers Energy for a construction staging area on Middle Belt property. All passed 5-0 after brief explanation as routine housekeeping.
• Referral on Fence Mesh Ordinance: Councilmember Brockway motioned to refer Title 15, Chapter 44, Section 090 (mesh prohibitions) to the Law and Education Committee after a resident questioned the prohibition of mesh used as a deer deterrent. The referral passed 5-0.
• Sidewalk Connectivity in Millennium Park: Councilmember McDonnell requested that staff reach out to property owners about adding a sidewalk network to connect Middle Belt Road businesses (including Meijer, Costco) to bus stops. Planning Director Taormina said it would require multiple property owners and requested at least a month to report back.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items (10) and new business items (4) approved 5-0.
• Law and Education Committee will review and report on fence mesh regulations.
• Staff to explore sidewalk improvements in the Middle Belt/Millennium Park corridor.
• The Finance Department's monthly purchase report was received and placed on file.
• An ADA ramp for City Hall is expected to be installed in June ahead of early voting.
• The meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.

Note: The transcript contains an ambiguous remark suggesting a different tally for minutes approval, but the official minutes and roll call confirm a unanimous 5-0 vote.