Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.
The Livonia City Council held a study meeting on June 15, 2026, to set the agenda for the July 13, 2026 regular meeting. The meeting began at 8:20 p.m. and adjourned at 9:26 p.m. Council President Reid presided, with all members present except Martha Ptashnik.
Items approved for consent agenda (to be voted on as a block at July 13 regular meeting):
I'm under God. Welcome back. This is the June 15th, 2026 study session of the Lonia City Council. This meeting sets the agenda for the 2044 regular meeting, which is a voting meeting that will take place on Monday, July 13th, where tonight's items will be officially voted on. We are just missing Councilwoman Tashnick tonight. We will start with counts our audience communication. The council has that aside. 30 minutes for audience communication for items not on the agenda. Do we have any audience communication? Good evening, sir. Name and address, please. You have three minutes. Steve Kane, Coventry Gardens. I have walked through construction sites my entire life. I have built, remodeled, or renovated every home I have ever owned. 10 and counting. When my children were growing up, they often came with me to admire the framing, the mechanical systems, going into a new build. Construction is not a hobby for me, it's a calling. In all those years, I followed one simple rule. If a site was posted, no trespassing, or the door was locked, I stayed out. I never put myself or others in harm's way. That is why I was so surprised when allegations of trespassing and breaking and entering were leveled against me after I walked through the senior center construction site. At no time was a sign posted. I was never told verbally or in writing to stay out. This is what the sign should look like. This is on the Northville Downs project. Lavonia didn't do that. If they had, I probably wouldn't be here today. Those allegations ultimately went nowhere. The breaking and entering claim disappeared. The trespassing charge was dismissed. Yet the punishment remains. It is also worth noting that I was not alone when I walked through that site. Others were present. No reprimand was issued to anyone else. No police investigation, no facility ban except for me. The public record shows I was treated differently from anyone else who walked through the site. I have been issued a lifetime ban from the recenter and senior center. Not for violence, not for misconduct, but because I have been an outspoken critic of the administration. A lifetime ban for speaking out. Before the ban, I played pickleball most days at the rec. I shared meals, laughter, and euchre with my peers at the senior center. For many of us at this stage of life, those connections are our lifeline where we find friendship, purpose, and belonging. Those connections have been taken from me. I have no criminal record, yet I am prohibited from accessing taxpayer funded public facilities that I help support through my own tax dollars. The continued restriction serves no legitimate public purpose. It is punitive, unsupported by the facts, and inconsistent with basic principles of fairness and due process. I would also ask you to consider this.