Livonia City Council Study Meeting Summary - July 13, 2026

This study meeting of the Livonia City Council was held on Monday, July 13, 2026, beginning at 8:45 p.m. in the City Hall Auditorium. The meeting set the agenda for the regular voting meeting scheduled for July 27, 2026. All 14 items on the agenda were discussed and assigned to either the consent or regular agenda for that upcoming voting meeting. The meeting adjourned at 9:51 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Block Party (Item 1): Stacy Robeniol's block party on Shadyside Street on August 1, 2026 (rain date August 8) was placed on the consent agenda.
• Block Party (Item 3): Erin Dobbins and Jerome Pfeifer's block party in SMB Estates on August 29, 2026 was placed on the consent agenda.
• Block Party (Item 4): Tracy Nolte's block party on Marie Street and Court on August 29, 2026 was placed on the consent agenda.
• Block Party (Item 5): Michael Camilleri's block party on Parklane Street on September 19, 2026 (rain date September 26) was placed on the consent agenda.
• Fire & Rescue Warning Equipment (Item 6): Authorization to purchase four emergency warning packages from Priority One Emergency (lowest of four bids) was placed on the consent agenda.
• Ordinance Amendment – Restaurant Licenses (Item 9): City Clerk Lori Miller's proposal to amend Chapter 8.16 to eliminate the uniform November 30 expiration date for restaurant licenses, instead renewing one year from issuance, was placed on the consent agenda. This change aims to reduce administrative bottlenecks.
• Planning Commission Waiver – Oval Auto (Item 11): Waiver use approval to operate an auto repair facility at 28755 Plymouth Road (expanding an existing business) was placed on the consent agenda. The resolution includes a provision that the owner must return to council before selling the business.
• SMART Agreement (Item 12): Approval to execute the 2027 agreement with SMART for Liv&Go transit program credits of $89,424 was placed on the consent agenda. The credit is contingent on the August SMART millage passing.
• CDBG Consolidated Plan and Contracts (Item 13): Approval of the 2026-2030 consolidated plan, 2026-2027 annual budget ($359,489 in entitlement funds plus $650,000 estimated program income), and hold harmless contracts with six agencies for domestic violence assistance, fair housing, mental health counseling, utility/food assistance, and senior transportation was placed on the consent agenda. Notable allocations include $150,000 for Hillcrest Park improvements and $450,000 for accessible bathrooms at the Civic Center Library.
• Comcast Franchise Agreement (Item 14): Renewal of a 10-year cable franchise agreement with Comcast, establishing franchise fees and PEG channel support, was placed on the consent agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jerry Karasinski expressed concern about the timing of the locker room re-grouting project (Item 8), noting the rec center was recently closed for other improvements and questioning why this work wasn't included then. He also criticized the lack of a family locker room in the scope.
• Laura Jannika urged the council to be more careful about placing items on the consent agenda, referencing past approval of Flock cameras without sufficient debate.
• Jim Biga questioned how the NeoGov talent acquisition system (Item 7) would make hiring more transparent and efficient, comparing it to federal systems.
• Denise Mika spoke on multiple items: she noted the locker room re-grouting bid did not include family locker rooms; she raised concerns about alcohol and insurance at the Luxe Events facility if renters do not use the owner's packages; she expressed disappointment that council members sometimes fail to answer direct questions from the public; and she questioned the lack of an environmental study before tree removal at Golden Oaks.
• Elijah (first-time attendee, Metro Detroit DSA member) spoke against Flock and AI surveillance systems, arguing they are dangerous and unsecure, and asked for further discussion.
• Lynn Mills echoed concerns about retribution against citizens who speak, defending free speech and criticizing mockery of residents.
• Frank McDermott recounted the case of Steve King being banned for life from the Senior Wellness Center and Recreation Center after a trespassing charge (fined $50 by the court), calling the ban politically motivated retaliation related to King's opposition to a $145 million bond, and urged the council to lift the ban.

Discussion Items

• Block Party (Item 2): Christina Zeoli's block party on Summers Street on August 22, 2026 was placed on the regular agenda for further discussion.
• Civil Service – NeoGov (Item 7): Human Resources Director Jeannine Laible explained NeoGov is the sole source provider that ensures a blind, fair, and equitable civil service hiring process. Councilmember McDonnell asked about potential discounts through Sourcewell; Laible reported NeoGov offers no discounts. The item was placed on the regular agenda.
• Parks and Rec – Locker Room Re-grouting (Item 8): Superintendent Michelle Koppin reported one bid was received for the locker room re-grouting at Jack E. Kirksey Recreation Center. Councilmember Budzinski initially offered consent, but Councilmember Ptashnik requested moving to regular to allow Koppin to confirm the scope (only men's and women's locker rooms, not family). The item was placed on the regular agenda.
• Planning Commission Waiver – Luxe Events (Item 10): Petitioner Tiffany Munson proposed a banquet/event facility for up to 150 people at 27600 Schoolcraft Road. The facility would not serve food or alcohol, but licensed mixologists would be allowed through a bartending school partnership. Hours were discussed: originally proposed to midnight, but council indicated consistency with previous approvals would require events to end by 11:00 p.m. (weekdays) with an hour for cleanup. Council suggested the petitioner introduce herself to neighbors. The item was placed on the regular agenda.
• Audience Communication (General): Multiple speakers raised concerns about the lack of responsiveness from city officials, retribution against residents, and the need for transparency. Councilmembers did not directly respond to most points.

Key Outcomes

• All 14 items were assigned to either the consent or regular agenda for the July 27, 2026 regular voting meeting.
• Consent Agenda Items (expected to pass as a block on July 27): Items 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14.
• Regular Agenda Items (will receive separate discussion and votes on July 27): Items 2, 7, 8, 10.
• Requests for further clarity:
  • The scope of the locker room re-grouting (Item 8) will be confirmed as men's and women's only.
  • The hours of operation for Luxe Events (Item 10) will be aligned with previous council practice (11 p.m. event end on weekdays, cleanup until midnight).
  • The petitioner for Luxe Events was encouraged to contact neighboring residents.
• Councilmember Budzinski announced a new grant: The Trinity Healthy Livonia grant awarded to the Livonia Housing Commission to fund a social worker at MAC Towers, Silver Village, and Newburgh Village to support seniors after hospital discharge.