Livonia City Council Study Meeting – July 27, 2026

The Livonia City Council held a study meeting on Monday, July 27, 2026, beginning at 8:24 p.m. in City Hall Auditorium. President Reid presided, with Councilmembers Eileen McDonnell, Carrie Budzinski, Robin Persiconi, Martha Ptashnik, and Vice President Brockway present. Councilmember Brandon McCullough was absent. The meeting served to set the agenda for the Regular Meeting on August 17, 2026, where formal votes will take place. Thirteen items were reviewed and assigned to either the Consent or Regular agenda. Several residents spoke during public comment, and council discussed a range of topics including a new staff classification, a group home, a drive‑through restaurant, a library boiler replacement, and ADA restroom renovations.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1 – Block Party (Karen Werden): Twentieth annual block party on Flamingo Boulevard, August 29, 2026 (rain date August 30). Direction: Consent.
• Item 3 – Sidewalk Waiver (TCM Development LLC, 37633 Scone Court): No sidewalks exist on the west side of the street. Direction: Consent.
• Item 4 – Sidewalk Waiver (Bilal Saad, 27416 Sunnydale): No sidewalks in the area. Direction: Consent.
• Item 5 – Sidewalk Waiver (Joe Eadeh/American Building Co., 18252 Lathers): No sidewalks. Direction: Consent.
• Item 10 – Storm Water Facilities Maintenance Agreement (Emerson Oaks‑Livonia LLC): Housekeeping item to close out the storm drain system project. Direction: Consent.
• Item 11 – Storm Water Facilities Maintenance Agreement (UAG Realty LLC / Bill Brown Ford): Standard maintenance agreement. Direction: Consent.
• Item 12 – Storm Water Facilities Maintenance Agreement (The Cornelia Group LLC / Penske Automotive): Standard maintenance agreement. Direction: Consent.

Public Comments & Testimony

Opening Audience Communication (before agenda items):

• Steve King criticized the city’s tendency to create new management positions instead of demanding accountability; he also argued that the $152,596 boiler bid was excessive and questioned why the project was moving forward without Councilmember McCullough present.
• Christopher Martin raised concerns about the Comcast cable franchise agreement and e‑bike/scooter regulations on sidewalks, stating that city policies may conflict with state law.
• Frank McDermott urged the council to address the life‑time ban imposed on Steve King by the recreation commission, noting the disparity between a $50 fine from the 16th District Court and the ban.
• Greg Ralko disputed earlier statements about zoning votes at Eight Mile and Newburgh, asking who instructed the legal department to defend the city against citizen appeals related to the proposed gas station.
• John Pastor expressed support for the police and fire millage but opposed the SMART bus millage, arguing SMART has not managed its finances well.
• Laura Shoemaker defended citizens’ right to speak and asked who directed the legal department’s response to appeals; she warned that lack of transparency could affect her future votes.
• Barbara Glover argued that Steve King, who had charges dropped, should be allowed back into city facilities, and noted the lack of ADA‑accessible bathrooms in City Hall.

Comments on Specific Agenda Items:

• Item 6 – New Classification (Capital Planning and Budget Manager): Steve King opposed the position, stating it adds another layer of government without accountability. Denise Mika asked that the item be studied further (tabled or committee of the whole).
• Item 7 – Adult Foster Care Facility (38525 Eight Mile Road): Jim Biga urged careful review of room sizes and shower facilities; Denise Mika noted that nearby residents had not received proper notice and requested the item be placed on the Regular agenda for full public input.
• Item 9 – Boiler Replacement (Bennett Civic Center Library): Steve King criticized the cost and the decision to rebid, stating the price increased $37,929. Barbara Glover expressed support for the boiler replacement to keep the library operational.

Discussion Items

• Item 6 – Request to Establish New Classification (Capital Planning and Budget Manager): Human Resources Director Jeannine Laible and Finance Director Benjamin Greer explained that the position consolidates two existing roles (budget manager and capital planning manager) to improve efficiency and align capital planning with city goals. Councilmember Budzinski asked about the mayor’s asset management committee; the administration will provide an update. The council directed the item to the Regular agenda with a possible committee‑of‑the‑whole discussion.
• Item 7 – Waiver Petition for Adult Foster Care Facility (J.B. Donaldson Company): Planning & Economic Development Director Mark Taormina presented the request to convert a historic home into a medium‑sized group home (capacity 7–12). The property has been used for non‑residential purposes for 35 years. Under state law, homes with 6 or fewer residents are permitted by right; this petition is required for 7–12 residents. Planning Commission recommended approval. The applicant Simona Surgeo, a nurse practitioner, described staffing plans (24‑hour caregivers) and state training requirements. Councilmembers asked about fencing, lighting, trash, medication storage, and the front porch for resident use. The council agreed to place the item on the Regular agenda to allow time for review of updated plans and further public comment.
• Item 8 – Waiver Petition for Culver’s Drive‑Through and Retail Building (29155 Seven Mile Road): Mark Taormina detailed plans for a 4,400‑sq‑ft Culver’s with double drive‑through and a separate 4,675‑sq‑ft multi‑tenant retail building on the former VFW site. The retail building design will be reviewed separately. Applicant Brent Bridgewater noted an updated plan improving pedestrian access from Seven Mile Road. Councilmembers requested additional landscaping on the rear parking lot (parcel three) and consideration of bike racks. The item was directed to the Regular agenda for final review.
• Item 9 – Award of Bid for Boiler Replacement at Bennett Civic Center Library: Interim DPW Director Doug Moore reported that Guardian Environmental was the low bidder at $152,596—$37,929 more than the extension price quoted in April. Rebidding occurred at council’s request. The next lowest bid was nearly $200,000. Councilmember Ptashnik expressed frustration over the cost increase; Councilmember Budzinski noted the price was still significantly below the other bids. Councilmember McDonnell pointed out that the bid bond lacked a proper signature and witnessing, requiring verification. The item was placed on the Regular agenda to address the bond issue.
• Item 13 – Award of Contract for ADA Restroom Renovations at Bennett Civic Center Library: Assistant City Engineer Dave Lear explained that after receiving unexpectedly low bids on the family‑style ADA bathroom, the city added a women’s ADA bathroom to the project. CNS Construction Management was the low bidder at $304,123, plus $29,500 for architectural oversight from DLZ, totaling $333,623. The men’s bathroom cannot be added due to structural limitations. Councilmember Budzinski asked whether an adult‑sized changing table would be included; the library director will clarify. The item was directed to the Regular agenda.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1 (Block Party, Werden): Assigned to Consent.
• Item 2 (Block Party, Shatter): Assigned to Regular (applicant not present; staff will contact them).
• Item 3 (Sidewalk Waiver, TCM Development): Assigned to Consent.
• Item 4 (Sidewalk Waiver, Bilal Saad): Assigned to Consent.
• Item 5 (Sidewalk Waiver, American Building Co.): Assigned to Consent.
• Item 6 (New Classification – Capital Planning & Budget Manager): Assigned to Regular; may be referred to Committee of the Whole.
• Item 7 (Adult Foster Care Waiver): Assigned to Regular for further review of updated plans and neighbor notification.
• Item 8 (Culver’s Drive‑Through & Retail): Assigned to Regular to allow council to review updated pedestrian access and landscaping plans.
• Item 9 (Boiler Replacement – Guardian Environmental): Assigned to Regular; bid bond irregularity to be resolved.
• Item 10 (Emerson Oaks Storm Water Agreement): Assigned to Consent.
• Item 11 (UAG Realty Storm Water Agreement): Assigned to Consent.
• Item 12 (Cornelia Group Storm Water Agreement): Assigned to Consent.
• Item 13 (ADA Restroom Renovations): Assigned to Regular; staff to clarify changing table specifications.

The meeting adjourned at 10:02 p.m. All items will be voted on at the Regular Meeting on Monday, August 17, 2026.