Livonia City Council 2045th Regular Meeting - July 27, 2026

The 2045th regular meeting of the Livonia City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on July 27, 2026, at City Hall Auditorium, 33000 Civic Center Drive. Six council members were present (McDonnell, Budzinski, Persiconi, Ptashnik, Brockway, Reid); Brandon McCullough was absent. The meeting included audience communications on multiple topics, unanimous approval of a consent agenda, several individual items, and a second reading of an ordinance amendment, followed by a resolution extending a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement for a senior housing project.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the July 13, 2026 regular meeting (Resolution #263-26).
• Approved block party requests for: Stacy Robeniol (Aug 1, rain date Aug 8), Erin Dobbins and Jerome Pfeifer (Aug 29), Tracy Nolte (Aug 29), and Michael Camilleri (Sep 19, rain date Sep 26).
• Authorized purchase of four Whelen emergency warning packages from Priority One Emergency for $45,999.16 (Resolution #269-26).
• Referred to the Law Department to prepare an ordinance amendment to Chapter 8.16 (Restaurants) (Resolution #270-26).
• Approved waiver petition 2026-05-02-14 for Oval Auto to operate an automobile repair facility at 28755 Plymouth Road, subject to 15 conditions (Resolution #271-26).
• Authorized execution of the SMART Municipal and Community Credit contract for the Liv&Go transit program in the amount of $89,424.00 (Resolution #272-26).
• Approved the 2026-2030 Consolidated Plan and 2026-2027 CDBG Annual Plan and Budget (Resolution #273-26).
• Authorized hold harmless contracts with First Step, Fair Housing Center of Metropolitan Detroit, Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, Cruz Clinic, Stonebrook Counseling Associates, PLCC, and CARES in Farmington Hills for CDBG-funded programs (Resolution #274-26).
• Approved a 10-year Cable Franchise Agreement with Comcast, including a 5% franchise fee and 1% PEG fee (Resolution #275-26).
• All consent agenda items were adopted unanimously (6-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

First Session (pre-agenda):

• Dave St. Clair (Fairfield) urged the city to address the deer population, citing DNR data on vehicle accidents (58,000 accidents, 1,700 injuries, 19 deaths in 2023) and calling for a cull with meat donated to food banks.
• Barbara Glover expressed that many residents enjoy the deer and opposed a massive cull, advocating coexistence.
• Kim Snyder clarified information about the SMART millage, noting there are more than two routes and paratransit options.
• Frank McDermott (Rayburn Street) spoke on behalf of Steve King, who was banned for life from the senior wellness center and recreation center after a trespassing incident. McDermott argued the punishment was disproportionate and politically motivated, calling for the ban to be lifted.
• Steve King (the aforementioned) alleged that a $600,000 community engagement grant from COVID relief funds was used for a banquet rather than eligible uses such as vaccination drives or rent relief, requesting a full accounting of how the entire grant was spent.
• Christopher Martin discussed ballot procedures for the upcoming election and advocated for deer population control, noting bow hunting was previously allowed.<br>- Sonia Tacoma (near Rotary Park) reported seeing a herd of 17 deer at once and expressed safety concerns for children, supporting population control.
• Greg Ralko (Golf Ridge Villa) recounted a deer-vehicle collision causing $2,500 in damage and questioned why the city defended appeals against the denial of a Sheetz gas station at Lyndon/Newburgh, asking who instructed the Law Department to defend.
• Roseanne Martell (Cranston) reported an incident on July 25 where youths on motorized bicycles rode on sidewalks at a rally, raising safety concerns and asking for ordinance enforcement.
• Laura Shoemaker (Golf Ridge Villa) supported the police/fire millage renewal and requested answers about who is behind the city's defense of the Sheetz appeal, suggesting a FOIA request if necessary.

Second Session (post-agenda):

• Cindy Fleming thanked former Parks Director Ted Davis for ensuring all restrooms at Rotary Park include adult changing tables and are ADA accessible; she also urged council to review federal grant tracking after the audit finding.
• Denise Maika recalled a previous misappropriation of funds for the senior center development and requested that the city better communicate emergency resources (e.g., masks during poor air quality) and extend senior center hours.
• Laura Jannika (Munger Street) asked for details on Sheldon Park plantings and expressed concern about the city planting non-native ginkgo trees in monocultures.<br>- John Schafer (Brookwood) raised public safety concerns about generators for traffic lights during power outages and questioned why the recreation center—the city's emergency shelter—closes when the power goes out if it lacks a backup generator. Parks Superintendent Michelle Coppin responded that the recreation center does have a backup generator that activates within 10 seconds.

Discussion Items

• Trash Can Placement Ordinance Referral (Council Announcements): Councilmember McDonnell requested referral to the Law and Education Committee to review restrictions on trash bin placement near neighboring properties. The motion passed unanimously.
• Update on Deer Cull: Councilmembers Ptashnik and Budzinski reported that the city is part of a coalition with Farmington Hills and Southfield, awaiting DNR and USDA availability; a three-year plan is being developed. Director of Government Affairs Erica Smith confirmed that a single cull is insufficient and a multi-year USDA contractor would be shared among communities.
• Update on E-bikes/Ordinance: The Law and Education Committee is working on an ordinance regarding e-bikes, e-scooters, and golf carts.
• Sheetz Rezoning Clarification: Councilmember Ptashnik corrected that the rezone was denied 5-2 (not the site plan), and C1/C2 zoning already permits gas stations.
• Second Reading of Ordinance Amendment (Item 12): Council gave a second reading and adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 3.12 (Senior Citizens Housing Tax Exemption) to allow extended PILOT agreements. Unanimous (6-0).
• PILOT Resolution for Ziegler Place Apartments (follow-up to Item 12): The council approved a resolution extending the PILOT for Ziegler Place, a 141-unit senior affordable housing project at 30001 St. Martins Street, at 10% of annual shelter rent for up to 50 years. Unanimous (6-0). The developer, Jonathan Rose Companies, represented by Steve Rypma, requested approval to meet a mid-August financing deadline.
• NeoGov Sole Source Contract (Item 13): Council approved a $21,634.07 expenditure for recruitment and applicant tracking services from NeoGov, including a 10% renewal discount and a 16% discount on job listings. Unanimous (6-0).
• Locker Room Re-grouting Bid (Item 14): Council accepted a $34,500 bid from Keystone Strategic Partners for locker room re-grouting at the Jack E. Kirksey Recreation Center. Unanimous (6-0).<br>- Luxe Events Banquet Facility Waiver (Item 15): Council approved a waiver use for a banquet facility with occupancy over 50 at 27600 Schoolcraft Road, subject to conditions including a 11 p.m. (Sun-Thu) / 12 a.m. (Fri-Sat) curfew and parking lot security. Unanimous (6-0).
• Block Party (Item 11): Approved Christina Zeoli's luau-themed block party on Summers Street for August 22, 2026. Unanimous (6-0).

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved (6-0).
• Consent Agenda (Items 1-10) approved (6-0).
• Block Party (Item 11) approved (6-0).
• Ordinance Amendment to Chapter 3.12 (Item 12) adopted (6-0).
• PILOT Resolution for Ziegler Place Apartments approved (6-0).<br>- NeoGov contract (Item 13) approved (6-0).
• Locker room re-grouting bid (Item 14) approved (6-0).
• Luxe Events waiver (Item 15) approved (6-0).<br>- Referral of trash bin placement to Law and Education Committee approved (6-0).<br>- Meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.