Livonia City Council Regular Meeting – August 31, 2026

The 2047th Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Livonia was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 31, 2026, in the City Hall Auditorium, 33000 Civic Center Drive, Livonia, Michigan. Six councilmembers were present: Robin Persiconi, Martha Ptashnik, Patrick Brockway, Brandon McCullough, Carrie Budzinski, and Kayleigh Reid. Eileen McDonnell was absent. The council approved the August 17, 2026 meeting minutes, passed a six-item consent agenda, debated and approved a contested boiler bid, approved several capital and maintenance projects, extended settlement authority, and authorized the sale of a city-owned CDBG home. The meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.

Reports and Consent Calendar

• The Department of Finance purchases report for the month ending July 31, 2026, was received and placed on file.
• Approved a sidewalk requirement waiver for Lamberto Custom Homes at 15505 Auburndale Avenue, with the city reserving the right to require sidewalks in the future if surrounding sidewalks are installed.
• Approved sign petition 2026-05-SN-01 for the Amoco gas station at 29401 Seven Mile Road and sign petition 2026-06-SN-02 for the Target store at 20100 Haggerty Road, both subject to conditions including approved sign packages, no LED lightbands or exposed neon, Zoning Board of Appeals variances for excess signage, and Inspection Department plan review.
• Authorized up to $23,168.75 to OHM Advisors for roof replacement professional services at all three city-owned golf courses, including a $7,725 budget transfer into each of three golf course capital accounts, selected through the Qualification Based Selection process without competitive bidding.
• Approved the Wayne County intergovernmental agreement for Middlebelt Road improvements from Joy Road to Plymouth Road, with the city's estimated participation at 9.075% in an amount not to exceed $204,387, plus a $102,194 working capital advance representing 50% of the city's participation.
• Accepted a storm water facilities maintenance agreement from True Community Credit Union for the property at 36525 Plymouth Road.
• During consent agenda public comment, Steve King opposed the $23,168.75 roof consulting expenditure, arguing routine maintenance should be bid directly to local contractors and that the fee could cover the actual roofing work. John Schafer questioned the frequency of sidewalk waivers and asked whether the city wants sidewalks at all. Denise Mika said many transmitted documents were unsigned and raised concerns about whether proper procedures were being followed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Steve King advocated for a ministerial block party permit process so residents would not have to sit through long council meetings, and proposed consolidating election equipment into one ADA-compliant building to create a permanent early voting location.
• Christopher Martin praised the restored meeting clock and rules against texting and eating during meetings, but said council preparation was uneven and suggested assigning specific agenda items to individual councilmembers.
• Sandra McClinsky, a 45-year Livonia resident, asked whether the $30 million bond had been issued, objected to Flock surveillance cameras as a privacy violation, questioned cable utility access through residential yards, said she opposed police assisting ICE, and asked why renewed police and fire millage funds were not simply placed in the budget.
• Frank McDermott said Steve King was being persecuted by the city, noted the breaking and entering charge was dropped and the trespassing charge resulted in a $50 fine, and urged the council to rescind King's lifetime ban from the Senior Wellness Center and Recreation Center.
• Melissa raised concerns about the city's Flock camera contract, citing a limitation-of-liability clause and saying the public was not adequately consulted; she asked the council to reevaluate the surveillance system.
• Elijah cited an ACLU report on recent Flock terms-of-service changes, including altered or degraded footage, a perpetual data license, possible data sales, and forced arbitration, and opposed Flock surveillance in Livonia.
• Greg Ralko opposed the proposed gas station at Eight Mile and Newburgh, alleging failures in ordinance enforcement and Zoning Board of Appeals procedures, and asked the city to withdraw its defense of the appeal.
• In the second audience communication period, Denise Mika asked the council to require itemized quantities in Finance Department reports, specifically for banquet chairs, water stop boxes and rods, and trash carts, to ensure transparency.

Unfinished Business

• Original agenda item #7, covering Law and Education Committee topics such as gas station distances from bodies of water, a possible car wash moratorium, fees for non-emergency 911 calls, blighted businesses on Plymouth Road, data centers, noxious weeds, and lighting ordinances, was tabled to the September 14, 2026 regular meeting.
• Security camera upgrades: The council approved a $72,603.37 bid from ASC Security Systems for camera additions, replacements, and upgrades at the Jack E. Kirksey Recreation Center, Botsford Pool, and Clements Circle Pool. The vote was 6-0.
• Boiler replacement: After substantial debate, the council approved a $152,596.00 bid from Guardian Environmental Services for removal and replacement of the Raypak boiler system at the Robert and Janet Bennett Civic Center Library. Councilmember McCullough voted no, arguing the bid process failed purchasing requirements and that new information showed installation would not occur until spring, leaving time to rebid properly. Councilmembers Budzinski, Persiconi, Brockway, and Ptashnik supported the award, citing the City Attorney's legal opinion that the low bid was valid, the library's urgent need, and the risk of further delay. Public speakers Christopher Martin, Denise Mika, Vicki Johnson, Jerry Karasinski, John Schafer, Cindy Fleming, and Greg Ralko raised concerns about the shortened bid timeline, preferential treatment, potential lawsuits, the low bid compared with the next three bids around $200,000, and procurement integrity. The vote was 5-1.
• Elevator modernization: The council approved awarding the elevator modernization contract to City Elevator of Michigan in an amount not to exceed $379,655.00, using the state MiDEAL purchasing program without competitive bidding. The vote was 6-0.
• Settlement authority: The council approved extending specific settlement authority in Shaun Day v City of Livonia, Wayne County Circuit Court Case No. 25-010729-NI, following a closed Committee of the Whole meeting held July 27, 2026. Resident Jim Biga asked whether the amount could be disclosed; City Attorney Eric Goldstein said there was no settlement yet, only authority to negotiate, and disclosing the range would undermine the city's position. The vote was 6-0.

New Business

• CDBG housing sale: The council approved the sale of the city-owned scattered site home at 9614 Auburndale, Livonia 48154, to Meghan Garrefa for $337,000. Dail Ripley, Deputy Director of the Livonia Housing Commission, said the home was purchased in 2018 through the First Right of Refusal program and renovated in partnership with Livonia Public Schools' building trades program, including a new garage. Sale proceeds will be allocated as CDBG program income for accessible bathrooms at the Civic Center Library. Christopher Martin questioned federal rules about reselling CDBG-funded property, but the item passed 6-0.
• Traffic signal intergovernmental agreement: The council approved a Wayne County agreement for traffic signal reconstruction and modernization on Newburgh Road at Hines Drive, Plymouth Road, and Seven Mile Road, plus paving of Newburgh Road from Hines Drive to the south side of Plymouth Road. City Engineer Todd Zilincik explained the city led the project and Wayne County would reimburse $549,710. The approval included deposits of $350,000 and $199,710 into project accounts with zero net budget impact and invoicing Wayne County for 50% of its participation, $274,855, after agreement execution. The vote was 6-0.

Key Outcomes

• Approved meeting minutes of August 17, 2026 (Resolution #302-26), 6-0.
• Approved Consent Agenda resolutions #303-26 through #308-26, 6-0.
• Tabled original agenda item #7 to September 14, 2026.
• Awarded security camera bid (Resolution #309-26), 6-0.
• Awarded boiler replacement bid (Resolution #310-26), 5-1, with Councilmember McCullough dissenting.
• Awarded elevator modernization contract (Resolution #311-26), 6-0.
• Extended settlement authority (Resolution #312-26), 6-0.
• Approved sale of 9614 Auburndale (Resolution #313-26), 6-0.
• Approved Wayne County traffic signal and paving agreement (Resolution #314-26), 6-0.
• Adjourned at 8:13 p.m.