Livonia City Council Regular Meeting – September 28, 2026

The Livonia City Council held its 2,049th regular meeting on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall Auditorium. Council President Kayleigh Reid presided, with Vice President Patrick Brockway, Councilmembers Brandon McCullough, Carrie Budzinski, Robin Persiconi, and Martha Ptashnik present. Councilmember Eileen McDonnell was absent (recovering from surgery). The meeting featured reports, public comments on housing, code enforcement, and the Steve King incident, approval of several consent agenda items, and discussion of the proposed FY 2026-2027 budget. The meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of September 14, 2026: Approved unanimously (6-0).
• Block Party – Theresa Burgess: Approved for Brentwood Street (Meadowlark to Gita) on October 31, 2026, 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Block Party/Street Barricading – Danielle Greason: Approved for Emerson Court and Tulipwood on October 31, 2026, 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Waiver Petition 2026-06-02-18 (Fogo De Chao Churrascaria): Approved to operate an SDM liquor license (packaged beer/wine) at 38888 Six Mile Road, subject to three conditions.
• Waiver Petition 2026-07-02-19 (Hands of Time): Approved to operate a second-hand store at 19704 Middlebelt Road, subject to five conditions (no outdoor sales, parking lot repairs, dumpster enclosure, landscaping maintenance).
• Waiver Petition 2026-08-02-22 (Mt. Hope Memorial Gardens Cemetery): Approved for mausoleum construction at 17840 Middlebelt Road, subject to five conditions (site plans, sodding, landscaping, building permit timeline).
• Cooperative Agreement with Livonia Public Schools: Approved one-year extension (to August 31, 2027) for use of John Stymelski Veterans Park.
• BS&A Payment Processing Agreement: Approved to process credit/debit/ACH payments, auto-renewing annually.
• Storm Water Facilities Maintenance Agreement – Baci Development: Accepted drainage system for Baci Estates and authorized execution.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dolores Pollington, Janice Dixon, Bonnie Provo (Trinity Park seniors) opposed a rent increase and six-month move-out notice, citing limited incomes, long waiting lists, and poor management. They requested council intervention to protect senior residents. Councilmember Budzinski noted the city had been investigating the issue and that Representative Young was leading efforts with the United Community Housing Coalition.
• Steve King (Country Gardens) asked council to waive a $450 fee for a resident appealing a code enforcement citation for covering her cyclone fence. He argued code enforcement should solve neighborhood problems and requested a review of fence ordinances.
• Christopher Martin criticized poor garbage pickup service and questioned why his request for a representative to appear was not on the agenda. He also expressed concern about a lifetime ban on Steve King and a pending lawsuit against the city.
• Frank McDermott argued the lifetime ban on Steve King from recreation facilities was disproportionate (trespassing fine was $50) and politically motivated due to King’s opposition to the 2025 bond proposal.
• Elijah (resident) advocated for city ownership of repair capabilities for infrastructure (e.g., traffic lights) to reduce long-term costs from external contractors.
• Denise Mika questioned budget priorities, specifically $1.5 million for demolishing the old senior center and courthouse, and noted apparent raises for elected officials (later clarified as rejected). She also claimed Steve King was denied a chance to speak at his Parks and Recreation appeal.
• Jerry Karasinski (Bainbridge) raised line-item budget concerns: doubled ice/snow removal funding ($276,000 vs $135,000), $10,000 miscellaneous account, and requested clearer labeling for deer call funds.

Discussion Items

• Item 9 – Law & Education Committee Items: The agenda item (covering gas station distances, buffer requirements, car wash moratorium, non-emergency 911 fees, blighted businesses, data centers, noxious weed, lighting, noise ordinances) was tabled to the next meeting.
• Item 10 – Finance & Budget Committee Meeting (September 21, 2026) – Proposed 2026-2027 Budget: Councilwoman Ptashnik presented details: 34 funds, $235 million in expenditures, property tax revenue of $79.8 million at 13.684 mills, general fund revenue of $77.8 million. Property value growth: residential SEV +6.93%, industrial +3.41%, commercial +4.79%; taxable value increase 6.41% (above CPI of 3.4%). The city ranks seventh in Michigan for total SEV. Capital needs total $125 million; major projects include $6.8 million for HVAC/roof/bathroom improvements, $1.5 million for demolition of old senior center and courthouse, and $2.7 million for landfill membrane repair. Staffing costs are 80% of general fund expenditures. Public hearing scheduled for October 5, 2026; budget adoption by October 26, 2026.
• City Hall Concrete Ramp: President Reid moved to refer the non-ADA-compliant concrete ramp topic to the Committee of the Whole, citing that fixing the landing would make the ramp steeper. Motion passed 6-0. Vice President Brockway supported finding a permanent solution.
• Clarification on Steve King Incident: Erica Smith, Director of Government Affairs, provided a factual report: Mr. King entered a secured construction site (Senior Wellness Center) by moving a secured gate; no authorization was given. The Parks and Recreation Commission issued a permanent suspension through an established appeal process, not based on political views. King was charged with trespassing and entering without permission; the court dismissed the latter charge and accepted a no-contest plea to trespassing with a $50 fine. Smith noted four permanent suspensions in 2026 and 15 in 2025 (including seven for trespassing). She also cited a 2025 cease-and-desist letter for King’s behavior at Housing Commission properties. Council acknowledged the report.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously (6-0) via roll call.
• Item 11 – Extension of QBS Engineering Contracts: Approved five-year extension (through November 30, 2031) with OHM Advisors, Hubbell Roth & Clark, Spalding DeDecker, and Anderson Eckstein & Westrick for professional engineering services. Motion passed 6-0.
• Item 12 – 2026 Rear Yard Drainage Improvements: Awarded contract to Dynamic Underground Group in an amount not to exceed $84,689.40 from budgeted funds. Motion passed 6-0.
• Committee Referrals: Concrete ramp topic referred to Committee of the Whole; budget remains in Finance & Budget Committee.
• Upcoming Meetings: Law & Education Committee on October 5 at 6:00 p.m. (e-bikes, fencing); Budget Public Hearing on October 5 at 7:00 p.m.; Citizens Road Advisory Committee on October 7 at 6:30 p.m. at DPW complex (for 2027 road repair program).