Livonia City Council Regular Meeting – October 12, 2026

The Livonia City Council held its 2050th regular meeting on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall Auditorium. The meeting included consent agenda approvals, committee reports, public comment on multiple issues—particularly the Flock camera system—and several votes on resolutions and ordinances. The council also received updates on weed ordinance amendments, noise ordinance changes, e-bike regulations, and transportation asset management.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1–5 were approved unanimously (6‑0):
  1. Acceptance of grant funding for the Election Commission (2026 U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence Grant).
  2. Authorization of expenditure (not‑to‑exceed $35,000) to Empco for promotional testing of Police Lieutenant, Police Sergeant, Senior Fire Captain, etc.
  3. Extension of Reserve/National Guard duty benefit to all regular employees.
  4. Award of bid for installation of interior/exterior ADA doors at City Hall.
  5. Approval of intergovernmental agreement with Wayne County for Inkster Road improvement (Wayne County Order No. 47238).

Public Comments & Testimony

• First Audience Communication (before committee reports):

  • Steve King criticized the city for banning him from the Rec and Senior Centers for over a year for a minor trespass, calling it a violation of First Amendment rights.
  • A resident expressed opposition to national politics and urged voting.
  • Steve Ray (Wild Ones, 30+ Livonia households) urged the city to adopt a "Leave the Leaves" educational campaign, citing benefits for pollinators and biodiversity.
  • Bob Hauser encouraged support for native plant landscapes and noted that 17 other communities have adopted similar programs.
  • Melanie Tolen supported the weed ordinance changes after receiving a fine for not mowing following a tree falling on her garage.
  • Lori questioned the approval of a car wash near a historic cemetery, expressing concerns about groundwater chemicals.
  • Stacey Rosina Newton read a poem about vulnerability and beauty in nature.
  • Frank McDermott argued that the lifetime ban on Steve King did not fit the minor crime, calling it unfair.

• Second Audience Communication (after regular business, focused on Flock cameras):

  • Multiple speakers (e.g., RJ Dorshevitz, Elijah, Mike Ferguson, Emma Erickson, Josie Leather, Paul Garrett, Vince Bellinger, Heather Fowler, Betsy Calhoun, Mark, Jason, Cindy Plumb, Matthew, Keith Davis, Jason Dye) uniformly opposed the Flock camera system. Key concerns:
    • Privacy violations and Fourth Amendment issues.
    • Massive data collection and sharing with federal agencies (e.g., 1 million searches of Livonia’s Flock network in July/August, with immigration as reason 218 times; Texas DPS accessed the network 15,374 times).
    • Misuse by officers (stalking ex‑partners) and nationwide examples of abuse.
    • AI errors (misidentification leading to armed confrontations).
    • Flock’s security flaws (cameras hacked, live feeds exposed).
  • Speakers called for cancellation of the contract and a ban on all ALPR technology.
  • A few speakers also mentioned other topics: Seedlings Braille Books for Children auction, sidewalk conditions on Farmington Road, and general support for native landscaping.

Discussion Items

• Law and Education Committee Reports (Chair McCullough):

  • a. Gas station distance from bodies of water: Remains in committee for further review.
  • b. 100‑foot buffer for gas stations: Remains in committee.
  • c. 12‑month moratorium on car washes: Removed from committee (unanimous 6‑0) because it is already being studied by the Planning Commission.
  • d. Fees for non‑emergency 911 calls: Remains in committee; still being developed by law and fire departments.
  • e. Blighted/vacant businesses on Plymouth Road: Removed from committee (6‑0) as the issue is being addressed by other departments (code enforcement, new development).
  • f. Data center zoning: Removed from committee (6‑0); proposed ordinance is with the Planning Commission.
  • g. Noxious weed ordinance amendments: Remains in committee; a meeting scheduled for November 9, 2026, to review a draft ordinance.
  • h. Updated lighting ordinance (LEDs): Remains in committee; to be discussed on November 9, 2026.
  • i. Noise ordinance amendment (quiet time): Committee recommended moving quiet time from 11 p.m. to 10 p.m. Council voted 6‑0 to refer the change to the Law Department to draft an ordinance (with waivers allowed for events).
  • j. E‑bikes, scooters, and golf carts: Council voted 6‑0 to refer the matter to the Law and Police Departments for a report and recommendation, including review of Michigan law and enforcement questions.
  • k. Mesh prohibitions under fence ordinance: Remains in committee; future meeting with ordinance, inspection, and law departments to be scheduled.

• Public Safety, Health, and Environment Committee (Chair Brockway) – Flock Cameras:

  • The committee reported on the October 1, 2026, meeting (39 attendees). Flock representatives and LPD explained data retention (reduced to 14 days), guardrails, and use in investigations. Public comment raised concerns about misuse, data sharing, and constitutional issues.
  • Councilmember McCullough moved to transfer the topic to Committee of the Whole, arguing for full council involvement. After debate (Councilmembers Tashnick, Budzinski, Persecini, and Brockway preferred keeping it in the specialized committee, noting Vice President Brockway’s leadership and pending questions), the motion failed 1‑5 (McCullough aye; Budzinski, Persecini, Tashnick, Brockway, Reed no). The topic remains in the Public Safety Committee.

• Unfinished Business – External Requests:

  • Item 8 – Sidewalk waiver (Angelo Mauti, new homes at 15235–15287 Fairlane): Motion to approve. Council debated connectivity and fire hydrant access. The vote tied 3‑3 (McCullough, Tashnick, Brockway aye; Budzinski, Persecini, Reed no); motion failed, waiver not granted.
  • Item 9 – Waive sealed bid for 3 unmarked police vehicles (state cooperative pricing): Approved 6‑0.
  • Item 10 – Award of bid for 2027‑2028 Municipal Park Mowing Program: Originally recommended by DPW to award to the third low bidder (two‑year contract, ~$188,000). Councilmember Tashnick moved to award to the lowest bidder, Russell Landscaping Inc. for one year ($84,000). Despite DPW concerns about underestimation and experience, the motion passed 4‑2 (Budzinski, Persecini, Tashnick, Brockway aye; McCullough, Reed no).

• New Business – Grant of Easements:

  • Items 11, 12, and 13 (utility easements for sanitary sewer and water main) were each approved 6‑0.

• X‑Item – Transportation Asset Management Plan (TAMP):

  • Council suspended the rules (6‑0) to consider the emergency item. Engineering Director Zelinski presented the 2026 TAMP (required by Public Act 325, due October 1). The plan includes pavement ratings for 374 miles, two bridges, culverts, signals, and financial resources. Council approved certification 6‑0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda (Items 1–5): Approved 6‑0.
• Car wash moratorium removal: Approved 6‑0.
• Blighted businesses removal: Approved 6‑0.
• Data center zoning removal: Approved 6‑0.
• Noise ordinance referral (quiet time to 10 p.m.): Approved 6‑0; law department to draft ordinance.
• E‑bikes referral: Approved 6‑0; law and police to report back.
• Flock camera topic remains in Public Safety Committee: Motion to move to Committee of the Whole failed 1‑5.
• Sidewalk waiver (Fairlane homes): Motion failed on a 3‑3 tie; waiver denied.
• Police vehicles (3 unmarked): Approved 6‑0.
• Park mowing bid (Russell Landscaping, 1 year): Approved 4‑2.
• Easement grants (Items 11, 12, 13): Each approved 6‑0.
• TAMP certification (X‑item): Approved 6‑0.
• Next meetings: Public hearing October 26, 2026 (6 p.m.); Committee of the Whole October 21, 2026 (7 p.m.). Law and Education Committee meeting on weed/lighting ordinances scheduled for November 9, 2026.