001It's 7:00. We'll call this meeting door. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance and the invocation followed. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Dear God, please bless our elected officials. Grant them the wisdom to know and the courage to do what is right for all for all citizens. Amen. >> Amen. [snorts] Roll call, please. >> Allan. >> Leaffor >> here. >> Mr. Avich >> here. >> Ricks >> here. >> Schultz >> here. >> Warren >> here. >> Yellen >> here. A motion to excuse councelor Allen [clears throat] being uh previous notice. >> I'll make the motion. >> Support made and support. Any discussion? Being not. All in favor of
002the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Against. Motion does pass. We need a motion for approval of minutes. >> I'll make [snorts] motion. >> Support. Motion been made and support. Is there any discussion on those minutes or the motion? [snorts] >> Being not. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. I. >> Motion does pass. Excuse me for just a second. [snorts] >> [clears throat] >> At this time, the city council has requested that the city manager conduct a special presentation. Sir. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, on behalf of the city council, again, it is my honor to present the 2025 volunteer of the year. This award is given each year in recognition of longtime community volunteer Doug Benzene. This year, the council was proud to choose a
003very deserving individual who has volunteered with both the city of Richmond and the Richmond Good Days Festival. If I could ask Jay Rio to come to the podium and join me tonight, [laughter] I would like to just mention some of the volunteer work he has done in the past that make him an excellent choice this year. Thank you for joining. [laughter] Jay spends many volunteer hours with the Richmond Good Old Days Festival. Many of us met Jay when he first assisted with the building of a storage facility on Festival Drive that's utilized by both the festival and the city of Richmond's recreation department. Being relatively new to the community, Jay did not hesitate to step in and help with the other volunteers with the building. I'm sure that Mayor Ricks and Harold Tesca appreciated the
004help [laughter] as they and other volunteers put in many hours on that building. Jay has also volunteered as part of the festival project at the Roosevelt Civic Auditorium. Over the course of a few weekends, Jay led the volunteers from the festival as they play replaced a portion of the roof at the odd, making it safe to go down the steps to the basement. And let me tell you, some of the volunteers that helped him on that project had very little construction experience. [laughter] Over the last few years, Jay has taken a more active role with the festival, taking on many of the grounds and maintenance needs at the festival. This includes many volunteer hours spent throughout the summer and especially during the weeks leading up to the festival. Jay often helps with maintaining all the
005old facilities and old buildings and helping with the construction of new facilities. During the festival weekend, Jay works with the youth that are hired to collect the trash. Not only does Jay give them their assignments, but he also mentors them during the festival, helping them understand their important role at one of the most successful small town festivals in the state. Along with others, Jay is instrumental behind the scenes with all things maintenance such as trash removal, signs getting out and placed at the various events and transporting of equipment and people to the various events during the festival weekend. When something needs to be taken care of at the last minute, often the first call is to Jay. Along with his volunteer work at the festival, Jay also volunteers with the city of Richmond for several
006years. Jay has helped with the Christmas decoration volunteers as they put up and take down the decorations that you see on Main Street. Often on setup weekend, he travels back from Tawas from family commitments on Thanksgiving weekend to help us put up the decorations. Jay's always willing to do whatever job needs to be done, whether it is in a basket out there putting the decorations on the light poles or putting out and picking up the decorations with the trucks and trailers or helping us at the barn where we store the decorations. This flexibility makes him invaluable to me as I try to coordinate all of the volunteers those weekends. Along with those duties, Jay has volunteered at the Richmond Fire Hall. He has installed new flooring at the hall, replacing both the floors in the
007kitchen and the chief's office. And just today, Jay volunteered to do some weather proofing at the bell tower to get us through the winter. When some new residents mentioned that they don't know how to get involved in the Richmond community, Jay, as a newcomer, just walked up and started working. This willingness to just get the job done has caused some of us to refer to him as Mr. enrichment. We are fortunate to have such a kind and generous person volunteering in our community. Jay, congratulations on being city of Richmond Volunteer of the Year. >> Thank you, SIR. [applause] [applause] >> YEAH, that's great. >> Speech. [laughter] >> Speech. No. Um, I'm I don't even know what to say. I I was coming here to talk about what we talked about. The bell is going to
008be okay. We did secure it, but that's going to be a spring project, but >> we'll talk about it in the spring. We [laughter] >> This is a whole little I You got me. It got me good. And thank you everyone. And holy coronas. [laughter] So, >> get a picture of that. >> THANK YOU. [applause] PICTURE OR VIDEO. >> Can you do a picture? >> Okay. >> Yeah. What? >> I'm just like, oh my [laughter] god, this is [laughter] >> Oh my gosh. >> Darn it. Hi, Mom. [laughter] This is Wow. >> All right. Uh, again, thank you everyone. I mean, I'm shocked. >> So, um, okay. >> Well, again, we thank you for everything. >> Not no >> that you do for our community. You know, it's uh >> Yes. you've been a godsend
009since you've been here and and really have picked up the you know what a lot of us can't do anymore uh with your youthful age uh you've been able to do a lot of things that some of us can't do anymore and it just you've made a world of difference uh in our community so again uh >> and I know I'm going to be up in but I do promise you I will be coming back and forth and I will be here for good old days for the two weeks >> that's what worried about this was kind of like a sending off. [laughter] No, just kidding. Just kidding. >> But you know, I'll I'll I'll come around and if there's something I'm a phone call away, it's only two hours away. >> Calling you again.
010We appreciate >> No, thank you. Thank you again, [snorts] everyone. >> But we are celebrating afterwards. That was true. >> Okay. >> I told you. Yes. So, [laughter] >> well, that sounds good. All right, I guess we continue our meeting. >> Yep. Well, yeah. Or you can go talk to the family if you'd like. That's okay, too. You know, your mom's down here from, you know, >> really have to talk to Everybody's good about >> Yep. Yeah. Oh, yeah. We're good. No, [laughter] >> abs had absolutely nothing to do with tonight. >> It needs work, but it's going to be all right. >> We know that. Yeah, [laughter] we have it on film, though. >> All right. We'll uh continue meeting. >> Thank you. Thank you. We appreciate that. [laughter] >> Is there any other
011audience comments on this item? [snorts] >> If not, we're moving on the adoption agenda, Mr. City Manager. Any changes? >> No changes. >> Council, any changes? >> A motion to accept the agenda as presented be in order. >> I'll make a motion. >> Motion been made and supported. Any discussion? [snorts] >> Being not. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Against. Motion does pass. Is there a motion for the consent agenda? >> I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Support. >> Motion been made in support. According to our rules, there's no discussion on the consent agenda. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. I. >> Against. >> Motion does pass. Items for consideration. We have five this evening. The
012first one is second reading and adoption of text amendment 156-35 dimensional standards. Mr. City Manager. Council is scheduled to consider giving second reading and adoption of ordinance 156-35 which amends section section 5.101 dimensional standard standards of the Richmond zoning ordinance by reducing the minimum gross floor area requirements for principal dwellings in the single family and two family residential. Uh the zoning ordinance set forth the minimum gross floor dwellings within the city of Richmond based on zoning class classifications based on the four residential classes. R1 requires a minimum gross floor area of 1,800 square ft. R2 requires a minimum gross floor area of 1500. R3 requires uh 1,200 and RT requires 780. Uh the new ordinance will reduce that by roughly 16.6%. >> Thank you. This is the second reading. We had the previous discussion and
013reading at the last council meeting. Is there a motion? >> I'll make a motion to give second reading and adopt ordinance 156-35 which amends section 5.101 101 dimensional standards of the Richmond zoning ordinance which reduces the minimum gross floor area requirements for principal dwellings within the single family and two family residential districts. >> Support made and support. Is there any discussion on this item? Again, uh we thank the planning commission uh for all their work on this. Any audience participation on this? anything that you'd like to add to this? >> I'd just like to thank the mayor Rick's uh city manager and the rest of the planning commission for uh bearing with me for uh two meetings to discuss this and get it going. >> Yeah, we appreciate all your work on this. Back to
014the table. All >> in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Against. Motion does pass. Item number two, second reading and adoption text amendment 167-1, civil infractions. Mr. City Manager, >> council is scheduled to give second reading and adopt ordinance 167, an ordinance that makes certain sections of the city of Richmond code of ordinances civil infractions versus misdemeanors. Uh, this process started in 2011, uh, when the council adopted ordinance 160. uh first changed the nuisance, blight, snow, weeds, and zoning violations from misdemeanors to civil infractions. At that point, uh council directed administration to work with the city attorney on looking at what other areas of the ordinance would be better served being civil infractions versus misdemeanors. Uh what we presented at last meeting with the introduction of first reading was ordinance
015167 which makes certain sections of the animal cemetery and secondhand goods ordinances civil infractions versus misdemeanors. >> Thank you. [snorts] Again, this is the second reading. Much [clears throat] discussion has been had prior to tonight. Is there a motion? I'll make a motion to give second reading and adopt ordinance 167, an ordinance to make violation of certain provisions of the city of Richmond code of ordinances civil infractions. >> Support made and supported. Any discussion on this item? Any audience participation on this item? Back to the table. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. I. against. Motion does pass. Item number three, consideration approving the auditorium's nonprofit rental form. Mr. City Manager, City Council is scheduled to consider approving an update to the Odds nonprofit usage form. The City Council and Recreation Board
016approved the current form when the AUD initially opened. Now that we have a couple years of running the odd, the administration and recreation board have reviewed the form and are recommending the changes in your packet today. Uh, a few of the changes, there are a few changes, but most notably, it will clearly define what organizations would qualify as a nonprofit and would not be charged the rental fee. Uh, some nonprofits that have been [snorts] uh, utilizing the building have not been from the Richmond area. Uh and so the recreation board after several meetings looking at this form has chosen to utilize the same definition that we use as a city uh for our uh soliciting in the streets. Uh several years ago, you may remember there were some organizations from outside the community that were
017coming to ask if they could solicit uh donations in the intersections and we chose to define nonprofits as a nonprofit operating either in the city of Richmond or the Richmond School District. So, this these changes tonight uh would would align us with that same policy. Um there's also a removal of one of the rental rooms from kind of the general rental. uh it's the room just outside the rec programmer office. Um when people rent that during the day, it's somewhat problematic as she's coming and going through that room to get to her office. So, uh, that's not to say that on a case- by case basis, we wouldn't allow that room to be used for a bigger event such as, um, the wrestling event that uses it for like their concession area or, uh, when,
018uh, project graduation rents the whole building that night and they use that room along with all other areas of the building. So, uh, the main, uh, purpose of this is again to kind of clearly define and bring it into line with, uh, some of our other policies on what is a nonprofit when it comes to the city of Richmond. >> Very good. Marggo, anything to add to this at all? >> No, I don't think I do. >> Okay. >> Very good. Is there a motion? >> I'll make a motion to approve the proposed changes to the odd nonprofit building usage form. >> Support made and supported. Any discussion on this item? Again, a lot of discussion at the parks and recck uh meetings over the last few months again and uh over some concerns um
019that uh we [snorts] had I guess for some some uh people utilizing uh the facility for free. Uh that doesn't necessarily uh benefit the community. uh where in our nonprofits uh within the the city of Richmond and the school district uh definitely have a positive effect on our community. So, we thought we'd uh separate the two. Um especially after being in operation for a couple of years now, uh that's been realized. So, uh I wholeheartedly agree with what they've done here and um had my comments uh [clears throat and cough] noted during those times. So, um I think this is a a good step forward and um it can only improve the the use of the odd as far as I'm concerned. Any other comments being not all in favor of the motion signify by
020saying I >> I >> against motion does pass. Item number four, consideration special request board appointments. Mr. city manager. >> There are currently [laughter] three city board and commission terms that will expire as of December 31st, 2025. Letters were sent uh out in November and asked for them to resubmit uh if they intended to reapply uh by December. Uh there are two that we've received um for Board of Zoning Appeals, Jennifer Holly and Mike Shotti. for border review, uh, Monica Wilkkey, and for EDC, there is a current vacancy, and the city council received a application, a new application from Christopher Moer. >> Thank you, sir. Is there a motion for [snorts] the board of zoning appeals for a three-year term? I'll make a motion to reappoint Jennifer Holly to the board of zoning appeals for
021a three-year term with expiration date of December 31st, 2028. >> Support. >> Motion been made and supported. Any discussion on this item? Any audience participation on this item? Back to the table. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Against. >> Motion does pass. We also have another board of zoning appeals three-year term. Is there a motion? >> I'll make a motion to reappoint Mike Shotti to the board of zoning appeals for a three-year term with the expiration date of December 31st, 2028. >> Support been made and support. Any discussion on this item? Any audience comments on this item? Back to the table. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Against. >> Motion does pass. I also ask that you would confirm my reappoint
022of Monica Wilkey to the board of review for a three-year term. Is there a motion? >> I'll make I'll make a motion to confirm the mayor's reappoint of Monica Wilkkey to the board of review for a three-year term with expiration date of December 31st, 2028. >> Support. >> Motion [snorts] made and supported. Is there any discussion on this item? Any audience comments on this? Back to the table. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. Against. >> Motion does pass. I also ask that you would confirm the appointment of Christopher Moer to the EDC for a uh six-year term, but the he's filling an uh a term in. Uh, the actual expiration will be July of 2028. Is there a motion? >> I'll make a motion to confirm the mayor's appointment
023of Christopher Moer to the EDC for a six-year term with the expiration date of July 1st, 2028. >> Support. >> Motion been made and support. Is there any discussion on this item? Any audience comments on this item? Back to the table. Just on behalf of the council, we want to thank all these people. uh two of them, three of them for coming back and uh uh for Christopher Moer to uh confirm uh that he wants to serve uh with uh the family, so to speak, uh on the EDC. So, it's nice to have a uh some new blood there also. So, we appreciate all these people uh for stepping up and helping uh run our community. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. I >> against motion does pass. Item number five
024is consideration of spe special request adashim adoption of cross connection control program. Jim, why is it always your you know CCCP maybe you know some of these abbreviations but anyhow >> uh Mr. City Manager. >> The Michigan Department of Environmental, Great Lakes, and Energy, otherwise known as the Eagle, requested that the city update its cross connection control program document to clarify clarify expectations during a recent sanitary survey. Uh the cross connection program is the standard operating procedure the city intends to follow for the cross connections. The city's required to meet minimum criteria as regulated by Eagle to ensure the public water supply is protected from cross connection. Uh our easy operations, the company that handles our wastewater treatment plant is also contracted to manage the city's cross connection program and the changes the the program
025was first adopted in 2019. Uh the document has been updated to add more detail and clarifications on how the program is admin administered and the frequency of inspections and testing. Uh there are no real changes from the property owner perspective as the frequency of inspections and testing has not changed. This just uh is a requirement uh based on Eagle's recent review of our uh sanitary sewer system asking us to put in the letter of the law into our document and Jim is here to answer any questions you may have. >> Thank you, John. Jim, you have anything to add to that? Uh the city [clears throat] manager said it very well, but basically in 2019, this was pretty new and the state or eagle was really just uh wanted communities to have some sort of
026document. And so our initial document was two pages long. It hit hit the basics. Now they they're just requesting a lot more detail, kind of more meat to it to make sure that we are really doing uh what we're say we need to do and then how we're actually doing that. So that that's basic change. a lot of text, you know, with no uh no real changes again from the resident's perspective. >> Very good. Very good. Is there a motion? >> I'll make a motion to approve the cross connection control program document as presented. >> Support. >> Motion made and supported. Is there any discussion on this item? Any other public comments? Back to the table. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. I. against. Motion does pass. We're moving
027on to miscellaneous matters from the city manager. Sir, >> I'd just like to thank the DPW this past weekend. They came in and did do a downtown cleanup to get a lot of the snow out of our two downtown areas. Uh and then, um just wish everyone a merry Christmas. >> Good. Council comments. Michael. [clears throat] >> Um nothing today. Thank you. >> Just merry Christmas, [snorts] Jim. >> Uh yeah. I'd really like to say how beautiful our Christmas tree looks at downtown. It's I think it's probably the best looking tree that we've [snorts] ever had. And for everybody that put it up and decorated. I I think it's just awesome. And merry Christmas to everybody and happy new year. >> John, merry Christmas, Nick. >> Saying merry Christmas. >> Very good. Um again, uh
028we had a a great uh parade and tree lighting. Um it gets better every year. Uh it seems like more organized as we know in the background. Um and uh we had I thought great weather this year. So uh it was fitting for the uh for the parade and the tree lighting. [snorts] So again, uh Jim, the tree uh it's probably one of the the nicest trees we've had since we've moved. uh up here. And again, uh thank you to Bob and Sue Keel uh from uh the city here uh that have donated probably at least the third. Is it the fourth time already? >> It may be the last, but >> yeah, we've running out of trees. >> Um but they they they just this tree was probably the nicest of the four. Um
029this one was right in their front yard and it was a beautiful tree, but uh it was uh evidently time and uh it went to great use there. Yeah, I just dovetail into councelor Schultz's comments. I'd like to thank uh active tree for actually trans cut cutting it and transporting it up to the to the uh veterans park there and our DPW and wreck uh departments uh for um decorating it. It it like everyone has said it's probably the best looking tree that we've had. >> Yeah. Yeah. And I believe our our parade and uh the whole uh tree lighting ceremony, I believe that is on our channel 6 and uh probably YouTube at this point. Yes. >> If anybody uh missed that, um there it was it was very nice. Uh I don't know
030how much we would have been able to get uh on camera. I I I haven't seen that uh with the community theater this year performing. >> I believe they're on Yes. >> Are they on there? Yeah. I was I was shocked to say the least how wonderful that that uh event they put on themselves in the middle of Main Street at the end there. Um I thought it was a recording. It was so good. It was uh it was exceptional. So it was a nice addition to this year's uh tree lighting ceremonies. So anyhow, uh again uh with Christmas Eve uh coming up, the city hall uh and all of our uh uh buildings will be closed on Christmas Eve the 24th. We will reopen on the uh 29th, uh Monday the 29th, and again
031close for uh New Year's Eve and the new year on the 31st of December. and we will reopen on January 5th. And the city council will that'll be the next meeting of the city council 7:00 right here at city hall on the 5th. I don't believe there was any. Well, we did have a couple of things here. Of course, parks and wreck. Since you're here, would you like to [snorts] uh the odd presents squeaky sneakers? It's a preschool sports sampler. Uh this is held on Mondays and Tuesdays. The very first one's going to be on December 22nd, the 23rd, the 29th, and the 30th. There is a cost to this. The time is 12:30 to 11:15. Um, you can call the Odd at 586-430-4950 or the recreation department at 7273664 >> 3064. Um, also volleyball
032skills and development. Uh, that started on November 26, but it's not too late. Uh, this is held at the odd also. No. Uh December 22nd, December 30th, and January 19th. Uh there's varying time varying times. Uh the December 22nd is going to be 2 to 4. Again, contacting the Odd at the number I gave you before. And that's for sixth and eighth graders. That's a volleyball skills and development. That's put on by Coach Piper at the Is there anything else that we need to add to the calendar at this time? If not, there is no closed session. Is there any other business of the city council to be held in 2025? Nope. >> If not, it's been a good year. Looking forward to 2026. Uh, even better. A motion to adjurnn would be in order.
033>> I'll make a motion to adjurnn. >> It's been made and supported. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. I. >> Against. Motion does pass. Happy New Year. Merry Christmas. Heat. Heat.