001[Music] at 6:00. We'll call this meeting to order. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance and the invocation followed. [Music] 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 citizens. Amen. >> Amen. Roll call, please. >> Allan here. Lafour >> here. >> Mr. Ravich >> here. >> Ricks >> here. >> Schultz. >> Warren >> here. >> Yellen >> here. >> Motion to excuse councelor uh Schultz from tonight's meeting with uh early notice. >> I'll make a motion. >> Support. >> Motion made and support. Any discussion? >> Being not. All
002in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Against. Motion does pass. We move on to approval of minutes for the city council meeting minutes of July 7th. Is there a motion? >> I'll make the motion. >> Support. >> Motion been made and support. Any discussion? >> All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Against. Motion does pass. We also have the council quarterly meeting from July 14th. I need a motion for that also. >> I'll make that motion. >> Support. Motion >> made and supported. Is there any discussion on those minutes? Being not, all in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Against. Motion does pass. We also have, excuse me, the city council special meeting called for July 16th. Is there
003a motion for those minutes? >> I'll make that motion. >> Support. Motion's been made and supported. Any discussion on that? >> All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. Against. Motion does pass. We move on on to audience comments on any non-aggenda items. When it comes to the agenda, we'll ask if you have something to say once council's done. That's according to our rules. Does anybody want to address council at this time? >> Sure. Come on up to the podium if you would. Yes, you have to. So the people at home can hear what you say. >> I will. I speak loud. Retired school. >> I need you to come up to the speaker. That's our rules, ma'am. It's is for everybody. We need to your state your name and your
004address to the clerk, please. >> My name is an Kinsler. It's a n e k i n s l e r. My address is 68425 Oak Street. That is in Richmond 48062. >> Thank you. >> I have some concerns. Um we are fairly new to the Richmond area. We've lived up here probably 12 years, maybe a little bit longer. Um, in the past probably 18 to 24 months, um, we Oak Street has re has been seeing a significant increase in traffic since they have put the light in at Main Street and or 32 Grasset Division and Main Street. What they're doing is they're cutting down. They're not slowing down. I have been hit twice trying to get into my driveway. I have, you know, um when my grandkids are over, you know, you can't go
005in the front yard because nobody stops going up and down the street. They're doing 40. And this does include our loyal DPW drivers and I have talked to that director and he said he would talk to them and I haven't seen him on the street since there was the construction and he did I don't know what street they're going down now but um on Friday I have a visually impaired third adult daughter along who has autism and some other physical and mental disabilities and we're working on getting her to become independent. She wanted to walk up to the library and I was like okay fine no problem. She worked with ISD. We're in the process of having a service dog work with her um in the same thing. She is blind on her right side
006and has no peripheral vision. So she hit the button to cross the street. Her light, her hand turned white. The no turn on red sign came off and people proceeded to turn in front of her or around her. One nice gentleman proceeded to call her multiple names and told her that she needed to get a driver's license because no one should be walking in this town. Um, I have been educated enough that in the past few days that this that is a state road. I did make a police report. Um, I wasn't able to get up here today. I will pick it up tomorrow and I'm hoping that our police they'll be able to direct me as to where I need to take it to the state to have them address that. Um, I also
007work at So Together. Um, and trying to get across the street there to go to the bank or to go to one of the restaurants to get something to eat is next to impossible because nobody would even slow down, let alone stop. And when we first moved up here and ISD was working with her and we were working with her and she worked at Kroger's for eight years, we walked everywhere. We walked her up there every day. We walked her home. I tried two or three times and even with me being with her, we couldn't get across the street. It took four traffic lights to cross by Kroger's. Now, I did speak to two officers Friday afternoon and they were very, very polite and they were very nice and they said that Richmond is just
008I'm sorry, I don't like that's why I don't like those things. Um, growing by leaps and bounds and we're having all these people moving in and that's great. I mean, I'm all for that, but do we need to in increase our police force or at least have a stronger employ some for just traffic to get this under control? Or am I the first raging lunatic that has said anything to you guys about it? Yeah, we're all very aware of the traffic situation, but it's not just Richmond, of course. It's all over the place. Wherever you go, the inconsistency of drivers today, and you know, they just they don't care about anybody else. Sometimes they seem like they're in their own land. We completely understand that. Oak Street itself, now that we've paved it, we've been
009concerned that it's going to be even worse than what it was before. Um and we have been talking about the poss some possibilities there uh to try to slow the traffic down. But um and and and yes, if we could afford to hire more officers, we could put more officers out on the road. But you know what it takes for one officer to write one ticket? How long it takes? I mean, if he'd be lucky to give out six to seven tickets a day because of the what he has to do through the paperwork today. But the cost of one officer is we want to hire another officer. We can't afford it. So that's not the answer. The answer is people need to start considering what they're doing out there. And you have to be
010aware of the fact that they drive like that. >> Well, I mean I am >> I don't I don't think there's any simple answer to your your concerns. I I understand that, but and I realize the cost, but I mean I worked for um Warren Consolidated Schools for 30 years and we did a lot of things through bond issues and millages. So I am and grants I am familiar with that type of thing. Is there like something uh the community could do for to get some more officers or even um reserves because um I mean I dealt with it. Um my grandchildren were living with me. My son is in the military and he was stationed. So, they were going to the Richmond schools. Well, you know, it was the same thing back then. And
011I'm out there watching and the girl and she's got her, you know, lights and everything. And >> you know, they may as well just run her over cuz I mean, I don't I don't know what the answer is as a community. I know it's an overall issue through probably throughout the entire country, >> but I guess my concern is what are you know can we come up with some alternatives? >> Can we invest in you know um more of the blinking signs that tell people they're driving too fast? We are we've we've ordered them. We've ordered more and we plan on continuing to do that until we cover the streets that are problems in our country. >> I don't know if they work really well or not, but cuz I know I watch them and
012I've been laughing. In fact, I think somebody disconnected the one that's on Oak Street cuz it hasn't worked. But not working. >> It just needs to be brought in to be charged. So >> Oh, it probably the portable. >> Oh, that's the portable. It only lasts for so long. We have a few that are operated by solar. Yeah. >> We have now gone to electric. >> Okay. >> Um you know but >> but we are addressing the issues that you are bringing up today. Those issues are an ongoing problem that the council in the administration has worked on always. I don't I don't know what the answer is going to be for you. >> Well, it is I don't think it's just for me. I mean because I don't really feel I'm like >> don't
013take me literally. I mean in general we have a problem with traffic community and I did speak with Mr. >> More. Yes. >> Okay. Um I'm very new to this um when I was up here and I'm like you know we're getting younger families with kids moving on our street and all of that. Well, they're talking about moving because of the truck. I mean, you know, nobody wants to stay because of this. >> Well, then that that is happening in every community in our area, bar none. Everybody is having the same problem. >> Well, why can't >> I I don't want to argue with you. >> No, no, no, no. I'm just saying I mean, >> we are doing everything we can to try to alleviate the problems that we have with traffic in our
014community. It's being addressed >> on a on a regular basis. I assure you and we have tried to figure out what we can do to slow things down. You talked about the corner where you worked right here in town. The bumpout that eliminated two lanes for people to cross Main Street. It doesn't do anything for the light >> and it's harder to get out to make the right hand turn for some people because you have to swing quite >> talking about cross trying to walk across the street. >> And that's what I'm saying. Those bumpouts are in there so that you aren't exposed to the main street traffic for so long. Yeah, >> it's two lanes instead of four lanes that you have to cross. So, we we've been addressing this for a number of
015years cuz it's it hasn't just happened. >> I said I'm new. I didn't know. I mean, isn't there um any Well, probably not. That's really kind of a dumb set because I was going to say, "Isn't there any way we could get some assistance from the state or the federal government, but on the flip side, that's a joke." Um, sorry. >> We had to fight >> I believe you >> to get the lights to get left turn signals on Maine and 32. They were approved and they pulled MD dot pulled one side of those left turn signals on us. We begged to get a light at St. A's. I personally went and met the man who was in charge of MDOT and asked him, I pleaded with him to give us a light at St.
016A's. That's the only way we got it. And it's the same thing down at 34 Mile Road. They will not give us left turn signals down there. >> Okay? >> So, there's platooning of traffic. I mean, this is a huge issue. If we can platoon traffic, that means we can get people across Main Street safely. >> Okay? We've tried to get that done. So, believe me, we've worked very hard on this. >> Okay. Um, my other thought with that is I have um an a liaison that I've worked with throughout the years through ARC, which is the association of retired uh [ __ ] children and which is now merged with Easter Seals. >> Mhm. and looking at it from the point of being el disabled. Um, you know, this is not a place where you would
017want to live because you can't get around. And that's what I'm trying to see. I mean like are do I know you guys have probably been grasping at regular you know and trying to do what you can but have we looked into the American Disabilities Act because in the city of Detroit there are special lights and sounds and things for people to cross the street. >> Mr. city manager. Could you address that for >> I'm not familiar with that, but I can certainly look into it. >> No, I mean, uh, our sidewalks, the end of our sidewalks are all have the bricks. That's through the American Disabilities Act. We've addressed that with the bricks at almost every intersection. >> That's awesome. You know, >> but I'm just saying is there, you know, is that worth
018be I'm willing. I mean, I will help advocate and you know, >> well, if you can come up with something that we don't know about, please get a hold of the city manager. >> You know, I'm I'm trying to figure out and brainstorm and I don't know any of you people. I mean, I've never, you know, even been, but um, you know, I'm just trying to figure out because, um, I don't like to hear the fact that my neighbors are moving. >> Mhm. >> Cuz I was like so excited cuz we got a house full of little kids on my block and now they're like going to move and I'm like, man, you know, we got a bunch of old people living there and some kids move in. But I mean, that's kind of what
019I'm saying. And I'm just wondering if there's, you know, any I mean, do you do you guys do like uh a community task force or to like draw more of the school and the community into um making a realization of how bad and how dangerous the traffic is to the population, all population. >> We've addressed uh you spoke of it once before uh the corner of Grove and Division. Uh we addressed that with the road commission and brighten up the intersection. The chief of police came up with something else to brighten up the intersection and make alert to the people. That's for the kids to be crossing in the morning in the dark, especially during the winter. We've addressed that. We we we also supply all the crossing guards at all the uh on the
020main mainly Main Street uh intersections. That's on the taxpayer of the city of Richmond. Um we can only do so much with what we have. I think we've done a great job with what we have so far. >> But I'm not I'm not saying that you haven't you know what can we do? What can we do as a community? How can we figure out to get, you know, with school starting, you know? >> Yep. >> Can we go address it with the Cuz I'll go talk to Brian. I have no problem. I worked for him for a long time. >> Yeah. No, we don't have any problem either working with the superintendent. >> But I mean, you know, if him to say to get like the community together to do something. Um, >> I think
021what you need to do norm I should have told you we usually only allow three minutes on this and you've gone. No, no, no. I I the subject needed to be brought up, but I would refer you to the city manager. That's his job to sit down with you and if you have some ideas, he bounce them off our city manager, John, and he's going to bring those back to the city council. If there's something that is feasible that we can do, we'll be more than happy to do it. >> That's I don't have a problem. I just didn't know what to do. And I I told him that the other day. Okay. I'm sorry. >> No, you're fine. You're fine. You're fine. I let you go because the subject need to be >> You
022got to tell me all the rules. >> No, ma'am. You're fine. You're fine. >> but anybody else out there, it's three minutes. >> No, we we appreciate your input. >> And if you can help us in any way, we would appreciate it. We just >> we're at wits end what to do in this community like so many other communities are. If you have something or an idea, the way is to communicate is straight to John and then John gets it to all of us. >> So, Mr. Mayor, can I just add one thing? Sure. >> You talked about the traffic and the growing leaps and bounds. Richmond has about 6,000 people. Now, you got to remember that M19 goes right through Richmond. >> The surrounding communities are growing. That's where the cars are all coming
023from. It's not from the community. It's from the cars going through Richmond. and they're trying to bypass the light to go north or turn. So, just to clarify that that it's not Richmond residents that are driving crazy all the time. It's you have your surrounding communities, the tens of thousands that live that are growing in the surrounding communities are growing leaps and bounds >> and that everybody wants to live up this way. So, Richmond's only so big. We can only accept so many houses. So, just so you know. Okay. Okay. Anybody else like to address council at this time? >> Okay, we'll move on here. Uh, Mr. City Manager, any changes in the agenda? No changes. City council, any changes? >> No. >> Make a motion to accept the agenda as presented. >> I'll make
024a motion. >> Support. >> Motion been made and supported. Any discussion? >> Being not. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. I. >> Against. Motion does pass. Is there a motion for the consent agenda? >> Make a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. support >> motion made and supported. There's no discussion on the motion. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Against. Motion does pass. We move on to items for consideration. We have eight this evening. The first one being consideration of special request for 67 808 Leen Court Leland Court dwarf goats. Mr. City Manager. Council is scheduled to consider a petition from Scott Bell to keep two dwarf Nigerian goats on property located at 67808 Lee Lane Court. Uh Mr. Bell
025states that it is their desire to have the goats as emotional support animals. The properties to the north, south, east, and west are developed with single family residences. Uh the subject property is approximately 64 acres in size. Uh the applicant is proposing a 4540x40 pen. Uh the closest adjacent house to the pen uh to the northeast is approximately 93 ft from the house. Uh there's also uh another house to the east that's approximately 101 ft. Uh we have included in the uh background brief uh a map showing the um distances. Uh the uh city uh livestock ordinances state that no person shall keep any livestock within the city except by permission of the city council. Um and then uh it also provides that uh uh it's council's role uh to determine that if it shall
026appear to the council that it will not be detrimental to the health, safety, and welfare of the inhabitants of the city or constitute a public nuisance uh then you may issue the or shall issue the uh permit. Um we've discussed this several times uh uh at council. We we first uh discussed that I believe at our um first meeting in June. Uh on Tuesday, May 20th, uh eight uh letters were mailed to the surrounding properties. Um there were three properties that responded in favor of the request and two properties that responded that they were against the request. Uh and then all of the information uh is in your packet tonight. Thank you, Mr. Bell. Would you like to speak to it before council discuss it? >> I'm just looking forward to hearing where we're at
027with it. That's all. Um, I don't think I need to say any more that's been said until I hear a decision. Thank you. >> Thank you. Is there a motion? I'll make a motion to deny the petition from Scott Bell to keep two Nigerian uh dwarf goats on the property located at 67808 Leland Court as request uh will be detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of any inhabitants of the city or will constitute a public nuisance. >> Support motion been made and supported discussion. Yeah, just um I know we talked quite lengths at the workshop and other meetings and um I thought this over and I understand the position of Mr. Bell uh on the support um but uh unfortunately he got the goats before he got the permit. Um and I think the
028in talking with the last workshop um listening to council in the future I think things are going to change on our livestock uh ordinances. Um, so at this point, uh, not going to be in favor of the curriculum. >> Okay. Anybody else? Yes, Mr. Mayor. Um, the way I look at this and I've looked at all of the the letters for and against the proximity to where to, you know, it it's it's basically in the middle of a subdivision. So, it's surrounded by a lot of a lot of different houses. The two that are against are the top Well, there's they're the closest ones are against of the top three. There's one that's in favor, and it's the second second distance away, but the ones that are against look like they have the ones that
029are going to be um seeing and hearing the goats. And I did look up some information to try to figure out, you know, cuz I went by there and and heard some the noise they I didn't even know what it was called. So I looked it up. It's not, you know, like a dog barks. Goats bleet. Bell e. >> Mhm. >> B L E A T. So, and there's various different reasons why they do it. It's for they express their impatience, maintain contact with their herd, which would be, you know, normal, seek attention when injured or treated or injured or trapped. I assume that that bleet would be different than the ones that they're, you know, just normally would be doing. Um, indicate hunger or thirst, call to other goats in the herd. So, I
030looked at that and then I actually heard heard the goats. I mean, it's not offensive at all, but it's a goat. It's a it's the sound of that you would hear a goat on a farm or something. But I was thinking of those neighbors that voted against and even the ones that are in favor, they probably don't Well, now they do because they can probably hear it. But, you know, I like animals and if I heard that, I wouldn't know until I, you know, basically looked it up more to figure out what the different degrees of why they're making that particular bleed. But if I had to hear it all the time, I would be one concerned. Maybe something's going on. Um Um, you know, so I don't know if that's going to be the
031case. If people are going to hear it, they're going to start calling the police or something to to indicate that as well. um you know so with the and in the past so in the past going back many years I don't know we've been doing this for a while first with chickens and ducks and we looked at where they were located and you know it started out being all the the far out parts of town like on pound road where they have a lot of property and there's greater distance between the neighbors um then it kind of started encroaching getting chicken requests for similar into subdivisions and we somewhat looked at it and said okay well it's a bigger lot. They did get in those cases usually universal approval from the neighbors or no no
032response at all. And that's when we it was easier for us to make that decision. But when we had some that came to us with with ducks that were in neighbor or not ducks, chickens that were neighbors neighborhoods similar to this um and smaller lot sizes and being in the middle of the community, we did approve some, but they again had large large pieces of property and had much more separation. So I started looking at, well, is there any real good reason that I could see from, you know, thinking from a neighbor's perspective of of allowing it? And my the cons outweighed the pros. So that's kind of kind of where I was looking at. And then I was also thinking, I don't know if these goats, I don't think it's said anywhere, if they're
033going to be out 100% of the time or if they're going to be, you know, bad weather or something. Are they going into the garage or are they even in the house? So, um, if they're going to be out all the time, there's going to be a lot more I mean, I'll call it noise, but it's not I mean, it is it is a noise. And if you're trying to enjoy your your backyard or something and you're constantly hearing that, it's it may be emotional support for for the for the resident that's requesting this, but I would look at it might be kind of not emotional support for the rest of the neighborhood and could potentially cause a little bit of anxiety not knowing why these goats are making the noise. So, um, I have,
034you know, so anyway, I those are my comments. >> Thank you. Thank you. Anybody else? The fact that uh the two neighbors that are joining the back of the property there are against it and continue to be against it since the ghosts have been there. And um I think more so now than uh originally. Um I looked up to see what the health, safety, and welfare as it's quoted in our ordinance, what that means. and uh really comes down to if it poses a significant and often objective threat to the quality of life of the neighborhood. And in this case, the two neighbors that I think will be affected the most are saying no. In the past, when we've had, as Mike mentioned, when we've had neighbors that have opposed it, often we have gone
035and and denied. Um and I would have to deny uh this uh tonight. It's it's too bad that the ghosts were put in there in the first place uh without permission. Um but as council has since discussed, we will be taking another look uh in the very near future at uh changing the ordinance. Uh the ordinance was was it 1965 >> 63 I think and then rolled into the city ordinances >> from the village. Yeah. So, it was quite an antiquated uh ordinance to begin with, but um I I see that it uh it's it's not good for the at least the two neighbors uh right now. Uh, and there's other reasons I I believe um with uh issues uh the noise, potential smell um and just unsanitary conditions uh that uh can happen with
036uh with the goats. Not not a lot bigger than the chickens that we've approved in the past and and uh whatnot. But uh I I'm going to have to deny. Uh also any other comments where I go to the public? >> I just had one more. >> Mhm. >> I because then I thought about well maybe if the cuz right now there's not a privacy fence. It's it's um it's a fence, but it's a chain link type of fence. Not even that. But um I thought, well, would that help? But then I was thinking, well, no, if you're hearing these noises, at least if you were there, you could potentially go look and maybe see that, hey, they're just, you know, asking for food or or whatever. But, you know, them putting up a fence
037would would it might muff a tiny bit more of the sound, but it would still be there. So, I didn't think that that was going to really help the situ. I might from the appearance and you can't can't see that what's going on. But it was just another thing that I was thinking about and weighed when I was determining um what to do. >> Is there any public comment on this? >> Go right ahead. >> What are the proper channels to appeal? Uh >> court court probably. >> Circuit. >> That'd be for your attorney to >> Yeah. determine. >> Who do I contact? >> Your attorney. >> Yeah. You You would go through the city. >> Okay. >> You would start with me and then I'll >> So there's been a lot of what ifs.
038What if it smells? What if there's noise? Richmond allows livestock in the city according to the ordinance. It's not a The goats are not a prohibited animal. If >> by permission of the city council, >> correct? you you continue to forget to mention that, >> right? With permission from city council, which is why we're here. If it is proven that it is a threat to society or a nuisance or anything like that, >> then it can be denied. But they've been here for 2 and 1/2 months, and to my knowledge, there's been no complaints made. No, nobody's addressed anything with me. The smell, goat manure doesn't have a smell. The rain washes it down. It's small. It's being portrayed as like a generational farm. It's not going to smell like that. They're two small goats
039and goats make noise the same way dogs do. Dogs are allowed. So, I don't think it's really been taken into consideration that the permit should be granted and if there's violations along the way, the permit is revoked. >> Mhm. >> And that was one of the things I said when I first got up here was allow me to have the goats and if something goes ary, all fair, the goats go >> because I'm pretty confident that it'll be under control. So, I also am a little concerned with the proximity of my neighbor who is a city council member and the ability he's had to basically thump the table. There's a saying, if you have the law, thump the law. If you have the facts, thump the facts. If you have nothing at all, pound the
040table. And there's been, in my opinion, a lot of table pounding. A lot of things thrown out that have not been proven. Mhm. >> And if the permit is granted and they are proven, then the permits revoked and the goats go. I've never I haven't been given the opportunity to even get a permit and own a livestock, which is allowed in the city. If they were prohibited, they'd be >> with permission. That's correct. >> Yeah. With permission from the city council. And that's where you're at right now. City council's taking great consideration to this. We didn't act on this immediately. we want to take a better look at this because uh it was a major concern of ours and so yes uh it you know that's why we're where we're at today. Um so you
041got to remember that it's it's by permission of the city council. The the city does not allow you to have those animals without first getting the permission from the city council. You went backwards. you you went and got them knowing that you needed permission from city council and sadly we're here today telling you you can't have them because of our concerns that's that we have stated and the concern that is uh you know the right that is given to the city council through the ordinance. So so eight neighbors touch my property and two have an issue. I only know of one that wrote anything in. I was told of the other one. However, there's interaction between that family and the goats, and it seems to be totally fine. Um, but I haven't heard how it's
042a threat or a nuisance. I heard whatifs, but not that they actually are. Goats, if you look them up, you can look all this stuff up and also through my experience in having the goats for the 2 and 1/2 months is I don't see a threat to anybody. And where the goats are located on the property can be moved around. I don't not sure if anybody came to the property to take a look. I invited everybody to do so, >> but there's structures, sheds, trees, large patch trees, bushes, everything. >> So, I'm not really sure how that inconveniences anybody at all. I'm I don't see where the threat or the nuisance comes in. >> Okay. Well, evidently uh so far three councilmen have indicated that they do see that it's uh a concern and are
043spoken to the motion so far that they want to deny it. What the other three councilmen that are here have not have not said. They can uh you know state that or they can simply vote. So it's not for us to sit here and prove or disprove what we're saying. We will vote how we feel according to the ordinance. And that's it. And there's no appeal process in place. >> No, there there would be no. We are the appeal process. The city council were elected to represent the general public of the city of Richmond. >> And no concerns about conflict of interest with Mr. Warren's proximity to this situation. >> There's no conflict of interest, a true conflict of interest. You can say that in in the innuendos, but no, we haven't beat on the
044table. I've given you every opportunity to speak at every time that we've talked about this. I felt there was table pounding in the closed door session when Mr. Warren said he didn't want me to have a privacy fence so he could keep an eye on what's going on in my backyard accusing me of breeding goats and all sorts of other stuff. >> Oh well, I I didn't I didn't see that. That isn't I don't know. >> We were all there. >> Yeah, we were all there. Absolutely. Yeah. I didn't see it. I didn't appre I don't I don't believe that that was what you consider pounding table pounding. He spoke his peace like we have the right to do like any other American does. That's why we're here. And as you are standing there right
045now, you have that right to speak. We don't have to agree with you. You don't have to agree with us, but it's our decision whether or not you have those goats there. How does this apply to the other goats and the pigs and the chickens and everything that are in town? Because of neighbor objection or what does it come down to then? [Music] an application. John, would you like to? >> Yeah. Yeah. Well, and and councelor Mravich uh expressed his concern on on what it related to as far as in my view with the noise general nuisance. Again, it's the ordinance states that the council have shall if it shall appear to the council that there's conflicts there and and I think that the council believes there that appears that it is. Um to your
046point on the uh conflict of interest, I did contact the city attorney um who reviewed our charter language and and determined that there isn't a conflict of interest for any of the council members sitting here tonight to vote on that. Um so again, it's an older ordinance. the wording is it if it shall appear so that it puts the onus on the council to determine whether they feel it appears uh to constitute any of those items. So but with what Mike has talked about I would say that uh kind of the general nuisance uh with the noise uh is is where what he was speaking of. Um and again this is as the mayor mentioned the ordinance states you shall not keep it other than by permit of the council. The permit of the council
047is the appeal to the the first line of the ordinance which shall not be uh kept. And so if you feel that a wrong decision has been made, that would be up to you to take it through the courts. That is the appeal. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. Anybody? >> I have something to say. >> You just said that you have a a shelter back there, a fence back there. There's nothing in your backyard. for you to come up here and attack me like that, personally attack me because you're not happy with the decision put down by this. There's no shed. There's no pen. There's nothing. You said you were going to put a pen up. There's no pen in the backyard. There's no shelter in the backyard and they're loud. And then you went
048and you told tell everybody, I talked to all my neighbors and they're okay with that. You didn't. You know you didn't. >> And for you to for you to come in here and personally attack me. >> I pay taxes here, too. >> Did you not say you don't want me to put up a privacy fence to help situation so you can look in my backyard and see what's going on? You literally said that. >> I never said that. >> Yes, you did. >> Well, why did you put the privacy fence where you got the uh goats? >> Because I didn't think it was going to be required. I offered it as a solution >> and it never got put up there. >> And this is the table thumping I'm talking about here. This aggressive bully
049tactic that I saw in the closed door. >> You attacked me. >> I didn't attack you. You said you don't want me to have a privacy fence so you can keep an eye on what's going on in my backyard. Then you said I was going to breed goats. >> No, I never did. >> The goats neutered like I said it would be. >> I never said that. >> I don't know what what you're hearing or what you're talking. So the things that you've said along the way, the rhetocoming of a council member. I mean, >> well, you're we appreciate your comments. John was out of order. You he felt that he was personally attacked. I would somewhat agree with him in comments that you made, but it doesn't make any difference. This is completely out
050of order at this point. So, I' I'd ask you to please sit down. This there is nobody else from the city or from the the public that wanted to speak to this, then it's back to the table. That's our premise here. That is our orders of uh business. Any other comment by the city council? I just want to make it real clear that there was no closed door sessions. All our sessions are open door to the public. >> Absolutely. So, >> absolutely. >> Anything else? >> If not, all in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. Motion does pass. Moving on. Item number two, consideration of special event request neighbors on Circle Lane. Mr. City Manager Council is scheduled to consider a request from Susan Foster on behalf of neighbors on Circle
051Lane to block off Circle Lane for their fifth annual neighborhood party. The uh party will be held on Saturday, August 16th from noon to 3:00 p.m. with uh Sunday, August 17th being reserved as the inclement weather date. Uh they have done this for multiple years with no issues. >> Thank you. Is there a motion? I'll make a motion to approve the request from Susan Foster to conduct the Circle Lane neighborhood block party on Circle Lane on Saturday, August 16th, 2025 with an inclement weather date of Sunday, August 17th from 12:00 p.m. to 3 p.m. and to allow the closure of Circle Lane from 69874 Circle Lane to the west entrance from Ridge Street. >> Support been made and support. Is there any discussion on this? Is there any audience comment on this? Back to the
052table. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Against. >> Motion does pass. >> Item number three is consideration of special event request Valor Beauty Lounge. Mr. City Manager. City Council is scheduled to consider a request, a special event request for a mobile food vendor from uh Valor >> velour beauty lounge. Thank you. Uh 67431 Main Street to have a mobile food vendor, the Rolling Casket Cactus, at their one-year anniversary event. Uh the anniversary event would be Friday, August 15th from 5 to 8:00 p.m. Uh I do want to make a correction on the motion. And it says the rolling taco. It should say the rolling cactus uh down there at the motion. And the uh owner is here tonight if you have any questions. >> Would you like to
053address council at this time, please? >> Yes. And your name and your address, please. >> You need my personal address and my business address because I do not live close. Okay. Hannah Philhart. Um business address is 67431 Main Street, Richmond, Michigan. Um, this is just a way to thank our customers for support for us being open for a year. So, um, the whole idea is just to kind of invite everybody and have fun and celebrate together. So, um, and the Roman Cactus is local as well, so I wanted to support someone local and just have everybody there. So, that's really all I've got. >> Okay. I have one question, one clarification. Uh, it does not state in here. Is uh, this strictly for your customers? Yeah. >> Okay. They're not. She's not going to be
054selling to the general. >> I don't believe so. No. The whole idea was for it to be for the customers. >> Yeah. Makes sense. Okay. Is there a motion? >> I'll make a motion to approve the special event request from Velour Beauty Lounge uh to have a mobile food vendor rolling cactus at their one-year anniversary customer appreciation day on Friday, August 15th, 2025 from 5:00 p. p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Support. Motion >> made and supported. Any discussion on this? Any other audience participation on this? Back to the table. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> against. Motion does pass and congratulations on your one year. >> You bet. Item number four, consideration adopting Richmond area good old good old days festival resolutions. Mr. City Manager. Council is scheduled to
055review the requests from the Richmond Gold Days Festival Committee for permission to conduct the 61st annual Good Days Festival and the special events in conjunction with the festival. This year, the Good Days is scheduled for Thursday, September 4th through Sunday, September 7th. Uh the majority of the items the festival is requesting are listed in resolution 2025-9. Most of the festival schedule and events are the same as in previous years. >> Thank you. Is there a motion? >> I'll make a motion to adopt resolution number 2025-6, which directs the city clerk to submit an application on behalf of the good old days festival committee to MDOT for permission permission to close M19 to conduct the Grand Parade and Children's Parade in conjunction with the 61st annual Good Old Days Festival. >> Support motion made and support.
056Any discussion on this item? Same thing since 1964. Any audience participation on this other than the two guys in the back row. Back to the table. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Against. Motion does pass. We have a second motion. I make motion to adopt resolution number 2025-7 which directs the city clerk to submit an application on behalf of good old days festival committee to MD dot permission to close M19 to conduct the outhouse race on Friday September 5th 2025 in conjunction with the 61st annual good old days festival >> support must be made and support any discussion on this same annual permit any audience participation on this back to the All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> A against. Motion does
057pass. Item number three. >> I make a motion to adopt resolution number 2025-8 which approves the request to conduct the fireworks display on Saturday, September 6th, 2025 in conjunction with the 61st annual good old days festival. >> Support. Motion been made and support. Any discussion on this? Any audience participation on this? Back to the table. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Against. Motion does pass. And we have the final motion. >> I make a motion to adopt resolution number 2025-9 which approves the request from the good old days festival committee to hang the banners, close certain streets and the city parking lots in conjunction with the 61st annual good old days festival. >> Supportment made and supported. Any discussion on this? The only change requested is to allow
058Skinner Drive Industrial Area to be used as parking for the demolition derby participants. We are hosting the state championship um bump and run on Thursday and the state championship for the demolition derby on Saturday. Last year at the last minute, we had to open up that because we ran out of room for the participants. So, um, it was noted from last year that, uh, we needed to request that from the city council this year. Otherwise, everything is exactly the same as it was last year. Any discussion? Any audience participation? You sure? Okay. Back to the table. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Against. Motion does pass. Seven weeks away. Okay. Item number five is consideration of purchase for the Richmond Volunteer Fire Department rescue one. Mr. City Manager,
059council scheduled to consider approving two quotes that make up the purchase of the new rescue truck for the Richmond Volunteer Fire Department. The truck was discussed during the preparation of the 2526 budget and funds are included in the fire department's budget for the purchase. Uh the truck cab and chassis will be purchased through the state of Michigan my deal program through La Fontaine CDJR Lancing. Uh the truck will be shipped directly from the factory to a dealership in Iowa where it will be delivered to Alumaline Incorporated for the installation of the rescue body. Uh including your packet are both quotes uh from each company. Uh as I stated the first quote is through the my deal. Uh the second according to the research performed by the Richmond Volunteer Fire Department, Aloom Line has considerable experience
060with the installation of these types of bodies on uh fire vehicles and are requesting the waiver of purchasing ordinance requirements on that motion uh to go with them. >> Thank you. Guys got anything to add to this, Steve? [Music] Yeah, first of all, like um John said, the the uniqueness with the uh the luminal line, the body um going on there, it's customuilt. They build for many fire manufacturers. Uh through extensive research, Joel's project coordinator, lieutenant uh from the fire department, project coordinator was in contact with them. So, we were able to cut out the middleman on that and save considerable amount of money to do it. So, that's why a little bit unique in that way. We shopped for our own truck. We were kind of like the business agent on that deal. Uh
061Joel did a lot of work and probably been working on for probably a year trying to put all together for the best uh savings for the city. >> Very good. Any questions? Council motion be in order. Make a motion to authorize the purchase agreement Lafontaine CDJR-lancing in the amount of $53,358 for the rescue one cab chassis with expenses charged appropriate light item fire fund equipment acquisition. >> Support most made and supported. Any discussion? >> Do you not as we have discussed this quite a bit over the past year? All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. I >> against motion does pass. We also have the second motion for the aluminum line. Is there a motion? I make a I make a motion to wave the purchasing ordinance requirements due to section 64-53D
062and to authorize a quote from Alumaline Incorporated for $48,985 for the rescue one aluminum service body with the expense charge the appropriate line item fire fund equipment acquisition 206-336-977.0 >> support made and support. Any discussion on this >> being that? Roll call, please. >> Mr. Avich, >> yes. >> Yellen, >> yes. >> Ricks, >> yes. >> Allen, >> yes. >> Warren, >> yes. >> Leafur, >> yes. Motion does pass. Thank you, gentlemen. >> Yeah. On behalf of the fire department, we'd like to thank council for really supporting the guys up there and providing them with the best equipment out there to do their jobs. >> Great. Great. You guys saved us uh taxpayers, city of Richmond some money there, too. >> Thank you. >> Great job. Thank you. >> Item number six, consideration to purchase
063Richmond uh police department tasers. Mr. City Manager, >> city council is scheduled to consider approving the purchase of six taser units for the Richmond Police Department. Both the fiscal year 2425 and 2526 police department budgets included the purchase of three uh taser systems for each fiscal year. Uh the ones for 2425 weren't purchased. So we're recommending that we purchase all six uh in this year. Uh as we discussed during the budget workshop, Axon, the current company that produces and sells the taser, uh has kind of changed their purchase model where you buy a subscription essentially for 5 years uh for the tasers. Comes with training and and uh updates and everything. So, uh, before you that's that's why you see, uh, kind of the the overall cost of the contract is 13,275, but the yearly,
064uh, price is 2,655. And Chief is here to answer any questions. >> Chief, anything to add to that? >> Um, not much to add. Just as city manager said, they did change their purchasing policy. In years past, you could buy one taser with one cartridge if you wanted to. Um, nowadays, you can't do that. you have to get a subscription and within that subscription is all the cartridges that you're going to use or potentially use and then uh the certifications that come along with it. So, it's significantly different. It's uh it's not peace meal anymore. You have to get with the 5-year plan. >> Very good. Very good. Is there a motion? I'll make a motion to wave purchasing ordinance requirements due to sole source provider under section section 64-53 and authorize the purchase of
065six taser systems from Axon in the amount of $13,275 over a 60-month period with expense charge to the appropriate line item police department equipment acquisition >> support been made and supported. Any discussion on this item? This was budgeted for, so we have already talked about it during our budget meetings. >> Roll call, please. >> Horn, >> yes. >> Ricks, >> yes. >> Yellen, >> yes. >> Mr. Avich, >> yes. >> Leaf, >> yes. >> Allen, yes. >> Motion does pass. Thank you, Chief. >> Item number seven, consideration amendment to cable commission bylaws, rules of procedure. Mr. City Manager. City Council is scheduled to consider approving amendments to the cable commission bylaws and rules of procedure. At the July 2025 cable commission meeting, the commission reviewed their bylaws and rules of procedure and approved the changes
066that are in front of council. Uh they hadn't been updated in quite some time. Uh there was a whole section that still related to the Northeastern MCOME cable consortium or NEMC uh that we haven't been a part of for several years. Uh and then uh over the years we've changed from having monthly meetings to bimonthly meetings. Uh the bylaws stated that uh the commission would have no less than 12 meetings. So we're saying no less than six. We do from time to time have special meetings scheduled or you know if we need additional meetings more than six uh we can but uh wanted to kind of have the bylaws accurately reflect uh current procedures and our cable coordinator Jason Robbins is here to answer any questions. >> Jason, would you like to add anything to
067that? >> Um not really. We were just going through uh we have several new members that have come out in the past couple of years that so we were going through reviewing the franchise agreement and what their responsibilities are and we pulled out older documents and including the bylaws and it's like oh we should probably this should probably be updated so and it's on now here uh here for you. >> Very good. Thank you. Is there a motion? >> I'll make a motion to approve the amendments to the cable commission bylaws and rules of procedure >> support. Motion made and supported. Any other discussion on this item? Good to get it updated. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Motion does pass. Thank you. >> Item number eight is
068consideration of board res resignation Lois Wner Memorial Library. Mr. City Manager. City Council is scheduled to consider accepting the resignation of Linda Massimuke from the library board. As indicated in her resignation letter, she plans uh on moving out of the community uh which would make her no longer eligible to serve on the board. >> Thank you. Is there a motion? >> I'll make a motion to accept the resignation letter from Linda Matim from the library board. >> Support made and supported. Any discussion on this? just like to thank her for her time on that board and wish her well and her move to another community. Any other comments? All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Against. >> Motion does pass. Miscellaneous matters from the city manager. Sir, uh I
069think there are all the flyers are under the calendar there. There are a lot of uh events happening this upcoming weekend. So, uh go to the city website uh and our different Facebook pages and you'll you'll be able to see all those events. >> Okay. Council comments, Michael. >> All set. Thank you, Dennis. >> All set, >> Emily. >> Nothing tonight. Thank you, >> John. >> I'm all set. >> Okay. Uh let's go to the calendar. We got quite a few things here again. Uh they must have felt left out uh because it's been a couple of months since we've had all these uh senior pool party on Friday, July 25th from 10:30 a.m. to 100 p.m. The fee is $10. It's adults 55 and over. And any questions on that? 7273064 over to the
070parks and recck garage sale Saturday, July 26th. That will be from 8:30 to 1:00 p.m. That's put on by our recreation department. It will be held over at BB Park, I believe. That's where it's been in the past. >> Yes. Yeah, I'm sure. Anyhow, uh same thing there. Any questions? 7273064. That's this Saturday. Pancake fundraiser at the Odd uh will be going on on July 27th, Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There is a charge for this. This uh is a uh uh nonprofit uh that's going to be utilizing the odd and having the pancake uh item and uh there it is. Compassionate wings is the nonprofit that will be presenting the pancake fundraiser at the odd. That's this Sunday. Also announcing the summer youth football camp uh put on by our parks and
071wreck by a couple of Richmond graduates and a uh Emily City graduate. Uh that is going to be happening July 28th through the 31st in the festival field in BB Park. The time for that is going to be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. There is a cost. Again, uh you can contact uh Richmond Recreation at for any questions or to sign up for that Richmond Hometown Heroes. Uh if the shoe fits shoe drive, that shoe drive has been going on since April. It is going to end on July 29th. The drop off location is right here at city hall where the police department is. And the shoe distribution will be on Saturday, August 2nd at the Odd on Main Street. Um, let's see. What do we got here? Uh, well, I don't see. Can they
072call 7274000? That's correct. >> Okay. Call 7274000. We'll take you into the police department. They probably can answer any questions you may have on this. And this is a combination. Uh it's our new hometown heroes. Uh they are a nonprofit uh all volunteers from the uh Richmond Police and Dispatch uh volunteer fire department and the Richmond Lennox EMS. So they are having a great event there. And this is our our newest uh uh time out in our new paved parking lot on the north end of town. the uh city of Richmond's TIFFA and Many's banquet center uh have come together and they are having a free concert on Friday, August 1st. Um that's from 7 to 900 p.m. and that bring your own lawn chair. It's going to be held in the parking lot on
073the north end. If you have questions, 727-9727. It is called the Topmost Beatles Tribute and I have heard of them and I've read about reviews on them. They're a very good band. It's it's not just uh them playing Beatles. I believe they have a change of costumes for the different decades that the Beatles uh represented themselves. So, it should be a good time. Again, that is on August 1st from 7 to 9. And it is free. We go to the calendar. And today being the 21st, we have a TIFFA meeting uh on the 23rd right here at city hall at 7:00. We uh again have the community garage sale on Saturday the 26th. Um commercial house uh formerly chaps is having their car show. I believe it's from 12 to 3. >> Yes, correct. >>
074Yeah, from 12 to 3. that will be again held uh in the uh parking uh area behind um commercial house and u that uh proved to have quite a few cars last year. The mayor is going to have his Mustang there this year too. That takes us into August, believe it or not. The next regular city council will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, August 4th, right here at city hall. Is there anything else that we need to announce? If not, is there any other business to the city council this evening? Being not motion to adjurnn would be in order. >> I'll make a motion to adjurnn. >> Support. >> Motion made and supported. There's no discussion on the adjournment motion. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. I.
075>> Against. Motion passes. Thanks for being with us. Heat. Heat. [Music]