[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6069738,"mediaKeyId","3066839-3ca0ed8566d106d9f746e0478776e4a4","parentId",3066839,"title","Residents raise pigeons, library, downtown study and deer concerns during public comment","audioSeconds",659,"startMs",428000,"endMs",1087000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3066839-3ca0ed8566d106d9f746e0478776e4a4&start=428&end=1087","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3066839-3ca0ed8566d106d9f746e0478776e4a4/thumbnail_428000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6069738/Livonia/Wayne-County/Michigan/Residents-raise-pigeons-library-downtown-study-and-deer-concerns-during-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6069738-566c137598794df8bfbc4c16ced9a272/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172256&Signature=ioaZfWDM~8GcB7MPDltn-CtT-RP2evCXi3Ay4OROd1wJugOXRH9uZkTQanAKs1MCvuLro3U7uQsz05ZjGCrSrJB87NHVbL8MK~mfHBiR92qyS3Uoxepcn14ZUtGrqmEb62hYINCgdxab56c6ErtUSuC210974kizYKZ2-svWHWJ8X8jAzbmr3q49eHn6D-gsSMgZyPge32Cyaq0lDmMaw6XSoCFcSCcnXorT8p0n6KcC-yJ~oYI3w6IHFCWYny7GBEGy3qJgaXEZFSwBki8HrA8CAuDlDOsYVeS71ocqEZTuoKMTlpr6sv~nAb0-NwuyskHNhHt9zv6V0~uPVtlZIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","LivoniaTV","date","2025-03-31T00:00:00Z","article","Livonia — During the council’s public comment period, residents raised a range of neighborhood concerns including requests for an ordinance to regulate large pigeon lofts, support for the city library and its leaking atrium, calls for a special public meeting on a downtown/city‑center study, and requests for stronger action on deer control, hazardous trees and commercial blight.

Freya Jacoby, a resident of Parker Street, asked the council to consider a municipal ordinance to limit the number of pigeons kept in residential neighborhoods after a neighbor announced plans for an 80‑bird loft. Jacoby noted other municipalities set limits — she cited Dearborn Heights’ limit of 15 — and offered to help draft language. Council staff asked Jacoby to provide contact information so administration could follow up.

Several speakers addressed library issues. Ralph Brown and Robert Van Orden urged the council to keep the Robert and Janet Library open during renovations; Van Orden described a low‑cost maintenance option for the library’s glass atrium (polish and commercial sealant) and said a local contractor could perform guaranteed maintenance to stop leaks. Administration staff agreed to collect contact information and evaluate the proposal.

Multiple residents criticized how the city‑center study meeting had been handled and urged a special public meeting to give residents a chance to see materials and ask questions. One speaker said the study session was long and not televised, and called for better public access.

Other public comments included requests for stronger regional coordination on deer control and a warning that storm seasons are creating a higher number of dead and hazardous trees on public streets; one resident urged a significant increase in the tree‑removal budget. Another resident expressed concern about conversion of residential properties to homes for the elderly and described multiple such facilities opening near her home; she asked council to review the matter and promised to provide documentation.

Council members and staff responded in several instances by directing speakers to provide contact information to the city’s office manager so staff can follow up outside the meeting. No formal council action was taken during the public comment period on these items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Livonia City Council Regular Meeting - March 31, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Livonia — During the public comment period at the Livonia City Council meeting, residents urged the city to limit large pigeon lofts, address library leaks, hold more accessible public meetings for a downtown study, and act on deer, hazardous trees and nearby residential conversions to elder‑care facilities.","taxTitle","Livonia, Wayne County, Michigan","taxId",4046,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6069748,"Livonia council approves three-year firefighters contract with roughly 20% pay increase",361,2868000,3229000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3066839-3ca0ed8566d106d9f746e0478776e4a4&start=2868&end=3229","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3066839-3ca0ed8566d106d9f746e0478776e4a4/thumbnail_2868000.jpg","/articles/6069748/Livonia/Wayne-County/Michigan/Livonia-council-approves-three-year-firefighters-contract-with-roughly-20-pay-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6069748-26402a2f2bda93601738ca0e221a75eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172256&Signature=J9OLEtcfaySknQLtJTLFzQEGkQmd~v5bIbM2LjyFc3YfMwQGA8b78hgjxRBnUYVHKJSoSVmAGgn0EwLrBTqsnkBKQoZl3ZuPAOi2zj8YG6vGzV84NfiFU1s1Q35jVw5ZIH7M5dqAG-KBiJ-IHvYhQjpROedQt7u3WlkqfBGG~uco~s8KBsrdKqywaNuTqLbMeXMTpqJdGkTdRyNoTByeFDp0gswbCbhlpa1c0H2BXtrd~FlQf~nb~5adWPENCTPbNKEkC1UrQZBlk7dStqRtymykpQaKvYBuDc8jnJs8ovPu02u9ZIAXhoJu7PM5iWaZB-MdABLc3WP9QxX1lKdlFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Livonia — The Livonia City Council unanimously approved a three-year collective bargaining agreement for the Livonia Firefighters Union covering Dec. 1, 2024, through Nov. 30, 2027, and separately approved corresponding salary and fringe adjustments for the fire chief and deputy chief.

The civil service department presented the contract in the council meeting. “We want to be a destination employer,” Janine Leibel of the civil service department said, summarizing the administration’s goals. Leibel told council the contract was negotiated to address recruiting challenges and keep Livonia competitive with nearby municipal employers.

The agreement includes an approximate 20% wage increase spread over three years for rank-and-file firefighters, elimination of wage tiers that had previously created near‑hire-date disparities, a promotion bonus tied to a comprehensive assessment center, an additional paid holiday (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) and a workers‑compensation supplement consistent with other bargaining units. Leibel also described a medical expense reimbursement plan available through the union and said the union membership approved the agreement by about an 80% vote.

Council members who spoke praised the outcome. “They are our heroes,” Councilman Rob Donovic said, adding that balancing fiscal responsibility with public‑safety staffing is a top council priority.

Council also approved a separate motion to extend equivalent salary and benefit adjustments to the fire chief and deputy chief so department leadership is not disadvantaged after stepping out of the bargaining unit. Administration staff explained those changes mirror the bargaining‑unit benefits and are intended to retain leaders who rose through the ranks.

Votes at a glance
- Collective bargaining agreement with Livonia Firefighters Union (12/01/2024–11/30/2027): approved, vote 6–0.
- Salary and fringe benefit adjustments for fire chief and deputy chief (same period): approved, vote 6–0.

What happens next
The contract is effective for the stated period; the city will implement the pay and benefit changes as negotiated. The civil service department said some program details (for example, administration of the medical reimbursement plan) will be carried out by the union or through employee benefit vendors.

Speakers quoted or referenced in this report are drawn from the council meeting transcript and include civil service department staff and council members who discussed the contract.","Livonia — The Livonia City Council unanimously approved a three-year collective bargaining agreement for the Livonia Firefighters Union covering Dec. 1, 2024, through Nov. 30, 2027, and separately approved corresponding salary and fringe adjustments for the fire chief and deputy chief.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6069742,"Committee report: Livonia plans for expanded senior housing, rec services and partnerships",94,2344000,2438000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3066839-3ca0ed8566d106d9f746e0478776e4a4&start=2344&end=2438","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3066839-3ca0ed8566d106d9f746e0478776e4a4/thumbnail_2344000.jpg","/articles/6069742/Livonia/Wayne-County/Michigan/Committee-report-Livonia-plans-for-expanded-senior-housing-rec-services-and-partnerships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6069742-57e0ff310b47dac2211bc898b3bc6f8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172256&Signature=MVI3iPiUFmuTMSpmo6Cb1dMUcSSAaogNHx9YQ9PYTYq0v5kh09lj2P-5MWx-ftX24lhPv1-~r9eolw~yRLFaLf84oQIEJCUhB84NW9k70AsC5WlPmrYxKh585isGSyqXAaarMFZwd7YVryor3buQM99QrVMtjOiUh3D1V1VdhMIjnaL~aOvB2f4~aK1WxQSQpYA~PfM6sg7kPB7aIBKnwYF~cQugmSF0xFWm1rIKH-OvRGFmg8UWiFBz58YAqn2OBQG0UZ4MVS47ws9gCj5zDq2AdH~D2BEQxXOhOiZV4do5HtjDzBvNM8r1UYdHIWZRRrt~qCUpm8x3cd7jCDZLLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Livonia — A city committee reported on a package of items affecting seniors and families, including transportation options, inclusive parks and recreation programming, and early planning for new senior housing.

Committee members and staff described Live and Go transit operations and a mobility study (see separate report). Parks and Recreation Director Ted Davis told the committee the department currently offers seasonal social events and partners with Wayne County programs such as RISE for inclusive physical‑education programming; the department uses rec facilities as pickup sites for regional services. Parks staff noted programs are costly and that Parks and Recreation is at capacity for current services, but continues to make targeted park improvements.

Housing Director Madison Birchness reported on an early‑stage proposal for a project called Newberg Village 2 (name to be finalized), a 9.5‑acre site just south of the current Newberg Village that would offer two‑bedroom ranch‑style units. The administration said the new property is intended to operate on a self‑funding model similar to existing Silver Village and Newberg Village properties and would not be a general‑fund liability to the city. Staff said they are coordinating with the fire department on shared space needs under consideration.

Committee discussion will continue; the report closed by noting all three topics remain under committee review and further public engagement will be scheduled.","A Livonia committee reported on senior transportation, recreation offerings for children with challenges, and early plans for a 9.5‑acre senior housing project (Newberg Village 2) described as self‑funding. Parks and Recreation noted capacity limits for expanded programs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6069745,"Council committee outlines phased mobility plan for Livonia; Wayne County transit millage noted as potential future cost",111,2200000,2311000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3066839-3ca0ed8566d106d9f746e0478776e4a4&start=2200&end=2311","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3066839-3ca0ed8566d106d9f746e0478776e4a4/thumbnail_2200000.jpg","/articles/6069745/Livonia/Wayne-County/Michigan/Council-committee-outlines-phased-mobility-plan-for-Livonia-Wayne-County-transit-millage-noted-as-potential-future-cost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6069745-ca78cefe5fa4585527d02249d4b6d417/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172256&Signature=H2Ib~B3F~56fgZ~Ph~dgzZnf0rZm5Fzfnf2gcqAXVfLVa-bWvjEC9PcMJ9iOT8LlCWtYX~Jp~SwCQ4D1y8WQU~Go5eLSR28fTHDhp~Knqd3sFYBzv2aln-qluiVOZ3IMVonWFpPH0i56ayv4O-x5T-iYhb91PBiavrVsPUV4qZxSMgVVsK6bj~p3PA4JdCeImSy-~z1q-i~9OK8PXev~b4YLqUGkAqb2MXGZJjZ5oSSIR-24jVVcMQT1-AF6wXOhij0a9ksSPs3HQMb7T3ZAQRW23TwTi8kISKuZNeCc8wuLhwMYOopBLumOtMPfmv3OtfB1RzZ1jQgpJ90Ir4WUCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Livonia — A city committee presented a multi‑phase mobility study that maps how Livonia’s Live and Go on‑demand transit service could evolve from an app‑based microtransit system to a regional fixed route if countywide funding becomes available.

At a committee report to the council, Live and Go manager McKinney described current operations: one office manager, two dispatchers, 17 drivers and 19 vehicles (some needing maintenance). Jacob Yuhazi of the Planning and Administration Department presented the mobility study’s five steps: transition to a digital booking app (Via), pilot microtransit on Plymouth Road, citywide microtransit, a deviated fixed route, and a regional fixed route. The city is not planning all those changes immediately and said it must first “right‑size” and invest in existing services.

Council members and staff noted the mobility study predated changes that could open Livonia to a regional transit program funded by a Wayne County millage. The administration told the committee the county millage is expected to be a future ballot initiative; the city’s share of such a millage was described in the meeting as roughly $5 million to $5.5 million annually. Officials said Livonia has been told it would receive a seat at the regional planning table if the millage proceeds.

Councilman Rob Donovic provided historical context: Livonia previously opted out of a prior regional bus system and saved substantial sums, but state law has changed, he said, and communities can no longer individually opt out; the result shifts the decision to a countywide vote. Donovic urged residents to follow the issue as the county prepares any ballot language.

The committee report said the administration has reached out to Wayne County and the Regional Transit Authority to demonstrate Livonia’s Live and Go lessons and to ask that potential millage funds support bike‑and‑walk projects and capital needs for existing Livonia services.

No council vote was held on the mobility study itself; the item remains in committee for further study and public engagement.","A committee report outlined a phased mobility plan that starts with Live and Go's shift to a digital booking app and could eventually include regional fixed-route transit if a Wayne County millage passes; the administration estimated a county millage could cost Livonia roughly $5 million–$5.5 million annually.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents raise pigeons, library, downtown study and deer concerns during public comment

Livonia council approves three-year firefighters contract with roughly 20% pay increase

Committee report: Livonia plans for expanded senior housing, rec services and partnerships

Council committee outlines phased mobility plan for Livonia; Wayne County transit millage noted as potential future cost