Livonia residents urge voters to reject millage, cite library access and maintenance problems

Two residents used the City Council’s audience‑comment period on July 7 to urge voters to reject a proposed millage, focusing criticism on library access, facility maintenance and the size and oversight of the package.

Christopher Martin told the council he plans to vote no and said the city should not replace the Civic Center Library "if it's not going to be open for my use or that of other residents,” noting repeated maintenance problems including elevator failures, a door‑open button that "doesn't work" for wheelchair users and a bathroom that is still "not ADA approved." He said past requests for repairs took more than a year and argued that the council’s limits on audience remarks reflected an effort to silence dissent.

Steve King, representing Coventry Gardens, urged residents to vote no and framed the millage as a broad fiscal risk: "If you vote yes, you're voting no to the Civic Center Library... If you vote yes, you're voting no to seniors on fixed incomes... This is a $200,000,000 blank check with very little public oversight or spending controls," he said. King listed other concerns including sustainability standards, delayed infrastructure for first responders and a lack of public consultation.

Council members acknowledged the comments during the study session. The public remarks were made during the audience‑communication portion of the meeting; the items referenced will be formally considered at the council’s July 21 regular meeting, where any millage proposals would be scheduled for official action.

The comments reflect public skepticism about the proposed levy’s priorities and timeline, and a desire among some residents for clearer timelines for maintenance and for assurances on accessibility before investing in new construction.