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Farmington City Council unanimously approves consent agenda, delegates Brownfield hearing to redevelopment authority
Summary
At its April 6 meeting Farmington City Council unanimously approved consent and regular agendas, delegated a required Brownfield Plan public hearing to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, discussed ordinance review committee options, and considered a $45,000–$60,000 rapid flashing beacon project; council asked staff to return with more information where needed.
Farmington City Council met April 6 and moved several items forward without dissent, unanimously approving the consent and regular agendas and delegating a statutorily required public hearing on a Brownfield Plan to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.
Mayor Pro‑Tem Johnna Balk moved to approve the consent agenda, which included the Market Manager contract, a resolution regarding the MI Home Program, a resolution concerning the Local Municipal Zoning Authority and the South Farmington Baseball Parade application. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Maria Taylor and carried 5–0.
On new business, administration recommended delegating the public hearing required by state law for a Brownfield Plan to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority so that the authority could gather public feedback and advise the council. The council approved the resolution to delegate the public hearing by roll call (yeas: Balk, LaRussa, Parkins, Schneemann, Taylor).
Council also discussed the proposed ordinance review committee structure. City Manager David Murphy outlined a proposed committee including the city clerk, city manager, assistant city manager, a councilmember at large, a planning commission member and a former Farmington mayor, with the city attorney serving as a non‑voting participant. Councilmember Maria Taylor said she was concerned the proposed structure resembled a charter review process rather than a focused ordinance update effort; City Attorney Tom Schultz said he would provide the council with options.
Under other business, the council discussed a rapid flashing beacon project for State Street. Murphy reported preliminary improvements (signage and vegetation trimming) and requested direction on whether to proceed with a beacon installation estimated at $45,000–$60,000; staff indicated the funds are budgeted and will go out to bid, with final approval to return to council.
Mayor Joe LaRussa closed council comments by noting a $4.2 million EPA Great Lakes Community Project grant for green infrastructure (no local match required) and Safe Streets Now funding available for traffic calming projects, and encouraged staff and council to consider projects that could qualify. The meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
Votes at a glance • Consent agenda (Market Manager contract; MI Home Program resolution; Local Municipal Zoning Authority resolution; South Farmington Baseball Parade application): Motion carried 5–0 (mover: Johnna Balk; second: Maria Taylor). • Regular agenda approval: Motion carried 5–0 (mover: Johnna Balk; second: Maria Taylor). • Resolution delegating Brownfield public hearing to Brownfield Redevelopment Authority: Approved by roll call vote, yeas: Balk, LaRussa, Parkins, Schneemann, Taylor (motion moved by Johnna Balk; seconded by Kevin Parkins).
The council asked staff to return with additional analyses on the financial forecast and to bring bids and a recommendation back to council for the State Street beacon project.
