City Of Northville: Farmers' Market Task Force Presents Plan

Press release from the City of Northville:

02/10/2022

Translate City Council recap of Feb. 7 meeting

The Farmers’ Market Task Force presented a framework plan to City Council, which identifies a proposed location for the future home of the Farmers’ Market since the current market will be displaced with the Downs development and no suitable site has yet been offered by the developer. The proposed location is on the former Macdonald Ford site, which is the same size (two acres) as the current market space. Plus, there’s the potential to purchase an adjoining lot of 1.5 acres. The site is envisioned to have an attractive enclosed building to be used for the market and as a year-round event venue. It features ample parking, a circular drive for food trucks, a small amphitheater (if the second lot is acquired), and a connection to Rouge Park, among other amenities.

Official support of task forces – City Council accepted a Resolution of Support drawn up by City Manager Pat Sullivan that conveys council’s support of the work process and ensuing reports presented by the Farmer’s Market Task Force, Ford Field Task Force, Rouge Restoration Task Force, and the Mobility Network (comprised of members of the Sustainability Team and RRTF), and The Walkability Report (comprised of members from several task forces). As such, the city will have the ability to apply for grants that often come up quickly, with the support of council. 

Prioritizing Task Force Initiatives – City Council approved a consultants’ proposal to assist administration and council with a strategic planning process that sets priorities for task force recommendations. Vettraino Consulting and Double Haul Solutions - both of southeastern Michigan – will move forward with their work at a not-to-exceed cost of $6,985. Workshops and surveys will be among the tools used to help determine what initiatives should take top priority from a long list proposed by the task forces and subcommittees. The final product will be a report to council based on input from council, administration, the public and key stakeholders. Vettraino has done work successfully for the city in 2018, when it advised on the phase-in of financial allocations for several major projects. 

New committee to advise/oversee public benefits of redevelopment - To effectively plan for and oversee public benefits of the Down’s redevelopment project, which is still under review, Council has established a new advisory committee named the Downs Project Advisory Committee. They appointed six members to DPAC: Mayor Brian Turnbull; Nancy Darga, Rouge Restoration Task Force chair; Dave Gutman, Sustainability Team chair; Pat McGow, Brownfield Authority Redevelopment Committee chair, Shawn Riley, Downtown Development Authority chair; and Donna Tinberg, Planning Commission chair.

DPW director named – Pat Sullivan introduced to council the new director of the Dept. of Public Works (DPW), Mike Domine, who previously served as interim director. Council members congratulated him on the promotion. 

DPW renews water leak detection program – Council approved a contract with Aqua-Line, of Findlay, Ohio, for $5,331 to check for leaks in water mains (35 miles) throughout the city. The company uses a special ‘listening’ tool that can detect a leak within 500- to 2,000-foot sections. With the installation of new water meters, water loss has already dropped from 24 percent to 16 percent. The goal is to maintain a citywide water-loss rate of 10-15 percent. 

Public comment

Jim Koster, 204 St. Lawrence Blvd., said during two recent mid-day walks in downtown Northville, he talked to a man and a couple who told him that the city seemed too quiet without cars and people (on the closed streets of the social district). He asked council to consider keeping the downtown streets open to traffic in the winter since people aren’t as likely to be outside.

During the DPAC section of the meeting, Koster asked what were the public benefits of the Downs project. He said he has worked with developers and they have a timeline for their benefit and questioned whether the public benefit portion would be just as quick. He also said remediation of the brownfield at the Downs must be closely monitored.

Nancy Chiri, 661 W. Main, thanked the DPW for clearing the streets after the big snowfall last week. She also commented on the demeanor of the Downs developer (Randy Wertheimer) when the Planning Commission meeting of Feb. 1 was nearing the building’s closing time and the PC voted to adjourn without a vote on the site plan that was being reviewed at the meeting. The developer said he would pay to keep the city staff there, if needed, so the meeting could continue. She questioned who is running the protocol for the meeting - is it the Planning Commission or the city staff? She said there’s a lot of data to take in when you are “building another city in the city.” She also advised council to hire a full-time, independent construction inspector to provide checks and balances on the development. She said there needs to be a clear, robust management plan for redevelopment oversight as part of the final site plan.  

Other comments

During the task force priority phase of the meeting, Nancy Darga, 516 N. Center, said sources of funding for the task force items should be part of infrastructure rather than capital improvements. She said she is excited about the strategic plan since the teams spent grueling hours on the task forces.

Council communications

Mayor Brian Turnbull said he attended the Fireman’s Banquet on Saturday night and it was great. He wished all a Happy Valentine’s Day. He said he received a check from a resident for $75,000 to put toward the task force projects. Calling the pending task force projects “transformational,” he noted the next four to 14 months is a time for grants and energy. 

Council Member Andrew Krenz said he will miss the Feb. 21 meeting because he will be on vacation with his family. He reported the Northville Youth Network meets at 8 a.m. on Feb. 8. (the second Tuesday of the month).

Council Member John Carter said the Fire Chief Matt Samhat firemen and some Explorers visited him at his home since he couldn’t attend the Fireman’s Banquet. He expressed appreciation for the Farmers Market Task Force report and said plans for the city of Northville are pretty amazing. 

View meeting here. 
City Council recap of Feb. 7 meeting The Farmers’ Market Task Force presented a framework plan to City Council, which identifies a proposed location for the future home of the Farmers’ Market since the current market will be displaced with the Downs development and no suitable site has yet been offered by the developer. The proposed location is on the former Macdonald Ford site, which is the same size (two acres) as the current market space. Plus, there’s the potential to purchase an adjoining lot of 1.5 acres. The site is envisioned to have an attractive enclosed building to be used for the market and as a year-round event venue. It features ample parking, a circular drive for food trucks, a small amphitheater (if the second lot is acquired), and a connection to Rouge Park, among other amenities. Official support of task forces  – City Council accepted a Resolution of Support drawn up by City Manager Pat Sullivan that conveys council’s support of the work process and ensuing reports presented by the Farmer’s Market Task Force, Ford Field Task Force, Rouge Restoration Task Force, and the Mobility Network (comprised of members of the Sustainability Team and RRTF), and The Walkability Report (comprised of members from several task forces). As such, the city will have the ability to apply for grants that often come up quickly, with the support of council.  Prioritizing Task Force Initiatives  – City Council approved a consultants’ proposal to assist administration and council with a strategic planning process that sets priorities for task force recommendations. Vettraino Consulting and Double Haul Solutions - both of southeastern Michigan – will move forward with their work at a not-to-exceed cost of $6,985. Workshops and surveys will be among the tools used to help determine what initiatives should take top priority from a long list proposed by the task forces and subcommittees. The final product will be a report to council based on input from council, administration, the public and key stakeholders. Vettraino has done work successfully for the city in 2018, when it advised on the phase-in of financial allocations for several major projects.  New committee to advise/oversee public benefits of redevelopment  - To effectively plan for and oversee public benefits of the Down’s redevelopment project, which is still under review, Council has established a new advisory committee named the Downs Project Advisory Committee. They appointed six members to DPAC: Mayor Brian Turnbull; Nancy Darga, Rouge Restoration Task Force chair; Dave Gutman, Sustainability Team chair; Pat McGow, Brownfield Authority Redevelopment Committee chair, Shawn Riley, Downtown Development Authority chair; and Donna Tinberg, Planning Commission chair. DPW director named  – Pat Sullivan introduced to council the new director of the Dept. of Public Works (DPW), Mike Domine, who previously served as interim director. Council members congratulated him on the promotion.  DPW renews water leak detection program  – Council approved a contract with Aqua-Line, of Findlay, Ohio, for $5,331 to check for leaks in water mains (35 miles) throughout the city. The company uses a special ‘listening’ tool that can detect a leak within 500- to 2,000-foot sections. With the installation of new water meters, water loss has already dropped from 24 percent to 16 percent. The goal is to maintain a citywide water-loss rate of 10-15 percent.  Public comment Jim Koster, 204 St. Lawrence Blvd., said during two recent mid-day walks in downtown Northville, he talked to a man and a couple who told him that the city seemed too quiet without cars and people (on the closed streets of the social district). He asked council to consider keeping the downtown streets open to traffic in the winter since people aren’t as likely to be outside. During the DPAC section of the meeting, Koster asked what were the public benefits of the Downs project. He said he has worked with developers and they have a timeline for their benefit and questioned whether the public benefit portion would be just as quick. He also said remediation of the brownfield at the Downs must be closely monitored. Nancy Chiri, 661 W. Main, thanked the DPW for clearing the streets after the big snowfall last week. She also commented on the demeanor of the Downs developer (Randy Wertheimer) when the Planning Commission meeting of Feb. 1 was nearing the building’s closing time and the PC voted to adjourn without a vote on the site plan that was being reviewed at the meeting. The developer said he would pay to keep the city staff there, if needed, so the meeting could continue. She questioned who is running the protocol for the meeting - is it the Planning Commission or the city staff? She said there’s a lot of data to take in when you are “building another city in the city.” She also advised council to hire a full-time, independent construction inspector to provide checks and balances on the development. She said there needs to be a clear, robust management plan for redevelopment oversight as part of the final site plan.   Other comments
During the task force priority phase of the meeting, Nancy Darga, 516 N. Center, said sources of funding for the task force items should be part of infrastructure rather than capital improvements. She said she is excited about the strategic plan since the teams spent grueling hours on the task forces. Council communications Mayor Brian Turnbull said he attended the Fireman’s Banquet on Saturday night and it was great. He wished all a Happy Valentine’s Day. He said he received a check from a resident for $75,000 to put toward the task force projects. Calling the pending task force projects “transformational,” he noted the next four to 14 months is a time for grants and energy.  Council Member Andrew Krenz said he will miss the Feb. 21 meeting because he will be on vacation with his family. He reported the Northville Youth Network meets at 8 a.m. on Feb. 8. (the second Tuesday of the month). Council Member John Carter said the Fire Chief Matt Samhat firemen and some Explorers visited him at his home since he couldn’t attend the Fireman’s Banquet. He expressed appreciation for the Farmers Market Task Force report and said plans for the city of Northville are pretty amazing.  View meeting  . 

This press release was produced by the City of Northville. The views expressed here are the author’s own.