Candidates discuss courthouse, libraries

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Candidates discuss courthouse, libraries; Observer- October 4, 2009
Topic Started: Oct 4 2009, 10:11 AM (118 Views)
Administrator	Oct 4 2009, 10:11 AM Post #1
Administrator Posts: 726 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: March 3, 2007	Candidates discuss courthouse, libraries By Ken Abramczyk • OBSERVER STAFF WRITER • October 4, 2009 With campaigning in the homestretch, the eight finalists in the Livonia City Council race hit the airwaves again with a debate Thursday in the city hall auditorium. The candidates — Maureen Miller Brosnan, Steve Crosby, Joe Laura, James McCann, Lucas McGrail, John Pastor, Lynda Scheel and Conrad Schwartz — were asked about everything from the new courthouse to a proposed cut to the library. The forum, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, will be rebroadcast by Bright House Networks several times before the Nov. 3 election. A broadcast schedule is expected to be released next week, according to LOWV officials. Crosby said he supports the new courthouse as long as it didn't create a hardship on the budget. He said he researched the issue. “The funds weren't coming out of the city's budget,” Crosby said. Schwartz said he supported the new courthouse. “I'm outraged by the location,” he said. Schwartz wondered why the city destroyed trees and the natural setting next to the main library to construct the new courthouse. McCann, who supported the new courthouse, told the crowd that the state court administrative office allowed the court to earmark $1 million for the project, funded through bonds and fees. “It is not coming out of the taxpayers' pocket,” McCann said. Pastor repeated that the court was a state court. “None of the funds came out of the general fund,” he said. “I know they worked on this for two years on the logistics.” The site is “unfortunately, the best spot,” Pastor added. “(The new courthouse) will make sure there is safety for witnesses and the general public so they are not so close to the prisoners.” Laura supported the new courthouse, but was upset about the new location, chosen because of soil erosion and wetland issues. “There would be a large increase in costs in another location,” he said. “We know residents are upset, but it was a weighing of a cost we couldn't afford.” Scheel said she voted for the courthouse on the Planning Commission. “The current courthouse didn't meet safety standards,” she said. Safety “was of utmost importance.” McGrail said the city needed a new courthouse and that the old courthouse “reached the end of its life cycle.” “Frankly the location is inappropriate; the aesthetics are bland,” McGrail said. McGrail said the police department was not consulted about the new courthouse and no hydrology study was completed on the new site. “I think it was poorly executed and a bad use of the land.” he said. Brosnan called the courthouse a case where “the community spoke up loudly with a loud voice and were ignored.” “I would have stood with council President Laura Toy (who opposed the courthouse location) because it was the wrong location,” she said. Brosnan said it would have cost more, but “we could have set the benchmark.” FAIRWAY PARK ANTENNA DISCUSSED Candidates also were asked about an antenna to be constructed at Fairway Park for cell phone and other wireless transmissions and how they would preserve public land. Pastor said the city had to be cooperative and work with companies to locate the antenna in the community. “We can try to find the best location or fight this thing and they will put it wherever they want,” Pastor said. He added that if the antenna was not put in a park, it would end up at a school or a playground. Laura said he could not accept the location and “the way it was presented to us.” “I question the need for a cell tower,” Laura said. Laura said the city already had two or three other unused cell towers. “We need to listen to the residents,” he said. Scheel said she wanted to attend the next meeting on the topic to hear residents' concerns. Some of the residents were opposed to the location; others wanted to improve the appearance of the cell tower, Scheel said. McGrail believes the city should find the best possible location for the antenna in the neighborhood. “There is a big concern over the aesthetics of the location,” McGrail said. Brosnan said she was part of a task force studying the issue under former Mayor Jack Engebretson and she wants more discussion of new technology involving cell towers. “Until we start saying ‘no,' we won't see that new technology,” she said. Crosby said he opposes the antenna, citing the city's ordinance that the antenna should be harmonious to the neighborhood. Schwartz said the antenna should be discussed further. “It can be negotiated, it should be negotiated, and it should be an acceptable standard for the community,” he said. McCann said he referred the antenna to the council's Committee of the Whole for further discussion. “I think some issues had to be addressed,” he said. LIBRARY SYSTEM DISCUSSED Candidates were asked about the city's library system and a proposed $450,000 removal of a city subsidy for it in Mayor Jack Kirksey's proposed budget, which is still being discussed by council. McCann explained that the library's budget cut of 14-15 percent was within the range of cuts experienced by all the city departments, in a range of 7-20 percent. “The library branch hours are reduced, and were to close on alternative days,” McCann said. “It's not the main library,” Pastor said. “Nobody wants anything cut, but let's face it, we're facing tough times.” Laura wants to see full services offered by the city. “We don't do electronic books,” he said. The library also has retired some debt, which means some of that money is coming back, Laura said. “(The library cuts) is a decision that hasn't been made yet,” Laura said. Scheel doesn't want to close any libraries or cut hours. “In order to balance the budget, it has to be looked at,” Scheel said. “There will be two libraries open at any time and the main library will be open at normal hours,” Scheel said. McGrail believes libraries are an important part of society since ancient Egypt, but services provided by the city should always trump hours of operation, he said. “We should always try to maintain service before hours,” McGrail said. Brosnan said she likes “solutions so much more than problems.” She cited a Laura Bush 21st Century library grant, ranging from $50,000 to $1 million. “I think Livonia should apply for this,” she said. The grant could help train future librarians and support projects, she said. Crosby wants to see the city maintain the three libraries, which are more than most communities, and switch hours between the two, rather than close them. He believes the library's operations should be supported by the council. Schwartz opposes the $450,000 cut. The library provides access to the world of jobs, he said, and services to both the rich and the poor. http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20091004/NEWS10/910040408/1027/Candidates+discuss+courthouse++libraries



one_observer	Oct 16 2009, 09:06 AM Post #2
Advanced Member Posts: 351 Group: Members Member #220 Joined: August 29, 2007	Council to revisit cell tower issue By Ken Abramczyk • OBSERVER STAFF WRITER • October 11, 2009 Several homeowners aren't happy with plans for a 120-foot wireless transmission antenna to be constructed in Fairway Park, next to the Idyl Wyld Golf Course. Mike Sykes is one of them who will be attending the City Council's committee of the whole meeting to discuss the proposal at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the city hall auditorium. FMHC Corp., an agent for Verizon, has requested a waiver to construct a wireless communications support structure that consists of a 120-foot monopole. The antenna would be located on a 100-foot by 100-foot compound in Fairway Park, just north of Ladywood and Golfview streets and just to the west of Idyl Wyld Golf Course. Robert LaBelle, an attorney who represents Verizon at the meeting, told council at earlier meetings that Verizon needs the antenna because of the poor reception of cell phones in the area between Five and Six Mile, Levan and Newburgh roads. Sykes wants the antenna moved out of the park and onto the golf course with stealth technology used to camouflage it with a pine tree or flagpole. “Just a mile away at Dickerson, they've used a unipole with three carriers,” Sykes said. “It seems silly to come to this conclusion and hurt the homeowners.” Sykes believes city officials are misinterpreting the federal Telecommunications Act and city ordinances governing the antenna. “The localities have control of the appearance and the location of the tower,” Sykes said. Out of 45 towers in the city, only two are stealth, Sykes said. Whispering Willows Golf Course, Rotary and Centennnial parks have cell towers that do not use stealth technology to disguise the towers. Sykes said other communities, namely Farmington Hills and Franklin, have rejected these requests if the appearance is not harmonious with the neighborhood. Several council members have expressed concerns about rejecting these requests and the appearance of the stealth towers. Councilman John Pastor asked residents at a meeting in August if they had seen the tower in West Bloomfield at Northwestern Highway. “It's god-awful ugly,” he said. At that meeting, the council voted 4-3 to send the item to committee of the whole for further study on a motion by Jim McCann, supported by Joe Laura. Council President Laura Toy and Councilman Tom Robinson also joined McCann and Laura to send it to committee, while council Vice President Terry Godfroid Marecki and council members Brian Meakin and John Pastor opposed the move. http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009910110418 Fairway Park cell tower antenna neighbors meet with petitioner By Ken Abramczyk • OBSERVER STAFF WRITER • October 15, 2009 If Verizon Wireless wants to construct a cell phone antenna at Fairway Park, the company's representatives will have to work with residents to develop a compromise on the tower's appearance and location. That was the message from City Council President Laura Toy at a committee of the whole meeting Monday. A group of approximately 25 residents who donned orange T-shirts that read “Save Fairway Park” appeared at the meeting to request that the antenna be located on the golf course, instead of the park, away from homes and closer to Five Mile. They also asked that the antenna incorporate stealth technology so it resembles a pine tree if it is placed in the park. Or, if it is moved closer to Five Mile and on the golf course, residents suggested that a clock tower or flagpole be constructed. Robert Labelle, who represented Verizon at the meeting, told the council co-locators were ineffective below 100 feet. At 125 feet, that would leave room for only two, he said. Co-locators are antennas that can be leased to other companies, such as T-Mobile or AT&T. The city also would make money since it is leasing the property to Verizon. Labelle told the council the company wouldn't build the tower if it wasn't necessary. “We don't build towers we don't need. They cost a boatload of money,” he said. He also told the council Verizon was experiencing 3,000 dropped calls in that area, but that figure was later challenged because he did not provide information on what percentage of callers that statistic reflected. Verizon sought the Fairway Park location because the city's Parks and Recreation Department and Planning Commission wanted it to locate there, he said. Councilman Jim McCann asked why Verizon needed a 100-square-foot pad. “Yes, we can make it smaller,” Labelle said. He said the company could make it 60-by-60 or 50-by-50 and wanted a large enough space for the co-locators. Labelle said people often complain about the flagpole because of its size and noise. It also presented a problem for co-locater placement, requiring a taller flagpole. Two residents, Tom Karabatakis and Mike Sykes, then presented PowerPoint presentations with aerial photos suggesting where the antenna should be located and what style of stealth technology should be used. Karabatakis questioned the need for the antenna. Out of 47 towers in Livonia, 16 are not used to full capacity and 13 have no co-locators at all, he said. Six Verizon towers were owned or co-located within a two-mile radius. “Are these co-locaters being fully utilized or explored? That question needs to be asked and explored,” Karabatakis told the council. He also told the council that Verizon's proposal was made before the cell tower was approved near the corner of Five Mile and Farmington roads on the property of the Livonia Public Schools. A red zone highlighted on a map to indicate the need for cell phone coverage did not account for that cell tower, he said. Livonia should look at what other cities do, he said. “Farmington Hills is using utility poles and Franklin doesn't allow cell phone towers at all,” Karabatakis said. Stealth technology companies confirm that four co-locators can be installed on 120-foot stealth antennas, Karabatakis said. He added that previous cell towers proposed for Devonaire Woods Park and another location were denied, without any solutions offered. “We are here to offer a solution,” he said. Karabatakis also wondered why the city regulates details like brick areas around a dumpster and other ordinances for signs. “Why is the height and aesthetics of a cell tower any different?” he asked. Karabatakis suggested a flagpole or clock tower be installed on the golf course and closer to Five Mile Road. A significant change in the location probably would require a re-application of the site plan, according to Planning Director Mark Taormina. Reducing the footprint would not require a variance in what the Planning Commission already approved. Mike Sykes then provided aerial photos of where the antenna could be located on the south end of Idyl Wyld Golf Course or closer to Five Mile as he described those sites as preferable for residents who live near the park. Sykes also proposed a smaller pad with slight variations in the location of the road and storage to the proposed site in Fairway Park. Councilman Joe Laura proposed a resolution denying the request in its present location, but the council did not act on that resolution. Council Vice President Terry Godfroid Marecki suggested that the council leave the item in committee and that the Parks and Recreation Department report on the matter. “I feel like we're really rushing through this,” Marecki said. Councilman Brian Meakin wanted to see a site plan related to a 50- by 50-foot pad and stealth technology drawings for a 120- to 130-foot antenna. Councilman Jim McCann said the antenna could not be placed in the middle of the golf course because a road will need to be constructed for it, but he wanted to look at placing the antenna up front near the clubhouse. Toy suggested Labelle and Verizon create a dialogue with the neighbors and work on a compromise solution. After the meeting, Labelle spoke with neighbors for about one hour outside the auditorium while the council met in a study session on agenda items until 9 p.m. The item will remain in committee. The council has meetings scheduled Oct. 21 and again Nov. 4. kabramcz@hometownlife.com \|(313) 222-2591 http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20091015/NEWS10/910150587/1027/Fairway+Park+cell+tower+antenna+neighbors+meet+with+petitioner



one_observer	Oct 31 2009, 09:23 PM Post #3
Advanced Member Posts: 351 Group: Members Member #220 Joined: August 29, 2007	Compromise plan on antenna approved By Ken Abramczyk • OBSERVER STAFF WRITER • October 25, 2009 Comments(8) Petitioners who wanted to install a cell phone antenna at Fairway Park and nearby residents reached a compromise plan on the proposed antenna. The Livonia City Council approved the plan Wednesday. Originally, FMHC, an agent for Verizon Wireless, had proposed a conventional cell phone tower that would require the removal of several trees in the park. A 100 by 100 foot pad was also requested by the petitioner. On Oct. 12, Council President Laura Toy requested that Verizon representatives meet with residents who opposed the appearance and location of the tower. Toy asked that the petitioner and residents devise a compromise plan. Leland Calloway of FMHC told the council Wednesday the tower will be a “monopine,” a stealth tower that resembles a pine tree, and will be moved 50 feet west and located on a 60 by 70 foot site. The antenna will be 130 feet high. “If we move it 50 feet to the west, we won't have to move trees that are more than 9 inches in diameter,” Calloway said. Calloway said that additional trees will be planted to screen the view of the compound. Calloway and Verizon representative Robert Labelle met with residents Tom Karabatakis and Mike Sykes to work out the compromise. Karabatakis thanked “everyone for hearing us out and working with us.” “We feel it is a compromise we can live with so we don't have to stare at a tower,” Karabatakis said. But he also still questioned the need for the antennas and cell towers. He asked the council to issue a moratorium on any other cell towers until a full study is made of the need for them. Council members John Pastor and Tom Robinson thanked Karabatakis and the residents for their work with the petitioners. “The presentation you gave was one of the best I've seen since I've been on the council,” Robinson said. Karabatakis and Sykes delivered a PowerPoint presentation to the council on Oct. 12 with maps, drawings and information the two men researched on stealth technology and cell towers. “If politics is an art, this was a Picasso,” Robinson said. While the residents would have preferred no antenna to be constructed, they got the antenna camouflaged with stealth technology. “We don't believe Verizon has presented a real need, but we feel this is a lot better than what was originally proposed,” Karabatakis said. “It seems like a fair compromise, but we still question the need.” kabramcz@hometownlife.com\|(313) 222-2591 FreezerBob wrote: This cracks me up.. A 130 fake pine tree in a neighborhood where most trees are 50 -60 ft tall. That'll really disguise the tower. Ever see the one on Orchard Lake Road? What a compromise!!!! These things don't belong in neighborhoods even if you try to disguise as a 130 ft pinetree.. Who'd they think they are fooling.?There goes the property values even more. I am still laughing . Am I the only one who realizes the king doesn't really have his clothes on?? 10/28/2009 11:22:04 PM onewestsider wrote: Replying to dogwhisperer: Vindictiveness? I am just a person making comments on news articles. Oh wait... you still think I am the mayor, right? Sorry but I have no skin in the game so there is nothing for me to vindicate. If the tower turns into a tourist attraction like the tower on Orchard Lake Road, the residents have no one to blame but themselves. That's all my comment meant. right 10/28/2009 10:07:55 AM dogwhisperer wrote: Vindictiveness? I am just a person making comments on news articles. Oh wait... you still think I am the mayor, right? Sorry but I have no skin in the game so there is nothing for me to vindicate. If the tower turns into a tourist attraction like the tower on Orchard Lake Road, the residents have no one to blame but themselves. That's all my comment meant. 10/27/2009 5:18:06 PM onewestsider wrote: Replying to dogwhisperer: Sure I am hopeful for the sake of the neighbors that it blends in, but I highly doubt it will. In that case, it will become an attraction like the one on Orchard Lake Road and then they deserve what they get. My previous assertion was that in trying to make something look stealthy you often make it stand out more than it would've normally. Mr. Karabatakis apparently didn't like my comments though. "then they deserve what they get"? And this earlier quote from dogwhisperer "Glad to hear that mess is settled. I can't wait to see what it's going to look like. dogwhisperer, both comments reflect your vindictiveness to anyone or group that questions the status quo or to what's received YOUR stamp of approval. Livonia's motto used to be Families First. The outcome of this cell tower demonstrates the results through perseverance (though not 100% to the residents' liking), rather than damage to the sacroiliac ligament or hip joint. 10/27/2009 4:10:30 PM wybears wrote: Where is Fairway Park? 10/27/2009 1:18:56 PM dogwhisperer wrote: Sure I am hopeful for the sake of the neighbors that it blends in, but I highly doubt it will. In that case, it will become an attraction like the one on Orchard Lake Road and then they deserve what they get. My previous assertion was that in trying to make something look stealthy you often make it stand out more than it would've normally. Mr. Karabatakis apparently didn't like my comments though. 10/27/2009 12:53:21 PM saneinlivonia wrote: Well Dog, they are almost always ugly, are you really hopeful this one won't be? It's only settled until the next one goes into someone elses backyard! 10/26/2009 4:33:06 PM dogwhisperer wrote: Glad to hear that mess is settled. I can't wait to see what it's going to look like. 10/25/2009 11:07:34 PM http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20091025/NEWS10/910250458/1027/Compromise+plan+on+antenna+approved


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