Hamtramck Star

hcc_2010_03_09 [121 MB]

The following article about the assessment process in Michigan was distributed by the Detroit Association of Realtors in a February newsletter.

Appealing Michigan Property Tax Assessment
by Randolph T. Barker

The ongoing decline in property values in Detroit and surrounding southeast Michigan communities has further-expanded the substantial discrepancies between taxable values and market values for real estate. Assessors remain reluctant to hold or reduce taxable value despite reduced market value because of increased costs of providing public services. On top of this, assessors have the ability to apply an inflation increase to assessments, thereby raising a tax bill despite falling property values.

The potential disparity between taxable value and market value provides real estate professionals with an opportunity to help clients understand the tax assessment process and their rights as property owners. Regardless of whether the property is residential, agricultural, commercial or industrial, and whether your client is an owner, property manager or tenant, it is critical to review tax assessments annually and help determine whether an appeal could result in tax savings.

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PRELIMINARY MATTERS

1. Call to order
2. Roll call
3. Pledge of allegiance to the flag
4. Proclamations/presentations/recognitions
5. Public comments concerning agenda items

SECTION I: UNFINISHED BUSINESS - Ordinances scheduled for second reading and ordinances or resolutions previously postponed.

1. RESOLUTION APPROVING A SITE PLAN FOR STERLING SERVICES, LTD. LOCATED AT 1530 COMMOR, HAMTRAMCK, MI. The proposed site plan, recommended for approval by the Hamtramck Plan Commission, includes the installation of eight (8) storage tanks, and the addition of a new concrete loading pad. Postponed from the February 23, 2010 regular city council meeting. Placed on the agenda by CED Director Friedmann.

SECTION II: CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

The following items will be adopted on a single motion without discussion unless a councilmember requests separate consideration.

1. City council meeting minutes:
a. Special Meeting – February 18, 2010
b. Regular Meeting – February 23, 2010
c. Work Session – February 25, 2010
d. Work Session – March 1, 2010

2. Fund warrant list and payroll.

3. Correspondence:
a. Letter from The Review requesting permission to place and bolt down a newspaper box in front of City Hall.
b. Letter from The Review requesting that the City purchase the front page of a new directory.

4. RESOLUTION APPROVING TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OF 2009 CLASS C LICENSED BUSINESS WITH DANCE PERMIT, LOCATED AT 2363 YEMANS, HAMTRAMCK, MI 48212, WAYNE COUNTY, FROM PID CORP. TO ATLAS LOUNGE, LLC. The necessary approvals have been made by the city to request the transfer. Placed on the agenda by City Clerk Norris.

5. RESOLUTION CONFIRMING REAPPOINTMENT OF JAMILA BEGUM TO THE HAMTRAMCK ASSESSOR’S BOARD OF REVIEW. Mayor Majewski has reappointed Jamila Begum for a term ending 1/1/2012.

6. RESOLUTION CONFIRMING APPOINTMENT OF AMELA BERBEROVIC TO THE HAMTRAMCK ASSESSOR’S BOARD OF REVIEW. Mayor Majewski has appointed Amela Berberovic for a term ending 1/1/2012.

7. RESOLUTION CONFIRMING APPOINTMENT OF JERZY MATUSINSKI TO THE HAMTRAMCK ASSESSOR’S BOARD OF REVIEW. Mayor Majewski as appointed Jerzy Matusinski for a term ending 1/1/2012.

8. RESOLUTION CONFIRMING APPOINTMENT OF SEAN DAVIS TO THE HAMTRAMCK ASSESSOR’S BOARD OF REVIEW. Mayor Majewski has appointed Sean Davis for a term ending 1/1/2012.

SECTION III: NEW BUSINESS - Ordinance introductions and resolutions for initial consideration.

1. RESOLUTION TO HIRE REVIZE SOFTWARE SYSTEMS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A NEW CITY WEBSITE. Bids were received from five (5) companies to develop and implement a new website for the City and Revize Systems was the lowest qualified bidder. Placed on the agenda by City Manager Cooper.

2. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE INSTALLATION OF A NEWSPAPER BOX IN FRONT OF CITY HALL. The Review has requested permission to install a newspaper box in front of City Hall. Placed on the agenda by Councilmembers Ahmed and Stackpoole.

3. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF A FRONT PAGE ADVERTISEMENT IN A DIRECTORY PUBLISHED BY THE REVIEW. The Review has requested that the City purchase the front cover of a new city directory for $3,500. Placed on the agenda by Councilmembers Ahmed and Stackpoole.

SECTION IV: CLOSED SESSION

The city council will meet in closed session with legal counsel to review the status of ongoing litigation.

SECTION V: OTHER ITEMS

1. City Manager’s Report
2. Non-agenda items and other business
3. Public comments

ADJOURNMENT

NOTE: Anyone planning to attend the meeting who has need of special assistance under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is asked to contact the city clerk’s office at (313) 876-7700, 48 hours before the meeting. Staff will be pleased to make the necessary arrangements.

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hcc_2010_03_04 II [51 MB]

There are a few bracelet-free things to do if you happen to be in town this weekend before the Blowout.

Friday

Hamtramck Moose Lodge #1670, 9421 Conant: will be holding a Lenten fish fry dinner. Dinners are $8 or $9, depending on what kind of fish you order.

Detroit Zen Center Cafe & Co-op, 11434 Mitchell Friday from 4 to 9 p.m., the cafe will offer a 3-course raw meal, including sprouted lentil-mung-alfalfa-clover-fenugreek salad, broccoli stir no-fry, and ginger miso soup, in addition to their regular menu. (Also available Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.)

Free show by Detroit Techno Militia at Detroit Threads, 10022 Joseph Campau: "Music starts around 6 pm and doesn't end till Mikel kicks us out." DJ's for the evening include T.Linder, DJ Seoul, Darkcube, Neil V.

Saturday

Cafe 1923, 2287 Holbrook, Hatchback 4 Art Exhibition Opening: From 5 to 7 p.m., bring art supplies to the opening and join the fun with Dr. Sketchy, Detroit's branch of the international burlesque life drawing program. $5 to draw. "We'll even have a live model (Red Hot Annie, all the way from Chicago) and ambient music courtesy of Hamtramck's own Todd Luneack."

Sunday

2739 Edwin Gallery, 2739 Edwin: Between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., an opening for "An exhibit to celebrate the life of Ron Hayward (1943-2009), art model extraordinaire and long time fixture on the Detroit art scene. This show, curated by fellow model and Hatch member Sophia Raptis, features the work of over 25 area artists. Exhibit runs March 6-13. Gallery hours Saturday, 12-5 pm or by appointment."

Hello Friends of the Hamtramck Master Plan!

Just a quick update about our progress and schedule and a plea to help spread the word about the Parks and Recreation Community Survey.

First, the survey: Some pretty big parks and recreation-related moves are under consideration as part of the Master Plan: What should be the fate of Roesink Stadium? Should new park space be a part of the Master Plan? What should be considered a top priority? Bike lanes? Trees? Lighting? What’s missing? It’s important that we get a sense of what the community would like to see in terms of parks and recreation facilities in order for us to move in the right direction with the master plan. Some great ideas have emerged already, but the more participation we can get, the better! To date, 125 people have completed the survey online, which is accessible here:

http://tiny.cc/hamtramcksurvey

Thanks to Superintendent Niczay and faculty members at Hamtramck High School, over 90 high school students have completed the survey. That was a great response, but now we really need to drum up more survey participants spanning a wider range of ages to ensure that we’re getting the full spectrum of perspectives in Hamtramck. SO. If you have taken the survey, THANKS! If you haven’t yet and you live in Hamtramck and have 5 or 6 minutes to spare, it would be great if you could do it in the next couple of weeks. If you think your family and friends who live in Hamtramck would be willing to do the survey, please send them the link! If you have a blog or if you’re on a Hamtramck listserv, please help us spread the word by posting/forwarding the link! The City of Hamtramck is coordinating circulation of the paper version of the survey to ensure that residents who don’t have easy access to the survey can still participate. BUT if we can make the survey circulation a real community effort, that would be excellent—if you have a store, a bar or restaurant, or belong to community organization, you can print out a paper copy of the survey (attached to this email) and make them available to your patrons and visitors. Note: all online surveys and paper surveys need to be completed and submitted by Friday, March 19th in order for us to take them into account in the Master Plan, so the sooner, the better!

In other news, we experienced the thrill of Paczki Day first-hand on a recent visit to Hamtramck. Wow...I can’t say I have ever witnessed such enthusiasm over pastries! It was great to see the City in such a spirited mood. Aside from adventures in paczki land, the trip was another opportunity for us to talk with city agencies and organizations, as well as, on this trip, a group of great high school students from Hamtramck High. We are now in the process of formulating our preliminary recommendations (the exciting part!!), and we will be back in Hamtramck in about four weeks to hold a public meeting to present them. Once the date is finalized, I will be sure to let you all know!

Hope to see you then,

Leah Murphy

Associate Urban Designer and Planner

_INTERFACE STUDIO LLC

www.interface-studio.com

hcc_2010_03_01 I [36 MB]

hcc_2010_03_01 II [108 MB]

hcc_2010_02_25 [96 MB]

I sent an e-mail to the clerk's office in regards to whether there is a meeting tonight at 6:30 or not, but here are the notices for two upcoming meetings of the city council.

***Notice***
The Hamtramck City Council will hold a Work Session on Monday, March 1, 6:30 PM. The meeting will be held in the 3rd Floor Conference Room of City Hall, 3401 Evaline, Hamtramck, Michigan.

WORK SESSION DISCUSSION TOPICS
1. Discussion of information related to the matter of check #55211, and information as to the breakdown and remedies to fix internal controls.
2. Other Discussion Topics.

Please Note: No votes may be taken at a City Council Work Session. These sessions are strictly to present and discuss information.

NOTE: Anyone planning to attend the meeting who has need of special assistance under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is asked to contact the city clerk’s office at (313) 876-7700.

***Notice***
A Special Meeting of the Hamtramck City Council will occur on Thursday, March 4, 6:30 PM. The meeting will be held in the City Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall, 3401 Evaline, Hamtramck, Michigan.

Agenda:

PRELIMINARY MATTERS
1. Call to order
2. Roll call
3. Pledge of allegiance to the flag
4. Public Comments

SPECIAL BUSINESS
1.Determination of the next course of action regarding the matter of check #55211.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

ADJOURNMENT

NOTE: Anyone planning to attend the meeting who has need of special assistance under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is asked to contact the city clerk’s office at (313) 876-7700.

hcc_2010_02_23 [153 MB]

What: Hamtramck NAACP Black History Month Breakfast Celebration
When: Saturday, February 27, 2010
Time: 9 AM - 11:30 AM
Where: People's Community Center, 8625 Jos Campau
Ticket: Adult $10 - Students/Seniors $5

Tickets are available from Kamal Rahman, Carol Pickney, Bill Meyer, Mike Nelson, Juanita Sephers, Simona Smith, Tissua Franklin and Gabriel Alaziz,

OR YOU CAN PAY AT THE DOOR.

The morning breakfast celebration will include a special guest speaker.

Please bring your friends and relatives!

Thank you

I was about 10 minutes late for the meeting. I heard that before I got there, Catrina Stackpoole came around to the podium during the public comment period to read a 3-page dissertation about how great Acts 29 is, and said that as her landlord, they rent 3000 sq ft of space to her non-profit for only $125 per month. She also accused Cathie Gordon of pursuing this for political reasons.

Robert Zwolak praised the council for passing the resolution at the previous meeting that called for an investigation by the state police. Council is dealing with money from outside the city as well as our own, and processes need to be improved. He said this was obviously not a case of politics because the entire council had voted to take this course of action.

Stackpoole sternly read another written statement, stating that she was concerned about the allegations. She said it appeared that "the ball was dropped" on the MSHDA grant because it wasn't brought before council for approval, and characterized the situation as the sort of "administrative screw-up" that gives others "the chance to play gotcha politics". She asked whose responsibility it was to bring the agreement to the city council, and said this was an opportunity to "tighten up controls". Stackpoole said she wanted a detailed report to prevent re-occurrence, and also wanted to reconsider the last action of the council to call in the state police. Stackpoole strongly objected "to any charge that ACTS 29 committed felony fraud". Two parties claimed to have mowed the lots, and an investigation should scrutinize both parties.

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