[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6326319,"mediaKeyId","2324849-79d99cc984f562dad3054d8ee9602820","parentId",2324849,"title","Residents urge Livonia to step up parking‑lot and sidewalk repairs, question budgeted funds and public‑comment timing","audioSeconds",325,"startMs",69000,"endMs",394000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2324849-79d99cc984f562dad3054d8ee9602820&start=69&end=394","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2324849-79d99cc984f562dad3054d8ee9602820/thumbnail_69000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6326319/Livonia/Wayne-County/Michigan/Residents-urge-Livonia-to-step-up-parkinglot-and-sidewalk-repairs-question-budgeted-funds-and-publiccomment-timing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326319-7a72d938baf2b40332b2c891c8d6a7b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176619&Signature=GADY~knwVZdAcqJ-4CKs8gUmOcqshc7fjzb0zom5sfCbHP67UNnsRRByGq3Zl1u--zJ6bniAxmmmUyUT~hMBciSuxo7RX21Wdxme01pwuQbb5Plgh23KjaOY7CXCyrVAarSs37e92FDO1A4IeTKvUMUyhmm1Nn3S8QURQWkDhiWgbRoBpmLDFKiIDmre62IRMdE2dokTKBlYV23A8EsZgI9uf6v~ogBXzZ78nfChOImhMeTjRdz06~xNH-J7TmR085Uoz5cJ4i9mW9Jv1UyQgkWsTZxamHLUFnSAqov~2oDZ-iVGTnpETkiVrFpfq0GrtLrCvvzGKkhYrjXJyrJzvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","LivoniaTV","date","2025-02-10T00:00:00Z","article","Several residents used the study session public comment period to press Livonia officials to increase enforcement and attention to local parking‑lot repairs and to change sidewalk inspection timing. They also urged more scrutiny of items described as \"budgeted funds\" on council agendas.

Christopher Martin, who identified himself as a Livonia resident, urged the council to adopt a uniform three‑minute limit for both audience communications and agenda public comment so the clerk, not councilmembers, controls timing. \"Any person who addresses the council during a council meeting or public hearing shall be limited to... the clerk maintains the official time and notifies the speakers when their time is up,\" Martin said, citing a municipal handbook. He suggested equal time limits for audience communication and agenda speakers so the process is easier to remember.

A speaker identified as representing King County Gardens described safety hazards in local strip‑mall parking lots, citing a storm drain that has dropped and large potholes that can damage vehicles. That speaker urged stronger enforcement by the city’s ordinance department and recommended that sidewalk inspections include winter reviews to identify slabs that collect water and freeze. \"The dangerous slabs are not the old ones and even the cracked ones. They're the ones that hold water,\" the speaker said, urging DPW to inspect in winter.

Another speaker criticized the phrase \"budgeted funds\" on council agendas, saying the term appears to make some requests a foregone conclusion and discourages critical review. Several councilmembers responded in the meeting by describing the city’s budgeting process and public access to budget materials. Council members said they use a green-yellow-red system in preliminary budget review, that finance meetings are open to the public, and that department heads and the finance director review proposals before they appear on council agendas.

Why it matters: these comments raise operational questions about how the city monitors sidewalk hazards and enforces maintenance of private parking lots, and they show residents’ desire for transparency on how budgeted funds are proposed and approved.

Ending

Councilmembers encouraged residents to review budget documents posted online and attend finance meetings; staff will continue sidewalk inspections and the council directed staff to proceed with sidewalk repair planning and SAD notifications where applicable.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Livonia City Council Study Meeting - February 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public speakers at the Feb. 10 Livonia study session criticized the condition of strip‑mall parking lots and city sidewalks and urged scrutiny of items listed as \"budgeted funds,\" saying that label discourages further review.","taxTitle","Livonia, Wayne County, Michigan","taxId",4046,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6326324,"Livonia council approves 2025 road, sidewalk and maintenance contracts and several related amendments",145,1547000,1692000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2324849-79d99cc984f562dad3054d8ee9602820&start=1547&end=1692","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2324849-79d99cc984f562dad3054d8ee9602820/thumbnail_1547000.jpg","/articles/6326324/Livonia/Wayne-County/Michigan/Livonia-council-approves-2025-road-sidewalk-and-maintenance-contracts-and-several-related-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326324-6cc24edd2bc88202ba3344cf26df038e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176619&Signature=TAEXyCjjbXDzoG~QR66Yq7eWsuJGciFY0L9GJv7RmzWneLEJOOjXYbvdw2m3lI2BCo1d8FUQFCawnXgoqtbr-jAIK5YpTZqx3QFGYh8HeHmmcvAK-CEtK2ZAYbq8Z8FmnV0Rjy2aH~n1LEfJJ9vZCMIRVSmXJ784zViUfxmN6~e7KJvedzCnE-EbL-qcYgWN~TXBqBnA50McSChIdot8nn3X-L1PKZreeK47eLBMzZU0u7GqsX2bOktRVtWLesWEI7uycq~9slEzZ3U3t7Lg9J8UwWUvCnHJiqLJo64g42otIhtraoyaiZEPO7rdW-73mGppHarYJU4~aEOISRIhog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Livonia City Council approved a package of 2025 infrastructure contracts and related amendments at its Feb. 10 study session, voting on consent to move forward with asphalt, concrete and sidewalk programs, equipment maintenance authorizations and associated construction‑engineering agreements.

The approvals included a $4,275,775.10 extension for the 2025 asphalt road program with Nagel Paving Company, a $4,538,170.86 extension for the 2025 concrete road program with Hard Rock Concrete, and a proposal to proceed with a sidewalk repair program covering approximately 554 locations. Council also approved engineering and construction‑engineering amendments tied to those programs: OHM Advisors for the asphalt program ($513,093) and AEW for the concrete work (about $105,733). Officials said many items were placed on consent and that staff expects to manage construction this spring and summer.

Why it matters: the contracts represent the bulk of the city’s planned pavement work for 2025 and will determine which street segments, sidewalks and related curb ramps are repaired this construction season. Council members and staff framed the approvals as a continuation of the city’s multi‑year road and sidewalk maintenance strategy funded through the city’s road millage and other available funds.

Key details and supporting context

- Asphalt program: Engineering staff said $9.5 million was budgeted for the 2025 asphalt program but that some funds have been earmarked for an MDOT/Ann Arbor Road project, leaving roughly $4.3 million being approved now for the city program. OHM Advisors is retained for construction engineering to monitor contractor compliance and testing.

- Concrete program: The council approved unit‑price extensions for 18 concrete street segments. Staff flagged that some segments will require tree removals; exact tree counts were discussed as part of project planning. Hard Rock Concrete was cited by staff and councilmembers for consistent local performance.

- Sidewalk repair program: The engineering division requested authorization to begin the sidewalk assessment district (SAD) process for about 554 locations, the initial step that notifies property owners of upcoming assessments and their option to have the city perform work or use their own contractor.

- Other contracts/maintenance: The council approved waiving formal bidding to authorize equipment maintenance vendors for up to $400,000 in fiscal 2025 (to allow outside vendors to perform repairs while the city hires vacant mechanic positions). It also approved an extension for custodial supplies (21 bidders responded to the RFQ) and a cooperative purchase of a backhoe via Sourcewell through Southeastern Equipment at a reported discount.

- Engineering amendments: OHM Advisors’ amendment for construction engineering for the asphalt program was approved in the amount of $513,093 (staff noted the full amount may not be spent). AEW’s amendment for construction engineering services for the concrete program was approved in the amount of $105,733.

Council comments and vendor recognition

Councilmembers repeatedly praised long‑time local contractors and staff: Councilman Donovan and others highlighted Hard Rock Concrete and Nagel Paving as reliable local vendors. Staff and councilmembers said the city’s road millage makes regular pavement maintenance possible and credited OHM and AEW for helping to manage large projects.

Votes at a glance (consent approvals)

- 2025 asphalt road program (Nagel Paving Company) — Amount approved: $4,275,775.10 — Outcome: approved on consent — Notes: extension of unit prices/contract.
- OHM Advisors amendment (asphalt construction engineering) — Amount approved: $513,093 — Outcome: approved on consent.
- 2025 concrete road program (Hard Rock Concrete) — Amount approved: $4,538,170.86 — Outcome: approved on consent.
- AEW amendment (concrete construction engineering) — Amount approved: $105,733 — Outcome: approved on consent.
- 2025 sidewalk repair program (SAD initiation; ~554 locations) — Outcome: approved on consent — Notes: starts assessment district process; property owner notification and options apply.
- 2025 sidewalk and pavement replacement (Great Lakes Contracting Solutions) — Amount approved: $300,000 — Outcome: approved on consent.
- 2025 concrete maintenance/selective slab program (Great Lakes) — Outcome: approved on consent — Amount as stated in packet (transcript contained unclear figure; see clarifying_details).
- Equipment maintenance vendor authorization (multiple vendors) — Not to exceed $400,000 — Outcome: approved on consent.
- Custodial supplies award (multiple vendors) — Outcome: approved on consent.
- Purchase of one backhoe (cooperative Sourcewell purchase via Southeastern Equipment) — Outcome: approved on consent.

Ending

Staff told council the city expects to start the construction season in April and that many of the contracts and engineering services are timed so work can proceed this spring. Specific start dates for individual segments and properties will be set once bids are scheduled and contractors mobilize.","At a Feb. study session the Livonia City Council approved on consent multiple 2025 infrastructure contracts and related construction‑engineering amendments, including 2025 asphalt and concrete street programs, a citywide sidewalk repair program covering about 554 locations, and associated engineering services and maintenance agreements.","actionData","errors"]

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Residents urge Livonia to step up parking‑lot and sidewalk repairs, question budgeted funds and public‑comment timing

Livonia council approves 2025 road, sidewalk and maintenance contracts and several related amendments