Livonia City Council Meeting Marked by Consent Agenda Approval, Community Tensions, and Retirement Ordinance Redirect

LIVONIA — 12/6/2025

The Livonia City Council held its 2030th Regular Meeting on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, completing a unanimous approval of all consent agenda items and presenting several commendations to local achievers. Despite a smooth start, the meeting later became heated during Audience Communication, culminating in pointed criticism of council members and questions about transparency. A significant ordinance amendment concerning retirement qualifications was also rerouted back to committee for further review.

With Council Vice President Martha Ptashnik presiding in the absence of Council Member Morgan, the council addressed several ceremonial matters before the meeting’s tone shifted during public comment.

Audience Communication Highlights: Conduct and Transparency in Question

Criticism of Council Member Morgan

A resident voiced frustration with Council Member Morgan’s conduct during the November 17 meeting. Berenson referenced Morgan’s refusal to extend a speaker’s time on the “Sheetz” topic, calling the behavior “disgusting” and “inappropriate.”

Texting Controversy Involving Council Member Scheel

A resident questioned whether Council Member Scheel had engaged in texting on a personal cellphone during an intense discussion at the October 20 meeting. She pointed out that a subsequent FOIA request for the messages was denied because the texts were sent from a personal device, raising concerns about transparency and potential conflicts of interest.

Alleged Threat of Legal Action

A resident reported receiving what he described as a “carefully worded, veiled threat” of a lawsuit from a council member the day before the meeting.

Commendations: Celebrating Community Achievements

The council recognized several accomplishments within the Livonia community:

The Livonia JV Falcons football team was honored for winning the 2025 league and city championships.
The JV cheer team received commendations for placing first in Pom and second in Cheer at the 2025 Cheerfest.
Carol Strom was honored for 31 years of service as Vice Chair on the Schoolcraft College Board of Trustees.
Dan West, President of the Livonia-Westland Chamber of Commerce, shared updates on the 6th Annual Night of Lights at Greenmead, which will feature four evenings of expanded holiday programming, themed events, and musical performances.

Legislative Actions and Agenda Decisions

The council unanimously approved all nine consent agenda items, covering police contracts, financial services, recreation programming, park improvements, arena sublease agreements, equipment purchases, and adoption of the 2026 City Council Meeting Schedule.

Retirement Ordinance Sent Back to Committee

A proposed amendment to the city’s retirement system membership qualifications (Title 2, Chapter 2.96, Section 160) was redirected back to the Finance and Budget Committee after Council Vice President Ptashnik determined the language required further refinement. Council President Brandon McCullough and Council Member Laura Toy recused themselves from the discussion due to their participation in the city’s defined contribution retirement plan.

Other Unfinished Business

The PRDA boundary amendment and the TIF Plan amendment each received their first readings. A rezoning petition for the property at 13400 Newburgh Road was not addressed, likely due to the removal of a related agenda item. A petition for a Clean Express Car Wash project was removed earlier at Council Member Morgan’s request.

New Business Not Reached

A proposed amendment to the lease agreement for the Fox Creek Restaurant—modifying lease payments and renewal terms—was not reached before adjournment.

Summary Table

Livonia City Council (December 3, 2025)

APPROVED ITEMS — Consent Agenda (6–0 Vote)

Item	Department / Petitioner	Description	Action
1	Police Department	Contract extension with Allie Brothers, Inc. for a 3-year term with a 3% annual increase to supply police uniforms.	Approved
2	Police Department	Waiver of formal bidding and renewal of sole-source professional services agreement with Brett M. Naumcheff (Michigan Police Legal Advisor Group) for 3 years.	Approved
3	Finance Department	Award of contract to provide limited Accounting and Financial Services due to staffing vacancies, not to exceed $70,000.	Approved
4	Finance Department	Additional expenditure authorization for audit-related accounting services connected to the financial audit for the fiscal year ending Nov. 30, 2024.	Approved
5	Parks & Recreation	Release of General Obligation Limited Tax Bonds to fund improvements at Shelden Park, including construction, furnishing, and equipment.	Approved
6	Parks & Recreation	Contract amendment with Tivity Health to continue offering Silver Sneakers memberships at the Jack E. Kirksey Recreation Center.	Approved
7	Parks & Recreation	Sublease agreement between the City and Livonia Civic Arenas, covering Devon-Aire and Eddie Edgar Arenas, for Aug. 1, 2026 – July 31, 2031, with a 5-year extension option.	Approved
8	Department of Public Works	Purchase authorization for two 2026 John Deere Gator XUV845M vehicles, attachments, and one utility tractor, using MiDEAL consortium pricing.	Approved
9	City Council President Brandon McCullough	Adoption of the 2026 City Council Meeting Schedule per the Open Meetings Act.	Approved

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – COMMITTEE REPORTS

Item	Topic	Details	Action
10	Council Office Staffing & Salaries	Committee of the Whole discussion regarding personnel needs and compensation structure for Council Office staff (CR 318-25).	Reported Out
11	Petition 2025-07-02-15 – Clean Express Car Wash	Request for waiver use approval to operate an Auto-Wash Establishment at 38888 Six Mile Road (NE corner of Fox Drive & Six Mile). Committee report-out was pending.	Removed from Agenda at Council Member Morgan’s request

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS

Item	Ordinance / Petition	Description	Action
12	PRDA Boundary Amendment	Amendment to district boundaries of the Plymouth Road Development Authority (PRDA) under Act 57 of 2018.	First Read
13	Development Plan & TIF Plan Amendment	Amendment to the Development Plan, termination of the prior TIF Plan, and adoption of a new Tax Increment Financing Plan under Act 57 of 2018.	First Read
14	Petition 2025-09-01-01 – Rezoning at 13400 Newburgh Road	Request to rezone property at SE corner of Newburgh & Schoolcraft from M-1 (Light Manufacturing) to C-2 (General Business) for a gas station & convenience store. Public Hearing held Nov. 19, 2025.	Not Addressed (likely due to removal of related Item 11)
15	Retirement System – Title 2, Chapter 2.96, Section 160	Proposed amendment to retirement system membership qualifications. Sponsored by Council Vice President Martha Ptashnik. McCullough & Toy recused due to financial interest.	Sent to Finance & Budget Committee

NEW BUSINESS

Item	Description	Action
16	Amendment to Lease Agreement for Fox Creek Restaurant: would increase lease payments for the second 5-year term and add an option for another 5-year renewal; also includes a tenant LLC change.	Not Addressed (Meeting ended before item reached)