City Council

CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2021 IN CITY HALL 1. Mayor Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. Mayor Taylor led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and Andrea Bara, Management Assistant, gave the Invocation. 3. Council Members present at roll call: Deanna Koski, Michael V. Radtke, Jr., Maria G. Schmidt, Liz Sierawski, Michael C. Taylor, Henry Yanez, Barbara A. Ziarko. Also Present: Mark Vanderpool, City Manager; Marc D. Kaszubski, City Attorney; Andrea Bara, Management Assistant; Carol Sobosky, Recording Secretary. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Moved by Koski, seconded by Ziarko, RESOLVED, to approve the agenda as presented. Yes: All. The motion carried. 5. REPORT FROM CITY MANAGER Mr. Vanderpool reminded that City offices will be closed for business on Friday, December 17, 2021, for an in-service staff training day. He advised that closures include City Hall, Library, Community Center, Nature Center, Senior Center, DPW Recycling Center, and 41A District Court. He added that the closure will not affect the City’s refuse schedule, and he pointed out that Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 07, 2021 Page 2 over ninety percent of city hall transactions can now be done online, so those interested can go to “At-Home City Services” on the City’s website. Mr. Vanderpool reminded that this is the last week for leaf collection, and he added it appears there has been very good compliance throughout the community, so he thanked the residents who have done their job to get all of the leaves collected or mulched. Mr. Vanderpool requested that City Council convene a Closed Session pursuant to Section 8(H) of the Open Meetings Act for Council to consult with the City Attorney regarding a confidential written legal opinion. He reminded the community that “Cocoa with CORE” is being held tomorrow evening, Wednesday, December 8, 2021, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the City’s ice rink, where residents can get a cup of cocoa and skate with the City’s officers for residents at no charge. He added that the ice rink has been very popular since its December 1st opening, especially during Sterling Christmas last Saturday. Mr. Vanderpool introduced Police Chief Dale Dwojakowski to talk about many of the security initiatives and efforts that have been developed in the school systems over recent years. He stressed they felt that, in light of what has occurred over the last couple of weeks, it is very important to let the community know all that is being done in Sterling Heights to protect students in public schools, private schools, houses of worship, etc. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 07, 2021 Page 3 Police Chief Dale Dwojakowski talked about the tragedy last week and noted that people all over are asking questions as to why and how this could have happened. He assured that Sterling Heights is prepared with their training, equipment, personnel, and prevention strategies. He explained they have been doing training for years, and he showed slides depicting that training. He explained that the men in the red ballistic vests are firefighters, adding Sterling Heights was one of the first agencies in Macomb County to have a Rapid Response Team which includes firefighters able to go into an active assailant situation, go into a “warm zone”, and remove those injured and shot while remaining safe. They have ballistic-rated helmets and vests, and they train hand-in-hand with the police officers. He stressed that every police officer went through this training in the summer of 2019 at Stevenson High School, adding it is great to be able to do live training in the schools. He commended the instructors for the phenomenal training they have done. He explained their training involves the use of a Simunition gun, which is a real handgun that shoots a real live round but has a paint tip on the end of it instead of a lead bullet. It leaves a paint mark and it hurts, but it raises the level of training and what these officers have to deal with. Chief Dwojakowski showed slides of various training exercises and drills, and he stressed that their partnership with Warren Consolidated Schools and Utica Community Schools is strong, with total communication on everything that happens. Their training has included staff and teachers in the schools, employees at Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 07, 2021 Page 4 Lakeside Mall, as well as houses of worship, businesses, etc. He outlined some of the training that has occurred since 2015. He clarified that the Warren Police Department does a lot of training for the Warren Consolidated Schools, but if they request it, the Sterling Heights Police Department would do it. He outlined the type of training their officers have had, including Active Assailant Training, as well as monthly training for their Special Response Team. The Patrol Rifle Program trains on a semi-annual basis, and forty new members have been added. He explained these are patrol officers who carry a patrol rifle in their car every day, and he credited the City and Council for the innovative program of having the officers purchasing the weapons over time through payroll deduction, with the City fronting the money to get the weapons. He emphasized that these officers can respond immediately so they do not have to wait for a SWAT team. Chief Dwojakowski stated he meets quarterly with Utica Community Schools and Warren Consolidated Schools and their security staff. They redid all of their buildings and added secure entrances, along with different security/safety features within the school. He also meets with the superintendents on an ongoing basis. He explained that every single security camera in the Warren Consolidated Schools and the Utica Community Schools is patched into the Police Department at their front desk. The officers are trained to pull up that camera system, and they can pull up every camera view in every school, which helps the officers who are on the scene. He Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 07, 2021 Page 5 reviewed some upcoming training, including active shooter presentations at the Chaldean Community Foundation, and a refresher training with teachers and staff at Henry Ford II High School, with both of these scheduled prior to the Oxford tragedy. They are working with the North American Active Assailant Conference to possibly host the High-Risk Unified Commander Course at the Sterling Heights Police Department. He stated they have been doing this training year after year so they are ready in the event tragedy strikes. Chief Dwojakowski credited Captain Pappas for being instrumental in establishing the Department of Justice Grant and Michigan Municipal Risk Management Association Grant, which went to “Go-Bags,” comprised of tools to pry open doors and windows, zip cuffs, and medical equipment for trauma situations, and those bags are in every marked and unmarked car. They also obtained a grant, as well as using drug forfeiture funds, for special bulletproof vests that go on top of their regularly-mandated bullet-proof vests, which will stop a rifle round. These are also stored in each car in the “Go-Bag” and provide an extra layer of protection for their officers. Their current budget will allow them to upgrade to ballistic-rated helmets, which will stop some rounds of ammunition. They will purchase half this budget year and half in the next budget year. Chief Dwojakowski outlined the increased personnel, including a school resource officer in all three of their high schools in Sterling Heights, where Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 07, 2021 Page 6 they have a cost-sharing program with the school district. He admitted the tough question is what they can do to stop their officers from having to respond to calls, and unfortunately, these incidents can still happen. He added the answer is complicated, and it takes time and money. He noted that having officers imbedded in the classrooms with programs such as Smart Moves and CORE, where the officers serve as a positive role model in the classroom, is important. He stated that all nineteen elementary schools get ten weeks of a positive role model in the classroom, talking about what is right and what is wrong. Having police officers with kids through the CORE program and Parks and Recreation programs in the summer months is another positive influence. Mental health is critical, and he thanked the City and Council for approving a full-time social worker. He added that she is already working and is very busy investigating a number of different issues. He stressed they are very happy about this new position, in addition to seven new police officers that they will be hiring, with five to be on road patrol and two doing more community policing in the schools, parks, and throughout the City. He talked about the Drug-Free Coalition started in the last few years, which is a non-profit dedicated to producing programming in order to keep people away from drugs, create awareness of drugs, and offer prevention strategies. With regard to the increasing overdose fatalities that have reached epidemic proportions, they are proud of their Comeback Quick Response Team (QRT), which is a special program pioneered in Michigan, Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 07, 2021 Page 7 and Sterling Heights is the first department in the State to do this. He explained what it involves, including a having a team consisting of a police officer, a nurse or social worker, and a peer recovery coach that visit someone withing three days after they overdosed and were saved with Narcan. They can offer treatment, and the program has been phenomenal. They now have twenty-five departments doing this same program that was started in Sterling Heights. He credited the volunteers who work with the City to make sure everyone is safe at public events and in neighborhoods. He concluded his presentation by stating that their hearts and thoughts go out to everyone in the Oxford community, and he offered to answer questions. Councilwoman Schmidt felt it is unfortunate to have to have this conversation. She explained she works at the Career Prep Center for Warren Consolidated Schools, and since they have over 1,000 students who go through this center from many different schools, she inquired as to the communication with the Sterling Heights Police Department being kept in the loop. She cited an incident that occurred this week and felt that since they did not know the student who wrote the threatening comment, the Career Prep Center should have been searched as well. Chief Dwojakowski stated his son attends a similar program at a center in Oakland County, and they were closed for five days because of a threat from another student in another district. He admitted it is difficult when a student comes from another school in another community for that message to be Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 07, 2021 Page 8 conveyed to Sterling Heights so that they can be part of the investigation. He explained their task force has handled eighty-eight cases in a day-and-a-half, and he felt it is possible that someone could have failed to notify someone else. He assured if they thought something was going to happen at the Career Prep Center, the Sterling Heights Police Department would receive a call. He indicated the Superintendent of Warren Consolidated Schools contacts him on everything. Councilwoman Schmidt stated they do not have a resource officer in their building, and although Sterling Heights High School is across the street and there is a resource officer at that location, she felt there should be a little more police presence in their building. She stated they have a locked door system, and they had a staff meeting earlier today to talk about possible changes. She admitted that Warren Consolidated Schools is working diligently, as every school district is to meet daily and discuss how they can make improvements. Chief Dwojakowski assured he will follow up with the superintendents of the school districts with these concerns to see if they have a better plan for communication. Councilman Yanez questioned what a school resource officer does, how they engage with the students, and how they manage an incident at a middle school or elementary school. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 07, 2021 Page 9 Chief Dwojakowski stated it is a two-week, nearly eighty-hour program to learn how to become a school resource officer. They are there to build a relationship with the students, and if a student does something wrong like bringing drugs or a weapon into the school, the officer is there to make the arrest and bring the person to the jail. He added that those officers also work with administration and they have programs in the classroom, so their duties are multi-faceted. He stressed they want to be approachable, and good resource officers are loved by the students. They also have the skill set to deal with some of the middle school problems, and the school district has security officers located within the middle schools, but they often send the school resource officer from the high school to handle the issue and then get them back to the high school as soon as possible. Councilwoman Ziarko questioned how many schools within the boundaries of Sterling Heights are in the Warren Consolidated School District and how many are in the Utica Community School District. She questioned whether the training offered by the Warren Police Department is compatible with the training done by the Sterling Heights Police Department, especially considering that the schools are within the City of Sterling Heights. Chief Dwojakowski explained the Warren Consolidated School District has the Warren Police Department come in to teach their lockdown drills; however, it is similar to what they do in Sterling Heights, and if they request the Sterling Heights Police Department to train, they will do it. He added that Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 07, 2021 Page 10 the school district does a lot of that training on their own, adding that the Sterling Heights Police Department does not have the staff to go into all nineteen elementary schools, along with the junior high schools and high schools. The schools practice their lockdown drills, and they know what they are supposed to do. He assured that the Warren Police Department would respond very similar to the way Sterling Heights Police Department would respond. Councilwoman Ziarko emphasized if there is a problem in one of the Warren Consolidated Schools, it will not be the Warren Police Department but rather the Sterling Heights Police Department that will be responding. She hoped it is a universal response. Chief Dwojakowski reiterated they cannot train every business in Sterling Heights, but officers will respond the way they are trained. He assured that Sterling Heights Police Department will show up for any incidents at the Warren Consolidated Schools within their boundaries. He assured the lockdown strategies and “run-hide-fight” are universal strategies now, and that is how they are all trained. Mayor Pro-Tem Sierawski questioned the handling of the TikTok challenges and other in-house crimes, and whether the schools are alerting the police. She further inquired as to what they are doing to head off the problems. She felt that sometimes teachers feel they have the best interest of the child in mind, but possibly not always the perspective for counseling opportunities. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 07, 2021 Page 11 Chief Dwojakowski assured the school districts are phenomenal, and if there is an issue, they contact the police. He cited an instance that occurred this afternoon, and how they have to determine whether or not it is legitimate, adding that fortunately, in most cases, it is not legitimate. He stressed the manpower and hours over the last couple of weeks are ridiculous, but they have to check out each case because they do not take any chances. He addressed the question about the TikTok challenges, noting they did not get many of those threats, and it was more media-driven. They have to make the decision with the school district as to whether a threat is credible, and what else they have to do to verify. Councilwoman Koski questioned whether the Sterling Heights Police Department has video access to all of the Warren Consolidated Schools in the City just as they do for the Utica Community Schools. Chief Dwojakowski replied affirmatively. They can pull up the screen, click on the camera view they want to see, and they have a live image of any of those locations. He replied to further inquiry they do not have that ability with the private schools, noting they may be able to make some contact with the private schools to see if they would be willing to share access to those cameras. He stressed it is up to them. He explained that, even with Warren Consolidated Schools, there was some apprehension that the Police Department would only use it for law enforcement or emergency purposes. He agreed school is a place where students and teachers should feel safe Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 07, 2021 Page 12 and not a place where they are watched by the police. He added that the Police Department made promises and agreements that they would only utilize that system in the event of an emergency, and they are sticking to their end of the promise. Councilwoman Koski felt it would be a good idea to approach them. She recalled years ago they talked about getting layouts of different businesses in the event there was an incident. She inquired as to whether that has been accomplished. Chief Dwojakowski replied that they have that data for some of the larger factories such as the Chrysler Stamping Plant and Assembly Plant. Years ago, they had a company do 360-degree mapping with photographs of every high school, so they could see a still picture of the layout of the building; however, with the technology of cameras now, they can click on the camera to see a live feed, which is more accurate. Chief Dwojakowski recalled that Chrysler Stamping has retooled at least twice since they did that first project, so it is no longer accurate. Keeping updated blueprints of every building in Sterling Heights would be very difficult. Councilwoman Koski inquired as to whether a business could voluntarily offer camera views of their building. Chief Dwojakowski replied affirmatively but cautioned that private businesses may be hesitant to provide passwords for the police to access their cameras, which would enable them to watch everything they do “24-7”. He felt a lot of Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 07, 2021 Page 13 businesses would have no interest in that, but if they wanted to, the Police Department would be willing to do that. He commented on the Ring doorbell cameras, adding that many residents have volunteered footage from their cameras in the event of a crime in the area, and that has helped the Police Department solve many crimes. Councilman Radtke is glad the Police Department is working hard with the local school district. He felt this is a growing problem, and he is in favor of anything they can do to prevent the problem in this City. Councilwoman Schmidt felt the reason the Warren Police Department are involved with the training in the Warren Consolidated Schools is because their administration building is located in the City of Warren. She cited examples where the Sterling Heights Police Department has worked with the schools, and she was confident that if something happens in a Warren Consolidated School in Sterling Heights, they will be calling the Sterling Heights Police Department. She commented that the students in Oxford did exactly what they were trained to do. Mayor Taylor thanked Chief Dwojakowski for his presentation this evening, extending his appreciation for the leadership team and officers. He saw that the City of Royal Oak Police is offering a program where people can obtain a gun lock from the Police Department. He questioned whether Sterling Heights has a similar program. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 07, 2021 Page 14 Chief Dwojakowski replied the City just gave away their last four gun locks at the front desk of the Police Department. He stressed they have been a hot commodity recently, so more are ordered. They will put it on social media when they are back in stock, noting they are free of charge for residents. Mayor Taylor questioned whether there is more they could do in terms of gun safety, training, and/or education for parents and gun owners. Chief Dwojakowski stressed that locking up the firearm is the first step, with no child having access to a firearm. He pointed out someone may trust their son or daughter, but if they have a friend over, that friend could access an unlocked gun. Thieves who break in often steal guns, especially those that are not locked, and that gun becomes a danger on the street. Mayor Taylor felt they are not talking about keeping this from happening but rather to keep the fatalities down. He claimed it does not happen anywhere else in the world, and this is the only civilized nation in the world where this type of tragedy occurs. Mr. Vanderpool stated this concludes his report for this evening. 6. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Taylor stated this item is consideration of the Consent Agenda. He opened the floor for public comments. • Jon Matthews – commented on Item 6-L; understood that cost is for three memorial sculptures in memory of two police officers and one firefighter who lost their lives in the line of duty; appreciated the memorial and pointed out it equates to less than $1 per resident. Moved by Koski, seconded by Ziarko, RESOLVED, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented: Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 07, 2021 Page 15 A. To approve the minutes of the Special Meeting of November 9, 2021. B. To approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 16, 2021. C. To approve payment of the bills as presented: General Fund - $1,469,740.23, Water & Sewer Fund - $4,568,947.46, Other Funds - $2,947,675.35, Total Checks - $8,986,363.04. D. RESOLVED, to purchase two (2) 2021 Dodge Durango Police Pursuit AWD vehicles and three (3) 2021 Dodge Charger Police AWD V6 vehicles from LaFontaine CDJR-Lansing, 6131 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing, MI 48911, at pricing available through State of Michigan MiDeal cooperative purchasing contract #071B7700183 in the cumulative amount of $152,800. E. RESOLVED, to: 1) Purchase two (2) police investigative vehicles at pricing available through Macomb County vehicle purchasing program contract nos. #71-15 and #21-18 at a cumulative cost of $51,546.00; 2) Purchase three (3) police investigative vehicles at pricing available through State of Michigan MiDeal cooperative purchasing contract #071B7700183 at a cumulative cost of $91,408.90; and 3) Waive the competitive bidding requirements in accordance with City Code §2-17(A)(9)(b) and purchase two police investigative vehicles at the cumulative quoted price of $62,557.00. F. RESOLVED, to purchase maintenance, repair, and operating supplies from: 1) Home Depot, U.S.A., Inc., 2455 Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta, GA 30339, at pricing available through the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance contract #16154 through June 30, 2023; and 2) W.W. Grainger, Inc., 5617 Enterprise Drive, Lansing, MI 48911, at pricing available through the State of Michigan’s MiDeal cooperative purchasing contract #171-180000000689 through June 30, 2023. G. RESOLVED, to purchase seventeen (17) iPad Pro tables and accessories at a cost of $27,244.48, from Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless, 26935 Northwestern Hwy, Southfield, MI 48033, at pricing available through the State of Michigan – MiDeal cooperative purchasing program, contract #071B5500078. H. RESOLVED, to accept proposals by Shelby Underground, 12304 24 Mile Rd., Shelby Township, MI 48315, and Superior Excavating, Inc., 2420 Auburn Rd., Auburn Hills, MI 48326, for water service installations and water main and water service line repairs, Proposal Sections A, B, C, and D, through June 30, 2022. I. RESOLVED, to extend the bid award for truck transport and tank wagon deliveries of gasoline and diesel fuel to RKA Petroleum Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 07, 2021 Page 16 Companies, Inc., 28340 Wick Rd., Romulus, MI 48174, only, at the existing unit prices through January 31, 2024. J. RESOLVED, to approve: 1) The Administrative Services Contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for the period January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022, with monthly fees of $66.10 per employee/retiree contract for administration, and $122.35 per employee/retiree contract for specific stop loss insurance at $250,000 for the self-insured retention; and 2) Authorize the City Manager to sign all documents required in conjunction with this approval, upon review and approval by the City Attorney. K. RESOLVED, to approve the Fourth Amendment to Pharmacy Management Services Agreement between the City of Sterling Heights and Navitus Health Solutions LLC and authorize the City Manager to sign all documents required in conjunction with this approval. L. RESOLVED, to waive the competitive bidding requirements in accordance with City Code §2-217(A)(9)(c) and accept a proposal by the Detroit Design Center©, 6100 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, MI 48210, for three (3) public art memorial sculptures, including delivery, installation, lighting and plaques, at a total cost of $99,800, and authorize the City Manager to sign all required documentation. M. RESOLVED, to schedule a special meeting of the City Council for a strategic planning session at the Sterling Heights Community Center, 40250 Dodge Park Road, on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at 8:30 a.m., and direct the City Clerk to post the appropriate notices in accordance with Michigan’s Open Meetings Act. Yes: All. The motion carried. 7. CONSIDERATION A. Mayor Taylor stated this is to consider appointments to City of Sterling Heights Boards and Commissions. He opened the floor to comments from the public, but no one spoke. Housing Commission Moved by Yanez, seconded by Ziarko, RESOLVED, to appoint Wanda Walker to the Housing Commission to a term ending December 31, 2026, subject to the appointee meeting the qualifications set forth in Charter §4.03 and taking the oath of office within two weeks. Yes: All. The motion carried. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 07, 2021 Page 17 Elected Officials Compensation Commission Mayor Taylor stated this was up in the summer but was postponed until after the election. He indicated he is not prepared to make appointments today, and there is no urgency since they do not meet until February 2023. He suggested it be postponed to the first meeting of June 2022. Moved by Ziarko, seconded by Schmidt, RESOLVED, to postpone the appointments to the Elected Officials Compensation Commission to the June 7, 2022, regular City Council meeting. Yes: All. The motion carried. 8. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Mayor Taylor opened the floor for comments from the audience. • Brandy White – appreciated the presentation by Chief Dwojakowski; need to control access children have to guns and urged people to lock their guns; loved Sterling Christmas and commended the City for these activities. • Ken Nelson – congratulated Mayor and Council for their reappointments; appreciated the presentation this evening from Chief Dwojakowski; complained about dirt roads, specifically Gardiner East, Nathan, and Dawn, and felt they need to be paved; commented that recent agendas have not had consideration items, and stressed the City needs transparency. • Jon Matthews – congratulated Mayor and Council members for reelection, and Clerk Ryska for a well-run election; felt police officers do not get enough recognition for safety in schools because of the mitigation; stressed mental health plays a large part; urged people to keep guns and ammunition locked up. 9. REPORTS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATION AND CITY COUNCIL Mr. Vanderpool addressed the concern expressed by Mr. Nelson with regard to the unpaved streets. He explained that fortunately, there are not many, but he provided the history on those unpaved roads, which were left from “the Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 07, 2021 Page 18 township days” before Sterling Heights became a city. As a city, they became fully developed over the last fifty years, and as developers were required to put in public streets, they passed those costs on to individuals buying the homes, which is a form of a special assessment. Prior to becoming a city, unpaved roads were handled through special assessments, and if residents on gravel roads want their street improved, they have to submit a petition. If the majority want it to be paved, the City Council considers a special assessment. He pointed out that for everyone who wants their road paved, there is the same number who do not want it paved because they like the rural feel. They feel paving it increases speeding. The few unpaved roads now do not have the majority of residents on those roads who want it paved. He recalled they were close to getting the majority in favor of paving on Dawn Street, but they wanted a cul-de-sac, which created major concerns for police and fire. Mr. Vanderpool also commented on the concern for transparency mentioned in the public comments, informing that the City has their Strategic Planning Session on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. He stressed this is one of their most important sessions of the year, along with their budget hearings, and he encouraged residents to participate in this strategic planning process. He also noted that tonight’s e-packet is 150 pages and it is posted on the City’s website. The average-sized agenda package is about two hundred pages, so any resident can pull that up and look at any item they want on the agenda. If they have questions and are not at the meeting, they can contact Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 07, 2021 Page 19 a City Council member, all of whom are very accessible, or they can always contact Administration to get their questions answered. Councilwoman Schmidt reminded all residents that DPW is having their annual Ken Stempowski Food Drive, where they are seeking donations of non-perishable foods to benefit the Macomb Food Program. The donations are being accepted at the DPW Building on 18 Mile Road from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays, and at Community Relations in City Hall from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays. She indicated monetary donations are also being accepted, with checks to be made out the Macomb Food Program. She noted there are a lot of homes and businesses decorated for the holidays, and suggested during these stressful times, it is important to get out and enjoy some of the holiday cheer. Councilwoman Ziarko agreed with a resident’s earlier comment that Sterling Christmas is magical. She stated it was great to watch people enjoying themselves, and even though there were lines, people got to meet one another as they were waiting. She mentioned she talked to someone in Fraser whose 25-year-old son is looking for a house, and he wants to locate in Sterling Heights “because they have more to offer their residents”. She felt what they are doing is making a difference, because they are bringing in younger people. She got a question from a non-resident as to whether there is a yearly pass available for purchase up-front to use the City’s facilities all year instead of paying the non-resident fee for each event. She felt that may Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 07, 2021 Page 20 be something the City could look at. She stressed that Strategic Planning is her favorite meeting of the year because they spend an entire day talking about of possibilities as they talk about what could happen here in the future of the City. Mr. Vanderpool replied to inquiry that the Strategic Planning will take place at the Community Center. Councilman Radtke thanked the voters for reelecting him, noting he and a couple of others were sworn in by Judge Wiegand remotely on Zoom. He thanked the voters for giving him four more years of their trust to do what is right for the City. He felt Mr. Nelson made a great point about the non-paved roads, especially Dawn Drive. He felt City Council does not need the permission of the residents on that road to pave it. He noted Dawn Drive is a direct cut-through from Van Dyke to Utica, and he felt it should be paved, although he does not feel it should be a cul-de-sac. He added that he will look at Gardiner East or Nathan. He talked about reinstituting the Human Rights Ordinance, and he questioned whether this could be placed on an agenda for a discussion. Mayor Taylor inquired as to whether this is to bring the Ordinance for introduction, or whether it is to have a discussion. Councilman Radtke replied he would like to have a discussion at this point but would eventually like to reinstitute that ordinance after discussion. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 07, 2021 Page 21 Mayor Taylor stated he does not need the Board’s consent to have it as a discussion item. Councilman Radtke noted there is one more meeting this year, but he wished everyone a happy holiday season. Mayor Pro-Tem Sierawski announced that Friends of Foster Kids is a great organization in Sterling Heights still looking for help and donations. She noted that this is Pearl Harbor Day, so she honored and thanked World War II veterans who are still alive or have passed away. She urged everyone to remember them. She urged everyone to be kind to others. Mayor Taylor addressed the earlier comments about the unpaved condition of Dawn Drive and stated he would like to know what the residents on that street think about this issue. He recalled speaking with residents on Dawn Drive who do not want it paved because they do not want it to be a cut- through, so he is not sure it should be a cut-through. He felt the residents on that street should control their own destiny, and if the majority want it, they can pursue it. He noted it has been eight or nine years since they dealt with Gardiner, and he felt it was a bit of a fiasco. He stressed he does not want to force it on the residents unless they want it. 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. 11. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business. 12. CLOSED SESSION PERMITTED UNDER ACT 267 OF 1976 Mr. Kaszubski stated there is one item for closed session this evening. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, December 07, 2021 Page 22 13. ADJOURN Moved by Ziarko, seconded by Schmidt, RESOLVED, to adjourn the meeting and go into Closed Session. Yes: All. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned into Closed Session at 8:10 p.m. MELANIE D. RYSKA, City Clerk