City Council

CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY July 2, 2024 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 Melanie D. Ryska, City Clerk, 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. Absent: None Also Present: Mark Vanderpool, City Manager; Marc D. Kaszubski, City Attorney; Melanie D. Ryska, City Clerk; Andrea L. Bara, Recording Secretary. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Moved by Koski, seconded by Schmidt, RESOLVED, to approve the agenda as presented. Yes: All. The motion carried (7/0). 5. REPORT FROM CITY MANAGER Mr. Vanderpool reminded everyone that there are spots available for the Sterling Heights Civilian Fire Academy, a four-week session that starts on September 18, 2024. Students will participate in fire extinguishing, CPR (certification), AED (certification), vehicle extrication, and more. Class size is limited, sign up at www.sterlingheights.gov. Mr. Vanderpool informed everyone that there is a “Lets Vote” community forum hosted by the City Clerk’s Office on Tuesday July 9, 2024 @ 6pm at City Hall. City Clerk staff will help voters navigate the voting process for the upcoming Elections. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday July 02, 2024 Page 2 Mr. Vanderpool highlighted another achievement of Sterling Heights City Clerk, Melanie D. Ryska, has been sworn in as the new President of Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks (MAMC). The association is comprised of nearly thirteen hundred members representing almost eight hundred communities across the State of Michigan. While the roll will be challenging during the Presidential Election, which will yield numerous media interviews, speaking engagements, event attendance, and legislative efforts, Mrs. Ryska will represent the City, State of Michigan and MAMC members very well. The Clerk’s Office well trained team will maintain the excellent standard of service that has become second to none. He commented how lucky Sterling Heights was to have Mrs. Ryska and her team running Elections, being a model for others to follow. He congratulated Mrs. Ryska and is looking forward to seeing her great work on the State stage. Mr. Vanderpool introduced the latest Business Spotlight, Pancho Villa’s Authentic Mexican Cuisine, which has been operating in Sterling Heights for over twenty- five years and famous for the Flaming Fajita. Numerous customer reviews agree that the food is amazing, reasonably priced, the waitstaff is very attentive and the overall feel is very authentic. Owner Arif Steve Nagie, a native New Yorker of Yamini descent, with multiple degrees, planted roots in Michigan in 1982. He has been an entrepreneur formally owning many businesses in the Metro Detroit area. Mr. Nagie is Program Director of “Steps to Change” which provides youth mentorship and job placement for formally incarcerated individuals. Mr. Nagie Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday July 02, 2024 Page 3 was formally incarcerated for many years and has mentored and facilitated classes for re-entry to help these individuals. Mr. Nagie discussed the start of Pancho Villa’s, being indicted, and paying his debt to society. He praised his daughter, Amani, for taking over Pancho Villa’s when she was seventeen years old. He credited her with keeping the restaurant going while he was away. As a peer recovery coach, he has been working with his youth non- profit to help high school students and the Re-entry Mentoring Group, which is comprised of Judges, Prosecutors, and Public Defenders. Mr. Nagie started a pilot program at Melvindale high school, and has been visiting other schools throughout Michigan to offer assistance to any youth in need. He invited anyone interested to come to Pancho Villa’s and offered his services for free to the entire community. Mr. Vanderpool discussed how Officers from the Sterling Heights Police Department checked up on Amani, one Officer in particular, Mark Shmidt, had an everlasting impact on her life. He commented what a true testament to the employees that work for the City, who go above and beyond, the epitome of community-oriented policing. Mark Schmidt commented that his love for Mexican food brought him to Pancho Villas when it opened. He met Steve on one of the many occasions that he ate at the restaurant. While Steve was incarcerated, Mark would talk with Amani while having dinner and give advice to the young lady who took on a tremendous task Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday July 02, 2024 Page 4 of running the restaurant on her own. He didn’t realize he had such an impact on her and is grateful that he was there to help and be recognized. Mark also encouraged anyone who has not tried the food there, to try it. Mr. Vanderpool introduced Leah Michaels from HRC to discuss the Traffic Calming update. Ms. Michaels, Project Leader for City Wide Traffic Calming at HRC, discussed the public engagement portion of the Traffic Calming Survey. Urging Residents and Businesses to participate in the online surveys at www.sterlingheights.gov, view the interactive map and leave comments. She informed everyone of their ongoing meetings with Sterling Heights Boards & Commission members to receive input. Ms. Michaels also stated that they will be at Dodge Park Thursdays to share the link on flyers and receive public feedback. Mr. Vanderpool encouraged residents and businesses to go to the City’s website, click the link and take the survey. Welcoming community feedback. Councilman Radtke commented that he was excited for this tool and questioned if the online map marks sidewalks. He is concerned about sidewalk gaps, specifically the lack of sidewalks on Utica Road and Canterberry. Urging the need for improved pedestrian safety in the community. Ms. Michaels responded that people can click on the area near where a sidewalk is, or could be, and leave a comment. She will look into expanding the interactive map. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday July 02, 2024 Page 5 Councilman Radtke wants to continue to make comprehensive safety improvements that benefit all residents. Mayor Taylor thanked Mr. Nagie and Mr. Schmidt for sharing their inspirational stories and what they have done to improve the lives of others. 6. ORDINANCE ADOPTION Mayor Taylor stated this item is to consider adoption of an ordinance amending Chapter 23 of the City Code, entitled Garbage and Refuse, to implement recycling requirements for multiple family dwellings. He opened the floor for public comments from the audience. • Unidentified resident - expressed concerns regarding trash cans and code enforcement. Moved by Radtke, seconded by Yanez, RESOLVED, to adopt the ordinance amending Chapter 23 of the City Code, entitled Garbage and Refuse, to implement recycling requirements for multiple family dwellings. Councilman Radtke feels comfortable with the timeline, he encouraged DPW and the City Attorney’s Office to implement action quickly. Yes: All. The motion carried (7/0). 7. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Taylor stated this item is consideration of the Consent Agenda. He opened the floor for public comments from the audience. • Unknown resident - questioned painting of fire hydrants, zero turn mower purchase, joint meeting with Planning Commission. Wants a verbal explanation. Moved by Koski, seconded by Ziarko, RESOLVED, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented: Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday July 02, 2024 Page 6 A. June 18, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes B. To approve payment of the bills as presented: General Fund - $1,373,243.13, Water & Sewer Fund - $1,966,194.53, Other Funds - $1,585,028.25, Total Checks - $4,924,465.91. C. RESOLVED, to accept the proposals by Nordicom Technologies Inc., 43155 Main Street Suite 2208, Novi, MI 48375, for the management and maintenance of the City’s wide area network infrastructure and firewalls for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 at a cumulative cost of $59,400 and authorize the City Manager to sign the statements of work on behalf of the City. D. RESOLVED, to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement for Regional Emergency Dispatch Services between the city of Sterling Heights and County of Macomb for the period January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027 and authorize the City Manager and City Clerk to sign the Agreement on behalf of the City. E. RESOLVED, to approve subscriptions for the annual maintenance of ArcGIS licenses for the city of Sterling Heights Geographical Information System (GIS) from Environmental Systems Research Institute Inc., 380 New York Street, Redlands, CA 92373, at a cost of $22,493.49. F. RESOLVED, to approve the Statement of Work Agreements between the city of Sterling Heights and CivicPlus, LLC, 317 Houston St., Suite E, Manhattan, KS, 66502, for website hosting and technical support services and an annual license for SeeClickFix software and mobile app and authorize the City Manager to sign the Agreements on behalf of the City. G. RESOLVED, to award the bid for painting of fire hydrants, inclusive of alternate bids for painting of park benches, trash containers, and bicycle racks, to MPM Painting, LLC, 46570 Erb Drive, Macomb, MI 48042, for a one (1) year period at unit pricing bid. H. RESOLVED, to split the award of the bid for automobile and light truck body repairs to Crest Collision Center, 36200 Van Dyke, Sterling Heights, MI 48312, Lakeside Collision, Inc., 14665 23 Mile Road, Shelby Township, MI 48315, and Showcase Collision, 6330 14 Mile, Warren, MI, 48092, for a two-year period based on the respective unit prices bid. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday July 02, 2024 Page 7 I. RESOLVED, to purchase computer equipment from People Driven Technology, 6300 Venture Hills Boulevard SW, Byron Center, MI 49315, at competitive pricing available through Midwestern Higher Education Commission cooperative purchasing contract #MHEC-04152022, at a cumulative cost of $177,543.85, and authorize the City Manager to sign all required documents on behalf of the City. J. RESOLVED, to purchase an ABI Force Z-23 Zero Turn Vehicle from Ladd’s Golf & Turf, LLC 9670 Cherry Valley Ave SE Caledonia, MI 49316 for the amount of $52,186.00; and authorize the City Manager to sign all necessary documentation to facilitate this purchase. K. RESOLVED, to: 1. Waive the competitive bidding requirement in accordance with City Code §2-217(A)(9)(b) and approve the contract between the city of Sterling Heights and Galui Construction Co., 33805 Harper Avenue, Clinton Township, MI 48035, for the 2024 Concrete Sectional Replacement Program, City Project #24-429, Doncaster Drive Reconstruction, City Project #24-436, and Fire Station #1 Pavement Improvements, City Project #24-430, at a cumulative cost of $2,579,508, and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the contract on behalf of the City; and, 2. Authorize a budget amendment in the amount of $200,000 from Local Road Fund reserves to complete the full scope of the project. L. RESOLVED, to schedule a special joint meeting of the Sterling Heights City Council and Planning Commission at the Sterling Heights Community Center, 40250 Dodge Park Road, on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at 6:30 p.m., and direct the City Clerk to provide public notice in conformity with Michigan’s Open Meetings Act. M. RESOLVED, to receive the lawsuit, Sina Elizabeth Rhodes v. City of Sterling Heights / Sterling Heights Police Department; 41A District Court Case No. S-24- 2118-GZ. Yes: All. The motion carried (7/0). 8. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Mayor Taylor opened the floor for public comments. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday July 02, 2024 Page 8 • Unknow Resident – voiced concern regarding trash and compost pickup, taxes, cost of food, building next to his home, DPW building. • Jason Brolin – voiced concern regarding Code Issue of notice of violation. • Jim Baur – discussed CCF PUD, millage. • Kayshia Burks - voiced concern regarding Code Issue of notice of violation. • Douglas Molzian - voiced concern regarding trash not being picked up on schedule, questions regarding yard waste. 9. REPORTS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATION AND CITY COUNCIL Mayor Taylor invited Mr. Vanderpool to address the trash not being picked up on Utica Road. Mr. Vanderpool stated that he will report back to the resident and City Council regarding the trash not being picked up on schedule. Priority Waste has forty thousand stops and the vast majority of residents are being served well. He urged everyone to go to the website for a comprehensive Q & A from Priority Waste and the city. Mr. Vanderpool commented that seven acres of the upcoming PUD will be reserved as green space with a riverwalk. The development will be on the frontage of the road. He is very pleased with the overall progress of North Van Dyke. The idea is to create more robust vibrant areas in the City. Mr. Kaszubski stated he had no additional comments. Councilman Radtke requested, without objection, to receive a report from the City Attorney and City Manager about further amending Multi Family Refuse Ordinance to require fully enclosed dumpsters. Mayor Taylor questioned what Councilman Radtke considers a “fully enclosed” dumpster. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday July 02, 2024 Page 9 Councilman Radtke stated that newly built housing has their dumpsters enclosed, some other developments just have the dumpster sitting out in the parking lot, not screened by an enclosure. Councilwoman Ziarko questioned if un-enclosed dumpsters would be “Grandfathered” in considering there was not an Ordinance at that time. Mayor Taylor invited Mr. Kaszubski to weigh in. Mr. Kaszubski confirmed that Council requested a report whether they can require enclosures in prior Multi Family housing, and if so, what can be done. Councilman Radtke questioned if the businesses were cited for code violations, trash, rodents, etc. would that be enough cause to require compliance with the Ordinance. He stated trash being left out on the ground with rodents running all over it, is unacceptable in Sterling Heights. Councilman Radtke appreciated Mr. Baur’s passion. He discussed “anchoring bias”, requiring certain counts in an ordinance, such as number of parking spaces. He stated that the Ordinances have not been updated in many years and is looking forward to the Master Plan updates. Councilman Radtke discussed partnering with businesses to create a thriving North Van Dyke corridor, with connection the park system. Councilwoman Schmidt questioned whether Priority Waste has been in contact with the City since the new contract. Mr. Vanderpool responded that he has been in contact with the CEO of Priority waste, that there are performance standards to meet, or the company will be fined. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday July 02, 2024 Page 10 Councilwoman Schmidt inquired about the rebate for yard waste carts. Mr. Vanderpool responded that the rebate program started July 1st and will run for ninety days. Residents can order their cart online, pay for it, and receive a sixty- dollar rebate in approximately thirty days. Councilwoman Schmidt wished everyone a happy and safe 4th of July. Mayor Pro-Tem Sierawski stated she was concerned when Ms. Kaisha Berns spoke and stated she felt very unheard and very discriminated against by the city. She has every confidence that Mr. Vanderpool will handle the issues that were brought up by the resident and work towards a solution. Mayor Pro-Tem Sierawski stated that judging by appearances, the Council looks like medium aged white people, but pointed out that Councilman Yanez is Hispanic, Councilwoman Schmidt is Italian, her Great Grandparents were African-American. She then commented that Council is representing different types of minorities even though they look similar and will she be reaching out to Kaisha to discuss resolving the issues brought up at the meeting. Mayor Pro-Tem Sierawski reminded everyone about the upcoming Fire Academy sign up deadline of August 23, 2024. She and several Council members have attended the Fire Academy, which was very interesting and fun. Mayor Pro-Tem Sierawski said a fond farewell to Lakeside, where she spent many an hour shopping, and is excitedly looking forward to the new development that will bring millions of dollars to the City. She wished everyone a Happy 4th of July and asked to keep the troops in their hearts. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday July 02, 2024 Page 11 Councilwoman Ziarko requested reports on all the issues that were brought up tonight, so they can be corrected. She questioned if that the yard waste cans were purchased prior to the rebate, would be eligible to receive that rebate as well, and how many cans have been purchased to date. Mr. Vanderpool responded the rebate program is for the ninety-day period of time. He encouraged residents who have questions to contact DPW. There have been approximately one thousand two hundred yard waste containers purchased to date. Councilwoman Ziarko congratulated Mrs. Ryska, knowing that she is going to do a great job and wished her all the best. Councilwoman Koski questioned Mr. Vanderpool regarding the closing of lids on the trash cans, wondering if they will still be picked up if the lid is not closed all the way. Mr. Vanderpool replied that it depends on the situation, he will review the camera footage and report back. Councilwoman Koski discussed receiving her tax bill and went on record to state that she is voting no on the upcoming tax millage. Mayor Taylor thanked everyone for coming out and participating. He commented that he will look into the issues presented tonight and follow up with the residents. He wished everyone a very happy holiday. Mayor Taylor said a bittersweet goodbye to Lakeside, he thanked all of the people who worked at Lakeside Mall Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday July 02, 2024 Page 12 and helped make it an incredible place to be. He is excited and looking forward to the new development. 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 are no items for Closed Session this evening. 13. ADJOURN Moved by Ziarko, seconded by Schmidt, RESOLVED, to adjourn the meeting. Yes: All. The motion carried (7/0), and the meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m. MELANIE D. RYSKA, City Clerk