City Council

CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2025 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 Chelsea May, Deputy 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. Also Present: Mark Vanderpool, City Manager; Marc D. Kaszubski, City Attorney; Chelsea May, Deputy City Clerk; 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 (7/0). 5. REPORT FROM CITY MANAGER Mr. Vanderpool began his report by providing an overview of how the recently passed state budget impacts Sterling Heights. The City receives revenue-sharing from the State of Michigan, and they will be seeing a reduction of eight percent in constitutional revenue sharing that has been passed on to Sterling Heights through sales tax and other funding sources at the state level. He informed that eight percent equates to about $1 million that they will see as a reduction; however, the State approved a public safety revenue sharing formula that provides approximately $200,000 of new revenue. This public safety revenue is based on crime statistics for cities across the state, and because of the City’s very Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Page 2 low crime and Safe City distinction, the City of Sterling Heights came out on the low end of that public safety grant. He pointed out that the City is a victim of their own success, but that still offsets the $1 million reduction to $800,000. He announced, however, that the City will see significant increases in road funding, and over a five-year period, they will see almost $40 million in new road funding that will come specifically to Sterling Heights. He emphasized that it will result in the ability to improve more neighborhood roads and additional major roads across the City. Sterling Heights is one of the few communities in the State of Michigan that contributes money from its General Fund to their Road Fund, and they will no longer have to contribute that $1 million to their Road Fund because of the additional road funding. This results in no net loss when it is all calculated , and there is actually a net gain to Sterling Heights through the state budget. The state legislature approved $2.1 million in funding for the City to purchase its new ladder truck, noting it was not long ago when ladder trucks cost $1 million, but they are now over $2 million, and the state will provide funding for the City’s next ladder truck. Mr. Vanderpool noted that they had a jail detention facility in the Police Department, but they merged their jail operations with the County, resulting in a far better use of taxpayer dollars. The City no longer needs their jail facility, so they are going through a major renovation for training space in the old jail facility. He informed the state budget provides $1 million to help renovate that space inside the Police Department, so this is all very good news for the City of Sterling Heights with the state budget and how it impacts the City. He thanked Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Page 3 their State legislative team, including Senator Webber, Representative Coon, Representative Robinson, Representative Mentzer, Senator Wojno, Senator Chang, and the strong bipartisan support for the budget. Mr. Vanderpool pointed out that there is significant work going on across their City through Utica Community Schools and the hundreds of millions of dollars being invested in Sterling Heights to upgrade their school facilities. They are pleased to have Utica Community Schools Assistant Superintendent of Auxiliary Services John Graham provide an overview of the many exciting projects they have going on. John Graham, Assistant Superintendent for Auxiliary Services, Utica Community Schools, explained this involves facility management and planning of their forty facilities across five municipalities. He is here tonight on behalf of Superintendent Robert Monroe. He extended his thanks to the City and all of its staff, adding they have enjoyed a great working relationship with the various departments. Mr. Graham explained their Strategic Plan is their guide, through the help of their Board of Education, community members, and parent input in 2023. It is based on the Culture of Empowerment, Culture of Caring, and the Culture of Transformation, and he expounded a little more on each. He noted that they have a focus on making their facilities safe, modern, and comfortable for their students and staff, and talking about how they are committed to maintaining a financial position, enabling them to have those resources to improve their facilities. There is a great amount of support amongst Sterling Heights residents for these Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Page 4 improvements, noting they have overwhelmingly passed the last two bonds. Without the support of the residents, they would not have been able to undertake all of these capital improvement projects. These projects are great for the students, but they also increase property values as well as the increased desirability and quality of life in the Sterling Heights neighborhoods. He stressed they always focus on student and staff safety, which is always at the top of the list. He showed photos of the current projects underway, as well as a list of upcoming projects. The current list includes pedestrian and traffic improvements through crosswalks with rapid flash beacons on Dodge Park Road, greatly increasing safety for the students at Stevenson High School. The crosswalk partnership they have with the City and County on Schoenherr Road in front of Havel Elementary is a great improvement for the safety of their students. The list also included improvements to the kitchen and server at Davis Junior High School, the media center at Jeannette Jr. High School, the cafeteria at Gene L. Klida UAIS, and the auto shop at Stevenson Highway. They have also included parking and traffic flow improvements at Schuchard Elementary, as well as dedicated bus loops, landscaping, and a new playground. He added that, as a big part of their 2023 bond, every elementary school is getting not only new equipment but reimagined and revamped playgrounds. Mr. Graham explained they completed renovations at the Rose Kidd Elementary, which was closed in 2010. It hosted a lot of programs for the district, but it was not an elementary school until 2024. It became the home for DeKeyser Elementary students for a while when their school was being totally Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Page 5 reconstructed. Graebner is now taking their home in the Rose Kidd building, and next year Havel Elementary will move in once the reconstruction of Graebner Elementary is completed. He pointed out that the DeKeyser Elementary reconstruction emphasizes student and staff safety, and they are now able to compartmentalize the students through design improvements. Mr. Graham explained that they are currently moving a lot of athletic facilities from Stevenson High School to what used to be vacant open property at 16 Mile and Dodge Park. Stevenson currently has six tennis courts, and this will allow them to have eight tennis courts. They can move softball from Plumbrook and Dodge Park, and baseball from the Stevenson campus, over to this new athletic campus. The baseball and softball fields will be full turf, and will have a promenade, press boxes, grandstand seating, concessions, and restrooms. All four of their comprehensive high schools will have these benefits through the 2023 bond issue. He showed renderings of what it will look like. It is scheduled to be completed by Spring 2026 and will be open to host students in competitions this coming March. Mr. Graham talked about Runkel Stadium, which will be on the campus of Stevenson High School, and this was part of the rationale for why they needed an athletics complex at 16 Mile and Dodge Park. The Stevenson High School campus is landlocked so there is not a lot of room available to improve Runkel Stadium. This will provide them with the flexibility to make massive improvements to Runkel Stadium, which is in the planning stages at this time. He showed pictures of other improvements taking place, including those at Swinehart Stadium, Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Page 6 bordering Utica High School, and Henry Ford II, and he detailed some of those improvements. He provided updates on Graebner Elementary, which started in June 2025 and anticipated to reopen in August 2026, as well as Havel Elementary, which will be starting next summer and will be completed by Fall 2027. He expressed his gratitude to the City for their support and thanked the residents of Sterling Heights for their continued support of Utica Community Schools. Mr. Vanderpool acknowledged that a large part of the City’s prosperity is due to their amazing school systems, and Utica Community Schools is taking it to a new level, and that investment is truly appreciated. Mayor Taylor stated his children are in the Utica Community Schools and a lot of people are very excited about what is going on with their improvements. He commented that there was a “no left turn” sign posted at Henry Ford High School, exiting onto Clinton River Road. He noted that sign has been taken down during construction, but he would love to see that sign back up again. Mr. Graham questioned if that sign was on the curve that was straightened out. Mayor Taylor replied affirmatively. Mr. Graham commented that it may have been an oversight after the straightening took place. Mayor Taylor noted that the construction is still ongoing so the sign being put back up may be in the works. Mr. Graham thanked Mayor Taylor for pointing it out. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Page 7 Mr. Vanderpool introduced Paula MacPherson, Executive Director of the Velocity Center, to provide some updates on a very exciting program occurring there. He reminded that Velocity is a collaboration and business incubator/accelerator facility and the only one in Macomb County, located here in Sterling Heights. Paula MacPherson, Executive Director of Velocity, stated she is proud to announce that Velocity was chosen to be a host for Fellows through Global Ties Detroit. She advised that this fellowship program lasted one month, and it is in partnership between the U.S. State Department and Legacy International. They cover all of the travel costs, as well as lodging, meals, and other incidentals. It has been exciting to have two gentlemen with them to work on an international landing zone program, as well as small business programming. They chose these two projects because they were areas of interest for each of these gentlemen, and part of their mission in coming here is to help them work on a project and have something to take back home to their own ecosystems to present. She invited them to speak and introduce themselves. Hassan Abahazem, of Morocco, stressed he is very honored and grateful for the opportunity to be here. He stated he is from Morocco, and he is here on a U.S. State Department’s sponsored program by Legacy International, in partnership with Global Ties Detroit and hosted by Velocity. He explained he is a community leader and entrepreneur in Morocco, and they are developing an employment IT solution, hoping to bring prosperity and better income to the working class of Morocco. They also hope to expand to West Africa and East Africa. He emphasized Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Page 8 that working with Velocity has taught him a lot about the resilience of the American ecosystem, specifically in Michigan, and how they are all coming together to better lift up and help small businesses. He added that everyone’s efforts are coming together for one sole purpose of making sure their small businesses are thriving and succeeding. This is very inspirational to him and something he wants to take home and do the best he can to copy this experience. He credited Ms. MacPherson for being a very inspiring leader, and she has provided him with resources to make sure his mission is accomplished and his objectives are met. He thanked everyone for having him here. Mohamed Taxana, of Algeria, thanked City Council for this opportunity. He stated he is from Algeria, and he is involved in the digitizing and procurement in the automotive industry. He has more than fourteen years of experience in entrepreneurship and project management in business, and he is passionate about the technology and innovation of industries such as mobility and manufacturing. During this experience in this program, Velocity has hosted him, and he has learned how business start-ups grow, as well as operational strategies. They are working on the international landing zone, and his goal is to apply this knowledge when he returns home, particularly in working to launch an innovative hub in Algiers with the goal of accelerating sustainable mobility solutions in North Africa. He is honored to be here in this forward-thinking community and learning from their experience. He hopes to build bridges for future cooperation between their ecosystems. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Page 9 Ms. MacPherson stated it is an honor to get to work with both of these gentlemen. She appreciates getting to learn about their ecosystems but also learning some of their other experiences they have had in business. She stated they have the International Landing Zone at Velocity, and they are in the process of completing their new International Soft Landing Zone designation. They get that through the International Incubator Association, and that designation will provide them with international marketing for Velocity, and it will open up opportunities for funding. She also announced that their Accelerator client fundraiser blankets will be on Shark Tank tomorrow night. She is very excited, although she does not know if they struck a deal because they are not allowed to tell them. They have their press team ready to do a big press release if they do strike a deal. She is excited to have someone from their Accelerator on Shark Tank, and she hopes they will all watch. Mr. Vanderpool commented that it is nice to see Sterling Heights playing a role on the international stage when it comes to nurturing the growth of small businesses across the community, the state, the country, and internationally. He also recognized Economic Development Advisor Luke Bonner who works very hard on all of these initiatives, and they appreciate his good work. Mr. Vanderpool stated Sterling Heights has been in the news all day today with creative, innovative projects going on in the Fire Department centered on EMS. He invited Fire Chief Kevin Edmond to share some of those highlights from the news. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Page 10 Fire Chief Edmond talked about the medical service improvements taking place in their department. They had a press conference, and he stated that Captain Krichiver will give a presentation on his new position as Mobile Integrated Health Coordinator. They will also introduce the two case workers. Chief Edmond explained that over the last couple of years, they are looking at whether they are using their resources to respond to medical emergencies. They want to make sure they are smarter and better placed to be able to do that, and the Emergency Medical Priority Dispatch allows them to do that. He talked about some of the myths, including “faster response equals better outcomes.” They are changing that, and instead of sending fire engines and ambulances on all calls, they can now prioritize who needs what service. He cited an example of someone who may have an injured leg, which may only need the services of an EMT peak staff ambulance, but if the bone is sticking out and there is severe bleeding, paramedic response with an engine and ambulance will be sent. Their medical party dispatch now has five levels. This process starts with the 911 call, so they work collaboratively with the County Sheriff Department’s central dispatch, and they have been great partners. They also work with the Medical Control Authority to make sure these were all vetted and approved by their medical control physicians, and it is a collaborative approach to be able to implement this. The former two ways they responded to calls was based on whether it was classified as “life threatening” or “non-life threatening.” They now have blue, red, orange, yellow, and green responses, and he explained each of these in detail. He explained they put medical Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Page 11 priority dispatch in place on October 1st, and it is working. He noted that the yellow and green are EMT levels, so they will respond to those calls. He clarified that, at any time through this entire process as the dispatchers get more information or the EMTs are on scene and need paramedic help, they can immediately upgrade the assignment and bring in those resources. He emphasized this makes the City efficient, and he thanked the Mayor and City Council for supporting their department in this venture, as well as supporting their strategic plan and everything it took to get this in place. He introduced Captain Ryan Krichiver, who will talk about Mobile Integrated Health. Captain Ryan Krichiver, Mobile Integrated Health Coordinator, highlighted some of the incredible work their team has accomplished in service of their community. He emphasized this program is a testament to the dedication of their City officials and the Sterling Heights Fire Department for empowering them to serve their residents in new and unique ways. He stressed they are on the cutting edge of community service, not only in this region but across the State of Michigan. He explained their work starts with compassionate first responders and their fire crews. Their primary goal is to build a strong network of resources to assist residents with complex challenges. This makes the City safer by allowing them to allocate their resources more appropriately. He provided examples of some of the resources they have connected with in the short time their program has been in service, including collaboration with Macomb County Community Mental Health, Macomb County Family Services, and other organizations such as Hope Not Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Page 12 Handcuffs to assist residents struggling with mental health and addiction issues. They recently attended a Crisis Intervention team training that introduced them to Carter Kits, which are stimulus reduction devices and toys designed to help people with autism. He noted that the day their training ended, they were able to use one of these kits at Sterlingfest to help an adult with auditory stimulus issues overcome an overstimulation crisis. Capt. Krichiver noted that later this fall, their entire fire department will receive specialized training, and a Carter Kit will be placed on every Fire Department ambulance. Capt. Krichiver explained they recently helped a resident with mobility issues who is struggling with alcohol addiction. After being medically discharged from three different rehabilitation facilities due to falls, their team connected with Personalized Nursing LIGHT House, a rehab facility that specializes in providing care to those with mobility issues. They have also worked with organizations such as the Macomb County Charitable Foundation and Grace Centers of Hope to help homeless individuals and families. They have connected several families and helped several residents enter one-year life skills programs for unhoused people. They were able to help a veteran obtain a handicapped access ramp for his home through a donation from the Trenton VFW, facilitated by a Lion’s Club connection. They were also able to connect him to the VA to help him get the military benefits to which he was entitled. He credited those he worked with to accomplish this. They were able to connect another veteran with a much-needed furnace and hot water heater, made possible by Koz Heating and Cooling through their Heat for Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Page 13 Heroes program, which provides no cost service and installation of heating and cooling for military members and first responders facing financial hardship. He talked about the many ways that Mobile Integrated Health has helped people, and he cited specific examples. He explained that without the dedicated partnership and frameworks established by the Mobile Integrated Health Initiative, none of the lifechanging outcomes he talked about this evening would have been possible through the traditional functions of the Sterling Heights Fire Department. He emphasized that this collaborative model is not only a theory, but it is a sustainable strategy for improving community wellness, and they are already putting it into practice. He stated it is the City’s continuing support and empowerment that allows them to serve their residents in these new and unique ways, and they are continuing to grow their network of resources to serve the City. Mr. Vanderpool thanked the Mayor and City Council for funding this position, adding it is paying significant dividends in the community, while ultimately reducing the reliance on the 911 system. Those who need help and cannot find the resources to do it often resort to 911, which overloads and stresses the system. He thanked them for what is sure to be an award-winning program. Mr. Vanderpool stated that this concludes his report. 6. PRESENTATIONS A. Mayor Taylor stated this is a swearing-in ceremony for four new Sterling Heights Police Officers. He invited Police Chief Andrew Satterfield to give the presentation. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Page 14 Police Chief Andrew Satterfield stated he is here this evening to present the newest members of the Sterling Heights family and administer the oath of office for the City’s newest police officers. He provided a brief summary on each of their education, work, and background experience. He swore in the four new police officers: Andrew Cafretsas, Miranda Daiowd, Adam Mayes, and Tyler Sciciuna. Each officer then had their badge pinned by a family member or friend of their choice. They each thanked the City and the Police Department for the opportunity to serve the people of Sterling Heights, and they thanked their families for their support, emphasizing how they are looking forward to serving the Sterling Heights community. Chief Satterfield thanked the Mayor and Council members for supporting their department, not only through their words but also actions of approving equipment requests, contracts, and police programs that serve their citizens. He emphasized that, through their support, they are a destination department and destination city. He emphasized this is proof as they have four more Sterling Heights officers to serve. Chief Satterfield provided the same advice and message to the new officers as he gives to the entire department to be successful, and that is to do the best they can, do the right thing, and show people they care. He wished them good luck and urged them to stay safe. The Mayor and City Council members stepped down to congratulate the new Sterling Heights police officers in person. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Page 15 Mayor Pro-Tem Sierawski stated her son is a military police officer, so she has some first-hand experience in how law enforcement looks. She welcomed the new officers and thanked them for choosing Sterling Heights. She thanked them for choosing this career, and she understands what it is like as the family of a police officer, having someone they love on the front lines of what they do on a daily basis. She added she will be praying for all of them, and she thanked the officers for coming to this City. She urged them to work hard and assured they will provide them with the tools they need, adding the City is very much behind their Police Department. Councilwoman Schmidt welcomed the new officers to the Sterling Heights family. It is a great community, and they are all looking forward to keeping it a great, safe community. She emphasized that this community supports their Police Department; they have approved tax increases to support the Police Department. The residents and City Council are behind them. She urged them to stay safe and do the best they can, stay honest, and go home to their families at night. Councilman Radtke stated they are fortunate to have the people of Sterling Heights behind their Police Department, adding they are the safest city in the State of Michigan. The city has a very high standard and he is confident that the new officers will meet and exceed that standard because they are the best. He assured the residents would stand behind them. He welcomed them to Sterling Heights, urged them to stay safe, and wished them luck and Godspeed. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Page 16 Councilwoman Koski welcomed the new officers to Sterling Heights and thanked them for choosing Sterling Heights. She emphasized they are a family here that cares about their police officers, and they have a Council that supports them and tries their best to provide them with the equipment they need to stay safe and keep the residents safe. They have a lot of exciting things going on, but they will be kept busy at work. She urged them to stay safe and do their best. Councilman Yanez expressed his enthusiasm at seeing new individuals join the department. He emphasized that it is a destination department and, drawing from his experience as a retired firefighter for the City, affirmed that Sterling Heights is an outstanding employer. He indicated they will have great careers here, and the City and its residents have their backs. He pointed out they have a great new Police Chief, adding they have a lot of confidence in him. He wished them luck and great careers here in Sterling Heights. Councilwoman Ziarko welcomed the new officers to Sterling Heights. She indicated she has been serving here for twenty-four years, and she loves every minute of it. She urged them to take advantage of the programs the City provides for their employees, pointing out that if they need help, there are people here who will help them get through it. She pointed out that they want the officers to succeed, because when they do, the City succeeds also. She wished them all luck and urged them to be safe. Mayor Taylor thanked Council members for their comments and to the four new police officers for choosing to relocate their careers here in the City of Sterling Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Page 17 Heights. He agreed they have a great reputation as a safe city, and it is very large part because of their Police Department. They hire people with integrity and honesty who come to work every day ready to protect and serve the residents. As his colleagues said, they will find the residents in Sterling Heights support them, something for which they are very proud. He added they are proud to have the reputation and legacy they have as a great police department, and that legacy is now in the hands of the new officers as well. He has no doubt they will be able to live up to that standard, and he thanked them again, welcoming the officers as well as their family members. He noted the officers need the support of their family members, adding it is a tough job. He commented that, in his opinion, there is no higher calling than public safety, and he wished God’s blessings on each of them. B. Mayor Taylor stated this is a swearing-in ceremony for four new Sterling Heights Firefighter/ Emergency Medical Technicians. He invited Fire Chief Kevin Edmond to give the presentation. Fire Chief Kevin Edmond stated he is here this evening to introduce their new Peak Staff Ambulance Basic EMTs and administer the oath of office of their new firefighters. He explained they started this program on September 23, 2025, and in the eight days it has been in service, they have taken eight percent of the call load. He commended them for doing a great job for the City and the Fire Department, and they are very excited. He outlined the training and experience of each of the new Firefighter/ Emergency Medical Technicians and performed the Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Page 18 swearing-in of the following four new Firefighter/ Emergency Medical Technicians: Aiden Angelo, Nicholas Prantera, Nicholas Willson, and Christopher Baxter. The newly sworn-in firefighter/ EMTs made a couple of comments, indicating that they are happy to be here and make their careers in Sterling Heights, and they thanked the City for this opportunity. The Mayor and City Council members stepped down to congratulate the new Sterling Heights Firefighter/ EMTs in person. Councilwoman Ziarko welcomed the new firefighters and added she is glad they have chosen Sterling Heights. She stated she wants them to be successful, and they are here to help however they can. She urged them to take advantage of the programs the City offers its employees, ask for help if they need it, and there is always someone willing to help. She thanked the Fire Department for trying this program and for all of the new firefighters/EMTs for being willing to come aboard to see how it works. She thanked them for leading the way, and she urged them to be safe. Councilman Yanez congratulated the new firefighters/EMTs, adding that this is a great place to work. He stated he was an employee who retired from the City, and he emphasized it is a great job. He recalled in the mid-1990s when he first started, the Phoenix Fire Department was the most progressive fire department in the country, and the Sterling Heights Fire Department, under direction of the Fire Chief at that time, modeled themselves after that department. They have always Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Page 19 been a progressive, forward-looking department, and they have always had the best equipment, the best training, and the best people. Those are the standards they held themselves to, and the standards they expect all firefighters to hold themselves to as well. The citizens of Sterling Heights love their Fire Department, and he is confident they will do their job safely with great supervision. They will eventually mentor the newer firefighters, and he wished them good luck and urged them to be safe every day. Councilwoman Koski welcomed the new firefighters to Sterling Heights, and she thanked them for choosing this City. She emphasized this is a great opportunity for them, they have a great Fire Chief, and he will teach them a lot. This is a new project that the Chief initiated, and she is confident they will do very well and make the City proud. She urged them to continue their education, take the knowledge the Chief offers to them, and they will enjoy every benefit. She agreed with her colleagues that the people in Sterling Heights love their firefighters. Councilman Radtke welcomed the new firefighters/EMTs, and he expressed confidence that they will each have a long twenty-five-year career here. He stated their residents invest well in public safety, both police and fire, and he is confident they will do a great job. He is excited about this program, anticipating it will be a paradigm shift in the Fire Department. He noted they will be working four ten- hour shifts, with weekends off, so he is excited for them to be able to have a life outside of the Fire Department. He wished them luck and urged them to stay safe, confident that they will love it here. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Page 20 Councilwoman Schmidt welcomed the new firefighters/ EMTs to the family. She pointed out they are on the ground floor of a new, exciting program, and while there may be some issues to work out, she is confident the Chief will be on top of this. They are providing a service to not only the community, but they are helping out the firefighter/paramedics as well. She commented that this is a great solution to alleviate some of that stress on the department. She urged them to stay safe, and she added she is glad to have them here. Mayor Pro-Tem Sierawski stated she is a nurse, so she works very closely with paramedics and firefighters when working in home care. She is glad to have them, and she thanked them for being firefighters. She acknowledged that, while it is a great job, there is an element of danger, so she urged them to be safe and take care of themselves. She urged their families to support them. She stated they are grateful to have these new firefighters, and they are helping to keep a fully staffed fire department. She wished them well and hopes they enjoy their next twenty- five years in this City. Mayor Taylor stated this is a busy city with a lot going on, and they are encountering more runs each year. This program will help to address it and relieve some stress in other areas of the Fire Department. He congratulated and thanked the four new firefighters for being here and choosing this career in public safety. He added the City is very blessed to have the fire department they have with a great reputation as being the best in Michigan and beyond. It is now the turn of Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Page 21 the new firefighters to keep that legacy continuing because that is what their residents expect and deserve. The meeting recessed at 8:15 p.m. and reconvened at 8:21 p.m. C. Mayor Taylor stated this is a presentation of the 2025 Beautification Awards. He invited Mr. Gary Isom, Chairperson of the Beautification Commission, to give the presentation. Beautification Commission Chairperson Gary Isom stated it gives him great pleasure to present the 2025 Beautification Awards. He explained that their Commission’s mission is to encourage all city residents and property owners to preserve and enhance the beauty of public and private properties, and their annual awards ceremony is one way in which they honor those who go above and beyond in beautifying their Sterling Heights properties. He thanked City Council for welcoming this presentation as they showcase the dedication of their residents and business leaders to make Sterling Heights a more beautiful place to live, work, and play. He explained that over the last five months, the Beautification Commission welcomed nominations from citizens who wish to recognize a Sterling Heights property for their outstanding beauty resulting from the planting of annuals and perennials. The Commission reviewed photographs taken of twenty-four nominated homes, businesses, and places of worship, and the Commissioners judged nominations and selected a “Best of the Best” from each category that had a “wow” factor when seen from the curb, also being selected based on overall beauty and aesthetics, as well as artistic use of color. Mr. Isom Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Page 22 explained that each nomination will be presented in the categories of single- family residential properties, multi-family properties, commercial properties, and places of worship. The Best of the Best recipient will be honored in each of the categories for which they were nominated. He explained that this year, the Commission is excited to shine a spotlight on sustainability, so in addition to celebrating beauty, they recognize the importance of environmentally friendly practices that benefit the entire community. He announced that they are proud to introduce the Sterling Green Garden award, adding that this new category honors properties that incorporated native plants, rain gardens, and pollinator- friendly creatures. These gardens support biodiversity, help reduce flooding, and create a lasting impact beyond their beauty. Mr. Isom thanked the Beautification Commissioners present tonight for their dedication in this program, and he introduced Thomas Howard III, Susan Hobig, Manny Gonzales, and Lisa Lane. The Mayor and City Council joined Mr. Isom in presenting the 2025 Sterling Heights Beautification awards, and the award recipients were announced as follows: Residential Properties: 11125 Granada Drive; 11258 Glenis; 14267 Lakeshore Drive; 34401 Amsterdam Drive; 37637 Alper Drive; 5589 Kebbe Drive; 39475 Helena Avenue; 40323 Colony Drive; 41134 Harvard Drive; 41215 Fieldview Drive; 43243 Chardonnay Drive; and 43239 Cove Court. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Page 23 Places of Worship: St. Matthias Catholic Church; and St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church. Commercial Properties: Dinka Dental; Dodge Park Coney Island; and Slifco Electric. Sterling Green Properties: 35749 Dearing Drive Runners Up: 36239 Melbourne Drive; 14022 Coldwater; and 35749 Dearing Drive The Best of the Best 2025 awards were announced as follows: Residential Property: Barb Milczynski, 3521 Leason Drive Sterling Green Property: Sue & Ken Hobig, 38539 Claremont Drive Commercial Property: Ventimiglia Italian Foods Place of Worship Property: St. Michael’s Catholic Community The award recipients who were present accepted their awards and congratulations from the Mayor, City Council, and Mr. Isom. Mr. Isom thanked everyone for attending tonight’s Beautification awards. He reminded everyone that the Beautification Commission is sponsoring their annual Halloween Home Decoration Contest, followed by Christmas Holiday Decoration Contest. He urged everyone to submit their photos to the Community Relations Department. Mayor Taylor thanked Mr. Isom and all of the Beautification Commissioners, as well as all of the awardees this evening. Moved by Sierawski, seconded by Taylor, RESOLVED, to individually and collectively recognize the 2025 Beautification Award winners and thank them for the dedication and effort in making their properties, neighborhoods, and the City of Sterling Heights a more beautiful place to live, work, and play. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Page 24 Mayor Pro-Tem thanked all of the participants and all of the people who may not have won an award but still work to beautify their community. Mayor Taylor echoed the sentiments expressed by Mayor Pro-Tem Sierawski, and he commended the Beautification Commission for all they do. He commented that Sterling Heights has a reputation for being a place where they are trying to make the City look nicer through public art, landscaping on City medians, and the Beautification Commission is carrying out that mission throughout the community. It is paying off, property values are increasing, and people are becoming prouder of their neighborhoods. He thanked each of the Commissioners present tonight for being here and taking pride in their community. Yes: All. The motion carried (7/0). 7. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Taylor stated this item is consideration of the Consent Agenda as presented. He opened the floor for comments from the public. • Sarah Fisher – regarding 7-C; commented it is great the City is working on a comprehensive zoning ordinance rewrite, recalling only one update to the ordinance since 1968; added she is hoping there are a lot of sustainability initiatives included, especially composting and food waste reduction; pleased they will be reducing setback requirements to make the community more walkable and pedestrian friendly. Moved by Koski, seconded by Ziarko, RESOLVED, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented: A. To approve the minutes of the September 15th, 2025 Regular Meeting. B. To approve payment of the bills as presented: General Fund - $892,549.85, Water & Sewer Fund - $498,596.42, Other Funds - $7,544,361.01, Total Checks - $8,935,507.28. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Page 25 C. RESOLVED, to accept the proposal by Giffels Webster Engineers, Inc., d/b/a Giffels Webster, 1025 East Maple, Suite 100, Birmingham, MI 48009, for professional consultant services in connection with a comprehensive zoning ordinance rewrite and authorize the City Manager to sign the Agreement for Professional Services on behalf of the City. D. RESOLVED, to: 1. Approve an amendment to the existing software license and services agreement between the City of Sterling Heights and Tyler Technologies, Inc., 840 West Long Lake Road, Troy, MI 48098 for purchase of Emergency Networking software for a first-year cost of $53,970, and; 2. Authorize the City Manager to sign the amendment on behalf of the City. E. RESOLVED, to: 1. Approve the Administrative Services Agreement, inclusive of Indemnification, between the city of Sterling Heights and Nationwide Retirement Solutions, Inc., Three Nationwide Plaza, 3-06-302 245 N High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215; 2. Approve the Trust Agreement, inclusive of Indemnification, between the city of Sterling Heights and Empower Trust Company, LLC, 8525 East Orchard Road, Greenwood Village, CO 80111; and, 3. Authorize the City Manager to sign all required documents related to these approvals on behalf of the City. F. RESOLVED, to approve: 1. Change Order No. 1 to the Lakeside Island Park Bridge Replacement Project, City Project #24-425, to effectuate the installation of a gravel trail loop at a cost of $44,506; and, 2. A budget amendment to utilize Recreating Recreation fund balance reserves for the cost of Change Order No. 1. G. RESOLVED, to award the bid for carpet cleaning in city facilities to Du-All Cleaning, Inc., 35474 Mound Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48310, for the period of November 1, 2025 to October 31, 2027 at unit pricing bid and authorize the City Manager to extend the bid term and unit pricing one (1) additional year upon mutual consent. H. RESOLVED, to award the bid for tree and stump removal, inclusive of the option for storm damage removal services, to Wonsey Tree Service, Inc. PO Box 1142 Alma MI 48801, for a two (2) year period at unit prices bid and authorize the City Manager to extend the bid term for one additional year at the unit prices bid upon mutual consent. I. RESOLVED, to award the bid for the pruning of street trees to Owen Tree Service, Inc., 225 North Lake Road, Attica, MI 48412, at unit pricing bid for a one-year period. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Page 26 J. RESOLVED, to award the bid for water service parts and soft copper pipe to Core & Main, LP, 6575 23 Mile Road, Shelby Township, MI 48316, at unit prices bid for the period October 16, 2025 through October 15, 2026. K. RESOLVED, to reject the bids received for Sign Inventory and Replacement, ITB-SH25-016. L. RESOLVED, to schedule a special City Council meeting for Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 6:00 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, Kasey Younge v. City of Sterling Heights; 41A District Court Case No. 25-04676-GZ. Yes: All. The motion carried (7/0). 8. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Mayor Taylor opened the floor for communications from citizens for any item not on tonight’s agenda. • Sarah Fisher – stated she supported the Pathway to Play and Preservation millage and is pleased they will be making progress on Red Run Park; commented that there are no places to walk or no trails in that area, so it will be nice to have a park nearby; stated she was unable to attend the last meeting but she was not in support of the storage facility, noting it does not make a community more walkable and not the best use of land; suggested there are more opportunities through brownfield redevelopment for funding across the State of Michigan because there are a lot of options for redeveloping contaminated land; talked about an organization called Macomb Defenders Rising, comprised of a group of progressive people around the area, interested in civic engagement, and they meet at the UAW in Sterling Heights once a month; she extended the invitation to everyone, noting their next meeting is Monday; thanked Mayor and City Council members for their service on City Council. • Elizabeth Copolo – serves on the Sterling Heights Drug-Free Coalition; highlighted some events and activities coming up, including the Bear Cub Book Club fall series in the Storytime Room at the Sterling Heights Public Library on October 22nd, November 19th, and December 17th, all from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and she invited the Council members to serve as reading mentors as their schedules allow for it; they are holding their October meeting at 5:30 p.m. on October 23rd in the Programming Center of the library, and they will be reviewing their impact over the last year; she added that October 23rd is also the first day of Red Ribbon Week, which is the nation’s largest and longest running substance abuse prevention campaign, and she invited everyone to attend. Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Page 27 9. REPORTS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATION AND CITY COUNCIL Mr. Vanderpool stated he had nothing further to add. There were no other comments from City Council members. 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). The meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m. MELANIE D. RYSKA, City Clerk