[{"_1":2,"_107":-5,"_108":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,73,85,97],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":55,"_72":55},"mediaId",6381228,"mediaKeyId","2128635-e751f3563983c216c65642c7fb462d8f","parentId",2128635,"title","At a glance: Key votes and administrative actions from Dearborn Heights council meeting Jan. 14, 2025","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",648000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2128635-e751f3563983c216c65642c7fb462d8f&start=648&end=648","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2128635-e751f3563983c216c65642c7fb462d8f/thumbnail_648000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6381228/Dearborn-Heights/Wayne-County/Michigan/At-a-glance-Key-votes-and-administrative-actions-from-Dearborn-Heights-council-meeting-Jan-14-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6381228-88d730b4036dd011e280809489f416f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770991915&Signature=Wr68e6LhgVubIo6TP15kOdRNX-alBZPczy3y~EBO45cTrYvzrFD7oStziuH0myBTMI1~Odjs4qBgd21JgU61UMr8lXzqlm0fAxREH1NejkY3I~BGGWcueDAApACKIilvPES98f3AYymkn3WxzWFvROv~Sb4rFaJILvFeDRa4XZGSf5oDmK-00XsEUPjqPkfotoRS23nUPw1dghN9Dk46zBJUlq4niFPr~jAt67jFRinGDXVX5aicJW75NuH~DieWb8VefRpSDG0f4hzsOiywCbljDiHaP1vLypgDJxQTeMbQMPGr~eXx-IrI2xEI2AAWD6i9gBc6N-J1F35ub6Ac9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-01-19T01:04:38.737Z","article","Here are the principal formal actions taken, and next steps the council recorded, during the Jan. 14 Dearborn Heights City Council meeting.

Claims and payments
- Current claims and ACH transfers were approved with the removal of claims 26 through 29 for additional explanation related to Plant Moran invoices. Motion: Councilman Hassan Ahmad. Second: Councilman Hassan Saab. Outcome: Approved with items 26–29 held for follow-up; staff to provide additional backup.

Appointments and boards
- Planning commission: Council concurred with the mayoral appointments of Johnny Vidonovsky and Fady Ekawi to the Planning Commission (terms to expire January 2026) and reappointment of Ali Turfield (term to expire January 2028). Motion: Councilman Ahmad. Outcome: Approved.

Public events and commissions
- Martin Luther King Day march: Council approved permission for the community group Thrive By Any Means Necessary to hold an MLK Day event Jan. 20, 2025. Motion: Councilman Hassan Saab. Outcome: Approved.
- Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) delegate: Council amended a treasurer reappointment motion to instead appoint Councilman Hassan Saab as the city’s SEMCOG delegate and Councilman Robert Constant as alternate. Outcome: Approved.

Policy and ordinance actions
- Veterans commission: Council authorized the city attorney to draft an ordinance establishing a Veterans Affairs Commission and asked for the draft to be returned for council consideration on Jan. 28, 2025. Motion: Councilman Tom Wenzel. Outcome: Amendment and direction to corporation counsel approved; ordinance draft to be circulated Jan. 21.

Budget/finance items
- Poverty-exemption policy: Council approved the assessor’s 2025 poverty-exemption policy and guidelines. Motion: Councilman Hassan Saab. Outcome: Approved.

Contracts and change orders
- Asphalt street repair change order: Council approved change order No. 1 for the asphalt pavement street repair contract with True North Asphalt (change order text read into the record). Motion: Councilman Robert Constant. Outcome: Approved; staff to correct an incorrect title in the backup materials and proceed.
- Microsoft 365 licensing: Council considered a three‑year Microsoft 365 licensing renewal at government pricing and voted to table the item to the Jan. 28 meeting to gather comparative quotes (director to seek additional vendor quotes). Motion to table: Councilman Robert Constant. Outcome: Tabled for additional quotes.
- SHI/Adobe license renewal: Council approved annual Adobe license renewal (36 Acrobat Pro and 4 Creative Cloud licenses) at a not-to-exceed cost of $7,620.12 with language amended to reflect an annual term. Motion: Councilman Hassan Ahmad. Outcome: Approved.
- AT&T FirstNet fleet management: Council approved a FirstNet fleet-management service pilot for DPW vehicles with a city cost estimate of approximately $18,830.50 per year. Motion: Councilman Hassan Ahmad. Outcome: Approved.

Animal sheltering and public safety
- Animal-sheltering contracts: Council held a broader sheltering-agreement question for further study. Council members asked staff to schedule a study session so representatives from both Michigan Humane and Romulus sheltering services can present costs and services. Outcome: Referred to study session.

Business licenses and routine approvals
- The council approved a string of routine business-license renewals listed on the agenda, including Walker’s Speakeasy (8701 N. Beech Daly), Dog House Bar & Grill (21350 Van Born), Mexican Fiesta (24310 Grove), Polish Legion of American Veterans (25222 Warren) and Saad Auto Group/Auto Parts (25620 Van Born), after staff confirmed compliance or outstanding items where noted.

Next steps and follow-up
- Staff committed to returning with backup for the held claims (26–29), the Veterans Affairs ordinance draft, inspection reports on rodent complaints and additional licensing/contract quotes (Microsoft) at upcoming meetings.

Several items were the product of public comment and back-and-forth with staff; the council recorded most approvals by voice vote and asked for additional documentation where needed before final payments or ordinances are enacted.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","1/14/25 - Dearborn Heights City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved routine agenda items and several staff recommendations, removed some claims from payment pending additional backup, approved two planning-commission appointments and multiple rezonings, and authorized administrative contracts and renewals. The meeting also produced several follow-up items to be returned to future meetings.","taxTitle","Dearborn Heights, Wayne County, Michigan","taxId",4162,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":74,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":75,"_41":76,"_43":77,"_45":78,"_46":79,"_48":80,"_50":81,"_52":82,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":83,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":84,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":55,"_72":55},6381234,"Residents press council on smart water meters and ARPA spending; city staff says project paid with ARPA funds",115,919000,1034000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2128635-e751f3563983c216c65642c7fb462d8f&start=919&end=1034","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2128635-e751f3563983c216c65642c7fb462d8f/thumbnail_919000.jpg","/articles/6381234/Dearborn-Heights/Wayne-County/Michigan/Residents-press-council-on-smart-water-meters-and-ARPA-spending-city-staff-says-project-paid-with-ARPA-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6381234-46b7888f4d2a8ce67bb7218ab1b46796/orig.mp4?Expires=1770991915&Signature=K0NAPZdco7CssY2NPRPOsFm1vSqk3NijwddlLvC5LEhtPm2XFY3sDGIh1kZIVlHtIc5L0-0RSf0uEjZNfzjBrAnHl6LHQ~GcK6BToak0f2pAjh~0ko8~9Cp0pqAMbTDlUsqPtPQDOSHjnW7Sc0tMDbDWTtamldvPHOttQvEmlk6VuB5jBAoM8LN01XjtDb6GB~3pg2GZU7gsIEwUvv9Gl-9MJajaBpdNSd-tv3x0vWZneEwIngG9mCXnr2OlEC3a1WTDlhk6Y685pWD~uw1vj3ni5XWwbE7FZsP4-nOnqumSyR7s-8f723vZ54oTnbC696Xf~ujkrmZA~2AucCPEhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two residents raised concerns during public comment about a city project to replace water meters with “smart meters,” saying they feared health effects and questioned whether the city should have used ARPA funds for the work.

Michelle Green told the council she believes smart meters have “detrimental side effects to everyone” and asked how much the project cost and whether residents voted on it. Green also raised broader questions about 5G antennae in the city and requested a study of possible health impacts.

City staff responded during the public comment period. A council member answered that the smart meter project was funded with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, explaining the city received a $24 million ARPA allocation and used a portion — described in the meeting as $7 million — for meter replacement. Staff said the city replaced aging meters that were no longer serviceable and that the project was intended to improve billing accuracy and avoid multi‑month catch-up billing.

The city explained the meters will allow more frequent reads and reduce large, multi‑month bills that have previously appeared to residents. Staff said the meters replace equipment that was 15–20 years old for which parts were no longer available.

Council members and staff also encouraged residents with health concerns to submit contact information and asked staff to follow up. One council member suggested the city should consider a study or a community education session to explain how the meters work and what data they transmit.

The meeting did not produce a directive to halt the meter project or to reallocate ARPA funding. Instead, staff agreed to provide more public information on the project’s funding, goals and timeline. Residents were told they could file reports and receive follow-up from ordinance or the relevant department.","Two residents asked the council why the city spent ARPA funds on smart water meters and whether residents had been consulted. City staff said the project used ARPA funding and grant sources and explained the meters are intended to improve billing accuracy and replace aging hardware.",{"_33":86,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":87,"_41":88,"_43":89,"_45":90,"_46":91,"_48":92,"_50":93,"_52":94,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":95,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":96,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":55,"_72":55},6381239,"Residents press Dearborn Heights for faster response to rat infestations; city promises inspections and notices",959,1745000,2704000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2128635-e751f3563983c216c65642c7fb462d8f&start=1745&end=2704","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2128635-e751f3563983c216c65642c7fb462d8f/thumbnail_1745000.jpg","/articles/6381239/Dearborn-Heights/Wayne-County/Michigan/Residents-press-Dearborn-Heights-for-faster-response-to-rat-infestations-city-promises-inspections-and-notices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6381239-8225b7e37b3eb877b25abb742ac65f8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770991915&Signature=Cw2NQ~rvjko32WX6P6TqICWDmsBzMqAFjQH6m7dB3MEIz1sH5Z8fYYSjM0JXVhhdq2RmyRlC1w-EDuO7o~g5u8F0WBOg3e2y~KwFHBEZibUkJXvp4amtEMiPOFHs8H~TK-9PZzq7Z7MzlgQHX-b6KHdmKtSsQT6UeQJgnE8L5oOWiQpeDJLolyMu-5Jg9DpxPSJTHAf2nsJvzaUvFsu8OCLcTMvLuEpW1h8aXF6kgJpULF5e7i9L7WlDdFiCC94CfP-yZtjicSMUueWptCp0qepiO3ft7bbUfy9wcxGxaeX44wrHNl9HLx64sqYCVht04w-t1jiZi~rqvRFXqbb2Fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents from multiple blocks used the council’s public-comment period to describe rodent infestations they said have damaged property, cost residents thousands for repairs and created public-health risks.

Connie Coogan and Barbara Beaubien described repeated infestations and one 85‑year‑old neighbor who lived with rats in her house for weeks before help arrived. “We have families that have had to replace electrical systems in their cars due to the rats chewing off wires,” Coogan told the council.

Several residents said vacant and poorly maintained properties and yards with debris and abandoned vehicles are the main attractors. Jeff Antalek and other neighbors told the council they have observed large numbers of rodents in backyards and alleys and identified specific properties they believe are sources.

City officials — including Ordinance Director Bill Dushroom (identified in public comments) — said staff had already begun following up. Dushroom told the meeting that inspectors will be in the affected neighborhoods to document conditions and issue notices where properties violate code. He recommended residents provide contact information and said letters to neighbors are part of the next step; the ordinance office also planned immediate inspections in at least one troubled block.

DPW Director John Dancy said the department will support inspections and enforcement and that certain remediation steps require property‑owner cooperation, such as removing debris, abandoned vehicles and animal waste. Dancy also said DPW crews will work with ordinance staff and that officers would begin inspections “tomorrow” in some areas named at the meeting.

Council members asked staff to follow up directly with residents who came to the meeting and to schedule a study session to review enforcement timelines and possible community outreach. Several council members also suggested a citywide letter or neighborhood mailings explaining resident responsibilities (trash, yard maintenance, secure storage of food and debris) and describing how residents can request inspections.

What the council did not decide at the meeting was a single funding or remedial program; action items recorded were inspection assignments, letters to neighbors and a follow‑up study session. Residents pressed the council for quicker court action on chronic violators and for faster demolition or boarding of derelict structures. City staff said they are following the city’s code enforcement process, will document violations and pursue the timeline prescribed by ordinance and, when necessary, the courts.

The council asked staff to report back on progress and inspection findings at the next meeting and to add a discussion of enforcement options and timelines to a forthcoming study session.","Several residents reported severe rodent problems in the McKinley/Annapolis area and elsewhere in Dearborn Heights. City officials said inspections and targeted enforcement would begin immediately and that a neighborhood notification program is planned.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":42,"_43":100,"_45":100,"_46":101,"_48":102,"_50":103,"_52":104,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":105,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":106,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":55,"_72":55},6381243,"Dearborn Heights council asks city attorney to draft Veterans Affairs ordinance after residents push for local commission",1216000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2128635-e751f3563983c216c65642c7fb462d8f&start=1216&end=1216","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2128635-e751f3563983c216c65642c7fb462d8f/thumbnail_1216000.jpg","/articles/6381243/Dearborn-Heights/Wayne-County/Michigan/Dearborn-Heights-council-asks-city-attorney-to-draft-Veterans-Affairs-ordinance-after-residents-push-for-local-commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6381243-5e9e94236ef6a3124072f4db212bc856/orig.mp4?Expires=1770991915&Signature=TD07JY6ovawGDoIx2CuWOm0SqX48ZlcGnuLULlyfs~VujOlx4PtoXf7D-iT6vhoxfwzHlLouTwq5qXtRMatcWFNbSjw1jrms0Lnhr8qGg7GSvlh-MuLogmtjVidUSc4bb2jGJ5VaIIn06Ec--5gB5SAV4xPgj2fsetouy8Kz9BaO8xEMNRV3CS89qzLaR5qwsrzh5nBTrI7cezGoNIFB80xRHTsBREeN-BI4eyftO20QJCvSWTiFQTsmZ8HAZea2ht1VoG0dpj6YXB~Mgp-pBDj4bmSAF5RBRx0kHlIyndrKMFlctXrCp2xLiyZp0I5Aljcd8l0IevDUPKVHIxaR6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dearborn Heights City Council voted on Jan. 14 to direct the city attorney to draft an ordinance establishing a Veterans Affairs Commission and return the proposed ordinance to the council for consideration at the Jan. 28 meeting.

Councilman Tom Wenzel introduced the motion and said the commission is intended to centralize veteran services and provide a single advisory body for programs and memorials. “I would like the council to approve a resolution to create a Dearborn Heights Veterans Affairs Commission,” Wenzel said during the meeting.

The vote followed repeated public comments from residents and veterans’ advocates who told the council they want a standing commission to coordinate services, outreach and city-level support. Aideen Jones, the founder of Love A Michigan Vet Project, told the council she had worked on an organized veterans commission since April and urged collaboration rather than competition: “I was the one who originally proposed the idea of creating this commission,” she said, asking the council to coordinate with groups already serving veterans.

Council members said they heard sustained requests from constituents for city-level veteran support, including assistance with housing, benefits and outreach to at-risk veterans. Several speakers during public comment described individual veterans’ needs and urged faster action.

Because the ordinance is the required legal step before a city commission can be formally created, the council amended the motion to authorize the city’s corporation counsel, Gary Miyake, to complete a draft ordinance. The amendment set a timeline: the draft ordinance must be submitted to council staff by Jan. 21 so it can be placed on the Jan. 28 agenda.

The council’s direction does not itself create the commission or appoint members; it asks administration and legal staff to prepare the ordinance text for council review. The meeting also recorded multiple residents volunteering to serve on a future commission and asked administration to accept applications through the city’s boards-and-commissions process.

Council members and residents said the goal is to create a commission that will work with veterans-service organizations already operating in the area and to avoid duplicating programs. The council’s next review of the ordinance draft will determine membership rules, authority, and any recommended city support for the commission.

If the ordinance is brought back on Jan. 28 and approved, the council will then follow the city’s appointment process for the new commission.","After months of public appeals from veterans groups and residents, the Dearborn Heights City Council authorized the city attorney to prepare an ordinance establishing a Veterans Affairs Commission and asked for the draft to return to council on Jan. 28, 2025.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

At a glance: Key votes and administrative actions from Dearborn Heights council meeting Jan. 14, 2025

Residents press council on smart water meters and ARPA spending; city staff says project paid with ARPA funds

Residents press Dearborn Heights for faster response to rat infestations; city promises inspections and notices

Dearborn Heights council asks city attorney to draft Veterans Affairs ordinance after residents push for local commission