[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6069672,"mediaKeyId","3067053-b03a50d6f795329fa2419ad80551dc7a","parentId",3067053,"title","Council pauses vote, asks staff to re‑examine fire‑station sites including Canfield and Field of Dreams","audioSeconds",3906,"startMs",3144000,"endMs",7050000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3067053-b03a50d6f795329fa2419ad80551dc7a&start=3144&end=7050","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3067053-b03a50d6f795329fa2419ad80551dc7a/thumbnail_3144000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6069672/Dearborn-Heights/Wayne-County/Michigan/Council-pauses-vote-asks-staff-to-reexamine-firestation-sites-including-Canfield-and-Field-of-Dreams","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6069672-a56ed047c8e243bdc5c31e514b21cbe8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173132&Signature=o7DA-JPfHZvOuR2cf~t-l0slbmVPo-8aNHs77ansnbqgZAv6lAvVFBsOt3VMPE7ecsLrPKskSghUmE49DdvPhibBTTY0ZUg5ZJI0Wk4ejv7n6u~cJ69WPLHT9DB-qlG50d-~zqWA-vvjd8jyWJfTlERbWqCq3jnqMXN8FvzEm0Bu-~HHRmga9~QLsxT7H6jpTwhMl9s2Yc-gy8HAWnC9rBKoVaaUa6ze9wnIkUSvswhkCwxMRpObRc-gLgG56-3y5etMOj0NLRrSuw~0njfpW1W02KzpRb3Mj6wy63jM3TcuL1r0z6NZ1rWiVO-0Qc4WJDQ9L3LAcOQjdeR-pZzCPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Dearborn Heights, MI","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","The Dearborn Heights City Council on April 8 paused action on a proposed north‑end fire station site and directed staff to re‑examine alternative locations, including the Canfield Recreation Center property and a school/district parcel sometimes called \"Field of Dreams.\"

City Engineer John Deeb told the council he and outside consultants evaluated sites recommended by the fire department to meet response‑time goals. Deeb said Beach Daly (north of the maintenance driveway) was technically feasible and would allow future expansion; the county had declined to transfer an adjacent county parcel that staff and the fire department initially preferred. “If we go with site 2A, we can expand the 27 [hole golf course],” Deeb said, adding that engineering work would be required to prepare the site and utilities.

Several residents and council members objected to sites that sit near low‑lying areas or that would reduce parking for newly planned golf‑course venues. Vince Drapkowski and others urged the city to avoid building on the golf course, arguing it would harm the course’s future expansion potential. “If you start building on that golf course, I'm afraid you're going to take away from its value and its potential,” Drapkowski said.

Council members also raised construction‑cost and grant deadlines. Deeb said the city has a reimbursement grant (about $500,000) for design work and that preliminary geotechnical work and borings would take several weeks once a site is chosen. Several members said losing that available design funding would be problematic.

Outcome: After extended debate the council voted to refer the site selection back to administration and requested staff examine Canfield and the Field‑of‑Dreams parcel, return engineering feasibility and drainage analyses, and confirm grant timing. Council members emphasized they did not want to lose the design grant but wanted more options considered and clearer flood‑risk analyses before committing to a site.

Ending: The council asked staff for a short follow‑up that compares response‑time impacts, site preparation costs, and flood‑mitigation requirements for the shortlisted sites and the Canfield/Field options.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/8/25 - Dearborn Heights City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","After weeks of study, the council paused action on a proposed north‑end fire station site and directed staff to re‑examine alternatives including Canfield and a school parcel known locally as the Field of Dreams.","taxTitle","Dearborn Heights, Wayne County, Michigan","taxId",4162,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6069677,"Residents cite violent party tied to a rental; council renews push for short‑term rental ordinance",6366,6460000,12826000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3067053-b03a50d6f795329fa2419ad80551dc7a&start=6460&end=12826","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3067053-b03a50d6f795329fa2419ad80551dc7a/thumbnail_6460000.jpg","/articles/6069677/Dearborn-Heights/Wayne-County/Michigan/Residents-cite-violent-party-tied-to-a-rental-council-renews-push-for-shortterm-rental-ordinance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6069677-56a6a4e1a26824a81708d6eb86cc54fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173132&Signature=nvwlAmp86SPBmetcmzGiH6iKfxBN3XF3v710nFNMy4xYnJwJbD-K3~j5JD281lghZEj0euNaNdoVkUBQtO7DQW3RUj~DfyH4gXwTwkTTT1rI6-1PL2B8hbZ-rSaseO-0ZSeY1NIjOHvVrYqpKkqgJKgoDvfhCwYuwqUGTVT-GzEknvuDKXLAG~IWUALlUL3CJfZ9lL-TlPlJoXNuewi826vq-V3Yx6~jmIMOepnJ52p6SkvbVPvGqCktNmHeAG13ZRNUsgidHW2By5ZJc2XCFI0QAnkIo~Jsi0CPi2QZ3Bipn3GpY4FCWfL8r2EXVFpNeHub18dlJxoyZ-QCawAUEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Neighbors said a house rented as a short‑term rental on Plainfield Street hosted an out‑of‑control party that drew police mutual aid and a canine unit, and renewed calls on April 8 for Dearborn Heights to stop short‑term rentals in residential neighborhoods.

Luigi Peruzzi, who lives on Plainfield Street, told the council that five rentals at a property had led to repeated police incidents and that one party required “5 cops, canine unit, and an assist from Garden City to disperse the crowd.” He asked the council to require multi‑day minimum stays so houses are not used for single‑evening parties.

Other residents, including Angela Venegas and Barb Running, said the problem has persisted and that the city must move faster. “This can't continue to go on in our city,” Venegas said during public comment.

Council members and legal staff discussed next steps. Special legal counsel Gary Miyake and Mayor’s office staff emphasized that the city does not currently have a short‑term rental ordinance expressly permitting the use. Miyake told the council his review showed that short‑term rentals are not authorized under current local rules and that enforcement actions could proceed under existing code for nuisance and other violations.

Several council members pressed for immediate action. Councilman Tom Wenzel urged a moratorium; others cautioned that past moratoriums had led to legal challenges and potentially costly litigation. “If we don't have an ordinance, it's not allowed in the city immediately right now,” Councilman Hassan Ahmad said in the meeting; the council later clarified it wanted to pursue a legally defensible ordinance.

Outcome and next steps: The council did not adopt an immediate ban at the April 8 meeting. Members instructed administration and special legal counsel to finalize ordinance language and return to a study session with recommendations that balance enforceability and legal risk. Police and ordinance staff were told to pursue enforcement of existing nuisance statutes where applicable in the interim.

Ending: Council members said they would ask staff for draft ordinance language and an enforcement plan, and to coordinate police and code staff on immediate enforcement of nuisance, zoning and occupancy rules while the ordinance work continues.","Neighbors described a late‑night party at a Plainfield Street home listed as an Airbnb that required mutual‑aid police response. Council members said they support banning short‑term rentals in residential areas and referred legal language and pending ordinances back for legal review and study before formal action.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6069682,"Dearborn Heights council hears residents’ complaints about recurring basement flooding; staff outline multi‑year fixes",413,1357000,1770000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3067053-b03a50d6f795329fa2419ad80551dc7a&start=1357&end=1770","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3067053-b03a50d6f795329fa2419ad80551dc7a/thumbnail_1357000.jpg","/articles/6069682/Dearborn-Heights/Wayne-County/Michigan/Dearborn-Heights-council-hears-residents-complaints-about-recurring-basement-flooding-staff-outline-multiyear-fixes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6069682-cb0e49cc032d04b8501c5274c92f99b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173132&Signature=MkS9nO48U~avj9CLvnQzzn4vfYcSo-9MpyQslYNvMfaxRZ~tdWSSEqY9FOxEdylwSLTnXgHbyPoTN2nPOdvvwz7~nKIwY1vL1deLHw0pAEtyLy7hxRpN5qZM-rGrKvI-tgDw~tEJVSGD~CWvgT0NqKhCRBnB1JVFZDg5KcDSCRIz8y2QuLhewj4dhKQSqLObUQazGuRm0VGbbynenaQGZ7UunqL6Qven-HhRsi9NhwhFBaZppruDRGdEDYxpEoCF6Xi7nOudpazqcYhI8eHkvTb3Q4OYykWdJsQEFZhNfsBp6~SVgUBaEO7Pw2k7fbaQgHd5qwWqpklHF0bHSbufoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents from multiple neighborhoods told the Dearborn Heights City Council on April 8 that repeated basement and street flooding has become more frequent and damaging, and urged faster city action and better coordination with Wayne County.

The concern dominated public comment, with several residents describing homes and newly built properties that have taken water in recent storms. “He had over 4 feet of water in the basement,” resident Bill Caddo said when recounting a neighbor’s experience. Residents asked the council to pressure Wayne County and to pursue local fixes.

City Engineer John Deeb said the problem is a combination of aging infrastructure, more hard surfaces and saturated ground that together exceed existing storm capacity. “We have developed the city quite a bit. Infrastructure hasn’t been looked at in years. Green space is depleted,” Deeb said. He told the council that many recent floods were not caused by a single local pipe failure but by systems and ground already at or beyond capacity.

Deeb said the city will pursue a mix of approaches: separating combined sewer overflow (CSO) basins where feasible, installing green pavement and other green‑infrastructure measures, and targeting basin improvements in a multi‑year program. “When we separate the system, we will install pipes that do not flood your basement,” he said, adding that work to separate three of six combined sewer locations is already underway.

Council members pushed for clearer timelines and more aggressive street‑sweeping and catch‑basin cleaning. Councilman Hassan Ahmad noted that leaf and debris build‑up has reduced basin capacity and asked residents to help by clearing curb inlets on their properties. Deeb agreed that debris in catch basins is a significant and ongoing problem.

The council and staff discussed grants and reimbursements tied to county and federal programs. Deeb said the city is moving ahead with master‑plan related RFQs and that initial site work, borings and geotechnical reports for specific mitigation projects would take weeks to produce once contractors are authorized.

The council did not adopt a new immediate funding package during the meeting; members asked the administration to return with a clearer short‑ and mid‑term plan, cost estimates and a grant‑application timeline.

Ending: Council members said they would follow up with staff on basin cleanup schedules and asked that a draft plan with costs and a multiyear timeline be presented in a study session.","Residents from the city’s south and north ends told the Dearborn Heights City Council that repeated basement flooding and storm runoff are worsening. City staff said aging infrastructure, loss of green space and combined sewer overflows are drivers; council and staff discussed green‑infrastructure pilots and long timelines for pipe upgrades.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6069663,"Council refers police contract to study session after members raise budget and process concerns",4833,3465000,8298000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3067053-b03a50d6f795329fa2419ad80551dc7a&start=3465&end=8298","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3067053-b03a50d6f795329fa2419ad80551dc7a/thumbnail_3465000.jpg","/articles/6069663/Dearborn-Heights/Wayne-County/Michigan/Council-refers-police-contract-to-study-session-after-members-raise-budget-and-process-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6069663-bae7205905476d73ae5ac393982b8f39/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173132&Signature=Cn9K8LUUj76~-mwv9pHKShojsCM7jb0qcY2UGsqhn8JxT0FlYp8Qp6YJGeUqJiI7Ru~aEQXsyc9TfI9vyYe7ErmCkzAaDeYhXwnxWX1jxPDaKq-~rOjGuWdhQKGf4BbqR~p6Yu2zga85BrH5XG9bGk7bYF-oqMNpkzDKf~0DMjkCFgqh83fSOuQDZFHlLTgB5rPBfhcNp0iuWBvLaSlOBMYePnb9WAPo9EFcYLqvB1i6~MypMc8nuhbZBCGP2PYmlNvpDV0QxT2NAWDaariQabS1a2-QmzXUzZlagmyIQJzwUbcGeyi7dblNO1uQMpQ-liohyGlETEPwM~5ppNTjWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council on April 8 referred a proposed collective bargaining agreement for police officers to a study session after members raised questions about process, budget impacts and whether finance and actuary analysis had been part of negotiations.

Special counsel Gary Miyake, union representatives and administration staff took questions from council. Council members said they had been surprised by timing and fiscal impacts of the proposed agreement, with Councilman Hassan Ahmad asking that the matter be reviewed by the controller, the pension board and external financial advisors (Plante Moran) before any final vote.

Councilwoman Denise Malinowski Maxwell and others said they wanted a closed‑session review of terms and impact on supervisor and command pay scales because those wages automatically shift when patrol pay increases. Mariana, the controller, said the current estimate would draw on fund balance and that a retroactive component would require more than $1,000,000 from reserves.

Outcome: Motion to refer the police‑contract item to a study session passed unanimously. The council asked administration to invite the controller’s office, pension‑board representatives, Plante Moran and union negotiators; members asked staff to produce an actuary report and a detailed implementation cost and a timeline for budget adjustments before the council votes on ratification.

Ending: The council scheduled a study session and asked for updated fiscal materials; no contract action was taken at the April 8 meeting.","Council members said they had not seen sufficient fiscal analysis of a proposed police officers’ agreement and referred the contract to a study session with the controller, pension‑board representatives and auditors. Council also asked for an actuary review and for Plant Moran (external auditor/financial advisor) to attend.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6069668,"Council defers $3.7 million Wayne County CSO retention‑basin payment, asks administration for documentation",414,4486000,4900000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3067053-b03a50d6f795329fa2419ad80551dc7a&start=4486&end=4900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3067053-b03a50d6f795329fa2419ad80551dc7a/thumbnail_4486000.jpg","/articles/6069668/Dearborn-Heights/Wayne-County/Michigan/Council-defers-37-million-Wayne-County-CSO-retentionbasin-payment-asks-administration-for-documentation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6069668-782f9fdb80c9c81008f6423114fef05a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173132&Signature=CLEm8rJTdCprTOC49Ti687sVInvBBPofFkAYsWBv4TiHc4pcgwxMBbTTj6Gm6sFdpgFF~odxrgFEhThjJwUJHjUutd~kkQLe8dhtO3WbKJcKsNVh-iHUvzuXrZTITJ9NCtIp5CIt2OXDICP3c8eeXsHOHVfATOB~8CiKoz2qqY7hFWwaW8jzbaNOXBbK6RaHWpzxWSviSJdq3WKuXu-0iWxVcfbYGmPqMRBJ3f7xd9EG~nw6SghryiiFdtfmTCNz-AZnLtJth0YZMsGfAo5B5lDPlVbgA6jcrb9FhPEenXv4V9R1mn3ErqEghhlMu10Rx5KNck7R6Qx1y34bRmhYmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dearborn Heights administration asked the City Council to approve a $3,707,786.62 payment to Wayne County for operations and maintenance of combined sewer overflow (CSO) retention basins on April 8. The council referred the item back to administration and requested documentation showing the county’s acknowledgement of debts the city says the county owes.

Deputy or acting staff explained that the contract dates to the 1990s and that the county has operated and maintained the retention basin system for decades. “They have met their obligations,” a staff speaker said; staff noted the city had stopped annual payments after 2016 and that the county’s invoices had accrued while the city retained an outstanding audit liability.

Councilwoman Nancy Bridal moved to approve the payment; discussion revealed confusion about the total and whether the county also owes the city for over‑charges tied to a separate EPA/CSO account. Controller Mariana (last name) told the council the liability is recorded in the water fund and that county communications indicate an outstanding liability on the county books of approximately $1.386 million for an overcapture claim. Council members asked administration to secure a written acknowledgement from Wayne County that the county owes the city the stated overcapture amount and to return with a proposal that offsets both balances where appropriate.

Outcome: The council voted to refer the item back to administration. Members asked staff to seek written confirmation from Wayne County of the amounts the county owes and to return with a proposal that either offsets the county’s liability against the retention‑basin invoice or explains why separate settlements must be handled differently.

Ending: Council members said they wanted the city to preserve fiscal oversight and asked for a full audit trail of the invoices and any reimbursements owed before releasing the $3.7 million payment.","The council discussed a $3,707,786.62 charge from Wayne County for CSO retention‑basin operations and maintenance. Staff argued the contract is longstanding and the county met obligations; council asked for written confirmation of county debts to the city and asked administration to return with documentation before approving payment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council pauses vote, asks staff to re‑examine fire‑station sites including Canfield and Field of Dreams

Residents cite violent party tied to a rental; council renews push for short‑term rental ordinance

Dearborn Heights council hears residents’ complaints about recurring basement flooding; staff outline multi‑year fixes

Council refers police contract to study session after members raise budget and process concerns

Council defers $3.7 million Wayne County CSO retention‑basin payment, asks administration for documentation