[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6578041,"mediaKeyId","3079853-a9356d8239bd3a2f9ebd1a296f02786b","parentId",3079853,"title","Council approves $238,986 purchase of light rescue truck to replace 1997 unit","audioSeconds",979,"startMs",3817000,"endMs",4796000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3079853-a9356d8239bd3a2f9ebd1a296f02786b&start=3817&end=4796","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3079853-a9356d8239bd3a2f9ebd1a296f02786b/thumbnail_3817000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6578041/St-Clair-Shores/Macomb-County/Michigan/Council-approves-238986-purchase-of-light-rescue-truck-to-replace-1997-unit","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578041-822f8d1ad96f66f2bf2f5c0ab946c8a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158295&Signature=RVrNO-q1b8IvN5qCUDXlQoRvh0BFeCZWksO0chFETejpApijDef0R8bN1hlkYmjMDVfhnV0e25gIfxxAV1nN~1rjpGwg68Y1faYdDv9rUuTkGzIG397HphTLo-A13Y28tA323h9emaNWLqH3Q578Atvrteb7ElHE3fb2YWLcXOOgvPysmXXnOpigZcF8eX6emTA2UtYBlg4UmPnxGvS87nD0p0~EpG8AWwU0P5rDZNoqADVH-g2m-DbTQyu6xMR5zcho~UVdu9AV~3~KbTGoeKSA7nQDRJZ4Yu6GSVB-dyO1rSncIpjJuxzNBGTv4CPGoXWxSqMXFGe1t7uclaKbQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Clair Shores","date","2025-04-22T15:11:53.61Z","article","St. Clair Shores City Council on April 20 unanimously approved the purchase of a new light rescue truck from McQueen Emergency Vehicles for $238,986.10. The vehicle will replace a 1997 Chevy 6500 rescue apparatus and will be paid from the city’s motor pool fund; the motion passed 7–0.

Driver/Engineer Michael Haddad of the fire department, joined by Battalion Chief Adam Bolen, presented the request and described the core operational need: a modern rescue unit to carry specialized equipment for low‑frequency, high‑risk incidents such as trench collapse, confined-space and heavy-truck stabilizations. Haddad said the department’s current rescue truck has about 70,000 miles on the chassis and about 7,000 engine hours (which he said equates to about 192,000 equivalent miles of heavy use).

The city issued an RFP; 33 vendors downloaded it and four bids were received. The low bid came from McQueen (formerly Kodiak Emergency Vehicles), which proposed a four-wheel-drive chassis with a rescue winch and warranties including a lifetime warranty on the structure; the bid price was $238,986.10. Haddad said options to go to four-wheel drive and include a winch added relatively modest costs but were important for performance in winter and in unstable working conditions.

City Manager Lent and staff explained the purchase will come from the motor pool fund balance and that overall motor-pool purchases are still under budget because previous vehicle purchases came in under estimates; no budget amendment was required for the purchase. Councilmember Vitale asked why the specification listed a Ford F‑550 chassis rather than leaving the chassis open; Haddad said the department has standardized on Ford chassis across several vehicles to simplify parts and maintenance, and that the F‑550 provided a favorable pricing and parts-commonality rationale.

Councilmembers praised the bid process and the warranties; the motion to approve the contract and payment to McQueen was moved by Councilmember Rusey and supported by Councilmember Kieran. The board voted 7–0 to authorize the purchase.

Why it matters: The new rescue truck updates a 1997 apparatus and carries specialized technical-rescue equipment that the department uses for structural, trench and heavy-vehicle rescue. Department leaders said the truck improves readiness for rare but high-consequence incidents.

What’s next: The vendor estimated a nine‑month build time after award. Staff will track delivery and inspect the vehicle upon arrival; the department said it expects the motor-pool fund to carry the earmarked cost without changes to the current operating budget.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - April 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","St. Clair Shores approved the purchase of a 4x4 light rescue truck with winch from McQueen Emergency Vehicles for $238,986.10 to replace a 1997 rescue unit. The council vote was unanimous, 7–0; the vehicle will be paid from the motor pool fund.","taxTitle","St. Clair Shores, Macomb County, Michigan","taxId",4092,"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},6578046,"Council approves bond counsel engagement, notice of intent to seek up to $5M for police and fire buildings",1538,2268000,3806000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3079853-a9356d8239bd3a2f9ebd1a296f02786b&start=2268&end=3806","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3079853-a9356d8239bd3a2f9ebd1a296f02786b/thumbnail_2268000.jpg","/articles/6578046/St-Clair-Shores/Macomb-County/Michigan/Council-approves-bond-counsel-engagement-notice-of-intent-to-seek-up-to-5M-for-police-and-fire-buildings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578046-d6263c80d7d35761c51057444534c28f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158295&Signature=k~aFmReX9rm1cPylWVzcimneevTT4COQJnQuCI4RfOqO21yTJrno55x~MWdiaCcZZGL8wPZBeksQClyDOLuNg5DFE9tshAx4amQXhZ590y-kpMc6x~vxBrDcbdfV2nHXNiVvc7iAv9NB39W0uuG1CXbhdB~mH~qD5tWjNmJ8jwhS8zK8vX-R7F3AmE7-ooVA6VhN3g28eaeBJgeX285y15Dq21z7m7QhQcCMIugLhtFTt~hZ-PCVZwStH1t79qR6o4U8vfi~rgTDsBsPIl7~mqd0vL-dxIc15mLnpF9VMdvHIH-ngWbz-KVh2HeZhBVSkGKDQ-61DWJJ3tL9t5qewg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Clair Shores City Council approved a letter of engagement with Miller Canfield and a resolution of intent to pursue bonds up to $5 million to help finance new police and fire facilities. The motion passed on a 5–2 vote.

City Manager Lent told the council the city is approximately $4 million short on the two construction projects and that the notice of intent is needed to begin the bonding process. “This is a price not to exceed $5,000,000,” Lent said, adding that the final bond amount, term and interest rates will be returned to council for final approval. He said the city will engage a municipal finance advisor to work with bond counsel; Miller Canfield’s fees are paid from bond proceeds at closing.

Jeff Aronoff, representing bond counsel Miller Canfield, explained that the engagement letter describes the firm’s role as bond counsel and that the operative action is the notice of intent resolution. Aronoff discussed the legal framework and told council that, for capital-improvement bonds, state law (the Revised Municipal Finance Act, Act 34 of 2001) provides authorization and governs the relationship with the Michigan Department of Treasury. Aronoff said that under that state law framework, certain capital financing does not require a voter referendum even where the charter contains language about full-faith-and-credit bonds.

Council members pressed staff and counsel on several points: whether the library remained in the financing package (staff said the library was removed from the current notice), what the not-to-exceed amount covers, whether the bond would rely on the general fund or a dedicated revenue stream, and the expected timing of a formal bond issuance. Several council members requested preliminary debt‑service estimates for different term lengths so the council could assess long-term budget impact; staff said those detailed figures will be provided after bids are solicited and before final bond authorization.

The vote to approve Miller Canfield’s engagement and the notice of intent was moved by Mr. Rebello and seconded by Mr. Frederick; recorded outcome on the transcript was 5 in favor, 2 opposed.

Why it matters: The bonding step would allow the city to complete two municipal buildings—projects already underway using ARPA funds—without immediately drawing down other operating reserves. Council retained final authority over the exact bond amount, term and repayment plan. Councilmembers who opposed the notice said they wanted clearer estimates of long‑term debt service and preferred more precise numbers before authorizing a not-to-exceed amount.

What’s next: With the notice of intent approved, staff and bond counsel will solicit terms and proposals; final bond documents and the finance plan will return to council for approval before closing.","St. Clair Shores approved Miller Canfield’s engagement and a notice of intent to pursue bonds not to exceed $5 million to cover a roughly $4 million shortfall on new police and fire buildings. Council approved the request 5–2; final bond amounts, terms and debt service will return to council for approval.",{"_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},6578049,"St. Clair Shores council approves brownfield plan for former St. Mary’s site, authorizes 14-year tax-capture reimbursement",1594,672000,2266000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3079853-a9356d8239bd3a2f9ebd1a296f02786b&start=672&end=2266","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3079853-a9356d8239bd3a2f9ebd1a296f02786b/thumbnail_672000.jpg","/articles/6578049/St-Clair-Shores/Macomb-County/Michigan/St-Clair-Shores-council-approves-brownfield-plan-for-former-St-Marys-site-authorizes-14-year-tax-capture-reimbursement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578049-006dde6eb7e4ce01f05cfda4a8adb5fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158295&Signature=ZgH0iDvUtptq2CMx4YgpNFLn9oyi4chWfe55pSzu5becuGh5KERvqnqZ80HcLV4XtcxFD~Q9-jlDjf5QfdMhcE2W3Zyy5IzilK~5KB7EeacgfvMWlvUU5NtCHCgJWQ3kjVSZ3dmWuz4Ivtr-cUnpMJDPpDtCzQIa90KWAdYMrR32HKEufFZsIG~HFyXHp6hi33qKcWyK3Eb1WgXY2gPNbzIMgo7qgcxSt6Nr4QbExlByhSAE8D96K4ggb~JjIW41Mezbl~KqWH-cXE1CB5IR4h4NLKecK3uJJou4urWGKue-YRoK~~6TdbX0piljH51IvDotXj2fKTvA6fkwFwwjNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Clair Shores City Council on April 20 approved a brownfield redevelopment plan for 22601 East Nine Mile Road, the long-vacant former St. Mary’s nursing home, authorizing reimbursement of up to $365,261 in eligible expenses over a 14‑year period. The motion passed 6–1.

The brownfield plan covers environmental and demolition work that the developer says is needed to clear the site for redevelopment. “The total project cost that we’re seeking reimbursement for is $295,879 plus a 15% contingency,” consultant Luke Bonner told the council, citing roughly $246,000 for demolition and about $20,000 for asbestos abatement; with the contingency the eligible amount is $365,261. Bonner identified himself as a principal with the Bonner Advisory Group.

The nut of the council’s decision was that making the site financially feasible requires allowing the developer to recoup eligible cleanup costs through incremental tax capture. Jordan Chapman, owner and developer with Allrig USA (the project’s developer), told the council the plan would support a retail redevelopment of roughly 19,000 square feet anchored by Panera Bread and Chipotle, replacing the existing dilapidated building. Chapman said lease negotiations were advanced: “The Panera lease is out for execution right now. And then Chipotle, we’re negotiating the lease,” and added that without the brownfield reimbursement the project’s rents and feasibility would be adversely affected.

City staff and brownfield authority members emphasized that the plan uses tax increment capture rather than the general fund. Denise Pike, director of the city’s Community Development and Inspections (CDI) department, said the Downtown Development Authority agreed to relinquish its capture for this parcel and transfer those revenues to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority for reimbursement. Pike told council that arrangement means “this particular proposal has no impact on the general fund.”

Council members asked several technical questions about the site and the capture schedule. Staff said the contaminated parcel is a city-owned corner lot (22501 East Nine Mile) adjacent to the former nursing-home parcel, and that the brownfield plan’s reimbursement schedule uses the December 31 valuation as the baseline; as property valuation increases, the incremental tax capture would be used to reimburse eligible expenses. Pike and consultant Bonner said higher-than-projected valuations could shorten the reimbursement period; the approved 14‑year period is an outside limit.

Councilmember concerns centered on precedent and the impact on the DDA. Councilmember Kieran asked whether the current taxable value and the two-mill DDA capture were reflected in the tables; staff agreed to update the table to show the DDA two-mill capture and noted the DDA board had already signed off. Councilmember Vitale and others noted historical uses of the site — including a filling station and dry cleaner — as part of the justification for brownfield eligibility.

The council voted to approve the brownfield plan; the motion as recorded was moved by Mr. Rebello and seconded by Mr. Frederick. The vote was recorded as 6 in favor, 1 opposed; council did not record individual roll-call votes in the transcript. Staff said the developer carries upfront costs and is reimbursed over time after submitting eligible expense documentation to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, which must approve reimbursements before payment.

Why it matters: Council and staff said the property has been derelict for about a decade and that redevelopment—if feasible—would improve a stretch of Nine Mile Road that the Downtown Development Authority seeks to revitalize. The plan shifts DDA capture to brownfield reimbursement for the approved period and, according to staff, aims to return the site to productive use without drawing on the city’s general fund.

What’s next: Staff said an amended site plan is scheduled for the May planning commission meeting and will return to council for attendance; if the redevelopment proceeds, the developer expects to begin work in summer 2025 and complete construction in summer 2026. Eligible expenses will be reviewed and approved by the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and CDI before any reimbursement is paid.","The council voted 6–1 to approve a brownfield reimbursement plan for 22601 East Nine Mile Road—the former St. Mary’s nursing home—allowing the developer to seek reimbursement of up to $365,261 in eligible demolition and abatement costs over 14 years. The plan is intended to enable a retail redevelopment anchored by Panera and Chipotle.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves $238,986 purchase of light rescue truck to replace 1997 unit

Council approves bond counsel engagement, notice of intent to seek up to $5M for police and fire buildings

St. Clair Shores council approves brownfield plan for former St. Mary’s site, authorizes 14-year tax-capture reimbursement