[{"_1":2,"_121":-5,"_122":-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",[32,75,87,97,109],{"_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",6259802,"mediaKeyId","3137197-6207daab3b4d589a8dfc3d4438a8f301","parentId",3137197,"title","Council approves Metro Parkway lighting and Donovan Park parking; orders stormwater utility feasibility study after 4–3 vote","audioSeconds",1165,"startMs",10515000,"endMs",11680000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3137197-6207daab3b4d589a8dfc3d4438a8f301&start=10515&end=11680","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3137197-6207daab3b4d589a8dfc3d4438a8f301/thumbnail_10515000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6259802/Sterling-Heights/Macomb-County/Michigan/Council-approves-Metro-Parkway-lighting-and-Donovan-Park-parking-orders-stormwater-utility-feasibility-study-after-43-vote","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259802-38d1d1043efe8de5a031bd432f11bae5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448566&Signature=M76rUpmuFM2ojSWwt6I9DJyXG3AVJkUdByOzmqiMicDm1ppDW0jVjxZj-8gsYB-TM-i8Uk9p~nDMz21tf9CcmaqVGvdRafENsqVLuH62Jp30bGbfcDdTNfSe4TXDBB4kKuBRA5PYDrubdK1Ubm9W~bVOKxRNyAhLBa6VXUwh8DfMn9zWh~Nvam38Ag6~JMHzvpGQwj5hyN0~ZbwzQ0RV7UvFHLuf6aO1loCRzVDZZDoFc63D-SLfz4YXxfgzeJe18ENG2rZAToFtI7Ug3w8LLmguwo40Jl4jEAItEIp7uYL0EQk5gCN-GYoUj93kt~Mxllx77uc3BhztY1hfFmG6bA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","SHTV1","date","2025-04-22T00:00:00Z","article","Sterling Heights City Council voted on three budget amendments during the FY25–26 budget workshop.

1) Metro Parkway lighting and median landscaping

Motion: “Resolve to increase the FY25–26 major roads fund proposed budget by $500,000, and increase the proposed general fund budget by $45,000 for street lighting and median landscaping on Metro Parkway from Van Dyke to the eastern city limit.” (moved by Councilmember Radke; support stated)

Outcome: Passed by voice vote (“All in favor… Aye. Opposed? Motion carries.”). Council discussion stressed safety concerns and asked engineering to limit light spill toward adjacent homes; council also discussed asking Macomb County for a cost-share for the county road segment.

2) Stormwater utility feasibility study

Motion: “Resolve to increase the FY25–26 general fund budget by $88,700 to fund a stormwater utility feasibility study.” (moved and supported)

Outcome: Roll-call vote recorded in the meeting: Mrs. Zarko — No; Mrs. Koski — No; Mr. Radke — Yes; Mrs. Schmidt — No; Mrs. Zyrowski — Yes; Mayor Taylor — Yes; Mr. Yanez — Yes. Motion carried 4–3.

What the study will do: Council and staff described the scaled study as identifying program needs and long-term costs, developing unit-of-service estimates and rate structure alternatives, analyzing investment/funding shifts and producing an implementation plan. Staff said a larger $300,000 study previously discussed would have included ordinance drafting and more extensive outreach; this $88,700 engagement is a more limited feasibility step.

3) Donovan Park parking and east‑side entrance

Motion: “Move to increase the FY25–26 general fund budget by $400,000 to fund a parking lot using funds from General Fund Reserve on the east side of Donovan Park along with a new easterly drive for ingress and egress.” (moved by Councilmember Koski; supported)

Outcome: Passed by voice vote. Council debate emphasized pedestrian safety near the park entrance, opportunities for overflow parking at the adjacent school and the need to incorporate stormwater management and permeable materials in design. Staff said the city owns roughly one acre adjacent to the park and estimated the lot would yield approximately 60 additional spaces pending final design; staff gave a rough parking-lot construction cost estimate of about $300,000 for the pad alone.

Next steps and follow-up

For the Metro Parkway lighting, staff said design and outreach to adjacent residents will precede installation and estimated a 90-day construction lead once agreements are in place; council asked staff to request county cost-sharing for the county road segment. For the stormwater feasibility study staff said results would be presented before pursuing rate or ordinance changes. For Donovan Park, staff will return with concept-level drawings and alternatives for permeable paving and stormwater features prior to construction. Council adopted the amendments into the proposed FY25–26 budget for final budget adoption on May 6.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4-22-25 Special City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At the Sterling Heights budget workshop council approved a Metro Parkway median lighting/landscaping amendment, approved a Donovan Park parking/ingress amendment, and voted 4–3 to fund an $88,700 stormwater utility feasibility study.","taxTitle","Sterling Heights, Macomb County, Michigan","taxId",5477,"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},6259806,"City budget presentation shows $318 million in proposed all‑funds spending; water rate increase proposed to cover bigger GLWA and county charges",493,180000,673000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3137197-6207daab3b4d589a8dfc3d4438a8f301&start=180&end=673","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3137197-6207daab3b4d589a8dfc3d4438a8f301/thumbnail_180000.jpg","/articles/6259806/Sterling-Heights/Macomb-County/Michigan/City-budget-presentation-shows-318-million-in-proposed-allfunds-spending-water-rate-increase-proposed-to-cover-bigger-GLWA-and-county-charges","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259806-e89d4b17bc8d36ac200eabb4c7360263/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448566&Signature=D2kI1VLQ~zxjKyV9IaJkGhOvDbTtQKGCQUnEKgDCFX2KvjbFaRAlMfEWHug1ipQQwFXxgOLx8~Dly7ldLacuj48go-F42kK8ZtcgS~dJaWpsb4i66DR15HDz1Gr9jDYixIMRdcXiKB0ccW8vlD689Tw~F-GVGXl~NvMdKPdTa67nHocdOnztXT24od~RPS58y2USF9Accupc9~0j~wClkk6OgbFIj1N1eynfTS4uO~YklvwEz17qx-Ouargar32MXRdyzVjZdEiFYUtvNbXZNerEgyJIyM5iDIJx6QlwDrjCmde4Q8zJcBK0oqZomEqQ0YSs30jlRc15rZJQM-TBmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jennifer Varney, the city’s budget and finance director, opened the second budget workshop by summarizing the FY25–26 proposed all‑funds budget and highlighting water and sewer cost pressures.

All-funds budget and millage effects

Varney said the proposed all‑funds total for FY25–26 is $318,000,000 and noted that about $56,000,000 of that total is related directly to the voter-approved Pathways to Play and Preservation (PPP) millage. “If we removed those expenditures from the total fund budget, the total fund budget would actually be $37,000,000 less than last year’s adopted, amended budget,” Varney said.

Water and sewer fund and rate change

Varney and staff presented that the city’s water and sewer fund proposal totals $64,900,000. She said more than 75% — roughly $49,000,000 — of those costs are pass-throughs controlled by the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) and Macomb County Public Works, and that about $41,000,000 of those costs are fixed. Varney said GLWA proposed a wholesale water increase that settled at 5.9% and Macomb County raised sewage disposal costs about 4%; the budget includes an overall proposed retail rate increase of 7.3 to cover the combined increases and other costs, which the presentation said would raise the average household bill by about $5 to $76 per month (assuming a $5 monthly discount for autopay and e-billing).

Why it matters: Most water and sewer costs are fixed and determined by regional authorities; declining per-household usage increases upward pressure on retail rates because fixed costs are spread across fewer gallons.

Council response

Council members asked about alternatives (water storage, dynamic pricing) and staff said a prior consultant study of water storage did not find it cost-effective; staff also described steps the city can take — meter-based demand programs and customer leak alerts — to reduce peak usage that drives some wholesale charges.

Ending

Varney said the council will consider two proposed budget amendments and that final budget adoption is scheduled for May 6, 2025.","Budget and Finance Director Jennifer Varney told council the proposed FY25–26 all‑funds budget is $318 million; the city proposes a 7.3% water and sewer rate increase after Great Lakes Water Authority and Macomb County cost increases.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":79,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":82,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6259811,"Parks & Recreation budget focuses on millage-funded projects, ADA upgrades and trail work",5830,6010000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3137197-6207daab3b4d589a8dfc3d4438a8f301&start=180&end=6010","/articles/6259811/Sterling-Heights/Macomb-County/Michigan/Parks-Recreation-budget-focuses-on-millage-funded-projects-ADA-upgrades-and-trail-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259811-25f12a43e72ba8856b22553bb2b0ec7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448566&Signature=nH6rVngih2agEZZJshxcDD~hFplAC5KleWe65D2MjbnKi~IS52B1Ea6acCI19xJJKpENJw8L~cV4KffPYS80cxyyB43WDKnnfEPtG5YHAOB5ucMQjakFsbUmL4Gt9hmnqcX2n-Tli~vNs4r92xKjpBridRtkv28QYBsjMp~nMosJnq-NRPuJU3QC6Q1TRP9PUXxP8uwC1PbdCQXKh8kpdOgt70fwfuP3NqyS09AuYFlcjbQSQA6WntEgpIzNDvJHsnZ2qVhmliYMfpoz4-WAHdqAA7RoJUj~MiAlTWmldAhrvzs~OgmnyI-HZcSaiNqH2S8IE5tCNs9elL3uRfIAUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jennifer Varney, the city’s budget and finance director, told council that the Parks and Recreation Fund is a special revenue fund with proposed FY25–26 revenues just over $11,000,000. Varney said about half of that revenue — roughly $5.4 million — comes from the recreation millage and the fund also receives a general-fund transfer of about $3.2 million to support non-millage recreation expenditures.

Varney said the proposed parks budget totals approximately $11.4 million, with personnel costs at about $4.8 million and debt service of roughly $3.0 million for bond-backed recreation improvements. She listed proposed capital projects including ADA-compliant bleachers at Donovan Park, a shade structure at Delia Dog Park (partly offset by a grant from the Sterling Heights Community Foundation), replacement of Dodge Park basketball court lights and work on the annual trail replacement plan (North Clinton River) and parking-lot repairs for Farmstead Park.

Parks presentations and trails

Parks staff presented trail work and other park projects. Parks staff said the ITC corridor trail work continues, and Kyle Engler said the Lakeside spur is awaiting agreement with DTE regarding the substation before the spur can be installed. City planning and parks staff said the Red Run and Rotary-area work is in design and that the ITC corridor is the city’s final trail gap linking north–south segments.

Why it matters: The recreation millage (Pathways to Play and Preservation) funds large capital projects; council members asked which projects are millage-funded and which rely on other funds.

Council response and next steps

Council members supported the ADA and trail priorities and asked for follow-up cost detail and scheduling for projects that require outside approvals (DTE, grant matches). Parks staff said construction timing depends on permitting, design completion and grant schedules.

Ending

Parks capital requests will be incorporated into the final FY25–26 budget to be adopted on May 6; staff will return with more precise bid and scheduling information for major projects.","Budget staff and Parks & Recreation presented a $11.4 million proposed Parks and Recreation fund driven largely by the recreation millage; planned capital includes Donovan Park ADA bleachers, Delia Dog Park shade structure (partially foundation-funded) and trail/parking repairs.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6259815,"DPW proposes hydrant painting, hydrant-flow program, sign inventory and new combo truck in budget workshop",413,3247000,3660000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3137197-6207daab3b4d589a8dfc3d4438a8f301&start=3247&end=3660","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3137197-6207daab3b4d589a8dfc3d4438a8f301/thumbnail_3247000.jpg","/articles/6259815/Sterling-Heights/Macomb-County/Michigan/DPW-proposes-hydrant-painting-hydrant-flow-program-sign-inventory-and-new-combo-truck-in-budget-workshop","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259815-730170ae1c253d6f8926234c85ad7207/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448566&Signature=LkcwLXEqwo0nFTCPkC65pJhMqaWKsbX6SRtXFomMyHpFKxf5QSDrj4dda93z2vSKXL0LjboFUNrS-XjVSAC95BltYvkcDTIvE5D62uLAQvrFICkZ9Ql~fcubLJ~ioBK9ZbkdJysYrG8pY9ndSd724JddlFNL2DrGSEUWYysVJz-W0aCME5Kt6fcZS59Y5F8RoCX1~995AojE1l6nisfFIO-~02Fi4wa-YgAXuOgUebd5S2sqE5J1TphLEwUscEJf0c70dt4Ib-xTDMjNa4GtTeDcr51dRoXB2omb-J3BEKQChoajeHofh-R8~jCM4lM1uobged4w3Do6G1rwZPwxYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public Works Director Mike Moore and Operations Manager Mike McManamey presented a series of maintenance and capital proposals to the Sterling Heights City Council designed to improve infrastructure reliability and neighborhood aesthetics.

Hydrant painting and flowing

Moore said the city’s goal is a four-year rotation for painting and a four- to five-year rotation for flowing fire hydrants. The plan calls for contractor painting and a hydrant-flowing program to test pressure, flush dead ends and improve overall water quality. “A fire hydrant flowing program has the following benefits: ensures water quality, improves water flow and pressure, identifies problems, enhances firefighting capability, and reduces frequency of complaints,” McManamey said.

City staff noted the hydrant work is digitized using CityWorks for inventory and maintenance scheduling and that the flow program could improve the water-supply portion of the community’s ISO (insurance) rating.

Traffic calming, sign inventory and street signs

Moore described the Office of Engineering’s traffic-calming study and DPW’s role in installing speed cushions and other measures. He said speed cushions have been installed on Fox Hill, Broome and Hillsdale and that the department will maintain an inventory of street signs. “With an estimated 10,000 street signs in our community, DPW will be requesting the assistance of a contractor to inventory all city street signs,” Moore said; the inventory would create a GIS layer and a condition assessment to support replacement and removal of obsolete signs.

Catch-basin cleaning truck and drain cleanup

The department proposed a combination vacuum/jet truck to clean roughly 7,000 catch basins on a four-year rotation (about 1,800 per year) and estimated removing about 300 tons of debris annually. Moore said DPW will continue joint cleanup work with Macomb County Public Works; he highlighted a successful Gibson Drain clearance behind Delia Park.

Why it matters: Regular hydrant maintenance and catch-basin cleaning protect water quality and reduce local flooding. A sign inventory supports traffic safety and signals removal of unnecessary signs.

Council response and next steps

Council members supported the initiatives and asked about longevity of thermoplastic pavement markings used with speed cushions and how the hydrant-flow program will be resourced. Moore said painting will be contracted this cycle while the city evaluates whether the city workforce or contractors will carry the flow program going forward.

Ending

The proposals will be included in the FY25–26 budget for council consideration; several items (vactor truck, contractor inventories) will require capital funding or contract awards in the coming months.","The Department of Public Works detailed a citywide plan to repaint and flow fire hydrants, inventory 10,000 street signs, pilot traffic-calming measures and acquire a combination truck to clean catch basins as part of the FY25–26 budget.",{"_33":110,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":111,"_41":112,"_43":113,"_45":114,"_47":115,"_49":116,"_51":117,"_53":118,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":119,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":120,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6259820,"Sterling Heights Fire Department outlines Station 5 remodel, EMS changes and vehicle replacements in budget workshop",2203,836000,3039000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3137197-6207daab3b4d589a8dfc3d4438a8f301&start=836&end=3039","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3137197-6207daab3b4d589a8dfc3d4438a8f301/thumbnail_836000.jpg","/articles/6259820/Sterling-Heights/Macomb-County/Michigan/Sterling-Heights-Fire-Department-outlines-Station-5-remodel-EMS-changes-and-vehicle-replacements-in-budget-workshop","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259820-0ced827a4bf5d9ee9efa49fb5e35d61a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448566&Signature=FR-gE-5b9CWgs3FaGHzqE2q7lUpofmWK9OAB8T9PVJuLyogCDiIVnnwHu0IH4seJqMsYlOTOcfXpPPuWQbiWOv5NaO3BpS5UwsoY01CIjrltaW5FXYfF1uY1Mb290BA73fG7K1ypzQxarSSVprCTFF3IFtovJkrzjBOIBdWy86cZLdsDvwrUAqpX9ZRz6hFBEW6eEUG7cco8c5A5dx19NiJhUytD0bTzbxdAN3~pgoUuwvz3fKyGvIrL6SNNpEyGfNbwQ98bTgo~BLSIRin1Zhei9tOFfbwxGx4Lu9O5U~FIVt9x1~mk2-UctYumqi~XnX0Jf-L7mgUBdEniS4Xp8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fire Chief Kevin Edmonds told the Sterling Heights City Council at a budget workshop that the fire department is seeking several capital and operational changes in fiscal 2025–26, including a planned renovation of Fire Station 5, a quick-response vehicle (QRV), continued apparatus replacement and a shift in how emergency medical calls are dispatched and staffed.

Edmonds said the department has completed a strategic plan and a standard-of-cover review that drives the projects now under way. “We have a vision and a strategic plan which will chart the course for a more sustainable, effective, and efficient delivery of service,” Edmonds said.

The chief described the Station 5 concept as an addition and interior remodel to correct aging living quarters and add modern features now standard in the industry: dedicated decontamination spaces, laundry/extractor capacity, sealed “clean cab” storage for self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), individual bunk rooms and expanded fitness and locker areas. Edmonds said the design will introduce a decon flow from apparatus bay into a wash/laundry area and then into gear storage, and that Station 5 renovations are intended to be the last station remodeled as the city updates safety standards across all five buildings.

Why it matters: Council members said Station 5’s seating, sleeping and decontamination deficiencies raise health and safety concerns for firefighters. City funding and federal and state grants have already paid for some improvements at other stations; Council members pressed for monitoring and equipment to detect exhaust or contamination levels.

EMS, dispatch and “peak” staffing

Assistant Chief Kelly described several operational changes intended to reduce low-acuity ambulance transports, keep paramedic resources in their districts and target repeat 911 users. “We’re gonna implement a tiered response system,” Kelly said, and added he believes Sterling Heights will be the pilot in Macomb County for the five-level dispatch model being developed with Medcom/Comtech and county medical advisers.

Kelly and Edmonds said the tiered system will move from a binary life/non-life model to five dispatch levels that better match resources to patient need: (blue) life-threatening, (red) serious, (orange) potentially serious, (yellow) lower priority, and (green) low-acuity incidents that can safely wait for a lower-priority response.

The fire department plans to pilot two EMT-staffed ambulances for peak hours (ten-hour shifts, tentatively 8 a.m.–6 p.m., Tuesday–Friday) to handle lower-acuity calls and to reserve paramedic ambulances for high-acuity incidents. Chief Kelly said the target implementation is late summer, contingent on hiring and training timelines; those EMT ambulances would run from the center of the city to maximize coverage.

Targeting repeat users and mobile integrated health

The department showed internal call-data analysis used to create interventions for frequent callers. Chief Kelly said the department identified seven “super users” who called 15 times or more in a year and one person transported 42 times in a single year. The department plans to use a Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) officer and existing case workers to coordinate services for high-use individuals and break the 911–ER–re-admit cycle.

Apparatus and fleet

Edmonds described a multi-year replacement plan. A new pumper ordered in 2023 will arrive this year to replace a 1999 engine; one 2012 engine will move to backup service. He said four engines purchased in the last four years are frontline, and the department plans to bring the ladder truck replacement in as a 2027 delivery after locking a 2024 price with the manufacturer. Ambulance replacements will include two vehicles arriving across the next budget cycles to support the planned peak-staffing changes. The department will bid the QRV in May–June with a 9–12 month lead time and deployment planned for spring 2026.

Occupational health measures

Edmonds emphasized the department’s cancer-reduction work: two sets of turnout gear per member, gross decontamination on-scene, on-station extractors and “clean cab” storage to reduce carcinogen exposure. He noted funding came from federal Assistance to Firefighters/AFG grants and state sources.

AEDs and public access

Kelly said the city has about 40 AEDs in municipal buildings and patrol cars and plans to replace aging units. He also described interest in park-accessible AED cabinets that provide video CPR guidance and remote monitoring; the units take a photograph when opened and can connect to a monitoring service to notify dispatch.

Council response and next steps

Council members praised the data-driven approach and asked technical follow-ups on contamination monitoring, timelines and staff recruiting. Edmonds and staff said some items rely on grant funding and external delivery timelines (vehicle build times and vendor leads). Several council members requested additional cost and feasibility detail for staffing increases and for phased station renovations.

Ending

Edmonds closed by thanking staff and council for multi-year investments and said implementation will continue through FY 2025–26 budget decisions and future capital plans.","At a City Council budget workshop, Fire Chief Kevin Edmonds and Chief Kelly presented a multi-year plan that includes a Station 5 renovation, new quick-response vehicle and a tiered EMS dispatch pilot aimed at shifting low-acuity calls to EMT-level response and reducing repeat 911 use.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves Metro Parkway lighting and Donovan Park parking; orders stormwater utility feasibility study after 4–3 vote

City budget presentation shows $318 million in proposed all‑funds spending; water rate increase proposed to cover bigger GLWA and county charges

Parks & Recreation budget focuses on millage-funded projects, ADA upgrades and trail work

DPW proposes hydrant painting, hydrant-flow program, sign inventory and new combo truck in budget workshop

Sterling Heights Fire Department outlines Station 5 remodel, EMS changes and vehicle replacements in budget workshop