[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,74,86,98],{"_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":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6236227,"mediaKeyId","3375773-99ae6b3e868bf340af885f2d94c5dba5","parentId",3375773,"title","Council approves large CSO payment; members press for clarity on engineering contract costs","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",5889000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3375773-99ae6b3e868bf340af885f2d94c5dba5&start=5889&end=5889","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3375773-99ae6b3e868bf340af885f2d94c5dba5/thumbnail_5889000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6236227/Dearborn-Heights/Wayne-County/Michigan/Council-approves-large-CSO-payment-members-press-for-clarity-on-engineering-contract-costs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236227-cbfa2212eccd709601e9f892142551d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1776566436&Signature=kYzWXHtpEmOJ9qKSqfsqx12TljTfk9bM7cTBh3cQoGw3vh3N5l9UZD3Txmc1AcqM0nu5e3nkut22DI~DTab8MYbXergKr-ALm3t0~0O-IwdF~f6egsjr4miPYzjRBQceD-cOfYvC7fVGAk8oSuXnDPA7FOFpJTnHnP1VMoZyKrfLZTV8WQqqbA7rTGB6j-Cbt~Lx-UdPMu75hnRjrCz4IlJAeziPhtqTMIUS3XN0LS36AtXjZ88GQYQIJWZMLkmaOYTx577VuPFEn2C16wETwyxaHoekSXBUeagVyioLJT~kBLnFkBHGGM5oQ6LPA1p8TdFNqU2CiVaHUCXvIfvJ2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Dearborn Heights, MI","date","2025-05-15T16:40:30Z","article","The Dearborn Heights City Council approved a $3,707,786.62 payment to Wayne County for operation and maintenance of a combined-sewer overflow (CSO) retention basin and discussed several related sewer, stormwater and engineering-contract items.

City staff said the payment stems from a multi-decade agreement the city entered into with Wayne County for construction and operation of a retention/treatment basin that helps prevent sewage discharges to the Rouge River. City officials said the county built and has operated the facility under a contract dating to 1994 and that the basin’s operating license is jointly held; administration said the city had stopped making payments in past years and needed to bring its account current to reflect the contractual obligation. The council approved the payment and authorized warrant issuance from the designated fund.

Councilmembers also questioned professional-engineering costs the city is paying under multiple as-needed contracts. Councilman (name) said the packet showed roughly $1.3 million in engineering soft costs charged through the consultant WeeTrim (weight trim) and asked for a breakdown of who the professional-engineers are, their grade levels and hourly rates. City Engineer Deeb explained the consultant produces survey data, blueprints and bid documents for road, sewer and CSO projects and that soft costs are tracked as part of each project; he said the city currently has approximately 42 active projects requiring progress meetings, design and inspection. “They actually produce the documents. They actually do the survey. They produce the blueprint. We put that out to bid,” Deeb said, adding that higher-level engineers are not billed for routine field work and that the firm’s invoices reflect multiple projects and tasks.

Council asked for an itemized report showing the engineer grades, named personnel and project breakdowns so members could review hourly rates and whether specific tasks should be done in-house. Council also approved awards for underground excavation, flood response and sewer-cleaning contracts and extended a Cross Connection Control program contract with HydroCorp for two years. City staff said those contracts are standard as-needed procurement vehicles used to ensure the city can respond to emergencies and keep water-system compliance work on schedule.

What happens next: Council directed administration to provide an itemized breakdown of engineering invoices (names/grades/hours and project allocations) and to post or circulate the details before the next meeting. The city will also issue the Wayne County payment from the designated account as approved.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","5/13/25 - Dearborn Heights City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Council authorized a $3.7 million payment to Wayne County for a combined-sewer-retention basin and approved several DPW contracts. Several council members pressed the city engineer about $1.3 million in engineering/soft costs billed by a consultant and asked for itemized names, grades and hourly rates.","taxTitle","Dearborn Heights, Wayne County, Michigan","taxId",4162,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6236230,"Council debates payment of director’s tuition reimbursement and whether policy should change",546,2369000,2915000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3375773-99ae6b3e868bf340af885f2d94c5dba5&start=2369&end=2915","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3375773-99ae6b3e868bf340af885f2d94c5dba5/thumbnail_2369000.jpg","/articles/6236230/Dearborn-Heights/Wayne-County/Michigan/Council-debates-payment-of-directors-tuition-reimbursement-and-whether-policy-should-change","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236230-0c959efbc71da1480ddb08b0d576e878/orig.mp4?Expires=1776566437&Signature=H0PTDtwBd254WofDFRltiszYTKvxkVFjgAu44f3zD6Rzh2Bw8nfU1e1j4nWm5IRIiLGokT11HaZFTKeeqQBcaFzK7JIk32nTvEP65WajozlPdnCpzfOG3RcovnuO1J8j7w1nq9Muwa70S1uU4a8hL-sfbiYupOtpzZv9Wsf-AmTrO0ZHflhHPpQHwfNzuKpT3SJ53fDWBv99XoITsudq6OVcnESQeJQZcW849cMKAh7iPk1iMrTfLiyySacOPJSzi6~tJSGfokLuGd8sfCpmY1-fwiSZrOiByTLHao9YjuRm~2Opm13-H1CRbnvcDsN4qG10ygvudfj6-RoOJ~SJAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dearborn Heights City Council paused a $6,300 tuition reimbursement for a department director after several council members said they had not seen the relevant contract language and questioned the policy’s application to newer employees.

Councilman Robert Constant asked that the council table agenda item No. 33 pending verification of the agreement that allows nonunion department directors to receive tuition assistance. Council discussion referenced a 2003 collective-bargaining agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and a city policy dating back to at least 2005 that the mayor and department heads had used to authorize tuition reimbursement.

Councilman Roger (last name), reading from distributed documents, said the AFSCME contract and a 2001 mayoral letter had been used historically to extend tuition benefits to nonunion employees in director-level positions. “It is the management position at the time at the city of Dearborn Heights that employees who volunteer to improve their education lead to better trained and educated employees,” he said, quoting the policy language included in the meeting packet. The policy requires mayoral approval before registration and a grade threshold for reimbursement; it also states employees must still be employed with the city upon completion of approved coursework to be eligible for reimbursement.

Some council members said the policy is outdated and expressed concern about paying for coursework for employees who may leave soon after completing classes. Councilwoman Denise Malinowski Maxwell said job mobility today makes it less certain the city will realize the benefit of paid coursework. Other council members said the policy has been applied consistently and that changes should be made by council action if they want to alter the practice.

After discussion, councilmembers voted to table the payment and asked administration to supply the director’s contract and the signed approval documents that authorize the reimbursement. Officials said the mayor’s office had historically approved such reimbursements and that the mayor’s signature or electronic approval could be on file.

What happens next: Council asked staff to provide the written contract and the approval paperwork that authorized the tuition payment and to return with that documentation at the next meeting before the council will approve payment.","Councilors questioned a $6,300 tuition reimbursement request for a department director and reviewed the city’s longstanding tuition-assistance policy extended from a 2003 AFSCME contract. Council asked for the underlying contract and tabled the payment pending review.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6236235,"Residents press council for tougher enforcement as police staffing, impound policies discussed",295,751000,1046000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3375773-99ae6b3e868bf340af885f2d94c5dba5&start=751&end=1046","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3375773-99ae6b3e868bf340af885f2d94c5dba5/thumbnail_751000.jpg","/articles/6236235/Dearborn-Heights/Wayne-County/Michigan/Residents-press-council-for-tougher-enforcement-as-police-staffing-impound-policies-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236235-6c8b5569d0f18500d2105b06a4c4e311/orig.mp4?Expires=1776566437&Signature=ZRis6QEsSTK8xpSwcI7jz~9OQY9Aazc9s5TfW-jCLP2zJJmWXwoq8XlrNNmG1YYZgow3ygihcy0Gahxy0dG0l84R4OikO1~hbHIxsfgcrJheSE1sv-j1-zQB6vIGXlEYIa87ihe01ip0SvJZ0HVYLF9KFtxYM~Rv0XfpOn2605aCVS7NUls0vf5rqxW99f08Os-bRQyyZxShn~e4JuHr5~erRsywbFx8yae1ydv7AGB5ZMhztZyenWgL~x3PG9EIaLCZcLa49JLjkypU7IrY2SkNxqtVUaLsXS4GzmFt1F13Cd40PHmQenTmnG9AeIMR6gdRlSeuQgHjomERsnvD2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dearborn Heights residents used the council’s public-comment period to press leaders for tougher enforcement of street racing and reckless driving, saying noisy, high-speed vehicles are creating safety risks in neighborhoods.

Speakers described recent incidents of cars racing through residential streets and urged the council to adopt stricter penalties and impound repeat offenders’ vehicles. “Until we start taking these cars away from these kids, they’re not gonna care about a ticket,” said resident Hassan Bezier, who told council members an incident left children and parked cars at risk.

Councilmembers and Police Chief Haydar responded that officers have discretion to impound vehicles when appropriate. “They have every right and every based on their discretion, yes,” the council chair said when asked whether police can impound cars. Chief Haydar and other council members discussed options including higher fines, targeted enforcement and working with prosecutors to use vehicle forfeiture for drag-racing cases.

Chief Haydar also addressed staffing: he said the department recently hired and reinstated officers and had five candidates in background checks. “We should have those 5 police officers hired by June 1,” he said, and that the department expected to reach its target staffing of 45 sworn officers if those hires cleared.

Council members and residents called for a dedicated traffic unit and more frequent neighborhood traffic enforcement. Councilman Hassan Saab said even at full staffing each officer would average responsibility for roughly 1,200 residents and argued the city needs more officers and targeted funding. Several council members emphasized that enforcement also requires prosecutorial and court follow-through to deter repeat offenders.

What happens next: Councilmembers asked staff and the police chief to explore enforcement options, impound procedures, and to coordinate with the county prosecutor on vehicle forfeiture for drag-racing and repeat reckless-driving cases. Wayne County training on vehicle forfeiture was mentioned as forthcoming.","Several residents urged stricter enforcement of street racing and reckless driving. Council and the police chief discussed impound authority, staffing levels, and traffic enforcement programs; the chief said five candidates were in background checks and the department expected to be fully staffed by June 1.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6236240,"Dearborn Heights council deadlocks on proposed fire station site, asks staff to revisit options",1894,3542000,5436000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3375773-99ae6b3e868bf340af885f2d94c5dba5&start=3542&end=5436","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3375773-99ae6b3e868bf340af885f2d94c5dba5/thumbnail_3542000.jpg","/articles/6236240/Dearborn-Heights/Wayne-County/Michigan/Dearborn-Heights-council-deadlocks-on-proposed-fire-station-site-asks-staff-to-revisit-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236240-ec8e526865613b43a989b6cf73942b1b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776566437&Signature=OqjVejWoVGLSgu-ZbfXJKP52jAlHirCIS12F2YbnWLCLMj7rzUhsgW3Ad5JUPn0zjUY6mMGTChi2LQX2yo74ZHjz364OocyWTIraASP9S4s2km3PCn1zUEUfpOMZsobnvrhhALP1GeMXfrEX0Z2F4HCfj22Iw-OKGiE2zbIiz4LgZM0Q5dwFcV3KPTherWerLptPgjUk~BX7ceuCxRzFmbKtHWoWH-UboyxTQ0QoIL8HM-G5Qxd8k5Z8QfWwuUy97yzR0htKvKb19uREIqUTg1OAekXCr6f2WTUiUZpzLcS4kHlj9JR12Y-ngV0pJHoxkTnhFZCPEo7~VYpxH5EWLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dearborn Heights City Council members deadlocked on a proposal to pick a site for a new North-side fire station and instead sent the item back to city staff for more study.

The council failed to approve a motion to select a specific site after several hours of technical and policy discussion. The vote on the motion to approve “Site 1” ended in a 3-3 tie and the motion was defeated. Council members who voted against the motion said they had unresolved concerns about flooding risk and long-term suitability; supporters said response time and station safety justified the site.

The item drew extended testimony from Fire Chief Rogan and City Engineer Deeb, who presented GIS response-time analyses and geotechnical findings. Chief Rogan told the council the recommended site would reduce response times and reduce the number of times firefighters must cross Ford Road, which he said currently impedes emergency exits. “A minute can allow somebody to survive or die,” Chief Rogan said, noting the study showed the proposed location performed best for North-side coverage.

Engineer Deeb said the Beach Daly site north of the golf course entrance scored well in geotechnical, flood-mitigation and response-time evaluations and called it “ideal” based on the criteria used. He also warned that, even if the council approved a site and design work started immediately, a new station would still be at least two years from completion because design and construction take time.

Opponents raised repeated concerns that parts of the property and surrounding golf-course parcels are in a valley and have flooded in heavy storms. Councilman Tom Wenzel and others said the council must avoid building on land prone to recurring flooding. “If that was the case, they would have built on it 80 years ago,” Wenzel said, arguing the long-term flooding risk outweighs the short-term response-time gains.

After the tie vote, the council approved a motion to refer the site-selection item back to administration with instructions to explore other options and return with more detail. Council members requested staff evaluate the Salvation Army parcel on Warren and the Canfield property as potential alternatives, provide more detailed soil and floodplain testing, and examine the possibility of expanding the initially proposed parcel eastward toward the golf-course entrance. The referral motion was made by Councilman Hassan Saab and seconded by Councilman Robert Constant.

Council discussion emphasized two competing priorities: minimizing emergency response time for the North-side service area and avoiding locations with documented flooding or unstable soils. Several council members said they would not support constructing on the golf course. At the end of the meeting, councilmembers instructed the fire chief and City Engineer Deeb to meet with council members and to return with a narrower set of options and additional technical analysis.

What happens next: Administration will report back with additional engineering analysis, alternate parcels (including Salvation Army and Canfield), and options for expanding the proposed site footprint so the council can reconsider a finalized recommendation.","Council members debated three possible locations for a new North-side fire station and failed to approve a specific site in a 3-3 tie. The council voted to send the item back to administration and asked staff to study alternative parcels including Salvation Army property and the Canfield site.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves large CSO payment; members press for clarity on engineering contract costs

Council debates payment of director’s tuition reimbursement and whether policy should change

Residents press council for tougher enforcement as police staffing, impound policies discussed

Dearborn Heights council deadlocks on proposed fire station site, asks staff to revisit options