[{"_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",6022382,"mediaKeyId","5765160-addefba714c1bdfd8b633f3475ec312b","parentId",5765160,"title","Harper Woods proclaims June 6, 2025, National Gun Violence Awareness Day; council endorses local events","audioSeconds",1780,"startMs",4400000,"endMs",6180000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5765160-addefba714c1bdfd8b633f3475ec312b&start=4400&end=6180","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5765160-addefba714c1bdfd8b633f3475ec312b/thumbnail_4400000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6022382/Harper-Woods/Wayne-County/Michigan/Harper-Woods-proclaims-June-6-2025-National-Gun-Violence-Awareness-Day-council-endorses-local-events","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6022382-bb0af969148173fd1b72f64d7d7ecffa/orig.mp4?Expires=1773049653&Signature=kSN0Wpsruu1EULlE0pzUZjyRlFtgcrtNO4K1NMpXobi5MbIdWVvPg5v0pvuJZoETBFtWR6QbNcURcw9SKwThU05QVMJnwygjWDzMzk0QAm5gVE3HruoibQt2pAI4lP0Sdm~TCBzru8QEpnVBbmDSAG9DI8A1yuWgUwN4xLuW-FhV7Wyv1kSmbtHU0ILB8c73KIFFbp9EYEeu3zdBa2XmYPEgklG-FEj71gxyaxGzvzvv3XGEa89Y3SYzGD7lBXXEgC1I5rhMTnIIhqloh2PZju1NkD4gJ6nyNPtaXXck~qtfzGrB4GT50-SavXs2K9jprxPHe4MDUmIcriovjn-vZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Harper Woods, MI","date","2025-05-20T00:00:00Z","article","The Harper Woods City Council adopted a resolution declaring Friday, June 6, 2025, National Gun Violence Awareness Day in the city and encouraged residents to wear orange to honor victims and survivors of gun violence.

Councilwoman LaPratt read the one-page proclamation into the record, citing national Wear Orange activities and emphasizing community partnerships with local law enforcement to provide gun locks and safety information. Michelle White, Wear Orange lead for Michigan and a local Moms Demand Action organizer, thanked the council and described several community events leading into June 6, including a launch party, an artist talk and a silent vigil; she urged residents to participate and to use city channels to publicize events.

Council members also asked police staff to confirm continued availability of gun locks through the department and directed city staff to post the proclamation on the city website and promote local Wear Orange activities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","05 19 25 Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The council adopted a resolution declaring the first Friday in June (June 6, 2025) as National Gun Violence Awareness Day and encouraged residents to wear orange; community organizers outlined local events and distribution of gun-safety resources.","taxTitle","Harper Woods, Wayne County, Michigan","taxId",70251,"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},6022387,"Council approves DWSRF progress payment as members press engineers on slow pace and deadlines",280,3768000,4048000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5765160-addefba714c1bdfd8b633f3475ec312b&start=3768&end=4048","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5765160-addefba714c1bdfd8b633f3475ec312b/thumbnail_3768000.jpg","/articles/6022387/Harper-Woods/Wayne-County/Michigan/Council-approves-DWSRF-progress-payment-as-members-press-engineers-on-slow-pace-and-deadlines","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6022387-484cea852416c4364f724396af849896/orig.mp4?Expires=1773049653&Signature=L3zXDcplIhVC2q9eNFeUL0YU0~dyk5ehemfKeF5jdJO1VR-NmORNoPIl6HH9olqrxwWw2oH-oRnFuQBhFIhne84ERQogZcehiIrsp6DDHUxkP9i5tQwlIMWiEzsFqJEK7mhQxwIJU5Fyspuq207wIaLiLHLjzViR58leI-a8Kb3YiEqR88i7Znls9N0hMtIzQInIwc7qeLaqU1O5LU3n5Y4fwYtSjVvLenge8JvNT-~Xz2YdN43XWssuAP8jW5UaCMm2z-IGKTk9Ph7SAGQX3R44fJ9kTJu7CwDJ-AhesL-Bq8UGdIjZXCSAJ-V1DrBrGiIGu0WnLxatpuXTpOj3yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Harper Woods City Council approved progress payment number 3, $75,150, to Super Construction LLC for the DWSRF Lehi water service replacement program while pressing engineers for updates after multiple reports the project is behind schedule.

Council members said earlier updates showed only roughly 14% to 25% of services had been replaced and asked whether the work can meet the original contract deadline. Engineering staff and the project manager said the original contract end date can be extended via contract modification and that some funding deadlines for related programs extend to later years (staff noted some funds expire in 2027). The council asked staff to follow up with more precise figures about percent complete and the grant forgiveness terms.

Staff provided preliminary financials: a total contract amount reported as $988,400, an earlier retainer of $13,825, prior payments of $49,275, and cumulative earnings reported at $138,250 at the time of the meeting. Council authorized the payment; staff said they hope to accelerate work and will supply more detail on grant coverage and timeline.","The council approved a $75,150 progress payment for the DWSRF Lehi water service replacement project but heard that only about 14–25% of services are complete and that work must be finished under time-limited funding. Staff said contracts can be modified to extend completion dates and that grant terms include partial forgiveness.",{"_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},6022392,"Harper Woods updates poverty-exemption policy to include additional property in asset test following state guidance",363,3091000,3454000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5765160-addefba714c1bdfd8b633f3475ec312b&start=3091&end=3454","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5765160-addefba714c1bdfd8b633f3475ec312b/thumbnail_3091000.jpg","/articles/6022392/Harper-Woods/Wayne-County/Michigan/Harper-Woods-updates-poverty-exemption-policy-to-include-additional-property-in-asset-test-following-state-guidance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6022392-ea476a90b90cc3fc1d9d033bffc467d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1773049653&Signature=XbF67TsahuejB8pjWMkdjBffKhDwOxqW4tcW2kM2mkHZ7qJGotpwcZb5zjCB13CMTUIK-8HYjLCMfuCEWRsJA0Eep8TFaC7EnA7GfIkICFcZ8R3wRUZrN26heb2AdIpGmXHPyeAeEbxj5IjtofZaLR4K9PqFSU9WfVgTxD2wwTFtL75j-z9MD4iIxQmVs2p5-IW~6TjnZSb~bIjvtpIOcnI-HKw3JRvc6Ika0BZd2Z4KnBH3yF~YavKqFiM7hfi87X~Kzeg4HKoXCfcoDhDd-RdKRSZrmhmvX-dXTo8GtY1u1e8wfD1yRhV~5A8JjtQTwx3GJ7uapza7qtkYloaq0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Harper Woods City Council adopted an update to the city's poverty-exemption guidelines to incorporate a State Tax Commission change: applicants may have ownership interest in additional real estate, but the value of that property must be included in the asset test.

City Assessor Holly told council members the change is required by the state and that failing to amend local policy would result in an adverse audit finding; Wayne County communities are under a five-year audit cycle and the assessor meets the commission May 27. Holly said the change will probably not affect recent applicants in Harper Woods because, to date, few applicants reported ownership of additional property. She provided recent application statistics: eight applicants in March with six granted, and 16 applicants the prior year with 10 granted.

Council adopted the update by resolution. The assessor's office said the asset test calculates allowable liquid assets relative to projected property taxes and household income and that owning additional property will be converted into a value for that calculation.","The council approved a change to the city's poverty guidelines to state explicitly that the value of any additional real property owned by an applicant will be included in the asset test, aligning with a directive from the State Tax Commission and avoiding an audit finding.",{"_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},6022397,"Harper Woods adopts 17.5-mill special assessment to fund police, fire; council hears residents call for ballot vote",1480,1500000,2980000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5765160-addefba714c1bdfd8b633f3475ec312b&start=1500&end=2980","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5765160-addefba714c1bdfd8b633f3475ec312b/thumbnail_1500000.jpg","/articles/6022397/Harper-Woods/Wayne-County/Michigan/Harper-Woods-adopts-175-mill-special-assessment-to-fund-police-fire-council-hears-residents-call-for-ballot-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6022397-0e598ac5e4f5d9204f3fed925c118c7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773049653&Signature=B9LkJ-uRjp4t5xMHbAD-WBLgXQgMoTlcsVNJ6fw-ekyTMEkxU5wV~d2wMBz5c6YeY2uTEuU1-O1o3izuMTgbDBJV6~SDiXJ~VtHtyJIddD2Ar7poJb0z7LbK6vIJB78IiTL-Y04T0aZrkgPvWT06C4~p798qSz4F0X--Yije8qcAf5T4nospObRiSjTwaYZh~Rj8fi0uKcvrGT4z2rUGZA5K61BDqT9kYcxqtH9ooXT9UbMdMv1D5tvAtspa9KwVMmp1wbq-Uh9srRMNpGIveEEzve7DFbVepxCuupHa2crfIZAHKkUEFih2VwJfH3V0~r9EpFIk-i24WvV~OlYDKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Harper Woods City Council held a public hearing and then adopted a resolution continuing a special assessment district that levies 17.5 mills on taxable value to fund police and fire operations: 8.75 mills for police and 8.75 mills for fire.

During the public hearing, several residents urged that the assessment go to the ballot, questioned transparency about prior spending, and urged spending reductions. City staff and council members responded that the assessment has been in place for 13 years following the Great Recession, that the funds are restricted by state law to police and fire items, and that without the assessment the city would face immediate layoffs and deep cuts to public safety. Officials said the levy has been reduced from prior years and described ongoing plans to lower taxes over time as new development increases revenue.

City staff estimated the assessment yields roughly $4 million to support police and fire costs, including equipment and dispatch services. Council members said the levy cannot be used for unrelated general-fund purposes by law. After discussion the council voted to adopt the attached resolutions and directed the assessor to spread the levy on taxable value within city limits.","After a public hearing with multiple residents urging a ballot vote and questioning city spending, the Harper Woods City Council adopted a special assessment district levy of 17.5 mills (8.75 for police and 8.75 for fire) to fund public safety operations.",{"_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},6022400,"Harper Woods council approves $4,648 Juneteenth payment to Irma Hayes Productions after ethics debate",1238,142000,1380000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5765160-addefba714c1bdfd8b633f3475ec312b&start=142&end=1380","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5765160-addefba714c1bdfd8b633f3475ec312b/thumbnail_142000.jpg","/articles/6022400/Harper-Woods/Wayne-County/Michigan/Harper-Woods-council-approves-4648-Juneteenth-payment-to-Irma-Hayes-Productions-after-ethics-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6022400-8692cfe157159fa6e43ce9cc1d06634e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773049653&Signature=AZ~EeKCCo9rOBOk7sJKupZiNQioYPA25Z8ZAYTZc-EbwqYurxgdOHy63uBig1lUxIbGcCzLpfjHEEsbS8nVxJ7J1FKkD1515h3TF18LKN3c2nDHFc~f5QFnikZy1LmiJ3Gx48ytJBS6jwPVvYlvKAVw5NbcivKGCcvvLQZQZNTVo1PXOjKu2t4kjxS54PWLHlNkAlLVDVC4X1wVXfdbYPqYKUT5ZwUNhLqxr9CzLNwmZnVVkzPrrGOiREYaJNF29V7HCc9WSpVZuYU1xDytFK1EyPO2O9XxIFDX5A-k3lkVUFfJp6uGFJIAuMIq3LHxrXqNs6eysLNx6RhnZmFIcsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Harper Woods City Council approved, as part of the consent agenda, a $4,648 payment to Irma Hayes Productions to cover Juneteenth event rentals after an extended discussion about a possible ethics conflict.

Council members raised questions about whether the payment violated the Harper Woods charter\u0000ethics provisions because Irma Hayes is a city employee with an outside production company. City Attorney Sharon DeWally told the council that it could waive a potential conflict if members had all relevant information; the council asked that receipts be provided and that Hayes appear at a future meeting to explain the charges.

Councilwoman Valerie Constantino and others asked for more documentation before approving the payment. Director of Finance Rose Johnson Matthews said the vendor\u0000Irma Hayes\u0000has industry relationships that produce discounts and that the quoted tent rental alone can run about $6,500 but was being supplied at a lower rate because Hayes has existing vendor relationships. Residents and other council members pushed back and asked for invoices to confirm that the city is paying only pass-through costs and that Hayes is not profiting.

After debate, the council voted to approve the consent agenda, including the $4,648 check, and instructed staff to obtain and present the invoices and to have Hayes explain the arrangement at a future meeting.

The council did not find, during the meeting, a final legal determination that the payment violated the charter. DeWally said she would not render an off-the-cuff legal opinion without reviewing the documents but confirmed the council can waive a conflict if members are fully informed. The motion to approve the consent agenda passed by roll call.","The Harper Woods City Council approved a $4,648 payment to Irma Hayes Productions for Juneteenth event rentals after members debated whether the vendor\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000is also a city employee and could face an ethics conflict. Council requested invoices and that the vendor appear at a future meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Harper Woods proclaims June 6, 2025, National Gun Violence Awareness Day; council endorses local events

Council approves DWSRF progress payment as members press engineers on slow pace and deadlines

Harper Woods updates poverty-exemption policy to include additional property in asset test following state guidance

Harper Woods adopts 17.5-mill special assessment to fund police, fire; council hears residents call for ballot vote

Harper Woods council approves $4,648 Juneteenth payment to Irma Hayes Productions after ethics debate