WALLED LAKE, Mich. — The Walled Lake City Council on Tuesday voted to sell a 1956 Ford fire truck to the high bidder and approved several ordinances and administrative renewals, including a 10‑year extension of the city’s tax increment financing plan and a health‑benefit renewal for full‑time employees.

Sale of fire truck: Council voted to accept the high bid of $1,000 from Brian Tuohy, who told the council he started as a department cadet at age 14 and is a career firefighter in a neighboring community. Tuohy said he intends to restore the truck, display it in Memorial Day parades and does not plan to part it out. The council discussed authority for the sale under the city charter and voted by roll call to approve the sale. The motion was seconded by Council member Ambrose; recorded votes were in the affirmative.

Tax increment financing plan: The council completed a second reading and approved an ordinance to reinstate and extend the city’s downtown development authority (DDA) development plan and tax increment financing (TIF) plan for 10 years. City staff said the statutory public‑hearing requirements were met and notices were sent to property owners in the DDA district.

Health care benefits renewal: Administration recommended renewing the city’s current Blue Cross/Blue Care Network plans for plan year 2024–25 with an estimated 6% premium increase. Staff said alternatives reviewed showed higher increases (about 15% for Priority Health and about 35% for HAP). The council approved the renewal; staff noted employees can choose an HMO or PPO and employees on the PPO contribute more toward premiums.

Zoning and development approvals: The council approved several land‑use items: an amendment to the city’s impervious surface regulations for single‑family lots (clarifying a 35% limit and closing a wording loophole), and a conditional‑rezoning agreement for the northeast corner of 14 Mile Road and Decker to allow a restaurant with a drive‑through. City staff identified the planned primary tenant as a Starbucks drive‑through; the exact developer and final interior tenant mix for the additional retail space were listed as not specified in the record. Staff said part of the parcel sits in neighboring Commerce Township and that most tax revenues from construction would come to Walled Lake.

Other routine business: The council approved the consent agenda, accepted departmental statistical reports and heard a public‑service reminder from the Oakland County treasurer about a foreclosure prevention deadline for 2021 and prior taxes.

Why it matters: The sale of a historic city asset to a local bidder keeps the vehicle in community hands; the TIF extension authorizes continued tax capture for projects in the DDA district; the health‑plan renewal locks in benefits for employees and the zoning approvals permit new commercial development at a major intersection.

Votes at a glance: (all items passed by roll call unless noted)
- Sale of 1956 Ford fire truck to Brian Tuohy, $1,000 — outcome: approved (roll call recorded affirmative votes).
- Ordinance C372‑24, second reading — reinstatement/10‑year extension of DDA development and TIF plan — outcome: approved.
- Health‑care benefit renewal (plan year 2024–25, Blue Cross/BCN) — outcome: approved; estimated premium increase ~6%.
- Amendment to Chapter 51, Section 17 (impervious surface regs) — outcome: approved.
- Conditional rezoning agreement, NE corner of 14 Mile & Decker (restaurant with drive‑through; site includes proposed Starbucks) — outcome: approved.

What’s next: Staff will implement the sale paperwork for the truck with city hall, proceed with administrative steps for the approved ordinances and coordinate required follow‑up for the TIF and development approvals. No contract awards or procurement for the Starbucks project were recorded; final building and construction plans remain contingent on developer submittals and any required permits.