Warren council passes millage ballot resolution, approves land bank funding and several routine measures; land sale tabled

The Warren City Council took multiple votes on March 11 covering millage placement, land‑bank startup funding, settlements, licensing extensions and other routine business.

Key outcomes at a glance

- Police and fire millage: The council approved language to place a renewal of 4.6083 mills for police and fire safety protection on the ballot and authorized holding the special election in conjunction with the state primary on Aug. 5, 2025. Staff said the levy began at 4.9 mills when approved years ago and has declined under Headley adjustments; the proposed renewal rate is 4.6083 mills. City controller Robert Fox explained that increases in taxable value drove the projected levy amount. The council recorded unanimous support on both resolutions.

- Land bank: The council approved establishing a bank account/fund and budget for a Land Bank Authority and approved $25,000 in startup funding to be reimbursed to the general fund. The items were moved and carried with standard roll-call support.

- Settlements: The council approved resolutions to settle three pending legal matters (Chastity Evans v. Progressive Michigan Insurance Co. et al.; Eric Brown v. Tufail Ahmed et al.; Anisha Foster v. City of Warren). Each settlement was approved per terms discussed in closed session.

- License extensions for adult-use marijuana businesses: The council approved three separate 60-day extensions for renewal applications for Magna Health Management LLC (21445 Hoover), D.N. Warren LLC (12525 E. 9 Mile Rd.) and Boxer Enterprises (23640 Pinewood). The extensions were approved by roll call.

- Grant revenue: The council approved an increase of budgeted revenues and appropriations of $225,000 for the Police Department to account for a grant from the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards.

- RFP award: The council approved awarding RFP-W-21278 for broker services to Sunflower Realty LLC at a 3% commission rate for a two-year period.

- Appointments/committees: The council approved forming an advisory committee for DDA city buildings (Council member Lafferty appointed) and a bond counsel review panel (Councilwoman Moore appointed).

- Nuisance ordinance: The council adopted the second reading of an amendment to Article 2 (noxious weeds and rubbish) of Chapter 38, a code change focused on lawn/grass enforcement and timelines for inspector action.

- Sale of vacant tax-reverted lots (11203 & 11211 Revard): The council pulled this item from the consent agenda and voted to table it and direct Economic Development to renegotiate the price. A council member who reviewed the backup said both parcels were assessed at $6,139 each and objected to selling them to a private entity for $500 apiece; the motion to table carried.

Public comments and council response

Multiple audience members spoke. Ray Deloach, who operates a local shelter, provided a monthly update on shelter usage and said homelessness in the city’s program had increased and that the site has taken transfers from other jurisdictions. Joel Vanderlinen and other residents raised concerns about police staffing, extended hours and officer burnout; Vanderlinen described the fatigue impact of 12-hour shifts and urged attention to officer welfare.

Council members acknowledged the staffing concerns. Council member McGee (former law enforcement) observed 12-hour shifts raise safety and morale concerns and noted the department is short about 24 officers, with others on leave. Council member Noonan said a prior council resolution on staffing was passed, vetoed by the mayor, and subsequently overridden; he urged faster hiring and expressed concern about retirements outpacing hiring.

Votes and motions (details)

- 11A: Magna Health Management LLC — 60-day adult-use license extension — motion carried (yes votes recorded; mover/support on the record). - 11B: D.N. Warren LLC — 60-day adult-use license extension — motion carried. - 11C: Boxer Enterprises — 60-day adult-use license extension — motion carried. - 12A: Settlement (Chastity Evans matter) — motion to approve settlement pursuant to closed-session terms — carried. - 12B: Settlement (Eric Brown matter) — carried. - 12C: Settlement (Anisha Foster matter) — carried. - 12D: First reading of Chapter 19.5 amendment (marijuana) — carried (covered in separate article). - 13A: Police grant appropriation — increase revenues and appropriations by $225,000 — carried. - 13B: Establish bank account/fund for Land Bank Authority — carried. - 13C: Land Bank Authority startup funding $25,000 (reimbursable) — carried. - 13D part 1: Resolution approving ballot language for renewal of 4.6083 mills — carried. - 13D part 2: Resolution authorizing special election on Aug. 5, 2025 for the millage — carried. - 13E: Award RFP-W-21278 to Sunflower Realty LLC for broker services at 3% commission — carried. - 13F: Approve advisory committee for DDA buildings; nominate Council member Lafferty to serve — carried. - 13G: Approve bond counsel review panel; nominate Councilwoman Moore — carried. - 13H: Second reading and adoption of nuisance ordinance (Chapter 38 amendment) — carried. - 13I (formerly 4J): Resolution to sell vacant tax-reverted properties at 11203 & 11211 Revard — pulled from consent and tabled pending renegotiation.

What council members said about the millage and process

Council members asked whether the governor or attorney general review could change ballot language. Staff explained the millage/charter amendment process requires review; minor wording changes may be requested by state review, and material changes would be returned to council for approval. City Controller Fox explained that Headley adjustments have reduced the millage rate over time and that rising taxable value explains the higher levy amount projected despite the small mill rate change.

Next steps and implementation notes

- The land bank account will be established and $25,000 provided as startup funding; staff said the $25,000 will be reimbursed to the general fund. - The police millage renewal proceeds to state review and, if approved, will be placed on the Aug. 5, 2025 ballot. - The land-sale item was tabled; Economic Development was directed to renegotiate the sale price for the two parcels.

Votes and motions in this article are taken from the March 11, 2025 meeting transcript. Where specific mover/second names were not given in the transcript, the text records support or roll-call results as read into the record.