Dearborn Heights council approves equipment purchases, refers several budget items for review and rejects bank‑signer change

The Dearborn Heights City Council on April 22 handled a series of routine and contested items: it approved purchase of new in‑vehicle and dispatch computers and printers for the police department, accepted a federal Justice Assistance Grant, approved several routine motions including claims and parade permission, and referred multiple budget amendments back to administration for further review. The council rejected a motion to update bank signers after a roll‑call vote.

Why it matters: Several of the items touch the city’s finances and operations — notably police equipment purchases funded from federal forfeiture accounts, budget amendments the administration said were needed to cover rising costs, and a defeated proposal to add the mayor and interim comptroller as bank signers. Council members repeatedly asked administration to find alternatives that would not tap the city’s fund balance.

Votes at a glance

- Agenda approval — Motion to approve the amended agenda for April 22: passed (voice vote).

- Minutes approvals — Special meeting and regular meeting minutes for April 8: both approved (voice votes).

- Current claims and ACH wire transfers (6‑1 through 6‑308) — Motion to approve: passed (voice vote).

- Annapolis High School Homecoming Parade (permission for Sept. 26, 2025) — Motion to grant permission with police and fire approval: passed (voice vote).

- Update bank signers (treasurer proposed adding Mayor, interim comptroller, clerk and treasurer as authorized signers) — Motion to authorize updated bank signers: defeated (roll call; council recorded unanimous "no" votes; motion defeated). Council recorded "No" from Hassan Ahmad, Nancy Bridal, Denise Malinowski Maxwell, Hassan Saab, Robert Constant and Moby Doon.

- Treasurer request to open a new bank account for Scouts of America Explorer program — Motion to authorize opening the account: passed (voice vote).

- Debt management policy (Treasurer submission) — Motion to receive the policy: passed (voice vote).

- Fire department budget amendment (9d) — Motion to approve intra‑departmental transfers with no net effect on fund balance: passed (voice vote). Deputy Fire Chief Baskin Badlow explained the amendments move funding within the department.

- Fire department budget amendment (9f) — Motion to approve additional amendments (separate item): defeated (recorded vote; motion failed on roll call).

- Purchase of police vehicles and dispatch equipment (laptops, docks, rugged printers, scanners and tower) funded from federal forfeiture funds (GL account 265330831265) — Motion to approve purchase and authorize warrants: passed (voice vote). The backup shows available forfeiture funds; the purchase was described as required to remain CJIS compliant.

- IT telecommunications budget amendment (9h) to cover increased telecom costs — Motion to approve: passed (voice vote).

- Acceptance of the 2024 Justice Assistance Grant ($18,038) for police — Motion to accept and authorize the mayor to sign the grant agreement: passed (voice vote).

- Parks & Recreation budget amendment (9j) — Council referred the item back to administration for follow‑up, with a request to return with a smaller funding request or clarifying detail.

- Police department budget amendments (9k) — Referred back to administration for corrected account balances and detail.

- Police overtime budget amendment (9l) — Referred back to administration; council asked staff to identify non‑fund balance funding sources.

- Business license renewals — Erwin’s Auto Sales (23706 Van Born) and American Legion Post 232 (23850 Military) were both renewed after ordinance staff reported recent compliance work at the sites.

Council discussion and fiscal context

Council members repeatedly pushed administration to find funding sources other than the general fund’s reserve. Several members said they were reluctant to approve amendments that would draw down the city’s fund balance while revenue uncertainty and accounting cleanups continue. Councilman Robert Constant urged caution on long budget commitments and recommended shorter terms where feasible; other members asked for precise ledger balances before approving transfers.

The treasurer and controller were asked to provide clearer bank account balances and to track reimbursements and grant timing; several amendments were referred back so the administration could supply those figures. Councilwoman Nancy Bridal led multiple motions to refer items back to administration so staff could locate alternate line items and avoid tapping the fund balance.

Quotes

Councilman Robert Constant, during discussion of the Crestwood sublease term: "50 years is a long time. I mean, who knows? ... I would only think a 10‑year period renewable." (first reference: Councilman Robert Constant).

Police Chief (Adar/Haydar) and IT Director Cooper presented the equipment request and answered technical questions about CJIS compliance and tested configurations; council approved the purchase after staff confirmed specifications and available forfeiture funds.

Next steps

Several items were referred back to administration for corrected ledger balances or alternate funding sources; the council asked for those items to return at the next meeting or a special study session. The city attorney’s office was asked to review legal questions where contracts and bank authority were in dispute. The police equipment purchase will proceed under the federal forfeiture fund authorization and the mayor or authorized signers and the treasurer will complete required warrants.