Troy City Council approves precinct redraw and park project, hears eight liquor-license cases and OKs public-safety upgrades

Troy City Council on Monday approved several administrative and capital items while hearing eight liquor-license violations and several public comments. The council voted to adopt a revised precinct map that reduces the number of precincts, approved initial funding and a budget amendment for an inclusive play structure at Boland Park using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) money, and approved renovations and equipment upgrades to the city’s emergency communications center. The council also heard eight separate liquor-license violation matters; two were approved as presented and six were continued to the council’s May 19 meeting for additional information.

The precinct map revision, presented by City Clerk Aileen Dixon, reduces Troy’s precincts from 37 to 27 under new state guidance that raised the recommended maximum number of registered voters per precinct from 2,999 to 4,999. Dixon said the change reflects voter behavior seen in the 2020 presidential cycle and the growth in early and absentee voting; the city expects to complete required updates in the qualified voter file and notify voters by mid‑year. “We tried to keep disruption to a minimum for voters,” Dixon told the council, noting the city will send voter information cards and run targeted outreach where polling locations change.

The council approved the first phase of an inclusive play-project at Boland Park using CDBG funds, moving forward with a roughly $630,000 financing package for the initial, 5‑to‑12‑year‑old play structure and related site work. Public Works Director Kurt Bovancey described the playground design as “inclusive” in the broader sense — not only ramps but integrated features that let children with mobility challenges pull through and play alongside peers without special equipment. Bovancey said the full project has a larger master plan that could ultimately reach about $2 million and that the phased approach will allow the city to seek additional grants for later phases.

On public-safety infrastructure, Police Chief Josh Jones and Communications Manager Sam Phillips described a modernization plan for the city’s emergency communications center, which fields roughly 34,000 emergency and nearly 100,000 non‑emergency calls annually. Council approved adding a sixth communications console, upgraded displays and workspace improvements, and a budget amendment to cover higher material and electrical costs identified during planning.

Liquor-license hearings dominated the first part of the meeting. Assistant City Attorney Nicole McMillan and Police staff summarized eight separate compliance checks from 2024 involving on‑ and off‑premises licensees. Two venues — DraftKings Sports and Social and Granite City Food & Brewery — had failed compliance checks and had admitted responsibility before the Michigan Liquor Control Commission; city administration recommended the establishments document server training for staff within 90 days. Granite City’s general manager, Cynthia Rivers, told the council her staff use ServSafe and that the restaurant had already retrained staff and required recertification. DraftKings’ case was approved as the resolution recommended.

Other cases prompted more probing by council members because they involved repeat violations or incomplete information about whether the employee who sold to the decoy had been terminated. Council member Hodorick urged a firm standard: “If an employee... serves underage, they should be, in my view, let go,” he said during discussion. After extended questioning and requests for documentation from owners and corporate representatives, the council continued six hearings — including the Melting Pot, Polish Market, Sunoco Maple Gas Mart, a BP gas location with ownership changes, and two 7‑Eleven franchise locations — until May 19 so staff can obtain additional documentation about employee discipline, the nature of store training, and the status of license holders.

Votes at a glance • E‑1 DraftKings Sports & Social (2850 Coolidge Road): City approved the resolution as presented after staff said the establishment admitted responsibility to an August 20, 2024 compliance check; MLCC assessed a $500 fine. Motion moved by Council member Bert Brooks; outcome: approved (unanimous recorded vote). • E‑2 Granite City Food & Brewery (699 W. Big Beaver): City approved the resolution as presented; staff said the establishment admitted responsibility for a failed compliance check (April 20, 2024) and MLCC assessed a $500 fine; general manager said ServSafe training is used. Motion moved by Council member Chanda; outcome: approved (unanimous recorded vote). • E‑3 The Melting Pot (888 W. Big Beaver): Compliance check (Aug. 20, 2024); MLCC fine $700; this was the restaurant’s third violation since 2006. Council continued the public hearing to May 19 to obtain documentation about the employee and enforcement actions (motion to continue approved). • E‑4 Polish Market (2938 E. Maple): Failed compliance check (April 15, 2024); MLCC ordered a $900 fine; third violation for that location. Council continued the public hearing to May 19 to obtain verification of weekly staff training and other documentation (motion to continue approved). • E‑5 Sunoco Maple Gas Mart LLC (1490 E. Maple): Failed compliance check (April 15, 2024); MLCC fine $600; council continued the public hearing to May 19 to obtain more information about employee discipline and corrective steps (motion to continue approved). • E‑6 BP Gas / John R Petro Mart (1980 E. Maple): Failed compliance check at former license holder; license changed hands and is currently conditional. Council asked for confirmation of staff training and continued the public hearing to May 19 (motion to continue approved). • E‑7 7‑Eleven Inc. / MCME Investment (5020 John R): Failed compliance check (April 22, 2024); negotiated MLCC settlement $800; council continued to May 19 for clarifying information (motion to continue approved). • E‑8 7‑Eleven Inc. / Jandu LLC (2910 John R): Investigation corroborated tips that minors were sold alcohol; clerk criminally charged; corporate terminated the franchisee and took control of the store; MLCC settlement $800. Council continued the public hearing to May 19 to allow corporate and the potential new franchisee to appear and provide information. • I‑4 Revisions to Troy precinct map: Council approved the revised precinct map (reducing precincts from 37 to 27) and directed clerk’s office to file the changes in the state qualified voter file and begin voter notifications; motion moved by Council member Hamilton; outcome: approved (unanimous recorded vote). • I‑5 CDBG Inclusive Park — Boland Park play structure and budget amendment: Council approved a phased, CDBG‑funded first phase (initially funded from CDBG with a budget amendment showing available balances and reimbursements) to replace the primary play structure with an inclusive design; motion moved by Council member Chamberlain Kranga; outcome: approved (unanimous recorded vote). • I‑6 Emergency Communications Center renovations and upgrades (Police Department): Council approved purchase/renovation and a budget amendment to accommodate higher material and electrical costs and temporary relocation support; motion moved by Mayor Baker; outcome: approved (unanimous recorded vote). • Board appointments (Charter Revision Committee; Brownfield Redevelopment Authority): Council approved the appointment of Robin Beltramini and Timothy Burns to the Charter Revision Committee (terms expiring 04/30/2028) and Stephen Gottlieb to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (term expiring 04/30/2028); motions carried.

Why it matters: The precinct map and polling-place consolidation affect where thousands of Troy residents will vote beginning with future elections; the Boland Park approval commits long‑deferred CDBG funds to a visible community amenity aimed at increasing accessibility; and the emergency‑communications upgrades address aging infrastructure that supports 9‑1‑1 call handling. The liquor hearings illustrate the city’s ongoing enforcement under state law and the council’s willingness to continue hearings to verify corrective steps when records or discipline are unclear.

What’s next: Liquor‑license hearings continued to May 19 will return with requested documentation from licensees and corporate representatives; clerk’s office staff will enter precinct changes into the state qualified voter file and begin mailed voter notifications and outreach; and project staff will return with final contracts and schedules for the Boland Park installation and communications center construction.