Council approves Metro Parkway lighting and Donovan Park parking; orders stormwater utility feasibility study after 4–3 vote

Sterling Heights City Council voted on three budget amendments during the FY25–26 budget workshop.

1) Metro Parkway lighting and median landscaping

Motion: “Resolve to increase the FY25–26 major roads fund proposed budget by $500,000, and increase the proposed general fund budget by $45,000 for street lighting and median landscaping on Metro Parkway from Van Dyke to the eastern city limit.” (moved by Councilmember Radke; support stated)

Outcome: Passed by voice vote (“All in favor… Aye. Opposed? Motion carries.”). Council discussion stressed safety concerns and asked engineering to limit light spill toward adjacent homes; council also discussed asking Macomb County for a cost-share for the county road segment.

2) Stormwater utility feasibility study

Motion: “Resolve to increase the FY25–26 general fund budget by $88,700 to fund a stormwater utility feasibility study.” (moved and supported)

Outcome: Roll-call vote recorded in the meeting: Mrs. Zarko — No; Mrs. Koski — No; Mr. Radke — Yes; Mrs. Schmidt — No; Mrs. Zyrowski — Yes; Mayor Taylor — Yes; Mr. Yanez — Yes. Motion carried 4–3.

What the study will do: Council and staff described the scaled study as identifying program needs and long-term costs, developing unit-of-service estimates and rate structure alternatives, analyzing investment/funding shifts and producing an implementation plan. Staff said a larger $300,000 study previously discussed would have included ordinance drafting and more extensive outreach; this $88,700 engagement is a more limited feasibility step.

3) Donovan Park parking and east‑side entrance

Motion: “Move to increase the FY25–26 general fund budget by $400,000 to fund a parking lot using funds from General Fund Reserve on the east side of Donovan Park along with a new easterly drive for ingress and egress.” (moved by Councilmember Koski; supported)

Outcome: Passed by voice vote. Council debate emphasized pedestrian safety near the park entrance, opportunities for overflow parking at the adjacent school and the need to incorporate stormwater management and permeable materials in design. Staff said the city owns roughly one acre adjacent to the park and estimated the lot would yield approximately 60 additional spaces pending final design; staff gave a rough parking-lot construction cost estimate of about $300,000 for the pad alone.

Next steps and follow-up

For the Metro Parkway lighting, staff said design and outreach to adjacent residents will precede installation and estimated a 90-day construction lead once agreements are in place; council asked staff to request county cost-sharing for the county road segment. For the stormwater feasibility study staff said results would be presented before pursuing rate or ordinance changes. For Donovan Park, staff will return with concept-level drawings and alternatives for permeable paving and stormwater features prior to construction. Council adopted the amendments into the proposed FY25–26 budget for final budget adoption on May 6.