Residents urge council to limit flags to U.S. and Michigan flags, raise concerns about 11 Mile Road construction and sanctuary-city inquiry

Madison Heights — Multiple residents used the June 23 public-comment period to urge the City Council to restrict municipal flag displays to the U.S. and Michigan flags, to ask for clarity about a Human Relations and Equity Committee agenda item described as a "sanctuary city inquiry," and to raise safety concerns about new streetscape construction on 11 Mile Road.

A resident who identified herself as "a Madison Heights resident of 40 years" told the council she believed elected officials should represent all residents and said allowing alternate flags "opened the floodgates." She criticized the use of public municipal space for what she called "a social justice playground" and said that only the American flag and a state flag should be displayed. She said flying alternate flags had "alienated people of faith, which includes some of the Jewish faith, the Christian faith, Muslims," and asked the council to reverse the alternate-flag ruling or consider flying a combined Christian–Jewish flag if the policy was not reversed. The speaker also referenced the Human Relations and Equity Committee agenda item that included the phrase "sanctuary city inquiry," asking whether the city was "entertaining bringing the sanctuary city classification to our city" and warning it could jeopardize state revenue sharing and federal dollars.

Another resident, Doug McClain of 27432 Park Court, said he shares concerns about alternate flags and raised questions about a streetscape/beautification project on 11 Mile Road that began the same day. McClain asked whether police and fire had reviewed and signed off on the project, and expressed worry that emergency vehicles might not be able to navigate the intersection or that cut-through traffic would increase on nearby streets such as John R as drivers seek alternate routes.

Council did not take action on the issues during the meeting; public comment was recorded, and the council proceeded to other agenda business. Council members and staff later noted that police and fire chiefs were involved in streetscape planning and that the streetscape work had been discussed previously; councilmembers encouraged residents to contact DTE (the regional utility) about tree-trimming concerns raised during the meeting.

Why it matters: The comments highlight community disagreement over symbolic uses of municipal space and concern about the scope of local policymaking (the "sanctuary city" reference). They also reflect resident worries about the local impacts of streetscape construction on traffic and emergency response.

Next steps: Council did not act on the flag or sanctuary-city questions at the meeting; staff and committees (Human Relations and Equity Committee) may provide follow-up information. Residents urged direct outreach to DTE and city staff about construction and tree-trimming concerns.