Council approves 9 Mile restriping, MDOT Greater Mac patching contract and Veterans Park beach work

St. Clair Shores City Council on May 5 approved three infrastructure actions: restriping and signal adjustments on 9 Mile Road at Greater Mac and Cavalier, the city's participation in an MDOT-funded Greater Mac Avenue patching project (MDOT contract 255175), and a $69,425 Landscape Services Inc. contract to revitalize Veterans Memorial Park beach.

The restriping and signal-adjustment plan, developed with the Macomb County Road Commission, reconfigures westbound 9 Mile between Jefferson and just west of Cavalier Drive to a single through lane plus a left-turn lane and keeps two eastbound lanes. The county's signal-adjustment estimate in the packet was $98,968.42 and a separate striping cost of $20,006.69 (packet materials). Council and staff referenced a combined figure given at the motion of about $119,006.67; the work will be funded from the city's signal maintenance line and is expected to be completed in the current fiscal year before June 30. Staff said restriping is a one-day operation and the county will adjust signal timing; the project will include a left-turn arrow at the light. Councilmembers and staff discussed public notification (city social media, Nautical Mile and Greater Mac merchants associations) and some nearby barricade sight-line concerns that staff said they would inspect.

The council also approved a resolution to sign the Michigan Department of Transportation contract for concrete patching on Greater Mac Avenue between 12 Mile and 13 Mile (MDOT contract no. 255175). City engineer Mike Freckleton said the city's estimated participation (20% match and related costs) is $276,718; council members discussed that the full project is roughly $1.5 million with federal funds covering the majority and the city's match and engineering/administration costs budgeted across fiscal years. Freckleton said the city will administer the project as a local agency project under MDOT standards, with construction oversight and resident communications handled by the city; construction was targeted to begin in late June, after schools are out.

Finally council approved Landscape Services Inc. to reestablish the grass, a step-down and a new retaining wall at Veterans Memorial Park beach, a contract for $69,425. Parks director Rob Spinazzola said the work follows a survey to locate the ordinary high water mark as required by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and that the city must confine reclamation to land behind that mark; anything seaward would require EGLE permit approval. The contract does not include sand acquisition (the city will use an existing DPW hauling/sand contract); staff said contractor work could start as soon as the week of May 12 (pending weather) with an aim to complete before Memorial Day. Council and staff noted the contract does not include material (sand) and that sand delivery/placement will be handled under the city's separate DPW contracts.

Votes at a glance - 9 Mile restriping and signal adjustments (between Jefferson and just west of Cavalier Drive): motion to approve cost and proceed moved by Councilmember Rubello, supported by Councilmember Karen; motion passed (tally: yes 6, no 0, absent 1). Funding: city signal maintenance line; Macomb County Road Commission to perform signal work; striping can be done by county or city contractor; expected completion this fiscal year.

- MDOT contract 255175 (Greater Mac Avenue concrete patching, 12 Mile'13 Mile): motion to approve resolution and authorize city manager to sign moved by Councilmember Frederick, supported by Councilmember Karen; motion passed (tally: yes 6, no 0, absent 1). City estimated participation: $276,718; project administration: city (local agency) with MDOT standards; construction targeted to begin late June.

- Veterans Memorial Park beach revitalization (Landscape Services Inc.): motion moved by Councilmember Rebello, supported by Councilmember Russe; contract $69,425 approved (tally: yes 6, no 0, absent 1). Work excludes sand acquisition/hauling (handled by DPW contract), follows EGLE ordinary high water mark survey, and aims to restore beach access and a protective retaining wall.

Context: Council excused Councilmember Vitale at the start of the meeting; six members voted on the motions. Discussion included resident-notification plans, safety and sight-line concerns around temporary barricades on 9 Mile and Greater Mac, project timelines tied to fiscal-year deadlines and MDOT bidding, and the limits the city has when work encroaches on state-managed waters (EGLE). Staff committed to follow up with more detailed bid and cost breakdowns by email after MDOT bid results are returned.

Ending: Council recessed to routine business after the approvals; staff will post schedules and outreach details for affected areas and coordinate contractor notifications to residents and merchants.