Southfield council approves appointments, grant-backed road projects and several ordinances

The Southfield City Council on Feb. 20 confirmed multiple appointments, accepted the Planning Commission annual report, approved a slate of grant-funded road and transit projects, introduced a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes ordinance tied to a proposed affordable housing project and enacted three ordinances.

The most immediate items were appointments and reappointments. Councilman Brightwell moved, and the motion was supported by Councilman Crews, to appoint Sandra Glass and Dr. Rodney Carruthers to the Veterans Commission and to appoint Eugene Kelly and Kiara (Carol) Thomas to the Board of Review as listed in council documents. The motion passed by voice vote; the newly appointed members were sworn in by the city clerk.

Also on the consent agenda the council approved a package of contracts and grant-related actions that include an MDOT contract for a legislative earmark for Mount Vernon Street construction and water main replacement, cost participation for 10 Mile Road resurfacing, and execution of an MDOT Shared Streets and Spaces grant contract. Council members noted the combined grants and project awards total roughly $4.3 million for road and bus stop improvements.

On ordinances, the council introduced Ordinance No. 1807, a MSHDA-related payment-in-lieu-of-taxes item connected to a proposed Hope Apartments project, following a motion by Councilman Hicks with support from Councilman Cruz. The council also approved zoning- and permitting-related ordinances: after public hearings and study sessions the body enacted Ordinance Nos. 1805 and 1806 (permit review/inspection and appeal fees; and a separate zoning amendment sequence) and introduced Ordinance No. 1808 related to animals/keeping of animals in the code.

During the meeting the body also received and filed the 2024 Planning Commission annual report, following a motion by Councilman Brightwell supported by Councilman Cruz.

Separately, at the council’s request the Brownfield redevelopment plan, tax increment financing plan, and development reimbursement agreement for the El Car Wash redevelopment at Northwestern Highway and 12 Mile were approved after a public hearing and council motion; a representative for the developer said construction mobilization would begin in the coming weeks and the applicant expects to open within the next 9 months to a year.

All motions recorded in the meeting passed by voice votes; no roll-call tallies were read into the record for these items.