The St. Clair Shores City Council on Dec. 16 voted unanimously to accept a FEMA Port Security Grant award of $276,413.12 to buy a replacement marine patrol vessel for the city police department.

City staff said the grant will cover about 75% of the boat cost, and the city will provide a 25% local match from its forfeiture fund (listed in the council packet). Chief Allen and police staff said the current marine patrol boat is 26 years old and that the department is seeking a slightly larger, soft-sided vessel with twin engines to make boarding and maneuvering easier.

“The total grant was based on an estimate of what the sheriff's department boats are,” Chief Allen said during the meeting, describing the 26-year-old craft as “a center console, hard sided” boat and adding that the department was seeking “a slightly larger boat, with rubber sides.” He also identified Lieutenant Matt McAllister as the officer who wrote the grant application.

The council heard operational details: staff said the department has jurisdiction about a half mile from shore and works with the Macomb County sheriff's office and the U.S. Coast Guard on mutual aid. Staff said delivery of the new vessel would take roughly a year. Officers assigned to marine patrol must complete required certifications, including a Michigan Department of Natural Resources boater-safety course, and new equipment will require additional training.

Council members asked about use and maintenance. Council member Rubello, who moved to accept the grant, described the city as a “lakefront community” and asked whether patrols would cover canals and restaurant areas as well as the coastline. Staff said patrols vary by year depending on overtime and grant-funded patrol funding. Council member Vitale asked about selling the old boat to offset costs; staff estimated proceeds of approximately $25,000.

There was discussion about whether the department could equip a vessel for firefighting. Staff said a water-cannon option had been considered in prior procurements but that the equipment was costly. “That was a fairly significant amount of money for that option,” staff said; Vitale noted the cost for such an option could exceed $25,000.

Council member Rubello moved to accept the grant; Council member Frederick seconded. The motion passed by voice vote, 7-0.

The decision authorizes the city to accept the FEMA Port Security Grant and to use city forfeiture funds to meet the required local match; staff noted a roughly one-year delivery timeframe for the replacement vessel and that additional training and recurring operational costs (overtime, fuel) are funded separately and vary by grant availability.