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Eastpointe City Council holds organizational meeting; Rob Baker chosen mayor pro tem
Summary
At its Nov. 10 organizational meeting, the Eastpointe City Council administered oaths to two members, unanimously approved routine liaison and regional-designation appointments and elected Rob Baker as mayor pro tem. Public comments focused on policing, bus-stop signage and community outreach.
The Eastpointe City Council convened an organizational meeting at 8:45 a.m. on Nov. 10, 2025, where Judge Galen administered the oath of office to re-elected Councilman Rob Baker and newly elected Councilwoman Karen Scott. Mayor Veronica Kleinfeld called the meeting to order and the council approved the agenda by unanimous roll call.
The council elected Baker as mayor pro tem in a voice and roll-call motion, and approved a slate of routine appointments to regional authorities and local commissions. Those actions included designating the existing mayoral representative and an alternate to the South Macomb Sanitary District and the South Macomb Disposal Authority; retaining the current representative structure to the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG); naming the mayor as the Michigan Municipal League legislative coordinator; and assigning council liaisons to local commissions including the Arts and Diversity Commission, Beautification Commission, Parks Commission, the Eastpointe Memorial Library Commission and the Downtown Development Authority. All procedural motions were supported and carried by roll call.
During two public-comment periods, residents offered congratulations to Baker and Scott and raised local concerns. Multiple speakers urged the council to be visible, responsive and transparent to residents and businesses. Carol Reed asked the city to restore bus-stop signage on Gratiot Avenue to help residents with mobility challenges. Resident John Solera made multiple remarks urging the council to increase police resources and to consider cooperation agreements with federal immigration authorities; other commenters cautioned against actions that could harm children or seniors and urged humane treatment in enforcement decisions.
Councilman Baker said he is committed to supporting first responders and pledged to follow up with staff on specific resident requests. Councilwoman Scott, a schoolteacher, said she looks forward to serving and engaging with residents; Mayor Kleinfeld and other members also thanked election workers and staff.
Votes at a glance
- Approval of meeting agenda — motion passed by roll call (unanimous yes among members present). - Election of Rob Baker as mayor pro tem — motion carried by roll call; Baker accepted the office. - Designation to South Macomb Sanitary District (SEMSD) and South Macomb Disposal Authority (SMDA) — mayor (primary) and Rob Baker (alternate) designated; motion approved by roll call. - Designation to Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) — current representation retained; motion approved by roll call. - Michigan Municipal League legislative coordinator — mayor designated; motion approved by roll call. - Appointments of council liaisons to boards/commissions (Arts & Diversity Commission, Beautification Commission, Parks Commission, Downtown Development Authority, Eastpointe Housing Commission, Eastpointe Memorial Library Commission, Planning Commission) — motions approved by roll call.
No ordinances, contracts, budget amendments or contested policy votes were taken at the meeting. Several commission seats (Teen Advisory Commission, Senior Citizens Commission) remain vacant; council members said they will revisit those appointments when applicants are available.
The meeting adjourned at 9:25 a.m. after a motion from Councilwoman Karen Scott and unanimous roll-call support.
