Dearborn Heights council confirms new corporation counsel, fills two vacancies

The Dearborn Heights City Council voted Oct. 28 to appoint Gary Miyake as the city’s corporation counsel and to fill two recently opened council seats, taking a mix of nominations, oral resignations and oaths during a single meeting.

Miyake’s appointment, framed by supporters as a cost-saving move that would consolidate legal work, was approved by voice vote after the mayor said Miyake would represent “the city of Dearborn Heights” and not the mayor’s office alone. The term shown in the meeting materials runs through Dec. 31, 2025.

Why it matters: The city faces legal and financial pressure according to remarks at the meeting, and council members described Miyake’s selection as a way to reduce outside legal spending while ensuring the corporation counsel represents all residents.

What the council did: After debating how to handle agenda order and amendments, members moved to fill a vacancy created when the previous council chair became mayor. Councilman Hassan Saab nominated Robert “Bob” Constant to fill the unexpired seat; other nominees included Hussain Anani, Barb (Barbara) Reddy and Ray Muscat. Ray Muscat accepted a nomination for a separate short-term seat and was sworn in at the meeting.

Council and staff also clarified the procedural sequence for filling vacancies under the city charter (citing sections 4.5 and 4.7): council may nominate and vote to appoint a qualified person to serve until the next election. Corporation counsel advised that an oral resignation at the meeting can be accepted by the body and paired with an oath to make the record clear. Council formalized that approach by moving to accept resignations and administer oaths simultaneously when appropriate.

Notable quotes: Mayor Mohammed Beydoun said of the corporation counsel pick, “we are in a federal...lawsuit. … he represents the city of Dearborn Heights. He does not represent only the administration or the mayor.” Ray Muscat, after his swearing, asked to be recused from votes on contracts he felt unqualified to decide, saying he had not yet reviewed all contract materials.

What comes next: The appointments are effective immediately as recorded and terms noted in the meeting packet; the Municipal Clerk will administer any required paperwork and post the official vote records. Several councilmembers flagged the intent to revisit procedures for vacancies and term lengths to ensure consistency with the charter.

Sources: Council motions and roll-call discussion during the Oct. 28 council meeting and statements by the mayor and corporation counsel recorded in the meeting transcript.