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Residents raise traffic, safety and flooding concerns during Oak Park council meeting
Summary
Residents told the council about dangerous traffic at a 10 Mile Road entrance, ongoing disturbances at Jefferson Oaks Apartments, and persistent sidewalk and flooding problems; staff said the signal is under county jurisdiction and that city staff met with Jefferson Oaks management to request a manager replacement.
Several residents used the call‑to‑the‑audience period to press the council on neighborhood safety and infrastructure.
Miss Waters (Huntington/Palmer Woods resident) said the two exits that feed directly onto 10 Mile Road are dangerous because the Scotia intersection has no stop signal; she urged restoring the prior traffic signal or installing speed feedback devices or improved crosswalk controls. Deputy city manager and municipal services lead Dave DeCoster replied that traffic signals are under Oakland County’s jurisdiction and offered to contact county staff to request review; he said the city previously asked the county about signal removal and will follow up.
A speaker identified as Tom, who lives near Oak Park in Ferndale, described repeated incidents linked to residents at Jefferson Oaks Apartments: package thefts, vehicle break‑ins, drug dealing, frequent police responses and threats to neighbors. City manager Eric Tungate and Kim Maroney said staff met with the property’s management company, requested replacement of an ineffective on‑site manager, and are scheduling follow‑up meetings with public safety to evaluate whether promised changes are taking root.
Resident Solomon Ziler asked about sidewalk damage, problematic driveway approaches after recent concrete work, and recurring street flooding that can back up into basements. Staff acknowledged Oak Park’s low‑lying soils and said drainage is managed intentionally in some areas; Maroney and others offered to follow up with specific crews and noted public‑works maintenance actions.
Tori Webster, the small‑business grant recipient and Oak Park business owner, returned during public comment to urge caution for any parking reductions so that smaller businesses with limited lots are not harmed.
City staff pledged follow up on all items: to contact Oakland County about traffic signals, monitor the pledged management changes at Jefferson Oaks, and continue drainage and sidewalk reviews.
