Sterling Heights and Warren formalize DPW mutual aid to share crews, equipment

The Sterling Heights Department of Public Works director outlined an interlocal mutual‑aid agreement with the City of Warren that formalizes reciprocal public‑works support during extraordinary events.

"This agreement enables either city to request assistance when extraordinary circumstances, such as severe weather events, infrastructure failures, or waste management challenges exceed local resources," Michael Moore said. He described covered services ranging from sewer and water main repairs to snow removal, refuse recycling and tree trimming.

Operational provisions include personnel‑qualification clauses, reimbursement and insurance coverage, mutual indemnification and a priority that each city's residents receive service before aid is provided to the other jurisdiction. Moore said typical personnel costs remain the home city's expense except for waste removal services, which would be billed time and materials from Warren to Sterling Heights.

City Manager Mark Vanderpool said the agreement builds on existing regional mutual‑aid partnerships and the Arsenal Alliance; the item was approved earlier by Warren and included on Sterling Heights’ consent agenda.

Council did not take a separate roll‑call vote at the meeting because the interlocal agreement was placed on the consent agenda and approved as part of that package.