Troy Council adopts 2026–2030 Parks & Recreation Master Plan, approves sewer lift generators and retirement-code change

The Troy City Council on Jan. 12 adopted the City of Troy 2026–2030 Parks and Recreation Master Plan, approved an amendment to the city code governing employee retirement benefits for the police chief, and authorized purchase and installation of on‑site emergency generators at critical sanitary sewer lift stations.

Parks & Recreation: City staff and a consultant presented findings from outreach work for the master plan, reporting 870 survey responses (96% from Troy residents). The consultant said residents ranked maintenance of existing facilities the highest priority (98% said maintenance was important or very important) and identified expanded and better‑connected trails as a recurring request. The plan lists 58 projects with cost ranges and recommends using state and federal grant programs (Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, Land and Water Conservation Fund, recreation passport) and matching strategies such as using one grant to fund another's match.

Council member Chamberlain moved to adopt the master plan “as printed in the agenda packet,” supported by Mayor Pro Tem Chanda; Clerk Dixon conducted a roll‑call vote in which Mayor Baker and council members Bloom, Brooks, Chamberlain, Mayor Pro Tem Chanda, Gunn and Hamilton voted Yes. The motion carried and the plan was adopted.

Retirement code amendment (I4): Human Resources Director Jeanette Menig presented an amendment to City Code Title 1, Chapter 10 to correct a long‑standing inconsistency so an eligible police chief would retain the same defined‑benefit computation as Troy Command Police Union (TCOA) members. Council member Brooks moved the amendment, supported by Council member Chamberlain. The code change passed on a roll‑call vote.

Sanitary sewer lift station generators (I5): Jason Schmidt, Water and Sewer Operations Manager, explained that the city operates seven sanitary lift stations and that recent storms have occasionally caused multiple simultaneous power outages, straining mobile generators. The city requested approval to purchase and install stationary natural‑gas on‑site generators at four of the most critical lift stations to reduce the risk of sewage backups and to eliminate the need for frequent refueling. Schmidt said final design work increased costs above the original estimate; council moved and approved cooperative purchasing contracts, budget amendments and the installation.

Appointments and other business: Council approved multiple mayoral and council appointments to advisory boards and student representative positions and authorized a closed session under cited Michigan statutes to consider pending litigation (Staffa et al. v. Troy). During public comment, a resident who signed up as Jim Kaye (and identified himself in comments as Jim Kemp) raised privacy and cost concerns about Flock traffic cameras deployed in Troy, saying the system “doesn't pass the smell test” and citing an approximate annual cost of $100,000.

The council recessed the public meeting for the approved closed session and expected to adjourn from the Council Boardroom.