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Hamtramck council approves submission of $29.5M water‑project plan after tense public hearing
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Summary
After a lengthy public hearing, Hamtramck City Council voted to submit a drinking‑water project plan to the Michigan DWSRF program that would make the city eligible for grants and loans to replace lead service lines and upgrade water mains; officials stressed the vote is to apply, not to accept a loan.
Hamtramck — The City Council voted April 28 to approve submission of a drinking‑water project‑planning document to the Michigan Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), a step that keeps the city eligible for grants and low‑interest loans to replace lead service lines and repair aging water mains.
The council approved the measure after a presentation from Michael, the city’s planning/CED representative, and Tiffany Dubick of Hennessy Engineers, who described three proposed projects totaling about $29.5 million to replace roughly 1,438 lead service lines and repair or loop several miles of water main. Dubick said the vote authorizes an application to EGLE, not the acceptance of debt: "This is just an application... No one is approving a loan today," she said.
Why it matters: Hamtramck has roughly 6,225 water service connections and officials said the city has replaced about 40% of services to date. City staff and the consultant told residents that failing to submit a state project plan would make Hamtramck ineligible for grant funding and could delay required lead‑service‑line work under state rules.
During a long public‑comment period, residents pressed officials for clarity about notice, the difference between grants and loans, and the potential household cost if the city accepted a 100% loan. Dubick explained EGLE scores and ranks applications and that individual projects could receive full grant funding, a loan/grant combo, or a loan — and that final funding offers would be returned to the city in September 2026. As an illustration of a worst‑case loan scenario, the consultant said, "If this entire project was taken out as a loan... the user cost would be an increase of $281.86 per year," which she repeated as about "$23.49 per month." She added those numbers are illustrative of a 100%‑loan option, not a guaranteed outcome.
City Manager (translated): "This project is mandatory. It's not optional," the manager told the room, noting state rules and a prior legal settlement require ongoing service‑line replacement work. The manager and other council members said securing grant money is the priority and that the application only preserves Hamtramck’s chance to be scored for grants.
Council response and next steps: Council members who supported the submission said rejecting the application now would forfeit the city’s chance at new grants. Members who raised concerns urged better public outreach and stressed the council will have a later, separate vote before accepting any loan. Council approved the application; EGLE will publish a funding list in approximately September 2026, after which the council will again consider whether to accept any loan or grant offers.
What to watch: The application divides the work into three projects to improve the city’s chance of receiving partial or full grant funding. If the city later were offered loan funding the council must vote to accept those terms before residents would see any mandated rate increases. City officials said they will return with detailed options after EGLE’s ranking is published.
Ending: The council passed the application to protect Hamtramck’s eligibility; officials and the consultant said they will return to the council with EGLE’s funding recommendations in the fall and with more detailed cost and funding scenarios for residents.
