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Council awards $542,649 contract for Gardner Street East after 6–1 vote; SAD motion fails
Summary
After a lengthy debate over whether residents should pay part of paving costs, Sterling Heights awarded a $542,649.44 contract to Florence Cement Company for Gardner Street East and authorized a $180,000 budget amendment from local road fund reserves; one councilmember opposed, arguing a 50% special assessment district would be fairer.
Sterling Heights City Council voted 6–1 to award a contract to Florence Cement Company to pave Gardner Street East (city project 14‑257) after debate about whether property owners should pay part of the cost through a special assessment district (SAD).
City staff presented the project as one of five remaining gravel streets (about 1,200 feet), with a prior budget estimate of $450,000. City engineer (S15) said six bids were received and Florence Cement Company submitted the low bid of $542,649.44, roughly 17% above the estimate. Administration recommended awarding the contract and using budgeted local road funds; it also outlined the procedural steps required to form a 50% SAD if the council chose that option.
Councilmember Radke (S4) moved a resolution directing the city engineer to prepare SAD steps for a 50% cost‑share; that motion failed for lack of support. Radke argued the city would be effecting a 'wealth transfer' by paying the full cost and said residents who previously paid Safe Streets millage had waited for repairs. "We are going to gift them $540,000 worth of infrastructure and that to me is ... wrong," Radke said.
Councilmember S2 (mover of the award motion) said the project was in the previously approved budget and noted bids remained valid for 180 days. Councilmember S6 and others argued the Safe Streets millage and city road funds justified city funding to get the work done. The council authorized a budget amendment of $180,000 from local road fund reserves to cover the difference. The award motion carried six votes in favor and one opposed.
What passed: an award to Florence Cement Company for $542,649.44 (city project 14‑257) and authorization for the mayor and city clerk to sign the contract and a $180,000 budget amendment from local road fund reserves.
Next steps: Administration will finalize the contract and schedule construction; the SAD procedural track remains available if the council re‑opens that option in the future.
