St. Clair Shores · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in St. Clair Shores public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Danielson Endodontics fence variance
Seven property owners are asking the city to allow fences that don't meet the fence ordinance — including setbacks, height, and water-adjacent privacy rules. The outcomes will determine whether these specific fences stay up, get modified, or come down.
Water Resources Board appeal — boat lift relocation at 33800 Jefferson
A canal resident wants to swap an old Swinger davit lift for a new solar-powered JS1500R with no change of footprint, but the Water Resources Board said no. The council is being asked to hear the appeal and could overturn that decision.
Small cell wireless pole at 32215 Jefferson
Two small cell (5G) equipment approvals are on the agenda — at 32215 Jefferson and the Violet Pump Station. These expand wireless network coverage but raise typical aesthetic and placement questions.
Nautical Mile streetlights DTE agreement
The council is considering an acquisition agreement with DTE covering the Nautical Mile streetlights — a district key to the city's waterfront business corridor.
Commercial vehicle parking rules in residential districts
A consent agenda item would amend Article VI on parking of vehicles on residential lots (Sections 40-160), with a hearing. This affects where residents can park cars, boats and trailers at home.
Canal dock permit at 22429 Lakecrest
A Lakecrest homeowner wants a 30-foot-wide seasonal floating dock on the canal, and the Water Resources Board will decide whether to allow it. Canal residents often watch these cases closely because dock size and placement affect navigation and waterfront character.
Ardmore Park private park accessory structure variance
The Ardmore Park Homeowner's Association has been seeking several variances to place an accessory structure on a private park parcel without a primary structure — a request tabled at two prior meetings. This would be its third hearing.
Residential accessory structure and deck variances
Three homeowners — on Brookdale, Milner, and Overlake — sought variances for sheds, second accessory structures, and a deck that exceed standard setback and coverage limits.
Assumption Nursery School parking variance
Assumption Nursery School on Marter requested a 10-space parking variance, which could affect how its facility operates near the 8 Mile corridor.
Police & Fire Pension Fund Investment Performance
The pension board moved $1.6 million to cash by trimming two overweight funds, following its consultant's advice amid a rocky market with ten-year treasury yields above 5%. The cash covers upcoming pension payouts through roughly February 2027.
Graystone Consulting Invoices
The board's investment consultant has been sending incorrect invoices since changing management companies. A corrected invoice of $2,051.18 replaced the erroneous $6,752.60 bill.
Driveway apron parking ticket dispute
Mary Rutale got a ticket for parking on her driveway apron and found two city ordinances that appear to contradict each other — one allows it, the other ("beyond the curb") doesn't apply where there's no curb. She asked council to straighten out the inconsistency so others don't get ticketed unfairly.
Bon Bray traffic speeds and Shortcrest construction traffic
A resident told the council that construction detours are pushing speeding traffic onto Newberry Street, endangering children and pedestrians — and that his emails to council members and the police chief went unanswered. He asked for traffic enforcement, signs, and a meeting with the chief.
Fire department F-150 utility vehicle replacement
The fire chief says the rusty 2012 utility vehicle needs replacing; Vitale says 36,000 miles and a rusty bed aren't enough without the mechanical history. Tabled 5-1 with a check expected November 16. The $63,000 includes about $13,000 in outfitting.
Shady Lane business approach pitch problem
A gas station owner on Harper at Shady Lane got such a steep driveway approach out of the road project that cars nearly stall entering — near-miss territory. The city is working with the contractor Florence on a design change and cost to fix it.
Flock surveillance camera contract concerns
Twelve residents plus multiple council members opposed the city's 12 Flock cameras, citing hacks, FBI data access, and misuse in other cities. The council directed all cameras be bagged for six months, with a final decision in March 2027.
Senior Advisory Committee quorum problem
The committee oversees programming at the St. Clair Shores Senior Center, including health and safety classes, fall-prevention programs, and volunteer-driven events like Apple Pie Week. These programs serve the city's older residents directly.
Board member resignation creates vacancy
Long-serving member Dennis DeWulf is stepping down but will stay until a replacement is found. There's an open question about whether his seat must be filled by an architect.
Residential zoning variance for air conditioner placement
City ordinance keeps air conditioners out of side yards, but a LaVon homeowner argued the rear placement blocked his lake view and created patio noise. The board agreed the side-yard spot was reasonable — the adjacent neighbor has only a garage facing the unit.
Pending appeal of Canal Case #21-2026
Canal homeowners will pay the entire $137,630 cost of dredging roughly 1,000 cubic yards of sediment, split over 43 parcels at $3,200.70 each. The association's treasurer urged the city to streamline the permitting process for future canal maintenance.
Board and commission member compensation
Volunteer members of city boards and commissions will now get $20 per meeting instead of $15 — the first raise in decades — and the Senior Advisory Committee shrinks from eleven to nine members.
Sidewalk program progress
Residents will no longer be billed for sidewalk replacements — the city will use state Act 51 road funds instead, thanks to a state funding shift. People billed last year won't be reimbursed, which some council members acknowledged could sting.
Harper Avenue traffic between 10 and 11 Mile
A 30-year Sunnydale resident asked for a traffic light somewhere between Ten and Eleven Mile on Harper, where there's currently none — accidents happen as drivers fight to get out of side streets. The council will raise it with Macomb County, which controls the signals.
Park Court vacation near Ardmore Elementary
Park Court will be formally vacated and decertified to fix MDOT's maps, but nothing changes on the ground — the school district agreed to deed its half back to the city, so the park stays as neighbors know it.
Alley vacation and future of city-owned lot at 21408 Centennial
The city-owned alley behind 27109 Harper will stay public for now. Residents worried vacating it could open the door to a parking lot on the vacant Centennial lot next to their homes, and the council agreed there was no purchase offer or clear plan — instead it wants the vacant lot marketed, possibly for a house.
24-hour business operation at 26423 Harper
A prospective business owner got a one-year OK to operate around the clock in a B-1 Local Business District. The temporary terms mean the board can revisit traffic and noise issues with neighbors before anything permanent is granted.
Deferred service retirement for Jonathan Frazho
Officer Velasco asked whether prior government service counts toward retirement eligibility here. The board's attorney confirmed Michigan's Reciprocal Retirement Act allows it — but only for pension purposes, not health care.
Panera Bread signage variance at 22601 9 Mile Rd
The new Panera needed five logo-bearing parking signs to reserve drive-thru and pick-up spots, even though directional signs normally can't carry logos. The board granted a variance with conditions, including the city's right to revisit sign placement later.
2026-2027 CDBG Program Funding
Federal block grant money funds senior services, home rehab loans/grants, bocce courts, and now ADA-compliant Library doors — all going to low- and moderate-income residents.
Board and commission vacancies and recruitment
Three new applicants will interview October 5, the Clerk will reach out to a past Cool City Committee applicant, and a committee seat opened when a member moved out of the city. Filling these seats keeps city boards functioning.
Stephens Road Greenway Feasibility Study
A four-community bike/pedestrian path along Stephens Road is now an adopted study — a stepping stone for future grant applications, though it commits St. Clair Shores to nothing. Members debated road diets, business impacts, and resident-only park access.
Water, Sewer, and Storm Rate Increases
Water rates rise 6.7% and sewer rates 5%, costing a typical household about $4.25 more per month combined; the storm charge rises 3%. Council members blamed GLWA's wholesale increases and aging infrastructure, and Vitale wants the city to push Lansing on the unsustainable regional water model. A hardship program exists for those who can't pay.
Lake St. Clair muck, cormorants, and water infrastructure
A resident described watching firefighters struggle with low hydrant pressure during last year's Bayview Street house fire, saying crews had to tap hydrants across Jefferson. The mayor promised a follow-up on his unanswered questions.
11 Mile Road patching overrun
The worst stretch of 11 Mile — including in front of Lakeview High School — gets a $498,256 patching contract with Florence Cement this summer, timed between the end and start of the school year with liquidated damages if they run late.
Sanitary sewer root control
Annual maintenance treating tree roots in sewer lines, approved at cheaper HGAC cooperative prices after bidding produced only one high bid.
Senior Advisory Committee visibility on city website
At a prior meeting, members noted the committee's listing was missing from the city's Board & Commissions page. A council liaison had agreed to investigate, and the issue was expected to carry over to this meeting.
Hold Harmless Liability Agreements
The city received a legal opinion on Hold Harmless agreements for downtown improvements. Property owners near planned benches must sign waivers and show the city as an additional insured, with the city exposed only for gross negligence.
Commission Meeting Schedule Change
The commission wants to move its regular meetings from Wednesdays to the second Monday of each month, with a possible 5 p.m. start. The time piece still needs a final decision.
Downtown Streetscape Improvements
The DDA is moving forward with planters, tree removal, paver replacement and benches downtown. The southwest corner tree is gone and pavers will be replaced soon, but the bench is delayed awaiting arrival.
Civic media streaming on YouTube
The commission is shopping for a Tricaster system used to produce and play back broadcast coverage of city meetings. The bid is on hold until an absent commissioner can review it, with action expected next month.
2027 City Calendar Design
Commissioners reviewed the draft 2027 city calendar and asked that the August photo be adjusted to show less cement. They also began planning the 2028 calendar around a 'parks and facilities' theme, with a reminder to keep elected officials out of photos in an election year.
String Lights over Greater Mack
The donor wants to fund decorative lights over Greater Mack but must donate through a 501(c)(3), and the installer needs a permit and a reviewed contract instead of a city Hold Harmless. Board members Bricolas and Harden are working on a solution.
PEA Local 412 Unit 44 labor agreement
Council approved the final union contract of the year, a 2026-2030 deal with middle-management employees covering wages, hiring, workers' comp, and leave provisions.
Police in-car radio replacement
The police department completed its multi-year radio modernization project with 12 new Kenwood radios, since the old Motorola units can't meet new encryption and Phase 2 requirements.
Pool bathhouse renovation
The 1966 bathhouse at the pool — which drew 48,000 visitors last year — needs a full rebuild to meet state fixture and ADA requirements and fix rotted roof beams before the 2027 season. It'll cost about $1.77 million from fund balance, with a hoped-for $800,000 land sale on Jefferson expected to offset it.
Dog leash enforcement reminder
After an off-leash dog darted into traffic recently, Rusie reminded residents the city's ordinance requires dogs to be leashed off your property — police can educate and cite.
13 Mile Road damaged house demolition
The tree-crushed house at 23105 13 Mile finally sold and is set for demolition — but utility clearances from DTE and Consumers are dragging, frustrating council.
Sanitary sewer lining expansion
Districts 6 and 7 get sewer cleaning and camera inspection this year, feeding next year's lining priorities. Councilman Caron pushed using AI to review the footage like Macomb County does — saving about $1 million a year there. Staff will investigate for next year's contract.
Harper Cruise street closure
B.A.S. Security gets to close part of Sunnydale during the August 26 cruise for a safe Kiwanis open party area — with resident access maintained through the rear alley.
School resource officer for Lake Shore
An 85th police officer will be assigned full-time to Lake Shore schools, funded mostly by a $130,000 state grant with the district covering the gap. Parents get an extra layer of security.