St. Clair Shores · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in St. Clair Shores public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
FY 2026-2027 Budget and Millage Rates
The proposed budget book was delivered and a public hearing set for June 1, 2026, giving residents their chance to weigh in before adoption.
Union contracts: GELC, MAPE court, and firefighters
Three labor deals were ratified, covering most city workers, court staff, and firefighters through 2029-2030, with year-one wage corrections for past inflation and a new MERP retiree health plan for new firefighter hires.
Accelerating small winter tax bills
The council again approved folding winter tax bills under $100 into the summer bill — about 14,600 parcels — saving roughly $11,000 a year in printing and postage.
Elected officials' 2% pay raise takes effect
The Compensation Commission recommended a 2% raise for the Mayor and Council, and a motion to reject it failed 2-4, so salaries rise January 8. Rusie argues the same rationale should apply to board and commission members stuck at $15 per meeting.
Five-year financial model discontinued
Caron flagged that the city stopped using the five-year financial model it once relied on to avoid bankruptcy; staff plans to pursue a two- or three-year model plus a five-year capital projects outlook.