St. Clair Shores · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in St. Clair Shores public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
Five-year Macomb County blanket maintenance permit
The city's blanket permit for emergency repairs and water and sanitary lead work in county rights-of-way expired, and the council was asked to approve a resolution renewing it for five years through 2031.
Alexander Sewer Separation project
The last combined sewer stretch on Alexander Street gets separated this year, with 80% paid by federal earmark funding from Congressman John James — a step toward eliminating combined sewer overflows into the lake.
Jefferson Sewer Relief Project Disruptions
The SEMSD project aims to cut combined sewer overflows into Lake St. Clair by half, but it's costing the Nautical Mile businesses traffic. Ten Mile Road reopens by June 12; Jefferson stays one lane northbound at the work zone; the pipe finishes by early 2027. Council apologized for the Lakeland Street detour fiasco and promised better signage and communication.
Cedar Street water main replacement
A 1928-era water main on Cedar Street between Harper and Jefferson will be replaced via pipe-bursting for $750,631. Council Member Caron objected that the project jumps 14 years ahead of the city's asset management plan.
$19M sewer separation bond financing
The city is borrowing about $19 million at locked-in state rates to separate combined sewers in the Martin district, which should cut lake discharges and basement backups. The notice of intent starts a 45-day window for residents to petition for a referendum before the June contract award.
Commercial Cross Connection (Backflow) Inspections
A state mandate continues: HydroCorp will inspect roughly 400 commercial accounts a year and track 959 testable backflow devices, keeping soda or worse from siphoning back into the drinking water. About $36,775 a year for five years.
$8.2 Million Water Meter Replacement Program
Half the city's 25,000 water meters are aging out and the radio read network has failed for roughly 4,000 homes now getting estimated bills. The new cellular system means appointments for in-home installs, a customer portal with leak alerts — and possible back-bills if old meters ran slow. Ask about payment plans if you get a catch-up bill.