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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Laukel corridor redevelopment and parcel assembly
The council was asked to buy 22025 Laukel for up to $67,500, continuing a long-running strategy of assembling parcels between Harper and Greater Mack for a future condominium-style development. The existing house on the lot would likely be demolished.
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.
Social District age restriction after 8 p.m.
After a 'teen takeover' incident with smoke bombs and firecrackers, the council required anyone under 18 to be with a parent or guardian after 8 p.m. at Social District events. Critics said it punishes responsible teens and is unenforceable with two officers on site.
New Fire Station Opens
The new fire station is open and ran its first call May 13, replacing a building that served 68 years. Built with ARPA funds, it opened with a hose uncoupling ceremony and drew wide praise from council members.
Rental Property Blight Concerns
A lifelong resident told council too many rental homes have slipped into disrepair since the 2010 crash — overgrown grass, junk in yards, a hazardously cut fence post — and pressed the city to hold property managers accountable and consider incentives for police and firefighters to live in the city.
Ambulance Equipment Maintenance Agreement
The fire department's five ambulances rely on Stryker power stretchers and loaders. The two-year, $33,731 agreement covers preventive maintenance and repairs, keeping equipment safe for patients and firefighters. Council asked staff to look into a Ferno demo as a possible future alternative.
Business Neighbor Fence and Screen Wall Dispute
A homeowner next to 23100 Jefferson says the adjacent business's dumpster, snow plowing, and debris have repeatedly damaged his fence, and argues a required screen wall was never installed despite the property changing hands. He asked council to explain or fix the enforcement gap.
New Garage Sale Ordinance
Estate, yard and rummage sales now all count as garage sales, capped at three sales a year of up to three days each. Permits stay $5 and violations are civil infractions. Aimed at the rare repeat offender, not the typical resident.
Nuisance Properties on the Commercial Strip
The former nursery site and old Pizza Hut lot are full of trash, brush, and overgrown weeds, and Council Member Vitale wants both held to their site plans and grading requirements.
10-Unit Apartment Building at 22903 12 Mile
A vacant lot near 12 Mile and Jefferson gets a new two-story, all one-bedroom apartment building — filling a housing type the city lacks, right between two existing complexes.
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.
Fire hydrant water pressure concerns
The brutal cold is causing multiple water main breaks a day. Council Member Caron credited the city's investment in pressure regulating valves at Detroit water entry points with preventing far worse — Detroit once had 50 breaks in a single day.
Civic Arena universal bathroom renovation
A $200,000 state grant plus a $50,000 city match will rebuild the arena bathrooms using universal design — better lighting, quieter dryers and a more welcoming space for everyone, not just ADA minimums.
Cryptocurrency Kiosk Fraud
An AARP representative warned that crypto ATMs at local gas stations are draining seniors' savings — Michiganders lost $125 million in 2024 — and asked the council to adopt daily deposit limits like other cities have done.
Library renovation and furniture
The library renovation continues with $235,861.81 in new furniture, including scaled-down kid furniture, a dedicated teen room, and lake-themed play features. The lower bid was rejected because it left out key pieces.
Alley Reconstruction — Concrete Over Asphalt
Five failing city-owned alleys get rebuilt, with four done this year. Council chose concrete ($700,811) over asphalt ($572,748) for the longer lifespan — a 25-30 year life vs 15-20 for asphalt. The Lakeland-to-Madison alley is next on the list.
Police body camera expansion
The department is adding 14 cameras to its fleet of 36, bringing it to about 50 so every officer at special events wears one. Council members called cameras a win for both officers and the public.
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.
Water Tower Preservation Debate
St. Clair Shores is deciding whether to tear down its old water tower, and something found inside has one councilman arguing harder to save it. The choice could reshape the city’s skyline, so it’s not just a nostalgia fight.