Local Government

Kathleen Nasrey, of Royal Oak, sits in her living room with her grandchildren, Rylee, 9; Harper, 8; and Monroe, 6 months, on July 5, 2018. Nasrey received new living room floors through the home improvement program offered by the city.

Published July 28, 2020

Home repair program available for qualifying residents in Royal Oak

ROYAL OAK — For more than 40 years, the city of Royal Oak has offered a Housing Rehabilitation Program for qualifying low- to moderate-income residents to help finance home repairs.

The Tax-Increment Finance Authority is investigating working with a design company to determine improvements to the fishing pier at Blossom Heath Park.

Published July 24, 2020

St. Clair Shores Sentinel

TIFA looks to redo fishing pier at Blossom Heath Park

ST. CLAIR SHORES — High water levels are causing damage to the shoreline along the fishing pier and lagoon at Blossom Heath Park, but the Tax-Increment Finance Authority is looking to work with the city on repairs and enhancements.

St. Clair Shores approves Hazard Mitigation Plan

Published July 24, 2020

St. Clair Shores Sentinel

St. Clair Shores approves Hazard Mitigation Plan

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Explaining that the plan is a way for the city and Macomb County to prepare for disasters, Fire Chief James Piper was before St. Clair Shores City Council July 20 to ask it to adopt the 2020-2025 Macomb County Hazard Mitigation Plan as its own official plan.

Published July 23, 2020

Advertiser Times

Harper Woods council upgrades security for city buildings

HARPER WOODS — The Harper Woods City Council voted unanimously at its meeting July 13 to approve plans to improve safety and security measures in city buildings.

Harper Woods city officials are considering revoking the business license of the Parkcrest Inn due to a high volume of crime reported at the business.

Published July 23, 2020

Advertiser Times

Officials debate future of Parkcrest Inn in Harper Woods

HARPER WOODS — The Harper Woods City Council is debating revoking the business license of the Parkcrest Inn after recommendations by the city’s director of public safety at the July 13 City Council meeting.

Experts brace for problems as eviction and foreclosure moratorium ends

Published July 23, 2020

C&G Newspapers

Experts brace for problems as eviction and foreclosure moratorium ends

METRO DETROIT — On April 1, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The order was to last until June when it was extended to last until July 15.

Mayor Kelly Garrett, the Lathrup Village City Council and other city staff listen to comments from residents on the possibility of recreational marijuana facilities in 2019.

Published July 21, 2020

Southfield Sun

Lathrup City Council in talks to extend marijuana sunset

LATHRUP VILLAGE — With a sunset date fast approaching, the Lathrup Village City Council is in talks to temporarily extend its decision to opt out of marijuana establishments in the city.

City urges residents to water after sundown or risk higher bills

Published July 21, 2020

Troy Times

Troy urges residents to water after sundown or risk higher bills

TROY — The city of Troy, through its contract with the Great Lakes Water Authority, receives a lower water rate by ensuring that water usage stays under designated thresholds during peak usage times.

Published July 21, 2020

Grosse Pointe Times

Grosse Pointe Woods council approves several vehicle, equipment purchases

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — The Department of Public Safety and the Department of Public Works will both receive several new equipment pieces and vehicles to replace outdated apparatus.

Published July 21, 2020

Grosse Pointe Times

Health allows McMullen to return to Grosse Pointe Woods City Council

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — On March 1, Grosse Pointe Woods City Council member George McMullen stepped down from his position after being diagnosed with pancreatic and liver cancer Feb. 28.

Clinton Township still searching for economic development director

Published July 20, 2020

Fraser - Clinton Township Chronicle

Clinton Township still searching for economic development director

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The search for Clinton Township’s first economic development director continues after the preferred candidate declined the offered position.

Published July 20, 2020

Shelby - Utica News

Dionne won’t seek reelection as Utica mayor but will seek council seat

UTICA — Utica Mayor Thom Dionne has announced that he will not be running for reelection as mayor in November. Dionne has been mayor for four years.

Eastpointe Mayor Monique Owens will be participating in a program aimed at educating community leaders on economic recovery.

Published July 17, 2020

Roseville - Eastpointe Eastsider

Eastpointe mayor participating in COVID-19 economic recovery program

EASTPOINTE — Eastpointe Mayor Monique Owens will be among 40 mayors from across the country taking part in a program sponsored by the Bloomberg Harvard Leadership Initiative to help communities recover from the impact of the COVID-19 quarantine.

Published July 17, 2020

Warren Weekly

Officials address state of Warren Fire Department

WARREN — In late June, Warren City Councilman Garry Watts questioned the status of the city’s Fire Department and its staffing level after saying he learned Station No. 4 was closed at least temporarily on June 20, the Saturday before Father’s Day.

Published July 17, 2020

Sterling Heights Sentry

Council members seek review of board applications, diversity practices

STERLING HEIGHTS — Sterling Heights recently appointed a new Zoning Board of Appeals member, but he swiftly turned down the offer. And the discussion that his appointment raised over how the city should approach diversity and representation is ongoing.

Published July 17, 2020

Madison - Park News

Council members discuss priorities for new fiscal year

MADISON HEIGHTS/HAZEL PARK — The new fiscal year began July 1 in Madison Heights and Hazel Park, and elected officials say they’re determined to make progress despite limitations imposed by the pandemic, economic uncertainty and other challenges that have come to define 2020.

Published July 17, 2020

C&G Newspapers

Army Corps of Engineers to construct sea wall

MACOMB COUNTY — The Macomb County Marine Division Boathouse may get some much-needed alleviation this fall. Due to high water levels on Lake St. Clair, a project is in the works between the county and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to construct about 282 linear feet of sea wall and raise the dock surrounding the boathouse.

In a time of only virtual meetings, Civic Center TV helps residents tune in to government affairs

Published July 16, 2020

West Bloomfield Beacon

Bringing public meetings to the public

KEEGO HARBOR/ORCHARD LAKE/SYLVAN LAKE/WEST BLOOMFIELD — The COVID-19 pandemic has affected community members in a variety of ways.

WB supervisor discusses potential financial effects of pandemic

Published July 16, 2020

West Bloomfield Beacon

WB supervisor discusses potential financial effects of pandemic

WEST BLOOMFIELD — The township has enjoyed some robust times over the years, but Supervisor Steven Kaplan recently acknowledged that, like so many other communities, “we’ve been affected” by the COVID-19 pandemic.