Sterling Heights City Council Meeting - December 17, 2025

The Sterling Heights City Council met on December 17, 2025, at 4:02 PM (UTC) to discuss a range of topics including the results of a city-wide resident satisfaction survey, updates on major development projects, a budget amendment, and an ordinance to regulate virtual currency kiosks. The meeting also featured the swearing-in of two new police officers, a Nice Neighbor Award presentation, and public comments. The meeting lasted approximately 4 hours, with the council voting to postpone the virtual currency ordinance to allow for amendments.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda as amended, with item J (strategic planning session date) pulled for separate discussion. Items included routine approvals and unanimous actions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cassie Therfelder (Manager of Advocacy, AARP Michigan) spoke in favor of the virtual currency kiosk ordinance, noting that 85% of losses from crypto kiosk fraud are experienced by individuals 60 and over, with average losses of $40,000 in 2024. She recommended a daily transaction limit of $1,000 or a monthly limit of $10,000.
• Samu Reyes (resident) expressed concerns about fees charged by the police department for records, specifically requesting city standards and officer training documents. He suggested that crypto kiosks should be subject to federal transaction reporting requirements (CTR/MTL).
• Nicholas Romano (resident since 1987) complained about a ticket he received for parking his work van in his driveway after a neighbor complaint via the ClickFix program. He argued the ordinance is overly restrictive and has cost him a part-time job.
• Mark Graf (resident) commented on the tree planting program, noting that 15,000 trees would only increase canopy by 1% and that the goal of 40% canopy would require much more investment. He also raised concerns about the Chaldean Community Foundation project, stating that the development would clear-cut six acres and remove 14 landmark trees, not preserve eight acres as stated.
• Ms. Graf (resident) presented a petition with 3,578 signatures (60% from the area) opposing the development of the Grillo property, and noted that acorns from the Sterling Oak had been collected for propagation.

Discussion Items

• City Manager Report – Resident Survey Results: Jason Murado (ETC Institute) presented the 2025 resident survey. Key findings: 83% of respondents are satisfied with Sterling Heights as a place to live, and 78% as a place to raise children. The city rated above the U.S. average in 39 of 41 areas. Top priorities identified: refuse/recycling/yard waste removal, traffic congestion, enforcement of traffic laws, police visibility, enforcement of litter/debris cleanup, maintenance of neighborhood streets, and enforcement of grass/weed mowing. Satisfaction with city services declined from 2021 but remains well above national averages. The city manager will present a full action plan at the January 27 strategic planning session.
• Lakeside Mall Redevelopment Update: Economic Development Advisor Luke Bonner reported that a Brownfield plan is under review with the MEDC. Phase 1 includes 1,500 residential units and 150,000 sq ft of retail; future phases (total 2,800 units, hotel, office) are contingent on new transformational brownfield legislation. The Brownfield Board is expected to review the plan in mid-to-late January, with city council consideration tentatively in February 2026. Groundbreaking for demolition is anticipated in Q3/Q4 2026.
• Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) Phase 2 – Grillo Property: The project is a proposed $27 million, 80-unit mixed-income development. The city and CCF engineers are still working on a cut-and-fill solution for the challenging site. 29 deliverables have been submitted to MSHDA, and a PUD extension was approved in July 2025, giving until August 2026 for due diligence. The first project (Tigers Tower) is 40 units rented, expected to be fully leased by spring 2026, with retail tenants being negotiated.
• Swearing-In of Two New Police Officers: Officers Taylor Wolf (second in class at Macomb Police Academy) and Ryan Chase (former Marine) were sworn in by Chief Andrew Satterfield. Council members welcomed them, emphasizing the high standards of the department.
• Nice Neighbor Award: Presented to Summit Financial Consulting for covering six months of mortgage payments for three local families facing hardship. The company’s nonprofit, Summit Gives Back, has helped families dealing with cancer, death, and domestic abuse. Council commended the effort and noted the need for more community support.
• First Amendment to FY 2025-2026 Budget: Finance Director Jennifer Varney presented the amendment, which increases general fund expenditures by $112,000, carries forward unspent funds, recognizes new grants (including a SAFER grant for nine firefighters over three years, with a city cost share of ~$1.6 million), and eliminates a $500,000 transfer to the major road fund due to increased state road funding. The net result is a use of fund balance of $972,000 (down from $1.2 million). Council discussed concerns about state funding cuts, the SAFER grant’s long-term sustainability, and the need for a training fund for council. Councilman Radke moved to add $30,000 to the council training fund; that motion passed 5-2 (objections from Councilmembers Myjack and Yenne). The budget amendment was introduced on first reading for adoption on January 6.
• Virtual Currency Machine Ordinance: The council considered adoption of an ordinance to license and regulate virtual currency kiosks. After extensive discussion about daily and monthly transaction limits, council agreed to postpone the vote to the January 6, 2026 meeting to allow the city attorney to amend the ordinance to include a $2,000 daily limit and a $10,000 monthly limit (overriding the initial 14-day $1,000 limit). The postponement was unanimous.

Key Outcomes

• Survey Results: Accepted; full report to be provided to council and discussed at the January 27 strategic planning session.
• Lakeside Update: Noted; next steps include Brownfield Board review in January and council consideration in February.
• CCF Update: Noted; due diligence continues.
• Two New Police Officers: Sworn in and welcomed.
• Nice Neighbor Award: Presented and approved unanimously.
• Budget Amendment: First reading introduced; adoption scheduled for January 6, 2026. The separate motion to add $30,000 to the council training fund passed 5-2.
• Virtual Currency Ordinance: Postponed to January 6, 2026, with direction to include a $2,000 daily transaction limit and a $10,000 monthly limit.
• Appointments: Michael Binkowski appointed to the Historical Commission (term ending June 30, 2027). Pamela Terry reappointed to the Housing Commission (term ending December 31, 2029). Sean Taylor reappointed to the Housing Commission (term ending December 31, 2030). All approved.
• Strategic Planning Session: Date changed from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on January 27, 2026, at the community center, to accommodate council schedules.
• Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:15 PM (UTC).