Sterling Heights City Council Meeting - January 21, 2026

The Sterling Heights City Council met on the evening of January 21, 2026, to discuss a drone as a first responder program, recognize employee achievements, and address community concerns, including a controversial traffic stop involving immigration enforcement. The meeting included presentations, public comments, and votes on key agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: The council approved the agenda as amended, moving item F (drone as a first responder program) from the consent calendar to a discussion item.
• Consent Agenda Approval: The consent agenda was approved unanimously, excluding item F. Public comment was heard on item H (purchase order for electric police trucks), where a resident criticized the shift from Ford to Chevrolet electric trucks and questioned the use of grant funds.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Paul Smith (Sterling Heights resident): Spoke against item H, arguing that the electric vehicle trend is over and that the purchase order should be canceled. He also questioned the amount of grant funding involved.
• Lauren Letzman and Elizabeth Capolo (Macomb County CARES/Project BOX): Presented findings on the availability of Kratom and 7OH (a concentrated synthetic form) in Sterling Heights. They reported that 30% of 71 retailers visited sold Kratom, often with no age restrictions or safety warnings, and requested a formal presentation to the council to discuss potential policy options.
• Paul Smith (second appearance): Commented on a previous council discussion about Bitcoin, calling it a scam, and criticized the city's investment in the Lakeside project, comparing it to Ponzi schemes.

Discussion Items

• City Manager's Report – Internship Program: HR Director Kate Baldwin and Coordinator Sarah Scouten presented the 2026 college internship program, noting that recruitment is underway and 110 applications have been received. The program runs from mid-May to August, with a focus on hands-on experience.
• Drone as a First Responder (DFR) Program: Deputy Chief Ken Papis presented the DFR program, explaining its benefits for police, fire, and public works. The program uses fixed docking stations, automatic deployments, and records only at the scene. Privacy protections include no facial recognition, no random surveillance, and a public transparency dashboard. The first-year cost is $149,264, funded entirely by federal forfeiture funds. Councilman Radke requested a general order on privacy protections; Deputy Chief confirmed a draft is nearly complete. Council members asked about deployment triggers, flight duration, and coverage. The program was approved.
• Employee Recognition Awards: The council recognized dozens of employees for 2025 awards, including departmental and citywide honors. Highlights included:
  • Library Employee of the Year: Diane Spellich
  • Parks & Rec Part-Time: Lucas Kernan; Full-Time: Katie Niefer
  • DPW Part-Time: Dale Kirsch; Full-Time: Derek Upton
  • Firefighter of the Year: Alex Gross; Fire Officer of the Year: Matt Slodowski
  • Police Officer of the Year: Andre Basin; Command Officer: Chad Finkbeiner; Detective: Josh Selby; Civilian: Jocelyn Scoggins (absent, in hospital)
  • District Court Employee of the Year: Elizabeth Gaddioli
  • Part-Time Employee of the Year: Nora Almasouri Surmi
  • Outstanding Performance: Mark Hansel and Marnie Fenzick
  • Full-Time Employee of the Year: Annalise White
  • Administrator of the Year: Fire Chief Kevin Edman
  • Office/Department of the Year: Community Relations Department
• Mayor's Remarks on Immigration Enforcement: Mayor Taylor delivered an extended statement regarding a January 9 traffic stop where a driver was arrested on a felony reentry warrant from Border Patrol, and three passengers were detained after voluntarily providing identification. The mayor criticized the Trump administration's immigration enforcement tactics, calling them terrorizing and unconstitutional. He urged the council to end federal partnerships and bring city officers back from federal task forces, acknowledging the potential financial cost but arguing it is a matter of values. He stated he would propose policy changes to prevent similar incidents.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Agenda as amended (unanimous).
• Approved: Consent agenda (excluding item F) (unanimous).
• Approved: Drone as a First Responder program (motion by Mrs. Zarko, seconded, passed unanimously). The total five-year cost is $678,822.40, plus $13,500 for electrical infrastructure, funded by forfeiture funds.
• Scheduled: A future presentation on Kratom regulation, requested by Councilwoman Sarowski, with samples of ordinances from other communities.
• Adjourned: The council voted unanimously to adjourn into closed session pursuant to Section 8H of the Open Meetings Act to consult with the city attorney on two confidential legal opinions. The meeting was adjourned without returning to open session.