Sterling Heights City Council Meeting - February 18, 2026

The Sterling Heights City Council met on February 18, 2026, with Mayor Pro Tem Sarowski presiding in Mayor Taylor's absence. The meeting included presentations on Kratom regulation, a real estate purchase for parkland, a Nice Neighbor Award, and council reports. Key actions included directing the city attorney to draft an ordinance restricting Kratom sales to adults 21 and older and approving a $770,000 real estate purchase agreement for 13 acres on Utica Road.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda as presented, with a motion to move consent agenda item H (real estate purchase) to consideration item 8B. The motion passed.
• Approved the consent agenda as amended (excluding item H), routine approvals.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ken Nelson (Firesteel Drive) spoke on the real estate purchase agreement (8B), questioning transparency, zoning, facilitation fee, and long-term use. He noted the $770,000 price and asked about facilitation costs and the 2028 closing date.
• Brooke Acre (Gertrude Road) expressed concerns about the property's eventual development, traffic on Utica Road, and requested transparency on the long-term plan. She emphasized preserving green space.
• Ken Nelson (second appearance) requested a slot on the March 3 meeting agenda to make a 15-minute presentation titled "Free speech in public meetings versus Sterling Heights governing body rules of procedure, rule five (citizen communications)." He asked for a response before leaving.

Discussion Items

• Kratom Regulation Presentation: The Sterling Heights Drug Free Coalition (Elizabeth Capolo, Lauren Letzman, Lt. Aaron Susala) presented on Kratom's dangers and the results of environmental scans: 28 of 71 retailers (40%) in Sterling Heights sold Kratom or 7OH products, and 96% displayed them visibly near candy, toys, or energy drinks. House Bill 4969 (age restriction to 21) is pending in the state legislature. Clinton Township passed an ordinance in January with a $500 civil infraction.

  • Councilman Radke requested a draft ordinance for Sterling Heights to restrict Kratom sales to adults 21+, without banning it. Council supported this.
  • Councilwoman Yarko asked for escalating fines (e.g., $500 first offense, higher subsequent) and inquired about enforcement; Lt. Susala confirmed enforcement is feasible via stings similar to alcohol/tobacco.
  • Councilman Yannis asked about hospital visits; Lt. Susala noted peer recovery coaches in McComb County hospitals have seen an uptick in Kratom-only patients. City attorney Koshubsky updated that the House bill passed committee with recommendation and is awaiting a second reading.

• Utica Community Schools Art Fair Partnership: Community Relations Director Melanie Davis announced a partnership to display student artwork on roadside banners on Utica and Dodge Park Road for 3–4 weeks in May 2026, later replaced by 250th American anniversary banners.

• Mound Road Street Lighting Update: City Engineer Brent Beyshaw reported that all franchise utilities have been transferred to new monopoles except Comcast (completed last week) and WOW (remaining small segment). Once poles are removed, street light installation will take 4–6 weeks. A separate lighting project on Metro Parkway (Van Dyke to city limits) is underway and expected to complete in April.

• Nice Neighbor Award: Councilman Yannis presented the award to Eric Chiz and Raymond Hernandez (not present) for donating time and equipment to help an elderly resident trim a vining tree. The motion passed unanimously.

• Real Estate Purchase Agreement (8B): Consideration for 37217 Utica Road (13 acres, zoned multifamily R3) for $770,000 with a 2028 closing date. Parks Director Kyle Langlais explained the purchase aims to preserve green space using the Pathways to Preservation, Play, and Preservation (PPP) millage and apply for a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant (70% reimbursement, ~$539,000). Six Rivers Land Conservancy is facilitating for a $9,750 fee. If the grant fails, PPP millage funds can cover the full price. The grant would encumber the land as parkland in perpetuity. Council supported the purchase, noting linkages to Freedom Trail and Rotary Park. Voting: all in favor, motion carried.

• Appointment to Board of Code of Appeals (8A): Postponed to the next regular meeting by motion (Councilman Radke), passed.

Key Outcomes

• Kratom Regulation: Council directed the city attorney to draft an ordinance restricting Kratom sales to adults 21 and older, with escalating fines. The draft will be brought back for examination.
• Real Estate Purchase Approved: The city will purchase 13 acres at 37217 Utica Road for $770,000, with a goal to preserve it as green space using state grants. Vote: unanimous.
• Consent Agenda and Other Motions: Agenda approved as amended; consent calendar approved; Nice Neighbor Award approved; appointment postponed.
• Next Steps: City attorney to prepare Kratom ordinance; staff to apply for Natural Resources Trust Fund grant by April 1, 2026; public art banners to be installed in May; Mound Road lighting installation expected within 6–8 weeks.