OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Sterling Heights City Council Meeting - September 2, 2026

City Council Meetings — Wednesday, September 2, 2026
BodySterling Heights, Michigan
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateWednesday, September 2, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:30:09

Transcript — Verbatim
1:09

All right, good evening, everyone.

1:10

I'd like to call this meeting of the Sterling Heights City Council to order.

1:13

If you would please stand with me for the Pledge of Allegiance, remain standing for the invocation.

1:18

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

1:25

One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

1:31

Dear God, please bless our elected officials.

1:33

Grant them courage and wisdom to do it is right for all citizens.

1:36

Amen.

1:37

Amen.

1:41

Mayor Taylor.

1:42

Mrs.

1:42

Saraski, Mr.

1:43

Majak, Mr.

1:44

Radke.

1:45

Here.

1:46

Mrs.

1:46

Schmidt.

1:46

Present.

1:47

Mr.

1:47

Yanis.

1:48

Mrs.

1:48

Yerko.

1:49

Present.

1:50

Council, we need approval of the agenda.

1:52

Mayor Taylor.

1:53

Mrs.

1:53

Zarko.

1:54

Move to approve the agenda as presented.

1:57

Support.

1:58

It's been moved and supported.

1:59

Is there any discussion?

2:01

Yes, Mr.

2:02

Mayor.

2:02

Mr.

2:02

Radke.

2:03

I'd like to move item J to consideration item C or D, excuse me.

2:08

All right, so consent item 7J will be moved to 8D.

2:13

Is there any other discussion?

2:16

Hearing none, all in favor say aye.

2:18

Aye.

2:18

Opposed.

2:19

Motion carries.

2:20

First item on our agenda is a report from our city manager, Mark Vanderpool.

2:23

Mr.

2:23

Vanderpool.

2:25

Thank you very much, Mayor.

2:26

I have a few presentations this evening on my report, and I'm really excited to start with the first one because it involves an award that the city is getting.

2:51

Certainly the mayor and city council have.

2:53

We have a special guest joining us this evening to present the award.

2:58

And let me tell you a little bit about her before she comes up to the podium.

3:12

And as its information director prior to that, she is responsible for development of MAPS land use and planning policy for advocacy and lobbying efforts in Lansing for developing relationships and partnerships and forming coalitions.

3:49

Prior to joining the chapter, she has held professional planning positions in both the private and public sectors.

4:43

Talk a little bit about your leadership here at both the city council, the planning commission, and um the staff level in the space of um community planning.

5:00

You've been a long, long-term member of the Michigan Association of Planning, really demonstrating your commitment to quality community planning in the city of Sterling Heights.

5:07

You've been a strong supporter and advocate for planning across many, many years and across many plans.

5:13

Your investments, and they are investments.

5:16

Your investments and planning have resulted in not one but two awards over the last two years.

5:20

You received one last year for your climate plan.

5:24

And this really is a testament to your understanding the value of community planning and the dividends it plays in the long run.

5:32

Planning is a is a long game, and you certainly recognize that given your investments in MAP.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Planned Unit Development█████████████████████████████29%
Technology and Innovation██████████████14%
Procedural███████████11%
Zoning Regulation█████████9%
Environmental Protection██████6%
Parks and Recreation██████6%
Cannabis Regulation██████6%
Community Engagement████4%
Public Health████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Sterling Heights City Council Meeting - September 2, 2026

The Sterling Heights City Council met on September 2, 2026, to discuss and vote on multiple agenda items including a comprehensive plan award, a mobile integrated health program update, solar array installations, a proposed PUD for a restaurant and hookah lounge, a townhome development, and citizen comments on Flock cameras. The meeting lasted late into the evening and included several votes and directives.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved as amended, moving item J (solar array proposal) to discussion item 8D.
  • Approved routine consent items and liquor license transfer for Sushi Oishi Michigan LLC (44350 Schoenherr Road).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Flock Cameras (multiple speakers): Several residents (Bill Decker, Gabriel, Whitney, Zach Carrick) spoke against renewing the Flock camera contract, citing privacy concerns, potential for misuse, unauthorized data sharing with out-of-state agencies, and lawsuits. They urged council not to renew.
  • Nature Preserve Pathway: Nathan Inks expressed excitement about the new trail and supported adding a connection to the restroom building area.

Discussion Items

  • Daniel Burnham Award for Comprehensive Plan: Wendy Brown from the Michigan Association of Planning presented the award, highlighting that the plan involved over 6,000 individuals in community engagement, 105 of 124 action items are underway, and the city plans to invest over $10.5 million in capital improvements.
  • Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) Program: Ryan Kirchhofer and Marnie Fenzick reported a 47% reduction in repeat 911 calls from peak levels in 2025, with 650 low-acuity runs diverted. They handled 49 cases last year and are on pace to surpass that in 2026. Council praised the program.
  • Solar Array Project (Item J): Sustainability Planner Alexis Weinberg presented updated proposals for rooftop solar on City Hall, Police Department, Library, and Community Center, with a net cost of ~$1.015 million after 50% federal tax credit, lifetime savings of $5.4 million. Council discussed adding DPW; direction given to bring back a contract for DPW at the next meeting. Vote passed.
  • PUD for 1280 Hall Road (Restaurant, Cigar Bar, Hookah Lounge): Applicant proposed a high-end steakhouse with cigar lounge and separate hookah lounge. Council debated use of PUD for hookah, which is not allowed by current ordinance. Majority opposed the hookah component; motion to postpone to first meeting in January 2027 to allow consideration of a hookah ordinance. Passed.
  • PUD for Sterling Point Holdings (6-unit Townhomes): Dr. Jake Parcel presented a proposal for six for-sale townhomes at Dequindre Road and Oakcrest, priced mid-$400,000s. Council approved with conditions including adding trees on Oakcrest right-of-way and a connecting path between units.
  • Ronselli Family Foundation Charity Gaming License: Approved after staff clarification.
  • Lakeside Corridor Improvement Authority Reappointments: Appointed Daniel Wesner and Stacey Ziarko to terms ending June 30, 2030.

Key Outcomes

  • Solar Array: Approved the proposal for City Hall, Police Department, Library, and Community Center (total project cost $2,033,600, net cost ~$1,015,800 after credits). Directed staff to return with a separate contract for DPW within two weeks.
  • 1280 Hall Road PUD: Postponed to the first meeting in January 2027 to allow development of a hookah lounge ordinance.
  • Sterling Point Holdings PUD: Approved with added conditions (trees, pathway).
  • Liquor License Transfer: Approved for Sushi Oishi Michigan LLC.
  • Flock Cameras: No action taken; citizens urged non-renewal; contract renewal is on the October agenda.
  • Closed Session: Council voted 7-0 to adjourn into closed session to consider real property purchase/lease (no return to open session).

Meeting Transcript

All right, good evening, everyone. I'd like to call this meeting of the Sterling Heights City Council to order. If you would please stand with me for the Pledge of Allegiance, remain standing for the invocation. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Dear God, please bless our elected officials. Grant them courage and wisdom to do it is right for all citizens. Amen. Amen. Mayor Taylor. Mrs. Saraski, Mr. Majak, Mr. Radke. Here. Mrs. Schmidt. Present. Mr. Yanis. Mrs. Yerko. Present. Council, we need approval of the agenda. Mayor Taylor. Mrs. Zarko. Move to approve the agenda as presented. Support. It's been moved and supported. Is there any discussion? Yes, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Radke. I'd like to move item J to consideration item C or D, excuse me. All right, so consent item 7J will be moved to 8D. Is there any other discussion? Hearing none, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed. Motion carries. First item on our agenda is a report from our city manager, Mark Vanderpool. Mr. Vanderpool. Thank you very much, Mayor. I have a few presentations this evening on my report, and I'm really excited to start with the first one because it involves an award that the city is getting. Certainly the mayor and city council have. We have a special guest joining us this evening to present the award. And let me tell you a little bit about her before she comes up to the podium.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com