Sterling Heights City Council Meeting – October 6, 2026

The Sterling Heights City Council met on October 6, 2026, to receive the city manager’s report, recognize residents and community organizations, introduce a property-maintenance ordinance, approve a liquor license transfer, make board appointments, and hear public testimony. All votes were unanimous voice votes unless otherwise noted.

Consent Calendar

• The council unanimously approved the meeting agenda as presented.
• The consent agenda was approved unanimously with no discussion and no public comment.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A resident made critical comments related to U.S. support for Israel, naming Jared Kushner’s investments in Phoenix Financial and Elbit Systems, and asked whether that was an acceptable representation of the community. The mayor responded that the council does not engage in back-and-forth during public comment.
• Steve Zavislak, a 48-year resident and retired police officer, urged the council to renew the Flock camera contract, calling it a valuable law-enforcement tool and citing the apprehension of a suspect who allegedly tried to burn utility poles and ran at a firefighter. He acknowledged abuse is possible but said policies and safeguards can address it.
• Callie, from CARE of Southeastern Michigan and the Sterling Heights Drug-Free Coalition, announced Red Ribbon Week (Oct. 23–31) and prescription drug take-back day on Oct. 24 at the police station and Kroger locations on Schoenherr and 18 Mile Road.
• A speaker associated with FLOC said the group has repeatedly raised concerns about Flock, including officer misuse, insufficient documentation, unauthorized searches, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and the lack of an audit system. She asked what evidence would be enough for council to change its position.
• Whitney, a resident, interventional cardiology nurse, data-quality specialist, and math enthusiast, opposed Flock. She argued that Flock’s advertised 96% per-character accuracy drops to the mid-70s when applied to seven-character plates, and to near a coin flip in Michigan weather. She cited the false-positive paradox and a federal court ruling, and said the city can cancel the contract without charge with 60 days’ notice before the Dec. 22 renewal date.
• Philip, a four-year resident, opposed Flock, stating that several Michigan communities have canceled contracts, Eastpointe and Oakland County have had misuse cases, federal legislation and Senate scrutiny are pending, and a federal judge ruled a warrantless Flock search unconstitutional. He asked the council for measurable public-safety benefits rather than anecdotes.

Discussion Items

• City Manager’s report: Mark Vanderpool reported that 31 local streets were improved this construction season. Mound Road’s west-side pathway is 99% complete; 18½ Mile Road is nearing completion in mid-October; the 15 Mile/Schaehner bridge work has switched traffic and is scheduled to finish in mid-December; 15 Mile resurfacing from Van Dyke to Mustang is expected to finish early to mid-December, with a full replacement between Van Dyke and Mound next year; Clinton River Road is in its utility phase and will not be fully complete until the end of 2027; and the Dobry Trail is being built to connect regional trail systems. City buildings will be closed Monday, Oct. 12, for an in-service training day; refuse collection will continue. The city clerk will hold an election forum Oct. 21, 6:30–8 p.m., at the Community Center. Vanderpool also noted the city was competing for a statewide award for its community garden at the Michigan Municipal League convention.
• Community garden update: Parks and Recreation Manager April Heyer reported that the community garden’s second season expanded connections, programming, and volunteers. Improvements included 20 larger raised beds, a new local beekeeper, added compost bins, and conservatory changes. Bed utilization rose from 48% last season to 77% this season. A senior rate for beds will be added next year, and shades will be installed to manage heat.
• Nice Neighbor Award: Mayor Taylor presented the Nice Neighbor Award to David Lee Ozias (spelling varies in the transcript as Ozaya/Zayas) for repeatedly shoveling snow for senior neighbors, helping with yard work, and taking time to connect with neighbors who speak little English. Council approved the recognition unanimously.
• Diwali resolution: A representative of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Sterling Heights thanked the city and explained the five days of Diwali. The council unanimously adopted a resolution designating Diwali as an annual cultural observance in Sterling Heights on or around the lunar date observed by the Diwali community. Councilmembers praised the temple’s transformation from a former bowling alley and its community outreach.
• American Polish Century Club 65th anniversary: Club representatives reported 303 members and a founding date of December 1960. The council unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing and congratulating the club on its 65th anniversary. Councilmembers noted Polish Heritage Month events, facility use, and community giving.
• 2026 Beautification Awards: Nancy Keek, vice chair of the Sterling Heights Beautification Commission, presented awards to residents, multifamily properties, houses of worship, and businesses. Award recipients were celebrated for landscaping that supports biodiversity, stormwater management, and neighborhood quality.
• Ordinance introduction: The city attorney presented a two-part ordinance: first, prohibiting sidewalk obstructions, with limited exceptions for temporary maintenance or moving; second, requiring commercial parking lots to keep vehicles in spaces consistent with approved site plans. Violations would be civil infractions. Council heard from Acting Police Chief Dave Allen and code-enforcement leadership. A 30–45 day education period with door hangers would precede enforcement. Councilman Radke said he photographed about 45 cars, boats, or trailers blocking sidewalks in one week; Councilwoman Sarowski described a teenager injured while dodging a vehicle on a sidewalk. The council voted unanimously to introduce the ordinance.
• Liquor license transfer – Bar 33: Attorney Peter Manny presented the transfer of the escrowed 2026 Class C and SDM license from Joey B’s Public House LLC to O & Z Enterprises Inc., doing business as Bar 33 at 43711 Van Dyke. The request included a new Sunday sales permit AM and cancellation of the existing extended-hours and specific-purpose food permits. Council clarified the business will stay open until 2 a.m. seven days a week, and the former outdoor patio is now considered indoor because of its roof. Council noted the North Van Dyke area’s revitalization, including close to $2 million in federal design work. The transfer was approved unanimously.
• Board and commission appointments: The council unanimously appointed Sarah Walco to the Arts Commission (term ending June 30, 2030), Gilbert Guevara to the Ethnic Community Committee (partial term ending June 30, 2027), and Hope Lozano to the Citizens Advisory Committee (partial term ending June 30, 2027).
• Council reports: Councilwoman Sarowski reported attending an early-childhood education boot camp, planning a child-care seat inventory, and highlighting the new faux-house odor-control pump station at Dodge Park. Councilwoman Zarko promoted the Oct. 21 election forum. Councilwoman Schmidt thanked city engineering for traffic adjustments at Sterling Heights High School and the Career Prep Center during 15 Mile construction.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda and consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Nice Neighbor Award, Diwali recognition, American Polish Century Club recognition, and Beautification Awards were presented and approved/congratulated unanimously.
• Ordinance adding local property-maintenance amendments on sidewalk obstructions and commercial parking lot parking compliance was introduced unanimously.
• Bar 33 liquor license transfer from Joey B’s Public House was approved unanimously.
• Three board/commission appointments were approved unanimously.
• The city attorney reported no closed session, and the meeting adjourned by unanimous vote.