OpenPublica

Accountability starts with access.

© 2026 · Filed for the public record

Use casesAboutAPIPrivacyTermsLinkedIn
Home/Sterling Heights, Michigan/City Council Meetings
OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Sterling Heights City Council Meeting - October 21, 2026

City Council Meetings — Wednesday, October 21, 2026
BodySterling Heights, Michigan
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateWednesday, October 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 5:48:22

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

1:13

All right, good evening, everyone.

1:16

I want to welcome you to this regularly scheduled meeting of the Sterling Heights City Council.

1:20

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

Unassigned speaker

1:25

I pledge of the allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God with liberty and justice for all.

Speaker 2

1:39

Dear God, please bless our elected officials.

1:41

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

1:44

Amen.

Unassigned speaker

1:46

All right,

Speaker 1

1:47

thank you, Miss Rizka.

1:48

Can we please have the roll call?

1:50

Here.

Unassigned speaker

1:51

Mrs.

Speaker 2

1:51

Saraski here.

1:52

Mr.

1:53

Majack.

1:54

Mr.

1:54

Radkey.

1:55

Present.

1:55

Mrs.

1:55

Schmidt.

1:56

Present.

1:56

Mr.

1:56

Yanis.

1:57

Mrs.

1:58

Yarko.

Speaker 1

1:58

Present.

1:59

Thank you, Council.

2:00

We need approval of the agenda.

2:01

Mayor Taylor.

2:02

Mrs.

2:02

Zarko.

Speaker 3

2:03

Move to approve the agenda as

Speaker 1

2:04

presented.

2:05

Support.

2:06

It's been moved and supported.

2:07

Is there any discussion?

2:08

Hearing none, all in favor say aye.

2:10

Aye.

2:11

Opposed.

2:11

Motion carries.

2:12

First item on our agenda tonight is a report from our city manager.

2:16

Our city manager conveniently thought this was a meeting that he didn't have to be at tonight.

2:21

And uh he is on city business and he is excused.

2:25

Uh and in his absence, we have our assistant city manager, Dale Dwojiikowski.

2:30

Mr.

2:31

Drojakowski.

Speaker 4

2:32

Thank you.

2:32

Good evening, Mayor Taylor, members of council.

2:35

Uh today we're pleased to highlight an important transportation issue that will be before McComb County voters this year.

2:40

The renewal of the SMART Millage.

2:43

Smart has been a strong and valued partner for Sterling Heights helping connect residents to employment, medical appointments, shopping, recreation, and other essential destinations throughout our community and region.

2:54

There are many positive developments occurring across the SMART network, and including increased funding opportunities and planned bus shelter improvements that will enhance the rider experience and improve accessibility.

Unassigned speaker

3:07

To

Speaker 4

3:07

begin this evening's presentation, I'd like to introduce our recreational recreation superintendent, Kristen Briggs.

3:25

With that, I'll turn it over to Kristen.

Speaker 5

3:27

Thank you very much.

3:28

Good evening, Mayor Taylor, City Council, Mr.

3:31

Kazubsky, and residents.

3:54

The 28 passenger bus uh was funded using federal 5310 grant monies and smart community credits.

4:02

No general funds were used in the purchase of this vehicle.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety█████████████████████████████████████████████50%
Technology and Innovation███████████████████████████30%
Procedural██████████11%
Transportation Safety███3%
Community Engagement██2%
Parks and Recreation█1%
Code Enforcement█1%
Engineering And Infrastructure█1%
Immigration Policy█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Sterling Heights City Council Meeting - October 21, 2026

This regular meeting of the Sterling Heights City Council was held on October 21, 2026. The council heard presentations on the SMART bus millage renewal, honored the city clerk's office with an award, and discussed the renewal of the Flock automatic license plate reader (ALPR) camera system. After extensive public comment and deliberation, the council voted 4-3 to renew the Flock contract. Additional actions included adoption of an ordinance prohibiting sidewalk obstructions and approval of the consent agenda.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the agenda as presented.
  • Approved the consent agenda, which included a snow plowing contract that drew a public comment from a contractor disputing the selection process.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • SMART Millage Presentation: City staff and SMART General Manager Tiffany Gunter presented the benefits of the transit millage renewal, highlighting ridership growth, improved on-time performance, and community partnerships. Councilmember Radke expressed support.
  • Award Recognition: Aileen Dixon from the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks presented the 2026 MI Excellence Award to City Clerk Melanie Riska for the handheld translation devices program used at polling places.
  • Flock ALPR Renewal: The majority of public comments opposed renewing the Flock contract. Speakers raised concerns about mass surveillance, data security, potential misuse by federal agencies, constitutional violations (Fourth Amendment), and inaccuracy of the system. Many referenced other Michigan communities that had terminated their Flock contracts (e.g., St. Clair Shores, Madison Heights, Ferndale). A few speakers supported renewal, citing the tool's investigative value and trust in the Sterling Heights Police Department. Notable speakers included council members from St. Clair Shores, legal experts, and residents from Sterling Heights and surrounding communities.

Discussion Items

  • Ordinance Adoption: Council unanimously adopted an ordinance adding local amendments to the International Property Maintenance Code to prohibit sidewalk obstructions and parking in commercial lots outside designated spaces. Councilmembers Sarowski and Radke spoke in favor, citing safety concerns for pedestrians and the ability to hold property owners responsible.
  • Flock ALPR Renewal: The council heard a lengthy presentation from Assistant City Manager Dale Drojakowski, Police Chief Andy Satterfield, and IT Director Steve Dion. The presentation covered the system's benefits (49 cases solved or leads generated in 60 days), safeguards (monthly audits, user agreements, reduction of partner agencies to 180 Michigan-only, prohibition on immigration/reproductive health searches), data security (AWS GovCloud, encryption), and a 30-day cancellation clause. Councilmembers deliberated at length. Concerns included potential for misuse by other agencies, lack of independent verification, and civil liberties. The council voted 4-3 to approve the two-year renewal contract (Dec. 14, 2026 – Dec. 13, 2028) funded entirely by state forfeiture funds.

Key Outcomes

  • Ordinance Amending Property Maintenance Code: Adopted unanimously.
  • Flock ALPR Contract Renewal: Approved by a vote of 4-3 (Yes: Yanis, Zarko, Majack, Schmidt; No: Sarowski, Taylor, Radke). The contract costs $84,100 per year, paid by state forfeiture funds, with a 30-day cancellation clause.
  • Consent Agenda: Approved, including the snow plowing contract.
  • Appointment: Christina M. Taylor appointed to the Sterling Heights Area Community Foundation Board of Directors (term ending 2029).
  • Meeting Extended: The meeting was extended to 1:00 AM to complete deliberations.

Meeting Transcript

All right, good evening, everyone. I want to welcome you to this regularly scheduled meeting of the Sterling Heights City Council. If you would please stand with me for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing for our invocation. I pledge of the allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God with liberty and justice for all. Dear God, please bless our elected officials. Grant them courage and wisdom to do what is right for all citizens. Amen. All right, thank you, Miss Rizka. Can we please have the roll call? Here. Mrs. Saraski here. Mr. Majack. Mr. Radkey. Present. Mrs. Schmidt. Present. Mr. Yanis. Mrs. Yarko. Present. Thank you, 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? Hearing none, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed. Motion carries. First item on our agenda tonight is a report from our city manager. Our city manager conveniently thought this was a meeting that he didn't have to be at tonight. And uh he is on city business and he is excused. Uh and in his absence, we have our assistant city manager, Dale Dwojiikowski. Mr. Drojakowski. Thank you. Good evening, Mayor Taylor, members of council. Uh today we're pleased to highlight an important transportation issue that will be before McComb County voters this year. The renewal of the SMART Millage.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com