St. Clair Shores meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

St. Clair Shores Council approves police interceptors, pool renovation; water board OKs dock change

The St. Clair Shores City Council on Aug. 17 approved the purchase of four police interceptors, a custodial services contract, and a pool building renovation contract, along with several appointments and a new school resource officer. The Water Resources Development & Advisory Board also acted on a dock permit earlier in the week.

City Council actions

At its Aug. 17 meeting, the council voted 6-0 to buy four police interceptors. It approved a custodial services contract 5-1, with Councilman Rubello voting no, and a pool building renovation contract 5-1, with Councilman Vitale voting no. The council also:

• Appointed Joseph P. Cozzolino as attorney magistrate (6-0)
• Appointed Patrick S. McKay as attorney magistrate (6-0)
• Approved a street closure on Sunnydale for the Harper Cruise (5-0, Bertges abstaining)
• Approved an additional Lake Shore school resource officer (6-0)
• Approved the consent agenda, including public hearings for street vacations (6-0)

All votes were recorded as listed in the official minutes.

Water Resources Board

On Aug. 11, the Water Resources Development & Advisory Board approved a modified orientation for a previously approved dock at 34060 Jefferson, despite the structure encroaching on the required 10-foot setback. The approval passed 5-2 and included stipulations for lighting and a no-mooring zone on the south side. The board also approved the July 7, 2026 meeting minutes and received the fiscal year 2025-2026 annual report.

Other recent meetings

The Planning Commission cancelled its Aug. 11 meeting because no cases were scheduled; approval of the June 23, 2026 minutes was deferred to the next regular meeting.

The Downtown Development Authority met Aug. 12 with an agenda covering planters, string lights over Greater Mack, trash pickup continuation (including Allemon's July invoice of $740), a farmers market, and a hold-harmless follow-up. No decisions were recorded because minutes are not yet published.

The Cultural Committee held a routine meeting Aug. 12 with no substantive items listed.

The General Employees Retirees Health Care Trust board met Aug. 18 to approve invoices totaling $11,903.19 (including $2,023.15 to the city, $3,218.14 to Comerica, $3,750 to Mariner, and $2,912 to Seizert Capital Partners) and to receive a GRS Agreement. The agenda also included a flash report and quarterly report presented by Brian Green.

The General Employees Pension Board met Aug. 18 to consider an employer contribution summary of $3,173,053.80 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, approve retirement payouts for Timothy Baker and Susan Kroening, and discuss a new actuarial services contract and the 2026 Fall MAPERS Conference.

The Library Board met Aug. 20 to review June and July budget reports and cooperative purchasing account reports, with no action items listed.

Coming up

The Sign Arbitration meeting scheduled for Aug. 27 has been cancelled; the next meeting is Sept. 24.

The Water Resources Board will meet Sept. 1 to consider five canal permit applications (Cases #17-2026 through #21-2026) involving seawall installations, backfilling, and replacement of boat lifts at properties on Shorewood, Revere, Clairwood, Statler, and Ardmore Park.

The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing Sept. 3 on six variance requests, including parking variances for cargo containers, a temporary use extension, a wall variance, pool setbacks, and a use variance for a golf simulator at 26423 Harper.

Water board approves dock variance; council to weigh police cars, pool work

The Water Resources Development & Advisory Board approved a modified dock orientation at 34060 Jefferson on Aug. 11, despite the structure encroaching on the required 10-foot setback. The 5-2 vote came with stipulations for lighting and a no-mooring zone on the south side. The board also approved its July 7 meeting minutes and received the fiscal year 2025-2026 annual report.

Water Resources Board

The board’s decision allows a previously approved dock to be repositioned at 34060 Jefferson. Conditions include lighting requirements and a no-mooring zone on the south side. The vote was 5-2. Minutes from the July 7 meeting were approved unanimously, and the board received the annual report for fiscal year 2025-2026.

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals met Aug. 6 to consider variance requests for outdoor storage, accessory structures, and building setbacks. Cases on the agenda included a parking variance for three cargo containers at 22621 Harper, an accessory structure variance at 22335 Harper, a size and rear coverage variance at 19724 Sussex, a one-year extension for a shipping container at 31020 Harper, and a setback variance from Harper Avenue centerline at 24300 Harper. No decisions were reported in the agenda.

Other recent meetings

• The Historical Commission cancelled its July 7 and Aug. 4 meetings. The next meeting is set for Sept. 1 in the Jefferson Conference Room at City Hall.
• The Planning Commission cancelled its Aug. 11 meeting because no cases were on the agenda. Approval of the June 23 meeting minutes was deferred to the next regular meeting.
• The Cultural Committee met Aug. 12 with a routine agenda covering roll call, minutes, financial report, correspondence, and old/new business. No substantive items were listed.
• The Downtown Development Authority met Aug. 12 to discuss planters, string lights over Greater Mack, trash pickup continuation (including Allemon’s July invoice of $740), a farmers market, and a hold harmless follow-up.

Coming up

The City Council meets Aug. 17 to vote on several items: purchasing four police interceptors, awarding a bid for pool building renovation, closing a portion of Sunnydale Street during the Harper Cruise on Aug. 26, approving an additional police officer as Lake Shore School Resource Officer, and approving a custodial services contract.

The General Employees Pension Board meets Aug. 18 to approve an employer contribution summary of $3,173,053.80 for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026; approve service retirement for Timothy Baker (final date Sept. 1, 2026) and final retirement calculations for Susan Kroening (final date May 16, 2026); consider an actuarial services contract with GRS via VanOverbeke, Michaud & Timmony, P.C.; and discuss the 2026 Fall MAPERS Conference, Oct. 3-6 in Kalamazoo.

St. Clair Shores roundup: Board of Review adjusts property values, Sign Board approves Jefferson Ave variances

The St. Clair Shores Board of Review denied six poverty exemption requests and approved a series of administrative tax adjustments at its July 21 meeting, making it the most consequential local decision of the past two weeks.

Board of Review: hardship appeals and tax adjustments

The Board of Review denied poverty exemptions for Realyn Alessi, Charles/Henrietta Harrell, Frederick Gillick, Senada Hodzic, William Coombe, and Majed Alhussein, based on income or documentation.

The Board granted several value reductions:

• Assessed and Taxable Value reduced to $0.00 for Christopher Fura, Rosemary Bowling, and Jeffrey Fijolek.
• Assessed and Taxable Value reduced to $33,737 for Sevdije Sulolli.
• Assessed and Taxable Value reduced to $16,775 for Ernest Taber.
• 2025 and 2026 Taxable Values lowered for Camden-Alter LLC due to fire damage.
• Taxable Values lowered for SK Agam Delaware II LLC (two parcels) for 2023–2026.
• 2025 Taxable Values lowered for multiple Ardmore Park properties due to lot size corrections.
• 2026 Assessed and Taxable Value lowered to $0 for Integrity Car Company due to a duplicate entry.

Sign Arbitration Board: two Jefferson Ave businesses get signage variances

On July 23, the Sign Arbitration Board approved non-standard signage requests for two Jefferson Avenue businesses. Cantina on the Mile, at 25419 Jefferson, received approval for a wall sign with exposed light bulbs. Trader Todd's Marina, at 24030 Jefferson, received approval for window signs covering 100% of its north and south window panes. Both approvals passed on a unanimous vote (All-0). The Board also approved its June 25, 2026 meeting minutes (All-0). Any further signage changes must be submitted to the Community Development Department.

City Council: rezoning, contracts on agenda; minutes not yet published

The City Council's July 20 meeting included several notable items, but minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed. The agenda listed rezoning requests for properties at 24300 Harper and 21501 Blackburn to the B-3 General Business District, along with a Special Land Use request for a drive-through restaurant at those same addresses. Other agenda items included an appeal of a Water Resources Board denial regarding a boat lift relocation at 33800 Jefferson, approval of a five-year permit with the Macomb County Road Commission, consideration of a purchase for 22025 Laukel, and an agreement and resolution for the Jefferson (11 Mile to Masonic) concrete repair project.

Waterfront Environmental Committee: 2027 planning on agenda

The Waterfront Environmental Committee met July 20 to discuss ongoing environmental programs and schedule 2027 event dates. The agenda included I-94 Clean-Up dates set for August 8, September 12, and October 10; a discussion of the Sunnydale Drain; and scheduling of the 2027 Annual Meeting, 2027 Earth Day Family Fun Day, and 2027 Nautical Coast Clean-Up. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

• **August 4 — Historical Commission:** The July 7 and August 4, 2026 meetings have been cancelled. The next meeting is September 1, 2026, in the Jefferson Conference Room at City Hall. No agenda items are posted.
• **August 6 — Zoning Board of Appeals:** Public hearings on five variance cases, including outdoor storage at 22621 Harper, an accessory structure at 22335 Harper, size and rear coverage variances at 19724 Sussex, a one-year extension for a shipping container at 31020 Harper, and a building setback variance from Harper Avenue centerline at 24300 Harper.
• **August 11 — Water Resources Development & Advisory Board:** Review of Lake Case #23-2025, a proposed 4-foot wide by 96-foot long elevated open pile dock with a 12-foot by 12-foot platform at 34060 Jefferson. The request seeks to modify the orientation of a previously approved dock to match what was constructed.

St. Clair Shores roundup: DDA approves $7,800 Edison light proposal; building board grants three variances

The St. Clair Shores Downtown Development Authority approved a $7,800 Edison light proposal funded by an outside sponsor at its July 8 meeting, the most consequential dollar decision among recent city board actions. The Building/Property Maintenance Board also granted three unanimous variances at its July 14 meeting, while several other boards cancelled meetings or had agendas with no published minutes yet.

Downtown Development Authority (July 8)

The DDA, meeting July 8, took the following actions, all by passed motion:

• Excused Scott Holmes from the meeting.
• Approved the June 10, 2026 meeting minutes.
• Received and filed the financial report as presented.
• Approved an Edison light proposal with a $7,800 outside sponsor.
• Adjourned at 10:45 a.m.

Building/Property Maintenance Board (July 14)

The board granted three variances, each by unanimous vote:

• Approved relocation of Philip Dorn's air-conditioner condenser to the side yard at 20510 Martin Road.
• Granted a variance for a wood front porch with composite decking at 21917 Pleasant Street.
• Granted a variance to retain a wood porch and deck as built at 22515 Benjamin Street.

The board also approved the June 9, 2026 minutes and adjourned at 4:31 p.m., both unanimously.

Water Resources Development & Advisory Board (July 7)

The board was scheduled to hold public hearings and consider two canal cases involving seawall replacement and fill. Canal Case #15-2026 involves removing and replacing 10 spring pilings, installing 93 ft of seawall, and backfilling with 31 cubic yards of clean fill at 22600 Lakecrest. Canal Case #16-2026 involves installing 37 ft of new seawall and placing 158 cubic yards of clean fill in a 351 sq ft boatwell at 23269 Liberty. Minutes were not yet published, so outcomes are not confirmed.

Election Commission (July 13)

The commission's agenda listed items related to election administration for the August 4 State Primary and November 3 State General Election, including establishing a Receiving Board, creating an Absent Voter Counting Board, appointing Election Inspectors and Receiving Board Members, and scheduling Public Accuracy Tests for accessible voting devices and DS200 tabulators for Precinct #4 and EV3 (Pct 2). Minutes were not yet published.

Cancelled meetings

The Historical Commission cancelled its July 7 and August 4, 2026 meetings; its next meeting is September 1, 2026, in the Jefferson Conference Room at City Hall. The Planning Commission's July 14 meeting was cancelled with no cases to be heard; review of the June 23, 2026 planning minutes will occur at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

Coming up

• **City Council, July 20:** Will consider rezoning 24300 Harper and 21501 Blackburn to B-3 General Business District and a Special Land Use request for a drive-through restaurant at those properties. Other items include an appeal of a Water Resources Board denial regarding a boat lift relocation at 33800 Jefferson, a five-year permit with the Macomb County Road Commission, consideration of a purchase for 22025 Laukel, and an agreement and resolution for the Jefferson (11 Mile to Masonic) concrete repair project.
• **Sign Arbitration Committee, July 23:** Agenda indicates denial of a wall sign request for Cantina on the Mile at 25419 Jefferson and denial of window sign requests for Trader Todd's Marina at 24030 Jefferson, plus approval of the June 25, 2026 meeting minutes.

St. Clair Shores meeting roundup: Canal permits on agenda, several July meetings cancelled

Most St. Clair Shores boards and commissions that met or were scheduled to meet in early July have not yet published minutes, so no final decisions are on record from those sessions. Two meetings were cancelled outright, and several upcoming meetings — including a City Council session with rezoning and contract items — are scheduled for the next two weeks.

Water Resources Board: Two canal seawall permits on agenda

The Water Resources Development & Advisory Board was scheduled to hold public hearings July 7 on two canal cases involving seawall replacement and fill.

• **Canal Case #15-2026** at 22600 Lakecrest: Remove and replace 10 spring pilings, install 93 feet of seawall, and backfill with 31 cubic yards of clean fill.
• **Canal Case #16-2026** at 23269 Liberty: Install 37 feet of new seawall and place 158 cubic yards of clean fill in a 351-square-foot boatwell.

The board may also have approved meeting minutes and heard audience comments. Because minutes have not been published, the outcome of these cases is not yet on record.

DDA: Finances, boulder pricing, minors policy on agenda

The Downtown Development Authority was scheduled to meet July 8 at City Hall. Agenda items included approval of June 10, 2026 meeting minutes and a DDA financial report, plus discussion of boulder pricing, hold harmless agreements, and a policy regarding unaccompanied minors. No decisions are recorded yet.

ZBA meeting cancelled; Harper Avenue cases postponed

The July 2 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting was cancelled due to a staff issue. Two cases are rescheduled to the August 6, 2026 meeting:

• **Case #15-2026** at 22621 Harper Avenue
• **Case #16-2026** at 22335 Harper Avenue

Historical Commission: July and August meetings cancelled

The Historical Commission's July 7 and August 4, 2026 meetings have both been cancelled. The next meeting is scheduled for September 1, 2026, in the Jefferson Conference Room at City Hall.

Coming up

Election Commission — July 13, 2026. The commission is considering establishment of a Receiving Board for all future city elections, creation of an Absent Voter Counting Board for the August 4 State Primary, appointment of Election Inspectors and Receiving Board Members for the August 4 primary, and scheduling of a Public Accuracy Test for the November 3 State General Election. Public Accuracy Tests are also on the agenda for accessible voting devices and DS200 tabulators for Precinct #4 and EV3 (Pct 2).

Building/Property Maintenance Board of Appeals — July 14, 2026. The board will review variance requests to relocate an existing air conditioner at 20510 Martin Road, add a wood front porch at 21917 Pleasant, and approve a wood front porch design change at 22515 Benjamin.

Planning Commission — July 14, 2026. Cancelled. No cases are scheduled. Review of June 23, 2026 planning minutes will occur at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

City Council — July 20, 2026. The council will consider rezoning 24300 Harper and 21501 Blackburn to B-3 General Business District and a special land use request for a drive-through restaurant at those properties. Other items include an appeal of a Water Resources Board denial regarding a boat lift relocation at 33800 Jefferson, approval of a five-year permit with the Macomb County Road Commission, consideration of a purchase for 22025 Laukel, and an agreement and resolution for the Jefferson (11 Mile to Masonic) concrete repair project.

St. Clair Shores roundup: Culvers rezoning advances, sign variance approved, ZBA meeting cancelled

The St. Clair Shores Planning Commission has recommended rezoning two properties to make way for a Culvers restaurant with a drive-thru, the most consequential land-use decision among recent city meetings. The recommendation now moves forward for City Council consideration.

Planning Commission recommends Culvers rezoning

On June 23, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on Case PPC26009, a request to rezone two properties for a Culvers restaurant with a drive-thru. Staff recommended approval of the rezoning from B-1 to B-3 and RA-1 to B-3, citing compatibility with the master plan and surrounding zoning. Residents raised concerns about traffic, noise, and property values. Commissioners discussed traffic, parking, and property values. No vote tally was recorded in the provided minutes.

Sign Arbitration Board approves pole sign variance

On June 25, the Sign Arbitration Board approved a request from MKG 9 Mile LLC to place a pole sign closer to the road than typically allowed at 22601 9 Mile Rd. The sign is permitted to be located 51 feet from the centerline of 9 Mile Rd. The board approved the variance on a unanimous vote (All-0) and also approved the May 28, 2026 meeting minutes (All-0).

Police and Fire Pension and Health Care boards to review payments

The Police & Fire Pension Board and the Retiree Health Care Trust Board met June 25 to approve consulting invoices and review fund distributions. The agenda included a payment of $5,980.42 to Graystone Consulting for the Pension Board and $1,363.14 to Graystone Consulting for the Health Care Trust. The Pension Board was also scheduled to review the FY 26/27 Excess Earnings Distribution, an Eligible Rollover Distributions memo regarding Tom Michaud, and an EDRO Certification for David Ealy. Minutes have not yet been published, so it is not confirmed which items were approved.

Boards subcommittee interviews applicants

The Council Sub Committee on Boards, Commissions and Commissions met June 23 to interview one candidate for a board or commission seat, accept two resignations, and review two new applicants. The subcommittee also discussed the Boards and Commissions Ordinance and reviewed current vacancies and potential reappointments. Minutes have not yet been published.

ZBA meeting cancelled, two Harper Ave cases postponed

The July 2 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting was cancelled due to a staff issue. Two cases are rescheduled to the August 6, 2026 meeting: Case #15-2026 at 22621 Harper Avenue and Case #16-2026 at 22335 Harper Avenue.

Coming up

• **July 7 — Water Resources Development & Advisory Board:** Public hearings and consideration of two canal cases. Case #15-2026 involves removing and replacing 10 spring pilings, installing 93 feet of seawall, and backfilling with 31 cubic yards of clean fill at 22600 Lakecrest. Case #16-2026 involves installing 37 feet of new seawall and placing 158 cubic yards of clean fill in a 351-square-foot boatwell at 23269 Liberty.
• **July 7 — Historical Commission:** Meeting cancelled. The next meeting is September 1, 2026, in the Jefferson Conference Room at City Hall. The August 4 meeting is also cancelled.

Planning Commission recommends rezoning for Culver’s drive-thru; sign variance granted on 9 Mile

The St. Clair Shores Planning Commission recommended approval of a rezoning that would allow a Culver’s restaurant with a drive-thru, following a public hearing on June 23. The recommendation now moves to the City Council for final action.

Rezoning recommendation

The commission considered a request to rezone two parcels from B-1 Local Business and RA-1 Single-Family Residential to B-3 General Business for a Culver’s restaurant (Case PPC26009). Staff recommended approval, saying the change aligns with the city’s master plan and surrounding zoning. Residents who spoke during the public hearing raised concerns about traffic, noise, and property values. The minutes did not record a vote tally, but the commission formally recommended approval.

Sign variance approved

The Sign Arbitration Board on June 25 unanimously approved a variance allowing a new pole sign at 22601 9 Mile Road, a property owned by MKG 9 Mile LLC. The sign will be placed 51 feet from the centerline of 9 Mile Road, closer than typically permitted. The board also approved minutes from its May 28 meeting; both votes were All-0.

Other recent meetings

The Police & Fire Pension Board and Retiree Health Care Trust met June 25. Agendas called for approval of consultant invoices: $5,980.42 to Graystone Consulting from the pension fund and $1,363.14 from the health care trust. The boards also were set to review excess earnings distributions for fiscal year 2026–27 and address eligible rollover distributions for individuals including Tom Michaud and David Ealy. Minutes are not yet available.

The Council Sub Committee on Boards, Commissions and Commissions met June 23 to interview a candidate, accept two resignations, review two new applications, and discuss the Boards and Commissions Ordinance.

The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting scheduled for July 2 was cancelled because of a staffing issue. Two cases on Harper Avenue — Case #15-2026 at 22621 and Case #16-2026 at 22335 — have been postponed to August 6.

Coming up

The Water Resources Development & Advisory Board will meet July 7 with public hearings on two canal permits. Canal Case #15-2026 seeks approval to replace 10 spring pilings, install 93 feet of seawall, and backfill with 31 cubic yards of clean fill at 22600 Lakecrest. Canal Case #16-2026 would allow a 37-foot seawall, removal of 158 cubic yards of clean fill, and filling of a 351-square-foot boatwell at 23269 Liberty.

The July 7 Historical Commission meeting has been cancelled. The commission will next meet September 1.