[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6359633,"mediaKeyId","2176310-8eb864f41df44bd4691115fe1056101a","parentId",2176310,"title","Council trims claims, debates fleet spending as treasurer warns of cash‑flow squeeze","audioSeconds",4593,"startMs",4979000,"endMs",9572000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2176310-8eb864f41df44bd4691115fe1056101a&start=4979&end=9572","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2176310-8eb864f41df44bd4691115fe1056101a/thumbnail_4979000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6359633/Dearborn-Heights/Wayne-County/Michigan/Council-trims-claims-debates-fleet-spending-as-treasurer-warns-of-cashflow-squeeze","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359633-32588c701c8ad2bb7aa1ad757138f5f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191088&Signature=djhugDqRbYF6JPqoajDVS7vPdbRn6VUCuKXt~Jcs8IaYBOuucZSzNuqoYwuc2v5IREfX1G0qz85~nN5fZiFSbiblH1IqPDAC6QaE8eb65SB5Wqvjrudzxof~jMXYrllYLZImicniulTHBZAQ4Ojmwxst~8iNvDBXxDqjlrRP2bPGPAYfGPB3B7XjZ1WHs-07RGcBV00gUJOXAWO2KlcT~CN-q8DBMs4owXfUonOHQRiThphKfSf9tMmItFb~U0JZPdeE5dLZI~LZYIY0Y5rSAP3wHDgE9KVS0LvZeTI2lito7lKG52MpADy9aOsB-g3MjIUCsLrcdrfcFZPKPtAoAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-01-31T16:39:09Z","article","The Dearborn Heights City Council on Jan. 28 removed four plant‑Moran invoices from the current claims list, approved a replacement Ford Escape from Enterprise Fleet Management, and rejected a proposed 24‑month lease for a Ford Bronco Sport for the ordinance enforcement division after council debate about fleet uniformity and price.

Councilman Saab moved — and the council approved — the removal of claims numbered 22–25 (Plant Moran invoices) from the current claims list. Later debate focused on a staff proposal to lease a Bronco Sport at roughly $567 monthly for ordinance enforcement. Several council members said enforcement vehicles should be uniform and suggested returning for additional quotes on Ford Escapes; the Bronco motion was defeated at roll call. Council then approved purchase of a used 2022 Ford Escape from Enterprise for $10,969.29.

Treasurer Lisa Clayton briefed the council on cash‑flow pressures. She said the city’s general fund stood at about $2 million, with payroll and other liabilities due shortly, and urged tighter accounting. The treasurer recommended direct payment from restricted accounts (for example, act‑based funds and water/sewer funds) when those funds are the legal source for expenses, rather than fronting them from the general fund and later moving amounts back as interfund transfers. She said this would reduce short‑term liquidity pressure.

Separately, council approved an IT contract renewal for Microsoft 365 licensing and approved a pilot purchase of a Dell rugged laptop for police vehicle testing. Council directed administration to return with standardized fleet proposals and asked staff to supply a more detailed payroll backup after a council request to see department‑level payroll data.

The decisions leave the council and administration with a set of follow‑ups: a protocol for fleet procurement, more detailed claims documentation, and an accounting plan to limit use of general‑fund cash for restricted expenditures.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","1/28/25 - Dearborn Heights City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Council removed four invoices from the current claims, defeated a high‑cost vehicle lease for ordinance enforcement and approved a replacement Enterprise vehicle. The city treasurer warned of near‑term cash‑flow shortfalls and asked departments to use direct‑pay where possible.","taxTitle","Dearborn Heights, Wayne County, Michigan","taxId",4162,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6359638,"Council tables short‑term‑rental ban after heated public debate; refers draft to legal counsel",2105,8443000,10548000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2176310-8eb864f41df44bd4691115fe1056101a&start=8443&end=10548","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2176310-8eb864f41df44bd4691115fe1056101a/thumbnail_8443000.jpg","/articles/6359638/Dearborn-Heights/Wayne-County/Michigan/Council-tables-shorttermrental-ban-after-heated-public-debate-refers-draft-to-legal-counsel","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359638-9e33d086e2093cca0f7b2bff172e1792/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191088&Signature=N~DVjWE0EZwFPL79PkraWsGWRfctBCJTFUEbM6n9ngyHvx7h4uyysjKIyf7n0tsktRxpMxRtropRtmyfcVf5TjFa-Ft~jg7nT22uX5Q9rtuN2jpYOuEPO~5bKCOh2E1p5HaLwfPhuXswhiO4VA-nhav-aL25JUihHzD21cxmYcQaKMlmSH0YTh~mIYnFVPOa8EpoGbE1ldh8mu88JLqNkQYqxVLLnBv7W7MNVgpW46jkeG9SaS21fVnRkmAXgIvZP~cb~TPTHHAGFwzmfb~1paBR-gl41CZBLdWnG4JB8YpVfphDziARcWOD-d~Gfl9ko3dlN9-~VnaGWtb1K41p5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dearborn Heights City Council on Jan. 28 postponed action on a proposed ban of short‑term rentals — commonly known by platform names such as Airbnb or VRBO — and asked special legal counsel to draft ordinance language and assess legal risk.

Residents from multiple neighborhoods urged immediate action, saying short‑term rentals led to noise, parking problems, drug‑related complaints and unsafe gatherings. Several speakers called for a flat ban on short‑term rentals; other speakers and several council members cautioned that outright prohibitions could raise property‑rights and state‑law issues and that a robust ordinance would need clear enforcement provisions.

Councilman Tom Wenzel introduced a draft resolution he said would declare short‑term rentals unlawful and impose an immediate moratorium; other council members urged a measured approach. City legal advisers noted potential conflicts with state law and said any rule affecting property use or temporary rentals would likely require an ordinance vetted by the planning commission and reviewed for legal risk.

After public testimony and debate, the council voted to table the item and asked special legal counsel to draft enforceable ordinance language, including options such as minimum‑stay requirements, registration and inspection regimes, and fines. The council also asked staff to identify enforcement resources and to provide data on the number and locations of short‑term rentals in the city.

The referral halts an immediate ban but begins a formal process that council members said should balance neighborhood concerns with legal constraints and municipal enforcement capacity.","After an extended public-comment period and conflicting legal concerns, the Dearborn Heights City Council tabled a late resolution that would have banned short‑term rentals and instead referred the issue to special legal counsel for ordinance drafting and review.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6359643,"Council approves $3.6 million FEMA hazard-mitigation grant to acquire flood-prone homes",584,8256000,8840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2176310-8eb864f41df44bd4691115fe1056101a&start=8256&end=8840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2176310-8eb864f41df44bd4691115fe1056101a/thumbnail_8256000.jpg","/articles/6359643/Dearborn-Heights/Wayne-County/Michigan/Council-approves-36-million-FEMA-hazard-mitigation-grant-to-acquire-flood-prone-homes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359643-698001b3e10f4544f5986f511cb8cae3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191088&Signature=a47Zs3pn8O1tl9BFY19xN8JmLs1CmfxRg08ENssgex20d-RaLGfq0ru--Jx1k1YvYKdY1kRDvbx60Rk5kVZ3ap~QucrYuN7JJOD~NEaBki3TjaBa3wc~w1vz5KJRCajrt4Aji1QhMLhnIFCayPzDnJtxqY1G2QNnLhchcWz9gpEvupuet4OEYr5QCTb03O0EAnJWhHBuAhPX6ZskuAOm4scZM6hMgivfDC455mr1C8Qio3Ps0JV6h9UB8H8nvWEPmB~iCGTyIU5mRKBGnwn7Y-zmtBeWGKSQ-jfvMDO3JfmHRHl54CzdPZUSpOgzOACwNHq2tYK-cVKL20bOTQd2OQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dearborn Heights City Council voted Jan. 28 to accept a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program award from FEMA and the Michigan State Police totaling $3,626,303 to acquire and mitigate flood-prone properties.

Councilwoman Nancy Bridal moved to accept the HMGP award, CFDA 97.039, project HMGP‑4494‑23, and to authorize administrative steps to sign required documents and to establish two ledger accounts to track the grant and the city’s required 10% match. The motion passed after a roll-call vote.

The motion authorized temporary use of the city’s water/sewer fund to front expenses up to the grant amount, with the city director of Community and Economic Development authorized to process offers for property acquisition pending council approval. The council also approved establishing a general‑ledger account for the city match (up to $353,430) and a separate account to track grant expenditures and reimbursements.

CDD staff said the award would be used for the acquisition of residences in identified flood‑prone locations; staff and council emphasized that federal grant rules and a recent federal stay related to grant processing warranted careful bookkeeping. CDD staff said they had received paperwork from the Michigan State Police and would coordinate with FEMA on final steps.

Council members stressed the importance of ensuring the paperwork correctly names the current department director and that the city follow federal rules when drawing down funds. The treasurer warned the council about near‑term cash‑flow pressures and reiterated that the city must keep restricted federal funds and local funds tracked separately.

The grant acceptance draws on federal funds for hazard mitigation while requiring a local match; council members approved the motion with the restriction that the city would not reallocate other funds without council approval.","Dearborn Heights council accepted a $3,626,303 FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program award that would fund home acquisitions and related mitigation work; the council also authorized temporary use of local funds pending reimbursement and creation of ledger accounts to track expenditures.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6359648,"Dearborn Heights council approves outside counsel as policing leadership dispute unfolds",9048,391000,9439000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2176310-8eb864f41df44bd4691115fe1056101a&start=391&end=9439","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2176310-8eb864f41df44bd4691115fe1056101a/thumbnail_391000.jpg","/articles/6359648/Dearborn-Heights/Wayne-County/Michigan/Dearborn-Heights-council-approves-outside-counsel-as-policing-leadership-dispute-unfolds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359648-e7baea4a7e3ab12f718eaf35ed1606f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191088&Signature=UJTPR8ATABrTtzNwwj2e0lSGy-RuDbAzlnctMseBDfSCQ3Qa~O5Fzfwh3kN2Ynmh9t~zROmodObJTnz47oDqVjh1uI9PxZtEyXC4dZbhVmRA3SJKhobfZYROiK4FHW1~ZT-gIeSneUA2eTl9wnjTc8O4h9jv5uoN9sW8CeO6MScOwFJc3OlgA4GG7Be1L~RwHqbfLJ8Gijrkuh1rxmgwlW8Q5cUm1l2ld-pN5tL0Vuad3VyKIJx7G1a6q6L-Wb-RYThedr-uD64TwaJ0zgjI7xCWWpBbI0EaEptef098-eery4-7k7-wKvgflaqy~YAmeHaTstxvUzpKo4Pst7SE0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dearborn Heights City Council voted Jan. 28 to retain special legal counsel to represent interim Police Chief Hussain Farhat in matters related to an investigation by the city administration.

The action followed an extended public-comment period in which current and former officers, union leaders and residents accused city administration of missteps in police promotions and discipline. At the meeting, a council member read a multi-page email submitted for the record alleging harassment and retaliation tied to internal police investigations.

The move to add an item to the agenda and to authorize outside counsel passed after a heated public discussion and a motion by Councilman Hassan Saab. Corporation counsel and special counsel advised the council that a limited-scope designation was legally permissible: the city may fund counsel only to advise on official-duty matters and not for private claims against the city.

Union leaders and supervisors urged the council to back Farhat. Nick Sapp, identified at the meeting as president of the police supervisors union, told the council Farhat “was an extremely positive influence in our department” and argued the mayor’s actions had worsened morale.

Farhat told the council he had been notified by email that he was under investigation. “I received an email that I was under investigation by the mayor,” he said during public comment and later on the dais.

Council members debated scope and limits; legal advisers recommended explicit language that barred use of city funds for private litigation by the officer. The council approved the retention, directing the counsel’s scope to representation related to Farhat’s official duties and specifying a cap on hourly rates and that council must approve expenditures.

The authorization does not resolve the underlying personnel or investigatory questions. Multiple speakers urged transparency on the administration’s investigatory steps and flagged other personnel and contract decisions for council review. Council members said the special-counsel step was necessary to ensure a neutral legal review while protecting the city’s legal exposure.

Council and administration officials also exchanged procedural objections at the meeting about the mayor’s authority over personnel decisions and salary-setting. Corporation counsel advised that some compensation and appointment questions may be governed by the city charter and existing contract rules, and that further legal review could be required.

The council’s vote to authorize special counsel concluded a session in which dozens of residents and police personnel spoke. Council members said they would follow up with requests for records and legal memos to clarify the city’s options moving forward.","The city council voted to retain outside legal counsel for Interim Police Chief Hussain Farhat after weeks of public comment, union appeals and an email the council read into the record alleging internal misconduct and retaliation. Council also suspended the rules and added a late agenda item to authorize the counsel.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council trims claims, debates fleet spending as treasurer warns of cash‑flow squeeze

Council tables short‑term‑rental ban after heated public debate; refers draft to legal counsel

Council approves $3.6 million FEMA hazard-mitigation grant to acquire flood-prone homes

Dearborn Heights council approves outside counsel as policing leadership dispute unfolds