[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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],{"_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",6517619,"mediaKeyId","5404999-8a3db3795e907f9b60b8f2df4c981ab7","parentId",5404999,"title","Council approves board appointments and consent agenda; public commenters raise library polling, HOA costs, backflow testing and Oakland Mall plans","audioSeconds",5973,"startMs",737000,"endMs",6710000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404999-8a3db3795e907f9b60b8f2df4c981ab7&start=737&end=6710","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404999-8a3db3795e907f9b60b8f2df4c981ab7/thumbnail_737000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6517619/Troy-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Council-approves-board-appointments-and-consent-agenda-public-commenters-raise-library-polling-HOA-costs-backflow-testing-and-Oakland-Mall-plans","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6517619-34ffb0e206bf6e8af3599c189a8026e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770750458&Signature=Fi-E2luNu~nlmtI9CwRhajszQH21dY3lFWI6W2n0fh7ceG700MypVL3qj~Zvr4LrSaShJlB-Cke0pIuOxPQUrxu-2hYrVMwe0dSJBWaPm2nc0kuVcF-6ZC6wyi30EX9TOwdxK38xEAzB2ka8bklEXPD0InU8G3b5payjTnvCN4MzkTszU7m586zgRL0v-F48k9dle2lYGk-PetMKy4jvWUzhMGjmTKculVwSAKuy16uzGFqKPuSNZGKN7nPgLBqkAYmMgGT6Hb9SEBK7r2hLpuaHbrWiHuiO1U~GKlley6YjtM-M5RKkxAYgHEuag3AGJTM8cqVqwEKHqLokMOudqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-15T01:49:41Z","article","Troy City Council handled several routine and public‑comment matters during the July 14 meeting.

Appointments and consent votes: The council approved a slate of board and commission appointments: Sandy Friesen to the Historic District Commission (term expiring 03/01/2028); Matt Jansen to Parks and Recreation (term expiring 07/31/2026) as the school district representative; and David Eisenbacher and Aaron Green to the Zoning Board of Appeals (terms expiring 04/30/2028). Mayor Pro Tem Gunn moved the nominations and Council Member Chanda seconded; the motion passed unanimously by roll call.

Council also approved the consent agenda in a single vote after no items were pulled for separate discussion. Council Member Hamilton moved approval of the consent agenda and Council Member Chamberlain seconded; the roll call vote was unanimous.

Public comments summarized: Several residents offered remarks during the public‐comment period.

- Carl Schmidt, representing MS City Market Research and speaking for the Friends of the Troy Public Library, told council the Friends had commissioned a 400‑respondent survey of likely voters. Schmidt said the poll—received the morning of the meeting—showed preliminary results that the 0.9‑mill option polled higher (about 47% likely yes, ±5%) than a 1.1‑mill option (about 35% likely yes) in his early analysis. Schmidt described the data as “fresh” and urged council to consider it as they decide on a final structure.

- Dave Niffin, president of the Gulf Trail homeowners association and a long‑time Troy resident, spoke about fiscal responsibility in homeowner association decisions and cautioned council about treating small tax increases dismissively; he described how modest sums are meaningful to fixed‑income and working households.

- Matt Capshaw, a former cross‑connection inspector who said he monitored backflow testing for more than two decades, alleged some contractors were submitting false pass reports and said he believed that practice could amount to criminal activity and expose residents to drinking‑water risk. City staff told council that licensing and enforcement for backflow testers are managed by the State of Michigan (LARA) and encouraged residents to report suspected violations to that licensing authority. Staff also said the city maintains a local list of contractors for convenience but does not license or recommend contractors.

- Mario Kesey, addressing Oakland Mall redevelopment, urged the council to support momentum on redevelopment opportunities and described private outreach he has done to potential investors and resort operators interested in the site.

Council and staff response: Council members acknowledged the Friends’ survey and said they wanted to engage more with residents before the election. On the backflow allegations, Public Works staff told council that the state regulator (LARA) is the entity that can revoke plumbing licenses and that residents who believe they were harmed can pursue remedies through that agency or civil legal channels. Staff also noted they track contractor performance and have instituted software and an inspector to monitor reports more closely since earlier concerns were raised.

Provenance: Public comment items and the appointments vote are recorded in the meeting transcript under the public comment and nominations agenda items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting July 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council unanimously approved nominations to several boards and the consent agenda. Public comments included Friends of the Library survey results, a longtime HOA president urging fiscal prudence, an allegation about backflow testing fraud, and a developer’s pitch regarding Oakland Mall redevelopment.","taxTitle","Troy City, Oakland County, Michigan","taxId",4529,"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},6517624,"Troy Police to buy armored rescue vehicle using drug‑forfeiture funds; council approves budget amendment",418,6210000,6628000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404999-8a3db3795e907f9b60b8f2df4c981ab7&start=6210&end=6628","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404999-8a3db3795e907f9b60b8f2df4c981ab7/thumbnail_6210000.jpg","/articles/6517624/Troy-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Troy-Police-to-buy-armored-rescue-vehicle-using-drugforfeiture-funds-council-approves-budget-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6517624-ab75bdb84366e91f49b8be37b944411b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770750458&Signature=iU7HY65j-kaVcnLaVFhhXJGbX6eAcsJNIctE6FWKKPIRDJ0pvaJmk6xwgieVM2NIn0V5yfmiWuwvQVHaZhTPBCGNpgYmTozH3CUYAkww09a3lBhyiqY0LmqTA~iSIHgQ-XXfZRaep474UHijl~MWyjllp3PUL2~ydtoCtyx3h90MzueceB946ZnH-l2b23te9GoBLFwruR5JNahzTJYTiOcjKXavMoDay3d2RNrJNoI5jdKIADr1mNEOTnRik4CtYWnu9EJOiBNBzQdmK4xvUxoLDZi5zTezVkC9nJHpS61GhscxeL-6eEksxyxhTutGpbi~1NI7BapId23nTbDAcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Troy City Council voted unanimously to approve the Police Department’s purchase of a Lenco BearCat G2 armored rescue vehicle and a corresponding budget amendment of $26,108 to cover the price difference between estimate and quote.

Police Chief Josh Jones presented the request, saying the BearCat is an “armored rescue vehicle” intended for the department’s Tactical Support Team to use during critical incidents, including rescue of civilians or officers under fire. Jones also said the vehicle will be configured to provide medical treatment and limited fire‑suppression capability, and that similar armored vehicles have been useful in weather emergencies and large‑scale incidents.

The department secured a GSA cooperative purchase quote of $426,108; staff had budgeted $400,000 and requested the supplemental $26,108 from the police department’s drug‑forfeiture fund. Chief Jones said the fund derives from state and federal forfeitures and is restricted to public‑safety uses allowed by statute and forfeiture program rules.

Council Member Hodorick moved the resolution and Mayor Pro Tem Gunn supported it. The roll call vote was unanimous: Council Member Chamberlain Kringa — yes; Council Member Chanda — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Gunn — yes; Council Member Hamilton — yes; Council Member Hodorick — yes; Mayor Baker — yes; Council Member Brooks — yes.

Council members asked about lead time for delivery (staff estimated about 18 months) and whether the vehicle would be used in community outreach events (staff said yes — e.g., touch‑a‑truck and public safety events). Chief Jones and staff also said the city has mutual‑aid arrangements and would coordinate armored responses regionally when appropriate.

Provenance: The item introduced by Police Chief Josh Jones, with subsequent council questions and unanimous approval.","Council unanimously approved purchase of a Lenco BearCat G2 armored rescue vehicle for the Troy Police Department, funded from the department’s drug‑forfeiture fund and requiring a $26,108 budget amendment.",{"_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},6517626,"Troy council approves $137 million bond proposal, places 1.1‑mill, 20‑year ask on November ballot",4873,815000,5688000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404999-8a3db3795e907f9b60b8f2df4c981ab7&start=815&end=5688","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404999-8a3db3795e907f9b60b8f2df4c981ab7/thumbnail_815000.jpg","/articles/6517626/Troy-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Troy-council-approves-137-million-bond-proposal-places-11mill-20year-ask-on-November-ballot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6517626-70f27ebd77c56f843c0c26a4b893210b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770750458&Signature=LbXvCB05D~VqJSZye8-ONSwe4pa2E-04KGBF3OLs8kj2cDUV7rSGF8S3P~tVY0Zg0V5Ymei2kkCcfL7Pgp3yiy-JhX~3GcpHs7ZgHJ19AepH09nao5KHaW5tZXPC9dv7mUGu4HUuuHz-Wo92wUJhfvrO0veKNawxYygKVONxrH1mf4fGA6bjsJf4NJRKxXo~d99-FozekqyM8gcXDMaT2MyDywEGJf6lhpl6sMrWoUqE~eURjMnaacFf8czU-RMZRDbSZNRSVkDi~eZE7VG1J96uwaNwz1CQX3hQI9RzKou90J13B4BhmLGa~D5VRuQhUDGGXBVEp7mwDjf4yyMyew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Troy City Council on Monday voted to submit a $137 million capital bond proposal to voters in November, approving a 20‑year plan that would carry a 1.1‑mill levy if voters approve it.

City Manager Frank Nastasi summarized the package during the meeting, laying out a breakdown that totals about $137 million: roughly $75.9 million for a new library, $35 million for streets (including Coolidge and Wattles), $17 million for parks and recreation, and $10 million for public safety projects, including fire apparatus, body‑worn cameras and technology upgrades.

Why it matters: Council members and staff said the city’s capital fund has declined over time and that deferred maintenance across buildings, roads and parks has reached a level that requires a large, one‑time infusion of funds. Finance staff and council members repeatedly framed public safety as the first priority and said a new library building is “functionally obsolete.”

Nastasi and staff presented two repayment options during the meeting: a shorter 20‑year schedule and a longer 30‑year schedule. Staff’s cost slides showed a 20‑year scenario at roughly 1.13 mills and a 30‑year scenario at about 0.95 mills, but council members negotiated the final ballot structure and settled on a 20‑year, 1.1‑mill proposal.

Council debate centered on three themes: whether to use a 20‑ or 30‑year term, how much projects would cost and how the request would be received by voters. Several council members and the city manager said the city’s operating finances are in good shape but that the capital fund is “bare bones” (finance staff said the capital fund balance is about $2 million), leaving the city unable to cover major roof, building and roadway projects without a bond.

Opponents of the longer term argued a 30‑year bond would cost more in interest over time and could “shackle” future councils with long debt service. Mayor Pro Tem Gunn argued the library and the other capital needs should be presented to voters on separate questions so residents could choose which projects to support, but that approach did not receive council support.

Council members cited a preliminary survey commissioned by Friends of the Troy Public Library and conducted by MS City Market Research. The consultant, Carl Schmidt, told council that a 0.9‑mill option tested better than 1.1 in an early 400‑respondent poll (0.9 at about 47% likely yes with ±5% margin; 1.1 at about 35%), but multiple council members said they preferred the 20‑year, 1.1‑mill structure for fiscal and policy reasons.

The motion to place the 20‑year, 1.1‑mill bond on the ballot passed 6–1. Council Member Hodorick moved the resolution and Council Member Brooks seconded it. The roll call vote recorded: Council Member Brooks — yes; Council Member Chamberlain Kringa — yes; Council Member Chanda — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Gunn — no; Council Member Hamilton — yes; Council Member Hodorick — yes; Mayor Baker — yes.

The approved bond package will go before voters in November. If the measure fails, city officials said they will re‑prioritize capital projects and likely shift spending back toward public safety and urgent building repairs.

Provenance: City Manager Frank Nastasi introduced the bond package during the agenda item and multiple council members and staff discussed financing, term lengths, capital fund balances and public feedback before the motion and vote.","After extended public comment and staff presentations, Troy City Council voted 6–1 to submit a $137 million capital bond to voters in November. The measure would fund a new library, major road work, parks and recreation projects and public‑safety equipment and is structured as a 20‑year, 1.1‑mill request.","actionData","errors"]

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Council approves board appointments and consent agenda; public commenters raise library polling, HOA costs, backflow testing and Oakland Mall plans

Troy Police to buy armored rescue vehicle using drug‑forfeiture funds; council approves budget amendment

Troy council approves $137 million bond proposal, places 1.1‑mill, 20‑year ask on November ballot