St. Clair Shores City Council Moves Toward Purchasing Chamber Building

St. Clair Shores City Council approved steps to purchase the Metro East Chamber of Commerce building on Monday night.

City Manager Benjamin M. Hughes said the city will contact the real estate agency Tuesday in hopes of finalizing the purchase of the property on 27601 Jefferson Ave.

The city wants to use police forfeiture money to buy the building.

Hughes said he believes the building and the parcel of land could be used for possible expansion or relocation of the police department to that area.

The building’s primary value is as a footprint–parcel of land–that could be beneficial in the future to the police department, Hughes said.

Below are updates from the meeting.

7:03 p.m. honored for its 50th anniversary. Mayor Robert A. Hison presents the family-owned business on Mack Avenue with a proclamation.

7:10 p.m. Hison honors the St. Clair Shores Bruins Bantam B hockey team, which won two state titles.

7:21 p.m. Peter Rubino said that the Ethics Subcommittee is looking for three more residents to join the panel. Residents can apply for the subcommittee this month.

7:24 p.m. No audience participation tonight.

7:27 p.m. Council unanimously approves transfer of liquor license from Lido Corporation to Rojo Three on Jefferson Avenue for the new Mexican Bistro.

7:34 p.m. Council unanimously approves state-mandated amendments to building codes.

7:45 p.m. Hison speaks in favor of backing Eastpointe’s resolution asking state legislature and the governor to reevaluate and modify the current tax structure to provide for long-term stability of local governments.

Council members Peter A. Rubino and Ronald J. Frederick express reservations with the resolution.

Council member Kip C. Walby asks to postpone decision to May 2. The decision is postponed by a unanimous decision.

7:55 p.m. City Manager Benjamin M. Hughes said the city wants to use police forfeiture money to buy the Metro East Chamber of Commerce building (27601 Jefferson Ave.).

Hughes said he believes the building and the parcel of land could be used as possible expansion or relocation of the police department to that area.

The building’s primary value is acquiring a footprint–parcel of land–that could be beneficial in the future to the police department, Hughes said.

Council approves unanimously for the city to purchase the property.

8:01 p.m. Council unanimously approves budget amendment, which put additional revenue into the general fund from cable TV franchise fees.

8:03 p.m.The  Environmental Protection Agency is expected to do some sampling in the 10 Mile Drain perhaps this week or next, Hughes said, in an effort to find the source of .

8:13 p.m. The could affect the city.

The census came in at 59,715 residents for St. Clair Shores. The decrease of 5.4 percent from 2000 put the city’s population just under the 60,000-mark, which could adversely affect the city.

On the state level, St. Clair Shores could lose as many as three liquor licenses based on population, but Hughes stressed that it is not official and city is still awaiting word from the state. (Those liquor licenses affected are only those the city currently holds in reserve, not the ones that city businesses currently hold.)

Hughes said there are “very narrow criteria” for a city to appeal the census count.

8:15 p.m. Rubello and Hison praise Dave Coulier and the fundraising event for the Memorial Day Parade on Saturday.

8:25 p.m. Council member Ronald Frederick holds up a sign wishing his wife a happy 30th wedding anniversary.

8:26 p.m. will come in front of the Zoning Commission on Thursday. Kroger will apply for a variance to have a gas station at the grocery store on Nine Mile and Mack. The Zoning Commission meeting is at 7 p.m. Thursday.

8:40 p.m. City Hall will be open from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, for Passport Day so residents can purchase or renew passports.

9:13 p.m. Meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m.