Troy council seeks options on youth council, pet shop rules; survey splits 41-59 on library
TROY — 11/1/2026
Troy City Council members on Oct. 26 asked the city administration for options on a youth advisory council and for more information on a possible pet shop ordinance. A resident survey presented the same night showed respondents split 41 to 59 on the library portion of the bond proposal voters rejected last year.
All seven members attended the regular meeting at City Hall, 500 W. Big Beaver Road. The council approved every item before it 7-0, including a two-year insurance renewal with a first-year contribution of $1,004,688 and a five-year website agreement with Revize LLC. No item was denied. There were no public hearings, carryover items or postponed items.
Mayor Ethan Baker gave the invocation. Fr. Joseph Arsanious of St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church was listed on the agenda. "I don't see the father, so I'm going to do it," Baker said.
Significant events
Survey: satisfaction holds at 72, library support at 41
William SaintAmour, executive director of Cobalt Community Research, presented the 2026 Resident Engagement and Priority Survey. Cobalt also ran the city's 2021 and 2024 surveys. Overall satisfaction scored 72 on a 0-to-100 scale, against a national average of 57, SaintAmour said. The score is not a percentage of satisfied residents, and the slight decline from 2024 is not statistically significant, SaintAmour said.
- Method: Cobalt mailed the survey to a random sample of 2,000 residents drawn from the voter list on Sept. 12, with a second mailing Oct. 2, according to the staff memo. SaintAmour reported 539 valid responses from the sample, for a margin of error of plus or minus 4%. Another 104 residents outside the sample responded and were tabulated separately, for 643 in all.
- Focus groups: Both were held after the mailings, on Oct. 12 and 13. The staff memo says each had eight participants. SaintAmour told the council the first had six and the second five.
- Liked most: schools, safety, parks, the library, retail, central location and diversity.
- Liked least: roads and traffic, property taxes, too much building, loss of green space, walkability and the lack of a downtown.
- Softer scores: safe place to walk at night, safe place to bike and walk, growing responsibly, spending tax dollars wisely, encouraging citizen ideas, enforcing appearance and safety codes, and affordability of housing.
- Use of facilities: about 12% of respondents said they had not used a city park in the past 12 months, and about 24% said they had not used the library.
- Top service priorities: police, street maintenance and repair, drinking water, fire, EMS, garbage and recycling, and city parks. Council Member Theresa Brooks noted that the Troy Family Aquatic Center ranked last on the list.
- Paying for services: if funds fall short, 50% favored a small tax or fee increase to maintain city facilities and infrastructure and prevent deterioration. About 37% said they support no additional funding.
Asked about the November 2025 ballot question, most respondents said they voted and 90% said they knew its elements. Support for the library portion was 41 to 59, SaintAmour said, while most respondents supported the roads, parks and public safety portions. Voters rejected the $137 million bond 55% to 45%, WXYZ reported. It would have provided $75 million for a new library, $35 million for streets, $17 million for parks and recreation and $10 million for public safety, according to the city.
In the focus groups and comments, SaintAmour said, residents raised the bundling of the bond and asked for more numbers on the library's design and the options considered. "You don't buy the biggest shoe you can afford. You buy the shoe that fits," SaintAmour said. Council Member Rebecca Chamberlain said the city had "kind of put a Cadillac option" before voters, and SaintAmour said residents would find a Chevy more appropriate. Mayor Pro Tem Hirak Chanda said residents may not want a Cadillac option built. Council Member David Hamilton said November 2028, with the largest electorate, is the likely target for a new request, a view Hamilton said city staff share. The staff memo says the results will be discussed at the council's Nov. 21 advance and that further "special" research may follow in 2027.
Students ask for a youth advisory council
Saanvi Rameswarapu, nominated earlier in the meeting as the student representative on the Traffic Committee, asked the council to create a Troy Youth Advisory Council during public comment and asked supporters to stand. Rameswarapu said 50 students were in the room and another 100 had signed up to apply. Baker sought consensus for the administration to provide options, "not voting on anything tonight," and members agreed. Baker said it might be handled through reports rather than a study session, which would take longer to schedule. Chamberlain and Chanda said they wanted to understand how the Open Meetings Act would apply.
Baker seeks information on a pet shop ordinance
During council comments, Baker said the council should look at a possible pet shop ordinance, citing conditions in puppy mills and the lack of pending state action. Baker said one Troy shop would be subject to added rules and that the aim is not to shut down any business. Baker asked for information from the administration and the City Attorney's Office on what would fit Troy's existing structure, pointing to the ordinance in Berkley as one that has been presented to the council. "I see four if I count myself," Baker said of the members indicating support. A study session is potentially needed before any ordinance comes to the council, Baker said.
Insurance renewal and website agreement pass on consent
The largest dollar item, the renewal with the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority (MMRMA), passed without discussion on the consent agenda. The staff memo attributes the 8.3% increase in the contribution to the Pavilion ice rink and Zamboni, a fire department aerial truck, more police employees, claims history and inflation. The Revize agreement, with the city's current web host, redesigns troymi.gov, moves its content into Revize's 2.0 content management system and adds an AI chatbot and search tool, a PDF-to-HTML converter and an accessibility widget with scanning services.
Council actions
| Item | What it does | Outcome | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| New business: approved (regular business) | |||
| I.1 | City Council appointments, Parks and Recreation Board. Matt Jansen as the Troy School District Board of Education representative, term expiring July 31, 2027. Kelly Martin, term expiring Sept. 30, 2029. Both were nominated Oct. 5 and hold the seats now. No mayoral appointments. | Approved | 7-0 |
| I.2(a) | Mayoral nominations, Global Troy Advisory Committee. Lisa Bica-Grodsky and Lisa Neal, both current members, for terms expiring Oct. 30, 2029. Forwarded to the next regular meeting for action. | Forwarded | 7-0 |
| I.2(b) | City Council nominations. Casey Colussi, who holds the seat now, to the Parks and Recreation Board, term expiring Sept. 30, 2029. Saanvi Rameswarapu as student representative on the Traffic Committee, term expiring July 31, 2027, a seat held by Swathi Jeeda. Forwarded to the next regular meeting for action. | Forwarded | 7-0 |
| I.3 | No closed session requested. | No action | None |
| I.4 | Bid waiver, KorTerra Inc., MISS DIG 811 ticket software. Contract with the Chanhassen, Minnesota, firm for an estimated $7,546.19 a year, with ongoing renewals authorized within budget, from the Water Fund. The software has sorted about 41,000 utility-staking tickets a year since 2021 and works with the city's GIS system. The staff memo describes a fixed rate of $0.22 per ticket. KorTerra's order form lists $7,546.19 as the annual service fee for up to 43,000 tickets and $0.22 as the rate for tickets above that. | Approved | 7-0 |
| I.5 | Bid waiver and contract extension, snow removal at Jeanne M. Stine Community Park. One more season for Russell Landscaping Inc. of Troy at the Pavilion and ice rink, at the pricing and terms of the contract awarded Nov. 13, 2023, within budget. The prior contract expired April 30, 2026, and this extension runs to April 30, 2027. The packet lists no total, because the work is paid at hourly bid rates. The rink and Pavilion would then be bid together with the city's other facilities. | Approved | 7-0 |
| Approved: consent agenda (one motion, no items removed) | |||
| J.2.a | Minutes of the Oct. 5, 2026 regular meeting. | Approved | 7-0, all on one motion (J.1.a) |
| J.3.a | Proclamation honoring Shreya Kakasani of International Academy East, who won a silver medal in the National and Folklore category at the 2026 Dance World Cup in Dublin, performing the Indian classical form Kuchipudi. The packet copy is dated for presentation Nov. 9. | Approved | |
| J.4.a | Golf course equipment, $20,633.39. One Toro 60-gallon Spray Master 52" for Sylvan Glen Golf Course from Hellebuyck's Power Equipment Center of Shelby Township, through OMNIA Partners contract #2023261. The memo puts the average age of the course's maintenance equipment at 15 to 20 years. | Approved | |
| J.4.b | DPW mini excavator, $60,309.71 after trade-in. John Deere 35P with attachments from AIS Construction Equipment of New Hudson, through Sourcewell contract #011723-JDC, after a $15,500 trade-in of a Case CX36B. | Approved | |
| J.4.c | Police server replacement, $40,236.84. Virtual machine host servers, software and equipment from CDW Government LLC of Vernon Hills, Illinois, through Sourcewell contract #121923-CDW. The current servers, approved in 2016, are nearing end of life. Completion is estimated by December 2026. | Approved | |
| J.5 | Casualty and property insurance, two-year renewal with MMRMA. Coverage from Nov. 8, 2026, to Nov. 8, 2028. The 2026-27 contribution is $1,004,688 ($814,688 for coverage, $40,000 for stop loss and $150,000 for the retention fund), less a $75,887 net asset distribution, for a not-to-exceed $928,801. The 2027-28 increase is capped at 8%. The city keeps a portion of claims risk, in most cases up to $500,000 per occurrence, the memo says. It was not competitively bid. | Approved | |
| J.6 | Website agreement with Revize LLC of Troy, five years. $22,610 in the first year, which includes a one-time $3,210 site map update, and $19,400 a year after that: AI chatbot $4,900, Clear Docs PDF converter $9,500 and ADA accessibility services $5,000. That totals $100,210 over five years. The city may end the agreement with 60 days' written notice before an annual renewal date. The Communications Director signs. | Approved | |
| J.7 | Nonprofit recognition, Tyler Tomina Foundation, for the purpose of obtaining a charitable gaming license. No cost to the city. | Approved | |
| J.1.b | Items removed from the consent agenda for discussion: none. | No action | |
| Denied | |||
| None | No motion failed and no item was denied. | None | None |
| Unfinished business | |||
| D.1, H.1 | The agenda listed no carryover and no postponed items. | None | None |
| I.2 | Seats listed on the agenda that drew no nomination. Downtown Development Authority: one in-district resident seat (John Richards resigned Aug. 3, 2026). Global Troy Advisory Committee: three vacancies (formerly Michelle Haight, Sadia Cheriguene, Carolina Noguez-Ortiz). Animal Control Appeal Board: two terms (Amin Hashmi; Jayne Saeger, marked "No Reappointment" in the packet). Traffic Committee: one seat (Dr. Jasper Gill resigned Aug. 25, 2026). | Remain open | None |
| Nov. 9 | The Oct. 26 nominees come back for appointment votes at the next regular meeting. | Pending | None |
| Library | Council members said they want further research on library options after the survey, to be discussed at the Nov. 21 advance. No proposal is before the council. | Pending | None |
| New business raised at the meeting (no formal vote) | |||
| Youth council | Administration asked to provide options for a youth advisory council. | Consensus to look into it | No roll call |
| Pet shop ordinance | Administration and City Attorney's Office asked for information on a possible ordinance. | Consensus to get information | No roll call; Baker counted four |
| Road quality | A council member suggested a follow-up on whether recent road work met its design and intent. | Follow-up mentioned | None |
| Golf call center | Baker said a personal call to the golf course operator was possible and that the status of the contract was not known at the meeting. | No action | None |
| Deer | Baker planned to look back at past council discussions. | No action | None |
| Presentations and reports (no vote) | |||
| C.1 | Proclamation for the Troy Historical Society's 60th anniversary. Organized in 1966, the society saved buildings dating from 1827 to the early 20th century and has run the Troy Historic Village since 2011. Village programs reach more than 24,000 people a year, including more than 12,000 students, teachers and chaperones on field trips. | Presented | None |
| C.2 | Proclamation for the Troy Fire Department's Fight For Air Climb team, named the top fundraising team nationwide for the American Lung Association: 42 members and $43,771. M.G. Shapiro placed fourth nationally with $21,495 and received the Ron Savage Award. Jim Krueger placed 23rd with $8,516. | Presented | None |
| C.3 | Resident Engagement and Priority Survey results, William SaintAmour, Cobalt Community Research. | Presented | None |
| O.1.a | Parks and Recreation Advisory Board minutes, April 16, 2026. | In packet | None |
| O.2.a | Third Quarter 2026 Litigation Report. | In packet | None |
| O.2.b | Economic Development Report, third quarter 2026. | Discussed | None |
| O.3.a | Letter of appreciation from Pool Manager Ihab Jumaah to Officer Chad Hawkes and the Troy Police Department for visits to the Troy Family Aquatic Center during the 2026 season. | In packet | None |
All votes
| Time | Item | Moved | Supported | Yes | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58:48 | I.1 Parks and Recreation Board appointments | Chanda | Chamberlain | Baker, Bluhm, Brooks, Chamberlain, Chanda, Gunn, Hamilton | Carried 7-0 |
| 59:37 | I.2(a) Mayoral nominations, Global Troy Advisory Committee | Baker | Chanda | Bluhm, Brooks, Chamberlain, Chanda, Gunn, Hamilton, Baker | Carried 7-0 |
| 1:00:42 | I.2(b) Council nominations, Parks and Recreation Board and Traffic Committee | Chanda | Chamberlain | Brooks, Chamberlain, Chanda, Gunn, Hamilton, Baker, Bluhm | Carried 7-0 |
| 1:03:21 | I.4 KorTerra bid waiver | Chamberlain | Gunn | Chamberlain, Chanda, Gunn, Hamilton, Baker, Bluhm, Brooks | Carried 7-0 |
| 1:05:25 | I.5 Snow removal bid waiver and extension | Bluhm | Chanda | Chanda, Gunn, Hamilton, Baker, Bluhm, Brooks, Chamberlain | Carried 7-0 |
| 1:06:01 | J.1.a Consent agenda, all items | Hamilton | Chamberlain | Gunn, Hamilton, Baker, Bluhm, Brooks, Chamberlain, Chanda | Carried 7-0 |
The roll call at the start of the meeting recorded Mayor Ethan Baker, Mayor Pro Tem Hirak Chanda and Council Members Annalisa Bluhm, Theresa Brooks, Rebecca Chamberlain, Mark Gunn and David Hamilton as present.
Discussion on regular business
- KorTerra: Water and Sewer Operations Manager Jason Schmidt said the software has run for five years with no interruptions. Chanda noted the 41,000 tickets a year, and staff said two employees handle the work for most of the year. Chamberlain said work on Rochester Road likely adds to the volume.
- Snow removal: Assistant Recreation Director Allyson Leach said Russell Landscaping agreed to hold its pricing. Chamberlain asked whether the rink could have been added to the wider city contract by change order. Leach said the wider contract was not something Leach could speak to, "because I only manage the rink," and that all of the work can be bid as one package when this extension expires.
Public comment timeline
No one signed up to speak on agenda items, and no one from outside Troy signed up. Four people spoke on items not on the agenda. Speakers do not get answers during their time under council rules; replies come afterward.
| Time | Speaker | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 1:07:10 | Resident of Wendover Woods, southwest Troy | Deer overpopulation. The speaker said there were no deer for about 10 years after moving to the neighborhood in 1988, and that the backyard is now "a deer dormitory." The speaker gave up on roses raised for more than 30 years. A September letter to the council drew a prompt reply that the speaker read as saying Troy has no plans for a cull and will keep monitoring. The speaker cited culls in Farmington, Farmington Hills and Southfield, which fell short with 70 deer against a goal of 400, and said Livonia and Beverly Hills are considering them, Ann Arbor has held them since 2016 and Bloomfield Township has a deer management advisory committee. The speaker listed vehicle collisions, yard damage, lost plant diversity and fewer pollinators as costs, and said a neighborhood petition met resistance. "Culls are complicated, controversial and contentious, but we can't kick the can down the road." The speaker asked whether Troy belongs to the Southeast Michigan Urban Deer Coalition, whether an ordinance bans deer hunting in city limits and whether Troy has talked with neighboring communities. Baker allowed an extra minute. |
| 1:11:09 | Saanvi Rameswarapu | Youth advisory council. Rameswarapu said Farmington Hills, Hamtramck, Sterling Heights and Dearborn have youth councils. The proposal: 10 to 15 students from schools across Troy on two-year terms, with a chair, vice chair, secretary and treasurer, meeting twice a month with one staff member present. The council would appoint every member, and the group would raise its own money, at no cost to the city, and report back each year. Offered in return: reports on how policies land with young people, voter registration drives, outreach and social media with the communications department, a volunteer network, internship pipelines with Troy businesses and a report on how to keep young people in Troy. "A city is judged by what it does when its young people stand up and say, 'We want to help,'" Rameswarapu said. |
| 1:14:05 | Russell Reynolds | Road construction quality. Reynolds said eastbound Wattles Road between Rochester Road and John R Road, recently redone, with some utility work, is "not any better than what it was before" and is "the least flat piece of road" done in the city in decades. Reynolds asked whether there is a warranty or guarantee, said some recent work on Big Beaver Road is not smooth either and said roads left this way will need redoing in five years. Reynolds acknowledged some of that work may belong to the Downtown Development Authority or Oakland County. |
| 1:15:34 | Zachary Adams | Golf course call center. Adams said calls to book a tee time at Sanctuary Lake Golf Course reach an out-of-country call center. Adams identified the operator as Troon, through its Indigo Sports division. Adams said the practice costs local jobs and reduces the tax base, and mentioned people who panhandle at 14 Mile and John R as people who could use such a job. Adams asked the council to require American labor in the next contract, or to explore setting aside foreign call centers under the current one, and said raising it at the golf course drew "a very poor response in person" and that a message left with the general manager of Golf Troy drew no reply. |
Council replies
| Time | Speaker | Reply |
|---|---|---|
| 1:18:43 | Baker | Cited many conversations with Chanda about the youth council idea and sought consensus for the administration to provide options, noting the city "often does things a little bit differently" from the framework presented. Members agreed. |
| 1:20:00 | Hamilton | "Youth council. Let's do it." |
| 1:20:07 | Council member | Called it an amazing plan and offered support. |
| 1:20:25 | Council member | Cited having three younger daughters and said civic engagement among young people is important. |
| 1:20:46 | Chamberlain | Recalled asking Lapeer Commissioner Joshua Atwood, the Michigan Municipal League's 2025-26 president, how Lapeer set up its youth council. Asked how the Open Meetings Act would apply and whether a council would be separate from the school district. On deer, said a young Japanese maple at a southwest Troy home was lost to them. Said a cull in a community where a parent served on council involved the DNR and sharpshooters before dawn, in a less dense place than Troy, and that Chamberlain has not heard a consensus for one. On golf: "let's look into this local labor." |
| 1:23:13 | Chanda | Thanked the students. Described nearly hitting deer near a western Troy subdivision and said culling may not be right for a dense suburb. Backed labor from Michigan or at least the United States at the golf courses, which are city property. |
| 1:24:47 | Council member | Said a youth council would bring a concentrated group of young voices, and urged students to apply now for openings on city boards and with the library and Troy schools. Suggested a follow-up on whether the roads Reynolds named met the original design and intent. |
| 1:26:05 | Baker | Said the youth council might not need a study session. On deer, described residents who like having them and residents worried about safety, cars and gardens, and planned to look back at past discussions. On golf, said the complaint was new, the contract status was not known at the meeting and a personal call was possible, noting a good relationship with the operator. |
No one at the meeting answered the three questions about the deer coalition, hunting rules and talks with neighbors. The coalition exists: Farmington, Farmington Hills and Southfield reported 70 deer removed in its first phase, working with USDA Wildlife Services, and Hometownlife reported the 400-deer goal.
Council member updates timeline
| Time | Speaker | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 1:29:13 | Chamberlain | Reports. Asked about Opportunity Zone 2.0; staff said selections should be known by the end of the calendar year. Asked why the city is revising its brownfield application; staff said it is not required by law but follows the new attainable housing option, so that taxpayer dollars are used wisely, and that a consultant helps with the required reporting. Chamberlain said Automation Alley's Tom Kelly told the Local Development Finance Authority that AI, 3D printing and robotics are reshaping manufacturing. |
| 1:32:49 | Baker | Pointed residents to the quarterly litigation report. |
| 1:33:07 | Hamilton | Election. "I voted weeks ago," Hamilton said, and asked City Clerk Aileen Dickson to update voters. The clerk's report follows this table. |
| 1:36:44 | Chamberlain | Marked the end of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Reported on the Michigan Municipal League convention, attended with Hamilton: sessions on partnerships between philanthropy and cities, including one with Chamberlain's former boss at the Kresge Foundation, and a goal of a community-driven maintenance endowment for a civic asset. At Chamberlain's request the league held an informal breakfast session on Flock cameras, where Sterling Heights, which Chamberlain said approved a contract last week, offered policy ideas on safeguards for residents. |
| 1:39:30 | Council member | Asked the last day to register. Dickson said registration runs until 8 p.m. on Election Day, with an absentee ballot available over the counter at the clerk's office, and that ballots are accepted until 8 p.m. The member thanked election workers. |
| 1:41:04 | Council member | Praised the clerk's staff and passed along a question from a man at Jet's Pizza about why election staff order from Hungry Howie's. |
| 1:41:32 | Bluhm | Reported going from intake to ballot in under 30 seconds on Saturday and credited the clerk's office for extending services to Clawson. Said breast cancer also affects men, and that a cousin died after not being screened. Urged safety on Halloween, including LED lights after dark. |
| 1:42:56 | Brooks | Thanked the clerk and election workers. Urged annual mammograms for women over 40, saying early detection reduces the risk of death. Credited city staff, including Public Works Director Kurt Bovensiep and Recreation Director Brian Goul, for the Frightful 5K. |
| 1:44:19 | Baker | Said the Frightful 5K, 10 years in, had record turnout, with registration at capacity and two runs of the Pumpkin 1K. Said clerks across Oakland County praised Dickson, a past Michigan clerk of the year. Raised the pet shop ordinance (1:46:15). Wished residents a safe Halloween. |
Clerk's election report
Dickson said about 12,000 Troy voters had cast ballots as of Oct. 26, about 20% of the city's voting population: 9,800 returned absentee ballots, with more waiting to be processed from the weekend's dropboxes, and the rest at the early voting center. The center has averaged 850 to 900 voters a day, with lines under 15 minutes.
- Early voting center: through Sunday, Nov. 1, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, except noon to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29.
- Clerk's office, City Hall: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.
- Satellite clerk's office, across the hall from the early voting center: 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through the weekend, for absentee applications and registration fixes.
- Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3: 27 precincts open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The map changed in 2025, so some locations have moved; the city's elections page lists them.
From the reports
- Stafa v. Troy: a federal trial on a First Amendment retaliation claim over denied rezonings is scheduled to begin Nov. 17, 2026, according to the Oct. 6 litigation report.
- Moser v. Nessel: the city and police chief are among the defendants in a suit by gun rights groups, including the National Rifle Association, and individuals challenging Michigan's firearm licensing law. The city filed a motion to dismiss Sept. 23.
- Matsey v. Troy: a federal judge granted summary judgment to all defendants Sept. 18 and dismissed this civil rights case. It is concluded unless appealed.
- Tax appeals: the report lists 41 appeals under its 2026 heading, including Oakland Mall, Macy's, JCPenney and Neiman Marcus properties.
- Opportunity Zone: Troy's current zone sunsets in 2028. Only Census tract 1981, bordered by John R, Dequindre, 14 Mile and 15 Mile roads, is eligible for the next round, the city's economic development report says. The state recommends zones to the governor this year.
- Commercial real estate: a Colliers table in the report lists Troy office rent at $20 with 14.4% vacancy, industrial at $7 and 5.7%, and retail at $26 and 3.8%. Colliers' narrative in the same report gives Troy's retail vacancy as 2.2%. The largest commercial sale listed for the quarter is 151 E. Big Beaver Road, at $9.125 million on Sept. 9.
What's next
- Nov. 3: Election Day.
- Nov. 9 and 16: regular council meetings. The Nov. 9 meeting takes up appointments from the Oct. 26 nominations.
- Nov. 17: scheduled start of the Stafa trial.
- Nov. 21: council's advance, a special meeting, where the survey is on the staff's list for discussion.
- Dec. 7: regular meeting, plus a special closed session on the city manager and city attorney evaluations.
- Dec. 14: regular meeting.