Troy · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Troy public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Fire and Police Training Center Floor Reconditioning
The council will consider spending budgeted funds to recondition the training bay floor at the Fire and Police Training Center, maintaining a key first-responder training facility.
Deer overpopulation in southwest Troy
Longtime resident Susan Bergesen pressed council to act on proliferating deer — lost landscaping, car collisions, ecological damage — and asked whether Troy participates in the regional deer coalition or bans hunting. Councilwoman Chamberlain explained why a cull is controversial in a dense suburb; no action taken.
Proposed Troy Youth Advisory Council
Fifty students packed chambers behind a proposal to create a 10-15 member youth council that would advise council, run voter registration drives, and organize volunteer networks at no cost to the city. Council reached consensus to have staff research how one could work, citing Open Meetings Act questions.
Water Connection Fee Increases
Troy proposes adding a fixed quarterly fee — $6 for water, $2.75 for sewer — on every bill to stabilize revenue as water use drops. Average quarterly bills would rise to about $246, still the lowest among peer communities.
Fire Department Promotional Testing
After Lieutenant Charles Noonan's passing, the department needs a new civil service eligibility list, so the council waived bidding and kept its three-decade vendor Empco for $14,703.
Residential Food Waste Drop-Off Program
Starting soon, residents can drop food scraps at the DPW facility 24/7 — "if it grows, it goes" — plus recycle batteries there. The long-term goal is curbside food waste commingled with yard waste by 2027, with Troy earning Michigan Green Communities Gold status along the way.
Park Shade and Benches
The new inclusive playground is officially open, funded in part by about $250,000 from Oakland County plus a CDBG grant, built with ARC of Oakland County.
920 On The Park low-income housing development
The amended tax agreement (PILOT) for the 920 On The Park development was approved, keeping the low-income housing project on track for an October financing closing.
Inclusive playground opens at Boulan Park
Leftover federal grant money ($67,949) plus a new $318,000+ construction contract will complete the all-abilities playground at Boulan Park by June 30. Design input came from Arc of Oakland County participants and parents.
Stephenson Water Main Rehabilitation
The city awarded a $2.37 million contract to rehabilitate the Stephenson water main, aimed at reliability of the drinking water system.
TCSA dispatch supervisor labor contract
Council ratified a three-year contract with the city's communication supervisors, the folks who keep police and fire dispatch running. It includes wage increases to stay competitive, shift pay adjustments, and $2,500 lump sums in the first two contract years.
Turtle Woods parkland preservation
Mayor Pro Tem Chanda reported that funding closed and the Turtle Woods property transferred to Oakland County — about 70 acres of green space and wetlands that will become a public natural park with trails, expected within about a year. Preliminary plans were approved in July.
August 4 primary election voting options
Resident Susan Kuhn criticized the city for locking the senior center's lunchroom for five days around the August 4 election while a nearby craft room sat empty, even though turnout was expected to be low. City Clerk Dickson explained the smaller room can't safely handle the precinct populations involved, but said the city will keep looking at options.
Direct Dispatch of EMS by Troy Dispatchers
Council Member Gunn asked whether Troy's own dispatchers could dispatch Star EMS ambulances directly instead of transferring 911 calls, potentially shaving time off responses. Staff explained it would require full medical-dispatcher certification, ongoing training, and radio upgrades, and that few agencies in Michigan dispatch private EMS companies.
ZOTA 259 — rebuilding nonconforming detached garages
Over 750 R-1E lots citywide don't meet current lot-size rules, and many older garages sit closer than six feet to lot lines. The change lets owners rebuild on the same footprint instead of seeking a variance — no cost to the city, real relief for homeowners.
GrayKey forensic software for police investigations
Police handled 300+ phone forensics last year, about 200 needing GrayKey, which they currently borrow from partner agencies with long waits. The $44,627 contract brings the unlocking tool in-house, paid from drug forfeiture funds — all searches still require warrants.
Data centers — zoning and local control
Council members raised the emerging question of whether large data centers could come to Troy and what the city's zoning rules allow. No action was taken, but the mayor asked staff for information on what the city can control locally.
FY2026 Year-End Budget Amendments
The city added $875,000 in spending — mostly the settled home builders' lawsuit and recreation center costs — but offset every dollar with higher state revenue and interest income. No reserves touched.
Disc golf course safety at Firefighters Park
Residents say the redesigned disc golf course at Firefighters Park puts baskets and flying discs too close to the walking path, posing a danger to walkers. Staff already relocated five baskets and may add signage; the course should be finished by mid-July.
Delinquent account collections
About $1.18 million in unpaid water, sewer and city invoices gets certified to the property tax roll, meaning delinquent account holders will see these amounts on their tax bills.
EMS response time monitoring
The April Star EMS report shows response percentages approaching the 90% target, and council members say they'll keep watching monthly.
No-parking and traffic control on narrow Eckford Street
Residents say 24-foot-wide Eckford can't safely handle parked cars on both sides plus school buses, and fault a city engineer's claims before the Traffic Committee, which declined to forward the no-parking request to council.
Zoning and preservation concerns for north Troy
A resident urged the council to split the planned North Troy district into multiple zones instead of one blanket label — including ranch-style homes for seniors who want to downsize without sharing walls. Staff is working on Troy Corners as a separate district.
Construction site ordinance enforcement
A resident reported repeated Sunday ordinance violations at the Eckford and Talman construction site and asked that general contractors be held accountable for their crews, plus safer street widths during construction.
Refuse Contract Expiry in 2027
The 50-plus-year Tringali collection arrangement (via the SOCRA consortium) expires June 30, 2027. Staff want to extend rather than bid out, warning that other communities see 30% cost increases and cart-only service limits. Council Member Hamilton pressed for details.
Developer financial concerns at Ottawa Drive
Marcia Bossenberger told the council developer Gary Abitharia (GFA Alpine Meadows) paid only the bare minimum in 2023 property taxes on Ottawa Drive parcels to avoid foreclosure. The city attorney said the city is watching and would need court action if a project collapsed mid-construction.
Density and infrastructure strain in new development
A resident warned that the master plan's push for density is straining roads, utilities, and services without a clear cost analysis, especially after the bond that included Coolidge road funding failed. She asked what safeguards ensure long-term infrastructure impacts are evaluated before high-density projects are approved.
Underage alcohol access and retailer compliance
Only one of roughly 300 police compliance checks caught a sale to a minor last year, but coalition data suggests about 18% of Troy 11th-graders who drink get alcohol directly from retailers — a gap the council asked staff to reconcile with better data sharing.
Radar Speed Trailer for Neighborhood Traffic Calming
Police are buying a fourth radar trailer — the first that actually collects speed data — because residents kept asking for one. It'll be on neighborhood streets within four to six weeks.
ICE enforcement activities in Troy
A resident urged the city to take a public stance on national events, invoking the effects of federal immigration enforcement locally. Mayor Baker said any council statement requires full council agreement and that unilateral statements can put residents at risk.
Access to printed city documents
A resident said she shouldn't have to explain a reading disability or pay fees to get printed copies of the Master Plan and budget — documents totaling over 600 pages. Staff said copies exist at the library and city offices, and council asked that the availability be publicized on the website.
Eckford Drive speeding, flooding, and builder conduct
A longtime Eckford Drive resident says new subdivisions were approved in floodplains, a speed study was promised but the equipment couldn't collect data, and builders ignore start-time rules while the city looks the other way.
DPW emergency response call-out system
The city replaced its retired reverse-911-style dispatch tool with Daupler, which texts all on-call crews at once and lets supervisors text residents back about water main breaks and other emergencies. Faster call-outs mean quicker response during storms and infrastructure failures.
Lawsuit Against City Government
A Troy City Council candidate just beat the city in court, so the city could be on the hook for legal costs and bad headlines. The win also hands the candidate a ready-made election story: they took on city government and won.
City Council Candidate Interview
Annalisa Bluhm is running for Troy City Council and just laid out why she’s in the race and what she’d prioritize if elected. This is an interview, not a policy change, so the main impact is giving voters a clearer look at one candidate before they cast a ballot.
City Master Plan
Troy's master plan is the long-range blueprint for what gets built where — housing, commercial space, roads, parks, all of it. It doesn't change anything overnight, but it quietly shapes every zoning and development decision the city makes for years. If you own property, drive a car, or care what shows up next door, this is the document to watch.
Candidate Eligibility Dispute
Troy reportedly fired a city volunteer just for running for city council, sparking a dispute over whether the city can punish residents who want to serve. If you care about civic participation, candidate access, and city hall accountability, this is one to watch.
Religious Land Use Lawsuit
A judge ruled that Troy wrongly blocked a mosque from opening. That means the city may face legal costs and have to rethink how it approves religious facilities. If you care about fair treatment for faith groups or avoidable taxpayer bills, this one matters.