Troy · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Troy public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Troy Family Aquatic Center Update
The 35-year-old pool has leaks under the pool deck, a corroded surge tank and failing filters. Fixing known problems costs $1-1.5 million and still risks more failures; modernization is about $15 million, and the city doesn't have that money. Swim lessons and programs will move to the indoor pool, and staff will explore partnerships.
Flock license plate camera data privacy
A resident urged the council to reconsider Troy's use of Flock cameras, citing Oakland County Sheriff's cancellation of its Flock contract renewal and alleged ethics issues elsewhere.
DTE Electric Rate Case Notices
Two notices of hearings in DTE Electric rate cases (U-20880 and U-22057) will be received — these utility rate cases could affect Troy electric customers' bills.
Sidewalk safety on Livernois
A lifelong bicyclist said Livernois has narrow, dangerous sidewalks while new apartment developments across the street got wide ones.
Fiscal Year 2026 City Audit
Troy got a clean audit with no findings, pension and OPEB are fully funded for the first time, and the fund balance is 37.7% of expenditures - about $10 million will transfer to capital projects.
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.
Road construction quality on Wattles and Big Beaver
The DDA's Big Beaver enhancements move forward with two new traffic signal agreements approved with Oakland County at Talbot Avenue and near Charter Drive.
Overseas call center for Troy golf courses
The city's new cricket fields are being celebrated, but a resident asked that youth rates be lowered from $300–$500 per reservation, saying kids get no sponsorship and high pricing defeats the purpose. Council members promised youth will have priority use and suggested exploring Troy Community Foundation grants.
Potential pet shop ordinance
Mayor Baker pushed for Troy to research a pet shop ordinance targeting puppy-mill sourcing practices, noting stalled state action. Council reached consensus for staff and the attorney's office to explore whether an ordinance fits Troy's structure.
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.
2026 Resident Survey results and library bond lessons
Council Member Hamilton wants a library bond question back on the ballot this year, saying there are still enough passionate library supporters. Others are skeptical — Mayor Baker worries residents may not want to pay more for anything right now, and the library millage expires in 2030.
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.
Road funding and I-75 sound walls
Michigan's new road funding formula could bring $5.5 million more than expected, letting Troy fund all road work from Act 51 dollars instead of dipping into capital reserves. Council is cautiously optimistic — the state hasn't finalized allocations.
Volunteer Firefighter Incentive Plan Overhaul
Council Member Gunn confirmed the city is actively discussing improved benefits for volunteer firefighters, though nothing is finalized. Council Member Chamberlain noted firefighters answered 75 calls in ten days during severe cold.
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.
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.
November election preparations
The clerk's office mailed nearly 21,000 absentee ballots and stayed open late for in-person pickup. Voters can return ballots via five drop boxes, in person, mail, early voting, or at the polls by 8 p.m. on election day.
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.
Troy Public Library Bookmobile Carport
Corrected contracts were approved for the bookmobile carport — concrete foundation, ClearSpan carport, and electrical work — capping the project at $67,850 with a budget amendment.
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.
Troy Corners / Neighborhood Node L walkable village plan
Residents pushed back on overbuilding, tree loss, and dense development, and asked the city to shape the Square Lake/Livernois node as a walkable village district rather than pure residential. Proposed ordinance amendments go before the Planning Commission the next night.
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.
Deferred Maintenance Communication
Several council members want the public to see the full picture of what's being delayed without a bond — and its rising costs. Chamberlain proposed resurrecting a 'FIT Team' to communicate it; Gunn asked staff to identify affected buildings and projected costs by Wednesday.
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.
Interoperability radio repeater for first responders
Police and fire radio equipment at 100 East Big Beaver dates to 1981 and no longer works with Oakland County's new P25 radio system. The $37,267 replacement improves signal strength and gives Troy a standalone backup antenna if the regional system fails. Officials noted hospitals and Somerset Mall are notoriously hard spots for radio coverage.
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.
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.
Bicycle route improvements
A cyclist asked if Troy has plans for dedicated bike paths like neighboring cities. Mayor Baker said bike lanes have been discussed for years under the master plan but there are no dedicated bike lane projects now; he suggested talking with staff.
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.
EMS Response Times and Star EMS Performance
The new monthly EMS report shows response times hovering around six minutes, a big improvement from past years. Council asked for trend charts and distribution data, with a deeper review planned for July.
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.
Wisdom City Church noise complaints
Multiple residents say amplified bass from the church is shaking their homes every Sunday from early morning into the afternoon, disrupting sleep and family life. Police say the intermittent noise is hard to document; staff will gather more information and update residents and council.
Cherryhurst subdivision sewer backups and MMRMA claims
More than 70% of Cherryhurst homes had sewage back up into basements during the April 15 storm, with remediation costs up to $16,000 per home. Residents say the city knew the sewer was full by 2 a.m. but didn't start pumping until 6:15 a.m. due to equipment failure, and got no door-to-door outreach like in 2019.
Deerfield Drive street vacation
A dead-end stub street that never connected eastward was returned to the two abutting homeowners, who restored it to grass and trees. The city saves sidewalk and street maintenance costs, keeps a utility easement, and the owners' taxes won't rise.
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.
Star EMS performance monitoring
The June response-time report came in as promised, and council reminded residents of the special July 27 meeting dedicated entirely to evaluating Star EMS performance.
Emergency fiber relocation for Public Works Building
The Rochester Road utility project uncovered the city's fiber line on poles being replaced, and a bid waiver was approved to move it quickly. Without fast action, the DPW connection and the road project schedule would be delayed.
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.
America 250 Celebrations and Fireworks Safety
Resident Donnie Kniffen asked for more lights and decorations for the nation's 250th birthday; the city manager explained banner supply issues. Council also reminded everyone of the fireworks rules — June 29 to July 4 only, done by 11:45 p.m., never on streets or sidewalks.
Outdoor Roller Hockey Request
A Troy dad revived a 35-year-old petition: the city has pickleball and cricket fields but no outdoor roller hockey rink. Mayor Baker pointed him to the Parks and Recreation Board as the place to make the pitch.
Bachard Lofts Brownfield Redevelopment – Workforce Housing at 1441 East Maple
An empty office building near Maple and Stevenson becomes 28 apartments with ground-floor retail and office, and half the units will be income-restricted for 15 years — Troy's first brownfield using the state's new housing toolkit. The developer gets reimbursed roughly $1.1 million from the new property taxes the project creates, not from city funds.
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.
State housing preemption legislation
Two bills in the Michigan House (HB 5529 and HB 5532) would limit cities' authority over housing density. Council members worry Troy would lose control over where and how housing is built, and urged residents to contact their state representatives.
Workers' compensation insurance renewal
The city renewed its workers' comp coverage through the Michigan Municipal League fund for one year at up to $359,652.
Norton and Quill Creek Drive site condominium infrastructure
The council approved a private agreement requiring DC Land Development LLC to install storm sewer, a detention basin, concrete pavement and sidewalk for the site condominium project.
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.
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.