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1. What steps are the City taking to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community?

March 23, 2020...  To comply with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s recent executive order to “Stay Home, Stay Safe,” the City will extend building closures and service reductions from March 31, 2020 to April 13, 2020. The City will also reduce staffing in City Hall to provide essential services only.

If you have questions or concerns, call the City Hotline at 586-445-5200 (option 1) or check out the Staff Directory on our website (www.scsmi.net) and send an email to individual departments. Due to fewer employees, not every call will be answered immediately. We will respond to you as soon as possible.

The City will continue to reevaluate staffing and services as the situation progresses. We hope that these measures will help decrease the spread of COVID-19 in our community. “Stay Home, Stay Safe. Save Lives.”

March 16, 2020...Following the recommendation of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s State Order to minimize the community spread of coronavirus (COVIS-19), the City asks residents who frequently visit our City buildings for services to conduct their business over the phone or through the City’s website at www.scsmi.net. You can also drop off bill payments, etc in the white drop box outside of City Hall on Jefferson Avenue.

Additionally, as of Tuesday, March 17, 2020, all City buildings are closed to the public until further notice. This includes, but is not restricted to the Public Library, the Senior Activity Center, the Civic Arena, the Golf Course, City Hall, the Department of Public Works (DPW), the Police Department Records Division, and the Fire Department Administrative Office.

The following City services to the public are also impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak:

In the Department of Public Works (DPW):

* Regular trash collection will continue unless the City notifies residents of a change. 
* Yard waste season begins on Monday, March 23, 2020. 
* Trash carts will be delivered to resident homes; there is no pick up from the DPW office.
* Water shut-offs (due to non-payment), meter change appointments, and non-critical service person appointments are suspended. 
* Residents who need sandbags can call DPW directly at 445.5363 and request delivery.

In the Library

* The Library is closed to the public. Patrons are encouraged to use their online services at www.scslibrary.org. 
* The Library book drop is open to receive materials 24/7. 
* Donations for the Friends of the Library are suspended.

At the Senior Center/Civic Arena/Golf Course

* The City is making arrangements for home-delivery of meals to seniors who have signed up for the program at the Senior Activity Center. Call 445.5350 for more information. 
* SMART Bus Service will continue to run for essential trips. 
* The Golf Course is closed.

In the City Clerk’s Office

* Death Certificates can be certified, but certified copies cannot be provided. 
* Bid Openings can be submitted electronically (marya@scsmi.net) or placed in the white drop box on the circle drive on Jefferson Avenue. 
* City Council meetings are no longer open to the public. Council meetings are live-streamed or re-broadcast on SCSTV (Comcast Channel 5, WOW Channel 10, and AT&T Channel 99) on the City website at www.scsmi.net. 
* All Boards & Commissions meetings are postponed until further notice.

At the 40th District Court

* The Court will remain open to the public for essential purposes only. 
* All Court matters except for the following are adjourned:
  Felony crimes
  Assaultive crimes
  Drunk and Drug driving crimes
  Crimes involving in-custody defendants 
* Landlord/Tenant Cases – limited adjournments are being given. 
* Individuals may view court case records and make payments via the 40th district court website.

At the Police Department

* Reports will be taken by phone if possible. 
* The Police Department will continue to respond to all emergencies and calls that need an officer on the scene but will limit officer response when possible. 
* The Records Bureau is closed to the public. 
* Temporary parking permit applications will not be issued.

In the Tax and Water Department

* Utility bills can be paid online or placed in the white drop box in front of City Hall. 
* All late fee penalties and interest will be waived until City Hall is open for regular business. 
* Standard convenience fees assessed to credit card transactions will be waived.

 In the Community Development Department (CDI)

* Interior inspections on occupied properties are temporarily suspended unless directly related to sanitary conditions or food preparation. 
* The City will continue to conduct many exterior inspections. 
* All rental inspections are suspended until further notice. The City will not issue penalties, fines, or citations as a result of these postponements. 
* Building permit activity can be conducted online. 
* Planning applications, submissions, and reviews can be done online and/or with assistance by phone at 445.3350.

The safety of our residents is our top priority. The City continues to monitor the situation with COVID-19 very closely. We will reassess resident services as needed and are prepared to do whatever is necessary to keep you and your family safe.

2. Who is responsible for protecting my property from high water damage?

According
to Ordinance 35-013 14, the owner of riparian (waterfront) property is the one
required to provide an adequate barrier, dike, or other embankments (including
sandbags) to protect against the rising water, the overflow of water and/or
flooding.

The City can assist the property owner by providing locations to pick up sandbags and sand for residents to build a sandbag barrier on their property.  The Army Corps of Engineers will provide recommendations regarding the construction and location of sandbag, crib, or berm placement on your property. To schedule an Army Corp consultation, please contact Ken Blankenship in the City’s Community Development Department (CDI) at 586-447-3362. No evaluation or opinion on
seawall construction, placements, or height will be provided.

3. Do I have to sandbag my property?

First, look at the Lake St. Clair Lake Level at Current Lake St. Clair Lake Level
Second, measure the clearance from the water to the connected high ground on your property.
Now keep in mind the Army Corps of Engineers forecast indicates the lake could go as high as 578.1 ft.

The Army Corps of Engineers recommends property owners on the canals provide adequate protection 18 inches above the current lake level. If your property is on the lake subject to wave action, then the recommendation is to provide 36 inches above the current lake level. 
If the lake level rises to 578.1, determine the high ground on your property that should be connected to achieve the recommended barrier.

If the rising waters and waves are going to potentially breach your seawall, berm, or any other waterfront barrier, "yes," you must sandbag your property. If not, then "no," you do not have to sandbag your property.

The City strongly advises residents to take into account the forecast levels and build an adequate sandbag barrier before high water occurs. It is much easier to install the barrier on dry ground.

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4. What does this "Action Level exceedance and Public Advisory mean?

The City of St. Clair Shores has 25,303 water customers. The City estimates that there are approximately 650 homes with lead service lines. In St. Clair Shores lead service lines are most commonly found in homes built between 1920 and 1950.

32 of those customers with known lead service lines were tested during September 2019. 4 of the 32 locations tested exceeded the 15 parts-per-billion (ppb) “Action Level” threshold, triggering the current Public Advisory. The city’s 90th percentile value for lead concentrations among sites tested was 21 ppb. The testing results shown that the “Action Level” exceedances were from samples taken from the lead water service lines.

Per the Lead and Copper Rule of the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act, the city is required to periodically sample a number of water taps throughout its system for lead concentration levels. In 2018, the sampling protocol for this routine sampling changed to require multiple samples at each sample location and to exclusively target locations served by lead water service lines. The intention of this change was to better detect lead.

According to the rule, if approximately 10% of sites sampled (90^th percentile) indicate lead concentrations of 15 ppb or greater, the city is required to:

• advise water customers of the results

• provide tips on how to reduce lead exposure

• increase community-wide sampling

5. How does lead get into drinking water?

Lead can enter drinking water when plumbing materials that contain lead corrode, especially where the water has high acidity or low mineral content that corrodes pipes and fixtures. The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures. In homes with lead pipes that connect the home to the water main, also known as lead services lines, these pipes are typically the most significant source of lead in the water. Among homes without lead service lines, the most common problem is with brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and plumbing with lead solder.

Source: EPA Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water

6. Is there a simple way to see if I have lead service line in my home?

National Public Radio (NPR) has developed a website that allows you to determine whether your drinking water is at risk in a few simple steps.

We are asking residents to use the tool and report the results to the City of St. Clair Shores Water Department.

Click here to get started. [Click here to get started.]

7. What do I need to bring in to process a passport?

Documentation needed to process a passport can be found at the following link: /DocumentCenter/View/68

8. Where can I put my RV or other recreational vehicle when I am not using it?

Residents may store their own recreation vehicles and recreation equipment on their own property for an indefinite period of time, provided the vehicles are in operable condition and can meet all other provisions of the city’s codes and ordinances. In short, Recreational Vehicles must be parked on a paved surface and meet setback requirements. Recreational vehicles shall be set back at least four (4) feet from any side lot line if the vehicles are located closer than six (6) feet to the main building on the site. If the vehicles are located more than six (6) feet from the main building, then the recreational vehicles shall be set back at least two (2) feet, six (6) inches from any side or rear lot line. For residents whose recreational vehicles cannot meet the setback and/or lot coverage requirements, their recreational vehicle may be stored up to forty-eight (48) hours prior to a planned trip, for loading purposes, and forty-eight (48) hours upon return from the same trip, for the purpose of unloading the recreational vehicle. In no event shall such recreational vehicles or equipment be stored more than ninety-six (96) hours in a seven (7) day period. A recreational vehicle or equipment parked or stored on a lot within the city shall not be connected to water, sanitary facilities, or electrical service, and shall not be occupied.