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

Many City services to the public have also been impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.  Effective September 25, 2020, the following services are now available:

Department of Public Works (DPW) 
Regular operations have resumed.   

Fire Department
Stations remain closed to tours/visits.

Police Department
Regular operations have resumed.

Tax and Water Department
Regular operations have resumed.

Utility bills can be paid online or placed in the white drop box in front of City Hall.

Community Development Department (CDI)
CDI is open and fully functioning.
All permits, meeting applications, registrations, and forms can be submitted in-person, in the mail or via the drop box in front of City Hall.  

All inspections can be scheduled by calling 586.447.3340.

SCS Public Library 
Beginning October 5, 2020, the Library hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM until 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday, 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM.

• Curbside service is available, please call the Library 586 771 9020, to schedule an appointment.
• The Library Book Drop is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 
• All returned library items are being quarantined for at least 96 hours before they are checked in.
• Capacity limits are in place, masks must be worn and social distancing guidelines are being observed.   
• Internet service is available by appointment only and limited to one hour per day.
• The Reading Lounge, the Used Book Store, the Local History Center, and the Selinsky-Green Farmhouse Museum remain closed at this time.
• Donations for the Friends of the Library are suspended.
• Library cards may be issued in person, online or by phone.
• Librarians are available via e-mail, telephone, and in person for assistance.
• Youth services programs are being offered virtually.
• In-house programs are not being offered at this time.

 Senior Center/Civic Arena/Golf Course 
The Senior Center/Civic Arena remains closed. Only the Fitness Room is opened at the Senior Center.   Monday – Thursday 7 am – 7 pm, Friday 7 am – 4 pm.  

• The Parks & Recreation Office is open 9 am – 7 pm Monday thru Friday, and 9 am – 2 pm on Saturday. Closed on Sunday. Park Passes, boat well and boat launch passes are available for purchase. 
• SMART Bus Service is available. 
• Golf Course is open. Visit www.scsgolf.com or call the Pro Shop at 586.294.2000 (ext.1) for tee times.

 City Clerk’s Office 

• Death Certificates can be obtained in person during normal business hours, by utilizing a request form on the City Clerk page and submitted via the white drop box in front of City Hall or by US Mail. 
• Bid Openings can be submitted electronically (marya@scsmi.net), placed in the white drop box in front of City Hall, by US Mail, or other delivery service by bid deadline time. 
• City Council meetings are open to the public. Council meetings are live-streamed or are available on the website. 
• All Boards & Commissions meeting dates can be viewed on the City’s website calendar and on the Boards and Commissions page.
• Passports will not resume until Nov. 9^th and we no longer take passport photos.  The US Passport office is still only processing emergency passports until they reopen to level 2. 

40th District Court (Check out their webpage)

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.

St. Clair Shores Reopening Plan

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?

COVID-19 Update: The Department of State is in Phase One of reopening passport services. They are limiting appointments to emergencies only and recommend customers wait to submit new or renewal applications as delays will continue in phase one. You may visit the Department of State website for passport related information at www.Travel.State.Gov or call 1-877-487-2778. The City of St. Clair Shores continues to suspend all Passport Services until further notice from the Department of State. As always, we suspend all passport related services 5 weeks prior to and during the week of an election as follows for 2020:

 • June 29 – Aug. 9 (8/4 election)

 • Sept. 28 – Nov. 8 (11/3 election)

The City no longer takes passport photos.

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.