Show All Answers

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

CITY HALL AND THE PUBLIC LIBRARY ARE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

The following City services to the public are also impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak (Updated June 2, 2020): 

In the Department of Public Works (DPW) Updated June 2, 2020 
* Trash collection and Yard Waste service is not affected. 
*  Long Monday Drop-Off resumes on Monday, June 8, 2020. 
*  Household Hazardous Waste Day will be rescheduled for May 2021. 
*  Trash carts cannot be picked up from the DPW office. They will be delivered. 
*  Water shut offs (due to non-payment), meter change appointments, and non-critical service person appointment are suspended. 
*  Residents in need of sand can call DPW (445.5363) and request delivery. Sandbags can be picked up from the DPW.

In the Library Updated June 2, 2020 
* The Library is closed to the public. Patrons are encouraged to use their online services at www.scslibrary.org 
*  The Library book drop is temporarily closed. 
*  Donations for the Friends of the Library are suspended. 
*  All items checked out during the months of February, March, and April have a return due date of June 15.

At the Senior Center/Civic Arena/Golf Course Updated June 2, 2020 
* The Senior Center/Civic Arena remains closed. 
* 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 Not available. 
* Golf Course is open. Visit www.scsgolf.com or call the Pro Shop at 586.294.2000 (ext.1) for tee times.

In the City Clerk’s Office Updated June 2, 2020 
* Death Certificates can be obtained 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. 

At the 40th District Court Updated June 2, 2020 
Pursuant to Michigan Supreme Court Administrative Orders, the 40^th District Court building is currently closed to the general public. Judges and staff are conducting normal business with strict safety measures being followed.

HEARINGS/FILINGS: 
The court is conducting all hearings remotely using Zoom Virtual Court. Every effort is being made to contact parties to cases in order to schedule these hearings via Zoom. Any court user who has a pending case and is interested in conducting his/her hearing remotely should email clerk@40thdistrictcourt.org or call the court to schedule a hearing date (# 586.445.5280; dial 0 to speak with a Court Clerk). All parties must agree to conducting the hearing via Zoom Virtual Court.

The public may view hearings live via YouTube Live, searching 40^th District Court. Each Judge has his own YouTube channel that is labeled accordingly. The hearings will only appear while they are live and at the scheduled hearing time.

Emergency motions, filings and/or necessary court documents may be forwarded to the court via one of the following methods: 
* Fax: #586.774.5430 
* Email: clerk@40thdistrictcourt.org 
* Mail: 27701 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores, MI 48081 
* Drop Box (located near the front doors of the courthouse)

PROBATION: 
Reporting Probation appointments, including Specialty Court appointments, are being conducted by telephone and/or via Zoom technology. Questions relating to Probation may be directed to the individual Probation Officers as follows: 
* Probation Officer Corey Keelan: # (586) 445-5285 keelanc@40thdistrictcourt.org 
* Probation Officer Brianne Scaglione: # (586) 445-5294 scaglioneb@40thdistrictcourt.org

PAYMENTS: 
Payments are being accepted in the following manners:

• Online: Court website - https://www.scsmi.net/169/40th-District-Court
• Online: www.govpaynow.com (use pay location code: 6008)
• Phone: 1.888.604.7888 (use pay location code: 6008)
• Mail: 27701 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores, MI 48081
• Drop Box (located near the front doors of the courthouse)

Court operational updates may be viewed via the court website.

Case records may also be viewed on the court website.

At the Police Department Updated June 2, 2020 
* Reports will be taken by phone if possible. 
* PD will still respond to all emergencies and calls that need an officer on the scene but will limit officer response when possible. 
* Records is closed to the public. 
* Temporary parking permit applications are not being issued.

At the Fire Department Updated June 2, 2020 
* Station closed to tours/visits.

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. 
* Normal convenience fees assessed to credit card transactions will be waived. 
* Property transfer affidavits and principal residence affidavits should include an email address so a receipt can be emailed to you. Please drop all forms in the white drop box in front of City Hall.

 In the Community Development Department (CDI) 
* Inspections are being scheduled to begin June 1, 2020. Please call 586.447.3340 to request an inspection. 
* Permits are being issued via mail and email. Permit applications can be submitted via the white mailbox in front of City Hall or mailed. 
* All rental inspections are suspended until further notice. No penalties, fines, or citations will be issued as a result of these postponements. 
* Planning Commissions applications and submissions can be emailed to liz@scsmi.net.

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.

---

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.