VOLUME 45 ISSUE 4 FALL, 2019 Commissioner’s Corner: New Emergency Michelle Elder Contact Tool Hello Huntington Woods! Since being appointed in Janu- The Huntington Woods Public Safety ary 2019 as your newest City Commissioner, I’ve met staff Department is introducing a new service from all city departments, have regularly participated in the for residents to assist first responders. monthly city commission meetings, engaged with govern- Residents that fill out an Alert Form for ment officials from neighboring cities, met new residents, The Elder Family Dispatchers can have important infor- hosted three “Meet up with Michelle” and had the pleasure mation on file so dispatchers can relay it of connecting with many of you. I learned quickly many of you are concerned about in- quickly to first responders. The proj- frastructure, housing and community values. This process helped shape my top policy priorities, which I am excited to share the City Commission has made progress in: ect was developed by the City’s Senior Advisory Committee to identify seniors 1. Improve our city’s infrastructure and services. Power outages are frustrating and we and other vulnerable residents in an have been advocating for a more permanent solution. Meanwhile, our sewer system emergency and to ensure Public Safety improvements are in process with a three-phase plan: can respond appropriately to calls for • Pipelining, funded by a $17/quarter/household fee, began this summer to rein- service. By providing additional emer- force some of the sewer mains. gency information to 9-1-1, the City can • Pipe replacement, paid for by a bond which was approved by voters in November help residents faster in an emergency. 2018, began in July and addresses the most critical repairs in the sewer system. Since these replacements impact roads, Borgman (between Hendrie and Woodward) and Residents who answer “yes” to any of the Ludlow (between Henley and Scotia) are being reconstructed this summer. In 2020, following questions, or residents who Nadine (between Henley and Scotia) and York (between Huntington and Borgman) are share a home with someone who would also scheduled for reconstruction. answer “yes”, should consider filling out • Lastly, pipe bursting, the last phase of sewer work, was referred to the Long Range the alert form: Budget & Planning Committee for a recommendation, along with a 20-year road fund- ing strategy. • Does anyone have epilepsy? 2. Facilitate policies that foster placemaking to enhance the quality of life and protect • Is anyone a diabetic? property values. The City is now pursuing Michigan Economic Development Corpora- • Is anyone on oxygen? tion’s Redevelopment Ready Community (RRC) certification to ensure we are imple- • Is anyone not ambulatory? menting best practices in urban planning and have access to the State’s resources and • Is a DO NOT RESUSCITATE ORDER on file? grants to foster our community development initiatives. Residents interested in filling out the 3. Uphold the values of diversity and inclusion in our community. On June 4, 2019, form or learning more about the new Commissioner Joe Rozell introduced a city ordinance to ban conversion therapy (dis- initiative can contact Amy Sullivan at credited practices that falsely claim to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender 248.581.2632 or [email protected]. identity or expression). This ordinance was The form is also located on the City’s supported by the Commission with a 5-0 vote, making Huntington Woods the first city website at www.hwmi.org. in Michigan to ban this harmful practice. Many people are curious about why I volunteered for this job. My husband, Andy, grew up in Huntington Woods, where his parents and sister and her family also live. Andy persuaded me to raise our family here over five years ago. I fell in love with this WHAT YOU’LL FIND IN HERE city and recruited my parents to move here, too. As a working mom with background PUBLIC SAFETY 2 in government affairs, economic development and urban planning, I am contributing CITY HALL INFORMATION 3 those perspectives to the City Commission to help prepare for our future by protect- LIBRARY 4 ing and improving the incredible place we call home. Thank you for this opportunity to PUBLIC WORKS 8 serve you and our city. RECREATION Sincerely, • Youth Classes 10 • Teen/Teen Council 14 • Adult Classes 15 • Senior Outreach 17 • Special Events 18 Huntington Woods City Commissioner • HWP&R Registration Info BACK facebook.com/ElderHW Public Safety Knox-Box Residential Program is an ex- DPS tension of the Knox Rapid Entry system 12755 W. Eleven Mile Road that provides first responders with safe Up-to-date info on meetings and 248.541-1180 and immediate entry into a residential events can be found on the Emergency (Berkley Dispatch): 911 property in the event of an alarm or an home page of the city website. huntingtonwoods.govoffice.com emergency. Residents who are interest- www.hwmi.org ed in this, please contact Public Safety. BUILDING HOURS NIXLE Monday - Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Use the red phone located in the foyer to Community Notification Service “Nixle” contact a Public Safety Officer weekdays provides a quick, efficient, and secure ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF after 5:00 pm, weekends and holidays way to get neighborhood-level informa- to access the lobby. Officers need to be Director Andrew Pazuchowski tion out to community members who Deputy Chief: Bill Cudney aware that a transaction is taking place, subscribe to the system via text message but not serve as witnesses or take part Lieutenants: Mark Bell, Bill Spencer, (SMS) and e-mail alerts, to subscribers in in the transactions unless something Steve Staron and Ben Zawacki a specific area. gives rise to their involvement. By being Huntington Woods Department of Public OVERNIGHT STREET PARKING proactive and implementing a safe Safety is a nationally-accredited agency. Reminder, the City of Huntington Woods haven for such transactions, it allows our has an ordinance that prohibits parking residents the opportunity to meet in a on all City streets from 3:00 - 5:00 am. If safe environment. TRICK OR TREATING there is some reason why you need to SAFETY SEAT INSPECTIONS Thursday, October 31, park your vehicle on the street during Public Safety offers free child car seat 6:00 - 8:00 pm these hours, please contact the Public inspections to our residents ($20/non- Recommended hours for Safety Department at 248.541-1180. residents). Inspections are performed by trick or treating are 6:00 Permission to park on the street is given a Safe Kids-trained Safety Seat techni- -8:00 pm and homeown- on a case-by-case basis. cian who checks the fit of both the seat ers who plan to give out PRESCRIPTION DRUG DROP-OFF in your vehicle and your child within the candy are urged to turn on their porch safety seat. Each inspection takes ap- lights. BOX Residents can safely dispose proximately 20 minutes. Please bring the Halloween Safety Tips of unwanted and expired instruction manual for both the safety • Wear light-reflective material or prescription drugs weekdays, seat and your vehicle. Call 248.541-1180 carry a flashlight or glow stick. 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. Prescrip- to schedule an appointment. • Ensure kids have a clear field of vi- tions drugs must be brought sion and can hear properly. in sealed baggies. Needles SIREN TEST SCHEDULE • A responsible adult should accom- are not accepted and all liquid must be First Saturday of the Month, 1:00 pm pany trick-or-treaters. sealed. Oakland County Homeland Security tests • Normal street crossing and safety the outdoor warning siren system on the Drug test kits for concerned parents are rules apply. first Saturday of each month. now available, no questions asked. Parents who check their children’s candy and discover something that raises con- SAFE HAVEN: DPS LOBBY/LOT WALKERS/JOGGERS cerns may call the Public Safety depart- The Huntington Woods Department of All walkers and joggers are encouraged ment with questions: 248.541-1180. Public Safety is encouraging residents to to use sidewalks where provided. It is KINDCALL use our parking lot or lobby as a “Safe contrary to traffic law to use the street Haven” for Craigslist or like transactions. for jogging or walking. Where no side- This is an automatic telephone calling If the involved party refuses to meet at walks are available, pedestrians should service for residents. A Public Safety the Public Safety Department, refuse the use the left side of the street facing traf- Dispatcher calls the resident daily at a transaction. Nationwide, many Craigslist fic. Always carry identification in case of pre-approved time. If no one answers scams have resulted in robberies, as- emergency. Wear light colored clothing the phone, a Public Safety officer saults and even homicides. Residents do or reflective vests so you are visible to responds to the home to assure the resi- not need to call in advance. The Public traffic. Public Safety has free reflective dent is safe. The service is upon request Safety parking lot/lobby is open 24/7. Velcro arm bands for added visibility. and is free of charge. Contact 248.541- 1180 to enroll. KNOX-BOX SERVICE PUBLIC SAFETY OPEN HOUSE The Knox Company has been the leading Saturday, October 5, 4:00 - 5:30 pm provider in the Rapid Access Solutions to Held in conjunction with the DPW Touch-a-Truck & the fire service, government and security the Recreation Department Hay Day! industries for more that 30 yrs. The Families with special needs are invited to arrive at 3:30 pm. …CITY OF HUNTINGTON WOODS PAGE 2… City Notes City Hall 248.541-4300 CIVIC AWARDS an absentee voter’s ballet.