CITY OF LATHRUP VILLAGE

27400 Southfield Road

Lathrup Village, MI 48076

248.557.2600

www.lathrupvillage.org

City Hall Hours

Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: January 10, 2025

City of Lathrup Village Awarded $4,000 Tree Planting Grant from DTE Energy Foundation

Lathrup Village, MI – The City of Lathrup Village is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a $4,000 grant through the DTE Energy Foundation Tree Planting Grant Program. This funding will support the city’s commitment to enhancing its urban canopy, promoting environmental sustainability, and beautifying public spaces for residents and visitors alike.

The grant will enable the city to plant new trees throughout the community, helping to improve air quality, reduce urban heat, and provide aesthetic and ecological benefits for years to come. These efforts align with Lathrup Village's ongoing dedication to fostering a greener and healthier environment.

"We are honored to receive this grant from the DTE Energy Foundation," said Austin Colson, CED/DDA Director of Lathrup Village. "This funding allows us to continue our mission of creating a sustainable and vibrant community. We look forward to the positive impact these trees will have on our city and its residents."

Tree planting is expected to begin in spring 2025, and the city invites residents to participate in upcoming volunteer opportunities and educational programs to learn more about the benefits of urban forestry via the City of Lathrup Village Tree Committee and Lathrup Village Nature Group.

For more information about the tree planting initiative, please contact Austin Colson, CED/DDA Director at 248-557-2600 ext. 223 or acolson@lathrupvillage.org.

###

The City seeks a resident to serve on the PARKS & RECREATION COMMITTEE.

Interested residents should submit an application to the City Administrator. Priority and preference will be given to those with professional experience in related fields.

Questions? Contact City Administrator Greene at mgreene@lathrupvillage.org.

The deadline to apply is 4:00 PM on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

The Board & Commission Application is available by clicking here.

Streamline waste disposal with the FREE Waste Wizard mobile app! Sometimes we need quick disposal information, so instead of pulling up a web browser on your phone or computer, access information conveniently on a mobile app! It has real-time updates and a user-friendly interface.

Available on the Google Play or Apple Store.

Board of Commissioners seeking public nominations for its 2025 Oakland County Black Excellence Award

The Oakland County Board of Commissioners seeks public nominations for its fourth annual Black Excellence Award. In honor of Black History Month, Commissioners will acknowledge outstanding Black residents of Oakland County who are positively impacting their community.  

“Our fourth annual Black Excellence Award is an opportunity to formally recognize outstanding Black residents across Oakland County who are making lasting contributions to our community,” said Commissioner Angela Powell (D-Pontiac). 

Nominators are encouraged to provide supporting documentation highlighting the nominee’s work with the submission form. The submission deadline is Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. To submit a nominee for the award, community members can complete the public submission form (https://bit.ly/BEAwards25). 

“We welcome community members to nominate someone they see making a positive impact in our region, both through big and small initiatives,” said Commissioner Linnie Taylor (D-Southfield).  

Nominees may be of any age and background but must be a current living resident of Oakland County. Individuals must be nominated by someone other than themselves. 

“The diversity of Oakland County is a measure of our success, and we look forward to publicly celebrating the new members of this distinguished group,” said Commissioner Yolanda Smith Charles (D-Oak Park).  

Those selected will be notified the week of Jan. 27. They will be invited to attend the full Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m., for public recognition of their community involvement and to receive their award.  

For more information about the Board of Commissioners, please visit www.OakGov.com/BOC or call 248-858-0100.

For those wondering - the last day to put your Christmas tree at the curb to be picked up by our contractor is Monday, January 13.

The 2025 Robert A. Schuele Scholarship Application Portal is open until Monday, April 15, 2025, at 9 PM.

The Robert A. Schuele Scholarship is a full-ride four-year scholarship.

For over fifteen years, the Robert A. Schuele Scholarship has awarded scholarships to students who have graduated from some of Michigan’s finest colleges and universities, including Central Michigan University, College for Creative Studies, Michigan State University, and the University of Michigan.

Several hundred students apply each year, and between nine and twelve students are selected for an interview.

Applicants selected for an interview will receive a $250 scholarship with the successful candidate being awarded the four-year full-ride scholarship. On the RAS Scholarship website, there are several videos featuring scholarship recipients including last year’s recipient Logan Close.

The Robert A. Schuele Scholarship Fund was established to honor the life of a friend, a family man, and a business professional. The Robert A. Schuele Scholarship Fund intends to grant a scholarship award in an amount that will secure the attendance of a student at a major college or university in Michigan.

The Trustees are searching for applicants who have outstanding character, demonstrate commitment to academic studies, experience significant financial need, and will take advantage of the mentoring and networking resources the Trustees intend to offer to maximize the recipient’s educational experience.

A single scholarship will be granted to a high school student entering a full-time program of college study in 2025. Scholarship funds support college tuition, fees, room and board, books, and materials. The Robert A. Schuele Scholarship will be given on an equal opportunity basis. The criteria for selecting the recipient shall be at the discretion of the Trustees.

To apply for the Robert A. Schuele Scholarship, applicants shall be required to meet the following minimum criteria:

1. At least a 2.3 (on a 4.0 scale) cumulative high school G.P.A. (or its equivalent, to be submitted as a sealed transcript) or an 18 composite A.C.T. score; or scores of 400 or more in each of the following SAT categories: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Math.
2. Demonstrate a need for financial assistance;
3. Commit to full-time college student status and graduating in four years;
4. Unrestricted academic standing with the university or college with which courses will be taken (e.g., no academic suspensions) is required as a result of this scholarship; and,
5. A high school senior in Wayne County, Oakland County, and/or Macomb County, or an applicant invited by a member of the Robert A. Schuele Scholarship Committee, or a member in good standing with Metro Detroit Youth Clubs.

Click here to apply for the 2025 Robert A. Schuele Scholarship.

The City of Lathrup Village allows residents to sign up for ACH payment enrollment for utility bills. This payment method allows the City to work with your financial institution to deduct your utility bill payment from your checking account each month, limiting your need to visit City Hall or mail your payment. You would still receive your utility bill in the mail for record keeping.

If a resident is interested in signing up for this direct payment option, they can fill out the enrollment application located on the Water Department page of the website and turn it in (with a voided check) to the City.

Qualified homeowners may receive interest-free loans of up to $23,000 to make needed home repairs, including barrier-free access and energy-saving upgrades.

The Home Improvement Program is not an emergency repair program. 

There are no monthly payments and the total loan is due and payable only when you no longer live in your home.

Oakland County staff is with you from helping you apply for the loan to overseeing all repair work and paying pre-screened contractors.

To qualify, you must meet Income Limits

• Own and live in your own home in Oakland County.
• Meet gross household income limits set by the federal government updated annually in July for the year.

Repairs must result in the home being "decent, safe and sanitary." Based on home improvement needs, financial situation, and availability of funds at the time of application, eligible improvements may include:

• Have needed improvements that are eligible under the program
• Barrier-free access
• Basement waterproofing
• Bathroom
• Chimney
• Door
• Electrical system
• Heating system
• Insulation
• Kitchen
• Plumbing
• Porch
• Roof
• Septic system
• Siding
• Structural defect
• Water and sewer line
• Well
• Window

Application for the Home Improvement Program

The City of Lathrup Village is seeking proposals from a developer or development company for the development of one or both City/DDA-owned parcels into a use that maximizes the usage of space while meeting the parcel's current zoning designation.

The purpose of this Solicitation of Developer Qualifications and Request for Proposals is to identify experienced developers and invite proposals that shall include design concepts and development plans. The City will accept proposals for this site per the solicitation. The City will review each development submission received to select a developer that the City determines to be the best suited to this project based on the objectives of this request and existing City plans.

A copy of the RFQ can be found via the QR code below or by visiting lathrupvillage.org/page/request-for-proposals.

Upcoming Meetings

The public may attend City Council meetings in person, and access regular meetings live via Facebook and watch on YouTube. Please note, that the Study Sessions are not recorded.

City Council agendas & packets may be found here:

https://lathrup-mi.municodemeetings.com

Public Safety Reminders

CONTACT INFORMATION

Main Number 248.557.2600

MAYOR AND COUNCIL

Mayor Mykale "Kelly" Garrett

kgarrett@lathrupvillage.org | ext. 285

Council Member Jalen C. Jennings

jjennings@lathrupvillage.org | ext. 287

Council Member Dalton Barksdale

dbarksdale@lathrupvillage.org | ext. 288

Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Kantor

bkantor@lathrupvillage.org | ext. 286

Council Member Jason Hammond

jhammond@lathrupvillage.org | ext. 289

ADMINISTRATION