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

NOTE: Trash collection will proceed as normal.

Unofficial election results, via Oakland County, for Lathrup Village proposals.

There are so many amazing services available with your library card. Southfield Public Library wanted to highlight a few so our patrons can see how they can save with their Southfield Library.

Utilize your Southfield Library Card to save you time and money. Find ways to save during their 30 Days Of Savings in November. Every day there is a new way to save that will be highlighted on the library website, at the library, and on social media. Some services may be available exclusively to Southfield and Lathrup Village residents. The Southfield Public Library helps you succeed!

Check out the days at https://southfieldlibrary.org/services/in-the-library/30-days-of-savings/.

Oakland County is once again encouraging residents to shop small and local during the holiday season with the launch of its annual “Local Gems” sweepstakes. Running from Nov. 1-30, sweepstakes participants who submit selfies taken at their favorite small businesses in Oakland County will be entered for a chance to win cash prizes. This initiative aims to boost visibility and foot traffic at local businesses throughout the county.

“Supporting our local businesses during the holiday season is crucial,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “This program not only encourages residents to explore and support these local gems but also strengthens the community by keeping dollars circulating within our local economy.”

Participants can enter by visiting multiple small businesses, taking selfies, and submitting their photos online at OakGov.com/ShopSmall. Each visit to a different business increases the chances of winning, with three cash prizes up for grabs:

• 1st Prize: $1,000
• 2nd Prize: $500
• 3rd Prize: $250

Oakland County is home to a diverse array of small businesses, from unique boutiques and artisan shops to neighborhood cafes and service providers. Shopping small not only benefits business owners but also the workers and families who depend on these businesses for their livelihoods. Genisys Credit Union, a proud sponsor of the campaign, is once again supporting the sweepstakes to help bolster the local economy during the critical holiday shopping season.

“As a credit union rooted in community, Genisys is proud to support initiatives like Oakland County's 'Local Gems' sweepstakes," said Jackie Buchanan, president and CEO of Genisys Credit Union. "Shopping locally strengthens our small businesses while developing a sense of unity amongst the community. We encourage everyone to explore our local treasures and shop local this holiday season."

How to Participate

• Visit: Explore small, independently owned businesses in Oakland County.
• Snap: A selfie inside or outside the business
• Submit: Upload your photo to OakGov.com/ShopSmall. Each business visit counts as a separate entry, increasing your chances of winning. Multiple entries are allowed, but only one submission per business is permitted. 

Participants must be a Michigan resident and 18 years or older to enter. Winners will be chosen randomly and notified by Dec. 4, 2024. Prizes will be awarded during a special check presentation later in December.

“This holiday season, take the opportunity to explore and support the small businesses that make Oakland County a unique and thriving community,” said John Bry, coordinator for Main Street Oakland County, which leads the Local Gems Sweepstakes campaign. “Every purchase and visit helps local businesses succeed and makes a difference in keeping the county’s economy strong.” Oakland Thrive is a sponsor of the sweepstakes.

In addition to the sweepstakes, Oakland County will provide local businesses with promotional materials, including posters and cards, to encourage customer participation. These resources, along with digital and social media graphics, can be accessed at OakGov.com/ShopSmall.

For more information on the Local Gems Sweepstakes, contact Erick Phillips at phillipse@oakgov.com or call 248-858-4070. 

A message from DTE:

Trees are a beautiful and vital part of Michigan's landscape. They're also the leading cause of power outages and can pose a serious public safety hazard if they grow too close or into power lines. That's why tree experts will be visiting Lathrup Village soon to trim and, if necessary, remove trees growing too close to power lines.

The DTE tree-trimming program follows industry standards and uses trimming methods to promote healthy trees and safe, reliable power. All work will be completed by tree professionals who have been trained in safe, proper, and environmentally responsible work practices. Get a full view of DTE's tree trimming program at dteenergy.com/treecare.

You may have received an automated phone call informing you of upcoming tree work in your area. This does not guarantee work will be needed on your property. This is a mass notification that goes out to all customers, including those with underground lines on their property. DTE includes customers with underground lines as they may be fed by nearby overhead lines that DTE will be trimming.

DTE is committed to working with you throughout this process and will be here to address any concerns you might have before tree work begins. Here's what you can expect in the upcoming weeks:

• You may see DTE representatives in your yard or neighborhood identifying trees that need to be trimmed, or potentially removed, due to them growing too close or into the pole to power power lines. Representatives will be wearing high-visibility vests and carrying DTE ID badges. How soon you will see representatives will depend on where planning begins in the area. Trimming will follow after planning is completed.
• Please note: it may be several weeks until planning starts and several more weeks until trimming work begins.
• You do not need to be home when representatives arrive in your area. If tree work is needed on your property, the representative will knock on your door. If you are not home, DTE will leave a "Tree Work Scheduled" door card. If you have questions about the work intended for your property, please call the number on your door card. You will have the opportunity to speak to a representative before tree work begins.
• If a tree poses a serious hazard to power lines or if trimming will put the tree's health at risk, DTE may need to remove it. In this case, representatives will leave behind additional information and make considerable attempts to work directly with the property owner before removing the trees.
• Crews adhere to a tree trimming specification to clear around DTE electrical equipment, depending on the species of the tree and the voltage of the power lines. DTE does not trim around telecommunication wires or the wire going from the pole to the house, called the service drop. Trimming around the service drop is the customer's responsibility. As this is an energized line, DTE highly recommends using a professional tree trimming service to perform any tree work near the service drop.

If you have any tree-trimming questions or comments, please call 800-477-4747 to speak with a DTE representative.

Many Oakland County residents live in households that don’t qualify for assistance under federal poverty guidelines but still face hardships that make it difficult to pay their water bills and other basic needs.

The Hardship Assistance Program was created to help Oakland County households receive assistance in paying for water and sewer services. It was designed by Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash in partnership with the United Way for Southeastern Michigan to help households who may not qualify for existing programs. It is available to all Oakland County residents who use municipal water and/or sewer services. Program eligibility is flexible and considers both income level and hardships.



Facing the loss of a loved one, an unexpected job loss or any other hardship is challenging enough without the added worry of losing access to drinking water. Whether you need assistance or want to help make a difference in the lives of your neighbors by donating to the program, visit the Hardship Assistance Program website at OakGov.com/WRCHardship.

We Can All Reduce Flooding in The Rouge River

Have you noticed that our rain patterns have changed in Southeast Michigan? Those of you who have had your basement flood are saying “Heck yes!” Climate change has significantly increased the frequency and intensity of flooding in the Rouge River watershed and Southeast Michigan. Warmer temperatures lead to more moisture in the atmosphere, resulting in heavier rainfall events and more frequent downpours. This overwhelms outdated drainage systems, leading to flooding. In addition, warmer winters cause snow to melt earlier, leading to rapid runoff and increased flows in the Rouge River. This can exacerbate flooding, especially when combined with heavy rainfall.

A lot of us know the consequences of the increased rainfall and flooding we have had over the last several years. These include significant damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure; road closures and disruption to transportation and other essential services; damage to crops and disruption to supply chains which affect the local economy; and even an increase in breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Communities within the Rouge River watershed are looking at ways to fund and invest in infrastructure upgrades, such as improved drainage systems and flood barriers. They are also looking at ways to improve ordinances and master plans. Additionally, sustainable land use practices and green infrastructure are being implemented. All of these are being incorporated to help reduce the impact of flooding across the watershed.

You can be part of the solution as well! If you live in a subdivision with detention ponds, making sure that they are maintained and working properly will reduce flooding in your neighborhood. Also, make sure the storm drains on your street are clear of debris that could block the drain. Consider building rain gardens and planting trees in your yard, which help slow the rainfall, allowing it to soak into the soil instead of entering the storm drain system. Rain barrels are also a great way to reduce the amount of rain entering the Rouge River and provide the homeowner with free water for your yard and garden.

Visit the Alliance of Rouge Communities website to learn more ways you can reduce flooding and protect water quality in the Rouge River at: https://www.allianceofrougecommunities.com/steward.html

Curbside Leaf Vacuuming begins each fall around mid-October.

Guidelines

Leaf collection begins in mid-October, and ends in early December (weather dependent).

To ensure that leaves from your property are collected, please follow these guidelines:

• Place leaf piles as close to the edge of the street as possible. Think of higher piles, not wider piles. It's important to allow for two-way vehicular traffic at all times.
• Do NOT place leaf piles in the drainage ditch. Leaf removal crews will not rake out ditches.
• Homeowners with addresses on Santa Barbara and Bloomfield should place leaf piles along adjacent side streets.
• Do NOT include trash, animal feces, twigs, branches, grass clippings, flowers, and other yard waste with leaves. They often cause mechanical malfunctions. If the leaf removal crew discovers these items in a leaf pile, they will leave it and move on to the next address.
• Help ensure crew safety and timely removal by placing leaf piles several feet from garbage cans and other refuse.
• Expect some residue - "leaf dust". It is an inevitable by-product of the leaf collection method and equipment.
• Do NOT park vehicles on or near leaf piles.
• Please be patient. The leaf collection schedule is weather-dependent. it takes longer to collect wet leaves. Several windy days in a row often result in larger leaf piles, which can also take longer to collect.
• If you prefer, you may still use yard waste bags for leaves during the season.
• If you employ a landscape company, please advise them of these guidelines.

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.

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