DEARBORN — Led by newly elected President Susan Dabaja, the first city council meeting of the year ran swiftly and accordingly without any interferences or setbacks, showcasing that all signs are pointing to a promising 2014 at City Hall. 

On Tuesday, January 14, Dabaja was joined at the term’s first meeting by returning council members Thomas Tafelski, David Bazzy, Robert Abraham and Mark Shooshanian. Also present for the first time with Dabaja was newly elected Councilman Mike Sareini. 

Absent was Councilman Brian O’Donnell, who was out of town on a business trip.  

The City Council Chambers at City Hall was packed with spectators, many of whom were there to witness Dabaja lead her first meeting. She definitely did not disappoint, appearing composed and well prepared for her tasks.

Strictly following the standard procedures and protocols of a city council meeting, Dabaja gave detailed descriptions of resolutions after they were introduced and asked for any objections from residents and the council before approving the item.

A total of three zoning ordinances were tabled in order to make language amendments.

Among 37 items on the agenda, the council also passed a resolution that would authorize Mayor Jack O’Reilly to execute a $2.78 million contract with MDOT. The contract calls for resurfacing and water main replacement work along Schaefer Rd. in the area spanning from Ford Rd. to Warren Ave. The work is projected to begin in March 2014 and end in September, six months later.

But before the resolution was passed, Dabaja expressed concern to O’Reilly over whether businesses located along Schaefer Rd would be notified about the planned construction. The mayor assured the council and onlookers that the city takes proper procedures in informing business owners on upcoming construction work. O’Reilly said the city is setting up a meeting for all business owners along Schaefer Rd. in order to give them details and a time frame for the upcoming project. 

There were some comments and concerns made at the council meeting regarding the massive snowstorm and subzero temperatures the city endured earlier this month. Councilman David Bazzy applauded the Department of Public Works for its services, noting that all major streets and neighborhoods had been plowed promptly. 

City Council President Susan Dabaja seated next to Councilman Mike Sareini (right) and Council President Pro-Tem Thomas Tafelski (left) during the city council meeting at city hall on Tuesday, January 14.

However, Bazzy noted that he still notices massive pileups of snow along sidewalks and medians of main roads in Dearborn, making it difficult for pedestrians to walk by. 

“If you try to walk down Michigan Ave. or Warren, you can’t walk the sidewalks because of all the snow. Who is responsible in making sure that the snow gets cleaned?” Bazzy stated. “As a city, we are better than that and we just have to make sure we are paying attention to the little things.”

Economic and Community Development Director Barry Murray said that piled up snow along sidewalks has been a major problem because businesses plow their main entrances and snow is constantly getting pushed along the sidewalks. He says the city has even hired workers to shovel snow off the sidewalks in some areas, but it continues to get pushed off of parking lots and onto sidewalks.

During public comments, one resident expressed concerns over the Dearborn Police Department issuing over 2,800 tickets in the last month because of residents leaving cars parked in the streets during snow emergencies. 

Lee Jacobsen, a lifelong Dearborn resident, told the council that Dearborn should take note from the City of Wyandotte. There, residents are allowed to park their vehicles in designated areas such as school parking lots during snow emergencies. Jacobsen expressed concerns that many residents here don’t have space to park their vehicles in their driveways.

Mayor O’Reilly, however, said that the city has a list of residential homes that have limited space. Those homes are exempt from parking requirements during Public Service Days, when the city asks that all vehicles be removed off of neighborhood streets. 

Councilman Abraham added that the majority of the residents ticketed during the snow emergency made the choice to leave their vehicles parked in the street. 

“The majority of the people ticketed simply chose not to reply with the snow emergency. I know in my neighborhood several people had space in their driveway and they chose to leave their cars parked in the street,” Abraham said. 

Dabaja said that she also received phone calls from residents who had complained about receiving tickets from the police department and suggested that Jacobsen’s idea be referred to the traffic division for a possible solution. 

Following the meeting, Jacobsen told The Arab American News that he had attended many city council meetings in the past and was pleasantly surprised by the leadership skills Dabaja had displayed during the evening.

“She did a great job. I met her right before the meeting and I told her to just relax and be herself, and boy she did that in spades,” Jacobsen stated.

On Wednesday evening, Dabaja told The Arab American News that she was delighted with the outcome of the first meeting.

“I was very pleased with the direction of the meeting. I have been preparing for this transition since the day after election. I knew I had my work cut out for me, but I was ready to meet the challenge,” Dabaja said. “I received many compliments from colleagues and residents and that made me proud. I will continue to represent the residents of Dearborn in the best way possible.” 

Dabaja encourages residents to attend city council meetings, held every two weeks at City Hall. The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 28 at 7:30 p.m.