Resident survey could help lead
to all-Pointes efficiency, council hears

The Grosse Pointe City Council heard from the Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce at its meeting Monday night (March 15). The Chamber is sponsoring an all-Pointes survey of residents that will focus mainly on combining city services.

Speaking for the Chamber committee, Sheldon Wardwell said a new strategic plan will serve to focus the Pointes on working together cooperatively with issues they have in common while keeping the distinct personality and operation of each individual Grosse Pointe community.

The survey will ask residents to rate city services, public school systems, library systems, hospitals, park systems and other aspects.

“Gaining our residents' insights and rating levels of services will help provide the feedback and input necessary to begin to formulate a strategic plan,” said Wardwell.

Wardwell said developing a plan that crossed the municipal boundaries of the five Pointes was prudent because the municipalities are more alike than different.  “The plan will look to find ways to save money in the most effective manner both in individual communities and across boundaries,” said Wardwell.

The plan aims to:

• Allow for common purchases to be made more economically and in greater volumes.
• Evaluate ways to provide the Pointes more clout in Wayne County, Lansing and Washington.
• Help provide the ability to attract partnerships with groups that have resources, like housing, hotels, economic development and recreation.

The survey, set for April, is the first step in a strategic planning process facilitated by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments. It will be sent to more than 3,000 randomly chosen Pointe households. A version will also be available online.

In other news, the preliminary budget discussion was postponed due to the illness of City Manager Peter Dame. Mayor Dale Scrace said the discussion will be moved to the budget meeting next month.

The council approved new storefront signage at the Hydrangea Boutique, set to open May 1; a new parking lot easement in the Village behind Kroger, and site plans for Grosse Pointe Village Dentistry. 

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