MELVINDALE, Mich. – City officials in Melvindale are expected to meet later this week to review when to declare a snow emergency.
This comes after snow emergency sirens sounded both Saturday and Sunday.
On one of those days, the mayor said she had never authorized it.
Residents reported hearing snow emergency sirens both Saturday and Sunday.
One woman, who did not want to give her name, said she was left puzzled.
“What was the reason for both sirens?” she asked.
Mayor Nicole Shkira said the Saturday alert was called without her knowledge or approval.
To address it, she made a post on social media that said in part, “No snow emergency has been called. My apologies for any inconvenience of a councilman operating outside his scope of duties.”
Shkira said she was spending the afternoon with her family when she heard the sirens.
“All of a sudden, I hear the sirens go off,” Shkira said.
She immediately contacted the fire department to find out what was happening and was told that the mayor pro tem had declared a snow emergency.
According to Shkira, that move overstepped a boundary.
“We both know that isn’t, he can’t do that,” Shkira said. “He only has authority when I’m absent, and I’m not absent right now.”
Shkira said a snow emergency can only be declared when at least four inches of snow are on the ground, a condition she said was not met Saturday (Jan. 24) night.
Once a snow emergency is activated, all vehicles must be removed from the streets or risk being ticketed, towed, or both.
The mayor said the mix-up reflects broader problems on a city council she described as not yet unified.
Shkira said the city council is expected to meet soon to clarify the policy and the chain of command for declaring a snow emergency.
It could be as early as this Wednesday, but she has to check on everyone’s schedule.
“So we can do a refresher, like I said, and make sure everyone is on the same page,” Shkira said. “Even if we’re not strong and united, I want it to at least look like we are.”
The resident who questioned the sirens said she agreed that clearer communication is needed, calling two alerts in the same weekend confusing and unnecessary.
Shkira said the city is also exploring a new notification system that would use text messages to alert residents of snow emergencies.
Local 4 reached out to the Mayor Pro Tem for comment. We’re waiting to hear back.