Mayor Joe LaRussa was one of the keynote speakers at the annual Farmington Area State of the Cities. The event was held on March 6 and hosted by the Greater Farmington Area Chamber of Commerce. Other speakers included Farmington Hills Mayor Theresa Rich, Farmington Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kelly Coffin, Oakland Community College Chancellor Peter Provenzano, and Corewell Health Farmington Hills Hospital President Kristine Donahue. 

Mayor Joe LaRussa's address:

Good evening, and welcome to all our residents, business owners, visitors, and friends.  I come before you for my third State of the City address with excitement and pride, and I’m happy to inform you that the state of our city is STRONG! The sources of that strength lie in two words that summarize a great year in Farmington – effectiveness and momentum.

Effectiveness starts with elected leaders, and I’m proud that our City Council remains committed to finding the Farmington Way in everything we do.  Mayor Pro Tem Johnna Balk, Councilman Kevin Parkins, Councilman and Former Mayor Steve Schneemann, and Councilwoman Maria Taylor along with myself constitute a body with 32 years of combined experience.  That level of skill and stability help provide a foundation for effectiveness.  I want to thank them for serving, and for all their work in various committees and task forces to make Farmington so welcoming and wonderful.

Effectiveness is also the result of strong leadership in our administration, led by City Manager David Murphy.  David completed his 10^th year of service to the City of Farmington, a tenure that brings an additional stabilizing element and supports long-term thinking, withstanding the ever-changing circumstances that challenge local governments all over the state and nation. 

The team at City Hall did, however, see some changes.   Clare Cooney joined the City as the new manager of the Civic Theater.  Clare brings a wealth of experience as a filmmaker, actor, and senior film programmer.  She has already brought proposals forward to reinvigorate the theater (like adding it to the Syndicate social district) in order overcome the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on movie theaters everywhere.  I’m looking forward to the successful implementation of those ideas.   Josh Leach is Farmington’s new Public Works Superintendent.  Having been with the City since 2007, and serving previously as the assistant superintendent, Josh’s experience and leadership have been crucial to keeping our infrastructure in tip-top shape.  He’s delivered key improvements at DPW including the construction of our new salt storage facility, and I’m grateful for all the work his team has done to keep our streets clear and our water flowing during the recent winter weather events.   Jess Westendorf is Downtown Farmington’s new Executive Director, where she has been serving since 2019.  Her ongoing commitment to placemaking, economic vitality, and downtown business support will certainly continue Downtown Farmington’s success streak. 

Speaking of success in Downtown Farmington, last year the district saw nine of the city’s 11 new businesses open there, and the DDA’s public investment of $226,000 was matched by $8.4 million in private investment.  That’s a 37x-multiplier effect and it speaks directly to the attractiveness of our safe, walkable, and cool spaces.  And for the second year in a row, Downtown has been named a semi-finalist for the Great American Main Street Award,  a national contest that has brought a lot of notoriety and attention to our city.  Part of our application for the award was a video submission, which I’d like you to see tonight….

Congratulations to Jess and the DDA Board for the recognition by Main Street America, and fingers crossed that the second time’s the charm to prevail as the Great American Main Street Award winner!

External recognition is one measure of effectiveness.  Another is efficiency.  Based on updates to Michigan Election law and the increased utilization of early and absentee voting, the Clerk’s Office, led by Clerk Meaghan Bachman, made the recommendation to consolidate Farmington’s voting precincts from five to three.  In December,  Council approved the consolidation which will be in effect for the 2026 election cycle.  The new three precincts will be serviced by two voting locations (City Hall for Precinct 1 and Farmington High School for Precincts 2 and 3), saving the city approximately $35K in election administration costs while maintaining our ability to serve in-person voters and meet new mandates for voting equipment.  Affected residents should watch for updated voter registration cards, and I want to thank Clerk Bachman for her proactiveness on this topic.

Effectiveness is also the result of strong financial management.  Finding cost savings and avoiding cost increases is an ongoing task for any organization, and City Hall is no different.  Director of Finance and City Treasurer Jaime Pohlman and her team continue to steer Farmington toward positive financial outcomes, with impeccable attention to detail.  Thanks in part to Jaime’s leadership, the city avoided a 72% increase in property assessing costs.  This is the fiscal stewardship our taxpayers expect, and I’m very grateful for Jaime’s leadership in this area.

There is perhaps no more direct example of the benefits of effectiveness and efficiency than in Farmington’s public safety department, led by Director Bob Houhanisin.  Chief Houhanisin and the Public Safety Department continue to deliver a low crime rate, fast response times, and investment in an effective community policing and firefighting strategy with strong public support.  In 2025,  the department took delivery of a new fire engine (Engine 1) and held a traditional push-in ceremony to mark the moment.  This new engine was partially funded by $750,000 from the State of Michigan, and I’d like to thank State Representative Jason Hoskins, who is with us this evening, for his support along with our other state legislators.  Investments in public safety save lives, and we’re grateful for Jason’s help to secure this support from the state.   The public safety department also acquired its first drone, which was funded in part by a donation from Freedom Church in Farmington.  Providing overwatch during parades, locating missing people and assisting with public safety related calls for service, this eye-in-the-sky features live stream video that allows our officers to see like never before.  Thermal imaging and infrared cameras capture details that allow officers to do their jobs more efficiently and effectively.   Thank you, Chief, and the entire public safety department for all you do to keep us safe and secure.

Effectiveness builds momentum, and attracts attention and investment.  Farmington has momentum in spades.  Our city is meeting the challenges facing our state in concrete ways, starting with housing.   At this time last year we were anticipating the construction of our newest housing project, Hillside Townes by Robertson Brothers. Today, the majority of the new housing is up, units have been sold, and we have our first occupants at Hillside Townes enjoying their proximity to Downtown Farmington.  This transformational housing project brought with it a total reconstruction of Thomas and School Streets, adding updated water and sewer infrastructure, brand new local streets, and a new sidewalk where previously there was none.  I want to thank Assistant City Manager Chris Weber, who leads our building and planning department for his tireless work on this project to get it done.  I invite you to take a stroll on the new Thomas Street and consider whether a town home one block off Grand River Avenue might be right for you!

Farmington is solving Michigan’s housing shortage.  We know how to be flexible when a project requires it, and we know how to maintain the fabric of our community through our zoning, design, and building regulations.  As the state of Michigan considers proposed legislation to preempt local zoning, I ask you all if the right answer for our two cities is to allow local zoning to be overruled by state mandate?  I believe that partnership is a better strategy than preemption, and an alternative legislative solution was recently introduced by Representatives Steckloff and Tisdel, which Farmington’s Representatives Hoskins and Breen have both co-sponsored.  This alternative incentivizes some of zoning reforms sought by the developer community, provides money to help fund financing gaps on housing projects, and catalyzes affordable home ownership by adding deed restrictions enabling  units constructed to remain owner-occupied rather than investor-owned.  Please tell your friends to call their state legislator and tell them to choose partnership over preemption, leave local control of land use alone, and help us solve the housing shortage using carrots, not sticks.   Farmington’s partnership-based approach to Hillside Townes was recognized by The Home Builders Association of Michigan with a “Yes in my backyard”, or YIMBY award.  Farmington is a beacon for the entire state to address its housing shortage.  We know how to do this.  Help make the Farmington Way on housing a model for the state of Michigan.

Moving west from Hillside Townes,  a new public space launched in 2025 – Mason’s Corner.  You saw it briefly in the GAMSA video submission, and I presented a conceptual rendering of the space last year at this address. This year, after focused effort, $90,000 in philanthropic contributions from Farmington residents, businesses and boosters, and support from the Masonic Lodge, we made this concept a reality.  Mason’s Corner incorporates functional art with design elements that compliment the existing streetscape as well as the lodge, Farmington’s first City Hall.  Thank you to all the donors and friends who caught the vision for this space and made it a premier gathering spot in our downtown.

Continuing west from Mason’s Corner, one of Farmington’s signature historic properties is next up for a glow up.   The Governor Warner Mansion has been the subject of a lot of planning at City Hall, and the results will definitely be worth it.  The Mansion is one of Farmington’s most recognizable and loved historic landmarks.  Like many 19^th century homes, it lacked modern plumbing and cooking space, so an addition was constructed to elevate the use of the property, but that addition has outlived its usefulness and brought challenges of its own. In response, the city is removing the rear addition that has pulled away from the main house, and replacing it with a modern upgrade to fulfill the original intent.  The house itself is NOT being altered.  As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, Farmington is investing in preserving one of its most important historic spaces for the next generation.   Envisioned as a thriving community space, rather than a frozen-in-time museum, the legacy of the Warner Mansion is being preserved by building its future. You may hear conversations — or even rumors — when construction begins, so I’m asking everyone to tell others that you heard it directly from the mayor: the Warner Mansion is not being torn down — we’re investing in it so it may be used for the next hundred years.

Continuing west from the Warner Mansion, Farmington’s momentum carries us to Drake Road, where the city continues pursuing its goal to be a walkable, pedestrian-friendly community.  The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (or SEMCOG) annually facilitates approximately $1 Billion in federal transportation funding distribution to local communities.  One of the programs used to distribute funding is the Transportation Alternatives Program, or TAP,  and I’m pleased to announce this evening that Farmington has been awarded almost $500,000 under this program.  At this time, I would like to invite SEMCOG Chair and Oakland County Commissioner Gwen Markham, SEMCOG Executive Director Amy O’Leary, SEMCOG Elected and Staff Colleagues, and my Farmington Elected and Administration colleagues to the stage for a special presentation.  This funding will enable us to add a new sidewalk to the west side of Drake Road from Freedom road to Drake Park, and install pedestrian safety upgrades to a couple of other key intersections in the city. 

Thank you Amy, Gwen, regional leaders, and to the entire SEMCOG team for your support of the City of Farmington.  I’ll ask my Farmington colleagues to stay for a moment so we can mark another significant investment in the city –  during last year’s state of the city I said that one of Farmington’s biggest challenges is infrastructure renewal, particularly our water and sanitary sewer systems, some of which are upwards of 75 years old.  Tonight I’m pleased to announce that Farmington will receive ~$1M in congressionally directed spending to support upgrades and refurbishments to our nine mile pumping station thanks to the support of Congresswoman Haley Stevens.  Although the Congresswoman couldn’t be here tonight, I’d like to invite Cody Schaub, Economic Development Director for the Congresswoman to join us on stage for an another special presentation...

Thank you Cody, and please extend our thanks to the Congresswoman on behalf of the city.

 I mentioned earlier that momentum attracts investment, and it also attracts attention.   The City of Farmington has hosted multiple gatherings of local government and economic development partners, where our city has been held up as a model for others in the state of Michigan, and beyond.  Due In part to that attention, the Michigan Association of Mayors has chosen to hold its annual summer workshop in Farmington this August.  Mayors from all over Michigan will visit our city to hear our main street comeback story and see how our planning efforts, partnerships, and community trust have helped us grow and create a vibe that is welcoming and cool. 

The attention Farmington is attracting extends even beyond the United States.   Over the past year, Farmington forged a relationship with the Italian city of Vacri.  We held a series of dialogues with Vacri’s Mayor, Dr. Piergiuseppe Mammarella, and the Vacri city council around historic preservation, economic development, and cultural exchange.  And these dialogues led to a visit by Mayor Mammarella,  his council colleagues, and his family to Farmington in October of 2025, during Italian-American Heritage Month.   Over a three-day visit, they got to see Farmington up close and how we translate policy into action.    We signed a sister city letter that formalized our connection and set goals for the future.   The visit was punctuated by the commissioning and unveiling of an art piece sponsored by the Italian Consulate in Detroit.  The recently appointed Italian Consul General, Paolo Zanotto, is with us this evening, and I’d like to thank him and his predecessor Allegra Baistrocchi, for their generous support of Farmington by bringing artist Marco Mazzei to our city to create the aluminum leaf sculpture that now hangs in City Hall to commemorate more than a visit…it’s a symbol of connection and mutual respect that extends across an ocean. Seeing our city through our guests’ eyes was truly gratifying, and it’s a reminder of how important cool places are when making memories.  For those who are interested in learning more about this unique sister city relationship, I’m happy to share more and get more people involved with our friends in Italy.

Having captured the attention of the Italian Consulate, I would be remiss if I didn’t add that they will once again visit Farmington to host another Italian Arts and Culture event.  The Consulate is hosting a Murano Glass-Making delegation from Venice on March 31 that will include a glass-blowing demonstration and virtual exhibition at Fired and Fused in Farmington.  I want to thank Consul General Zanotto and his team for entrusting this important event with us, and I encourage all of you to watch for more details and spero di vederti li.

Farmington’s momentum is growing, and there’s so much more to share!   Our commitment to community health and wellness was on full display last August as we christened two new fitness courts in Shiawassee and Flanders parks.  I’d like to thank Commissioner William Miller and his colleagues on the Board of Commissioners, Oakland County Parks Director Chris Ward, and the Oakland County Parks board along with Priority Health for their support to make these fitness courts a reality.   Our events, which continue to attract tens of thousands of visitors to our vibrant downtown and give our residents tremendous pride.   Our commitment to reducing waste by continuing to lead in household recycling and launching a food waste pilot that in 2025 diverted over six tons of food waste from landfills, saving enough energy to charge almost 607,000 mobile devices!    Our award-winning Farmers Market will open this year on May 2^nd and usher in another year of fresh produce, community partnership, outreach, and engagement. 

So. Much. More.  But all good things must come to an end.   I want to close by thanking my wife Missy, and my children Sofia and Matteo for supporting me as I serve our city.  Their love and confidence are my strength.  Thank you for making it possible for me to do what I do.  I also want to thank my Mom Helene, and my Dad, the original Joe LaRussa, for being here tonight to support me. 

After tonight’s address,  I invite you to join me on a Friday night in Downtown Farmington at one of our new businesses, Lone Light Spirits, for cocktail specials reserved exclusively for tonight’s audience.  Mention you were with Mayor Joe at the State of the Cities and let’s raise a glass to Farmington.  I look forward to seeing you there and sharing more about our future.

The state of our city is strong.  Farmington has momentum.  It’s an honor and a privilege to work with some of the best community leaders to move Farmington forward. May God continue to bless our city, and thank you for your attention this evening.