Candidate Profile: Nick Moroz, Plymouth City Commissioner

PLYMOUTH, MI — There are four open seats for Plymouth City Commissioner in November's general elections.

To help readers make informed choices, Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Nick Moroz is a Democrat running for Plymouth City Commissioner. Here's how he filled out his profile.

Live in Plymouth or Canton? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free mobile app on Android or iPhone.

Age (as of Election Day)

38

Position Sought

Plymouth City Commissioner

Party Affiliation

Democrat - Though the race is non-partisan

Family

Leigh Moroz (wife) and Zoe Moroz (daughter)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

PhD - University of Michigan - Materials Science Engineering
MSE - University of Michigan - Materials Science Engineering
MSE - University of Michigan - Mechanical Engineering
BSE - University of Michigan - Mechanical Engineering
BA - Physics and Math - Albion College

Occupation

Director of Entrepreneurial Practice at the Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Michigan

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Elected to the Plymouth City Commission in 2017
Voted as Mayor Pro Tem in 2019

Campaign website

nickmoroz.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I’m running for reelection because I’m proud of the work that I’ve accomplished over the past 3+ years with my fellow Commissioners and the City Administration. I’ve focused on listening to residents’ concerns and acting to help people in the City while keeping the culture of Plymouth as the guiding North Star. I currently serve as the Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Plymouth. I’m honored to have this responsibility and dedicate my time to being a servant leader for the residents and staff. I’ve been liaison to the Planning Commission and currently serve as liaison to the School Board. I also regularly meet with our other elected representatives at the county, state, and federal level.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The biggest challenge facing the City is two-fold: first, how do we continue to provide amazing public services and second, how do we prepare to take advantage of the changing environment that the future brings. In terms of continuing to provide the best government services possible, we are certainly constrained by the vise that is the Headlee Amendment and Proposal A. Essentially, every year we have to do more with less, our tax revenue does not grow at the rate of our population or at the rate of our property values. This means that succession planning is very key, we are already a lean operation and have to continue to recruit the best employees and train them to grow on our team. There will be a lot of coordination and seeking feedback with residents to understand when and if it's time to propose further millages to support extending services or investing further in parks, recreation, public safety, streets, etc. In terms of preparing for the future, we need to keep our minds open and continue to communicate with all stakeholders to understand trends and how Plymouth can best be a leading municipality. Whether it's adding electric vehicle charging stations, introducing more walkability, or considering means to reduce emissions in the City to battle climate change, we should be confident that we can make a difference and not settle for the status quo.

To overcome these challenges the most important step is to reimagine our 5-year strategic plan, which is scheduled for November. For the past 5 years the strategic plan has been the north star for the City, allowing us to prioritize and communicate our reasoning. Having that plan in place, with buy-in from Staff, the Commission, and the Public, allowed us to work through the pandemic without sacrificing our long term goals. This next iteration will be extremely important as Plymouth strives to grow not by building a tremendous number of new housing units, but rather by continuing to serve our residents with the best customer service and inviting the surrounding communities to enjoy Plymouth with all the inclusivity and welcomeness that has made us such a notable city.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Myself and the others running are unopposed. We are all aligned in our interest in moving the City of Plymouth towards an even more vibrant future by modernizing our infrastructure, investing in our wonderful City services by supporting staff, and being responsive to the residents and business owners. I bring a distinctly technocratic point of view to the field and have experience as a commissioner.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

I am not a challenger.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

The work of our local officials, both elected, appointed, and full-time staff, has been dynamic, mission-driven, and effective. We have pivoted much of how we operate in the downtown area, but maintained all of our City services throughout the pandemic. The City of Plymouth did not shut down and did not scale back it’s staff and operations. We ran a series of vaccination clinics that vaccinated more people that the population of Plymouth.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

• Cribe the other issues that define your campaign platform.
• Experienced leadership that delivers.
• A commitment to engage with residents for input on our most important issues.
• Leveraging relationships with our State and Federal representatives to advocate for Plymouth
• Creating an even more vibrant Plymouth for everyone
• Improving our downtown and old village to help businesses recover and thrive
• Continue major infrastructure improvements
• Driving towards a more welcoming and inclusive Plymouth
• Fiscal responsibility in uncertain times
• Continuing to pay down debt and stay on budget
• Leveraging grants and utilizing means other than raising taxes to fund city improvements

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

The pandemic has challenged all of us, but we kept the City open throughout the ordeal. City services have been prioritized and we’ve even found ways to improve our infrastructure, stay on a balanced budget, and bring a lot of joy through new events to Plymouth.
I’m looking forward to leading Plymouth out of the pandemic in a safe and effective manner, with our sights set on an even more vibrant City. We’re the best small city in America and I plan to keep that going!
Here’s a short list of the accomplishments that I’m most proud of:
2017 – Adopted Tree Ordinance
2017 – Worked with DTE to secure more than $6M of infrastructure investment after major fire on Farmer St. Service has greatly improved.
2018 – New City-Wide Master Plan adopted in September that highlights walkability, parks and recreation, and improvements to our streets.
2018 – Community Wide Recreation Master Plan.
2019 – Led passage of $12M road bond millage package to fund much needed street improvements, bike lanes, and pedestrian crossings.
2020 – Rooftop Seating Ordinance adopted.
2020 – DDA Master Plan
2020 – Upgraded City Web Site and converted to new PlymouthMI.gov link.
2020 – Pivoted Memorial Day Parade, 4th of July, and Santa Celebration in City due to COVID.
2020 – Funded phase one repairs to the Massey Field Lights through a grant from Wayne County
2019 – Pulte begins development on 10 acres of old Bathey Site.
2020 – Approved PUD for Saxton’s site & sold a portion of the property.
2020 – Starkweather School Development began occupying apartments.
2020 – Converted parking spaces to additional outdoor restaurant seating.
2020 – Installed 15 minute carry out pick up parking spaces.
2020 – Install bike lanes on South Main Street
2020 – Street repairs on Dewey, Farmer, Junction, Theodore, Evergreen
2020 – Installed new Pedestrian leading push button signals Main & Ann Arbor Trail 2020 – Installed new rapid flashing pedestrian beacons at Main & Hartsough. 2020 – Installed new pedestrian HAWK Signal on Mill Street at Park
2020 – Installed new 4 Way Stop on Starkweather at Farmer
2020 – Converted all public meetings to Zoom platform.
2021 – Approved updated Kellogg Park Fountain, to be named the Wilcox Fountain, with $1M gift from Wilcox Foundation

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

To listen, to think, and to be biased towards action.