Aaron Martinez, Novi City Council Member

04/01/2026

Our City Council's Long Range Strategic Planning Committee needs your input to develop the Novi 2050 Strategic Plan. The Committee is working to help guide City leaders toward a shared vision for the next 25 years.

Many residents ask for opportunities to be involved and give feedback - this is one of those important times.

What are Novi's strengths? Where are our opportunities to become better? Your feedback on these points (and more) will directly help the Committee and the Council moving forward. Take the survey and make your voice heard:

This plan will help guide City leaders toward a shared vision for the next 25 years – building upon a tradition of excellence and planning for a future we can create together.

03/19/2026

Last November, Mayor Fischer appointed me to serve as the City’s delegate to the SEMCOG, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments - a non-partisan organization representing our region’s municipalities, counties, and schools. Today I am attending my first General Assembly meeting on behalf of the City of Novi.

Novi’s relationship with SEMCOG has been very fruitful over the past several years, especially under the leadership of SEMCOG Chair Commissioner Gwen Markham. At our last Council meeting, Commissioner Markham was on hand to present the City with a check for $1.4 Million in federal funding to help with road improvements to address congestion and improve air quality.

SEMCOG is also one of the organizations leading the charge against 9 bills in the Michigan Legislature which would take away the City’s decision-making authority to regulate zoning and housing development. SEMCOG is supporting a counter-proposal with bipartisan support that emphasizes local and state partnership to solve the housing crisis through innovative funding plans, and keeping control in the hands of your local elected leaders.

03/07/2026

02/25/2026

We’re following the reports on the lockdown in Novi. No danger to the public is believed to exist and precautions are being taken. Follow City of Novi - Government & Community Services for updates as they become available.

A shooting at an apartment complex in Novi has caused lockdowns at schools in the area, according to a source.

02/12/2026

Love is in the air at Meadowbrook Activity Center! Our Older Adult Services team threw a great Valentines Day celebration with music from the Harmonytown Chorus. So many residents and visitors who love our city and the opportunities they’ve found here.

02/02/2026

Happy February! Here’s an update from the City Manager about what’s happening in Novi.

01/15/2026

Good morning, Novi!

Our Snow Team has been working through the night and early morning as more than 6 inches of snow fell across the city, with heavy drifting in some areas. As of this morning, crews have made a first pass through about 75% of neighborhoods and will continue working to complete all residential areas, along with keeping major roadways clear.

With temperatures dropping into the single digits and wind chills well below zero, salt isn’t very effective today. That means some snow and icy spots will remain, and roads—especially where snow is packed—may look rough as conditions change. Please take it slow, allow extra travel time, and use caution when driving.

Thank you to residents who moved cars off neighborhood streets—it really helps our crews do their jobs.

If you’re able, check in on a neighbor and help with a driveway or sidewalk.

Stay warm and safe!

01/14/2026

The snow is coming down but our DPW Team has been ready for what’s in store since early this morning! Thanks to Director Herczeg and Chuck for letting me get a front row seat to the prep work happening behind the scenes.

01/14/2026

This past Saturday, I participated in my first Council Goals Session since being elected - and the first City Council meeting of the new year! These goals are important because they set the tone for our priorities for the year and they directly inform budget planning, work plans, and how staff time is spent. The goal of the Council was to sift through all of the goals introduced by each member and present the staff with 6-10 overarching goals to work on through this year.

Going into the goal session as the new guy, I aimed to introduce goals that I believed were both aspirational but measured. I introduced 7 goals on a wide range of issues including a joint session of the City Council and Planning Commission for the purpose of increased resident education on planning and zoning; increased fire department staffing; increasing parks and recreation event space through the CIP millage, and more.

Council reached consensus on a package of “passed goals” that focus on (to paraphrase):

(1) modernizing how we measure resident satisfaction through a recurring citywide survey similar to what was done in the past;
(2) developing a public art strategy, including a sustainable approach to funding and grant/donation opportunities;
(3) completing a community needs/scope study in coordination with Novi Schools while exploring shared-use opportunities;
(4) bringing forward the analysis and planning needed to place the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) millage renewal before voters in August 2026;
(5) developing strategic plans for key City-owned properties so we are ready when opportunities arise;
(6) resetting Novi’s economic development strategy to place more of a focus on added commercial and less on residential; and
(7) creating a five-year plan to address compensation and benefit costs to support long-term financial stability.

I am proud that I was able to co-sponsor the Public Art goal with Mayor Pro Tem Casey, who has long been a proponent of Public Art in Novi. I also joined several of my colleagues in co-sponsoring the continued collaboration between the City and the Novi Schools. Council also unanimously supported the CIP millage renewal planning goal sponsored by Mayor Fischer.

An important note on process: Council is always free to adopt and implement additional priorities and programs later, even if they weren’t adopted as one of the goals during this session. Goals help set the roadmap for the year, but the Council is able to respond as situations arise and develop.

I’ll continue providing updates as we move forward with the goals and our upcoming budget season! Next meeting of the City Council is Monday, January 26, 2026.

12/26/2025

Be careful as you drive around today if you have to go out. Our city crews have treated much of the city streets but the highway will still be slick until MDOT comes through.

Westbound I-96 west of Novi is currently down to one lane due to a vehicle crash involving a semi. Time is 11:21am

12/19/2025

Drive safe, Novi!

Our Snow Team has been tracking the incoming weather closely and is ready to roll. As the rain transitions to snow early Friday morning, temperatures are expected to drop quickly, which may lead to a flash freeze on the roads and sidewalks.

The crew will be dispatched overnight to begin salting major roadways and overpasses. We aim to have major roads clear for your rush hour commute and will be moving into neighborhoods to salt as soon as possible.

A quick reminder for your Friday morning: While our team will be working hard through the night, some ice and light snow may still be present at daybreak. Please take your time and drive for the conditions.

Also, don’t crowd the trucks. State law requires drivers behind active snow plows to give them 200 feet of space. This creates plenty of stopping distance, helps avoid accidents, and keeps everyone safe!