The council shall have the power to prohibit and prevent obstructions and encumbrances in, and encroachments upon the public highways, streets and alleys of the city, and to remove the same, and to punish those who shall obstruct, encumber, encroach or maintain any encroachments, upon or in any such highway, street or alley; and to require all such persons to remove every such obstruction, encumbrance and encroachment.
MCL 102.11