City manager reports improving COVID indicators; $75,000 grant awarded for Shadyside Park water play structure

City Manager Johnson told the Mount Clemens City Commission that local COVID indicators — case rates, hospitalizations and positivity — are trending downward and that the city plans to keep city hall closed for the remainder of the year and reopen to the public on Jan. 4.

Johnson said the city has no active COVID cases among employees at the moment and that Macomb County had started vaccinating first responders. He said 10 firefighters requested vaccinations and the department will stagger shots to avoid simultaneous staffing impacts.

Johnson also announced that Advancing Macomb awarded a $75,000 grant toward a planned interactive water play structure at Shadyside Park. The full project is estimated at about $230,000; partners including the Anton Arts Center plan to raise the remaining funds and asked the city for in‑kind support and a waiver of permit fees. Johnson said the structure is intended to be visible from Gratiot and described it as elegant rather than a typical splash pad.

Commissioners welcomed the grant and thanked community volunteers who collected toys for Toys for Tots and other year‑end volunteer efforts. The commission agreed to continue coordination with partners to finalize funding and site plans.