Mount Clemens commission approves routine business: library leases, CDBG allocations, FFCRA extension, land sale and consent items

The Mount Clemens City Commission on Feb. 16 approved a slate of administrative and routine items, voting unanimously on lease agreements, grants and personnel policy designed to help the city through construction and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Library leases and temporary polling change: Commissioners approved two separate lease agreements allowing the Mount Clemens Public Library nonexclusive use of the community center and exclusive use of Wilson Gym while the library building is under construction. Staff said the leases are for an 18-month period with an option to extend an additional three months if needed.

CDBG allocations: Staff reported the city was authorized by Macomb County to allocate up to $13,800 in Community Development Block Grant funds for 2021; a total of $14,478 had been requested by five nonprofits. The administration recommended allocating the $13,800 across the applicants, and commissioners approved the recommendation on roll call. Staff read amounts in the meeting (Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers $6,522; a homeless-coalition allocation read as $888; Turning Point $2,500; and two other line items totaling the remainder). The staff report is the definitive list for exact recipient names and line-item spelling.

FFCRA paid-leave extension: Jennifer Dielodi, the city's new human-resources director, asked the commission to extend the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) paid-leave option for city employees through June 30, 2021, to encourage employees with exposures or diagnoses to quarantine without financial penalty. "We do not want employees who have been exposed coming to work and putting others at risk," Dielodi said. Commissioners approved the extension by roll call.

Sale of city lot: The commission authorized the sale of one buildable, city-owned vacant lot at 122 Jones Street to Timothy Pratt Jr. for $400 and authorized the mayor and clerk to execute necessary documents. Staff noted this is the last buildable city-owned lot being sold.

Invoices and consent agenda: Commissioners approved purchase and payment of city invoices and the consent agenda after limited comment; roll-call votes recorded unanimous support.

What this means: The approvals allow interim arrangements during the library construction, distribute allocated CDBG dollars to local nonprofits, extend a paid-leave safety measure for staff, and finalize the disposition of an in-city vacant lot. The city will post finalized agreements and the detailed CDBG award list in the meeting packet and staff reports.