Mount Clemens commission approves first reading of precinct changes, retains landfill methane consultant, invites city manager candidates for second interviews

Mount Clemens — The city commission on Tuesday advanced several administrative items, approving a first reading of precinct-boundary amendments, authorizing continued environmental consulting for methane monitoring at the former landfill and scheduling second-round interviews for two city manager candidates.

The commission introduced amendments to ordinance 12.201, section 1, to combine Precincts 5 and 6 into a redefined Precinct 6 to reflect a recent permanent relocation. The commission set Feb. 3, 2020, as the date for the second reading and adoption; staff said voters would be notified by mailing updated voter identification cards, newspaper notices and postings at City Hall and community centers.

On environmental work at the former Mount Clemens landfill, the commission approved an agreement to retain AKT Peerless Environmental and Energy Services for calendar year 2020 through Dickinson Wright PLLC. City staff said AKT Peerless has provided services for years and that continued monitoring and fine-tuning of the active methane venting system is critical; staff reported the city’s methane monitoring has met Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for more than 15 years.

Commissioners also voted to approve routine purchases and payments of invoices. During that agenda item, a commissioner questioned a one-year extension for JC Landscaping and Sprinkler System Services; staff explained the extension continued an existing contract without price changes.

The commission approved a motion to move into executive session for candidate interviews and voted to invite Timothy Novak and Donald Johnson back for a second round of interviews for the city manager vacancy. The chair announced a five-minute recess before the executive session.

All recorded motions on these items were taken by roll-call votes during the meeting; the transcript records affirmative roll-call responses on the listed items. The meeting adjourned following the executive-session motion.