Mount Clemens commission extends local COVID-19 emergency declaration for 90 days

The Mount Clemens City Commission voted on June 15 to extend the city's local emergency declaration for 90 days, citing the need to preserve authority to respond quickly if local COVID-19 conditions worsen.

City Manager Don Johnson reminded commissioners the mayor initially declared the emergency on March 16 and the commission previously extended it on March 23; that extension was due to expire June 21. Johnson recommended adopting the attached resolution to extend the declaration for another 90 days or until the mayor or commission declares the emergency ended.

Commissioner discussion focused on the appropriate length of the extension: one commissioner urged a shorter, 30-day extension given the state's expected action, while others favored keeping the city's authority in place. Johnson and Mayor Laura Cropp said the resolution allows an earlier termination by the mayor or commission and that the city had been coordinating with Macomb County emergency management recommendations.

On a roll-call vote the resolution passed with one dissent (Commissioner Menser). Mayor Cropp and staff affirmed the commission's intent to follow the governor and county guidance and to end the local emergency sooner if state or county orders changed.

The resolution grants local authority to respond to emergent public-health or public-safety needs and was approved by simple majority on a recorded roll call.