Mount Clemens commission extends mayor�emergency declaration for 90 days amid COVID-19

The City of Mount Clemens City Commission voted to extend Mayor Laura Kraub Laura Kraub's March 16 emergency declaration for 90 days at its virtual meeting. City Manager Don Johnson read the extension, citing the Michigan Emergency Management Act and the governor's executive orders as the basis for continued emergency measures.

The extension, presented by City Manager Don Johnson, says the declaration will remain in effect for 90 days or until rescinded by the mayor or the city commission. Johnson told commissioners the declaration is intended to "protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens and visitors of the City of Mount Clemens" and to authorize necessary actions by city staff to provide emergency assistance.

Why it matters: The action formalizes the city's use of emergency authority to close city buildings, continue remote operations for staff, and follow applicable state executive orders that shape public meetings and services during the COVID-19 outbreak. The declaration also aligns local procedures with the state's emergency order and clarifies authority for city staff to act quickly as conditions change.

What the commission did: After Johnson read the resolution and answered procedural questions, a commissioner moved to adopt the extension. The commission conducted a roll-call vote and approved the measure. The motion passed by roll call and was recorded as approved.

Legal context: The extension references the Michigan Emergency Management Act and the governor's executive orders governing emergency operations and the conduct of electronic meetings. The written resolution provided to commissioners cites relevant local ordinances and state law as the legal basis for extending the declaration.

Next steps and implementation: Under the resolution the city manager is authorized to take actions he deems necessary to protect public health and to provide emergency assistance. Commissioners also noted staff have closed city facilities to the public and are maintaining essential services such as fire, water and sewer operations while some employees work remotely.

The commission did not set a specific re-evaluation date beyond the 90-day extension; any rescission or amendment would require further action by the mayor or the city commission.