Mount Clemens commission introduces amendment to water ordinance; second reading set for April 1, 2019

The Mount Clemens City Commission on March 11 introduced for first reading an amendment to water ordinance 25.116, section 6, and set April 1, 2019, as the date for the second reading and possible adoption. The motion to introduce the amendment was moved by the meeting chair and supported by another commissioner and passed on a roll-call vote with all present voting yes.

City staff explained that MCL 123.165 provides that no lien for unpaid water and sewer charges shall accrue against real estate if a written affidavit is filed by the owner or landlord and noted the ordinance language was drafted to reflect that statutory provision. “MCL 123.165 provides that no lien for unpaid water and sewer charges shall accrue against the real estate service if a written affidavit is filed by the owner landlord of the premises,” staff stated during the introduction.

Why it matters: the proposed amendment clarifies how liability for unpaid water and sewer charges is handled when a property owner files a statutorily recognized affidavit, which affects owners, landlords and tenants by reinforcing when liens may or may not attach to property. The commission did not take final action; the item will return for its second reading and potential adoption on April 1, 2019.

Next steps: the commission scheduled the second reading and adoption vote for April 1, 2019. If adopted, the amendment would alter local ordinance language in section 6 of ordinance 25.116 to reflect the cited Michigan statute.