Mount Clemens council hears public pleas on millage, details sidewalk funding and routine approvals

Public commenters on Monday evening urged the Mount Clemens City Council to ease the tax burden on residents and raised concerns about a canceled hospital event while the council approved routine business, reported on sidewalk enforcement funding and confirmed county-led ditch maintenance.

Floris cinc, who identified herself during public comment, said a lecture for cancer survivors scheduled at a local hospital was canceled on short notice and that "the doctors ... were really upset"; she said she would alert the community if the event is rescheduled. Resident Rick Block told the council he had suggested the council consider reducing the city millage, arguing retired residents and those on fixed incomes needed relief. "Maybe you could...reduce the millage by 5%—one little mill," he said, noting the city had already used the higher millage for the current year.

In administrative responses, the city manager described plans for a spring 2016 sidewalk enforcement activity with an original budget of about $50,000; roughly $23,000 was spent in fall 2015, leaving an estimated $27,000 available for spring repairs to be performed by the city's miscellaneous concrete contractor. The manager also said the ditch near 260 Broadway is county-owned and that the county scheduled maintenance for the first or second week of April; the city will follow up if the work is not completed.

The council also approved procedural items on a voice/roll-call basis: adoption of the agenda, approval of previous meeting minutes, payment of invoices and the consent agenda. Commissioners offered brief remarks and recognitions, including Commissioner Bunton's acknowledgement of Mount Clemens Painter's Supply and Equipment for community service.

Votes at a glance: the agenda adoption, minutes approval, purchases/payment of invoices, and the consent agenda all passed on roll call with members recorded as voting yes. The council adjourned after approving the final motions.

The meeting included announcements that the 2015 annual water quality report is available online, at city hall and the library, and will be provided to the school system and with water billings; residents were invited to request copies from the city manager's office.