Mount Clemens commission approves wastewater pilot, personnel contract amendments; unanimous votes on routine business

The Mount Clemens City Commission on a unanimous roll-call vote authorized participation in a pilot project to test new tertiary wastewater-treatment technology and approved a series of routine personnel and procurement items.

The pilot agreement with Johnson and Anderson authorizes rental of mechanical pilot equipment at a total cost of $43,500 to evaluate replacement options for the plant’s aging ABW filters, which staff said have been in service about 30 years and face an estimated full replacement cost near $1.2 million. City staff said the work responds to a Michigan Department of Environmental Quality requirement that the plant include tertiary treatment and that newer technologies might better handle wet-weather flows. The staff presentation noted $28,000 of the $43,500 would be paid to “Suz” for equipment as part of the arrangement.

In the same meeting the commission approved a Second Amendment to the employment agreement of city clerk Lisa Borgus to reflect an increase in annual salary and benefits while she continues serving as interim city manager, effective Oct. 2, 2017. The commission also approved a Second Amendment for Assistant City Manager and Public Service Director Jeffrey Dwood for similar dual-duty compensation changes effective the same date. Both amendments passed on unanimous roll-call votes.

Other formal actions approved by unanimous roll call included:

- Approval of minutes from the Sept. 18, 2017 work session and commission meeting.
- Approval of purchases and payment of invoices, including the MacArthur Park kayak-launch contract (commissioners noted the contract went to a Mount Clemens company; start date for construction was not specified).
- Adoption of the meeting agenda and approval of the consent agenda.

Why it matters: City staff told commissioners that replacing or upgrading tertiary filtration could avoid a much larger capital expense if a more efficient technology is identified. The personnel amendments formalize pay and benefits for two managers carrying dual responsibilities.

What’s next: The pilot project moves forward with the utilities director authorized to sign the rental agreement; no implementation schedule beyond the equipment rental was specified in the presentation.