Mount Clemens manager reports yard-waste confusion, water-plant installation delays and firefighter testing

Mount Clemens — During the April 22, 2020 meeting the City Manager reported multiple operational updates: yard-waste pickup was briefly halted by contractor GFL and then reinstated; Pure Flow engineers for the water-plant ozone unit could not travel because of pandemic restrictions so the city will attempt installation and programming remotely; and Fire Captain Shipman arranged COVID‑19 testing for the fire department this week.

Mr Johnson said yard-waste collection was suspended by GFL on April 13 and then resumed on April 14, creating route disruptions and resident confusion. A GFL representative who identified himself as Glen called in later in the meeting to describe the ‘‘whipsaw’’ for residents and asked the city to invoice GFL for signage costs placed on routes; Mr Johnson agreed to accept billing details.

On water treatment, Mr Johnson said Pure Flow cannot send engineers by commercial aircraft at this time, and city staff along with local contract engineers will attempt to complete the ozone-machine installation by remote teleconference once internet access in the ozone shed and control components arrive. He noted ozone purification is important to address summer algae-related taste-and-odor issues in Lake St. Clair.

Mr Johnson also reported that Captain Shipman arranged COVID‑19 testing for all firefighters this week; commissioners praised that development. The manager announced a Department of Health and Human Services grant of $579,500 was awarded for building/health services and described plans for a community drive-through lunch in Shady Side Park to promote census participation and distribute signup information.

Commissioners used the report to reiterate the importance of the 2020 census and thanked staff and volunteers for securing masks for Dial‑A‑Ride riders and for arranging testing for first responders.