CLAWSON – A particular assembly of the Clawson Metropolis Council on November 13 sparked dialogue within the council chambers, not solely amongst residents in attendance, but in addition between Mayor Paula Millan, council members and newly elected Mayor Susan Moffitt.
Clawson voters expressed their distaste for the particular assembly, with most saying they needed the newly elected council members and Moffitt to be in control of making the selections on the agenda.
The assembly mentioned the reappointment and appointment of 9 people to numerous boards and commissions and the approval of a contract modification for Metropolis Supervisor Joe Rheker.
The council voted 4-1 to undertake the contract modification. Moffitt voted no on the difficulty.
Rheker’s contract was set to run out in March 2025, however on October 3, 2023, the town council amended the four-year contract and moved it to March 2029, in accordance with the agenda bundle.
The town supervisor requested an extension of his contact till March 2031, together with a fee of navy compensation days on the finish of his employment or upon his retirement from the Naval Reserve. The extension additionally consists of an elevated sick depart profit from the present 65% to 100%, bringing it in step with the Treasurer’s contract. The extension modifications the payout of the ‘termination for trigger’ clause to match the ‘with out trigger’ clause; this consists of the MERS (Municipal Staff’ Retirement System) monetary pension contribution and the 12 months counted for vesting. And eventually, the Metropolis might be accountable for any shortfall in funding and vesting time, ought to a termination happen previous to its January 2027 vesting.
“This assembly is so flawed; it is so flawed for therefore many causes. It is a slap within the face, not simply to me, however to all of the residents and voters in Clawson, however particularly to our new mayor and new metropolis council,” stated Darlene McDaniel, who stated she has lived in Clawson for 79 years. “The voters have nice confidence in them (the newly elected officers) and they aren’t even given an opportunity in these issues. I do not understand how any of you sleep at night time and name this assembly tonight.”
Michael Stein, of West Bloomfield, is an legal professional in Royal Oak. Standing earlier than the council, he shared his disgust with the assembly, calling it “disgusting.”
“You drag everybody right here on Thursday, everybody has youngsters, a job, every thing is tough proper now. And also you drag everybody right here for a particular assembly to increase a contract for one more two years till 2031, with no particular purpose, on prime of no matter else you wish to add,” Stein stated. “I imply, the concept that you guys would attempt to push this by, and also you’re all voted out, is a joke. That is an absolute joke. You guys misplaced, and you are going to push this to a different council that is developing. You understand they’ve their very own agenda. Why would you retain that contract with them?”
Stein stated if the council have been to maneuver ahead with the vote, it could be making a call that might have main ramifications for the following council.
“I can not imagine you guys are sitting there with these smug seems to be in your faces, such as you’re truly serving to somebody. That is a joke. You higher take a look at what you are doing and give it some thought earlier than you vote,” he stated. “Should you preserve enjoying silly video games, you are going to win silly prizes. I promise you that.”
Clawson resident Laura Montague stated whereas many residents have been sad with the gathering, it was not unlawful.
“If there’s one thing occurring right here that basically should not be allowed now or sooner or later, change the principles, individuals. It doesn’t suggest something. You understand what, that is simply the best way it’s,” she stated. “You may sit right here and go on and on and trip and do all of the name-calling you need, however it’s important to change the principles. It is a lame duck council and a lame duck presidency, however it would not matter; they’re nonetheless at work they usually can nonetheless do no matter they see match for the town.”
Throughout the dialogue in regards to the metropolis supervisor’s contract, Millan defined her assist for the modifications to Rheker’s contract.
She stated that in her eight years on the council, she has seen metropolis officers come and go, and retaining one in Clawson has not been straightforward.
“It is actually tough, extraordinarily tough to get a metropolis supervisor to return to this neighborhood, as good as it’s with such pretty individuals right here tonight, when you might have individuals who do not essentially – who wish to do what they wish to do,” she stated. “I believe this election and what we have seen on stage during the last two years tells us that the willingness to work effectively with others just isn’t essentially within the playing cards for Mr. Rheker, and I believe we as a neighborhood have labored very arduous, we as a council have labored very arduous to deliver stability again into the sport right here.”
Millan went on to say that if they didn’t transfer ahead with Rheker as metropolis supervisor and introduced in somebody new, it could “in all probability” price the town about $250,000.
“I believe most of us on this room would say that our metropolis is significantly better in the present day than it was 4 years in the past, and we’re on extraordinarily stable footing, and we wish to preserve that going. We’re not going to maintain that going if we begin the cycle of open-door metropolis managers once more,” she stated. “Individuals are entitled to their opinion; they’re entitled to their ardour. I’ve no drawback with that. I’ll take any blow you wish to give me, I did it for eight years.”
Millan stated whereas residents are entitled to their opinions, it’s not truthful to berate Rheker about his work as it’s his livelihood.
“That is his skilled job. This isn’t his, ‘I will do it on Tuesday for not a lot cash for a pleasant job,’ and also you guys should respect that, and I really feel like that may not be revered,” she stated.
“Essentially the most elementary obligation of elected officers is to function with integrity, shield the town and respect the voice of its residents. None of those provisions are in one of the best pursuits of the town,” Moffitt stated. “They might be within the curiosity of the town supervisor, however they aren’t within the curiosity of the people who find themselves right here tonight, and the individuals who voted, and the individuals who pay taxes for the town.”
“Ms. Moffitt, you bought off to such an excellent begin since you stated one of many largest obligations we have now is ‘working,'” Millan stated. “If I even remotely thought you had the flexibility to work with our metropolis supervisor, I would not even take a look at….”
At that second, Millan was interrupted by a commotion from the gang.
“Nearly all of individuals on this neighborhood imagine that I’m the particular person, not you, who’s greatest positioned to work with the individuals on this neighborhood and respect the voice of the individuals,” Moffitt stated. “That’s the voice of the individuals.”
“I hear these individuals, and there’s no world by which you’re the greatest. … If I trusted you to work with it, we would not have so many issues, however we have now it on tape time and time once more that you’ve refused to cooperate, and the individuals who assist you refuse to cooperate as effectively,” Millan stated. “It’s the job of this council, the following council and the following council to make sure the soundness of this neighborhood, and an open door from metropolis officers won’t present stability.”
“There’s nothing about what occurred tonight at this assembly that signifies you’re keen to work with anybody or put one of the best pursuits of the town first,” Moffitt responded.
Councilman Bruce Anderson stated he had acquired a number of adverse emails in regards to the assembly previous to the assembly.
“I’m very impressed with the best way Mr. Rheker has dealt with himself,” Anderson stated. “We’re taking a look at renewing a metropolis supervisor’s contract. It’s pertinent to debate his efficiency. If he was a bum, I might say no, perhaps it’s best to hearth him, however he’s not a bum. He has performed an excellent job. I am sorry some individuals within the metropolis might not admire his efforts, however I do.”
The assembly concluded with a vote to approve updates to the town supervisor’s contract.
For extra details about the town, go to Clawson cityofclawson.com.
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