[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6126563,"mediaKeyId","2667574-062046b8f1471310525de3d056dc3065","parentId",2667574,"title","Pontiac council honors Quest All Star Athletics and longtime resident Clyde Kemp","audioSeconds",2299,"startMs",1035000,"endMs",3334000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2667574-062046b8f1471310525de3d056dc3065&start=1035&end=3334","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2667574-062046b8f1471310525de3d056dc3065/thumbnail_1035000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6126563/Pontiac/Oakland-County/Michigan/Pontiac-council-honors-Quest-All-Star-Athletics-and-longtime-resident-Clyde-Kemp","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126563-493968fe7e9debec72788df02117dcf3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445473&Signature=Bbor4T4n1JVyir7VniWqKaGTm0iobFOr-Vxi9BnrmjHOc5B6b6pt-ooBm8myOCIJDZr1POfjUJC~QjJfwNRX4wo0~4DLoUzik5zaQduJ7NNamEIKso2ecixFPilAscethp5OAOSkzH6Fzj7EeMGnXv1uejs3NS~3mvpTXgY2hmV7Jcdko5SonQ7QWL7IjGVKILSFjqoJBAom5YFeE0ITRcR7e5I93Z6J0LrgRuCWgoj9QItD6H9sulwLZJdkGpOha3GWw0oQez5SEVHut31SvIT2UJpSu9XRoZY0GefpwIKzD9wezgxAC3qSvpbWHi2fBcba9bCItoyYeXUdSe4~NQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Pontiac","date","2025-03-11T00:00:00Z","article","Pontiac City Council on March 11 adopted and presented two ceremonial resolutions: one celebrating Quest All Star Athletics for its championships and community contributions, and another honoring longtime resident and entrepreneur Clyde Kemp with an honorary renaming of Park Place.

The council read and adopted a resolution celebrating Quest All Star Athletics, a Pontiac-based cheer and dance program started in 2008 by Pontiac native Tanisha Stevens. Stevens and the team joined the council for a presentation and applause. \"We are truly proud of these young athletes,\" Stevens told the chamber.

The council also presented an adopted resolution honoring Mr. Clyde Kemp for decades of neighborhood stewardship and entrepreneurship. Councilman Parker read the resolution recounting Mr. Kemp’s history as a contractor and neighbor advocate; Mr. Kemp accepted the resolution and said about 300 Pontiac residents had petitioned in favor of the action.

Nut graf: Both measures were on the meeting record as adopted resolutions; they are ceremonial recognitions rather than policy changes and do not carry fiscal commitments.

Council members and residents applauded Quest athletes and thanked Mr. Kemp for his community service. The council requested staff proceed with signage to reflect the honorary renaming of Park Place in tribute to Kemp.

Ending: The two recognitions were paired with a brief recess for photographs and did not require separate recorded roll-call votes beyond placement on the consent or special presentation portions of the agenda.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pontiac City Council 3-11-25","oneSentenceSummary","The council adopted resolutions recognizing Quest All Star Athletics' athletic achievements and honoring Clyde Kemp with an honorary street renaming; both celebrations were presented at the March 11 meeting.","taxTitle","Pontiac, Oakland County, Michigan","taxId",4028,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6126569,"Council demands DPW update after residents report widespread streetlight outages",396,10222000,10618000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2667574-062046b8f1471310525de3d056dc3065&start=10222&end=10618","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2667574-062046b8f1471310525de3d056dc3065/thumbnail_10222000.jpg","/articles/6126569/Pontiac/Oakland-County/Michigan/Council-demands-DPW-update-after-residents-report-widespread-streetlight-outages","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126569-9f6774a361f394fc9cddd3e95ff12279/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445473&Signature=ksUgxHpqEQpArKfPR4FPovbMVKuMCL~25SexAWq3KO7R0UPX1wYCCB1MjPxdC18eylu5QCtSzEJ1eC0Iq~pPR6C9aCQN-6yTFZ9qH7SlEQsTGDl55aGFZY40WnIzhKlebVVYafs4yuQpT2B3X4AuJvQbs7pnBIHotB8Uqh53QS4L0yrQtojG35x3JnhxhJWd1xc7QL3hq2fKIq9nLyCRX~H86UHYt45PlCP4oOqdmZWGF5rj~Mf2ZEiry85q8BY4FB2W4fNknCuQ57AYpEyXZ6mPXYyz15toM8lhSLACvCh~nAaVRuCi0SN0BuIrI0wC-UO8xLvrXVsH8TYR7iMOHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members pressed city staff on March 11 for a formal update and timeline to repair dozens of streetlights that residents say have been out for weeks on several major Pontiac corridors.

Councilwoman James opened the discussion by describing extensive outages in District 4 and saying she had canvassed affected corridors. “Over 60% of our main corridors are dark,” James said. “We get absolutely no feedback about light outages at all and that's unacceptable.”

Nut graf: The council asked the administration to present a comprehensive status report at its March 18 meeting showing which outages are reported, which repairs are underway, and expected timelines. The request follows residents’ reports of outages on Auburn, Walton Boulevard, Baldwin and other primary streets.

Mayor Tim Grama said the city increased the contract cap for lighting repairs in February and that repairs are underway, but explained some locations require underground directional boring that takes additional time. “A lot of the street lights need underground directional boring, that takes time,” he said, and noted a contractor estimate of about four weeks for parts of the work after mobilization.

The administration said a $1 million grant will be delivered to DTE for a larger program of comprehensive repairs and LED conversions that could reduce future outages. The mayor also told council the newly hired Department of Public Works director started the previous week and the city would provide a written update that lists reported outages, contractor activity and a timeline for repairs. Pro Tem Carrington and other council members requested the report be presented at the March 18 council meeting.

Ending: Council members asked residents to continue reporting outages to the city's DPW so repairs can be tracked. The administration committed to provide a block-by-block status, and to confirm which outages have been repaired and which still require directional boring or pole replacement.","Council directed administration to present a detailed briefing on recurring streetlight outages across major corridors after council members described long-running outages, slow contractor response and potential public-safety risks.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6126574,"Council approves first readings updating retirement ordinances to new federal RMD ages",623,4637000,5260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2667574-062046b8f1471310525de3d056dc3065&start=4637&end=5260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2667574-062046b8f1471310525de3d056dc3065/thumbnail_4637000.jpg","/articles/6126574/Pontiac/Oakland-County/Michigan/Council-approves-first-readings-updating-retirement-ordinances-to-new-federal-RMD-ages","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126574-9a7d6bb94aa37c748de157ba2bfe825a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445473&Signature=FOKVqSG4UaTxyRNbOCkgHA8thrpF0NnzNzMjYy8t6M0PSpCc7u5lwU90ymYBtaoN4I5ygq3M4vQRjQL1qgOopJQCAI50EHTehl5fRgIYObyM8WHQA3rmuQYmqcH3L2L5oVlFidlEmCDonO4aHrXDSayHY9Re4N~LzpckmVE2dF4SQWF8QERjLmdNiPpqIUH6d9BvC2vPy0-DZc5YViFqyP5XDVf9bl2zuOIQNylzMrBw4L6reiv~qI7vvuQ4f3pz~j5iHu2DqdRAyeSRIv4jqzyc2iZNHwxjVqyWDeozyCRffZWTp8on4z9fcXxuTPvVFPLTE3UQmyrkcTjr-g9XKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pontiac City Council on March 11 approved first-reading amendments to municipal pension ordinances to conform with federal law changes in the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act and SECURE 2.

The measures update required beginning dates for required minimum distributions (RMDs) used by the General Employees Retirement System (GERS), the reinstated General Employees Retirement System (ReGURS) and the Police and Fire Retirement System. Attorney Mickey Bartlett, representing Miller Canfield, told council the changes are administrative: they align city pension ordinances with Internal Revenue Code rules raising RMD ages to 72, 73 or 75 depending on birth year.

Nut graf: The resolutions were approved as first readings for statutory compliance and will return for final readings; council members clarified the amendments do not change benefit amounts or bind the city to new payments beyond the statutory timing change.

Bartlett said trustees of the affected plans had unanimously approved the changes and that the amendments do not alter benefit formulas. “This is a statutory change, so with pensions they’re so heavily regulated. This is something coming straight from the IRS,” Bartlett said.

Council members asked whether beneficiary or other plan disputes were implicated; Bartlett and city staff said related administrative questions would be handled separately and that the Secure Act amendments simply change the age at which benefits must start.

Both first-reading resolutions passed on recorded votes of 6-0: the amendment for GERS and ReGURS (moved by Pro Tem Carrington; seconded by Councilman Parker) and the amendment for the Police and Fire plan (moved by Pro Tem Carrington; seconded by Councilwoman Jones). Both will return for final adoption at a subsequent council meeting.

Ending: City staff said additional plan amendments are anticipated and that several will be brought back after actuarial review to confirm any fiscal effects.","Pontiac City Council approved first readings to amend city pension ordinances to conform with the federal Secure Act 2 required beginning dates for required minimum distributions (RMDs).",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6126579,"Pontiac moves forward on $37 million youth recreation center design, authorizes bids and construction manager review",3373,5511000,8884000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2667574-062046b8f1471310525de3d056dc3065&start=5511&end=8884","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2667574-062046b8f1471310525de3d056dc3065/thumbnail_5511000.jpg","/articles/6126579/Pontiac/Oakland-County/Michigan/Pontiac-moves-forward-on-37-million-youth-recreation-center-design-authorizes-bids-and-construction-manager-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126579-4eef5db04f896062f7d3d2ecfdd4b598/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445473&Signature=I6r5TUZYIcR2vPSVDR6Xy7j3V1e4DcDzD9oHHOskIPsOOpo57xCmO7WPUWABZ~sYVAz6f6KSQz75k99LDi7BwG922MNBcyU-Ehy4-ZORko2~lj3UcFfPb88Vm~JINNQLwX9hgfkSPbTmKhi-2UHsuT-cc5pYGjHYXqeZuQ9DbtEjGCq66CmrOPlDvm2m5xyyixFACOg1b2eiHC4u282OifvRnzXc5LgvR0-rrrDgWL61aVIKfh5Liqda~RhibkE0Oot5FsGo7RlQoLCS3HMkp4SIgiECrBeIIPKyAO8ul0N7NEY7MmgZJOR9lhrCnwHuanXhaK-RHQ1j~v3e5qwALw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pontiac City Council on March 11 approved contract changes and a construction-manager step that advance a proposed $37 million youth recreation center toward a final price.

The council’s action amended the city’s architectural contract for the project and authorized the mayor or deputy mayor to execute an AIA A133-2019 agreement with Clark White (joint venture) to provide construction-manager-at-risk (CMAR) services, allowing the city to move from design to hard bids and a guaranteed maximum price.

Deputy Mayor Stevens told the council the project was designed to a $37 million target after months of community outreach. “We started with a base number of $25 million,” Stevens said in the presentation. “The center that we designed, not including the pool, was a $37 million building.”

Nut graf: The council voted to keep the project on schedule while requiring the next step — a CMAR-led bid process — to produce a firm construction cost. That process will let the city decide whether to proceed at the guaranteed maximum price or scale back, supporters said.

Council members pressed for fiscal details during a lengthy discussion. The administration presented a proposed “capital stack” that would pay for construction with a mix of general-fund cash, federal ARPA dollars and tax-exempt borrowing: roughly $18.2 million from the general fund, $6.8 million in ARPA earmarked for youth recreation, and $15 million in bonds. The city's annual debt-service estimate for a $15 million bond was about $1.1 million per year at current interest-rate assumptions, the city’s financial advisors told council.

Deputy Mayor Stevens said the city currently collects roughly $1.3 million a year from a voter-approved recreation millage and has intentionally underspent that fund to save for operations. The administration estimated preliminary annual operating costs including utilities at about $200,000 and a baseline cleaning estimate near $30,000; council members noted these numbers could rise and asked for more detailed operating projections.

Councilman Goodman, who moved the architect contract amendment, said he had canvassed residents and heard widespread support for a new center. “People want this to be done,” Goodman said. Councilwoman James, who moved to amend the architect contract earlier in the process, underscored the risk of defaulting on previously made council decisions: “We have to follow through with the decisions that have been made.”

The two final procedural votes passed on unanimous recorded tallies: a resolution to amend the architect contract (moved by Councilman Goodman, seconded by Councilwoman James) passed 6-0, and the resolution authorizing the mayor or deputy mayor to execute the AIA A133-2019 agreement for Clark White (moved by Councilwoman Jones, seconded by Councilwoman James) also passed 6-0. Both measures allow the city to proceed with the preconstruction and bidding work but do not obligate the city to the final construction cost until the guaranteed maximum price (GMP) is submitted for council approval.

Supporters said borrowing now while tax-exempt municipal bonds remain available gives the city a lower-cost financing option; staff said they intend to seek bond authorization before any federal changes eliminate tax-exempt municipal debt advantages. The city’s financial memo also modeled a pessimistic scenario in which revenues over time slow; even under a conservative projection the city forecasted years before expenses would exceed revenues, assuming no major unanticipated financial shocks.

Opponents and skeptical members urged caution. Several council members asked the administration to continue pursuing philanthropic contributions and to return with a redlined ordinance and more precise operating estimates. Council members also asked for regular updates on how potential county employment growth and new development might affect the city’s revenue stream and the project’s affordability.

Ending: The city’s next procedural step is the CMAR’s preconstruction work and the production of final construction documents and bid solicitations; staff said the GMP could be presented in early August. Council scheduled follow-up oversight in upcoming meetings as the CMAR compiles subcontractor bids and final cost data.","City council voted to fund further design work, amend the architect contract and hire a construction manager-at-risk to develop a guaranteed maximum price while hearing a financial plan that relies on cash balance, ARPA and up to $15 million in bonds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pontiac council honors Quest All Star Athletics and longtime resident Clyde Kemp

Council demands DPW update after residents report widespread streetlight outages

Council approves first readings updating retirement ordinances to new federal RMD ages

Pontiac moves forward on $37 million youth recreation center design, authorizes bids and construction manager review