[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6198706,"mediaKeyId","3842730-6f1723dda757036b9d1c31cc5c5162f5","parentId",3842730,"title","Council rejects proposed introduction of rules amendments after heated debate over training, conflicts of interest","audioSeconds",1145,"startMs",4765000,"endMs",5910000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3842730-6f1723dda757036b9d1c31cc5c5162f5&start=4765&end=5910","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3842730-6f1723dda757036b9d1c31cc5c5162f5/thumbnail_4765000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6198706/Saginaw/Saginaw-County/Michigan/Council-rejects-proposed-introduction-of-rules-amendments-after-heated-debate-over-training-conflicts-of-interest","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198706-26f4be91a946133b42e47fbdfd783b2f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182996&Signature=E6HK1kNCwvX70HKOznkhEqozPLp0gvL4L9xOThC3QRoSHKqCmR69RBKKIRuNhVWv0K6F9Hx3nZ5UTx0MCCQ32kmstBqzPLOt1NCdxn~MIfjcnpuhah5OLxDJ6-JUqmtYLNM89XoRyRR14ZHmZWWQ58u3J1~WceA7u58wLNjH1Wvti-Ulk9Qm-7T9QV6u59D3hvyS7G9xP8RfA9lymCs-bd8pFPtdWI4nE10YGc83bR8Df~PTYBJPtIn4KJiXFcrhCT4c10jmRDVW09oiJQ-qTZDNpyCFlrleVe22noBq-l1jXDEEVtm7RKaverE6kJe6mDID0JybJycNAKZs6rj99A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Saginaw MI","date","2025-06-09T00:00:00Z","article","Council members debated proposed amendments to the council rules of order that would clarify training, travel approvals and financial conflicts of interest; the council voted against introducing the amendments for further consideration.

Councilwoman Sylvia and others questioned language in the proposed changes about whether attendance at out‑of‑town conferences could create a financial conflict requiring recusal. Sylvia asked whether a council member \"benefits\" by attending a conference and noted uncertainty about the source of travel funds. Council members said they want clearer rules and clearer budgeting for training and travel before enacting rule changes.

City Manager Tim Morales explained the historical practice of funding council training out of the manager’s training budget but recommended that council adjust budget documents so council training is reflected in a separate council line item rather than charged to the manager's account. Morales said council can continue to attend standard Michigan Municipal League (MML) events under current budget lines, but that ad hoc or out‑of‑budget requests should come back to council for approval.

Council eventually took a roll‑call vote to approve introduction of the proposed amendments; the clerk recorded eight votes against and one member absent, so the introduction failed. Council members said they will discuss a clearer training budget and consider more precise language about financial conflicts and recusal in future rule revisions.

No ordinance or rule change was adopted; staff was directed informally in discussion to return with clearer budget options and to consider drafting more explicit conflict‑of‑interest language for council review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Saginaw, MI City Council June 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council voted down the introduction of proposed amendments to its rules of order after members debated whether travel reimbursements or attending conferences could create financial conflicts and asked for clearer budget guidance.","taxTitle","Saginaw, Saginaw County, Michigan","taxId",3479,"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},6198713,"Council directs staff to draft ordinance creating homelessness commission for June 23 consideration",84,7034000,7118000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3842730-6f1723dda757036b9d1c31cc5c5162f5&start=7034&end=7118","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3842730-6f1723dda757036b9d1c31cc5c5162f5/thumbnail_7034000.jpg","/articles/6198713/Saginaw/Saginaw-County/Michigan/Council-directs-staff-to-draft-ordinance-creating-homelessness-commission-for-June-23-consideration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198713-2bd7a9a45ecc9a78b84c8b5b5efc2d0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182996&Signature=V2qhRh98mIsB6WGWGKxgdMU1iWsWVxDP7COFHRb2tFNz-30a7zQV0lf04UsWfBG4sdJIlpLlb~iOTjyf1XEIB0DvQ9ZT9JvaEqOOSilFuEvwBq7nZkqD2tdpKsP3s1TfxAtWzN~zrHk9aVtRVTbSAXKMTehPRrnaJRmwD4CuNiA~iMzs8o2ah47JdaNt6qKnVq9foghEiH01OO3jT66xeSyUpI5UO0mcDWkSYLkCuD7lwjxO5NaBCvB4Fdb3fYAuLx~g61QS-TzTGoolQw9fCPOT7a8uTm0o~kc1NijBGwA0vwaLiD2bWFpa5CGSCrh7r5mC832oXhnWtDhSvNqQXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The city council directed staff to draft an ordinance to form a commission on homelessness that will engage community stakeholders and develop policy recommendations for council consideration at its June 23 meeting.

Councilwoman Hammond moved the instruction: \"Direct staff to draft an ordinance for the formation of a commission on homelessness to engage community stakeholders and develop policy recommendations to the council for consideration at the June 23 meeting.\" The motion was seconded and adopted by voice vote.

City staff confirmed the commission will be formed by ordinance so meetings and deliberations are subject to the Open Meetings Act. Council members said they expect the draft ordinance to include membership, duties and reporting requirements, and asked for stakeholder engagement across city and county partners.

The council did not adopt the ordinance at the meeting; staff were given direction to prepare the ordinance and bring it back for formal introduction and possible adoption on June 23.","Council voted to direct staff to prepare an ordinance establishing a commission on homelessness to engage stakeholders and produce recommendations by the June 23 meeting.",{"_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},6198717,"Council approves sale agreement with River Caddis for downtown Barringer building",250,6050000,6300000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3842730-6f1723dda757036b9d1c31cc5c5162f5&start=6050&end=6300","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3842730-6f1723dda757036b9d1c31cc5c5162f5/thumbnail_6050000.jpg","/articles/6198717/Saginaw/Saginaw-County/Michigan/Council-approves-sale-agreement-with-River-Caddis-for-downtown-Barringer-building","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198717-327573de1d9063ba57203dc72ba38e6b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182996&Signature=e6hsp0-OEuwGkn2xdOIB0ZxadS8grxI9Z7gPc4ZfDxz2zP5GQq1JwHMOoD50Of4Z6G0ABZy5H4Ub0HdTruVNUlfRWK9jXeeK9tNye~9VytO50vSCzKXOmvYjX3c8~46l5fFPrXIOzDm13BQjOGQ8Eu9atzHjDfXNqXKtj~u-6msBwxkk1SDRc6Ypn4M-vZJmJz1tf0Jt0KZwDarYpTSohBvk7DgD39kDDzqUGmYFNW-y3Tv5ejdE--CRvmtofzmGli3hPIJL3rCBa8ZJVu4Rl10IYx4qZpxQBxzd0pklqxouU1y~QDJTAGE7~qZmLSbcCs7tx~Pkjb31hhTVtRonvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Saginaw City Council approved a purchase agreement with River Caddis Communities LLC for the downtown Barringer building, a move city staff said could bring redevelopment and new residential units to the structure.

City staff said the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) recommended River Caddis and that the two parties began working on a purchase agreement in January. \"It was a recommendation from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation,\" a staff member told the council. The developer, staff said, brings a team of attorneys and financial partners and plans a mixed‑use redevelopment with first‑floor retail and upper‑floor residential units.

Staff also told council the building is currently under study by the historic district commission and that state law (PA 169) and local ordinance require historic‑district review for exterior changes, which would prevent demolition without commission approval. A staff representative said the commission process protects the building from exterior alteration while the study is under way.

Council members broadly welcomed the proposal and described the purchase as an encouraging sign that outside investors view Saginaw as a viable redevelopment market. Council discussion referenced past uses of the building — offices, studios and retail — and current plans to pursue federal and state incentives, including brownfield or historic tax credits where appropriate.

The motion to approve the purchase agreement passed; council did not discuss detailed financing or a final redevelopment plan at the meeting. City staff said the developer will continue design and financing work and will coordinate required historic‑district review and permitting before starting construction or exterior work.","Council approved a purchase agreement for the downtown Barringer building with Lansing‑based River Caddis Communities LLC after staff said the developer was recommended by MEDC and plans mixed‑use rehabilitation; historic‑district review will govern exterior changes.",{"_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},6198722,"Saginaw staff outline plan and timeline for replacing lead and galvanized service lines",730,3185000,3915000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3842730-6f1723dda757036b9d1c31cc5c5162f5&start=3185&end=3915","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3842730-6f1723dda757036b9d1c31cc5c5162f5/thumbnail_3185000.jpg","/articles/6198722/Saginaw/Saginaw-County/Michigan/Saginaw-staff-outline-plan-and-timeline-for-replacing-lead-and-galvanized-service-lines","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198722-ebd02ac4c933911814435cc256db14f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182996&Signature=S18LW-pCM1g91mll0d4mAvENy-~rulkmbWgdOXD6QMhnSgQCQ2ipxQU0gp~I3f-sv0iVqkXDFKa5XSCCnY80wRWpK~uotcGJM0It7p24E1FdKUcLeZFJLy6HBc7BfUREOldam9l3E0Gc5Q12PZo2rOk1dhahtkufd-px3myx3zHTUztfeO7cTSXptPbR9rVfwbzISiuomAgB4vv-nENVlqr65vvhUnDoWBhx2Kb~-x87xoEqEwNuV8tRw~CR2AXUBzfTqESY0LFPHrA0FLqG6gv9DIdXQ18lrLjQKOaNoak8TBoBcaBiaOubMw7QAGeuj9t3rAtZUXovY58fajPHgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City public‑works staff told the council the state’s lead and copper rules prompted a citywide inventory and a multi‑year program to replace lead and galvanized water service lines connecting homes to the main.

Phil Carwatt, public services staff, summarized the city’s work and the technical reasons for the material choice used in recent replacements: \"The state changed the lead copper rule 4 or 5 years ago, with the situation that happened in Flint. They mandated that any cities that have lead and or pipe, once connected to lead, change\" the service lines and complete a distribution system materials inventory. Carwatt said crews and contractors have already replaced roughly 3,700–4,000 lines and that about 6,300 active service lines remain to be changed out; he estimated another 8,000–10,000 abandoned connections also need attention.

Carwatt explained why the city used an AWWA‑approved plastic pipe (SDR‑9, the blue PVC) instead of copper for many new extensions: copper costs and availability during and after the COVID period made copper impractical and raised project costs by millions. He also said the older galvanized and corroded pipe reduces effective diameter and can cause pressure losses and lead particulates to be released, noting, \"When we dig this up...this is galvanized pipe that we dig out. You can see the corrosion.\" That corrosion, he said, can trap particulates that contribute to contamination risk.

Staff described the quality‑control steps crews take after replacement: flushing lines before the meter, reconnecting the meter, and flushing household fixtures to clear particulates. Carwatt said crews measure pressure before and after work and provided a sample reading for an addressed complaint: \"We put a pressure reading device on 1 of the outdoor spigots, and we got 53 pounds per square inch of pressure.\" He added that the city must provide a minimum of 35 psi at houses and that the program should improve service reliability over time.

City Manager Tim Morales and Carwatt said the city is pursuing state funding including principal‑forgiveness DWSRF awards and grants; council was told a recent award of about $5 million supported prior contracted replacements and staff said the city had another $2.3 million award pending for additional contracted work. Carwatt estimated a roughly 8‑ to 15‑year completion timeline depending on funding and capacity, but said the city has completed inventory work faster than originally scheduled.

Council members raised individual resident complaints about pressure changes after replacements. Carwatt encouraged affected residents to call the city's public‑works line (989‑759‑1612) for on‑site checks; staff said they will help homeowners and, if needed, refer plumbing issues to licensed plumbers.

No ordinance or new budget appropriation was approved at the meeting; staff said they will continue pursuing state funding and contractor schedules and will return to council with recommendations as projects progress.","City staff described a multi‑year state‑mandated lead/copper inventory and a program to replace service lines; public works said about 6,300 active replacements remain and contractors and crews are already working on projects.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6198727,"Saginaw police credit multi‑agency response after weekend shootings, say 16 guns seized",360,4050000,4410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3842730-6f1723dda757036b9d1c31cc5c5162f5&start=4050&end=4410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3842730-6f1723dda757036b9d1c31cc5c5162f5/thumbnail_4050000.jpg","/articles/6198727/Saginaw/Saginaw-County/Michigan/Saginaw-police-credit-multiagency-response-after-weekend-shootings-say-16-guns-seized","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198727-68346b1056741a59960d530fc451af94/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182996&Signature=J14mpnkTsu2LZpv4RM4KJyBBCgCtA054AM-rY7Yj-8bvhCDQKGnlleBz9QF9vwkkIT7~avKS7EWmQ92jsNwHvGnv1ISc141W1y1G4tdaAZrVHADToCQ7SnIqPvMgK0yrxSimYZuuynlPY8zzZvVZrynIBwJL~Ve3QGK13HCP0BFmeacjHGrYamqxqCC4AELC46W84D1xGGmEWxhZrH5hY2boJUmp-VatdQZzXKeeKj6uUG1u4Sez7HoStjLpMaALktS37FojXtFHMPmv2p9St4wKWBPbUHpr0oCpylQU-F-zgQK-mECniyEpXxGqaaPQnTn-k070asVf~NNpwIo2Sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Saginaw police said a multi‑agency response that included Michigan State Police and federal partners removed dozens of guns from city neighborhoods after several large gatherings and shootings over the weekend.

Chief Ruth, the Saginaw police chief, told the council the department \"needs\" state troopers and federal partners for large‑scale events and credited them with helping to seize weapons and arrest suspects. \"We took 16 guns off the street during this so called safe party that they were gonna have,\" Chief Ruth said. She described one incident in which an armed man fled into a house; officers surrounded the home, ordered occupants out and later found a weapon that matched shell casings recovered at the shooting scene.

The chief said undercover and marked units worked together during the response. She described arrests and citations after officers secured a home where evidence was later found: \"The gun was in the house. And it matched shell casings that were found at the scene on Court And State Street.\" Chief Ruth said officers relied on partnerships with federal and state agencies to handle multiple, simultaneous scenes and to keep residents safe.

City Manager Tim Morales spoke to the broader scale of activity across the city over the weekend and encouraged residents to use official city communications rather than social media for accurate updates; he also thanked responding agencies. Several council members recounted loud incidents and shootings heard and seen by residents, underscoring concern about public safety across multiple neighborhoods.

Council members and the chief discussed enforcement at organized gatherings and the limits of local policing without outside assistance. Chief Ruth said the department brought in federal and state help because the scale of the gatherings created safety risks: \"If it wasn't for the federal, state and our local agencies we would have had a mess in the city of Saginaw.\" She also reiterated the department's focus: removing illegal guns and addressing gun violence linked to public gatherings.

The council did not take a formal policy vote at the meeting; members discussed ongoing cooperation with state and federal partners and asked the chief to provide follow‑up information to the public on notable incidents and outcomes.

Looking ahead, the chief urged residents to remain vigilant and said police will continue partnership operations during large events to reduce the risk of shootings and other violent incidents.","City police and state and federal partners deployed after multiple large gatherings and shootings; chief says officers and partner agencies removed dozens of weapons and arrested suspects after a multi‑location response.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council rejects proposed introduction of rules amendments after heated debate over training, conflicts of interest

Council directs staff to draft ordinance creating homelessness commission for June 23 consideration

Council approves sale agreement with River Caddis for downtown Barringer building

Saginaw staff outline plan and timeline for replacing lead and galvanized service lines

Saginaw police credit multi‑agency response after weekend shootings, say 16 guns seized