The Clawson City Council approved a series of fiscal and infrastructure measures during its Aug. 19 meeting, including carryover encumbrance budget amendments for fiscal 2025–26, adoption of Ordinance No. 792 amending vacancy procedures for council seats, a one‑year lease for the Spanish for Toddlers program at the Hunter Community Center, and awards of three construction contracts for water‑service investigation and road/water‑main work.

The council approved the carryover/encumbrance budget amendments as presented, noting changes across multiple funds. Mark Pollock, the city’s finance director, summarized net impacts: the General Fund amendment increased a budgeted deficit, the DDA and capital improvement fund figures were adjusted, and the water and sewer fund deficit increased. The council passed the amendment by roll call vote.

Why it matters: the amendments move unspent funds and adjust line items so the city complies with state budgeting requirements and can complete projects carried from the prior fiscal year.

Council members then completed a second reading and adopted Ordinance No. 792, which amends Section 2‑39 of the Clawson Code of Ordinances to set out three options for filling council vacancies (nomination/referral with public interview, consensus appointment, or consideration of recent election results). The ordinance passed after a roll‑call vote in which Mayor Pro Tem Moffitt voted no and the other voting members voted yes.

The council approved a one‑year lease extension with Spanish for Toddlers to continue occupying space at the Hunter Community Center; staff said the lease has been in place since 2005 and contains no substantive changes from the prior year.

On capital projects, the council awarded the TMF (technical, managerial and financial) grant water service investigation contract to ML Chartier Excavating Inc. for $389,900. City staff and AEW (the city’s engineering consultant) said the work will verify material for 678 service lines that are unknown or likely lead as part of the state’s lead and copper program; the contract covers investigation only, not replacement.

The council also awarded the South Rochester Road water main replacement to HMC LLC for $1,781,610. City staff said the work replaces an 8‑inch main with 12‑inch ductile iron along South Rochester Road and aligns with a road‑diet/streetscape effort coordinated with Royal Oak. Representative funding includes $959,752 secured via Congresswoman Haley Stevens’ office and roughly $821,858 from the city’s water funds.

The West Elmwood Avenue pavement reconstruction contract went to Mark Anthony Contracting LLC; AEW recommended a 10% construction contingency, bringing the total authorized award to roughly $1.64 million. Staff said West Elmwood is the top priority on the city's bond project list and construction is expected to start in mid‑September.

All motions were carried by roll call where recorded; most items passed unanimously except Ordinance No. 792, which passed despite Mayor Pro Tem Moffitt’s dissent.

Votes at a glance:
- Consent agenda (including $20,949,713.08 in bills): approved by roll call (yes votes recorded for Councilmember Anderson, Councilmember Scott, Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem Moffitt; recorded as approved).
- Carryover/encumbrance budget amendment (FY2025–26): motion approved by roll call (unanimous yes as recorded).
- Ordinance No. 792 (second reading/adoption; amends Sec. 2‑39: vacancy procedures): adopted; roll call showed Mayor Pro Tem Moffitt voting no, others yes.
- Lease: Spanish for Toddlers at Hunter Community Center (2025–26): approved by roll call (yes votes recorded).
- TMF grant water service investigation — award to ML Chartier Excavating Inc., $389,900: approved by roll call (yes votes recorded).
- South Rochester Road water main replacement — award to HMC LLC, $1,781,610: approved by roll call (yes votes recorded).
- West Elmwood Avenue pavement reconstruction — award to Mark Anthony Contracting LLC, total authorization including 10% contingency ≈ $1,643,079.69: approved by roll call (yes votes recorded).

Council members and staff said AEW vetted low bidders and checked references before recommending awards. Several staff members explained grant or rate‑funding sources for projects and noted timing and public‑outreach plans for construction.