Pontiac council adopts Community Benefits ordinance, creates advisory committee

The Pontiac City Council on Nov. 10 adopted an ordinance that requires legally enforceable community benefits agreements for qualifying private development projects and establishes a community benefits advisory committee to help define and monitor those benefits. The ordinance passed on a unanimous 6–0 vote.

Council members and administration officials said the rule is meant to ensure developments that receive public participation or significant local impact provide concrete benefits — local hiring, apprenticeship opportunities, attainable housing commitments and procurement preferences for Pontiac businesses. Economic development manager Deborah Younger said the major change since the ordinance’s earlier reading is the creation of the community advisory committee, which will include one member from each council district plus an at-large appointment and two non‑voting staff members from the mayor’s office to ensure community input on negotiating benefits.

“Public engagement sessions have been held,” Younger said during deliberations, and the committee structure was added in response to community requests. Councilwoman Rutherford said the ordinance finally gives “your place at the table” to residents and community leaders, while Councilman James and others stressed that success will require city staffing, training, and operational changes to implement and enforce negotiated agreements.

The ordinance sets tiers and applicability thresholds, provides monitoring and enforcement authority, and directs staff to develop implementation procedures. Council members noted the ordinance is the start of a longer implementation process; James said a successful program will require the city to back the ordinance with permitting, planning and procurement capacity.

The ordinance becomes effective according to the city’s standard ordinance timeline; staff and the council will later appoint members to the advisory committee and work on enforcement procedures.

The council president praised the vote as a milestone, and members urged timely work to build the staffing and lists of certified Pontiac businesses that would be used in awarding community benefits commitments.