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Commission approves ARPA package that splits funding between water repairs and Cherry Street Mall improvements
Summary
Mount Clemens commissioners approved a $1.695 million ARPA project package that directs about 80% toward water and sewer repairs and sets aside $334,162 for a Cherry Street Mall drainage and revitalization contribution, after debate over neighborhood versus downtown priorities.
The Mount Clemens City Commission voted to submit a package of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) projects that directs $1,695,162 to a mix of water and sewer infrastructure and downtown improvements, including a $334,162 contribution toward Cherry Street Mall work.
City administration told the commission that the city’s ARPA allocation totals $1,695,162 (SEG 821–826) and that federal guidance restricts eligible capital projects; the administration recommended prioritizing water and sewer work while reserving part of the funds to support small-business recovery downtown. "We wanted it to be at least 300," the city manager’s office said in explaining the $334,162 figure for Cherry Street Mall (SEG 841–846).
The ARPA package presented in the motion (moved by Speaker 2) lists the Cherry Street Mall contribution ($334,162); Alter Court water-main replacement ($550,000); West Breitmeyer and Robertson Court water-main replacement ($487,000); and catch-basin cleaning (listed as a major expense in the proposed program) for a combined total that administration said would be $1,695,162 (SEG 905–918). Administration said the Cherry Street project would address drainage problems that are harming adjacent businesses and that the DDA commissioned an architect to prepare preliminary renderings (SEG 846–855).
Several commissioners pushed back, saying they wanted more of the ARPA dollars focused on neighborhood infrastructure. "If we have $1,600,000 to spend here, I want to see it spent where it's going to make the biggest impact for our residents. And that is not...the Cherry Street Mall in my book," said Commissioner Mentor, who cited a recent spike in water-main breaks and listed multiple streets with recent failures (SEG 924–934).
City staff and the public-services representative said the recommended package places roughly 80% of total ARPA funds into water and sewer projects and that smaller downtown work could reasonably be completed before the federal deadline to spend ARPA funds by Dec. 31, 2024 (SEG 854–863, 876–888). Administration also noted that some lead-service-line replacement projects were not recommended because they were unlikely to be completed before the deadline (SEG 889–892).
After discussion, commissioners approved the motion to submit the listed projects and amounts (roll call with one recorded No from Commissioner Menser) (SEG 1294–1309). The commission also separately approved a budget adjustment transferring $410,308.15 from the general fund to the automobile parking system fund after staff said the city did not qualify to use ARPA for revenue replacement (SEG 1350–1366).
What’s next: Administration will proceed with the ARPA submittal and seek additional funding and DDA contributions for the Cherry Street Mall phases; the city said additional grant-seeking and DDA contributions will be necessary to complete the full design and construction.
