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Commission renews rental-inspection contract amid questions about inspection numbers and enforcement
Summary
The commission approved a one-year renewal with a rental-inspection contractor but commissioners pressed for better reporting and questioned whether the frequency and quality of inspections meet the city's blight-enforcement needs.
The Mount Clemens City Commission approved a contract renewal with Michael L. Farrin to provide rental-inspection services for fiscal year 2022, but several commissioners voiced long-standing concerns about inspection volume, inspection quality and overlap with blight enforcement.
A commissioner said the city’s open blight-case list indicates persistent property-maintenance problems and questioned whether the contractor’s inspections are frequent or thorough enough. Staff replied that inspections were down during the pandemic and that the city operates on a two-year inspection cycle; staff also said they track inspection counts but cautioned raw counts do not always reflect compliance levels.
Commissioners asked whether a measurable weekly or monthly inspection target could be set; staff said numbers fluctuate depending on unit counts and access to properties, and that court action is sometimes required when owners do not schedule inspections. One commissioner noted that some rental units require more intensive inspection because of notable hazards (foundation failure, collapsed flooring), and urged the city to “step up our game.”
The contract renewal was moved and approved by roll call. Commissioners directed staff to continue monitoring inspection output and quality and to consider performance metrics or clearer reporting so the commission can evaluate whether the current approach is meeting policy goals.
