Mount Clemens manager highlights grants, development, Anton Arts Centre listing and AMAR perfect score

City Manager Mister Johnson used his report to give several community updates: the community sock drive collected over 1,000 pairs for the Baldwin Center and the Macomb Foster Closet; CN Rail and America Blooms awarded a $14,000 landscaping reimbursement grant for work around the play fountain and Shadyside; construction has started on the 31-unit Edison Crossing project on Gratiot; and the Anton Arts Centre (the city's former Carnegie Library) was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Johnson also congratulated the Mount Clemens assessing department for receiving a perfect score on its 2021 AMAR review and a certificate from the Michigan Tax Commission, specifically recognizing Darren Kravitz, Paul Cirillo and Trish Zuber. He noted that the initial fountain fundraising included five years of maintenance funding and that the landscaping grant, which was described as a reimbursement grant, would help with maintenance costs.

Johnson provided a local COVID update and vaccine guidance, noting case rates had recently risen nationally and locally and that Macomb County residents age 5 and older were eligible for vaccination. He also listed upcoming events (Fire and Ice chili cook-off and ice-carving show) and discussed logistics for rescheduling a postponed meeting following changes in state remote-attendance rules.

Commissioners asked staff whether the landscaping grant is a reimbursement; Johnson confirmed the city must spend first and submit receipts for reimbursement. The manager said staff will follow up with more detailed timelines and that the grant and designation help support downtown momentum.