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Mount Clemens approves six‑month rental‑inspection contract, staff to pursue full‑time inspector
Summary
The commission approved a six‑month contract with Michael L. Farren for rental‑inspection services and directed staff to update the position description toward creating a full‑time inspector. Questions at the meeting focused on staffing, enforcement and fees.
The Mount Clemens City Commission on a majority vote approved a six‑month agreement with Michael L. Farren to provide rental‑inspection services and authorized the mayor and city clerk to execute the contract.
The motion to approve the agreement was offered by a commissioner in the meeting and seconded; the vote recorded one dissenting vote (Fournier) and the remainder in favor. Presenter Mister Tingley told the commission the six‑month contract would allow staff to draft a position description for a permanent, full‑time rental inspector and transition the work away from contract status. "The report is basically identical to two weeks ago. Outside, it's been a 6 month contract. So once approved, we would begin the process of updating the position description for a full time rental inspector," Mister Tingley said.
Tingley and staff said the contract contains a 30‑day termination clause and that adoption would require later budget adjustments to reflect the conversion from a contracted service to a city employee. Commissioners pressed staff on operational details: whether the city intended to replace the contractor with a full‑time hire or continue hybrid coverage, how inspections would be scheduled, and how the city would address related enforcement issues such as blight and administrative hearings. Staff described the program as limited by manpower and said creating a full‑time position would centralize scheduling, inspections and follow‑up.
During discussion, commissioners raised programmatic concerns including how rental‑registration invoices and late fees are tracked, how sidewalk and blight enforcement are handled, and whether property owners receive timely notices and payment‑plan options. Mister Tingley said staff issues multiple reminders and works with the treasurer's office and deputy treasurer on collections.
The commission approved the motion with a 6‑to‑1 recorded vote (Fournier opposed). The contract is for six months, after which staff will finalize a position description for a full‑time rental inspector and return with any necessary budget adjustments.
