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Clawson DDA adopts board member commitment pledge after debate over political activity language
Summary
The DDA adopted a board member commitment pledge addressing attendance, Open Meetings Act compliance and conflict‑of‑interest disclosures; board members debated the clause restricting political activity in DDA representation and agreed to update the statute citation and return signed pledges by May 13.
The Clawson Downtown Development Authority approved a board member commitment pledge intended to formalize expectations for attendance, participation and ethical conduct.
The draft pledge restated existing expectations—attendance requirements, committee participation, review of meeting materials, and compliance with the Michigan Open Meetings Act—and added specific language on conflicts of interest, confidentiality and professional conduct. The pledge notes that three consecutive absences within 12 months will prompt board discussion and four unexcused absences may result in notice to city council.
A prolonged discussion focused on language in the pledge that asks members to serve the downtown district "not personal, political, or business interest." One board member said he was concerned the wording could be interpreted to limit discussion of politically sensitive topics and raised examples where downtown demonstrations had affected local businesses. Other members responded that the provision is meant to prevent the board itself endorsing political campaigns or using DDA resources for political advocacy, not to curtail lawful public demonstrations in the downtown right‑of‑way.
The board also requested a technical update: the draft cited "Public Act 197 of 1975" for the Michigan Open Meetings Act; members noted the current codification is Public Act 57 (2018). With that update and an agreed deadline for returning signed pledges, the board voted to approve the commitment pledge. Members set a return deadline of May 13 for signed copies to be submitted to staff.
The board asked staff to circulate an updated version of the pledge and to track returning signatures. The adoption does not alter the board’s existing bylaws; it supplements them with an explicit pledge of conduct and attendance expectations.
