Mount Clemens commission approves landfill-plan amendment, opposes state zoning bills and approves assessing contract

The Mount Clemens City Commission on March 16 approved a set of measures that the city says preserve local services while signaling opposition to state-level changes to zoning authority.

The commission voted to forward an amendment to the Macomb County Solid Waste Management Plan related to the Pine Tree Acres Landfill in Lenox Township. City staff said the amendment, submitted by Waste Management of Michigan, proposes adding roughly 236.5 acres — including about 135 acres of engineered disposal area — and would allow a recycling transfer station on the site, which staff estimated could extend the landfill's operational life by about 25 years. City Manager Shipman summarized the request and the planning committee's public process, and noted the amendment must be approved by two-thirds of municipalities in the county before it is submitted to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy for final review.

"The amendment also proposes allowing a recycling transfer station on the site that would extend the landfill's projected operational life by approximately 25 years," City Manager Shipman said during the presentation. The commission voted to approve forwarding the amendment.

Separately, the commission adopted a resolution opposing Michigan House Bills 5529 through 5532 and 5581 through 5585. The resolution, which commissioners directed be sent to the governor and state legislators representing Mount Clemens, says the bills would limit local development standards and impose requirements that preempt municipal planning authority. One commissioner warned that the bills would remove tools municipalities use to manage infrastructure stress in older neighborhoods with combined stormwater and sewer systems.

"Local governments are best positioned to evaluate development proposals, infrastructure capacity and community planning priorities," the resolution states. Commissioners from across the dais voiced concerns that the bills were written without broad municipal input and could create additional administrative pressures for local governments.

The commission also approved a two-year contract with Assessment Administration Services LLC for assessing services under Proposal 1, at an annual cost of $99,480 with no annual increase. Lisa Griffin, the firm's owner, explained that Proposal 1 would provide certified assessing staff in person four days per week and meet state certification requirements for Mount Clemens. Griffin described the difference between level 3 and level 4 certifications and offered materials and a potential public forum to help residents understand property assessments.

Finally, the commission debated a proposed increase in pay for Ken's Janitorial (now operated by Dave) from $16/hour to $25/hour under a two-year contract. Commissioners praised the vendor's long service and local knowledge but questioned whether the proposed $25 rate should be increased further or be resubmitted by the vendor at a market rate. The commission amended the purchases/payments motion to approve the other invoices on the agenda and table Ken's Janitorial item so staff can work with the vendor and return with a revised proposal.

Votes at a glance - Macomb County Solid Waste Management Plan amendment (Pine Tree Acres Landfill): approved (motion passed). Next step: submission package to Macomb County and, if two-thirds approval by municipalities, to MDEGLE for review. - Resolution opposing Michigan HB 5529'''' and 5581'''': approved; copies to governor and state representatives. - Assessing services contract (Assessment Administration Services LLC, Proposal 1): approved; $99,480 annually, two-year term, no annual increase. - Purchases/payments: commission approved remaining purchases and tabled the Ken's Janitorial contract item for resubmission or further review.

The commission's approvals set next steps that will involve county-level review for the landfill amendment and potential follow-up from staff to vendors and residents. The city manager noted additional public notices and county-level review are required before some actions become effective.