ok three motions at the Jan. 6 Macomb City Council meeting for the council to approve a proposal for staff supervisory changes in the Macomb Police Department. Interim Police Chief Todd Tedrow asked to add a fourth sergeant as a shift supervisor versus the current three.
The fourth shift supervisor is currently a rotating officer-in-charge. Alderman Don Wynn moved to table action on the request until a permanent police chief is appointed. Wynn's motion died for lack of a second. Alderman Jennifer Hemingway then moved to refer the proposal to the Committee of the Whole for further discussion; however, her motion was defeated four-to-three, with Wynn and Alderman Dave Dorsett joining her voting in favor.
The vote to amend the police organizational structure was then approved on a four-tothree vote, with Aldermen Justin Schuch, John Vigezzi, Byron Shabazz and Ashley Katz voting in favor and Hemingway, Wynn and Dorsett voting against the plan.
Tedrow also recommended that a sergeant or lieutenant supervise the department's special operations division.
In other business, the City Council voted to hire Cesar Suarez as the city's next community development director at a starting salary of $90,783 per year. City Administrator Scott Coker said Suarez was chosen from five finalists, and a field of 32 applicants. Suarez will begin work Jan. 20.
Three proposals from Public Works Director Alice Ohrtmann were approved at the Jan. 6 meeting. Council members approved a proposal to accept bids received for installation of an ADA-approved wheelchair lift at the Oakwood Cemetery office, and to authorize IMEG to plat additional graves south of the cemetery. Ohrtmann told the council the new plat would extend to the road that borders the cemetery. The third proposal approved allows for the refurbishing of a reverse osmosis water pump and motor for the city's new water plant.
The city council also approved reapplications for two grants from the Better Utility Investments to Leverage Development program.
City grant writer Jessica Biddenstadt noted one grant would support improvements to Candy Lane and include police data on traffic speeds and interviews with Candy Lane residents.
Dorsett stated the development of Candy Lane is a city priority, while Coker added that safety investments and the resident survey would strengthen the application.
The second grant application will focus on the proposed citywide multi-use path for joggers and bicyclists.
Biddenstadt said BUILD has a grant budget of $1 million to $25 million.
