Says city continues to repeat history of ignoring problems
By Barb Pert Templeton
When someone is piloting the Titanic and the concern is for the band – we have to have music, who cares about the icebergs – there’s a problem.
Such is the situation in Marine City where a shortfall of $650,000 in the general fund budget spiraled into City Manager Michael Reaves suggesting a Special Assessment District (SAD) for Public Safety Services. The SAD would have brought in $706,000 but at the cost of placing new taxes on all the property owners in the city.
At a city commission meeting last night (May 7) a chamber packed with residents spoke out during a public hearing on the SAD plan and presented a petition with over 400 signatures that would require the city to place the plan on the ballot for voters to decide.
In the end, the commission ultimately voted against the SAD. Commissioner Sean O’Brien was absent from the meeting.
Next up Reaves announced his resignation from the city manager’s office and Police Chief James Heaslip announced his retirement.
Over the last month Marine City Manager Michael Reaves held public meetings on the budget and a townhall to explain the situation to residents. City Finance Director Katy Posey is seated on the left here next to Reaves.
In a phone interview with Reaves today, he said obviously, the city has some significant issues that need to be addressed and eventually someone will – it may not be Marine City it may be the State of Michigan.
Reaves said he sincerely applauds the people who stepped up, got a petition going against the SAD, collected signatures and came out to speak at the recent commission meeting.
“I really think it should go to a vote of the people, it’s the right thing,” Reaves said. “The voters should get an opportunity to hear about it and decide for themselves.”
As far as the dire financial mess the city’s currently in, Reaves said this is something that’s been ongoing in the city for “years and years and years now.” In fact, anybody that takes a simple look at records will see those facts because “it’s all ‘right there.”
“Previous city managers said look you are in trouble here now and still there was never any long-term institutionalized planning, no plans were made and it’s chocking the city to death,” Reaves said.
As for offering up a balanced budget to the city commission at its next meeting on May 21, Reaves said that’s his plan.
Marine City Manager Michael Reaves.
“There are going to be significant cuts in place in multiple departments but it will be a balanced budget,” he added.
Whether the commission will adopt it, reject it or make changes is not something Reaves can predict. He said they also have the option of adopting it and then in early June turning around and amending sections they’d don’t like.
When asked why he’s resigning now Reaves simply said “you kind of know when it’s time to go.”
“I think it’s time and I think they need somebody else to do things here in a different way,” Reaves said. “I’ve tried to do all I can to work on issues and to bring things forward.”
“Previous city managers said look you are in trouble here now and still there was never any long-term institutionalized planning, no plans were made and it’s chocking the city to death,”
Marine City Manager Michael Reaves
Many of the issues, such as fixing a 100-years old water and sewer infrastructure and trying to bounce back with the budget after COVID-19 ARPA Funds dried up – a flow of dollars that masked the city’s financial problems over the last few years – were too much.
“I brought out all these things because they effect day to day life here for the citizens,” Reaves said. “Leadership is easy when there are no problems or major issues, oh let’s open a new center or get a splash pad, but the reality is that Marine City continue to just repeat history.”
Despite those facts and an obvious sigh of frustration from the man who’s spent the last 18-months struggling to right the ship, Reaves said he sincerely hopes for the best for Marine City and its residents.
“I wish them well, I really do,” he said.
“I would like to thank Mike for the tireless number of hours he’s put into it, I think he walked into a storm and he just wasn’t able to right the ship, however the things he accomplished were very noticeable.”
Marine City Commissioner Trish May
Reaves’ resigination letter states he will remain at the helm of the city until June 4. He encouraged the commission to put a new city manager in place as soon as possible so he can help with the transition, if they want him to do so.
Commissioners offer thanks
At the conclusion of last night’s commission meeting each commissioner took time during their comments to thank Reaves for the job he’s done for the city.
“I want to thank Mike for being here and helping us out of a bad time,” Commissioner William Klaassen said.
“I would like to thank Mike for the tireless number of hours he’s put into it, I think he walked into a storm and he just wasn’t able to right the ship, however the things he accomplished were
very noticeable,” Commissioner Trish May said. “But the city, as many of you said, has been mismanaged for so long this is the position it got us into.”
Commissioner Rita Roehrig thanked the city manager for his service to the city and said he really came into a bad situation and he’s done a good job.
“Mike I’m sorry to see you go, you’ve been one city manager that always has given us tons of information, anything we’ve ever wanted, most city managers don’t give you anything, they don’t give you reports, he’s given us huge reports, he’s given us tons of information,” Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Hendrick said.
“Mike thank-you, you’ve worked tirelessly for us, you’ve done a great job, thank you for all that you’ve given us,” Mayor Jennifer Vandenbossche said.
