Meet Marine City’s dynamic new manager

A Q and A with the man who’s moving the city forward

By Barb Pert Templeton

When you’ve logged many years with a busy and successful career what do you do when retirement comes along? Well, you change things up a bit and dive right back into the working world because an active mind and a little hard work never hurt anybody.

Just ask Marine City’s new City Manager Michael Reeves who had already retired from law enforcement – including a stint as chief of police in Port Huron, teaching and city administration when he agreed to come to Marine City.

“I am one of those driven individuals. I work to keep my mind / brain engaged. I enjoy the challenge to effect change and get things done,” Reaves said in a recent interview. “Usually when I have accomplished what I can, and I have developed someone to take my place, I move on.”

So far, the city commission and staff have often shared their admiration for Reaves as he stives to lead the way for the city to move forward.

A recent city commission meeting where it was announced that the city was purchasing the former Algonac Lions Club Hall brought many comments of appreciation for Reaves.

“Thank-you Mike, I know it’s hard work and these are things that need to get done,” Commissioner Sean O’Brien said.

“Mike hit the ground running, like at a sprint, very impressive,” Commissioner Brian Ross added, noting he appreciates the spot the city is in today. “I’ve lived here 12 years and with this board we are finally past the fire fighting and finally to the part where we can actually look into what’s best for the city.”

When asked to supply a short biography via email Reaves had lots to share.

“I started my law enforcement career in 1978 and I worked in the City of Utica from 1979 thru 2011 – where I worked in every position the department had to offer -from dispatcher to chief of police. In 2011 I was hired from Utica to the City of Port Huron as their chief of police. I worked in that position – and as their first ever director of public safety until 2017. I spent a year or more in academics at the Macomb Community College – Public Service Institute as the manager of the Advanced Police Training section. After that I then went to work for the County of Emmet as the assistant county administrator and facilities director and then was promoted to the county administrator’s position. I was in Emmet for approximately four years, before I hired and trained my replacement. I retired and returned to Macomb County for approximately two years, before I was approached and made aware of the city manager’s position in Marine City.

I live with my wife and two Fox Red Labrador dogs – Tabasco (Toby) and Ruby (Siracha) in Macomb Township. In our spare time we enjoy outdoor lawn and gardening work, golf and traveling.

Blue Water Healthy Living: What brought you from a strong law enforcement background to managing city affairs?

Marine City Manager Michael Reaves: Law enforcement administrative work is like managing city or county affairs – getting work done through teams of people – providing services to the public. Upper-level law enforcement veterans tend to be able to multi-task well, work through complex issues, and make stressful decisions. Law enforcement prepares you to face a variety of different challenges, much like the management of cities and county governments.

BWHL: How would you characterize your time as police chief in Port Huron?

Reaves: When I took over the PHPD, it had been on the chopping block – with the city manager at the time considering turning the LE services over to the sheriff’s office. We worked extremely hard to build a team atmosphere that was community oriented in our approach. We eradicated a large amount of public order crimes, along with stemming the rising major crimes over that period. It was a very austere budgets back then – but we were able to manage and add value to the department and the community. I developed many on the staff at PHPD who are the leaders of today. To this day I have close contact with members of the department and the city, business owners, and others.

BWHL: How familiar were you with Marine City prior to accepting the city manager’s post?

Reaves: I previously sat on a panel to consider the chief of police position after one of the (former) chiefs had left. Additionally, I had developed a relationship with several of their previous chiefs. I often enjoyed their city amenities, restaurant’s, etc. I was also aware that there had been a period of acrimony and contention here for a while.

BWHL: Do you feel the current city commission has been open to your ideas for the direction the city will take going forward?

Reaves: I have found the Marine City Commission to be very open to ideas and the exchange of information. I spent a considerable amount of time prior to applying for this job, studying the city, its commissioners, attending meetings, etc. to see how well they worked together, etc. I have found that all of them are passionate about Marine City and its future.

BWHL: What has been your biggest challenge so far as Marine City manager?

Reaves: The availability of resources to get things done or accomplished. In the larger cities or counties that I have worked, the number of available resources to work with was far superior. However, I have found each of the department heads – who are all Marine City area born and raised – have been outstanding. They possess a very strong work ethic and a desire like mine to get things done.

BWHL: Do you have specific goals for completing city projects in 2025? What are they?

Reaves: Yes. We are looking to provide some continuity to our service staff. It is needed. There has been a revolving door in some positions, but that has ended. We are developing internal staff to their potential, as well as hiring some great new employees. We recently announced the purchase of the Marine City Lions Club – that checks off the need of a city community center – while allowing us to continue the Marine City Lions Club service to our community as a rental hall, and durable medical equipment supplier. We have begun re-investing into our IT backbone. We are in the midst of beginning a major water project that will redefine our water system, and multiple city streets over the next two years. As you can see – we have been very busy in a very short time.

BWHL: If you could change anything about how the city is run today, what would it be?

Reaves: We (city board of commissioners & staff) are already making changes on a daily and weekly basis. We have recently approved the return to a five-day a week and eight-and-a-half-hour service day (all the city office.) All this to provide the best opportunity for service to our residents, businesses, and customers. We are working on bringing new housing to our community. We recently approved a 180-apartment complex for our city -and we meet with developers on other potential projects all the time. If I could change anything with a snap of our fingers – I would want every resident, business owner, city employee, guest or visitor to be proud of Marine City and speak well of the city. We strive to provide services that will represent this to everyone.

BWHL: Have you had the chance to get out in the community and meet many residents yet? Do you think that’s important for your job here?

Reaves: Absolutely. Extremely important. I have been attending a number of events here in the city over the last several months. I have been in many of our business locations, speaking with their owners or employees, listening to their concerns or issues. I try to meet with residents if they come to city hall. I am readily available to meet.

BWHL: Do you feel you have a strong support system in the city offices today that will help you achieve your goals going forward?

Reaves: Yes – I do. I believe in and support all our hard-working city employees. I am impressed every day with our department heads – all of whom go above and beyond expectations in doing their job. That’s our motto – GSD – Get Stuff Done. We have some real energy going in Marine City – we have a restaurant row that is second to none – always busy. Marine City is heading in the right direction – Come and see.