Detroit council approves new water authority, Syncora deal
By Joe Guillen, Detroit Free Press | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
The council also unanimously shot down a proposed transfer of 45,000 city-owned parcels to the
Under the state's emergency manager law, today was the deadline for the council to vote on each of the three items proposed by emergency manager
Council President
But others on council were swayed because creation of the authority is supposed to help fix the water system's aging infrastructure.
"It wasn't easy, but I think it was the right thing to do," Councilwoman Saunteel Jenkins said. "Most people just want to have clean, healthy water."
The council was much less supportive of the proposed land transfer.
Although Orr technically proposed the land transfer, it was clear council members held Mayor
Councilman
"Government is about checks and balances," Spivey said. "Sometimes we agree, sometimes we won't."
Jenkins, who called the proposed land transfer ridiculous, said she will research the council's legal options -- beyond proposing an alternative to the state loan board -- to prevent the transfer.
Jenkins and other council members objected to a provision in the proposal that would automatically transfer to the land bank property the city acquires in the future.
"This resolution is much more encompassing than anything this body has been presented," Jenkins said. "I'd like ... to see if we have any legal recourse to stop this."
The council chambers were crowded this morning with residents waiting to talk about the deal reached in bankruptcy court for a new water authority.
"The city of
The new water authority would lease the city's water and sewer system and pay
Other residents spoke in favor of the new water authority.
The council unanimously approved the settlement reached with
Come back to freep.com for updates to this developing story.
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