Flint Mayor to City Council: ‘Vote for Water Plan Before Knowing the Cost’

On April 18, 2017, Karen Weaver, Mayor of Flint, MI, announced a proposal to the City Council and to the residents of the city to use the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) as the city’s permanent water source.

The 30 year contract with GLWA was to be debated and approved or disapproved by the City Council. As of today, June 20, 2017 the council has yet to vote on the matter, citing a lack of information from the City Administration they need to make an informed decision. The Mayor held a press conference today 6-20-17 to again urge the council to vote for the proposal, and further warn if the plan is not accepted by the city, there would be “consequences" imposed by the State of Michigan.” (see video)

In an e-mail addressed to Flint City Council and Mayor Weaver, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) warns of their intent to “act” should the council fail to approve the proposal or offer another viable alternative to Flint’s water supply.

In part, the e-mail from MDEQ states, “…As a result, if the City Council does not approve the Mayor’s recommendation by June 26, 2017, or offer a reasonable alternative proposal to obtain drinking water from some other source that will comply with the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) January 21, 2016, Emergency Administration Order (ORDER) and the state and federal Safe Drinking Water Acts (SWDA), the MDEQ has requested under MCL 325.1022 of the Michigan SDWA that the Michigan Department of Attorney General (MDAG) take legal action against the City to ensure that Flint maintain a safe and reliable drinking water source.”

June 26, 2017 is the next scheduled City Council meeting when a vote to approve, disapprove or request an extension for more review of the proposal may take place, and the same date when the current agreement with GLWA expires.