Tuesday, November 20 2012 10:53 PM EST2012-11-21 03:53:12 GMT
Detroit City Council failed to approve a contract Tuesday required by a milestone agreement with the state for the city to get $10 million out of escrow.
Detroit City Council failed to approve a contract Tuesday required by a milestone agreement with the state for the city to get $10 million out of escrow.
By Amy Lange Fox 2 News Reporter
DETROIT (WJBK) -- "Very much frustrated, very much frustrated," said Mayor Dave Bing talking about city council.
On Tuesday, they voted down a $300,000 contract for law firm Miller Canfield to represent the mayor -- part of the milestone agreement that had to be approved in order for the state to give the city $10 million that's being held in escrow.
Another $20 million December payment is in jeopardy, meaning an anticipated $30-million shortfall for the city.
"The city will begin to institute unpaid furloughs and other cost saving actions effective January first," Bing told reporters at a news conference Wednesday.
Bing said public safety will not be impacted and that they're still determining what departments could be affected, but there will be no payless paydays, no bankruptcy, and hopefully there will be an agreement so the city can get its money.
"I'm open-minded, but at the same token the state is holding the cards at this point," said Bing.
While the administration said they're hopeful this can all be worked out, Council President Pro Tem Gary Brown told us he's certain that it can be.
"The votes are there if he's willing to make some slight modifications to the contract. The votes are there, so he has to either make a decision to come and work the council and get the five votes or pick another law firm."
Bing said he's not willing to do that.
"I'm not going to be dictated to by council or anybody else who I use as my legal representative."
Labor lawyer Richard Mack said Bing's use of Miller Canfield for the last several months is a clear violation of the city charter and to continue using this law firm, instrumental in drafting the emergency manager law and the financial stability agreement, is a clear conflict of interest.
"Mr. Dillon, I think you need to come to Detroit and explain what's so important about this one contract that you're willing to let Detroit go bankrupt. That's a problem for me."
Monday, June 17 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:27:07 GMT
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
Friday, June 14 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-06-14 21:57:29 GMT
Jurors have gone home without a verdict on the first day of deliberations in the trial of a Detroit police officer charged in the shooting death of a 7-year-old girl.
Jurors have gone home without a verdict on the first day of deliberations in the trial of a Detroit police officer charged in the shooting death of a 7-year-old girl.
Thursday, June 13 2013 5:44 PM EDT2013-06-13 21:44:55 GMT
It was a day of dramatic testimony in the manslaughter trial of the Detroit cop charged with killing seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones as Officer Joseph Weekley took the stand in his own defense.
It was a day of dramatic testimony in the manslaughter trial of the Detroit cop charged with killing seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones as Officer Joseph Weekley took the stand in his own defense.
Monday, June 10 2013 7:55 PM EDT2013-06-10 23:55:49 GMT
Testimony got emotional on Monday as the jury heard from Aiyana Jones' grandmother, but the defense questioned whether she has told two different accounts of what happened.
Testimony got emotional on Monday as the jury heard from Aiyana Jones' grandmother, but the defense questioned whether she has told two different accounts of what happened.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:46 AM EDT2013-06-19 14:46:15 GMT
FBI agents say they have not uncovered any evidence of remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa since they began searching in an Oakland Township field earlier this week.
FBI agents say they have not uncovered any evidence of remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa since they began searching in an Oakland Township field earlier this week.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:31 AM EDT2013-06-19 14:31:59 GMT
Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan ended his campaign Wednesday and will not challenge an appeals court ruling that bars him from the August primary ballot.
Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan ended his campaign Wednesday and will not challenge an appeals court ruling that bars him from the August primary ballot.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:45 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:45:33 GMT
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:22 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:22:54 GMT
FBI agents in suburban Detroit began a third day of digging Wednesday in the search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, who disappeared 38 years ago.
FBI agents in suburban Detroit began a third day of digging Wednesday in the search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, who disappeared 38 years ago.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:41 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:41:21 GMT
Mike Duggan is expected to lay out his future plans Thursday, one day after an appeals court ruled that he doesn't meet Detroit residency requirements to put his name on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary elections.
Mike Duggan is expected to lay out his future plans Thursday, one day after an appeals court ruled that he doesn't meet Detroit residency requirements to put his name on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary elections.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:35 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:35:18 GMT
Detroit City Council member Kwame Kenyatta says he quitting Friday. Kenyatta didn't give a specific reason, but he says the council is virtually powerless now that Detroit is being run by an emergency manager.
Detroit City Council member Kwame Kenyatta says he quitting Friday. Kenyatta didn't give a specific reason to radio station WWJ, but he says the council is virtually powerless now that Detroit is being run by an emergency manager.
Detroit Mayor Dave Bing at the news conference on Wednesday (Credit: Fox 2 News)
