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.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:46:58 GMT
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:26 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:26:33 GMT
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:54:19 GMT
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:18 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:18:12 GMT
Chrysler avoided a showdown with government safety regulators Tuesday, agreeing to recall 2.7 million older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire.
Chrysler avoided a showdown with government safety regulators Tuesday, agreeing to recall 2.7 million older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:44 GMT
Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials evacuated a section of the McNamara Terminal Tuesday morning after a canine picked up the scent of explosives on the apron, where planes load.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials evacuated a section of the McNamara Terminal Tuesday morning after a canine picked up the scent of explosives on the apron, where planes load.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:53 AM EDT2013-06-18 15:53:04 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings have confirmed to FOX 2 that they have agreed to a 3 year contract extension with Pavel Datsyuk that will keep him with the team through the 2016-2017 season.
The Detroit Red Wings have confirmed to FOX 2 that they have agreed to a 3 year contract extension with Pavel Datsyuk that will keep him with the team through the 2016-2017 season.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:08 AM EDT2013-06-18 15:08:18 GMT
Chrysler on Tuesday is expected to file papers explaining its refusal to recall 2.7 million older Jeep SUVs that are at risk of catching fire in rear-end collisions.
In one of the biggest-ever showdowns between an automaker and the government, Chrysler on Tuesday is expected to file papers explaining its refusal to recall 2.7 million older Jeep SUVs that are at risk of catching fire in rear-end collisions.
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Detroit Mayor Dave Bing at the news conference on Wednesday (Credit: Fox 2 News)
