Mayor James R. Fouts on Warren’s entrance into the Oakland-Macomb Interceptor Drain.

Mayor James R. Fouts on Warren’s entrance into the Oakland-Macomb Interceptor Drain.

The City of Warren Council recently voted to meet with County Public Works Commissioner, Candice Miller, to possibly negotiate Warren’s entrance into the Oakland-Macomb Interceptor Drain.

Such negotiations have always been the prevue of the Mayor, who was elected to perform such duties on behalf of their constituency, and not the city council.   However, if Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller is willing to make concessions regarding the following items, then Mayor Jim Fouts is willing to negotiate with the caveat that the following stipulations are agreed upon:

1) No cut off during high storm peaks of Warren’s usage of the OMI. Previously, they wanted to be able to cut off Warren in deference to other cities in Oakland and Macomb counties. This would cause catastrophic flooding to the City of Warren. The Residents of Warren could be at great risk of basement flooding!

2) A guarantee in writing that the City of Warren will NOT pay for any of the cost of the sinkhole project in Fraser either now or in the future or for any other special assessments.

3) The City of Warren will be able to pay a reasonable fee to enter and the City of Warren’s cost per year will be reasonable.  The entrance fee into the Oakland-Macomb Interceptor Drain must be a much better fee than the City of Warren was offered previously.

4) Oakland County must drop its lawsuit which is aimed at preventing Warren from joining the Oakland-Macomb Interceptor Drain.

5) Finally, the Oakland-Macomb Interceptor Drain Board is the only body that can reach this kind of an agreement. Neither Candice Miller, nor the Mayor James R. Fouts have that power.

Candice Miller can promise all she wants but it’s not possible without the Oakland-Macomb Interceptor Drain Board’s approval.

The City of Warren has an alternate plan that will be less expensive and allow local control over the sewer connections and water rates.

The Oakland-Macomb Interceptor Drain alternative has been described as “not being feasible” by the Michigan DEQ.

The bottom line is that Mayor James R. Fouts does not want an agreement that will put Warren taxpayers at risk in any way and is hopeful that this proposal will be reconsidered by City Council.