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Gladstone officials stress safe practices

GLADSTONE — The Gladstone City Commission urged residents to obey executive orders issued by the governor and practice social distancing. They made the comments Monday during the commission’s regular meeting at city hall.

The meeting was streamed live on YouTube, and to adhere to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Orders, 2020-15 and 2020-21, the public was not allowed to attend the meeting, and asked to call in if they had any comments. No public comment were raised during the meeting.

Mayor Pro Tem Brad Mantela encouraged everyone to read and understand the facts on the michigan.gov website.

“All the executive orders are on the website, if you have questions. I know the governor has been giving daily briefings but the statements don’t cover all the details,” said Mantela. “You can go on there and read the exact language … I encourage people to read those (executive orders). It spells out exactly what is happening so you don’t have to interpret the statements that are being made and you can read the facts there …”

Gladstone City Commissioner Darin Hunter added it is vital for the public to practice social distancing.

“I’ve been on a couple different committees and I will tell ya … please, heed the cautions of public health personnel,” he said.

“I’m sitting with a couple of these medical professionals and I will tell you that is the biggest thing they stress the most for us, is to try and make sure people are doing social distancing, it’s probably one of the best things we can do to help combat this.”

Commissioner Judy Akkala reminded people to take care of themselves and check on others.

“Everybody’s gotta do their part and we’ll survive this, and the biggest thing to remember is just don’t panic,” said Gladstone Mayor Joe Thompson.

April 13 regular Gladstone City Commission meeting is canceled.

In other business the commission:

– approved the city’s 2020-2021 fiscal year budget of $19,159,023.54. This was the second, and final, public hearing on the budget.

– approved allocating funds to the Public Safety Equipment Fund in the amount of $37,979.28, Public Safety Fire Truck Fund in the amount of $65,842.94, and $12,244.88 to the Public Works Equipment Fund. The total amount, $116,067.10, is being set aside for future equipment purchases.

– approved 2019-2020 fiscal year budget amendments. City Manager Eric Buckman explained changes, including that revenue declined at the harbor last season due to weather and high water levels. \

Approved a three-year tentative agreement with the Teamsters Union, effective April 1.

– approved a tentative agreement with Local Union 906 IBEW, effective April 1.

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