Flood tells Freep.Com negotiated concessions lead Allen Park to recind layoffs.

Allen Park City Council votes to rescind plan to lay off fire department
From the Detroit Free Press

The Allen Park City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to rescind layoff notices that were sent to the city’s 26 firefighters last month after officials said they would be forced to shut down the department if concessions were not made.

The vote came after City Attorney Todd Flood said officials with the fire department as well as police department worked to negotiate concessions for personnel in both departments. Officials have not disclosed details of the concessions because they have not been finalized.

“We have been diligently trying to make cuts,” Flood said. “There will be sacrifices.”

The council initially voted to send layoff notices to the city’s firefighters during its Feb. 22 meeting. Notices were sent within days of the vote.

Some residents and officials have blamed the city’s financial woes and resulting need for public safety concessions on the botched deal to open Unity Studios film production and training institute in 2009.

“Thank you Todd Flood for all the work you did,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Felice Lalli. “I’m glad we came to this decision.”

Mayor Gary Burtka and Councilwoman Beverly Kelley did not attend the meeting.

“This is what they should have come with in the first place because we need to have a fire department,” said Carrie Thomas, a resident.

Also at the meeting, officials filled three vacancies prompted by the resignations of three employees and a councilman over the past month.

Councilman Larry Templin was sworn in, one week after former Councilman Kyle Tertzag stepped down, citing other obligations.

The council also voted unanimously to appoint Allen Park attorney Dave Tamsen as the city’s new administrator after former City Administrator Eric Waidelich announced his resignation late last month. Waidelich’s last day was March 11.

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