City Council Recap: Officials Comment on LPD

Lowell City Council met for less than 20 minutes on Monday night to address two agenda items. At the end of the meeting, City Manager Mike Burns and two councilmembers also commented on recent issues involving the Lowell Police Department. All councilmembers were present for the meeting.

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Agenda Items and Updates

To start off the meeting, Mayor Mike DeVore read an Arbor Day and Week proclamation designating the last Friday in April as Arbor Day in the City of Lowell.

Next, councilmembers voted unanimously to close a section of Riverside Drive on July 30, 2022 for the annual Weaving Fair hosted by Ability Weavers. In addressing the council, Ability Weavers co-owner Eric Bartkus noted that city’s insurance requirements mean the purchase of a one-day policy for $300.

“We understand that, but it is a little bit of a burden to us,” Bartkus said. “It prohibits some events from happening in town.”

During his city manager’s update, Burns noted there had been difficulties getting easements for the Monroe and Washington sewer and road project.

“We run the risk of not being able to start until after July,” he said. At that time in the construction season, prices may be higher. Therefore, the city is moving the Monroe project to 2023 and the work on Washington to 2024.

Instead, the city’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year will include funds for work on Grindle Drive. That project is slated for completion next summer.

Statements on Lowell Police Department

After completing his other updates, Burns said he had prepared a statement about issues related to the Lowell Police Department.

He noted that he and Police Chief Chris Hurst had spent a combined 250-300 work hours related to these issues in the past two weeks. “We’ve done this because of the thoroughness required to make sure we are addressing this properly,” Burns said.

While he did not explicitly state what those issues were, it was likely a reference to a trespassing charge against one officer and social media outrage about the actions of another.

Burns noted that he has spent 22 years in public service, starting as a corrections officer when in his 20s. “There probably isn’t a city manager in Michigan who has my experience in dealing with law enforcement disciplinary issues,” he continued. “I have a very low tolerance for poor behavior by police officers and staff.”

He went on to say that he did not believe there was a cultural issue within the Lowell Police Department and that Chief Hurst had high expectations for officer behavior and professionalism. When issues have arisen, they have not been swept under the rug but have been investigated thoroughly and fairly, according to the city manager.

“While things may not look pretty, police work often isn’t,” Burns said, adding: “We don’t make decisions to appease the masses.” He said it was disappointing that people could go online, say thing that are blatantly untrue and tarnish someone’s reputation.

In wrapping up his comments, Burns said the officer involved in the opossum incident called him to apologize. However, Burns said he did not accept his apology “because he shouldn’t be the one apologizing.”

During council comments, Councilmember Marty Chambers said he believed Burns and Hurst have performed extremely well and set high expectations for everyone. “It amazes me how somebody can just run off on a story and continue to do it even though they’ve been shown there is no truth to it,” he said.

The final comments of the night came from DeVore. He said he was frustrated by the number of people who immediately believed what they heard on the internet without checking for verification. “You have five extremely accessible city councilmembers,” he said, adding that other city officials are also accessible.

“You can be patient…because you saw it on the internet doesn’t mean you get to hear about it five minutes later. There are processes,” DeVore said. He ended his comments by saying, “If you’re not willing to listen, don’t talk.”

The meeting adjourned at 7:19pm. The next regular meeting of Lowell City Council will be on Monday, April 4, at 7pm.

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