By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS — The City Council established two new commissions recently, one for the Ecorse Creek and a second for business.
The establishment of the Ecorse Creek Commission and the Commission on Business were approved unanimously by the city council May 25.
Each will consist of between five and nine appointed members who will serve two-year terms. One of the commission members will be a city council member, city treasurer or city clerk who will be the city council liaison to the commission.
At least one regular meeting must be held once a month and four members must be present at meeting for a quorum.
Mayor Bill Bazzi said he wanted to make sure the city put a commission together since there is a lot of discussion with its congressional delegates about the funding for the Ecorse Creek.
“I talked at the last meeting — there is two funding we are going after,” Bazzi said regarding Ecorse Creek. “There is a cleanup funding and trying to widen, deepen it and dredge it so that one entails the Army Corps of Engineers. What we wanted to do was establish the ordinance so we can get people that are affected by the flooding to be the eyes and ears and pretty much the liaison between the administration, residents and also congressional delegates.”
According to the Ecorse Creek ordinance, the purpose of the commission is to bring attention to, report on, and monitor issues relating to the Ecorse Creek. The commission will work with the mayor, city council and other elected and appointed city officials to make recommendations that promote policies that address the concerns of residents and others affected by Ecorse Creek.
Commissioners also will advise the mayor, city council, and other elected and appointed city officials relative to the special needs and concerns of residents and others affected by Ecorse Creek.
As needed, the commission will investigate problems and conditions adversely affecting residents and other affected by Ecorse Creek and will recommend solutions to these problems to the mayor, city council and other elected and appointed city officials.
In addition, the commission will explore issues and conduct research on matters related to Ecorse Creek, evaluate progress on actions taken to alleviate flooding problems associated with Ecorse Creek, and develop public information and education campaigns to support the mission of the commission.
The Commission on Business was established to bring attention, report on, and monitor issues relating to the concerns, opportunities and rights of business in the city.
Commissioners will advise and work with the mayor, city council, and other elected and appointed city officials on concerns of and to promote the different businesses in the city.
Also the commission will explore issues, conduct research on matters related to businesses and celebrate accomplishments of the businesses in the city.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)