October 26, 2016 (Flint, Mich)– The Receivership Transition Advisory Board met today at Flint City Hall (two of the three board members attended the meeting via phone). The board voted to support two resolutions approved by the City Council, one to dismiss the lawsuit the Council filed against the City regarding waste collection services and another authorizing a one year contract with Republic Services to collect trash in Flint effective November 12, 2016-November 12, 2017.
The board also adopted a resolution to amend Emergency Order No. 3, removing the hurdle for City leaders to obtain the board’s approval prior to filing a lawsuit against the state or any other party. After hearing about the RTAB’s actions, Mayor Weaver issued the following statement:
“I am very pleased to learn that the Receivership Transition Advisory Board has adopted an amendment to EM Order-3 rescinding the requirement that Flint City officials get approval from the board before a lawsuit can be filed against the state, if we feel that is necessary to obtain the resources needed to help Flint recover from the man-made water disaster.
At this time we are still trying to work with the State to right this wrong and have no plans to sue. If State leaders honor their commitment to do what is best for the citizens and the City of Flint, we will see evidence of that commitment in the City and will have no reason to take legal action. I want to thank Representatives Dan Kildee, John Conyers and the other leaders who have taken a stand for our right to pursue justice and ensure the City of Flint is made whole as we work to move forward from this tragedy.”
