Joseph Gardner, supervisor of the Soil Erosion Program for Oakland County, attended the Jan. 28 Clarkston City Council and said the city is compliant with Michigan Department of Environmental Quality requirements in regards to the new Depot Park bridge.
County officials have met with city staff at the bridge and they have always been helpful and did any work needed at the site, said Gardner at the meeting.
Work included adding straw netting and stones under the bridge, and fixing a silt fence. The work was completed within five days, as required by state law, he said.
Independence Township resident Tammie Heazlit spoke at the council meeting, saying changes were made to the work area because of her complaints to the MDEQ about soil erosion entering the river.
Heazlit said the city was not in compliance when her complaint was filed, and she disagreed with Gardner’s statement that the site is completely up to par.
Gardner said staff fixed the issues at the site.
‘I have had many conversations between Clarkston, myself and my staff that include information you are not privy to,” he said to Heazlit.
Mayor Joe Luginski said city officials are not experts in soil erosion, and rely on paid advisors to help guide staff through certain project requirements.
Councilman Richard Bisio said City Manager Carol Eberhardt has been bullied over the issue online, and commended her for the way she handled abusive and critical comments.
Heazlit disagreed, and said she feels harassed and bullied over her efforts to protect the watershed.
Council member Mike Sabol said the most important aspect of the entire project has been lost in all these issues. ‘The donated bridge is a beautiful addition to this city thanks to the generosity of residents.?
Bart and Diane Clark of Clarkston donated $80,000 for the bridge.
A meeting with Oakland County officials and local residents, including Heazlit was scheduled at the site on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
-Andrea Beaudoin