CITY OF MUSKEGON HEIGHTS 272A Peck Street ‘Muskegon Heights, Michigan 49444 Phone (231) 733-8880 Fax (231) 733-5229 June 14, 2023, TO: Muskegon Heights Residents and Water System Customers: On Monday, June 12, 2023, the City of Muskegon Heights, after a few months of negotiations, agreed to sign an Administrative Consent Order with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). We expect to receive a final draft of the agreement soon and will make it available to the public. ‘As many of you are aware, the city underwent a tremendous amount of transition earlier in the year. In addition to our administrative leadership, we also experienced an unprecedented number of retirees at our water filtration plant. During this transitional period, EGLE informed the city that it was out of compliance with respect to having what is called an Operator in Charge over the Muskegon Heights Water System. To address this compliance, the City of Muskegon Heights hhas been contracting with the City of Muskegon for these services which they will continue to provide through June 30, 2023. The City has since hired an operator in charge, with the level of licensure required for our water system. We have also hired several additional staff at the water filtration plant. On July 1, 2023, the City of Muskegon Heights’ operator in charge will assume those responsibilities. Even with the staffing issues addressed, the administrative consent order does require the city to provide the state with various reports and updates on issues over the next 18 months related to the long: term staffing, maintenance and operations of the water system. The city council and staff have worked diligently over the past few months to address these issues. During this time, we have had numerous public discussions and reports with staff, consultants and state officials. We have been transparent in discussing the challenges we have faced and how we have overcome them. Be assured that ifat any time the quality of drinking water you receive had been threated or compromised, not only would city leadership inform you, but the State of Michigan is obligated to inform you, and take the necessary action. Weare confident and positive about the direction and momentum we have going. | want to encourage us all to not solely rely on sources that are content and determined to not report on the positive things in our community. We have invested millions of dollars in repairing water mains, replacing water supply lines and repaving streets this year. Let's tell those stories and share that information as well Please feel free to attend or view our city council meetings on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. and view our City of Muskegon Heights Facebook page and website. Let's all reach New Heights together! ‘Mayor Walter Watt Jr!