By Kristyne E. Demske
C & G Staff Writer

UTICA — The cities of Utica and Sterling Heights are playing host to mayors and village presidents throughout the state this week as the Michigan Association of Mayors descends upon them for its summer workshop.

Utica Mayor Jacqueline Noonan said the summer conference has been held at resorts and vacation destinations throughout the state, like Mackinac Island, Frankenmuth and Greenfield Village. But two years ago, Noonan, a member of the MAM board, had the idea of making the location a contest among the participating cities.

For this year’s contest, the cities of Traverse City and Marshall applied, and Noonan approached Sterling Heights to see if they wanted to partner for the bid, which they called “A Tale of Two Cities.”

“We felt that we had something unique to offer,” she said, pointing to the Clinton River and the M-59 business corridor.

She said she put together an application and video, with the help of Sterling Heights’ Community Relations Department, and abstained from voting when the MAM board chose the hosting community.

This year’s conference is set to focus on employee and retiree legacy costs, including helping municipalities think about new ways to provide health care, benefits and handle negotiations to soften the financial burden of legacy costs and the impact of new legislation on cities.

Noonan said Utica and Sterling Heights had lots to offer on that front, as well.

“We said, here you have two — a very tiny community and a very large one — who are examples of doing it right,” she said.

A number of local businesses and organizations stepped up to help sponsor the conference, making it more affordable for the municipal leaders to attend.

“You’ve got to realize a majority of people that come to this are the mid- and small-city mayors and village presidents,” she said. “It’s a fantastic learning experience.”

Sterling Heights Mayor Richard Notte said plans for the conference, which runs Aug. 6 through 8, include a reception at Andiamo Italian Bistro near Lakeside Mall, a dinner at Villa Penna and workshops at Dave & Buster’s.

The Hyatt Hotel in Utica will be the workshop’s headquarters.

“We have (the) occasion to show off wonderful locations,” Noonan said.

Sterling and Utica officials will be “focusing on letting people know what our community’s all about,” Notte said. “Hopefully, they’ll like their visit.”

The Michigan Association of Mayors represents the chief elected officials in 75 communities throughout the state, working to assist them, promoting cooperation between them, and advancing their interests at the state and federal level.

Staff writer Cortney Casey contributed to this report.
You can reach Staff Writer Kristyne E. Demske at kdemske@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1041.