Flint, Michigan – In a landmark court ruling in a tenant-landlord conflict, the City of Flint won over the Hasselbring Senior Center, therefore securing the right to take back control of the property the center occupied. Judge Jessica Hammon made this decision on Thursday, therefore confirming the city’s stance and allowing the administration of the facility to be kicked out unless they leave the grounds by March 3.
The argument, which has attracted a lot of local interest, originates from differences on lease renewal terms. City authorities claim that during protracted negotiations, no new arrangement was achieved after the contract with the senior facility, run under a third-party vendor expired in 2016. Originally imposing a deadline for January 5, the city sent a vacate notice in December.
City of Flint Chief of Staff Ed Taylor expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision.
“We are thankful that this matter has reached a resolution,” said Ed Taylor Chief of Staff, “and pleased the judge followed the law by granting the city possession of the center allowing us to move forward in our focus on ensuring a safe, welcoming, and enriching environment where seniors will thrive.”
On the other side of the courtroom, Hasselbring Senior Center’s administration expressed their dismay and dissatisfaction with the decision.
Hasselbring Senior Center management also provided a statement:
Today, Judge Hammon ruled in favor of the City of Flint based on State Law. That’s not what we expected, because we were referencing the city charter and ordinances.
Although Mayor Neeley and his administration won the case today, we still stand on the belief that his actions throughout this entire situation have been wrong. As well as the four councilpersons who refused to bring the resolution back for consideration. They win the building, but they cannot destroy our family or our community!!
We cannot and will not focus on division and corruption. We fought the good fight and, in the end, it didn’t go the way we had hoped.
The legal argument underlined the difficulties of municipal administration, with the top center management claiming that the city’s government overreached themselves by sending the eviction notice without appropriate city council approval. They referenced a city ordinance stating that no property interest of the city will be sold without a resolution or ordinance from the city council.
Judge Hammon’s decision, however, highlighted in this case following state statutes over local ordinances. The court also mentioned a January 30 hearing when a continuation was approved giving the city council a chance to go over the lease further. Unfortunately, a special meeting scheduled for February 17 did not reach a quorum, therefore neglecting to sufficiently handle the leasing issue.
Judge Hammon stated that there was no triable dispute now and confirmed the executive branch’s power to recover the land. The Hasselbring Senior Center management now has the option to appeal the decision.
In the meantime, the city has announced plans to take over the operations of the senior center, ensuring that it remains open and continues to serve Flint’s senior citizens free of charge. This action is a part of the larger project of the city to improve public facilities and offer required services to its aging citizens. City officials and the community are closely observing the change of administration to guarantee a seamless continuation of services and initiatives vital for the welfare of Flint’s older citizens.