Flint City Council fails to meet quorum, delaying senior center’s fate

FLINT, Mich. — The fate of the Hasselbring Senior Center management appears to be in the hands of the court after Flint City Council failed to meet a quorum during a special meeting.

Council members Jerri Winfrey-Carter and Tonya Burns called the meeting on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025 to reconsider the approval of the senior center’s lease.

However, council members Leon El-Alamin (First Ward), Ladel Lewis (Second Ward), Judy Priestly (Fourth Ward) and Candice Mushatt (Seventh Ward) were absent.

When the council secretary attempted to contact the absent members, three did not respond, while Priestly said she was sick.

With only half the council present, no official action could be taken. However, Councilwoman Winfrey-Carter moved to allow supporters of the nonprofit to speak.

Flint City Attorney JoAnne Gurley objected, stating that public comment was not permitted without a quorum. Winfrey-Carter pushed back, arguing that the procedure did not prohibit discussion.

“We cannot take action, but we can have a discussion and we can allow the public to speak. We’re at ease right now [and] it doesn’t say we can’t use the microphone,” Winfrey-Carter said. “They all came out, and I think we owe it to them to allow them to speak…and after the audience speaks, we will end this.”

Gurley’s stance drew sharp criticism from Hasselbring supporters in attendance, with one person shouting, “You just got here!” in her direction.

Some residents also voiced frustration with their First Ward representation.

“I want to thank you guys for [calling] this meeting and bringing Hasselbring back, because this is something that we really need..as important as this meeting is, you would think our first Ward council person, Leon El-Alamin, would be here to be that fifth vote,” First Ward resident Rose Morrow said.

El-Alamin maintains he is following the city attorney’s interpretation of the charter, which asserts that the administration must be the one to reintroduce the lease agreement to the council agenda.

“From the time I’ve been on council, I have been advocating, I have rolled up my sleeves, went to work, working with the current service provider there, and also in negotiations with the administration and the mayor,” El-Alamin said. 

El-Alamin highlighted his efforts in negotiating the rent from a larger monthly amount and 25% of the rental revenue down to $500 monthly with 10% profit sharing, which the service provider agreed to at the time. 

“It was my hope at that time that I thought we had a good deal. We were going to move forward, even the President signed off on it. And then I get a call in regards to No, we don’t want that. We want $1,” he said. “The mayor said he’s not going back to the table in negotiation and he’s not going to approve the $1 lease, and he’s the administration.”

He added that, in an attempt to compromise with his colleagues, he proposed allocating $6,000 in First Ward ARPA funds toward the center’s first year of rent. However, the lease was ultimately rejected.

El-Alamin likened his colleagues’ advocacy for a $1 lease to misinformation.

“They don’t want to admit they messed up and gave them bad advice. That’s what’s really going on…We’re right back to the same lease that I negotiated,” he said.

In January, Judge Jessica Hammon delayed a ruling in the Hasselbring Senior Center eviction case, stating, “The actions of the City Council could very well affect this case.”

The case is set to return to her courtroom on Thursday, Feb. 20, where she is expected to issue a decision.