Mayor Dave Bing sets the stage for another showdown with city council members by calling them back from recess for a Monday afternoon meeting.
WXYZ frames the high stakes:
This may seem like a minor issue, but without the council's approval the city cannot unlock millions of dollars in bond money held by the state. And by next month Detroit could be broke.
But whether the mayor can get the council to approve the deal is a huge question.
Before last week's vote, Detroit's top attorney [ Corporation Counsel Krystal Crittendon -- advised council members that Miller Canfield has a conflict of interest with the city because the firm helped craft Detroit's financial consent agreement with the state.
Some council members also voted to delay a decision to protest how the mayor handles billing and invoices, Wait says in his report. They want more transparency.
The law firm agreement is needed for the state treasury to proceed with the first $30 million in proceeds from a $137-million bond sale -- money Detroit needs to pay its bills as it restructures city government, as Helms explains.
Bringing in an outside law firm is among reform benchmarks agreed on by Bing and Gov. Rick Snyder.
Without the cash, the city is projected to be up to $5 million in the hole, and Bing directed his staff last week to prepare to put nonessential city workers on furlough starting Jan. 1.
