Thank you for all you have done to address the COVID-19 pandemic and the related economic and fiscal crisis. Congress has been swift in passing three coronavirus relief bills and we urge you to soon pass a fourth measure that includes direct and flexible fiscal assistance to all cities across the nation. The budget calamity looming over local governments, who are leading the pandemic response on the ground, is real and it requires extraordinary measures.

We appreciate the inclusion of the Coronavirus Relief Fund in the CARES Act. We are pleased that the CARES Act's authors recognized the importance of direct fiscal assistance to states and cities. However, only cities with a population of 500,000 or more will receive direct fiscal assistance from this Fund. This language excludes every Michigan city but one. We simply do not understand the population cutoff in the CARES Act. Simply put, there is no magic force that will protect local governments under 500,000 population from revenue losses. This approach leaves hundreds of Michigan cities and millions their residents behind.

On May 12th, the House advanced the 4th COVID-19 supplemental, the "Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act,'' which allocates $187.5 billion for all local governments. We are encouraged by this effort and look forward to House and Senate leadership reaching a bi-partisan agreement on this critical legislation in the days ahead. We respectfully request that the final bill incorporate direct and flexible fiscal assistance to all cities across the nation using the CDBG formula as the bill in its current form provides.

In addition, for cities like Detroit who will be receiving an allocation from the Coronavirus Relief Fund, Congress limited how those funds can be used. As the fourth bill is considered, we respectfully ask that you support a correction to the Coronavirus Relief Fund that gives those cities flexibility and allows them to fill the huge holes in their budgets. We also ask that you contact the Department of Treasury and encourage them to provide maximum flexibility in the use of these funds.

Michigan cities are major employers that provide core local government services to tens of millions of Michiganders that are critical to public health, safety, and welfare and that serve as the foundation of our economy. However, we are all mandated to balance our budgets; absent direct and flexible assistance, we will be forced to cut our workforce and reduce services, exacerbating the economic and public health crises created by this pandemic and slowing our recovery. Cuts have already taken place in many cities.

We also fear the impact that this crisis could have on the municipal bond market and our bond ratings. State and local governments account for 75% of our nation's infrastructure investment, with most of those investments financed with municipal bonds. Absent direct and flexible assistance to local governments, the havoc this crisis wreaks on municipal budgets could dampen critical infrastructure investments for many years.

Thank you, again, for your efforts during this unprecedented time. We are confident that, working together, our nation can overcome this crisis.

FridayMusings will keep our readers informed as this campaign to have direct and flexible fiscal assistance for Livonia moves through Congress.

We all shopped & stocked up... We need to post all the yummy food we are cooking!!!  Night 1 - grilled stakes & cauliflower, mozzarella & basil salad

"As we navigate the COVID-19 international health crisis, we must reimagine how to best serve metropolitan Detroiters," said Helene Weir, President & CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit. "This means our YMCA has made the very difficult decision to permanently close two of our branches."

Weir said that aft er extensive research and evaluation, it was clear that the two branches were not financially sustainable and have been operating as deficit operations for nearly a decade. She explained that Livonia has lost $1.2 million and Lakeshore $630,000 over the past 10 years. Weir said that compounded by our current health crisis, the YMCA no longer can sustain these operations. On April 28, 2020, the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit Executive Committee passed a motion to permanently close both branches including the Lakeshore Child Care effective May 15th.

"Livonia has served the community for 60 years and now needs $5 million in deferred capital improvements," stated Weir. "Lakeshore is a rental property and both branches do not have a large enough membership base to make them viable."

Weir said that as soon as the Y reopens, Lakeshore and Livonia members will receive a free membership for the remainder of 2020 to use at any of its eight other locations in Auburn Hills, Birmingham, Detroit, Downriver, Farmington, Macomb, Milford, and Royal Oak. Here are the specific YMCA Locations.

She said it is the YMCA's intention to continue to provide a safe and nurturing day camp at the Livonia location for the summer of 2020 when the state permits day camp operation. "We will continue food distribution at the Livonia and Lakeshore YMCA locations to ensure any child in those communities can receive up to 16 healthy meals each week," continued Weir. Here is the food distribution schedule. To learn more about how the YMCA is supporting Metro Detroiters during this pandemic, please see YMCA COVID-19 Community Impact.

Weir said decisions are being made daily as the Y develops a sustainable revitalization plan. Prior to the pandemic, the YMCA 

served over 70,000 men, women, and children annually. "We are hopeful that our YMCA can stabilize and recuperate from losses compounded by 

COVID-19 and its residual fallouts," Weir stated. "Our sole aim is to have a financially strong YMCA able to meet growing community needs. All our decision making reflects our core values: caring, honesty, inclusion, respect, and responsibility."

Local Livonia reaction is embodied in this statement by Jenn Kennedy posted on her Facebook page: "I have been an employee, member, and board member of the Livonia Family YMCA for many years. I've met co-workers and members who have become family to me. I've seen kids grow up there who have become caring, responsible adults. The YMCA has been a healthy place for me, and many others to work, play, and serve. I thank  Robin Grace  for first hiring me and recognizing it was a suitable match, while also showing me how to lead by example. Health, fitness, education and service define my character and I was able to express that there. There is no other fitness facility like it with the selfless people it attracts. No doubt I am going to miss this place and my people. It was my Cheers."

On Wednesday Musings will trace the history and impact the YMCA had on Livonia.