Negotiations between Milan Seniors for Healthy Living (MSHL) and the City of Milan had already resumed before the nonprofit’s nearly three-hour board meeting on Feb. 18, during which leaders focused on rebuilding trust and addressing financial oversight concerns.
Tensions have run strong between the two organizations after years of challenging contract negotiations for use of the senior center and the city senior millage funds. More recently, the city had notified the senior center they had the choice to either give up their nonprofit status and come under the city or move out of the city-owned senior center. If they moved to a different location, the city intended to start its own senior program.
Councilmember Marie Gress, the city’s senior liaison, said five MSHL board members contacted her after January’s meeting to seek a path to reopen talks. Since the city council felt the community also wanted another chance for negotiation, the city authorized City Attorney Steve Mann to negotiate with MSHL Attorney Guy Conti…