Another point is that when the state Legislature amended PA532 it did not go back and amend PA500, although they were tied together. It all comes down to an argument that the state has a moral obligation to make good on the agreement.

"The odds of the city getting it without strings attached are probably slim," Cockrel says. "We're going to have to give up something in order to get it."

There were a lot of other things discussed at the Council table on Monday: raising revenues through better tax collections, collecting money businesses owe on permits and licenses, competitive bids for health insurance, public lighting and other services, and more.

Another thing that was clear at the meeting is that along with the level of layoffs discussed, there would have to be reorganization of the way many city departments operate, and some departments would have to be shut down.

We face tough, draconian measures in this cash-strapped city. The only way for city government to sell it to citizens is if City Council and the mayor's office can work together and present a unified vision. It would help if the governor were on board too. 

Curiously, there was no mention of how the much-discussed but never quite defined Detroit Works plan fits in with all this. Maybe it's a moot point. At this juncture it seems that Detroit doesn't work.

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