HAMTRAMCK, Mich. – A Wayne County judge has denied Hamtramck Mayor Adam Alharbi’s request to temporarily reinstate the city’s fired city manager, allowing the City Council’s termination decision to stand as the lawsuit proceeds.
Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Leslie Kim Smith issued the ruling in a lawsuit Alharbi filed June 15, challenging the council’s June 9, 2026, decision to fire City Manager Dr. Adel Al-Adlani.
Alharbi argued the City Council exceeded its authority when it suspended meeting rules, added an agenda item, and approved a resolution terminating Al-Adlani during the June 9 meeting.
The mayor sought a preliminary injunction to prevent the termination and preserve the status quo while the court considered the dispute.
Smith denied the request on all four factors Michigan courts consider when evaluating a preliminary injunction.
The court found Alharbi did not demonstrate a sufficient likelihood of success on the merits of his claims.
Central to the dispute was whether the mayor held exclusive authority to set council meeting agendas or whether the council could amend an agenda under its own governing rules.
Alharbi argued that under the Hamtramck City Charter, the mayor and city manager establish meeting agendas and that once set, an agenda cannot be changed.
The City Council countered that its rules allow members to amend the agenda and that the June 9 changes followed proper procedures.
The court reviewed relevant charter language, including a provision stating that regular City Council meetings are presided over by the mayor, who “along with the city manager shall establish the agenda for the meetings.”
Smith found that the council’s rules permit it to suspend those rules by a two-thirds vote and to amend the agenda, as occurred on June 9.
The court also found no irreparable harm, no facts supporting Alharbi’s position on the balance of harms, and no violation of the Open Meetings Act.
Smith noted the June 9 meeting was properly noticed and open to the public.
As a result of the ruling, Syed Aamir Ahsan continues to serve as city manager while the remaining counts of the lawsuit proceed in Wayne County Circuit Court.
The court’s order addressed only Alharbi’s request for preliminary relief and did not issue a final ruling on the underlying legal claims.
The lawsuit includes claims seeking injunctive relief, a declaration regarding the validity of the June 9 resolution, and an allegation that the council’s actions exceeded its legal authority.