Monday night, we have Special Guest Jamie Goswick of Canna Media Works to present the pro-medical marihuana position. The presentation will be an argument for considering allowance one or more of five types of Medical Marihuana enterprises in the city because of recent changes in Michigan law. This presentation was made at the Planning Commission this past Monday. Because laws have changed recently and in the spirit of fairness, both sides of this issue will have an opportunity to speak to Council. The city is scheduling someone from WEMET (West Michigan Enforcement Team) to make a presentation at the May 15 Planning Commission and the City Council May 22 meeting as well (See NON-AGENDA items).
Monday night, we will also have a Public Hearing on the 2017-2018 Budget as required by the City Charter Section 9.4. There has already been a published notice of this hearing which is a required ten-day notice prior to the public hearing. Final adoption of the budget will be May 8, 2017. After Wednesday night’s Budget Workshop, I believe only one additional workshop will be needed to finalize the “numbers” for 2017-2018. Anisa Williams will schedule in the next week or so.
Spring is beginning to settle in for 2017 as I mowed my lawn for the first-time last night. All the fun yard work has begun in earnest for us ALL. Enjoy the warmer weather and enjoy your weekend. Be safe out there.
Reminder to all Mayor and City Council Candidates for 2017 City Election: Kim Borgman
The deadline to file petitions for anyone interested in running for office in the 2017 City Election is Tuesday, April 25, 2017 @ 4:00 P.M. Please remember that the Affidavit of Identity Form must be notarized prior to filing.
May 2, 2017 Election: Kim Borgman
We will be holding a “Special School Election” on Tuesday, May 2, 2017. We will be combining Precinct 1 & 2 for this election. City Clerk, Kimberly Borgman will be in the office on Saturday, April 29, 2017 from 8:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. to process requests for Absentee Ballots.
REPEAT - Master Plan Update: Jonathan Seyferth
We are nearing the end of feedback window on the draft master plan which has been ongoing since mid-February. We’re asking that all feedback be in by Wednesday, March 29. The end of this feedback window starts a timeline that, if all goes according to plan, should allow the master plan to be considered for final adoption in June.
The timeline is as follows:
A draft and executive summary of the Master Plan can be found at www.plancoopersville.com. Updates and comments on the final draft will also be accepted on the website.
Medical Marihuana (marijuana): Jonathan Seyferth
Over the next few months we are going to engage in a long-term and slow education process on Michigan’s new medical marihuana law. That education process will include hearing from groups on both sides of the topic. At the conclusion of that education process (likely in June or July) the City Council and Planning Commission can then decide if it would like to tackle any changes to the city’s current medical marihuana ordinance.
This is being precipitated for two different reasons. First off, in December 2016 the state legislature passed a new law regarding commercial activities related to medical marihuana. This change authorizes five different type of commercial activities that can be engaged in when explicitly allowed by a municipality. Secondly, the city has received requests that the city consider allowing one or more of those five activities.
Our current ordinance regulating medical marihuana, which is found in Section 1280.21 – prohibits any commercial activity related to medical marihuana. This was put into place in July 2013. Several communities throughout the state enacted similar ordinances in the absents of clear state action on the topic.
The state’s new law, the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act (PA 281 of 2016) will come into effect in December 2017. The delay on implementation is to allow communities to determine what (if any) of the five activities they’ll allow and to allow the state to develop permitting for these activities.
The Michigan Municipal League (MML) has produced a few brief documents on the topic, I’ve included those for your reading pleasure. The MML memos outline the five activities and provides a FAQ sheet on the topic.
The good thing about the new state law is it gives municipalities a lot of flexibility. 1. Communities do not have to explicitly outlaw medical marihuana facilities – it’s an opt in law. 2. It’s not an all or nothing thing, a municipality can choose which of five activities to allow and how many of each it would allow (again, if any at all).
WWTP Upgrade
Work continues with the design/engineering of the effluent pump upgrade that also included the addition of a UV treatment chamber. Updates will be provided as they are available.
Muskegon Waste Water Treatment Plant Option
No new updates at this time. Just a friendly reminder, there is information out in the journalistic ether that is not always factual, so I urge you to contact me if you require relevant and updated information.
Monday night, we will also have a Public Hearing on the 2017-2018 Budget as required by the City Charter Section 9.4. There has already been a published notice of this hearing which is a required ten-day notice prior to the public hearing. Final adoption of the budget will be May 8, 2017. After Wednesday night’s Budget Workshop, I believe only one additional workshop will be needed to finalize the “numbers” for 2017-2018. Anisa Williams will schedule in the next week or so.
Spring is beginning to settle in for 2017 as I mowed my lawn for the first-time last night. All the fun yard work has begun in earnest for us ALL. Enjoy the warmer weather and enjoy your weekend. Be safe out there.
Reminder to all Mayor and City Council Candidates for 2017 City Election: Kim Borgman
The deadline to file petitions for anyone interested in running for office in the 2017 City Election is Tuesday, April 25, 2017 @ 4:00 P.M. Please remember that the Affidavit of Identity Form must be notarized prior to filing.
May 2, 2017 Election: Kim Borgman
We will be holding a “Special School Election” on Tuesday, May 2, 2017. We will be combining Precinct 1 & 2 for this election. City Clerk, Kimberly Borgman will be in the office on Saturday, April 29, 2017 from 8:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. to process requests for Absentee Ballots.
REPEAT - Master Plan Update: Jonathan Seyferth
We are nearing the end of feedback window on the draft master plan which has been ongoing since mid-February. We’re asking that all feedback be in by Wednesday, March 29. The end of this feedback window starts a timeline that, if all goes according to plan, should allow the master plan to be considered for final adoption in June.
The timeline is as follows:
- June 19 – The 9-week window will close on June 19 which is also the June Planning Commission meeting date. At that meeting, the Planning Commission would hold a Public Hearing on formal adoption of the master plan – step one in a two-step adoption process. If approved by the PC, it is sent to the City Council for final adoption.
- June 26 – At the second City Council meeting in June, the City Council will be asked to take the second step in the process with a final adoption of the master plan.
A draft and executive summary of the Master Plan can be found at www.plancoopersville.com. Updates and comments on the final draft will also be accepted on the website.
Medical Marihuana (marijuana): Jonathan Seyferth
Over the next few months we are going to engage in a long-term and slow education process on Michigan’s new medical marihuana law. That education process will include hearing from groups on both sides of the topic. At the conclusion of that education process (likely in June or July) the City Council and Planning Commission can then decide if it would like to tackle any changes to the city’s current medical marihuana ordinance.
This is being precipitated for two different reasons. First off, in December 2016 the state legislature passed a new law regarding commercial activities related to medical marihuana. This change authorizes five different type of commercial activities that can be engaged in when explicitly allowed by a municipality. Secondly, the city has received requests that the city consider allowing one or more of those five activities.
Our current ordinance regulating medical marihuana, which is found in Section 1280.21 – prohibits any commercial activity related to medical marihuana. This was put into place in July 2013. Several communities throughout the state enacted similar ordinances in the absents of clear state action on the topic.
The state’s new law, the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act (PA 281 of 2016) will come into effect in December 2017. The delay on implementation is to allow communities to determine what (if any) of the five activities they’ll allow and to allow the state to develop permitting for these activities.
The Michigan Municipal League (MML) has produced a few brief documents on the topic, I’ve included those for your reading pleasure. The MML memos outline the five activities and provides a FAQ sheet on the topic.
The good thing about the new state law is it gives municipalities a lot of flexibility. 1. Communities do not have to explicitly outlaw medical marihuana facilities – it’s an opt in law. 2. It’s not an all or nothing thing, a municipality can choose which of five activities to allow and how many of each it would allow (again, if any at all).
WWTP Upgrade
Work continues with the design/engineering of the effluent pump upgrade that also included the addition of a UV treatment chamber. Updates will be provided as they are available.
Muskegon Waste Water Treatment Plant Option
No new updates at this time. Just a friendly reminder, there is information out in the journalistic ether that is not always factual, so I urge you to contact me if you require relevant and updated information.
RSS Feed
