By Barb Pert Templeton
A regular bi-monthly meeting of the Marine City Commission on Oct. 19 had official taking care of quite a few items in just under an hour.
Rosalie Skwiers honored for volunteer work
Marine City Mayor Jennifer Vandenbossche took time out at the recent commission meeting to honor local resident, Rosalie Skwiers. Vandenbossche read a formal proclamation of appreciation into the record which noted Skwiers tireless efforts to promote and improve the city. The proclamation also stated that she has given countless volunteer hours including the upkeep and care of flowers and plants, including at the city offices while, adding that the goods and services provided have come from her own personal funds. The city extended their appreciation to Skwiers for her generosity to the community and stated she had made Marine City a better place to live, work and visit. Skwiers was not in attendance at the recent meeting but the mayor said the formal proclamation would be given to her as soon as possible.
Second reading on marijuana ordinance tabled
Marine City Manager Scott Adkins said there’s going to be a lot of work being conducted on the
city streets over the next few months.
Ordinance 23-05 – Adult Use Marijuana – second reading and adoption was tabled at the request of Mayor Jennifer Vandenbossche. City Manager Scott Adkins filled officials in on why the item was to be tabled stating that several commissioners asked for clarification of the maps for the ordinance and they don’t have them in hand yet. Adkins said those are provided by the county and the person who was preparing them was hospitalized and unable to complete the task in time for the meeting. He said he felt it was important to have those accurate maps in place with the property boundaries for any discussions about the ordinance. The commission then unanimously approved tabling the item.
Declaration of Vacant Commission Seat
The removal of Marine City Commissioner Michael Hilferink following a special meeting of the Marine City Commission on Oct. 16 led to an additional agenda item regarding filling the seat at a regular meeting on Oct. 19. Mayor Jennifer Vandenbossche added the item to the agenda at the start of the meeting and officials addressed it under New Business. The mayor explained that once the seat was officially declared vacant by the commission the city could seek applicants for the spot and that they plan to appoint someone by the second meeting in November. Vandenbossche noted that the seat has three years remaining for the term and Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Hendrick asked if application information would be on the city website soon. “In accordance with the procedure, once we declare the seat vacant then we can start putting the
information out to everyone and accepting the requests,” Vandenbossche said.
Commissioner Rita Roehrig asked if there was a basic form for interested candidates of was it just letters of interest and resumes. Commissioner Brian Ross responded that candidates need to
fill out the same form – a board application – that all the commissioners have done in the past. “You just don’t need to circulate a petition and get signatures,” Ross added.
Lots of projects taking shape
As part of his regular reporting to the city commission City Manager Scott Adkins said there will be a lot of work going on within the city throughout November and into 2024 as they tackle some major public infrastructure projects. The list will include a safe drinking water project to replace aging lines, some even 100 years old. Engineering crews will be taking to the streets to identify water, sewer and gas lines underground and they will be in the road ways and right aways. Adkins said questions about the work from residents should be directed to the city’s
Department of Public Works (DPW). “This will be a very comprehensive project, there will be a lot of activity and people moving around and we will try to keep as much information flowing as possible as to times and locations,” Adkins said.
