By Barb Pert Templeton
The April 4 regular bi-monthly meeting of the Marine City Commission had officials addressing a number of items during a gathering that lasted just under 90 minutes.
City supports Autism Awareness Month
City Manager Scott Adkins told officials that the city recently participated in “Light Up Blue for Autism Awareness” day on April 2 and the city changed their lights to blue at city hall, several downtown parks and at the local lighthouse. “It was great to see the support from the community for this Autism Awareness Day and I appreciate everyone’s involvement and what they were able to do,” Adkins said. Commissioner Brian Ross said it’s actually Autism Awareness month and he wondered if the city was going to keep the lights going all month long and Adkins said yes, that was the plan.
Master plan can still be modified
Marine City Mayor Pro Tem thanked the community for coming out to a pizza fundraiser in support of the Old Newsboys.
Commissioner Brian Ross, a member of the Historical Commission, brought up the historically contributing properties list – which falls within the nautical mile district and is a project the historic commission is working on – wondering if there’s an opportunity to integrate that into the master plan. City Manager Scott Adkins said it can still be integrated into the plan which he anticipates will come before the commission at their April 18 meeting and then the 60-day review process will begin. He said modifications can still be made during that time. Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Hendricks asked Ross what the “contributing properties list” actually does. Ross said it identifies buildings that the commission feels are historically contributing, “it just says we feel it’s a thing that adds to our city’s charm….so please don’t disturb it.” Attorney Robert Davis said it doesn’t layer over a regulation it’s just an acknowledgement and yes, it can still be added to the master plan.
Marijuana ordinance will return to commission agenda
During the commissioner comments portion of the meeting Commissioner Sean O’Brien said the marijuana ordinance is going to return to the commission agenda soon.
“There’s concern that it’s been off our agenda for a while,” O’Brien said. “There was conflicting language within it and we had to get that straightened out so that’s why it hasn’t returned yet.”
The last time the topic appeared on a commission meeting agenda was Feb. 15 where officials discussed the issue and residents expressed their thoughts on the idea of allowing facilities in the city. The commission directed the city manager to have maps created that include 1,000-foot boundaries from K-12 schools and also omit any residential areas on the maps. City Attorney Robert Davis explained that the ordinance will not allow grow operations and other facilities that carry with them certain environmental concerns and odor concerns.
“This ordinance is strictly related to dispensaries, sales use,” he said, at that time.
Commissioners share appreciation for city staff
During commissioner comments Commissioner Sean O’Brien stated that he wanted to thank the city clerk for his work on getting the new software up and running
Marine Cit Commissioner Sean O’Brien said the marijuana ordinance issue will return to the city commission agenda in the near future.
“It’s very enjoyable and makes being up here a lot easier, appreciate it,” O’Brien added.
Commissioner Brian Ross said he applauded the city staff and in particular Clerk Jason Bell for the software updates, the meeting minutes and website.
“Other commissioners, call me, I’ve explored a lot of extra features inside here, within the viewer that allows you to see all the PDF’s in there, you can highlight, you can mark up, you can circle things, it very neat and it’s really handy to be able to see it during the meeting,” Ross said.
Commissioner Rita Roehrig took a moment during the commissioner comments portion of the meeting to thank City Manager Scott Adkins and City Clerk Jason Bell for all the new things they’ve been doing with the meeting agendas and sharing budget information at the local library.
“These are good thoughts and good execution of keeping the public informed,” Roehrig said.
Mayor Jennifer Vandenbossche thanked the city staff as a whole for all their hard work on behalf of the city.
Hendrick thanks public for support for Old Newsboys
Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Hendrick took a moment during commissioner comments to thank the public for their support during a pizza fundraiser for the Old Newsboys hosted at Anita’s Riverfront Grille on April 3. She said there was a packed house and it was a three-hour event that included all-you-can-eat pizza. “It went really well, we really appreciate all the support for the Old Newsboys it means a lot to provide all that we do for the kids here every year,” Hendrick said. “Thanks again to everybody for all the donations and just attending, it was really a good turnout.”
