Open City Council Seat Filled
A short and to the point City Council Meeting wrapped up in 22 minutes as the Council and twelve citizens welcomed Marty Chambers as the newly appointed City Council Member.
Marty Chambers, local business owner, and board member of the Planning Commission and Lowell Light and Power will assume the vacated position of Alan Teelander who resigned last month.
Chambers was quickly sworn in, and took his place at the dais. His appointment will create openings on the Planning Commission as well as the Lowell Light & Power Board. When asked if he would agree to be the Council Liaison to the Planning Commission and Lowell Light & Power Board, Chambers accepted.
Citizens Comments on Medical Marijuana
Conner Baker of Buzz Solutions returned to the Podium to offer any assistance the Council may need in guiding their decision as to whether the City will opt in to the Medical Marijuana License Act.
When asked whether the council had set up any work groups to discuss allowing Medical Marijuana in the city, Mayor DeVore stated that the Council will be attending a conference put on by Michigan Municipal League regarding these issues.
Public Hearing
A motion passed 5-0 to set a public hearing for Monday, September 18 to consider approving the application of Big Boiler Brewing LLC’s Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate and for approving and authorizing execution of a related Property Tax Abatement Agreement.
Pink Arrow Pride Day – Arrow Force X
Pink Arrow Pride Day is Friday, September 8th. The Council unanimously Proclaimed, Friday the 8th of September as Pink Arrow Pride Day – Arrow Force X. In solidarity of Pink Arrow Pride Day, all of the Council Members as well as the City Manager donned their Pink Arrow Pride X shirts.
Trails Making Progress
Council member Canfield has agreed to fill the open Council Liaison position on the LARA board following Alan Teelander’s resignation.
A special meeting to review bids for the section of LARA trail that runs down Gee Drive South to West Main street was held. Funding is being secured, and at this time they are about $200,000 short and are actively seeking to close the funding gap. Canfield is feeling positive about the progress being made.
Manager’s Report
City Manager Mike Burns announced that the matter concerning Chief Steve Bukala has been closed. Burns thanked Sgt. Chris Hurst for filling in as acting Chief during these past months.
“Chris stepped up during this time and did an excellent job.”. He added “I would also like to thank the entire Police Department for their professionalism throughout”.
Chief Bukala will be returning to his job on September 12, 2017 after being on unpaid leave for 90 days. Burns stated that he is looking forward to Chief Bukala’s return.
Burns also noted that directly following the Council Meeting, there would be a viewing for a short film, only eleven minutes long, that was filmed in Lowell by Compass College Film Students. He noted that there were cameo appearances from some of our fine city employees.
Council Comments
All council members thanked Sgt. Hurst for a job well done as the interim Chief during the absence of Chief Bukala. Marty Chambers was welcomed by all as the new Council Member.
Council Member Hodges made special note of Pink Arrow Pride Day. Stating that the Pink Arrow Pride organizers have brought such wonderful benefits to our community, “we are proud of our City, our Township and our School System”.
Council Member Canfield made note that a community member had approached him at “Coffee with Council” and expressed concerns that sending the Council Members to Fenton for a day may not have been a good use of taxpayer dollars. Canfield wanted to let community members know that the Main Street Inn donated the use of the shuttle at no expense to the City, and the City of Fenton provided the meals for the day.
Canfield also expressed his desire to encourage more community comments and participation in the medical marijuana discussion. Community input is appreciated.
Newly appointed Council Member Chambers is looking forward to the next twenty six months on the council. His desire is to help this community move forward.
Mayor DeVore commented that he is excited about the medical marijuana conference. He also stated that he again wanted to say how much he appreciated Chris and the staff. He noted “If you didn’t know something was going on, you wouldn’t have known. It’s a shining example of what goes on in this community. They all do a fantastic job”.
Mayor DeVore made it clear how professional each and every employee carried on during the absence of Chief Bukala, and how he looks forward to Bukala’s return.
Meeting adjourned at 7:22pm, directly followed by “Cold Tea”, a brief and enjoyable short film by the Compass Film Academy, with Special Guest Star, Sgt. Chris Hurst.
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