Ballot initiative rejected; City now being sued

Clerk says not enough signatures to meet criteria

 

IMLAY CITY — City Commissioners have been expecting it for some time, having had recent discussions about the use of marijuana in Imlay City.

While recreational use is permitted and the city missed out on having any say about the issue, they have stated in the past, they want to be in front of the medical marijuana issue and know it is just a matter of time before it comes to town.

At the August 20 city commission meeting, Dawn Sawicki-Franz told board members she had an encounter with some individuals just prior to the commission meeting.

In her report to the board, she said, “A ballot initiative arrived at the city on July 30 at ten minutes to 4 p.m., which was the deadline for the (medical marijuana)ballot initiative to be received by the Clerk.”

She went on to say the process of vetting the signatures that were on the petition was shared with those who presented the request.

Sawicki-Franz informed the partitioners that not enough signatures were gathered before the deadline to meet the required criteria.

Sawicki-Franz and City Manager Craig Horton notified the city’s attorney of the initiative and the fact there was not the required number of signatures.

After city officials notified the petitioners of the shortfall of names, the group promptly filed a lawsuit against the city.

Both the petitioners, and city officials, are scheduled to be in court this week to further deal with the issue.

In other city commission news: the commission gave approval to the police department to create an account to deposit money into, from the proceeds coming from various items that have been held in the property room.

According to the minutes from August 20, Sgt. Sean Leathers said the department has been in the process of purging items, getting rid of property no longer needed for evidence.

Sgt. Leathers said some items, including those that must be kept for life or remain in PD possession for a specific period of time, cannot be sold.

However, there are numerous items of value that could be sold with the proceeds going to the police department.

City Manager Horton gave his report to the commission including an update on the paving of a portion of Blacks Corners, south of Imlay City Rd.

Horton said he and DPW Supervisor Ed Priehs have met with contractors and utility companies and discussed the project that is set to get underway this week.

Roughly a half-mile stretch of Blacks Corners, north to the city limits, will be getting a facelift. Horton said the city had reached out to Imlay Twp. Supervisor Rick Farkas about the possibility of extending the new pavement to the intersection. A small amount of the roadway, just south of the intersection, is in the township. Farkas said he would contact the Lapeer County Road Commission to see about the possibility of the work including the small portion of the roadway that is in the township.

City Manager  Horton told the commission the Trinity Baptist Church on Almont Ave. has dissolved and asked of the City’s interest in property that is owned by the church.

Horton is inquiring with the organization, based in Ohio, about the possibility of them donating the parcel to the city, or selling it at a nominal cost. The property is adjacent to Rotary Park and is located along First St.