Summary of Minutes of the Virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – July 26, 2021

Summary of Minutes of the electronically conducted regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, July 26, 2021, at 7:02 p.m.

Introduced recently hired City employees; Braxton Gomez Police Officer; Alan Mosher Parks and Public Spaces I; and Philip Biscorner Director of Parks and Public Spaces.

Public Safety Director Lauria swore in Officer Braxton.

MMDC President James McBryde gave a quarterly update for the Middle Michigan Development Corporation.

Marc Griffis, Isabella County Emergency Management Director, gave a presentation on the Isabella County Central Dispatch proposition for renewal of 9-1-1 surcharge.

Latherio Agoff gave a presentation on Limitless Outdoors, a non-profit organization with the mission to give outdoor opportunities to people with disabilities. They are looking for assistance and donations for the cause. You can contact Limitless Outdoors via email or by phone, LMK1211@aol.com or (989)506-5673 or follow them on Facebook at LimitlessOutdoors Foundation.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

1) Minutes of the electronically conducted regular meeting of the City Commission held July 12, 2021.

2) Contract amendment with JCI Jones Chemicals of Riverview, MI, for caustic soda.

3) Authorized the Mayor to sign the 2020-2024 Mt. Pleasant Housing Commission Environmental Review for submission.

4) Resolution approving submittal of the grant application to the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs for the 2022 Paint the Pavement project.

5) Resolution for final approval for TCO #3-2021.

6) Resolution for final approval for TCO #4-2021.

7) Warrants and Payrolls.

Approved rescinding prior City liquor license polices, adopting two new liquor license policies, and approved the application fee resolution as presented. (CC Exh. 10-2021)

Authorized the Public Safety Director to represent the City in the State of Michigan pyrotechnic display application process. Fireworks display to be a part of the 2021 Christmas Celebration (December 4, 2021).

Moved to accept the initiative petition received under the MRTMA and approved the Resolution to Approve Ballot Language as presented for the November 2, 2021 election.

Approved resolution extending conditional authorization for LowKey Properties LLC medical marihuana Class A grower license at 1110 N. Fancher as presented.

Held a Work Session discussion on Principal Shopping District (PSD) Special Assessment.

Adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Adult-Use Marihuana Retailer Selection Results

The City of Mt. Pleasant Adult-Use Marihuana Establishment Selection Committee has selected three applicants to receive conditional authorization to operate a Retailer establishment in the City:

Entity	Location
Lume Cannabis Co.	901 E. Broomfield
Lume Cannabis Co.	1207 N. Mission
House of Fire Provisioning	1005 Corporate

The Mt. Pleasant City Commission adopted ordinances related to the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act (MRTMA) on September 9, 2019. These ordinances “opt in” to the state law allowing adult-use marihuana establishments to operate within the City subject to certain limitations.

In February 2020, the City received ten applications for three available Retailer licenses. Since more applications were received for Retailers than licenses available, the City held a competitive selection process intended to select applicants who are best suited to operate in compliance with the MRTMA in the City. Applicants submitted supplementary applications which were reviewed and scored by a selection committee comprised of City Clerk Jeremy Howard, City Planner Jacob Kain, and Director of Public Safety Paul Lauria.

At this time, the City is no longer accepting additional applications for Provisioning Centers or Retailers. But, applications for Growers, Processors, Secure Transporters, Safety Compliance Facilities, and Microbusinesses are still being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until numerical limits, where applicable, are reached.

Updated information regarding marihuana licensing can be found at
http://www.mt-pleasant.org/marihuana.

Recreational (adult-use) Marihuana Information

Under the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act (MRTMA), it is legal for adults, 21 years of age or older, to grow, possess and use marihuana within certain limitations. This act also creates a commercial market for recreational (adult-use) marihuana. Local regulations related to the commercial market for recreational marihuana were adopted by the City Commission (City Commission Approved Marihuana Establishments Ordinance). A citizen initiative ordinance has also been approved for the November 5, 2019 ballot (Citizen Initiative Recreational Marihuana Establishments Ordinance).

A timeline and detailed information about the two ordinances are described below in the document below.

Recreational Marihuana Background Flyer