Write-Up by Editor Rebecka Hoyt, Agenda with Minutes by City Clerk Kalla Langston
Please note that the City Commission Meeting Agenda is posted below. At the end of the agenda, click on the link to take you to more detailed minutes of the meeting. Also, the meeting minutes may not be published in each issue of The Buchanan Chronicle (probably once a month) due to rules that minutes are approved at the next City Commission meeting.
THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BUCHANAN in compliance with Michigan’s Open Meetings Act, as amended, B2103192 of 2021, hereby gives notice of a regular
meeting of the Buchanan City Commission to be held in the Chamber of Buchanan City Hall, 302 N Redbud Trail, Buchanan MI.
- Requests to be added to the agenda as a “Scheduled Matter from the Floor” should be submitted in writing to the City Clerk at least 5 business days prior to the
scheduled meeting during which the speaker wishes to appear, and the approval of such requests remain within the discretion of the Mayor. If denied, the speaker may
nonetheless speak during the “non-agenda items only” public comments section of the agenda. - Those who are unable to appear during a meeting but who still wish to share public comment may submit such comments in written form to the City Clerk at least 4
hours in advance of the meeting. - Individuals with disabilities may request necessary reasonable accommodations by submitting requests to the City Clerk, preferably at least 24 hours in advance.
- Written requests and comments may be submitted to the City Clerk either in person or via mail to Buchanan City Hall, 302 N. Redbud Trail, Buchanan, MI 49107, or via
email to clerk@cityofbuchanan.com
The Buchanan City Commission met for their Monday meeting November 22nd 2021 at 7:00 pm, in person, Buchanan City Hall Chamber, 302 N Redbud Trail, Buchanan, MI 49107.
Begin Agenda with Minutes:
MONDAY, November 22, 2021 – 7:00 PM
I. Call to Order
Mayor Denison called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
II. Roll Call
PRESENT: Mayor Sean Denison, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Weedon, Commissioner Cameron Downey, Commissioner Larry Money, Commissioner Patrick Swem
ABSENT: None
STAFF: City Manager Heather Grace; City Clerk, Kalla Langston; Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police, Tim Ganus; Director of Public Services, Mike Baker; Treasurer, Stephanie Powers; Chamber Executive Director/Main Street Manager Ashley Regal
III. Approve Agenda
Motion made by Commissioner Swem, Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Weedon to approve the agenda as presented. Roll call vote carried unanimously.
IV. Public Comment – Agenda Items Only
James Kennedy 419 W Front St – Is concerned about the city becoming saturated with the marijuana facilities in town. He is also worried about the B&W INN being bought and converted into a marijuana facility, that building has always been a restaurant.
Don Ryman – B & W is a very significant historic restaurant in Buchanan, more than 100 years old. Downtown is short on restaurants, and this means we lose another restaurant. It would not be a good thing if the marijuana stores fail because we have to many. A large part of the business from these marijuana stores are from people out of state that don’t allow medical or recreational use. There are bills pending in the US Congress to legalize marijuana. If the bills pass, he is worried that it will affect the stores that are here now and the out of state business they receive. He believes we should not be sacrificing historic sites and restaurants too expand the marijuana stores.
Dan Vigansky 103 N Detroit – When they originally decided on the number of licenses they debated and didn’t realize the 5 were going to go that fast. He believes that having 5 is overabundance. In his opinion City Hall has latched on to this and wants to run with the money. Believes they are spending too much time on what we have and not on what we don’t have: the expanding need for restaurants, a bakery, different stores instead of marijuana stores. We have five dispensaries; stop he believes we don’t need any more, even though Vigansky was instrumental in bringing marijuana downtown because he wanted the foot traffic for restaurants and stores. Agrees with getting rid of the Duck Barn. He has no problem with cutting the trees down but doesn’t see the point in doing it November.
Dan Banach 116 Main St – Owner of B & W Inn, The B & W is a privately held business not a publicly held business, and there is nothing set in stone of what anything is going to be. For someone to come up here and push back on the sale of something in the city, but they don’t come forward and want to purchase it for themselves is, in his opinion, disingenuous.
V. Consent Agenda (can be approved all in one motion, for general housekeeping items)
A. Consider Approving the Regular Meeting Minutes- Amended from November 8th, 2021, along with the Work Session Minutes from November 19, 2021.
B. Accept Staff Activity Reports
C. Consider approving $1,500.00 to be paid to Walmart for the annual “Shop with a Cop” program during which our Police Department will take 15 children to Walmart in December to spend $100.00 each. This annual expenditure is funded by donations to the program.
D. Consider approving expenditures for November 22, 2021. Final list of expenditures will be forwarded by the City Bookkeeper prior to the meeting.
Motion made by Commissioner Money, Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Weedon to approve the Consent Agenda, including approving the payment of expenditures for November 22, 2021 in the amount of $108,998.49. Roll call vote carried unanimously.
VI. Scheduled Matters from the Floor (if any)
A. The City Attorneys have a number of items they would like to discuss with the City Commission in Closed Session. Consequently, a motion will be needed “to enter Closed Session pursuant to MCL 15.268 Section 8 (a), (d), and (h), to conduct a periodic personnel evaluation of the City Manager, to consider the potential purchase or lease of real property, and to consider matters subject to attorney-client privilege.” The following subjects will be discussed in Closed Session:
(1) Draft Code of Conduct/Ethics Code
(2) Draft Land Redevelopment Program
(3) Draft Revised Parking Ordinances
(4) Outstanding DDA Legal Matters
(5) USDA Project Legal Matters
(6) City Manager Evaluation [requested by Manager Grace to be held in Closed Session, as allowed under State law]
(7) Proposed Ordinance Amendments to Allow for Smoking/Vaping During Permitted Temporary Marihuana Events and in Permitted Consumption Lounges
(8) Consideration of the Potential Purchase or Lease of Real Property
Motion made by Commissioner Swem, Seconded by Commissioner Money to move the Commission into closed session for the purposes of considering the regular work performance evaluation of the City Manager under MCL 15.268 (a) and to consider and the review and legal opinion memorandum of the City Attorneys under MCL 15.268 (h) and to consider the potential purchase or lease of real property, under MCL 15.268 (d)
No discussion
Roll call vote carried unanimously.
City Commission entered in to closed session at 7:12 P.M.
Motion made by Commissioner Swem, Seconded by Commissioner Money to return to open session.
Roll call vote carried unanimously.
City Commission entered back into open session at 8:38 P.M.
~ Motion made by Commissioner Swem, Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Weedon to table the matter of the Draft Code of Conduct/Ethics Code, with instructions for the City Manager to post the draft language on the city website for public review. Roll call vote carried unanimously.
~ Motion made by Commissioner Money, Seconded by Commissioner Swem to table the matter of the Land Development Program, with instructions for the City Manager to post the draft language on the City website for public review. Roll call vote carried unanimously.
~ Motion made by Mayor Denison, Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Weedon to table the matter of the Draft Revised Parking Ordinance, Roll call vote carried unanimously.
~ Motion made by Commissioner Money, Seconded by Commissioner Swem to authorize the City Attorney to take the actions discussed in Closed Session regarding outstanding DDA legal matters. Roll call vote carried unanimously.
~ Motion made by Commissioner Swem, Seconded by Commissioner Money to authorize the City Manager and the City Attorney to take the actions discussed in Closed Session regarding the legal issues relating to the City’s pending USDA Project. Roll call vote carried unanimously.
~ Motion made by Commissioner Swem, Seconded by Commissioner Downey According to the terms of Manager Grace’s employment agreement with the City of Buchanan, moved to authorize a $3,000 increase in the City Manager’s annual salary, due to her attainment of a ‘satisfactory performance review,’ with said increase to be retroactive to the anniversary of her hire date. Roll call vote carried unanimously.
~ Motion made by Commissioner Money, Seconded by Commissioner Swem to table the matter of the Proposed Ordinance Amendments to Allow for Smoking/Vaping During Permitted Temporary Marihuana Events and in Permitted Consumption Lounges, with instructions for the City Manager to post the draft language on the city website for public review. Roll call vote carried unanimously.
~ Motion made by Commissioner Downey, Seconded by Commissioner Money to table the consideration of a potential purchase or lease of real property until it can be discussed at a special meeting to be scheduled by the City Manager. Roll call vote carried unanimously.
VII. Reports by: Departments, Committees, Boards
A. Treasurer Report – Stephanie Powers provided a brief Treasurer’s report. Approved expenditures for November 22 were $108,998.49. Powers provided a revenue to expenditure report that was included in the packet. The finance department completed 2 reports that were pending. The brownfield redevelopment authority report was successfully submitted and the CVRTS report that is due December 1, 2021, is completed and posted to the city’s website.
B. Chamber Executive Director / Main Street Manager Ashley Regal wanted to give a brief update on “Small Town Big Christmas”, which is the annual shop small Saturday and Christmas Festival. It will be happening this Saturday November 27, 2021. Regal commented that they have had amazing sponsorship this year from local businesses. She wanted to recognize and thank Stacey Martin for her leadership in this event while also guiding more sponsorships. Regal also wanted to thank the DPW crew for helping with the light display downtown. Regal wanted to make sure everyone drove down Front Street after leaving the meeting to see the lights and window fronts downtown. They have decided not to do the garland up the posts this year. There are a few new traditions being added in this year. Mill Alley has some decorations around the planter boxes. They also plan on doing Christmas postcards this year and are hoping to do a new one every year as well as Build-
a-Buck. Returning to some old traditions and adding in some new ones too.
Mayor asked if the Christmas postcards would be for sale. They will be on sale on Saturday at the City Center for $2.00 each. If there are extras, they will be available for purchase on the website.
Regal has approached the Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce to gauge their interest in participating in the Main Street Committee, and also gather their input on how they thought the Main Street Committee should be structured. Regal provided graph demonstrating how the Main Street Committee could be structured, and she also provided a chart provided by the Michigan Main Street Program demonstrating how the composition of the Main Street Committee Board might look. Regal’s vision was to bring 2 or 1 current Chamber members onto the new Main Street Committee so that they could add their leadership and expertise to the new Board, but she was hoping to get diverse representation on the Board by bringing in other members of the Community as well. Regal asked the Commissioners to contact her within the next couple of days if they had comments or suggestions relating to how to structure the Main Street Board, and if she had no comments after that point, she would be moving forward to start recruitment efforts based on her recommendations as provided during today’s meeting.
C. During their most recent meeting, the Planning Commission recommended that Richard Martin be appointed to the Planning Commission and has hereby forwarded their recommendation to the City Commission for review.
Motion made by Mayor Denison, seconded by Commissioner Downey, to formally appoint
Richard Martin to the Buchanan Planning Commission. Roll call vote carried unanimously.
D. The BARB Committee recommends that the City Commission consider the following items for discussion:
(1) Potential Renaming of “Duck Pond Park/McCoy Pond Duck Park” to “Veterans Memorial Park”
City Manager Grace spoke that there have been efforts in the past to put Memorial Items at the park. There is also some confusion for visitors coming in since it is referred as Duck Pond Park. Historically there was pond but not now.
Commissioner Money said that the park was officially designated as a Veteran’s Memorial Park, 20 plus years ago. Believes it would be a great thing for the Buchanan Community and the Buchanan Veterans.
Motion made by Commissioner Money, seconded by Pro Tem Mayor Weedon to rename the
Duck Pond Park/McCoy Pond Duck Park to Veterans Memorial Park. Roll call vote unanimously.
(2) Potential Removal of Large Pine Trees Located at Gateway Entrance Sign on E. Front St.
Mayor Denison commented that when they started talking about this at the BARB meeting, the idea was to potentially have the trees removed then consult with the Buchanan Tree Friends about what trees to plant there without blocking the view of the park.
Commissioner Swem commented that the information in the packet for the removal of trees was related to the Andrews Ice Rink project, and since we don’t have that plan yet, leave the tress until were ready to do that.
Commissioner Money asked if there was a way to trim the trees, he does believe they are
overgrown and take away from the signage.
Mayor suggests that we formally have Buchannan Tree Friends look and come up with a
recommendation on how to procced.
Motion made by Mayor Denison, Seconded by Commissioner Swem to have the City Manager work with the Buchanan Tree Friends for recommendations on to either trim or remove the trees at the entrance sign downtown. Roll call vote carried unanimously.
(3) Exploration of New Methods to Store Duck Feed & Possible Removal/Relocation of Duck Shed
Mayor Denison explained that the building currently at Veteran’s Memorial Park houses duck food and is home to a lot of rats and would like to see it moved away from a park where children play.
Mayor Pro Tem Weedon asked Baker for recommendations. They established that it’s not the right place. Mayor Pro Tem Weedon asked if there has been any discussion for potential locations. Baker stated that anytime you house duck food like that you will have rats. Mayor Pro Tem Weedon asked what it could be repurposed for. Baker then stated it would have to be cleaned and sanitized.
Mayor Denison asked if it could be moved to another location where there’s already a marsh, or some other water where it could be of use, not around the public.
Baker was unsure of what you would do with the duck feed. Anytime you have that amount of food you are going to have a rodent problem.
Commissioner Swem asked if we would be keeping the dispenser and removing the shed.
Commissioner Money made the point that you would have to transport and fill the dispenser back up for a quarter for a handful of feed.
Baker made the point that the DPW crew does fill the duck food dispensers.
Mayor Denison just not sure he likes the DPW being responsible for duck feed, there is a lot going on and he doesn’t feel like duck feed should be on top of the list.
Commissioner Money thinks we should remove the ducks from that park. For the simple reason the park could be turned into a very beautiful and scenic park. You see prom photos and wedding photos being taken down there. And a mess that a duck makes doesn’t work for those types of events. The ducks were always controlled before. He would like to see the ducks slowly make their way out.
Commissioner Swem asked if the ducks live in it?
Baker commented that the duck committee thought they were going to but no they don’t. It’s not serving its purpose.
Mayor Denison believes the Duck Committee should really be present for this discussion.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Weedon, Seconded Commissioner Money to remove the house that stores the duck feed and authorize the City Manager to work with the DPW and the Friends of the Ducks volunteer group to explore other ways to potentially store the duck feed. Roll call vote carried unanimously.
VIII. Unfinished Business
IX. New Business
A. Approval of an ordinance to rezone the property owned by Joe Carter at 101 Terre Coupe/421 W. Front St. from the existing R1 residential zoning to C1 neighborhood commercial zoning as recommended by the Planning Commission at their meeting on November 9, 2021.
Regal gave the commission a brief report.
Commissioner Swem asked how many vehicles he is planning to store on site.
Joe Carter owner of 101 Terra Coupe/421 W. Front St. was able to answer Commissioner Swem stating that there will be 4 parking spots in the front with 2 vehicles up front 1 to sell out of the other just for storage. He is keeping his building in Michigan City, so the full operation will not be running out of that location.
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND IN PART AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED “CITY OF BUCHANAN COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE, WHICH WAS ADOPTED ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2003, AND AMENDED SUBSEQUENTLY
Whereas The City of Buchanan’s Plan Commission held a public hearing and a regular meeting on November 9, 2021, where it unanimously approved a recommendation to the Buchanan City Commission to rezone the property owned by Joe Carter at 101 Terre Coupe/421 W. Front St. from the existing R1 residential zoning to C1 neighborhood commercial zoning,
Whereas, the City of Buchanan’s Plan Commission adopted the Zoning Administrator’s November 9, 2021, Staff Report, as findings of fact to support this recommendation the City Commission to amend the comprehensive ordinance,
Whereas all state and local ordinance requirements have been met in order to make this recommendation to the City Commission,
Whereas the findings of fact to support the zoning amendment have been attached as an exhibit to this ordinance,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY BUCHANAN CITY COMMISSION:
1. The City of Buchanan Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of September 8, 2003, as amended (hereinafter the “Ordinance”), shall be amended to rezone the property owned by Joe Carter at 101 Terre Coupe/421 W. Front St. from the existing R1 residential zoning to C1 neighborhood commercial zoning.
2. The City Commission upon adoption of this ordinance will adopt the Zoning Administrator’s November 9, 2021, Staff Report, as findings of fact to support the zoning ordinance amendment.
3. The Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Official Zoning Map will be updated to reflect that the parcel located at 101 Terre Coupe Rd/421 W. Front St. is zoned Neighborhood Commercial, C1.
X. CONFLICTING ORDINANCES: All other ordinances and parts of ordinances, or amendments thereto, of the City of Buchanan in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed.
XI. RECODIFICATION: That the Ordinance is hereby amended to recodify the numbering of articles and sections to conform to a standard or model codification scheme established by the Ordinance where articles are numbered within groups of ten to associate together similar articles on similar topics, and sections are numbered sequentially with the first two digits being the article number and the next two digits being the sequential section number.
XII. EFFECTIVE DATE: This ordinance amendment shall take effect on December 2, 2021, upon publication in the Berrien Record.
Motion made by Commissioner Swem, Seconded by Commissioner Money, to approve an
ordinance to rezone the property owned by Joe Carter at 101 Terre Coupe/421 W. Front St. from the existing R1 residential zoning to C1 neighborhood commercial zoning as recommended by the Planning Commission. Roll call vote carried unanimously. Ordinance 2021-11/422 declared adopted.
B. Conduct annual review of the number of marihuana permits allowed by City Ordinance and consider recommendation for additional Adult Use Marihuana Class C Grow and Processing permits, 5 each for medical and adult use.
Administration recommendation is to increase the number of available Marihuana Class C Grow and Processing permits by 5 each for medical and adult use. Also designate the second meeting in November as the time of each year that the City Commission will conduct a once annual review of the number of permits authorized under its adult use ordinance. The current existing ordinance does require this review to occur annually. City Manager Grace wanted to address the concerns during the public comment section-we are not recommending any additional retail establishments its just currently for the Class C Grow and Processing.
Mayor Denison also wanted to add on to City Manager Grace’s point. As a group we have heard loud and clear that the city does not want any more store fronts for cannabis. However, people are calling here everyday looking for empty buildings to create jobs. Investing money, fixing up old buildings and again, creating more jobs. It’s something we haven’t seen in a long time. Mayor Denison feels obligated try and create as many jobs as we can while we can. Because we are out of permits and people are knocking down the door looking for places to open new business that’s why the Commission is considering this. Instead of bumping this up one at a time to prevent Murphy from having to constantly keep coming back.
Commissioner Swem asked if we’re just adding one grow permit.
City Manager Grace addressed the question, stating that the recommendation is to increase by 5 each to the two different categories, Processing and Class C Grow, for each classification Adult Use and Medical.
Commissioner Swem took that it was from 4 permits to 5 permits.
Pro Tem Weedon walked thru what the current Marihuana Permit Inventory is.
5 Medical Retail – none left
5 Adult Use Retail – none left
4 Medical Grower Class C – 1 left
5 Adult Use Grower Class C – none left
1 Adult Use Grower Class B – 4 left
4 Medical Processor – 1 left
3 Adult Use Processor – 2 left (both are being pursued currently)
1 Medical Grower Class C Stacked – 1 left
1 Adult Use Grower Class C Stacked – 1 left
Commissioner Downey expressed that we set a limit a couple of years ago for that amount, and he understands that we want the new business but at the same time we have a new development director that is supposed to bring in other things besides marijuana. If we allow 5 more of each of these and they take up 10 of the buildings, where’re the other new businesses going to go without building brand new buildings. He feels they may be squeezing out everyone else if they allow 10 more.
Mayor Pro Tem Weedon addressed the commission, with the original intention was to do 5 and see where it goes. Now the potential opportunity for us is to have more and if 10 is the consensus and if that’s too many, then what is the right number. He doesn’t think we continue to push them away because other municipalities chose not to move at the pace we have. He thinks we need to entertain that.
Commissioner Swem stated that the Industrial Park is zoned for this and asked what other areas in the city are used for grow facilities.
City Manager Grace stated she was going off memory since this is more Murphy’s area, but she believes the C2 area with a special use permit. Typically, it’s the Industrial Park. Mayor Denison believes there are some processing plants in C3. Mayor Pro Tem Weedon stated yes as well as light industrial. Talking about downtown there are a few processing plants just South of downtown.
Mayor Pro Tem Weedon wanted to make it clear to the public that processing and grow are two different things. This is big distinction, and it gets very muddled because it’s something that’s so unusually unique for the community to understand. Processing is something that could be happening next door and you would never know it. It’s more like a laboratory.
Mayor Denison understands what Commissioner Downey expressed, but if were talking about processing and jobs in a laboratory he doesn’t know how we turn that away.
City Manager Grace informed the commissioners that in the analysis of the industry the processing were some of the better paying jobs. Mayor Pro Tem Weedon agrees with City Manager Grace.
Commissioner Swem wanted to know if the Planning Commission reviews this first.
Mayor Denison informed him that it depends on where the building is located. If someone was going to have get a special use permit, they would have to go to the Planning Commission prior to coming to the City Commission.
Commissioner Swem would like to visually see on the map where they could possibly go.
Mayor Denison would like to go on record that he does not want to see any more marijuana downtown because of the limited buildings.
City Manager Grace addressed Commissioner Swem’s concerns about seeing what areas they would be allowed in. There are certain areas that it would be easier to get zoning approval. Technically they can apply for any area it’s just up to the Planning Commission or ZBA if they get approved for a variance or special use permit. There’s always a mechanism for them to ask, but generally it’s much more difficult and there’s always a mechanism to say no.
Mayor Denison stated we get the final say if we’re going to allow it or not. If it has to go through the Planning Commission first and they are not an easy bunch to get through. He is in favor of at least giving the City the option to entertain the idea of bringing in more industry and jobs. If we don’t give them more permits people are going to go elsewhere.
Mayor Pro Tem wanted to state on the record that it’s not retail.
Commissioner Swem asked how many jobs will this create?
City Manager Grace said there is a potential of 30 jobs. It depends on the size of the operation.
Commissioner Swem asked what the anticipated revenue for these permits is?
City Manager Grace said the cost of each of the permits is $5,000.00 but as far as State revenue she did not want to speculate. We’re not making any profit off of the permit we have to use that money for the application process and it’s a lengthy process. The revenue received from the state was $84,000 this past year, they are expecting less than half of that this year. The revenue is coming from dispensaries not from the processing and grow. City Manager Grace doesn’t count on the State issued revenue as anything substantial. It’s more do we want the economical development aspect of new jobs coming in the community and having the new buildings being developed or redeveloped, and increases to the tax base, and if you bring in some of those grow facilities especially larger water customers will subsidize the rate of City residents.
Motion made by Mayor Denison, Seconded by Commissioner Swem, to approve the additional Adult Use Marihuana Class C Grow and Processing permits, 5 each for both medical and adult use. Roll call vote carried unanimously.
X. Communications (informational only, formal board action is not necessary for these items, unless so desired)
A. AEP Grant – The AEP Foundation for Indiana Michigan Power has approved a grant to the City of Buchanan in the amount of $1,000. $500 will reimburse the City for promotional/advertising costs related to the Small Town, Big Christmas event. The remaining $500 will be divided amongst three lucky Buchanan residents who are chosen as the prize winners of the first annual ‘Buchanan Holiday Light Show Competition.’ Details will be posted soon on the City website and Facebook.
B. The Berrien County Clerk’s office has shared a communication with the City that the County Apportionment Commission has approved a new County Commissioner District Map, as required by law. More information is available on the City website at the following link: https://bit.ly/3HDf1ln
XI. Public Comment – Non-Agenda Items Only (3-minute limit)
James Kennedy 419 W Front St – The last 2 months Mr. Kennedy has been looking for a building to move his business in from Florida. Right now, he is currently working out of his home. The buildings he has saw are unusable without dropping $100,000.00 investment. Or they have already been purchased by marijuana growers. Keep in mind he is trying to bring in a business into the city that residents would use. We need a plan to be made for this town to seek something other than marijuana.
XI. Executive Comments
A. City Manager Comments
Thanks the Commission for a great closed session and thanks the public that stuck around, I apologize it was a lengthy closed session but appreciate you sticking around till the end of the meeting. Based on discussion for the past couple of meetings we are keeping in mind building a diverse group of industry types. It is one of our main goals.
B. Commissioner Comments
Mayor Pro Tem Weedon – No comment
Commissioner Swem – There is a lot about to be posted to the City’s website. Please take a
moment to look at it. There was a lot of work put into that, there is a lot of work going into
growing and benefiting the City. Appreciate your patience on that. Had a great tour of the Water Treatment Plant with Bill last week. Great investment by the community, you all should be very proud of that. Storefronts looking amazing and can’t wait to go downtown tonight and look at the lights.
In our work session DPW building, we had a walk thru the DPW building with the contractors, some good feedback from the construction managers. Some side conversations related to the current state of the building does have him asking some questions on the engineering report. He would like to see a second opinion on that. Thank you for everyone’s patience.
Commissioner Downey – addresses Mr. Kennedy asking if he had checked with Randy Hendrixson at Building 324 for space. It’s a good one to look at it.
Commissioner Money – Thanked everyone for sticking around. We are trying to do the best we can up here, this Commission is working hard for the City. In some respect there are people that don’t think so but everything we are trying to do is for the betterment of the City and for the people that live here.
C. Mayor Comments
Thanked everyone for coming tonight and for having the patience to sit through closed session. We did have discussion about potentially moving our closed sessions to the end of the meeting to make it more convenient for everyone in attendance. We had a work session this week at building 324 which is the old Clark building and got to see some old photos and learn some history about Clark. Clark owned everything in this town, they did everything in this town and number one that made it easy on the taxpayers and number two when they left made it really bad on the taxpayers. I think were all keeping that in the back of our mind when it comes to marijuana. We’re not naïve we don’t want it to up and leave and then be in the same boat we were. I know when I talk to Rich Murphy I am pushing to diversify and looking for different kinds of industry and businesses. And
there are things that are happening in this town that are not marijuana related. We just must be patient and let the dominos fall. We got to go on a tour of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, it is an exceptional facility. It is amazing, beautiful, clean, unbelievable, and something we should be proud of. Hoping to do a Public Open House, highly recommend you go. It is amazing and going to be there for a very long time.
Mayor Pro Tem Weedon brought up that Mr. Gordon said the closest one to that is 30 years old. As far as quality goes, we have the nicest one in the State. We can handle 4 times of what we could before. Mayor wanted to thank the Chamber for all the work they’re doing with the activities planned this weekend, they have done a great job promoting it and planning it. The decorations looked great even before all the lights, he can’t wait to drive home. Today is his 18th wedding anniversary, just wanted to say Happy Anniversary to his wife.
XI. Adjourn
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Weedon Seconded by Commissioner Money to Adjourn. Roll call vote carried unanimously. Meeting Adjourned at 9:48 p.m.
You may view the completed November 22, 2021 City Commission Meeting Minutes on the City of Buchanan Website.
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