East Jordan public meetings in 2023
23 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Commission
The City Commission appointed Scott Gillespie to fill a vacant commission seat. The board also approved several infrastructure contracts, including a water main extension and boardwalk installations, and scheduled a public hearing for a new civil infraction ordinance.
- Appointed Scott Gillespie to City Commission vacancy (5-0)
- Approved Professional Services Agreement with C2AE for Industrial Park Water Main Extension (5-0)
- Awarded bid to Richter Construction, Inc. for Jordan River Walk Boardwalk Installation (5-0)
- Approved pay application #3 for EJ Sportsman’s Park to Harbor Springs Excavating (5-0)
- Approved 1st installation payment for Wickcraft Boardwalks (5-0)
- Approved Administrative Policy #154 Purchasing Policy Amendment (5-0)
- Scheduled public hearing for Ordinance #277 Civil Infraction Bureau Creation for Dec 19 (5-0)
- Approved staff using 4 hours of time off on Dec 22 to close City Hall for the day (5-0)
City Commission
The City Commission held an organizational meeting to swear in new members and elect leadership. Mark Penzien was elected Mayor after two failed motions, while Amy Sherman was unanimously chosen as Deputy Mayor. The commission also set regular meeting times, approved new rules of order, and appointed members to the Appointments Committee.
- Mark Penzien elected Mayor (4-1 vote)
- Amy Sherman elected Deputy Mayor (unanimous vote)
- Regular meetings set for 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m.
- November 21st meeting cancelled due to lack of agenda items
- New rules of order approved, including consensus requirements for agenda items
- Appointments Committee formed with members Reid Jr., Miller, and Lindenthal
- Appointment to EMS Authority Board tabled until full board is present
🗳️ How they voted — 1 divided vote
City Commission
The City Commission accepted the resignation of Commissioner Ben Newington and authorized the posting of the vacancy. The board also approved several facility contracts and the use of ARPA funds for emergency equipment.
- Accepted resignation of Commissioner Ben Newington and authorized vacancy posting (6-0)
- Approved $48,000 contract modification for EJ Sportsman's Park boardwalk and ramp (6-0)
- Approved use of ARPA funds for emergency siren replacement (6-0)
- Awarded janitorial bid for City Hall and Police Department to Personal Touch Cleaning (6-0)
- Appointed Norma Peterson to the Housing Commission vacancy (6-0)
- Approved Lion's Club request to sell firewood at Tourist Park for 2024 season (5-0)
- Approved 4th Annual Light up EJ for Christmas event packet (5-0)
- Approved closing City Hall on December 22, 2023, from 8-12 (6-0)
City Commission
The City Commission approved contracts for Wickcraft Boardwalks and Sportsman's Park, along with a lot split at 913 Water Street. The board also authorized an MDOT right-of-way acquisition and a request for recycling bins from the Rotary. Additionally, the city was awarded a $300,000 MEDC RAP Grant for Memorial Park improvements.
- Approved Sportsman’s Park Change Order #1 (6-0)
- Approved Sportsman’s Park Pay App #2 (6-0)
- Approved contract with Wickcraft Boardwalks (6-0)
- Approved lot split for 913 Water Street (6-0)
- Approved MDOT ROW acquisition for old boat launch property (6-0)
- Approved request for Rotary to purchase 2 one-way bins for Bartlett Street (5-0)
- Approved relocating Nov 7 meeting to EMS facility training room (6-0)
- Approved Consent Agenda including $104,641.40 in paid bills (6-0)
City Commission
The City Commission approved event packets for Fall Fest and the Pumpkin Walk. They also authorized a $43,500 bid for a kayak launch at Sportsman's Park and approved a $32,561.04 draw request for the same park. Additionally, the Commission swore in the new Police Chief, Scott Hankins.
- Swore in Police Chief Scott Hankins
- Approved Fall Fest event packet (6-0)
- Approved Pumpkin Walk event packet (6-0)
- Approved $43,500 kayak launch bid for Sportsman's Park (6-0)
- Approved $32,561.04 Sportsman's Park August draw request (6-0)
- Acknowledged receipt of paid bills totaling $135,105.51 (6-0)
City Commission
The East Jordan City Commission approved amendments to administrative policies #124 and #125, an election services agreement with Charlevoix County, and the EJPS Cross Country event packet. The commission also authorized ARPA funds for front entrance railings and a front counter upgrade, approved 2024 harbor rates, accepted an engineering proposal for Sunset Street, and awarded a compact tractor bid to Ginop Sales.
- Approved Administrative Policy #124 as amended (7-0)
- Approved Agreement for Election Services with Charlevoix County (7-0)
- Approved Administrative Policy #125 Non-Sufficient Fund Check Policy as amended (7-0)
- Approved EJPS Cross Country event packet (7-0)
- Approved ARPA fund use of $5,740 for Tipp of the Mitt Welding railings and $1,494 for Skip's Petoskey Glass counter upgrade (7-0)
- Approved 2024 Harbor Rates (7-0)
- Approved C2AE engineering proposal for Sunset Street project (7-0)
- Awarded compact tractor with cab bid to Ginop Sales for $44,595 (7-0)
City Commission
The City Commission awarded a bid to Elmer's for trail improvements and approved a $34,200 water utility system upgrade. The board also changed the city's legal representation and amended a civil infractions ordinance.
- Awarded $110,745.75 bid to Elmer's for Jordan River Trail Upland Trail Improvements (6-0)
- Approved $34,200 water system upgrade with United Systems (5-1)
- Accepted termination agreement with Plunkett & Cooney and agreement with Cummings, McClorey, Davis & Acho for city attorney services (6-0)
- Approved Ordinance 276 to amend Chapter 1 General Provisions, Article 2 Civil Infractions, Section 1-38 (6-0)
- Declined purchase agreement from John Howrani for city property and requested a counter offer (6-0)
- Approved paid bills list totaling $126,489.43 (6-0)
City Commission
The City Commission approved a standing seam roof for the Elm Pointe Museum and awarded a pick-up truck bid to Bob Mathers Ford. The board also authorized a temporary camping permit application to EGLE and approved street closures for the 2023 Homecoming Parade.
- Approved standing seam roof for Elm Pointe Museum with 12-inch west roof line extension (6-0)
- Awarded DPW pick-up truck bid to Bob Mathers Ford (5-0)
- Denied request to waive bid process for Parks Department utility tractor (6-0)
- Authorized staff to apply to EGLE for a Temporary Camping Permit (6-0)
- Approved 2023 Homecoming Parade street closure request (6-0)
- Acknowledged introduction of Ordinance 276 regarding Civil Infractions (6-0)
- Approved paid bills totaling $126,244.80 (6-0)
City Commission
The City Commission approved several ordinance amendments regarding cemeteries, utilities, and parks. The board also appointed a new City Attorney and approved a purchase agreement for the Civic Center.
- Appointed Matthew Cross of Plunkett & Cooney as City Attorney (6-0)
- Approved Civic Center purchase agreement (6-1)
- Approved Ordinance 273 amending Chapter 10 Cemeteries (6-0)
- Approved Ordinance 275 amending Chapter 44 Utilities (7-0)
- Approved Ordinance 247 amending Chapter 28 Parks and Recreation (7-0)
- Approved revised Administrative Policy 132 for meal reimbursement (7-0)
- Approved revised Administrative Policy 116 for water/sewer disconnection (7-0)
- Approved Administrative Policy 127 regarding earnest money for property sales (7-0)
City Commission
The City Commission amended a Civic Center agreement regarding purchase price and earnest money. The board also selected four firms for city attorney interviews and approved several ordinance introductions and lease agreements.
- Amended Civic Center agreement purchase price to $30,000 and earnest money to $15,000 (5-1)
- Selected four firms for City Attorney RFP interviews (Plunkett & Cooney, Young, Graham & Wendling, Kirkpatrick, Slough, Duitsman-Coy & Mott, and Olson, Bzdok & Howard)
- Rescinded Traffic Control Order 101/2023 (6-0)
- Tabled Ordinance 273 regarding Cemetery amendments (5-0)
- Approved bandshell rental agreement for St. Joseph Catholic Church (6-0)
- Approved Personnel Handbook Amendments (6-0)
- Approved Change Order #1 for Jordan River Trail and Sportsman’s Park (6-0)
- Approved lease agreement with the Historical Society for Elm Pointe Museum and City Hall (6-0)
City Commission
The City Commission approved several amendments to the city code of ordinances and a budget amendment for fiscal year 2022/2023. The board also authorized a grant resolution and approved rental agreements for the bandshell.
- Approved Ordinance 266-A to amend Fiscal Year 2022/2023 Budget (6-0)
- Approved Ordinances 269, 270, 271, 272, 1451, and 235-A amending various city codes (6-0 each)
- Approved RFP for city attorney using a Charlevoix template (6-0)
- Approved bandshell rental requests for EJ Community Church and Keryx Ministry (6-0 each)
- Rescinded Traffic Control Order 101/2017 (6-0)
- Approved Resolution 107-2023 for MEDC-Rap Grant 2.0 (6-0)
- Approved Busker Fest event packet (6-0)
- Approved contract renewal with Housing North for 2023/2024 (6-0)
City Commission
The City Commission denied a purchase agreement for the Industrial Park and approved the purchase of a 2023 Durango Pursuit police vehicle. The board also introduced eight different ordinances and awarded an audit bid to Anderson Tackman.
- Denied purchase agreement for the Industrial Park (7-0)
- Approved purchase of a 2023 Durango Pursuit vehicle (7-0)
- Awarded audit bid to Anderson Tackman (7-0)
- Approved Traffic Control Order 101/2023 for Freedom Festival (7-0)
- Approved 2023 Sweaty Yeti Logistics requests (7-0)
- Accepted introduction of Ordinances 269, 270, 271, 272, 145, 235-A, and 266-A (all 7-0)
- Approved cancellation of the July 4th meeting (7-0)
- Approved meeting agenda (7-0)
City Commission
The City Commission adopted two ordinances to rezone properties on Mill Street and Airport Drive. The board denied a purchase agreement for a storage unit development in the Industrial Park and approved a demolition agreement for the Civic Center.
- Approved Ordinance 144-J rezoning 203 Mill Street and Mill Street from R-1 to CBD (6-0)
- Approved Ordinance 144-I rezoning 2000 Airport Drive from LI to PUD (6-0)
- Denied purchase agreement for Ashton Clark storage unit development (6-0)
- Approved Access and Demolition Agreement for Civic Center Blight Grant (6-0)
- Approved East Jordan Freedom Festival Event Packet (6-0)
- Approved agenda for May 16, 2023 meeting (6-0)
🗳️ How they voted (2 roll-call votes)
City Commission
The City Commission approved the Fiscal Year 2023/2024 budget and established property tax millage rates for 2023. The board also authorized the acceptance of partial tax payments for the 2023 tax year and introduced two zoning map amendments.
- Approved Ordinance 268: Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Budget (7-0)
- Established 2023 Property Tax Millage Rates: General Operations 17.4509 mills and Fire Equipment 1.5000 mills (6-0)
- Approved Resolution 105-2023 to accept partial payments on 2023 taxes (6-0)
- Accepted Introduction of Ordinance 144-I to amend Official Zoning Map (7-0)
- Accepted Introduction of Ordinance 144-J to amend Official Zoning Map (6-0)
- Accepted East Jordan Housing Commission annual report (6-0)
- Tabled Industrial Park purchase agreement from Ashton Clark
- Approved meeting agenda (7-0)
🗳️ How they voted (2 roll-call votes)
City Commission
The East Jordan City Commission rejected a proposal from Spence Brothers for shoreline and bridge work at Sportsman's Park and instead awarded bids to Harbor Springs Excavating ($343,603.56) and Rieth-Riley ($31,600.00) for the project. The commission also accepted the introduction of Ordinance 268 for the Fiscal Year 2023/2024 proposed budget. No decisions were made during a closed session on police union negotiations.
- Rejected Spence Brothers proposal for Sportsman's Park shoreline and bridge work (6-0)
- Awarded Sportsman's Park bids to Harbor Springs Excavating ($343,603.56) and Rieth-Riley ($31,600.00) (6-0)
- Accepted introduction of Ordinance 268: Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Proposed Budget (6-0)
- Approved consent agenda including April 4 meeting minutes and February 2023 reports (6-0)
- Approved meeting agenda as presented (6-0)
City Commission
The City Commission approved Resolution 104-2023 to place delinquent bills on the 2023 summer tax roll. The board also approved an amended non-sufficient fund check policy and a proposed rule of procedure. During a budget work session, the commission determined there were no funds for transfer station soil testing in the current budget.
- Approved Resolution 104-2023 to place delinquent bills on 2023 Summer Tax Roll (5-0)
- Approved amended Administrative Policy 125: Non-Sufficient Fund Check Policy (5-0)
- Approved proposed Rule of Procedure (5-0)
- Approved meeting agenda (5-0)
- Approved consent agenda including March 21 minutes and paid bills totaling $191,311.14 (5-0)
- Removed Ashton Clark Parcel Offer from agenda (5-0)
- Removed 80's Decade Reunion Logistics Letter Request from agenda (5-0)
City Commission
The City Commission approved an amendment to the official zoning map and a lot split request for the Industrial Park. The board also approved a stormwater easement for Burnette Foods with specific time and condition amendments.
- Approved Ordinance 144-H to amend the Official Zoning Map (5-0)
- Approved Industrial Park lot split request (5-0)
- Approved Burnette Foods stormwater easement with 6-year limit and restoration provision (4-0)
- Approved staff to pursue sale of property regarding the Burnette Foods easement (4-0)
- Approved inclusion of the map in the Burnette Foods easement packet (4-0)
- Approved resignation of Donelda Wandoff from the Housing Commission (5-0)
- Approved meeting agenda for March 21, 2023 (5-0)
City Commission
The City Commission approved a new ordinance regulating short-term rentals, including licensing requirements and occupancy limits. The commission also accepted a zoning map amendment and approved a blight grant agreement for the Civic Center.
- Adopted Ordinance 262-A regulating short-term rentals (4-0, 2 abstentions)
- Approved meeting agenda (6-0)
- Approved consent agenda including $89,195.86 in paid bills (6-0)
- Scheduled public hearing for 2023 Annual Report of Delinquent Bills for April 4 (6-0)
- Rescinded Traffic Control Orders 101/191 and 107/1993 (6-0)
- Accepted introduction to Ordinance 144-H to amend official zoning map (6-0)
- Approved Access and Demolition Agreement for Civic Center Blight Grant (6-0)
- Tabled Civic Center Purchase Agreement (6-0)
🗳️ How they voted (1 roll-call vote)
City Commission
The City Commission accepted the introduction of Ordinance 262-A to amend short-term rental regulations. The board also appointed a new member to the DDA and acknowledged the proposed Fiscal Year 23/24 budget.
- Accepted introduction of Ordinance 262-A to amend Chapter 9 Short Term Rentals (4-0)
- Approved appointment of Karen Brennan to DDA vacancy (6-0)
- Approved meeting agenda (6-0)
- Approved Consent Agenda including Feb 7 minutes and $123,801.69 in paid bills (6-0)
- Acknowledged receipt of Fiscal Year 23/24 Proposed Budget (6-0)
- Scheduled all budget work sessions for 5:30 p.m. (6-0)
City Commission
The City Commission approved an amendment to the short-term rental ordinance and scheduled a public hearing for the next meeting. The board also approved several event permits and processed the swearing-in of a new commissioner.
- Approved short-term rental ordinance amendment and set public hearing (4-0)
- Approved 2023 East Jordan Freedom Festival Fireworks permit (7-0)
- Approved logistics letter request for South Arm Classics (6-0)
- Approved new Festivals and Special Events Permit Application form (7-0)
- Approved paid bills totaling $197,373.18 (7-0)
- Accepted Dan Miller's resignation from DDA (6-0)
- Sworn in newly appointed Commissioner Daniel Miller
City Commission
The City Commission approved two zoning ordinances to regulate rooftop decks and allow multi-family dwellings in local commercial districts. The board also adopted a deficit elimination plan for the Tourist Park and appointed several members to city boards and commissions.
- Approved Ordinance 144G creating a CBD Overlay District and regulating rooftop decks (5-0)
- Approved Ordinance 144H allowing multi-family dwellings and increasing height limits to 40 feet in C-1 districts (5-0)
- Approved Resolution #103/2023 Tourist Park Deficit Elimination Plan (5-0)
- Approved Memorandum of Understanding for School Resource Officer (5-0)
- Appointed Dan Miller to vacant commission seat (5-0)
- Appointed Phil Hofweber to appointments committee board (5-0)
- Appointed Carrie Swailes to Planning Commission and John Hunter to DDA (5-0)
- Approved 2023 Poverty Exemption Policy and Guidelines (5-0)
🗳️ How they voted (2 roll-call votes)
City Commission
The City Commission accepted the 2021/2022 fiscal year audit and approved several board member renewals. The commission also introduced two zoning code amendments and approved a firewood proposal for the Tourist Park.
- Approved paid bills totaling $182,146.04 (6-0)
- Rescinded Traffic Control Order 104/2022 (6-0)
- Accepted 2021/2022 Fiscal Year Audit (6-0)
- Approved 2023 Tourist Park Firewood Proposal from EJ Lion’s Club (6-0)
- Accepted introduction of Zoning Code amendments Ordinance 144G and 144H (6-0)
- Approved Environmental Review for Housing Commission property purchase (6-0)
- Renewed appointments for Board of Appeals, Housing Commission, Parks & Recreation, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, and Board of Review (6-0)
- Accepted resignation of Commissioner Johnson (6-0)
City Commission
The City Commission approved a grant application for the Jordan River Waterfront Trail and restroom improvements, committing $1,431,000 in matching funds. The board also approved a health insurance compliance resolution and a traffic control order for holiday events.
- Approved Resolution 119-2022 to apply for $850,000 Spark grant for Jordan River Waterfront Trail and UA Restroom Improvements (6-0)
- Approved Resolution 118-2022 for compliance with Public Act 152 of 2011 regarding health insurance contribution limits (6-0)
- Approved Traffic Control Order 104/2022 for Christmas Parade and Block Party (6-0)
- Approved update to Police Trust Fund Policy to include policy updating and training (6-0)
- Approved bid rejection from Walton and Spence Brothers for Sportsman's Park Universal Access Improvements and Upgrades (6-0)
- Approved Consent Agenda including paid bills totaling $167,163.03 (6-0)