Commission approves parks ordinance, sets alley-vacation hearing; appointment postponed to January

The Mount Clemens City Commission took several administrative and legislative actions in its most recent meeting, including approval of a revised public parks ordinance, introduction of a resolution to set a public hearing on vacating portions of a public alley, approval of payments and invoices, and a decision to postpone appointment of a vacant commission seat after several paper-ballot rounds failed to produce the required majority.

On the parks ordinance, staff said the amendment updates sections including 33.005 and 33.013 and that a summary has been prepared for publication as a cost-saving measure. Commissioners raised a question about a discrepancy tied to a prior dog-control provision; staff explained that the older pit-bull-specific language had expired under a sunset clause and is no longer in effect. The commission approved the parks ordinance on second reading by roll call.

The commission introduced a resolution to set a public hearing on Jan. 4, 2016, to consider vacating portions of a public alley south of Cass Avenue between South Wilson and Marantz; staff noted the state will only record that the public use rights are vacated and that title does not automatically transfer to adjacent property owners — those owners would need to file a circuit-court action to obtain title.

On the appointment to fill a vacancy on the commission, staff reported five applicants and conducted repeated paper-ballot voting consistent with charter rules. No candidate reached the four votes required for appointment on any ballot; after multiple rounds commissioners agreed to postpone the appointment to the first meeting in January.

Other routine actions included approval of minutes from prior meetings and approval of payments and invoices; the commission adjourned after closing announcements.