Residents press Mount Clemens officials on flooding, taxes and medical marijuana rules

Several residents used the public-comment period to press Mount Clemens officials on property maintenance, taxes and local zoning.

Loretta Sippon, who said she formerly lived at 14 Brasher Court, described persistent flooding and a problem involving a backflow preventer installed by a contractor in 2002. She said a contractor did not follow up and that city staff inspected the installation after she contacted the city. "Mount Clemens do have flooding problems still," Sippon said, and she thanked a city official ("Mr. Brown") for arranging an inspection.

Other residents focused on taxes. Rick Lock told the commission his city taxes rose "exactly, exactly to the penny, 45.9%." He said his personal payment matched a 45.9 percent increase and pressed the commission to acknowledge that outcome. Gloria Haller urged the commission not to approve tax abatements and criticized what she described as large property tax increases, arguing the city should consider a city income tax to stabilize revenues instead of abatements.

On zoning, Laura Cropp noted Detroit's recent moves on medical marijuana dispensaries and urged Mount Clemens to update its ordinance (the current text she found dates to 1984) so the city can be proactive rather than reactive if dispensaries seek locations in Mount Clemens.

In administrative responses, city staff reported on property-demolition efforts (a church-owned residential property discussed previously and demolition activity at 177-179 North Avenue), noted tree removal and sidewalk repairs at 94 Park Street, and said traffic-enforcement requests on Bellevue and Dorothea had been relayed to the sheriff's office with options including a radar trailer and patrols. Staff also outlined a sidewalk-repair financing approach: the city will advance funds for marked sidewalk squares and bill homeowners for reimbursement; if homeowners do not reimburse promptly, the finance department could pursue liens through the tax process. Staff said the city anticipated about $33,000 in immediate sidewalk expense within a $50,000 allocation and expected to recover funds through reimbursements to finance further work.

Commissioners thanked staff and residents for their input and noted follow-up would occur through city departments; the commission did not take further formal action during the public comment period.