Pontiac council approves Quality Roots retail permit, redirects $20,000-a-year community funds to JC Park

The Pontiac City Council at a special meeting approved a resolution authorizing CAP Wald Lake LLC, doing business as Quality Roots Pontiac, to operate a retail location in the Walton Boulevard Overlay District and amended the agreement attaching a community benefit payment to direct $20,000 annually for three years to the Pontiac Community Foundation on behalf of JC Park.

The council’s clerk described the Walton Boulevard Overlay District, saying the city ordinance allows up to five adult‑use retailers in the overlay and that this would be the district’s first such retailer. Clerk Doyle also presented photos of the proposed storefront at 41 East Walton and noted the council received a memorandum from Attorney Murphy.

Why it matters: The amendment redirects the community benefit payment to a named nonprofit custodian, clarifies who will hold the funds for JC Park, and resolved a drafting error that listed a district citizens council that the clerk said was not the intended recipient. Council action decides where and how business contributions tied to local permits will be administered.

Councilwoman James made a formal conflict‑of‑interest disclosure, saying she is the founder and president of Friends of Pontiac Parks and that the organization would receive funds through the Pontiac Community Foundation for JC Park. "I have received no pay for this. Friends of Pontiac Parks is a volunteer organization," she said. Clerk Doyle and other council members clarified that the district‑level group originally named in the draft was removed from the award language and that the Pontiac Community Foundation was the intended awardee on behalf of JC Park.

President Austin moved to change the resolution and underlying agreement language to remove the line awarding $20,000 annually for three years to the District 4 Citizens District Council for the Neighborhood Watch/Cleanup and Safety Program and instead award the funds to the Pontiac Community Foundation on behalf of JC Park. The motion was seconded by Councilman Jackson and passed on a roll‑call vote. The council then voted on the original resolution as amended and approved it by roll call.

Developer remarks and timing: Eric Clar, speaking for CAP Wald Lake LLC/Quality Roots, described his organization’s involvement in Pontiac since 2018, said the business has hired and is training staff (including local residents), and told the council, "the store will be open April 6th." He thanked council members for their consideration.

Votes and outcome: The amendment to the agreement and the amended resolution were approved by roll call with affirmative votes from Council President Austin, Councilwoman Campbell, Councilman Carrington (President pro tem), Councilman Jackson, Councilwoman James and Councilwoman Jones. The resolution as amended passed; the clerk recorded the votes.

The meeting adjourned shortly after the vote.

Notes on scope and limits: Council members and the mayor noted some previously named community groups may be dormant or informal; the change places funds with the Pontiac Community Foundation as a fiduciary custodian acting on behalf of JC Park. The resolution and agreement language were amended in the whereas clauses and in section H of the contract packet to reflect the corrected award language.

Next steps: The resolution takes effect as adopted at the meeting; council staff indicated they will update the resolution and contract language to reflect the change and ensure the agreement references are consistent across the packet.