Edmore council approves festival permit, authorizes bucket-truck funds and raises lawn-violation fines after property dispute

EDMORE, Mich. — The Edmore Village Council on July 13 unanimously approved several local measures, including a parade permit for the Edmore Potato Festival, authorization to seek a used bucket truck, and an increase to fines for lawn and noxious-weed violations.

Council member Griswold moved to approve the Special Event and Parade Permit for the Edmore Potato Festival; Colburn supported the motion, which passed on a 6-0 roll-call vote with one member absent. Later in the meeting, Council authorized up to $8,000 to search for a used bucket truck after Village Manager Cory Hamlin said the equipment fund is projecting about $13,000 in excess and that several trucks were located in the $5,500–$7,000 range. McParland moved the bucket-truck authorization; Pierce supported. The motion passed 6-0 with one absent.

On code enforcement, Hamlin said the current hourly cost to address a lawn violation is $160.04 and proposed raising the fines so the village does not lose taxpayer funds addressing violations. Council member Moore moved to increase the first-offense fine to $175 and the second-offense fine to $225; McParland seconded. The measure passed by roll call, yes from Colburn, Griswold, McParland, Moore, Pierce and President Chet Guild.

During public comment, resident Austin Myers said his property had been mowed while he was out of town and that he had not received mail or phone notice; he asked for leniency. The council said DPW had notified properties the same way as others and declined to reduce the fine. After the board’s decision, Myers said he would withdraw permission for festival activities on his property and planned to plant alfalfa instead of mowing.

Nicole Hadley asked about alternative locations for festival fireworks since Myers would not allow use of his property; council discussed options and then approved a venue change for fireworks contingent on insurance as determined by the village manager. The motion to approve the fireworks venue change, moved by Colburn and supported by McParland, passed 6-0 with one absent.

Council member McParland also asked whether the pending bucket-truck purchase would allow the village to proceed with Hometown Hero banners; the council confirmed it would. The meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m.

Votes at a glance: approval of parade permit (6-0), authorization up to $8,000 for bucket-truck procurement (6-0), increase to lawn-violation fines to $175/$225 (6-0), approval to change fireworks venue contingent on insurance (6-0).