City Council Meeting - 2020-10-05

Detailed briefing

City Council Meeting — October 5, 2020 ATTENDEES: Roll call recorded Mike Noturkis, Matt Boghera, CeCe Johnston, and John Copps present; a quorum was declared. • Council approved the September 21 meeting minutes. The transcript indicates one opposition, but does not clearly identify the member or provide a complete vote count. Council also approved payment of bills after a motion and second; no opposition was recorded in the transcript. • Council appointed Jake as a student representative to the Planning Commission. The recorded roll-call vote was affirmative for Mike Noturkis, John Copps, Matt Boghera, and CeCe Johnston, and the motion carried. • In public comment, a resident raised concern about a neighbor displaying 15 political yard signs. Staff said the zoning code technically does not permit political signs, but the city has not broadly enforced that provision during the election. Staff plans to revisit the code after the election and consider standards such as sign number, material, and size. • City staff said complaints have also been received about political signs in public rights-of-way. Over the next week, the department plans to remove signs between a sidewalk and curb, or—where there is no sidewalk—within eight feet of the roadway edge. Staff said signs may be set back rather than taken away and asked campaign sign holders to remove improperly placed signs. • Police staff announced a more aggressive response to speeding complaints across town, though officers were not necessarily directed to write tickets. The department also plans to begin 12-hour shifts at the end of the year. Staff said the change would not cost the city more money, could improve coverage, and may help retain officers. • Staff said city offices will continue wearing masks, but public mask enforcement is legally uncertain following a Michigan Court of Appeals decision. Staff said police chiefs were seeking guidance through the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police and the Attorney General. The Salvation Army requested permission to ring bells at IGA on Fridays and Saturdays from November 27 through December 19; staff said it would discuss the request with the police chief. Worth watching: • Whether Council adopts post-election standards for political yard signs. • Follow-through on removal or relocation of political signs in public rights-of-way. • Legal guidance and any future city policy on public mask enforcement. Upcoming: Political right-of-way sign enforcement is expected over the next week; police 12-hour shifts are planned for the end of the year; proposed Salvation Army bell ringing runs November 27-December 19. Why it matters: The meeting paired routine approvals with policy and enforcement issues affecting neighborhood signs, traffic safety, public health practices, and city services.

No open public follow-ups are linked to this meeting yet.