Taylor City Council Meeting – May 3, 2023

The Taylor City Council met on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. No agenda or minutes were available, so this summary is based solely on the raw transcript. The council considered two second-reading adult-use marijuana ordinances, a police command labor agreement, and numerous routine purchases. The agenda was modified at the start to move the police command item to 7.15 and to consider the marijuana zoning ordinance before the commercial-business ordinance.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda approved as amended: 7.13 and 7.14 were swapped, and item 6.2 (Taylor Police Command Officer Association agreement) was moved to 7.15.
• Minutes of the April 18, 2023 meeting were accepted without oral reading.
• Proclamation honoring the 54th Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week, April 30–May 6, 2023, was adopted.
• Routine items approved by unanimous voice vote:
  • 7.2 Luxapole LLC sole source purchase of Police One Academy training and grant module, not to exceed $6,766, funded through ARPA police training.
  • 7.3 Select One Restoration Specialist invoices for restoration/storage of items from West Mound Church, not to exceed $24,077, funded through general fund building repairs/insurance.
  • 7.4 WISCOM Technologies Inc. low bid for a refrigerator/freezer unit, tables, and chairs for the Heritage Park activities building, not to exceed $15,023, funded through TBA capital outlay.
  • 7.5 Fiscal year 2022-2023 budget amendment 2023-009, dated May 2, 2023.
  • 7.6 Kellyanne and Sons trailers low bid for a dump trailer, not to exceed $11,595, funded through the DPW vehicle account.
  • 7.7 Gorno Ford low bid for a 2023 F-250, not to exceed $51,440, funded through Capital Outlay Sewer Department.
  • 7.8 Gorno Ford low bid for two 2023 F-150s, not to exceed $94,958, funded through the DPW vehicle account.
  • 7.9 Vermeer SC 852 stump grinder, not to exceed $100,632, funded through Metro Act 48 right-of-way account.
  • 7.10 Vermeer 2023 BC 1000 XL chipper, not to exceed $52,957, funded through Metro Act 48 right-of-way account.
  • 7.11 Safety Clean Systems Inc. hazardous waste removal at Taylor Sportsplex, $2,462, funded through TSX operations. Staff explained it involved used oil and ammonia from the compressor system.
  • 7.12 Contract with Elliott's Amusements for carnival services at the 2023 Taylor Summer Festival.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Philip Nisley asked the council not to approve the adult-use marijuana zoning until the 2,500-foot distance is defined as lot-line-to-lot-line, citing the city's existing medical marijuana ordinance. He later returned with a handout quoting current Section 11-29 and noted the existing ordinance would be repealed if the new ordinance passed.
• Mary Susa criticized the lack of exact, physically measured distances; questioned how the "main door" would be defined for buildings with multiple doors; and asked why the 500-foot Telegraph Road language had been removed.
• Philip Sabrowski said the 2,500-foot objections were nitpicking, noting bars operate near schools.
• A Taylor resident, Chris, opposed marijuana stores, saying Taylor is family-friendly and already surrounded by cities with marijuana businesses.
• Christy Kelly said the public had already voted, noting that Proposal 1 had roughly 64% yes in Taylor and, based on 21,112 voters, about 13,511 yes and 7,600 no. She said strict 2,500 feet would make the ordinance unenforceable and inconsistent with voter intent.
• Don Sellers attempted to cite Seattle traffic-safety data after legalization; the chair ruled the issue not germane because marijuana legality had already been decided.
• Tina Grundy supported the 2,500-foot restriction to protect children, churches, and families.
• Virginia Schroeder praised the ordinance as preserving community control and staying true to voter intent.
• Several residents argued that the 2,500-foot measurement must be applied consistently with previous city ordinances. One resident said the ballot initiative was described as advisory and could be changed by council.
• John Claus insisted that "2,500 feet is 2,500 feet," and raised odor and safety concerns.
• Al Stuntmeyer supported allowing dispensaries, citing medical uses and market saturation elsewhere, and asked what share of jobs would go to Taylor residents.
• Chris Sanders, a former councilman from a neighboring community, applauded the council for putting the issue to voters and suggested a lottery/cap approach, but noted the current zoning approach would permit only a limited number of locations.
• Tracy Cooley of Trenton expressed concern about proximity to schoolyards and playgrounds and urged property-line setbacks.
• Alex Garza supported the zoning ordinance, said adult-use facilities are not a children's issue, and urged a yes vote.
• Tom Murphy asked why the 2,500-foot rule would differ from other city ordinances.
• A resident described a Monroe "cannabis mall" and said he saw no warning signs beyond an age/ID notice; he urged the council to consider broader community impacts.

Discussion Items

• 7.1 Van Bourne Gateway Overlay (first reading): Mayor Woolley described a joint effort with Dearborn Heights to revitalize the Van Bourne corridor from Allen Road to Inkster Road, including potential county road improvements and facade grants. Council members discussed TIFA grant amounts, business outreach, and coordination with Dearborn Heights. The first reading was approved by voice vote.
• 7.13 Adult-Use Marijuana Zoning (second reading): The proposed ordinance added Article 11 to the zoning ordinance for adult-use marijuana. Discussion focused on the 2,500-foot setback, how it is measured, and its effect on qualifying sites. Corporation counsel explained that the measurement would be from the main front door of a marijuana establishment to the nearest structure on the protected use's property. Councilman Ramick asked whether the council could amend the ordinance later; corporation counsel confirmed it could. Corporation counsel also warned against adopting an ordinance for which no business would qualify. The motion passed 5-2.
• 7.14 Marijuana Commercial Businesses (second reading): The ordinance established Chapter 11 for commercial marijuana businesses and repealed existing Chapter 11, Articles 1, 2, and 3. Amendments accepted during discussion included: adding language that products are for individuals 21 and older, must be kept out of reach of children, and that driving under the influence is illegal; changing the application fee to "$5,000 or as set by resolution adopted by the city council"; and changing the application submission to online only. The clerk stated applications could not be accepted until October 1, 2023. There was further public comment about the number of license classifications and the 2,500-foot separation between establishments. The motion passed 4-3.
• 7.15 Taylor Police Command Officer Association Tentative Agreement: Originally listed as 6.2, this item was moved to 7.15. The council voted 7-0 to enter closed session at 8:12 p.m. to discuss collective bargaining, reconvened at 8:56 p.m., and then voted on the tentative agreement. The motion passed 6-1.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the modified agenda and the April 18, 2023 minutes.
• Adopted the Professional Municipal Clerks Week proclamation.
• Approved the first reading of the Van Bourne Gateway Overlay zoning amendments.
• Approved all routine purchase and administrative items (7.2 through 7.12) by unanimous voice vote.
• Approved the adult-use marijuana zoning amendment (Article 11) by a roll-call vote of 5-2: Johnson, Ramack, Slaven, Brandana, and Geis voted yes; Rose and Winton voted no.
• Approved the Marijuana Commercial Businesses ordinance (Chapter 11), as amended, by a roll-call vote of 4-3: Johnson, Ramack, Brandana, and Geis voted yes; Rose, Slaven, and Winton voted no.
• Approved the tentative agreement with the Taylor Police Command Officer Association by a roll-call vote of 6-1, with Rose voting no, after a closed session.
• Adjourned at 9:18 p.m.