The meeting, which lasted more than three hours Tuesday, included several tense exchanges among commissioners, a closed-door discussion about City Manager Joe Bippus, and an emergency management briefing featuring city officials, first responders, and representatives from the American Red Cross and Samaritan's Purse.
Commissioner Stanfill and First District Commissioner Pat Dane were both nominated for the role. Dane, who has been on the commission since 2017, was contrasted with Stanfill, who has been on the commission for just over a month. The vote went as follows: For Stanfill: Commissioners Lucas Allen, Anthony Stanfill, Carolyn McNary, and Mayor Angel Johnston. For Dane: Commissioners Steven Haigh, Torrey Brown, and Pat Dane.
The Three Rivers City Commission will meet this evening and is expected to again attempt to select a mayor pro tem. The commission will also consider a funding request tied to a Michigan State Housing Development Authority Neighborhood Community Development Block Grant. The city previously submitted a letter of intent requesting $600,000, but staff are requesting a revision to $700,000 after receiving higher-than-expected cost estimates. The funds would be used to renovate the upper floors of 111 Portage Ave. into three apartments.
Commissioner Carolyn McNary was unanimously appointed to the role in November but has since declined the position due to other obligations. The commission will try again to elect a mayor pro-tem at its December 16 meeting. McNary agreed to continue serving in the position until then.
The commission held its annual organizational meeting, and a regular business meeting previously scheduled for Monday, November 10 that was rescheduled due to election results not yet being fully certified.
Marijuana consumption lounges will not be coming to a downtown Three Rivers storefront near you, at least not any time soon. The Three Rivers City Commission voted 4-2 against an amendment to the city's marijuana ordinance Tuesday that would have allowed such an establishment in the central (B-3) business zoning district following a public hearing.
Bryann Books is a full-time Pivotal social worker who has recently been added to the department as the “Mobile Crisis Clinician – TRPD Liaison,” and will assist officers with individuals experiencing mental health crises in the community.
Mayor Tom Lowry presented a proclamation during Tuesday evening’s city commission meeting in observance and celebration of Juneteenth (June 19) in the City of Three Rivers. Celebrations are scheduled at the George Washington Carver Center (June 9), the Huss Project (June 17), and Skate Dreams skating rink (June 19).
The Three Rivers city commission met Tuesday evening for a regularly scheduled meeting. Items on the agenda for the night included a presentation for the 2023 Citizen of the Year, a public hearing for a Special Exception Use (SEU) license for the city’s first marijuana transport facility, and proposed user fee rate increases.
The Three Rivers City Commission Tuesday adopted a resolution that will give residents 30 days to pay utility bills before penalties are applied. Commissioners also received an update on the demolition of the former Three Rivers hospital, and made a decision concerning the future home of Peaceful Rivers.
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