Pubdate: Tue, 10 Apr 2012
Source: Tuscola County Advertiser (Caro, MI)
Copyright: 2012 Michigan Media, a division of the Edwards Group
Contact:  http://www.tuscolatoday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4678
Author: Megan Decker

PUBLIC HEARING SET ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA ISSUE

VASSAR -- The Vassar city council voted to authorize the first reading
of a Medical Marijuana Ordinance during its regular session on Monday
and will proceed with a public hearing on the topic during its May 7
meeting.

The City of Vassar is currently under a moratorium regarding medical
marijuana that will expire in May 2012. The city's planning commission
approved a drafted ordinance at its February meeting and recommended
it go before council for adoption.

The ordinance states that marijuana can be possessed and used in the
City of Vassar only in accordance with and pursuant to the Michigan
Medical Marijuana Act. The ordinance also states, among other
regulations, that dispensaries would not be allowed within the city.

The proposed ordinance is similar to the language adopted by the city
of Grand Rapids to regulate the legal use of marijuana under the
Michigan Medical Marijuana Act.

The city council may vote to adopt the ordinance following its public
hearing on May 7. The ordinance would become effective 20 days after
the date of adoption.

City council members Nancy Wade and Ted Gamet and Mayor Henry Hornung
voted to proceed with the public hearing while council members Joe
Hembling and Dan Stedry were in favor of keeping a moratorium in place
until more regulations from the state of Michigan are defined.

Among other action, city council members voted to purchase a 2012
Chevrolet Caprice from Pat Curtis Chevrolet of Caro for the city's
police department. The cost of the vehicle is $19,615 which includes a
credit of $6,500 for the trade in of a 2002 Ford Expedition and 2005
Ford Crown Victoria.

The money for the police cruiser has been budgeted in the Capital
Improvement Fund for this purchase in fiscal year 2013. A grant
application has also been submitted to USDA Rural Development for
assistance in the purchase of a police vehicle.

City council members also voted to continue its services with
Berthiaume & Company, CPA of Saginaw for the city's annual audit. The
cost to the city will be $8,500 in 2012; $8,700 in 2013; and $8,900 in
2014. Berthiaume & Company has conducted the city's audit for over 10
years.

City council members also voted to authorize JP Morgan Chase bank as
the city's credit card payment vendor. The city will begin accepting
credit cards for tax payments and other miscellaneous items in the
coming months. A convenience charge of 2.5 percent will be charged to
the customer at the time of the service. There is also a minimum
charge of $3.95.

The Vassar city council will hold its next regular session at 7 p.m.
May 7 at Vassar City Hall.
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MAP posted-by: Matt