[{"_1":2,"_108":-5,"_109":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6362508,"mediaKeyId","2167721-17cac70b26921e49a2c8c2f5b89b0669","parentId",2167721,"title","Council grants 60-day extension to Forest Brothers cannabis license with condition to clear medical plants","audioSeconds",99,"startMs",3279000,"endMs",3378000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2167721-17cac70b26921e49a2c8c2f5b89b0669&start=3279&end=3378","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2167721-17cac70b26921e49a2c8c2f5b89b0669/thumbnail_3279000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6362508/Warren-City/Macomb-County/Michigan/Council-grants-60-day-extension-to-Forest-Brothers-cannabis-license-with-condition-to-clear-medical-plants","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362508-d6ca87b75418578dba4648f1f37ab46c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775468405&Signature=n-6LM3f71cfGafe953yAnyuCG35VOzjxnaIdk10v78uynDih5oKl5ooUp2pVvDqQcCdAIaqEBHqzQzUwfeA5leDf2vMRmg04Als3Vs9fLWQdSoVjPP-pfbb~FIdlBu9rsslBl7hfJlekst2Ku6qaDU3DqYUfsbD8sNahn1Fn1sw0LNRnF4ZAAGY0Zkb1e7eQflFWGZHNzaS7TLoH3Mt8xt9c-~X1wABhUFzsSv3L7ZVUiid45HcJe~F8lPChj3pI6utmQfglrWNpz1XLLKvZwlMwF8RJapz39LS-jqlZGCNjdl2UrHKC-g82pYGRv-zXX49lFMzoiW39hga1KJ01Vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","TV Warren","date","2025-01-28T00:00:00Z","article","The Warren City Council on Jan. 28 approved a 60-day extension for Amber Trichome LLC (doing business as Forest Brothers) to maintain its cannabis license, and attached a condition that all medical marijuana plants in the facility be harvested or destroyed within 60 days.

Nut graf: Zoning staff reported the establishment was \"mostly compliant\" and clarified that the operator had allowed medical plants to remain while transitioning to adult-use provisioning. Council added the stipulation to ensure compliance with licensing rules and to remove medical grows from the facility if the operator is no longer pursuing the medical license.

Staff briefing and council action
Zoning staff told the council they inspected the establishment and found it \"mostly compliant, almost ready to go,\" but that the operator had an expired medical license and was not pursuing re-licensure for medical operations. Staff asked the council to add a stipulation: remove or harvest any remaining medical plants before the end of the 60-day extension. Councilmember Lafferty moved approval with that condition; the council approved the motion unanimously.

Implementation note
The motion states that if the medical marijuana plants are not harvested or destroyed within 60 days, the adult-use and medical licenses will be suspended until the grow establishment is rendered in compliance by the Warren Building Department. Zoning staff said they had clarified to the operator that medical plants cannot simply be converted to provisioning inventory.

Ending: The Building/Zoning Department will inspect for compliance before the end of the 60-day extension and will take enforcement action per the condition if plants remain.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","TV Warren Live Stream City Council Meeting - 01/28/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Warren City Council approved a 60-day extension for Amber Trichome LLC d/b/a Forest Brothers and added a condition requiring all medical marijuana plants be harvested or destroyed within 60 days, or licenses would be suspended until compliance.","taxTitle","Warren City, Macomb County, Michigan","taxId",3689,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6362512,"Council directs Legal Affairs to propose process to review lobbying services after debate",1484,3396000,4880000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2167721-17cac70b26921e49a2c8c2f5b89b0669&start=3396&end=4880","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2167721-17cac70b26921e49a2c8c2f5b89b0669/thumbnail_3396000.jpg","/articles/6362512/Warren-City/Macomb-County/Michigan/Council-directs-Legal-Affairs-to-propose-process-to-review-lobbying-services-after-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362512-f21ef9427a9773f28cb9aaf8b438e67e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775468405&Signature=d043r7FnpY9Td-Wwzi9l1sy5iRIGSrbUPHfZz9KPsgmjNDYdMUo7lo999s-Hcq0rUZmW-9sxGUh~BwrRAr7D6-awQhKMGBp6e3cSJvWVpGbFwYcupIOJE3kjF-V2LEZcMCMWB9n6j58br47LhEOVqW1CteCSnomXHq9Kxq1FQ5PFzd~oo9UnlkAuvbliZZhjt32DXWGm0lChhlcJhJlhD~0xGS-MrtVyyiW4vpgeM8xnFi5VAu~J159PtbfauDhytzCOO5mg7JkqlzggY83Rj8eL5xBpa8w38TQT2AhEfIZRhkxrPERwQiPRrkX6D5CA0GZTPj7e3n7qRVoRV-qiGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Warren City Council on Jan. 28 voted to refer consideration of a process for reviewing and potentially soliciting proposals from lobbying firms to its Legal Affairs Committee. The referral was approved unanimously after extended discussion among councilmembers about the merits of changing or reaffirming the city’s existing contract.

Nut graf: Council members expressed differing views: some praised the incumbent firm’s recent work and urged continued collaboration; others said four recently elected council members had not been involved in the original selection and asked for a clearer, transparent process so the full council could weigh options before the current contract lapses in mid-2025.

Discussion highlights
Council President Angela Roganci raised the question of a process that would let newer council members participate in any selection or review. Several councilmembers said meetings with the current firm and an opportunity to hear from other firms would help the full council evaluate services provided and ensure accountability for taxpayer dollars.

Opposing viewpoints included councilmembers who said the current firm had a long track record with the city and that an immediate search would unlikely yield cost savings. Others pushed for a structured way to compare services, pricing and relationships with state legislators.

Outcome and next steps
The motion that passed refers the matter to the Legal Affairs Committee to recommend a process and timeline for how proposals or evaluations would be conducted and to report back to the full council. Council members indicated the intent was not to replace the incumbent immediately but to ensure the council has options and transparency before the contract end (noted in discussion as roughly six months remaining). The committee will provide proposed timelines and procedures to the full council for a future decision.","After debate about continuity, transparency and cost, the Warren City Council unanimously referred a review of its lobbyist contract to the Legal Affairs Committee to develop a process and timeline for possible proposals from firms.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6362518,"Council approves $15,000 CDBG agreement with McCrest; staff explains reimbursement model, resident raises questions",0,2826000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2167721-17cac70b26921e49a2c8c2f5b89b0669&start=2826&end=2826","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2167721-17cac70b26921e49a2c8c2f5b89b0669/thumbnail_2826000.jpg","/articles/6362518/Warren-City/Macomb-County/Michigan/Council-approves-15000-CDBG-agreement-with-McCrest-staff-explains-reimbursement-model-resident-raises-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362518-92fd758ec66e576eeb20eb6e5bd5bc45/orig.mp4?Expires=1775468405&Signature=gBI1Fhqqwk36h3hUgsifJTcMLWkQCcK0sAjq4xb2Lg~lHJHkMMChT6aGspaf-XMUtcXrE~RSjwgfYwOx5EJjrCz2yBkaJENvPgTRol66~Pnk9uYqWYsBxA46unxkbpGAA5wvvtVarlJ9IKPFM3xM99GEBg6Akd054wzqZEliT95Bg80rDWAn~dY~YGNaDf~Tnc~zZQD-04nHTL2vBNDy67Xs28Cd9s~yE95CgW1yieG7yAszT5w-sgUGzoj8GI6puHeWHchHlC4Yhty6EM6a9pZM4tGgsEVxihaUUQA5-61FJuPEgVfTBhvlc5aM5BjcuCVlmdu8ZdXRmOjdWIHTtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Warren City Council on Jan. 28 adopted a resolution approving an agreement between the city and McCrest using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds in the amount of $15,000 to reimburse actual costs for nights of shelter housed in hotels.

Councilmember Mindy Moore, serving as council secretary during the meeting, called the item for consideration and the council approved the motion unanimously.

Nut graf: City staff told the council the agreement changes how the city reimburses shelter providers: instead of trying to calculate an all-in cost per shelter night (staff said that is cumbersome for HUD documentation), the city will reimburse McCrest for actual hotel-night invoices for residents the provider places into hotels. Staff said the approach mirrors the city’s current model for Turning Point and that the dollar amount matches prior yearly allocations.

Staff explanation and contract timing
City staff explained the agreement had been negotiated over several months and is not connected to other recent emergency actions the council discussed. A staff member said the city’s approach is to reimburse McCrest for documented hotel nights rather than attempt to calculate an overhead-inclusive per-night shelter cost for HUD accounting. \"If you house someone in a hotel, what is that actual cost and what was incurred by McGrath? We can get an invoice, and we can reimburse them for those actual costs,\" staff said, describing the same model used for Turning Point.

Staff also told the council the contract was negotiated after the prior contract ended Sept. 30, 2024; the proposed agreement is effective Oct. 1, 2024 through Sept. 30, 2025. Councilmember Boiecki asked if any funds had been paid already; staff replied, \"No. The contract hasn't been executed, so no funds are transferred.\"

Public comment and council response
During public comment, resident Laurie Harris raised concerns about perceived \"inappropriate relationships\" between McCrest and a named individual and said the $15,000 allocation was \"completely unnecessary and unacceptable.\" Harris asked why the agreement had moved from draft to review and signature in a two-week period and urged the council to ask more questions before approving funding. Her remarks were entered into the public-record portion of the meeting.

Council action and clarifications
Councilmembers asked questions about historical allocations (staff said the annual amount to McCrest from CDBG has been \"about 10 to $15,000\") and whether the city could ensure funds were used for Warren residents. Staff explained that reimbursement eligibility is tied to last-known address and that the city can require documentation to confirm use for Warren residents. City legal/administration staff advised council that the body can approve a contract effective Oct. 1 with expenses reimbursed once council approves the agreement; staff confirmed that no funds had been disbursed before council action.

Ending: Staff will execute the agreement and process reimbursements via the city's regular CDBG procedures; council members asked that the city continue to monitor eligibility and documentation for reimbursements to ensure CDBG compliance.","The Warren City Council approved a $15,000 CDBG-funded agreement with McCrest to reimburse hotel nights used for sheltering; staff said the model mirrors Turning Point arrangements and the contract is effective Oct. 1, 2024. A resident urged more vetting and raised conflict-of-interest concerns.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":91,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":93,"_51":104,"_53":105,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":106,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":107,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6362522,"Warren City Council: Key votes and approvals from Jan. 28 meeting",473,3299000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2167721-17cac70b26921e49a2c8c2f5b89b0669&start=2826&end=3299","/articles/6362522/Warren-City/Macomb-County/Michigan/Warren-City-Council-Key-votes-and-approvals-from-Jan-28-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362522-949a6277cbffe01bb03cde4c17309b37/orig.mp4?Expires=1775468405&Signature=CD3fc4rafH1QGivOu3steOoiouOO7V4wqD0k97r~D5Mu4q9LwTw-2e0DL6UhINURY7oDIcp~r3-Epgj-6w~QvMR1W2p8W1nwXoF39snI6ZGpA9h9RU9D70b9~IJa2vU7ObcZ84vHv2tmkq0anrsTh7TfqXERVDvFWTwt513gmsXEDTt5vxg-beDkkWU2CK-UipotfNArZ88rFnXYNxGlSfmFQWu79M8yFf5mBHpQF1uB9kHlmegkSdn78u8X58Nb59bFShtoJpVI4ak2QDX1RWHAUBNSHTvT9lu~DoErnpxH6P4U3N1uQQaSL~v2vqJZjn~EsCTg4uGIBaG~1OgrSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Warren City Council on Jan. 28 approved a series of routine and substantive items, including budget adjustments, contracts, appointments and an ordinance establishing an urban forestry commission.

The council adopted the consent agenda and approved the meeting agenda (which added item 12D). Among individual approvals: consulting services with Willis Towers Watson for actuarial reserve calculations; a quick-claim deed to the Downtown Development Authority for property at 3637 Shaner; a $15,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) agreement with McCrest (see separate article); two 60-day license extensions (Mad House LLC and a cannabis license extension for Forest Brothers/Amber Trichome LLC with a compliance condition); appointment of Michael Assessor to the zoning board of appeals (alternate, term to Sept. 2027); an appointment of a council representative to assist on the ADA transition plan (Councilmember Michael Newnan); authorization to dismiss two local defendants without prejudice in the city’s opioid litigation (per trial counsel recommendation); an ordinance to establish an urban forestry commission and related planting/removal standards; and several parks/transportation-related budget actions and equipment awards.

Votes were recorded on the floor; the council called the question on most items after brief discussion. Motions listed below reflect the agenda item number where specified in the meeting packet and the vote outcome as entered in the minutes.

Votes at a glance (selected items)
- Consent agenda (adopted) — outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Agenda adoption (added item 12D) — outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Willis Towers Watson consulting agreement (item 12A) — outcome: approved (unanimous); subject: actuarially required reserves calculation for self-insured no-fault automobile liability.
- Quick claim deed to Warren Downtown Development Authority, 3637 Shaner, parcel ID 1311229038 (item 12B) — outcome: approved (unanimous).
- McCrest CDBG agreement, $15,000 (item 12C) — outcome: approved (unanimous). See separate article for discussion and public comment.
- 60-day license extension, Mad House LLC, 21445 Hoover Road, Suite 210 (added item 12D) — outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Appointment: council representative to ADA transition plan — Michael Newnan (item 13A) — outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Appointment: Michael Assessor to Zoning Board of Appeals (alternate, term to Sept. 2027) (item 13D) — outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Opioid litigation recommendation: approve dismissal without prejudice for two local clinic defendants per trial counsel recommendation (item 13E) — outcome: approved (unanimous).
- 60-day extension — Amber Trichome LLC d/b/a Forest Brothers (cannabis license) (item 13F) — outcome: approved (unanimous) with a council-added condition that all medical marijuana plants be harvested or destroyed within 60 days, or licenses would be suspended until compliance.
- Ordinance to amend City Code, Chapter 38, to establish an urban forestry commission and give zoning authority to issue tickets for noncompliance (item 13G) — outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Parks and Recreation budget increase, $47,358, and award to Oscar W. Larson Company (ITBW1415) for two fuel dispensers, not to exceed $29,382 (items 14A/14B) — outcome: approved (unanimous).

Formal vote records in the minutes show roll-call confirmations on each motion. For the items above the recorded floor votes in the transcript show consistent \"yes\" votes from the council members present.

Because many agenda items were routine and approved with no substantive debate, the council clerk and staff will post the adopted resolutions, contracts, and minutes to the city website and make related contract documents available through the clerk’s office as required.","At its Jan. 28 meeting the Warren City Council approved routine consent items, several contracts and resolutions, appointments, and ordinances including an urban forestry ordinance and multiple license extensions. Items were approved unanimously unless noted.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council grants 60-day extension to Forest Brothers cannabis license with condition to clear medical plants

Council directs Legal Affairs to propose process to review lobbying services after debate

Council approves $15,000 CDBG agreement with McCrest; staff explains reimbursement model, resident raises questions

Warren City Council: Key votes and approvals from Jan. 28 meeting