Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety And Regulation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Township to revise solicitor ordinance, add online permit list after resident complaints
Summary
Manager reported repeated resident complaints about late-night and out-of-state solicitors; staff redlined the current ordinance, sent it to attorneys, and will bring a stricter solicitor ordinance to the next board meeting with measures including expanded background checks and a do-not-knock list plus an online permit list for residents to check.
Cascade Charter Township staff said they will propose a revised solicitor ordinance aimed at tighter background checks and a do-not-knock provision after multiple resident complaints about solicitors visiting late at night.
Manager Smith told the board that residents have been "calling, and visiting the Admin Building in regards to solicitors" and that some solicitors have come after 9 p.m. He said staff found many solicitors were from out of state and that the township’s current background checks cover only the state of Michigan. "So this is gonna be a much more in-depth, background check," Smith said, and staff have redlined the current ordinance and sent it to the township attorneys for review. Staff intend to introduce a draft solicitor ordinance at the next board meeting.
In addition to the ordinance changes, staff will publish a webpage listing currently permitted solicitors "by the end of the week," Manager Smith said, and the page will include a link so residents can report unpermitted solicitors; those reports will route to zoning or the ordinance officer.
Trustees responded appreciatively to the proposal; the board did not take a formal vote on the ordinance at the meeting.
Staff said the revised ordinance will aim to align with neighboring Ada Township where appropriate and that it will include provisions to better filter out out-of-state solicitors not captured by state-only checks.
