Marlette mayor breaks tie as council votes not to adopt proposed marijuana ordinance

Mayor Charles Bush cast the deciding vote Aug. 5 as the Marlette City Council moved not to adopt a proposed marijuana ordinance after a split council vote.

City Manager Rudzis outlined two options for the council to consider and explained the Planning Commission's recommendation against adoption. Council member Kopacz described the background research and warned of potential financial hardship for the city if the ordinance were adopted. Council member Quade moved to accept the Planning Commission recommendation to not adopt the ordinance; Council member Wilson supported the motion.

The council was split: Council members Quade, Wilson and Hunter voted to accept the Planning Commission recommendation (i.e., not adopt the ordinance), while Council members Bell, Kopacz and Redman voted against accepting that recommendation. With the vote tied, Mayor Charles Bush cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of accepting the Planning Commission recommendation; the motion carried and the ordinance was not adopted.

The action on the ordinance was recorded during the council's unfinished-business agenda item. The transcript does not record verbatim quotes from members on either side of the motion. Council members who opposed accepting the Planning Commission recommendation were recorded as voting against the motion; the record does not specify any amendment or alternative motion to adopt the ordinance.