Montrose council backs shared code-enforcement search, invites counsel on Home Rule Act

Montrose — At its July 23 meeting the Montrose City Council directed staff to develop a code-enforcement job description and explore sharing a code-enforcement officer with nearby municipalities, and it requested a written legal opinion on the City Home Rule Act as it relates to late property taxes.

City Manager Neil Rankin said council had asked for a general job description for code enforcement and proposed an hourly pay range of $18 to $22, noting seasonal workload fluctuations. Council moved that the manager reach out to nearby municipalities such as Clio and Montrose Township to determine interest in a shared officer; the motion passed unanimously.

Council also accepted the resignation of Planning Board member Josh Sincissen and voted to invite law firm Foster & Swift to attend the next council meeting, either virtually or in person, to discuss planning-related matters. Councilmember Todd Pangle successfully moved to add a brief discussion about the City Home Rule Act and then moved (seconded by Arnold) that the council request a written opinion clarifying the Act’s application to late property taxes in Montrose.

In manager reports, Rankin noted the Coke Drive water-main project is complete and that Howard Street sidewalks are being addressed. The minutes include citations to local ordinance Sec. 101-2 concerning enforcement authority and an excerpt from the Stille-Derossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act (Act 230 of 1972) as background on enforcement jurisdiction.

Next steps: manager to contact neighboring municipalities about sharing a code-enforcement officer; clerk/manager to post the Planning Board vacancy and to schedule Foster & Swift for the council’s next meeting.