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Council reviews multiple city project updates and ordinance work ahead of December public hearing
Summary
Council members received updates on an ongoing ordinance rework, an upcoming public hearing on ORV ordinance amendments, a parks master plan draft, sign ordinance options after election complaints, police policy reviews, and formation plans for a fire station committee.
At its Nov. 11 meeting the Olivet City Council received a slate of project updates and policy items staff and commissioners said will return for further action in coming months.
Commissioner Joseph Davis asked for and received a status report on a 2023 ordinance rework; Mayor Laura Barlond-Maas said council members completed assigned readings and the next step is to incorporate corrections and forward the draft to Municode for formal editing.
On the ORV ordinance, Mayor Barlond-Maas said a correction to letter i) had been made and an amended copy had been shared with council members; the council scheduled a public hearing at the Dec. meeting before any final vote. "The ordinance will again be published in the paper once the amendment is approved," Mayor Barlond-Maas said; Commissioner Gary Peterson voiced concern that an earlier, incorrect version had been published.
Clerk/Treasurer Amy Huepenbecker said she is working with Lexipol on a city handbook and expects policy reviews to continue through mid-December. Police Chief Shawn Garcia said he had been reviewing five to seven department policies but had paused review due to other priorities; Commissioner Davis said policy work will continue as time allows.
Commissioner Davis said he is drafting a parks master plan informed by a parks survey. On municipal signage, Huepenbecker reported numerous calls on election morning about political signs and proposed developing a temporary sign ordinance; council members discussed whether to prohibit signs on city property or require council approval for temporary signs, noting potential freedom-of-speech concerns and that private property signage would remain allowed.
Mayor Barlond-Maas proposed forming a committee to study siting and needs for a proposed new fire station with representatives from both townships, the city, Olivet Community Schools and the University of Olivet; Commissioner Don Walker and Clerk Huepenbecker supported broad representation, while Commissioner James Frohm raised concerns about long-term maintenance costs.
Council members did not take final votes on these items at the meeting; several will return to the agenda for public hearing or further discussion.
