Edmore council records magistrate recommendation to clean 315 S. Fifth St.; property owners say they will comply

Council minutes from June 9 show ongoing enforcement steps over a property at 315 S. Fifth St. A citation was issued April 30 for alleged blight; Manager Mark Borden said photos from May 30 showed no change and an informal hearing before a Montcalm County magistrate on June 6 resulted in a strong recommendation to clean the property within 30 days, though no formal court order was entered.

Resident Scotland Stivers (315 S. Fifth St.) attempted to speak during the agenda‑item public comment and was told the magistrate had already directed a cleanup timeframe. The property owner, identified in the minutes as Mr. Kinsey, told the council he did not see a need for a fence if the property is cleaned and said he was willing to clean if allowed by Stivers. Later in the general public comment period Mr. and Mrs. Kinsey reiterated they plan to clean the property, asked about safely storing oxygen on site, and said they would seek a court order if the resident does not permit removal of items.

President Chet Guild said he attended the informal hearing and praised Manager Borden; the minutes note witness statements from Shirley Wulff describing neighbor impacts. Manager Borden said noncompliance after the magistrate’s 30‑day recommendation would return the matter to court before a judge.

Council did not record any additional enforcement motions during the June 9 meeting; the minutes advise property owners to pursue court orders if removals are blocked. Next procedural steps in the record: compliance within 30 days to avoid further court action, with the village returning the matter to county court if the magistrate’s recommendation is not followed.