Ferrysburg council holds first reading of cost-recovery ordinance amid debate over hazmat and crash charges

City staff introduced a draft cost-recovery ordinance at the June 2 Ferrysburg council meeting and described it as modeled on ordinances in nearby communities; the draft would allow the city to charge the person responsible for incidents that required emergency response when alcohol or substance abuse was involved.

Council members raised questions about whether the draft should also include hazardous-material incidents and whether the city should pursue reimbursement for responses to vehicle crashes, particularly those that damage city infrastructure or require HazMat teams. "If we were to put an ordinance in, and cover what William was talking about, considering we've got 300 truckloads a day going through town, then we'd be able to recoup that," one council member said. Staff responded that the present draft focused on incidents involving alcohol or substance use but could be revised to include hazardous-material responses if the council directed it.

Several council members said they would not favor charging for routine fire or medical responses that they view as part of services funded by taxes, though some supported charging for certain crash responses or HazMat incidents to offset extraordinary costs. Staff asked for specific direction on the scope (hazmat, commercial developments, crash-related infrastructure damage) so officials could revise the draft for a future meeting; the item was listed as an introductory (first) reading, not adopted.

Council members also discussed past experiences in recovering costs from insurance when infrastructure (for example, an older hydrant) was damaged; staff said insurance sometimes depreciates the replacement value, leaving the city to seek partial recovery. The council requested more detail and clearer language before considering adoption.