City of Lapeer City Commission Meeting - April 7, 2025

The meeting of the Lape_er City Commission, presided over by Mayor Jeramy Hing, covered several significant items ranging from technological infrastructure to budgetary policy. The session began with a presentation from Matt Wayne of Flock Safety, detailing how License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras could serve as a force multiplier for law enforcement by providing objective evidence and real-time alerts for stolen vehicles or Amber Alerts 7:20.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a contentious discussion regarding an administrative report on a Fair Housing resolution. Commissioners expressed concerns over the inclusion of specific terminology related to gender identity and sexual orientation, leading to a motion to postpone the vote until legal counsel can review the language for compliance with state and federal law 47:51.

The commission also engaged in a lengthy discussion regarding the allocation of marijuana tax revenue. Commissioner Brady proposed using these funds to offset the costs of special assessments for residential infrastructure projects, such as road repairs, to minimize the financial burden on property owners 1:09:36. The meeting concluded with various appointments to local boards and public comments regarding local traffic safety.

• Law Enforcement Technology: Presentation of Flock Safety LPR technology 7:20.
• Fair Housing Policy: Debate over updated language in the city's fair housing resolution 40:24.
• Budgetary Allocation: Using marijuana tax revenue to fund or offset special assessments 1:08:55.
• Infrastructure and Development: Approval of downtown rightway licenses and road diet studies 56:11.
• Community Appointments: Reappointments and new appointments to the Cemetery Board, DDA Citizens District Council, and ZBA 1:37:56.

• Jeramy Hing: Mayor, presiding over the meeting 3:39.
• Mike Womack: City Manager 1:08:55.
• Matt Wayne: Regional Sales Director with Flock Safety, presenter 7:20.
• Commissioner Glisman: Commissioner 4:21.
• Commissioner Brady: Commissioner 4:21.
• Commissioner Swendell: Commissioner 4:21.
• Commissioner Atwood: Commissioner 39:16.
• Commissioner Petri: Commissioner 31:39.
• Mindy Schwab: Member of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) 32:24.
• Paul Harsh/Paul Par: Outgoing ZBA member 1:47:43.
• Engineer Paul: City Engineer, provided technical details on road studies 59:24.

• Flock Safety Presentation: A presentation on the benefits, functionality, and privacy protections of LPR cameras 7:20.
• Fair Housing Resolution Debate: A disagreement over whether to adopt updated language regarding sex/gender in the city's housing policy 40:24.
• Special Assessment/Marijuana Tax Discussion: A proposal to use marijuana tax revenue (approximately $350,000) to mitigate the impact of special assessments on residents 1:09:36.
• Road Diet Study: Approval of a contract with ROW Professional Services for a study on Jenna Street 58:40.
• Fixed Asset Disposal: Approval to sell a 2020 Ford Police Interceptor and a 2014 Ford Police Interceptor 1:05:03.

• Meeting Date: April 7, 2025 3:39.
• Next Meeting/Budget Meeting: Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 4:00 PM 1:36:51.
• DDA Meeting: May 6, 2025, at 8:00 AM at the Doghouse 2:10:55.
• CCA Entrepreneurial Conference: May 29–30, 2025 35:16.

• LPR Implementation: To provide law enforcement with "objective evidence" and a "force multiplier" to combat rising vehicle thefts and crime 8:00.
• Fair Housing Dispute: To ensure the city's resolution aligns with the most current state and federal legal mandates without introducing unnecessary political or legal risk 48:58.
• Special Assessment Reform: To find ways to maintain infrastructure (roads/sidewalks) while reducing the direct financial burden on property owners via new revenue streams 1:13:08.

• Approval of April 7th Agenda: Motion by Commissioner Glisman, seconded by Commissioner Swendell; passed 4:21.
• Removal of Item 8 from Consent Agenda: Motion to move fixed asset disposal to the general agenda; passed 5:54.
• Approval of March 17, 2025, Minutes: Motion by Commissioner Brady, seconded by Commissioner Petri; passed 31:39.
• Approval of April 7th Bill Listing ($293,781.55): Motion by Commissioner Brady, seconded by Commissioner Swendell. Roll call: Atwood (Yes), Glisman (Yes), Petri (Yes), Swendell (Yes), Brady (Yes); passed 39:36.
• Postponement of Fair Housing Resolution: Motion by Commissioner Atwood, seconded by Commissioner Brady, to postpone the vote until the next meeting to allow legal counsel to investigate language concerns; passed 54:44.
• Approval of Downtown Rightway Licenses: Motion by Commissioner Swendell, seconded by Commissioner Atwood; passed 56:11.
• Approval of Mowing Agreement (Green Meadows Landscape Inc.): Motion by Commissioner Swendell, seconded by Commissioner Petri; passed 57:35.
• Approval of Road Diet Study Contract (ROW Professional Services): Motion by Commissioner Swendell, seconded by Commissioner Brady; passed 58:40.
• Approval of Fixed Asset Disposal (Police Vehicles): Motion by Commissioner Brady, seconded by Commissioner Glisman; passed 1:07:53.
• Reappointment of Marge Alexander to Cemetery Board: Motion by Commissioner Glisman; passed 1:37:56.
• Appointment of DDA Citizens District Council Members: Motion by Commissioner Swendell, seconded by Commissioner Brady; passed 1:39:26.
• Appointment of Ken Parker to ZBA: Motion by Commissioner Brady, seconded by Commissioner Atwood; passed 1:49:11.

• LPR Technology Privacy: Questions regarding whether the cameras are capable of facial recognition 26:49 and how data is shared with other agencies 27:52.
• Fair Housing Language: Intense debate between Commissioners Petri, Atwood, and Swendell regarding the political nature of using terms like "gender identity" and the risk of non-compliance with federal/state law 43:13.
• Marijuana Revenue & Special Assessments: Commissioner Brady and the City Manager discussed using marijuana funds to pay for residential projects to avoid high out-of-pocket costs for residents 1:09:36.
• Road Maintenance/Infrastructure: Discussion on the need for a long-term road plan and the potential for a future roads millage 1:19:28.

• Legal Review: City Attorney to investigate the legality and implications of the proposed Fair Housing resolution language 52:37.
• Proposal Development: Commissioner Brady and City Manager Womack to prepare formal proposals/numbers regarding the use of marijuana funds to offset special assessments for the next budget discussion 1:33:17.
• Staff Follow-up: City Manager to work with department heads regarding resident concerns about intersection lighting at M24 1:52:29.