Farms council opts to wait before
fighting state garbage tax hike

The Grosse Pointe Farms City Council grappled Monday with a proposed state garbage tax that would increase solid waste dumping fees from 21 cents per ton to $7.50 per ton.
 
The council discussed whether to hire a lobbyist to fight the bill in the Senate – an action favored by some of the other seven members of the Grosse Pointes/Clinton Refuse Disposal Authority.
 
Representatives from Mt. Clemens, Grosse Pointe Woods, Grosse Pointe Park and Clinton Township reported their communities were also against the bill, Councilman Joe Leonard said.

“At our March meeting I should know the status of the (communities') votes formally,” Leonard said.
 
Not everyone on the council agreed paying a lobbyist to lean on House Bill 5558 was necessary. “I think it’s pretty clear we can kill this in the Senate without hiring a lobbyist,” said Councilman Charles (Terry) Davis III.
 
Councilman Peter Waldmeir moved to approve retention of a lobbyist not to exceed $5,000, the price quoted by Andrew Richner of the law firm Clark Hill. The council did not vote on the motion.
 
In other business, the council voted to allow a fence variance on Moran Road. The fence would be more than the allowed four feet and have less than 50 percent capacity.
 
After much deliberation, Waldmeir moved the residents be granted a permit for the fence. The motion carried 4-2, with Davis and Mayor James Farquhar voting against it.

“I still have a problem because it’s such a visible street,” Farquhar said. “Since it’s not a security issue but a privacy issue shrubbery would do it.”
 
The council also approved the reappointment of board review members and attorney fees. The 2008 annual permit report, six-month financial report and 2009 investment reports were filed.
 
City Manager Shane Reeside announced that two applications were received for the library board, and the council decided to extend its deadline to the end of February along with the other Grosse Pointe municipalities.
 
Reeside reminded the council of the upcoming work session Feb. 22 to solidify Pier Park guest policies.
 
Councilman Doug Roby was not in attendance. 

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