Cohasset City Council held a public hearing at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 to discuss the cannabis use in public ordinance.
Cohasset Zoning Officer Tony Valtinson shared the City of Grand Rapids ordinance that was passed last fall 2023. He explained the ordinance created for Cohasset is almost a mirror image other than some differences for Portage Park and Tioga Beach Recreational Area.
A violation would be a petty misdemeanor.
“The main point of this, is to follow what our surrounding communities are doing,” Councilor Andy Haarklau stated. “I think it makes sense to adopt what the City of Grand Rapids is doing.”
“I like that it mirrors that,” Haarklau said.
“Alcohol, tobacco and cannabis smoking can all be different in different areas,” Haarklau said. “Grand Rapids has adopted this, and I think we should follow suit. This is new to all of us.”
“I think this is a good first step,” Haarklau said.
Some residents were questioning the ordinance, and council stated they appreciated the questions.
After discussion, council approved this ordinance and asked for approval from the audience. There was no resident present that was against the ordinance.
A complete ordinance can be viewed at the Cohasset City Office.
“We will get it signed and enacted,” Valtinson said.
“We will keep learning,” Haarklau said.
In other business:
Cohasset City Council opened their regular meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Cohasset Mayor Andy MacDonell was absent with notice. Councilor Kevin Tinquist led the meeting.
There was no resident input.
There were two additions to the agenda, 6 C and D, a mass grading payment in the Industrial Park and to approve election judges.
The CPUB presented to the council the Tioga Boat Landing Lighting. The member presented to the council some different options they had looked into. They would like to recommend to purchase solar lighting and chose to put it by the stairs. They chose to put it there so the pole doesn’t get hit. Recommended a steal pole, but if the City had a wood pole laying around it wouldn’t hurt their feelings.
“Is one enough,” Haarklau asked.
The member said yes.
“I feel very confident that there will be light,” the member said. “The intent was to provide good light. We picked an option that goes back and forth to minimal light or maximum light depending on motion.”
“Ernie, I think that makes a ton of sense,” Haarklau said.
“I appreciate the homework you did, and going from a $12,000 bid to $7,000 bid,” Councilor Kevin Ott stated.
Council made a motion to purchase the solar lighting for Tioga Boat Landing Lighting.
“I think this is a great solution,” Haarklau said. “We will work with Walt and the DNR.”
Council approved the mass grading project in the Industrial Park from SEH (Short, Elliot and Hendrickson), payment number five for $49,597.71.
Council approved the election judges for 2024.
Cohasset Security Officer Dean Scherf briefly talked about Benson Bog Dogs and said attendance seemed to be down this year and that the weather didn’t help.
“It was pretty uneventful, and everyone behaved,” Scherf said. “Might want to think about putting a timeframe on generators for next year. I didn’t get any reports from the Sheriff’s office.”
Stephanie Kessler reported she had a great turnout for goat yoga with about 20 attendees.
Approved claims in the amount of $157,734.15, acknowledged the June 3, 2024 CPUB minutes, acknowledged the June 3, 2024 planning commission minutes and approved the June 25, 2024 city council minutes.
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