RAY ANDERSON

NORWAY — The Norway City Council took another step Monday toward allowing marijuana businesses within city limits.

City Manager Ray Anderson also revealed during the online Zoom meeting Monday that he plans to retire in October after 20 years in the position.

The council had the first reading Monday of an ordinance to opt into the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act.

While the state in 2018 approved allowing recreational marijuana sales, Norway citizens voted against the move, 641 no to 541 yes. The council cited that opposition in passing an ordinance in December 2018 to forbid marijuana businesses in Norway.

But the council revisited its decision Dec. 7, with Mayor Candy Brew and council members Jeremy Oja, Jeff Muraro and Scott Popp voting to amend.

City attorney Grant Carlson stressed the presented ordinance was only a draft and, if council wished, it could change any number of items — including the number of licenses allowed at a time, the types of establishments permitted and fees for license application and renewal.

The ordinance would set applying for a license at $1,500 and annual renewals at $5,000.

“That will go into the coffers,” Carlson said. “That will go towards enforcement and oversight.”

Applicants would be expected to submit an estimate of the number and types of jobs to be created; a business plan that includes ownership structure, organizational charts, planned capital investments and financial details; sanitation plans; and area impact descriptions, among other details.

“We have an opportunity to shape the way things are going to go for the future,” Carlson said. “It’s all a lucrative opportunity for folks in our community.”

The council set a workshop session for March 1 to discuss details of the ordinance before having a public hearing March 15. The ordinance could be approved as early as April 5 and enacted April 20.

Anderson announced his intention to step away as manager during the mayor and council comment portion of the meeting.

The 55-year-old started as Norway’s utilities director in 1999 and became city manager in 2001.

“It’s been an honor to serve the community,” Anderson said. “I was born and raised here. I’m not going anywhere. You might see me around and I’m always available.”

The council thanked Anderson for his guidance as manager as well as the opportunity to search for and transition to his replacement over the next eight months.

In other business, the council:

— Accepted Oja’s resignation from the council, effective immediately, as he is moving outside city limits and cannot continue to serve. Oja was appointed to return to the council in November after Lee Meneghini resigned. He previously had served roughly eight years on the council and was mayor from 2011 to 2015, but fell just short of re-election in 2019.

“I appreciate working with him on the council and I wish him luck,” Brew said.

The council echoed Brew’s comment and thanked Oja for his service before agreeing to advertise for his replacement.

— Approved a new zoning ordinance reflecting city-exclusive code after Norway Township in October decided to leave the Norway Area Zoning and Planning relationship to form its own planning and zoning commissions.

— Amended the solid waste management and fireworks regulation ordinances. The solid waste ordinance added language to require permits to use construction dumpsters on private property and allows the city to regulate a timeline for use. The fireworks ordinance change will limit the start of fireworks on prescribed days to no earlier than 11 a.m.

— Increased cable television fees to offset a 57% increase from network affiliates such as ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox. Basic video will rise to $30 for city subscribers and $32 for township customers. The expanded package will cost $82 and $86 for city and township purchasers, respectively.

The increase frustrated council members.

“When it goes up 57 percent, we have no choice if we want to keep the TV,” Brew said. “We’re making nothing off of the cable. We have to raise it that much.”

“It’s outrageous what they charge,” council member Bret Kraemer said.

“They’re trying to make a percentage, we’re just trying to break even,” Popp added.

— Authorized Norway Police Chief James Shafer to purchase four body cameras from 10-8 Video of Fayetteville, Tenn., at a price not to exceed $2,025.95.