Township Board Meeting Minutes
Inwood Township Meeting Minutes
For April 17, 2019 submitted on May 15, 2019
Pledge of allegiance was said
Meeting was called to order at 7 P.M. by Supervisor Kelly Silkworth.
Board members present:
Cindy Watchorn, Bonnie Elliot, Bryan Landis, Kelly Silkworth, and
Sara Roberts absent.
Acceptance of previous meeting minutes presented by Clerk Sara
Roberts. Motion B. Elliott Support B. Landis AIF M/C
Accepted the financial report as presented by Treasurer. Motion B.
Elliott Support B. Landis AIF M/C
New Business
Medical Greens Corporation owns a medical marijuana green house out
by Gulliver. They want to purchase Garden Bay winery to put in a
medical marijuana dispensary. This in turn will help the Inwood
community by providing jobs and income to the township. They are
asking the boards’ approval to get a dispensary license to make this
happen. The goal is to help the community – providing a minimum of
eight jobs and upwards of fifteen within a six-month period.
Opening the dispensary will increase revenue to the township
from selling medical marijuana to patients with their medical cards.
If the board decides to approve recreational marijuana when it is
legalized, it would increase revenue even more. Township board has a
choice to opt in or out of recreational dispensing, limiting sales
to only medical purposes.
Recreational marijuana income would be substantial due to the 10%
tax. Taxes get dispersed from the state to the counties, and then to
supporting townships. Medical marijuana is statewide, so the tax
money received would include all dispensaries in the state, and be
divided from all., creating larger revenue. Payments to the state
would be quarterly, but unknown of when the state will disperse to
the counties and supporting townships.
Medical Greens Inc. has been approved on the other end of the county
with a grow operation that will employ upwards of two hundred
people. Working in the medical field of the dispensaries can pay
upwards of $20 per hour and $25,000-$60,000 per year for grow
facility jobs, depending on the security level.
MGI will be licensed through supporting townships and through the
state starting May 1st. Mueller Township has already
opted in for growing and dispensing. They had to pass an ordinance
to do so. Their ordinance can be found online.
MGI will not going to be growing in Inwood Township, only dispensing
to medical patients. Medical cards and picture ID will be checked at
every visit. First dispensary has already opened in Houghton County.
It is a township’s discretion to opt in or out for growing and/or
dispensing. Dispensaries can set their own hours. Revenue is not
guaranteed.
Every patient is allowed twelve. Caregivers (people who grow for
patients) can grow up to seventy-two plants for six patients. Black
market marijuana has so many chemicals in it, that’s why MGI also
grows so they know its clean. Since it is state regulated, every
fifteen pounds gets tested as a batch. If it passes, it can be sold.
If it doesn’t pass it gets burned. It becomes certified medicine if
it passes.
MGI is only looking at purchasing industrial zoned properties right
now. TABLED until more information is provided.
The Green Door is another company that was looking at purchasing the
Lucas Garden Bay Winery to turn into a dispensary. Apparently, there
is some confusion that The Green Door and MGI were the same entity,
but that’s not the case - Lucas’s had spoke with both businesses
about selling to both.
The Green Door then spoke. Security is regulated through the state.
Secured barbed wire fence all around the buildings, camera
surveillance, and motion detectors will be put up. Board needs to
decide on opting in or out for recreational.
Daughter of owner/operator of the Green Door had seizures on a
regular basis and started using cannabis products and the seizures
had subsided. This is what jump started the business of the Green
Door. Gross sales were projected at $600,000 but turned into $1.2
million for the first year. They are also looking at purchasing
property in Negaunee Township, who has opted in. The Green Door is
willing to bring in the owner and personal attorney to speak at a
meeting.
Banger Township has proven that their dispensary has helped turn
their town around, by providing revenue to the township and jobs to
the locals. When a township fills out an application to opt in, it
will take a while to be put in place. It could take four to five
months, or longer. Dispensaries will not be “Mom and Pops”, they
will be state regulated dispensaries and will have first option to
provide recreational marijuana when it is legalized.
Lucas’s had also thought both The Green Door and Medical Green Inc
companies were one entity. All is TABLED until Garden Bay decides
who they are selling to and when the Board receives more
information.
Hall rentals for residents is $175 if there is alcohol and $75 if
there is none. There have been complaints from residents that its
too high. Birthday parties with alcohol and wedding receptions are
the same price. All rentals require a $100 deposit that you can get
back if there are no damages. Prices are to stay the same.
Michigan Township Association is asking the board to pass resolution
for board members to support or opposition to legation that would
allow Township boards the option to have its elected officers appear
as nonpartisan on the ballot. Motion to pass resolution on record in
opposition to legislation. B. Elliott Support B. Landis AIF
Roll call: Bryan Landis – YES, Kelly Silkworth – YES, Cindy Watchorn
– YES, Bonnie Elliott – YES, Sara Roberts – ABSENT
Road Commission has been having issues with Mintonye Rd. They have
spent a lot of money up there every year trying to fix wash out
problems with the road. This year they will not spend any more money
unless they get some funding from the township. $20,037 is the
proposed amount to redo the road to alleviate yearly issues. The
amount proposed is available in the Hiawatha Roads account. The
county engineer will have to go up there for planning on how to fix
the problems and address concerns the residents on that road may
have. Motion to fix the road B. Landis Support C. Watchorn AIF M/C
Complaints on the chloride. Board will be comparing Road Commission
and the business from down state. There has been issues getting the
chloride in a timely fashion, but is now available at all times at
the R.C. shop. If extra is needed somewhere, they can reapply as
needed for a cheaper price than the downstate business. Deciding to
go with the Road Commission or other place is TABLED until May’s
meeting.
Bids on lawn care are being taken. Bill and Jean Anderson will be
giving a quote. Prices should be about the same, with maybe a little
increase to the hall. TABLED until May’s meeting.
FD/EMS
F.D. – N/A EMS – N/A
Correspondence
Tri County sent a thank you letter for the $2,000 we sent last year
for our northern coverage. They are asking the same again this year.
Motion C. Watchorn Support B. Landis AIF M/C
Public Comment
-New Road Commissioner, Robin LaCroix introduced himself. He started
in January.
-Talked about cemetery issues. Boundaries were resurveyed last
summer. Issues have been caused from lack of knowledge and years of
being done wrong.
Payment of Outstanding Bills
Payment of outstanding bills in the amount of $7,502.03 and deposits
of $437.56. Motion to accept. B. Elliott Support C. Watchorn AIF M/C
Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by B. Landis support C.
Watchorn AIF M/C
Others present for the regular meeting at the Inwood Township hall
were: Ed Rondeau, John Pistulka, Forest Hedglin, Leonard Deman,
James Hardy, James B., Lonnie Jones, Jordan Farmer, Don Rochefort,
Dorothy Rochefort, Keith Rochefort, Mary Rochefort, Robin LaCroix,
Bert Chandler, Kim Rochefort, Pat Carley, Jan Carley, Emma Deyo, &
Bruce Spaulding.
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