[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6520606,"mediaKeyId","5238064-b16e51259edd3a5bf7a4140793d7b244","parentId",5238064,"title","Bay City Commission approves four development and code measures; several resolutions advance","audioSeconds",973,"startMs",2417000,"endMs",3390000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5238064-b16e51259edd3a5bf7a4140793d7b244&start=2417&end=3390","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5238064-b16e51259edd3a5bf7a4140793d7b244/thumbnail_2417000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6520606/Bay-City/Bay-County/Michigan/Bay-City-Commission-approves-four-development-and-code-measures-several-resolutions-advance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520606-160c1931ec791735798c821d790189c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184763&Signature=GuFLukDu~RhBy-8~MpCGlT8a3sZ1-VS9j6ui38DzpPkyjdIqz~WykOkmIPrGDgw3~vO27l9glaXPjfMfVkr5cKkc4lhcz72BcnLTVC525f5~6g9MP9SFZvQc8x-7C8zA5eMe9BQN-73rtQBMbWtiQ4eACMYen4RZVQQQcikUyhOb774Hl8idTKIEk~K8I9tLe-wdZhXKoAHwML6YXdHANoFveVyrA0gY6vftOmrlOEHFerm~TBjBx~x~RiB5n76RM03paekfMQsRJ3tRqadsVmKcTgS~eMSPfjUQPOZo6rju-1xviSJvkkMKrlJBPtxXCWRZxLCZFEipNOz~XY52jQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-07T14:56:21Z","article","The Bay City Commission on July 7 approved four special-order items and several routine resolutions, including a reaffirmation of residency requirements for elected officials and a schedule change for the September meeting.

The commission approved an industrial facilities tax exemption certificate for Straits Wood Treating Inc.; amendments and an exemption for Hawthorne Realty
pair of actions tied to the Arlington/Arlington Hotel project; and a full repeal and replacement of the city
s sign code (Chapter 85). Commissioners voted on each item by roll call.

Straits Wood Treating: Commission approved an industrial facilities tax exemption certificate of $300,000 for a new warehouse at 4804 East Wilder Road. Commissioner Renberg moved to approve; Commissioner Morris seconded. During discussion a company representative confirmed the project is a new additional warehouse and said the 17 jobs associated with the project are expected to include permanent positions once the facility is operational. A roll-call vote recorded unanimous approval.

Hawthorne Realty: The commission approved two related items for Hawthorne Realty LLC at 201 South Lynn Street: an amendment to the obsolete property rehabilitation district and a separate 12-year obsolete property rehabilitation exemption certificate. Commissioner Morris moved to approve the district amendment (second: Commissioner Coakley); Commissioner Tenney moved to approve the 12-year exemption (second: Commissioner DeWitt). Commissioners spoke in favor of reactivating and rehabilitating the historic Arlington Hotel property; both measures passed by roll call.

Sign code rewrite: The commission approved a repeal and replacement of Chapter 85 (Signs) as recommended by city staff. Commissioner Tenney moved (second: Commissioner DeWitt). Commissioners said the change would curb recent disruptive digital advertising on trucks and modernize the sign code; the measure passed by roll call.

Other actions: The commission adopted the consent agenda and approved a resolution reaffirming residency requirements for elected officials (moved: Commissioner Morris; second: Commissioner Tenney). The residency reaffirmation passed on a roll-call vote with one dissent (Commissioner Charlebois voted no). The commission also approved a schedule change moving the Sept. 2 meeting to Monday, Sept. 8. A first reading was received and the change to the commission rules that would move public input in the regular order of business was received and referred for second reading at the next meeting.

Votes at a glance (selected):
- Industrial facilities tax exemption (Straits Wood Treating Inc., 4804 East Wilder Road, $300,000): mover Renberg; seconder Morris; outcome: approved (roll-call: Tenney yes; DeWitt yes; Rhumburg yes; Charlebois yes; Morris yes; Cubitt yes; Coakley yes; Bernie Obershaw yes).
- Obsolete property rehabilitation district amendment (Hawthorne Realty LLC, 201 South Lynn Street): mover Morris; seconder Coakley; outcome: approved (roll-call: unanimous as read).
- 12-year obsolete property rehabilitation exemption certificate (Hawthorne Realty LLC, 201 South Lynn Street): mover Tenney; seconder DeWitt; outcome: approved (roll-call: unanimous as read).
- Code of Ordinances Chapter 85 (Signs) repeal and replacement: mover Tenney; seconder DeWitt; outcome: approved (roll-call: unanimous as read).
- Residency reaffirmation resolution: mover Morris; seconder Tenney; outcome: approved (roll-call: 7 yes, 1 no — Charlebois).
- Meeting date change (Sept. 2 to Sept. 8): mover Coakley; seconder DeWitt; outcome: approved (roll-call: unanimous as read).
- Commission rules change (public input moved in order): received and referred for second reading (majority vote to send to next meeting).

What
s next: The sign ordinance replacement and the Hawthorne Realty measures were approved as presented. The commission will consider the rules change (public input placement) at a future meeting for final adoption. The residency and schedule changes take effect as approved.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Bay City, MI Live Stream","oneSentenceSummary","The Bay City Commission on July 7 approved a $300,000 industrial facilities tax exemption, two obsolete-property measures for Hawthorne Realty, and a full rewrite of the city\ns sign code; several resolutions also advanced by roll call.","taxTitle","Bay City, Bay County, Michigan","taxId",5009,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6520593,"Pollinator-positive yards proposed; code enforcement warns of workload and commission withdraws motion for revision",248,3898000,4146000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5238064-b16e51259edd3a5bf7a4140793d7b244&start=3898&end=4146","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5238064-b16e51259edd3a5bf7a4140793d7b244/thumbnail_3898000.jpg","/articles/6520593/Bay-City/Bay-County/Michigan/Pollinator-positive-yards-proposed-code-enforcement-warns-of-workload-and-commission-withdraws-motion-for-revision","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520593-97d3ec169e0a75211ca103a99ea31905/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184763&Signature=O3-0q8kvk7xQAQvIGmrh2zXGoX3gmOl4-6m8QM4o1mn6lk0s1wHwZ4vCPcAj0fKnOqQB5MRxOYKt3CkV1AIu93a4FOtJIXQEPuHf9Xt26GpWonHksnt88GV2bZBS2MLdSlqHcVwVMdbuHjNUxWxBqu-BJXIk4mNpDnCLJSIMhIdBt3EOw-gNwXq6PYFuwI4naDXgN5wjrU09csFFOEqxFaE33lrVV4GZ17YwjpxCA8KETTGh8o8yAFTke2cfMO4yh2jtjBIxMtExpQav0W33tFatSuGwesqB-tn76sk8gDsaOG8hfOYbJTGhrApyhVGOcgmmvlsTKjwTYmbwvQIQTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner DeWitt introduced a resolution aiming to create a
pollinator positivity
program that would give property owners an option to register lawns as pollinator areas and receive a temporary reprieve from grass-cutting enforcement.

The proposal would have relied on code enforcement to administer registration and monitoring. Sue from code enforcement told commissioners she receives 20 to 25 grass-cutting complaints per week in the busy season and estimated the city spends about $80,000 a year on grass-cutting enforcement when properties are not maintained. Sue said handling an opt-in pollinator program would increase staff workload because SeeClickFix and other complaint channels are not integrated with the city
s property-registration systems.

Commissioners and staff discussed alternatives: educational programs, using existing large city properties (middle grounds and other pollinator areas), partnering with community organizations, and a simple registration flag to reduce complaint escalations. Several commissioners said they supported the program
s concept but asked for a design that minimizes the administrative burden on code enforcement. Commissioner Morris asked that the proposal be referred back for refinement; Commissioner DeWitt withdrew the motion and asked staff to meet with her and provide feedback promptly so a workable approach can be prepared for next season.

What
s next: The sponsor withdrew the motion and committed to working with staff and community partners to draft a revised approach that limits enforcement impact and identifies partnership or education-based alternatives. Code enforcement data and any proposed registration process will be part of that follow-up.","Commissioner DeWitt proposed a \npollinator positivity\n program that would allow residents longer grass or designated pollinator areas. Code enforcement staff said enforcement complaints already consume significant time and budget; after discussion the sponsor withdrew the motion to refine the approach and seek staff input.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6520597,"Commission refers ‘equitable and safe rental housing’ resolution back to sponsor after debate over scope and possible conflicts",123,2484000,2607000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5238064-b16e51259edd3a5bf7a4140793d7b244&start=2484&end=2607","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5238064-b16e51259edd3a5bf7a4140793d7b244/thumbnail_2484000.jpg","/articles/6520597/Bay-City/Bay-County/Michigan/Commission-refers-equitable-and-safe-rental-housing-resolution-back-to-sponsor-after-debate-over-scope-and-possible-conflicts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520597-3a8dcf20371bef7102d364fe2f9d18e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184763&Signature=ZfL2DBpuYwIP56wJ6TxnScv5G-T1uK4vkEdHeihSFftrZJJh6A7V~S4qDbTWHwy3YjPrO~F6TAHxvZkMSknVbW86zb9ezg1Vr1y5V47QZp39dafD6mZUUeUZigWf4oniDyqqZXLK~HBPgXjVYkgwP-QOpt2dzMgDi6KpSdRscBj-cUFFQ25DOVeRXh1BP4-yrwuumAOUUCORB2yKKBpfrJ-A1TDmbTVy4YFutkFuys-jw1U5b3VjYPXOtFHd-G1w9cT0fvGrIVd5BEt1nUq3jO-HQMXjP663ogD04B18MbuJrROGcc10ju2ArzyXdfYoO9el-gBp1-aJM4uO-gtSGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner Bernie Obershaw introduced a resolution titled
Equitable and Safe Rental Housing
at the July 7 Bay City Commission meeting that would have directed the city manager to study tenant-notification requirements, rental-safety code enforcement and possible fine increases for housing-code violations.

The measure prompted detailed debate. Commissioner Cubitt, newly seated, said she supported the resolution
s intent but moved to table the measure temporarily so the language could be refined to avoid overbroad direction to staff and to clarify which violations and landlords the resolution would target. Commissioner Coakley seconded the motion to table for discussion.

Commissioner Bernie Obershaw pressed for stronger tenant protections and said the resolution asked for a staff report on possible implementation steps; the city manager and legal staff said a report back could and should identify legal limits and implementation options. Commissioner Renberg and the city manager both noted that some items in the draft would require specific direction (for example, exact fine amounts) and that staff would need clearer guidance to evaluate statutory authority.

During the discussion, Bern ie Obershaw asked that Commissioner Cubitt abstain from the vote, saying Cubitt had landlord interests and citing the charter
s standard-of-conduct language; Cubitt replied she did not intend to abstain and said she supports greater landlord accountability. Other commissioners urged clarity about whether any proposed fines would apply specifically to rental housing conditions rather than to all code violations.

After discussion, the commission voted to refer the resolution back to Commissioner Bernie Obershaw for rewrite and clarification rather than adopt it at the meeting. The roll-call vote to send the resolution back passed with a majority.

What
s next: The sponsor will receive feedback from fellow commissioners and staff and may return a revised version for consideration. The city manager indicated staff and the city attorney would be able to report on what is legally permissible and the operational impacts of proposed changes.","A resolution seeking study and potential code changes for rental housing protections and penalties was introduced by Commissioner Bernie Obershaw. After debate over wording, enforcement practicality and a commissioner\ns potential landlord conflict, the commission voted to send the measure back to the sponsor for rewrite.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6520601,"Bay Area Chamber summarizes Hay Bay City workforce and marketing activity for first half of 2025",57,521000,578000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5238064-b16e51259edd3a5bf7a4140793d7b244&start=521&end=578","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5238064-b16e51259edd3a5bf7a4140793d7b244/thumbnail_521000.jpg","/articles/6520601/Bay-City/Bay-County/Michigan/Bay-Area-Chamber-summarizes-Hay-Bay-City-workforce-and-marketing-activity-for-first-half-of-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520601-725ed4b8b3ecf99674911f2d1e18d436/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184763&Signature=BhiGuck4oIJEnskx-no6KnpozkFfSUVyuPOI~NQ7LEpZb8z1wB67Mqtks2n23OnMa3ddS4zhLADHuJDe~as-7f6atDd4LNmJb11~WN~Smhtj-1SKhwQh8YAkjtVAbYDsvlffRLOutb5UnnXu1HHfMTuJ1MH0yYoV7qrzqv1iE5Icz0DV8hwAI0yf-MB0V13VWMfZS3KyaLNl1EANKR7ux6UVY8830mWFKvoxoH1LfomeXoZxVPzmRpr5X8ruN5FE64LbqV0-TXBKPg7TZkOVIC3ETxZHaXvwCaVYoBPpxRJ0Ym1TnaHaPP3jAPjNpFcZkZMTxHVLZBQd6Otmv~fP4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Bay City Commission
s July 7 meeting, Sarah Parker and Annabelle Schweiger of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce presented the first- and second-quarter reports for Hay Bay City, the chamber
s workforce and placemaking platform.

Parker, who covered workforce development, said Hay Bay City had 214 employers signed up on the platform as of the end of quarter two, 226 jobs posted and 42,143 job views across Q1 and Q2. She reported 1,343
pply\flicks and 41 resumes received through the platform
s Typeform-based application route; staff noted that some employers direct applicants to their own websites rather than taking applications through the Hay Bay City platform. Parker said she provided individualized job-seeker support and had made 53 face-to-face employer or partner meetings in Q1 and Q2.

Parker presented a budget breakdown for the Hay Bay City program showing marketing at about $13,000 and community outreach at about $3,000, within a listed total of $67,000 for the period. She said the program
s end-of-quarter-2 balance with the city was $118,693.95.

Schweiger, the chamber
s marketing communications manager, summarized website and social analytics: the chamber
s site received about 123,000 views with roughly 40,000 unique users in the first half of the year; the average session duration was about 2 minutes, 11 seconds. Job-page views for Q1 and Q2 combined were approximately 87,000; the largest traffic sources were direct search, paid search and organic search, and the majority of job-page views came from Bay City, Ashburn (Virginia) and Detroit.

Schweiger reported combined social metrics across Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn totaling about 1,280,000 views and over 17,000 followers, along with 3,730 email subscribers and nearly 1,300 SMS subscribers. The chamber highlighted partnerships with Bay City Public Schools (work-based learning advisory council), SVSU (employer recruitment partnership), Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works and Bay Future. The chamber will participate in a Tri-Share childcare summit in October and presented at the Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference in May on bridging skills gaps.

Commissioners asked about local sourcing for promotional merchandise; staff said notebooks were from ATS Printing and shirts from Sandlot Sports and that the items were paid from the marketing budget. A commissioner asked about the dip in site traffic; Schweiger said the chamber intentionally reduced Google ad spend earlier in the year and was prioritizing organic acquisition.

What
s next: Chamber staff said they will continue the Hay Bay City employer outreach, job-seeker assistance and marketing work. Commissioners thanked the chamber for the report and encouraged continued collaboration with local schools and workforce partners.","Representatives from the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce presented Hay Bay City\ns workforce-development and marketing results for quarters 1 and 2 of 2025, reporting platform usage metrics, partnerships with local schools and colleges, and an end-of-quarter balance of $118,693.95 with the city.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bay City Commission approves four development and code measures; several resolutions advance

Pollinator-positive yards proposed; code enforcement warns of workload and commission withdraws motion for revision

Commission refers ‘equitable and safe rental housing’ resolution back to sponsor after debate over scope and possible conflicts

Bay Area Chamber summarizes Hay Bay City workforce and marketing activity for first half of 2025