City of Lapeer - City Commission Meeting - Janauary 5, 2026

The meeting addressed the critical issue of the City's decision not to renew the business license for SDRK (Grow Up Farms) due to ongoing odor complaints. A large group of SDRK owners, managers, and employees presented testimony emphasizing the facility's significant investment in odor mitigation and the devastating economic impact that a shutdown would have on the 20+ local families dependent on these jobs. While some residents supported the business, others testified to the persistent and disruptive nature of the odor.

The latter portion of the meeting was characterized by intense procedural friction. A motion was brought to postpone the approval of the December 1 and December 15 meeting minutes to allow for revisions that would remove narrative summaries and commentary in favor of an "action-only" record. This led to a protracted and heated debate between Mayor Hing and Commissioner Brady regarding the Mayor's authority as presiding officer, the appropriateness of certain language, and the legality of the Chair's actions.

• SDRK License Renewal: The impact of the City's decision to deny license renewal for the cannabis cultivation facility due to odor ordinance violations.
• Meeting Minutes Revision: The debate over whether meeting minutes should include narrative summaries of discussions or strictly record official actions.
• Parliamentary Procedure: Disputes regarding Robert's Rules of Order, the authority of the Chair, and the conduct of commissioners.
• Flock LPR Cameras: Privacy concerns regarding the implementation of license plate recognition cameras. able
• Commission Appointments: Reappointments of various officials to the Election Commission and Civil Defense.

• Jeramy Hing: Mayor (Presiding Officer)
• Mike Womack: City Manager
• Mr. Francis: City Attorney
• Joshua C. Atwood: Commissioner
• Stefan Brady: Commissioner
• Linda Glisman: Commissioner
• Melissa Petrie: Mayor Pro-Tem / Commissioner
• Lynne McCarthy: Commissioner
• Andy Shango: Co-owner of SDRK
• Rick Thornton: Manager/Founder at SDRK
• Danelle Bowen: Operations Manager, Grow Up Farms
• Jacob Leroy: Local resident and business owner

• SDRK License Appeal: The City Clerk denied the license renewal for SDRK. The company has filed an appeal, which the City Manager anticipates will be heard in February 2026.
• Minutes Revision Motion: A motion was passed to postpone the approval of the December 1 and December 15 minutes to allow the Clerk to remove narrative summaries and commentary to comply with "action-only" standards.
• Appointments: The commission successfully voted on several reappointments to the Election Commission and the Civil Defense Coordinator.

• February 2026: Anticipated timeframe for the SDRK appeal hearing.
• January 12, 2026 (3:30 PM): Upcoming America 250 committee meeting.

• Odor Concerns: The primary driver for the license non-renewal was the city's stance on odor ordinance violations at the SDRK facility.
• Procedural Reform: The move to change the minutes was motivated by a desire to adhere to Robert's Rules of Order and the City Commission rules, specifically removing "editorialized" or "narrative" content.

• Mayor Jeramy Hing: Acted as the presiding officer, enforcing rules of order and attempting to limit discussion to the motion on the table; faced criticism for his handling of the meeting and his authority over the chamber.
• Andy Shango (SDRFR/SDRK): Argued that the city's position is extreme and threatens local jobs and investment; threatened legal action.
• Rick Thornton (SDRK): Highlighted the dangers of subjective enforcement of ordinances and the potential for abuse of the complaint process.
• Mike Womack (City Manager): Defended city staff against "organized attacks" regarding the minutes and expressed concern that the current commission's dysfunction is driving away businesses and staff.
• Commissioner Stefan Brady: Engaged in a heated, multi-part debate with the Mayor, challenging the Mayor's authority and the appropriateness of the meeting's management.
• Commissioner Melissa Petrie: Introduced the motion to revise the minutes and advocated for a more professional, action-oriented recording of meetings.

• Approval of Bill Listing (Jan 5, 2026):
  • Motion: Commissioner Glisman; Second: Commissioner McCarthy.
  • Result: Passed (Brady: Yes; Glisman: Yes; McCarthy: Yes; Petrie: Yes; Atwood: Yes).
• Reappointment of Chief Howe (Civil Defense Coordinator):
  • Motion: Commissioner Petrie; Second: Commissioner Glisman.
  • Result: Passed (Brady: Yes; Glisman: Yes; McCarthy: Yes; Petrie: Yes; Atwood: Yes).
• Reappointment of Ramona Sanchez (Election Commission):
  • Motion: Commissioner Glisman; Second: Commissioner Atwood.
  • Result: Passed (Brady: Yes; Glisman: Yes; McCarthy: Yes; Petrie: Yes; Atwood: Yes).
• Reappointment of Allen Francis (Election Commission):
  • Motion: Commissioner Glisman; Second: Commissioner Petrie.
  • Result: Passed (Brady: Yes; Glisman: Yes; McCarthy: Yes; Petrie: Yes; Atwood: Yes).
• Reappointment of Timothy Mayor (Election Commission):
  • Motion: Commissioner Petrie; Second: Commissioner Glisman.
  • Result: Passed (Brady: Yes; Glisman: Yes; McCarthy: Yes; Petrie: Yes; Atwood: Yes).
• Postponement of Dec 1 & Dec 15 Meeting Minutes:
  • Motion: "To postpone the approval of the minutes of December 1st and December 15th meeting to the next regularly scheduled meeting with direction to city clerk to revise the minutes to reflect actions only consistent with section a 10f of the city commission rules and procedures and Roberts rules of order edition 12 section 48 removing narrative summaries commentary and discussion not expressly required by rule."
  • Introduced by: Commissioner Petrie; Seconded by: Commissioner Glisman.
  • Result: Passed (Brady: No; Glisman: Yes; McCarthy: Yes; Petrie: Yes; Atwood: Yes).

• Economic Impact of SDRK: Debate over whether the cannabis facility is a "thriving" economic engine or an attraction for low-income-related social issues.
• Privacy and Surveillance: Opposition to the Flock LPR camera system due to Fourth Amendment privacy concerns.
• Minutes Authenticity: A dispute over whether the minutes were "editorialized" by staff or whether the staff was being unfairly targeted for providing helpful context.

• City Clerk: Revise the December 1 and December 15 minutes to remove narrative summaries and commentary.
• City Staff: Prepare for the SDRK appeal hearing, expected in February 2026.

The community sentiment is highly polarized. A large contingent of SDRK employees expressed deep anxiety over job security and pleaded for the city to work with them. Conversely, some residents expressed significant frustration with the odor and criticized the increasing volatility and "religiosity" of the commission meetings.

• Andy Shango (SDRK): "The city... has taken a position of the absolutely most extreme position a city could take which is to shut down a business and to wipe away all the progress made here."
• Commissioner Stefan Brady: "This is the meeting of the commission [not the Mayor's meeting]."
• City Manager Mike Womack: "I have seen... one business and one special event organizer tell me that they have no interest in coming to the city anymore because of how the city commission acts."
• Commissioner Lynne McCarthy: "The spirit of chaos does not come from Jesus; the spirit of chaos comes from evil and Satan."

Overall Sentiment

The audience sentiment is overwhelmingly critical and hostile, specifically targeting Mayor Jeramy Hing. Viewers expressed significant concern regarding his leadership style, alleging that his actions are a legal liability to the city and driven by personal motives.

Chat Timeline

[66:45 – 78:40] The conversation begins with disparaging remarks about the Mayor's perceived weakness, quickly escalating to accusations that his leadership could result in legal action against the city.

[78:40 – 119:39] The critique shifts toward personal grievances, with users accusing the Mayor of prioritizing power over city business and failing to adhere to proper legal and ceremonial procedures.

Notable Messages

[74:26] "This mayor is going to get the city sued" — @mundanethings8515

[78:40] "Lapeer is being poorly served by Jeremy Hing. This city has more important business than his petty need for power and control." — @SusanHough-f5o

[119:39] "the mayor should learn how to follow the law last meeting they did that prayer without calling a cermimonial section" — @AlexDaeling

Community Sentiment on Key Moments

• The chat expressed intense frustration with Mayor Hing’s leadership, characterizing it as a distraction from important city business.
• Users highlighted specific procedural failures, particularly regarding the legal requirements for conducting ceremonial prayers.