Local meeting primer: Three Rivers City Commission
The Three Rivers City Commission will meet Tuesday, April 21, at 6 p.m. in City Hall for a regular business meeting. Commissioners will have the opportunity to give input on a proposed second farmers market in Three Rivers that city staff rejected, consider amendments to city code removing inflammatory language characterizing massage therapists as sex workers and labeling homosexual behavior as “deviant,” and review a series of budget amendments reflecting differences between projected and actual revenues and expenditures.
Watershed Voice livestreams all Three Rivers City Commission meetings on its Facebook page and uploads them to YouTube after.
The Three Rivers City Commission will meet Tuesday, April 21, at 6 p.m. in City Hall for a regular business meeting. Commissioners will have the opportunity to give input on a proposed second farmers market in Three Rivers that city staff rejected, consider amendments to city code removing inflammatory language characterizing massage therapists as sex workers and labeling homosexual behavior as “deviant,” and review a series of budget amendments reflecting differences between projected and actual revenues and expenditures.
Watershed Voice livestreams all Three Rivers City Commission meetings on its Facebook page and uploads them to YouTube after.
Farmers market
As reported by Watershed Voice, City Manager Joe Bippus is recommending commissioners accept his position and reject the market due to insufficient planning and organization by the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). Bippus also cited Huss’ weekend farmers market as a reason for his denial, stating there has not been “any analysis showing additional demand or community benefit,” in a letter to DDA Vice Chair Charlie Wolgamood, who submitted the proposal.
During the commission’s last meeting on April 7, Wolgamood spoke to the commission, urging them to reconsider the denial. He said organizers are seeking permission to host a monthly Sunday market at Scidmore Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., beginning as early as late April and continuing through September.
The proposed market has drawn controversy, with critics questioning whether the city can sustain two weekend markets—Huss’ weekly Saturday market and the city’s once-a-month Sunday market—while supporters argue the additional market could provide a new, community-oriented event and improve accessibility for some residents.
According to the agenda packet, the commission will review the application as a formal agenda item, giving commissioners an opportunity to weigh in on the proposal and staff recommendation.
Residents will be able to provide feedback during the public comment portion of the agenda item.
Massage ordinance language changes
Another item returning to the commission is a set of revisions to the city’s outdated massage ordinance, which drew concern during a February 3 meeting.
At that meeting, Mayor Angel Johnston highlighted language in the city code describing “homosexual and other deviant sexual relations” as prohibited behavior.
“Of the prohibited things that you can and cannot do, homosexual and other deviant behaviors. Now that bothers me to my core. I don’t believe that homosexuality is deviant,” Johnston said.
Following that discussion, commissioners directed staff to review Chapter 5 of the city code, which governs licensing and regulation of businesses, including massage establishments.
The revised ordinance now being presented includes several updates, including:
- Replacing outdated terms such as “massagist” with “massage therapist,” aligning language with current state law
- Updating definitions to reference the Michigan Public Health Code and modern licensing standards
- Removing or revising language related to “homosexual and other deviate sexual relations” within definitions tied to prostitution
- Clarifying licensing requirements and administrative procedures for massage establishments
The agenda packet notes the revisions are part of a broader effort to “ensure consistency with current laws, improve administrative processes, and clarify existing provisions.”
Commissioners are expected to consider the amendments for a first reading and set a public hearing for May 5 to gather additional input before final adoption.
During the February meeting, commissioners unanimously approved a special exception use permit for Eden Spa, allowing the business to move forward with plans to open.
Other business
Commissioners will also consider amendments to the city’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget.
Under the city charter, the commission may revise the budget when revenues or expenditures differ from initial projections. The agenda packet states that “a number of revenue and expenditure adjustments” need to be formally recorded.
Some of the proposed adjustments include:
- An increase of approximately $82,687 in marijuana excise tax revenue, reflecting higher-than-expected collections
- A $20,000 public safety grant and smaller donation-related revenue adjustments
- More than $225,000 transferred to the capital improvement fund for an airport fuel system project
- Increased spending in areas such as police services, parks, and cemetery maintenance, as well as adjustments tied to previously approved projects
Overall, the amendments increase general fund revenues by about $117,025 and expenditures by about $290,640, resulting in a larger planned use of fund reserves.
Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.
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Three Rivers gives tentative support to second farmers market, pending next steps
DDA board members spoke during the meeting, admitting they were underprepared and moved too quickly, putting the city in a position to deny the request. However, they said they plan to develop a more thorough plan to present to city staff.
“I do think that we did get a little ahead of ourselves,” DDA board member Jason Ballew said, explaining that the DDA will come back with a full work plan outlining how the market would function. Ballew also asked the commission not to make any formal decisions Tuesday night.
Debate grows over second farmers market proposal in Three Rivers
What began as a request to use park space has since developed into a broader public debate over downtown priorities, city process, and whether Three Rivers can support two farmers markets at once.
Three Rivers has an established weekly market operated by the Huss Project. Supporters of the proposed Scidmore Park market say a second event could create more activity downtown, and offer families another community gathering space. Critics, including some existing vendors, say the city may not have enough customers or vendors to sustain both long term.
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