City denies overflow parking for wrestling tournament, proposes replacing blight ordinance

Manchester High School

by Marsha Chartrand

Five Council members were in attendance at the February 3 meeting. Missing were Way and DuRussel (resigned). Visitors included Sharon Jones and Amelia Woods, candidates to fill the vacancy left by DuRussel. Also visiting was Eileen Peck, a newly elected Washtenaw Community Council Trustee.

City Council was presented with a request by representatives of an upcoming wrestling tournament scheduled for February 16. The request was to cover the existing “No Parking” signs along the north side of Dutch Drive to provide additional on-street parking for the wrestling event being held at the Jr/Sr High School.

Michael Sessions, City Manager, noted that requests asking for any type of closure of City streets for an event (parades, street fairs, or school events) are normally expected to be submitted to the City office no less than 30 days prior to the event to reduce confusion and to provide ample time for discussion between all involved parties, as well as to arrange for any additional police coverage needed to the WCSO. The form was dated December 2, 2024, but was not turned in until January 27, 2025, which is far less than the 30 days required. The WCSO also questioned the need for overflow parking and asked for an overall parking plan for the event.

The school did not respond to WCSO’s request, and Sessions inquired to Superintendent Brad Bezeau for more details. Bezeau replied that he believed there was adequate parking availability on school property, including at Riverside Intermediate School, and acknowledged that the new policy had been communicated to the district a few months ago when it was passed by Council.

The request was presented to Council with Sessions’ recommendation that it be denied, based upon the reasons listed above. Council members voted unanimously against the proposal, on the basis of not bending a new policy, as well as the WCSO’s request being ignored.

In other business, the City is also considering a new ordinance regarding abandoned and blight vehicles. Sessions proposed a draft ordinance, which is similar in content to the previous one, but noted that the current policy of listing a blight or abandoned vehicle as a misdemeanor offense is punishable by up to 90 days in jail or a $500 fine — penalties often disproportionate to the actual violation. He claimed that the new ordinance would provide more effective enforcement as the city can take more direct action and assess actual cleanup cost to property taxes. Additionally, the proposed ordinance removes a provision requiring a 30-day notice, allowing for more immediate enforcement.

A public hearing on this proposed Ordinance (#9) will be held at the February 17 meeting. Questions should be directed to the city office at 734-428-7877 prior to that date. All are welcome to attend the meeting.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.