Goodrich – A change in the village charter is heading to the state Capitol.
The interim Goodrich village council approved the language of the charter amendment 4-1 at the April 11 council meeting.
The amendment must now be approved by the attorney general’s office before village residents vote on the change, which borrows from general law language to outline a village dissolution process.
‘We’re not passing it tonight,? said interim village councilperson Steve Keehn, ‘just allowing everyone to vote on it.?
The Hegel Road community room was packed with residents supporting or protesting the council’s decision, some requesting the matter be tabled until after a new council is elected May 3.
Interim councilperson Doug McAbee agreed, voting against the matter.
‘That’s not what we were put on this government to do,? he said.
‘With all due respect, I disagree,? said interim councilperson Jay Clothier.
‘We ought to get on with it and put it to a vote of the residents, which is what every one of you stood up here and said. Let’s get on with gettin? on.?
The amendment does not become part of the village charter until approved by the state, and voted on by village residents in an election tentatively slated for Aug. 2.
Village resident Chris Doll alleged the former council must have ‘dropped the ball? on aligning the village charter with general law.
Former councilperson Angie Adamec, an audience member, responded.
‘When state law was changed (1998), it came in conflict with our charter. If (voters) adopt this amendment, our charter will change. We want to adopt the state law so we’ll no longer be in conflict,? said Adamec, adding ‘state laws are changing all the time, continuously.?
If village residents approve the amendment, the charter would permanently be changed to spell out a dissolution process that could be initiated by residents.
One option in the process is forming a joint commission, with three Atlas Township and three Goodrich residents (see ‘What’s next in charter changes?, below).
The Atlas Township Board was questioned at its March meeting regarding whether board members would be interested in participating in a possible joint commission on dissolution, if the amendment was approved by voters and dissolution initiated.
Township attorney David Lattie responded the board would participate if required by law to do so.
‘They’re not required by law,? said village attorney Tom McKenney.
According to the language of the charter amendment, non-board residents–appointed by the village president or township supervisor and approved by the same board–would be eligible to serve on the joint commission.

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What’s next in charter changes
* Council-approved ballot language is sent to governor’s office for state attorney general’s approval, and sent to county
* If approved by state, charter amendment will be voted on by village residents in an election tentatively set for Aug. 2, 2005
* If village residents vote yes, charter is permanently changed to allow residents to initiate dissolution if desired
* To initiate dissolution, residents collect signatures from 15 percent of registered village voters, after which village council chooses one of two options:
1. The council may immediately put a village dissolution question to a vote; it must be passed by a supermajority, or two-thirds of voters, in both Goodrich and Atlas Township
2. The council may alternatively form a disincorporation commission with three Goodrich and three Atlas Township members to draft a dissolution plan to handle assets, liabilities, services, and other obligations
If draft is approved by both the Goodrich Village Council and Atlas Township Board, the plan is put up for a majority vote of 50 percent plus one voter in both Goodrich and Atlas Township
If this alternate option fails for lack of participation, or if not passed by one board, an election is forced under Option 1, since the amended charter requires a vote within one year of receiving petition signatures