An unnamed individual plans to make an offer on property in the Wayland Industrial Park, next to the Great Lakes Energy office on 133rd Avenue and is seeking a deal similar to what Keith Nickels and Josh Otto got last year.

City Manager Joshua Eggleston told the City Council Monday night that a purchase offer is being made for the property at 1065 133rd Ave., near its corner with South Main Street on the south edge of town. The city manager said the individual “wanted to use the Nickels agreement as a template,” but city officials are not making a response as yet.

Nickels and Otto last year bought a parcel from the city for just $20,000, over the objections of other businesses that paid much more. City officials maintained that they had tried to sell that same parcel, awkward in shape, for nearly 20 years with no success. So they reasoned that $20,000 was better than nothing, better than simply letting the site remain idle and not providing tax revenue.

Eggleston promised the council he would give updates on the situation as it progresses.

In other business at Monday night’s meeting, the council:

• Had the first reading on a proposed ordinance (No. 247) to opt out of permitting the sale, distribution and growing marijuana in the wake of voters in Michigan approving a ballot issue last November, legalizing the substance for recreational use.

Eggleston said the ordinance “includes provisions (for the city) to come back to the table once LARA (Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs) adopts guidelines.”

The council is expected to decide on the ordinance at its next meeting Feb. 18.

• Heard the annual report from Fire Chief Joe Miller, who indicated the department now has 26 firefighters, who went on 348 calls during 2018 and Yankee Springs’ personnel is up to 25, with 14 certified firefighters.

“Things are working out pretty well for us and Yankee Springs,” he said.

• Listened to a presentation from Karen Weaver and Sue DeVries from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. about the city’s progress on becoming a “Redevelopment Ready Community.”

• Handed out a lot of praise for public safety officials and the Department of Public Works for the condition of streets during last week’s winter snowstorm that closed local schools for five straight days.