Wayland City Manager Josh Eggleston told the City Council Monday evening he would like to have a public forum on permitting or forbidding establishments to sell recreational marijuana.

The issue has surfaced in virtually every community after voters statewide nearly a year ago approved a ballot issue legalizing the substance. Approval came with 56 percent of the vote statewide and 58% within the Wayland city limits on the November 2018 general election ballot.

Virtually all communities along or near the U.S.-131 corridor between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo have opted out of allowing the sale of recreational marijuana.

Eggleston said he would like to see this issue decided locally before the end of the year.

In other business at their meeting Monday night, council members:

• Welcomed Nathan Ward as this academic year’s Wayland High School student representative on the council. Ward appeared at the council meeting two weeks ago to talk about his Eagle Scout project installing a mini-library at the Rabbit River Trail Park.
• Approved a special use permit request from the Waybrandts to install a 30-by-30-foot storage shed on their property on Voyager Drive. The request was recommended by the Planning Commission after its special meeting Oct. 17.

Councilman Rick Mathis said, “As a neighbor, I have no issue with this.”

• Learned from Main Street Director Julia Sturvist that a Ladies on Main Street celebration will be held from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, which will include special deals and refreshments.