Earlier this year, the City of Morenci partnered with Lenawee Now and Thomas P. Miller and Associates (TPMA) to complete a retail market study with funding received from a Federal Economic Development Administration Grant. The final report was submitted to city staff in July and will be presented to Morenci City Council at their meeting on August 14.   The project team conducted analyses on area demographics, socioeconomics, commuting patterns, industry capture and leakage, and retail opportunities. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the analysis shows that the most significant retail gap for the city is supermarkets and other grocery stores. The project team further analyzed the current grocery industry market, looking more closely at market value, forecasts, segmentation, competition, site selection considerations, and ownership models.   The process of retail business attraction can take months or even years. To assist the city with next steps, the study provides best practices and recommendations for how the city can leverage assets and begin to address challenges and barriers.   The community is invited to TPMA's presentation at the City Council meeting on Monday, August 14, at 7:30 p.m. This will allow residents to learn more about the retail market study findings and next steps. Following the meeting, the study will be available to the public on the city's website and a physical copy will be available at City Hall.
Public Notice
​A primary election will take place on Tuesday, August 8, at Morenci City Hall to narrow down the mayoral and 2-year city council seat races from three candidates to two. The candidates who filed a petition to fill the mayoral post are current council member Jeff Lampson, former mayor Bill Foster, and former councilor Tracy Schell. The three candidates running for the single 2-year term for city council are Perry Cox, Gary Pfund, and incumbent council member Kori Christle, who was appointed to fill a vacancy in February.   Residents may register to vote at City Hall during open hours including primary election day.  City Hall will also be open on Saturday, August 5, and Sunday, August 6, from 8:00 a.m. until noon to register to vote and to turn in absentee ballots. City of Morenci voting polls are open 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 8.
​The City of Morenci is updating its 5-Year Parks and Recreation Plan. As part of this process, the City is required to provide a 30-day period for public comment on the draft plan. Comments will be accepted from August 1 to August 31. The Parks and Recreation Plan draft and feedback survey are linked below. A physical copy of the plan and comment forms are also available at City Hall. As the Parks and Recreation Plan reaches its final phase of completion, the city appreciates the input given thus far and further feedback to compete the project.
Morenci Monthly Newsletters
Notice is hereby given that the Public Accuracy Test for the August 8, 2023, Primary Election has been scheduled for Thursday, August 3, at 10:00 a.m. at City Hall, 118 Orchard Street, Morenci, MI 49256. The Public Accuracy Test is conducted to determine that the program and the computer being used to tabulate the results of the election counts the votes in the manner prescribed by law.
S. East St. between Whitney Ave. and Oak St. will be closed today (7/31) and tomorrow (8/1) for road repair. The detour is E. Main St. to Hammontree Dr. to Skyline Industrial Dr. to S. East St
The Morenci Planning Commission will hold a regular meeting on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. at Morenci City Hall, 118 Orchard St., Morenci, MI 49256 to conduct regular business items for the month of July 2023.
​The City of Morenci Downtown Development Authority will meet for their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. at Morenci City Offices located at 118 Orchard St. Morenci, MI 49256.
​Morenci City Council will hold a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, July 17, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, located at 118 Orchard St. Morenci, MI.
The 2023 Back-to-School Bash is scheduled 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 16 in downtown Morenci. This event will close W. Main St. for students and families to play games, pick up free school supplies, shop local vendors, and enjoy food made by Morenci Area Schools cafeteria staff. There will be booths showcasing school clubs and teams, Morenci Fire & Police Department vehicles to check out, and a dunk tank featuring prominent members of the school and city. This collaborative event for kids of all ages is brought to you by Seneca Community Church, Morenci Area Schools, the City of Morenci, Kiwanis of Morenci, in partnership with Adrian Meijer. Even if you don't have school-age children, you're welcome to come and experience the community coming together to ring in the upcoming school year! Kiwanis of Morenci is now collecting school supplies to distribute to students at the event. Monetary donations are also appreciated. Please drop off donations to the Morenci branch of Premier Bank
​The Morenci Police Department has inventoried found bicycles. Click this link​​ to view, and call the MPD at (517)458-7104 to claim. Unclaimed bicycles will be placed outside of the MPD garage for free on July 15 for Garage Sale Day.
The City of Morenci Downtown Development Authority (DDA) initiated a conversation about establishing a social district late last summer. In a social district, individuals are allowed to consume alcoholic beverages outdoors when purchased from participating businesses within a designated and marked area. The DDA's goal with the social district is to create additional opportunities for businesses to thrive, enhance the availability of events and activities for adults in the downtown area, and attract individuals from the community and surrounding areas.   The process of creating and maintaining a social district involves several checkpoints with the State of Michigan. Currently, 104 communities in 43 counties have successfully established social districts. In October 2022, the City Council approved the proposed map and maintenance plan from the DDA, and the City of Morenci was notified of state approval earlier this year. Flats Pub and Morenci Eagles applied to the State of Michigan to be included in the Morenci Social District and received their certification in late May.  While some cities allow their social districts to be open every day or during specific hours, Morenci's social district operates on an event-based model. This means that businesses must obtain approval from the City Council to open the social district for special events.   The Morenci Social District is divided into a north zone and a south zone. The north zone encompasses the parking lot behind Flats Pub and extends south to the middle of Main Street. The south zone includes the municipal parking lot behind Morenci Eagles and extends north to the middle of Main Street. Zones can be opened separately or together for events where a street closure is permitted. Either business could request opening only the area behind their establishment instead of opening the entire zone.   Each participating business provides plastic cups with its logo and the social district logo to ensure the origin of each drink is regulated. Patrons are required to finish their beverages before entering another establishment. Signage will clearly mark the boundaries and guidelines for the social district. Again, City Council must approve every request to open the social district.
​The concept design phase of the reactivation of Stephenson Park includes a community engagement meeting hosted by the City of Morenci’s landscape architect and project prime professional, Lisa DuRussel. Residents are invited to the public meeting on Monday, July 24 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Stair District Library. Stop in to see the design intention for Stephenson Park, to learn more about the grant funding the City of Morenci was awarded to complete the project, and to provide your feedback. Light refreshments will be served.
​Morenci Monthly Newsletters are being mailed out in water bills this week. Our digital version, which contains additional updates, photos, and helpful links, was emailed to subscribers today.
Morenci’s Annual Citywide Yard Sales are coming up on Saturday, July 15. It’s a good opportunity to sell your unwanted items or score a bargain with a stroll around town. There will be no registration or map this year.
​Morenci Citywide Garbage Pick-up is Saturday, July 22. This service will be in addition to the normally scheduled garbage pick-up on Wednesday, July 19. Refuse items must be placed at the curb before 7:00 a.m. If refuse items are put out after your street has been serviced, the pick-up crew will not be able to return to your residence. This service is for City of Morenci residents only. All refuse items may have only been accumulated from the residence or structure. Click this link for a list of acceptable and unacceptable items: https://5il.co/1ctlu
​In observance of Independence Day, the City of Morenci offices will be closed on Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4th. Modern Waste Systems refuse pick-up is delayed to Thursday, July 6, due to the holiday.
The City of Morenci's Water Quality Report for 2022 is now available.
The City of Morenci Downtown Development Authority will meet for their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. at Morenci City Offices located at 118 Orchard St. Morenci, MI 49256.