City of Flint Considers Revoking Licenses of Two Scrap Yards

The city of Flint is considering revoking the business licenses of two are scrap yards that were found to be in possession of stolen scrap metal.

According to Mlive , the city hopes to send a message that it won’t tolerate thieves who sell the stolen scrap metal and on Monday, the Flint City Council voted to invoke one of its rarely used powers: holding a hearing to consider revoking the business licenses of two Flint scrap yards that allegedly possessed stolen manhole covers and catch basins from city streets.

The vote came on a recommendation from the city’s legal department after a Flint police investigation found the businesses had the scrap materials, officials said.

Representatives for the scrap yards, Spooner Metals and J&S Auto Salvage, asked council members not to set a hearing, each saying the businesses are willing to work with the city on its recent crackdown against illegal scrapping.

City Attorney Peter Bade has said Spooner had 45 city manhole covers but no records of whom it received them from, which Bade said is against local and state laws.

Elson said the business keeps records of its scrap materials and takes precautions to ensure it does not take in stolen scrap. He said Spooner has reported to the city in the past when it received city covers and grates.

The City Council has set the hearing for Oct. 3.