FLINT, MI -- Language has been approved to launch recall efforts against Flint Mayor Karen Weaver.

The Genesee County Election Commission voted Wednesday, March 8, to approve recall language submitted by Flint resident Art Woodson to recall Weaver over the city's controversial trash issue.

Woodson started his recall efforts late January, but withdrew his first language after saying he met with Weaver to talk about some of his concerns with the administration.

Woodson says promises at the meeting weren't kept, so he moved forward with submitting new language on Feb. 28 to recall the city's leader.

"I'm happy that they allowed us, the people, to be heard, and we were allowed and approved through recall language. Now it's up to us to get the signatures from the residents of Flint and do what we need to do."

Weaver has not confirmed if she met with Woodson, but did say she has Flint's best interest at heart.

"My goal is, and has always been, to do what is in the best interests of the citizens and the City of Flint," Weaver said in a March 8 statement. "I will continue to fight for the people of Flint and do my job for the people of Flint and do my job as I have been since being elected 16 months ago."

To have the recall placed on the ballot, Woodson needs to collect signatures from residents equal to or more than 25 percent of the city turnout from the last governor's election.

City clerk Inez Brown was not immediately available to comment on that total.

This was the fourth time language was submitted to remove Weaver. In addition to Woodson's two submissions, Flint Resident Alex Harris submitted language twice to start recall efforts.

Harris' language was rejected twice by the Election Commission. Harris said he had nothing to do with Woodson's language, but he agrees with the recall efforts.

"It's about time," said Harris of the language approval. "Now there's a proper venue for the citizens of Flint to determine if it should be on the ballot. The language that I presented previously was not given proper consideration. I had a strong objection to the way they handled themselves. I think Judge Barkey in particular, but Barkey, Cherry and Gleason did a great disservice in understanding the recall process."

Genesee County Clerk John Gleason, County Treasurer Deb Cherry and Probate Judge Jennifer Barkey sit on the Election Commission.

"The issue we have to decide is whether the language is clear, whether or not the language is factual...whether the language is true," Barkey said.

Attorney Kendall Williams, who represented Weaver, argued that the contract was non-existent because of a legal technicality regarding a lawsuit against Weaver and her administration and eight Flint City Council members.

"In this particular instance, the petition language is not true," Williams said. "At the time this particular document was prepared there was an order issued by (Genesee County Circuit Court judge Joseph Farah) and the case that was brought by the Flint City Council."

Williams said because of that order the contract was not valid.

Woodson's language read:

"Mayor Karen Weaver, on signed September 22, 2016 signed an emergency waste collection contract with Rizzo Environmental Service(s)," reads the language filed with the Genesee County Clerk's Office on Feb. 24.

His initial language submitted read as follows:

"Mayor Karen Weaver used the emergency purchase waste collection services to give a contract to Rizzo Environmental Service(s), while signing an extension with Republic Waste Services, causing the tax payers to pay two waste collection services."

Woodson, who was threatened with a lawsuit by Rizzo in July 2016, then argued that because a Genesee County judge had an order in place for the city to continue using Republic Waste Services to haul Flint's trash there was no real trash emergency.

In October 2016, it was reported that Rizzo Environmental Services was under federal investigation for bribery and corruption. Since then, at least three officials have been arrested and charged in Macomb and Clinton townships.

Shortly after the October investigation made news, Weaver and the city council settled their ongoing garbage dispute and decided to continue contracting with Republic Services to haul Flint's trash.

Weaver will still be able to appeal the decision in court. If the language makes it through court, Woodson will still have the task of getting enough signatures to move forward with putting Weaver's recall on the ballot.