The Plymouth City Council members reviewed a proposed contract last week between Marshall County Health and Wellness, Inc. and the City of Plymouth for support of the operations of the Dr. Susan Bardwell Aquatic Center.
In a previous meeting, the Plymouth City Council approved an additional appropriation of $75,000 to be spent on operations at the Aquatic Center until a more long-term solution is found. The initial request was $150,000.
City Attorney Sean Surrisi explained the contract as it was presented to the Plymouth City Council members.
“This proposes to make an installment of half of the $75,000 that was appropriated – $37,500,” explained Surrisi. “Beginning in the month after that payment is made there would be a reporting requirement that Marshall County Health and Wellness would provide documentation of what expenditures that money was put toward by the 10th of the following month.”
A similar contract could be presented in three months when the other half of the appropriation is requested.
Clerk-Treasurer Jeanine Xaver expressed conflict of interest concerns about the city paying Marshall County Health and Wellness, Inc. as Surrisi and Mayor Mark Senter serve on that board with several other members. She thought the money was going straight to the operations of the Aquatic Center based on previous conversations. Surrisi responded that it was his point of view that the money would go to the entity that would in turn pay for the operations at the Aquatic Center. He also noted that neither he nor the mayor have direct interest of the funds that will be spent on behalf of the entity on expenses at the Aquatic Center.
There was a waiver of conflict approved by the Marshall County Health and Wellness, Inc. board members. Further, a report of expenditures would be public record and could be reviewed by the public under the Access to Public Records Act.
The contract was approved with a unanimous vote.
