The Plymouth City Council members reviewed the proposed park department fee ordinance when they met last week.
The park board approved the fee schedule two weeks ago. Park Superintendent Michael Hite noted that he meets with the executive board once a year to go over the fees. He said in 2011 there were increases, but lowered them in 2013 because a lot of the buildings were not rented because of the higher fees. He mentioned that the rates for 2018 are the same as 2017.
The Bremen Town Council members learned last week that volunteers with the Habitat for Humanity organization will be building a house with the occupant beginning in the spring of 2018.
According to Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy, officials with the organization bought land at 340 W. Water Street by the street department. They will be working with a family to help build the home.
The Plymouth City Council members last week reviewed an agreement with the Marshall County Council on Aging for 2018.
City Attorney Sean Surrisi explained that the agreement is unchanged from last year’s terms. It confirms the city’s contribution of $8,000 to help support the community cab program. The program is an effort by the county and the city to provide public transportation to residents.
The Culver Town Council members opened bids for surplus equipment at the street department and the ambulance during their meeting last week.
The highest bids were approved which included $2,900 for a 1999 leaf vac machine, $2,500 for the 1964 grader, $150 for the 1993 Patchman trailer, $1,500 for the 2000 Ford F-150, and $1,500 a 2000 Leeboy 300 roller. Utility Superintendent Bob Porter was pleased with the bids as they came in higher than he expected.
The Marshall County Commissioners will discuss the intergovernmental agreement with Planning Director Ralph Booker and the City of Plymouth when they meet this morning. The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members approved the agreement and contract with Booker during their meeting on Monday, Dec. 11. A lengthy discussion concerning a code enforcement employee was held during the Marshall County Council meeting on Monday, Dec. 11.
Plymouth City Councilman Bill Walters asked his fellow Plymouth City Council members to look into the traffic pattern at Jefferson and Plum Streets.
Walters said the issue was discussed in prior meetings, but the issue there hasn’t been resolved.
The Culver Town Council members adopted two ordinances this week.
An ordinance was approved on second and third reading that allows a retiring police officer, who has served at last 20 years in law enforcement, the ability to retain his or her service weapon, badge and identification cards.
Some employees working for the Town of Bremen will be wearing uniforms beginning in the new year.
Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy said the town council made that decision during this week’s meeting.
The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members considered a request from the management at the Brass Rail restaurant in the downtown area to block parking spaces to the north of the building on Washington Street.
The owners plan to remodel the dining area of the establishment and need the parking spaces for dumpsters. The request was to block the parking spaces from Tuesday, Jan. 2 until Saturday, Jan. 20.
New lighting will be installed at the Culver-Union Township Fire Department.
Fire Chief Terry Wakefield told Culver Town Council members this week that he’s been working for a long time to update the lighting to include LED lights. He said the cost for the 51 lights needed for the project is $7,896.30. NIPSCO will review the work and reimburse the town $80 per light. He said it works with the lighting package they have through NIPSCO.
Plymouth City Council member Don Ecker, Jr. asked Mayor Mark Senter and Clerk-Treasurer Jeanine Xaver this week why they aren’t getting raises in the 2018 salary ordinance.
Mayor Senter said he thought it was the right thing to do.
Construction on the Lake Maxinkuckee Amphitheater could be complete by the Memorial Day holiday in 2018.
Mike Reese from the Troyer Group gave the Culver Town Council members a timeline for the bidding process and construction.
The Bremen Board of Zoning Appeals considered a variance this week in order for a business owner to buy a church and make it into a building to be used for special events. That’s according to Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy.
Plymouth Fire Chief Rod Miller asked the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members this week for the prepayment of a new ambulance.
“I’m asking the board authorize Clerk-Treasurer Jeanine Xaver to prepay an invoice to Crossroads Ambulance Service in the amount of $186,806 even,” said Miller. “It’s supposed to be done any time now. If we could have authorization for Jeanine to do that and hold the check until the inspection has been done by me and accepted by me.”
Marshall County Recorder Marlene Mahler took a few minutes Monday morning to show the county council members the work an agency in Michigan has done to refurbish the county’s plat books.
The Culver Town Council members considered a proposal from Mike Reese with the Troyer Group to assist the town in the many aspects required within the town’s designation as a Stellar Community.
Reese said there are a lot of components to the grant and other requirements to be considered.
The Bremen Town Council members were updated on two ongoing projects during their meeting on Monday night.
Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy said the clean-up project at the old Clarke gas station property is nearly complete.
Marshall County Sheriff Matt Hassel asked the county council members Monday morning to apply for a Department of Natural Resources grant for Lake Marine Patrol.
Sheriff Hassel said the grant is for patrols for Lake Maxinkuckee in Culver.
“There’s no county cash match or anything. It’s strictly the grant. The Culver Lake Association pays for the program,” said Hassel.
The Plymouth City Council members considered a resolution Monday night to transfer cash from the City Development Fund to the Safe Routes to School Fund.
The issue of a part-time code enforcement officer was discussed during Monday morning’s Marshall County Council meeting.
Planning Commission President Stan Klotz noted that there are some issues concerning code enforcement in the county. He said Planning Director Ralph Booker is in an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Plymouth in addition to his full-time duties with the county. He believes that because of the split focus, code enforcement has been lacking in the county.
