Work on the River Gate South Project has been slow, but City Attorney Sean Surrisi told the Plymouth Redevelopment Commission members Tuesday evening that things are being done at the site.
All posts by Anita Goodan
Marshall County Commissioners Discuss Copier Agreement
The Marshall County Commissioners were presented with a master agreement for the lease or purchase of copy machines for all county departments.
County Councilman Bill Githens worked with Ricoh representative Patrick Nau to formulate an agreement to be presented to County Attorney Jim Clevenger for review. There are five departments who have copier replacement requests in their budgets this year and it is the hope that this contract would save the county thousands of dollars in copier leases or purchases and maintenance and service fees.
Plymouth Man Arrested after Theft Report
A Plymouth man was arrested on Tuesday after allegedly stealing items from a Plymouth business.
Argos Clerk-Treasurer Seeks Approval of Intergovernmental Agreement
Argos Clerk-Treasurer Lisa Mullaney asked the Marshall County Commissioners to consider an intergovernmental agreement between the county, Town of Argos and Building Commissioner Chuck DeWitt for building and planning services.
The Town of Argos is looking toward economic growth. Mullaney said town officials need help with planning and Board of Zoning Appeals assistance to move forward. Mullaney commented that the members of these boards are volunteers and not qualified professionals so guidance from DeWitt would be appreciated.
Challenges Arise in Plymouth City Hall Renovation Project
The companies working on the Plymouth City Hall renovation project have encountered some challenges.
Tyler Kelsey from RQAW told the Plymouth Redevelopment Commission members on Tuesday night that demolition work is nearly complete and new construction is happening on the second floor of the city building.
Commissioners, Highway Supervisor Discuss Damaged Mailboxes
The Marshall County Commissioners would like to see what other counties do in terms of mailbox replacement during plow events.
Highway Supervisor Jason Peters presented a proposed policy during the last meeting that outlined a procedure of how mailboxes are replaced if damaged during a snow event. If the force of the snow knocks down a mailbox or damages a post, the county highway will not accept responsibility for that. If the plow strikes a mailbox, the highway department will replace it.
Plymouth Redevelopment Commission Gets Update on Rees Theater Project
Phase 1 of the Rees Theater project is complete. Randy Danielson gave the Plymouth Redevelopment Commission an update on the work done Tuesday night.
“In two weeks, we will reach our first anniversary of having the building moved over to a not-for-profit,” explained Danielson. “That first phase has allowed us to do the façade work, the masonry work that needed done, a dangerous masonry portion on LaPorte Street was taken care of as well, and the marquee was fixed and repaired so it is part of the community again.”
Marshall County Engineer/Director Position Still Open
The Marshall County Commissioners are still looking to fill the county’s engineer/director position at the county highway department. Commission President Kevin Overmyer said no resumes had been received as of Tuesday morning.
Commissioner Mike Delp said Highway Supervisor Jason Peters has made an offer to hire a clerk at the highway department. Delp added that since things are in a transition phase at the moment, others should be involved when hiring a parts manager.
Plymouth City Council Discusses Dispatch Fees for Center, West Townships
The Plymouth City Council members recently discussed central dispatch fees.
Clerk-Treasurer Jeanine Xaver explained that the city has an agreement with Center Township and West Township to provide fire protection services for them. Plymouth Fire Department would provide what they need for services.
Plymouth City Council to Approve Rainy Day Fund Transfer Resolution
The Plymouth City Council will approve a resolution at their meeting next week pertaining to a transfer of money for the Greenway Trail project.
According to Clerk-Treasurer Jeanine Xaver, the city council authorized the transfer of $250,000 in cash from the Rainy Day Fund to the Greenway Trails Fund. Xaver explained that in order to cover the city’s share and to adequately keep funds in that budget line item the transfer needs to take place. The city will pay for invoices up front and the state will reimburse the city 80 percent of the costs.
Plymouth Redevelopment Commission to Receive Updates on Projects
The Plymouth Redevelopment Commission will receive updates on several projects when they meet tonight.
Marshall County Commissioners to Meet Today
The Marshall County Commissioners will have several discussion items before them when they meet this morning.
Argos Clerk-Treasurer Lisa Mullaney will discuss an intergovernmental agreement for planning services. Clerk Deb Vandemark, acting on behalf of the Marshall County Election Board, will present a contract with Microvote and Brian Kubicki will have an annual agreement with Gibson Insurance for approval. Treasurer Angie Birchmeier will have a tax billing contract proposal from Worrell Corp. and Planning Director Ralph Booker will present a right-of-way dedication for approval for Carl Stockberger.
Plymouth City Council to Discuss User Fees
A committee is looking into the user fees for the City of Plymouth to determine any increases needed.
Clerk-Treasurer Jeanine Xaver reminded the Plymouth City Council that she asked them in July of last year how a shortfall of approximately $452,000 will be made up due to a loss in property tax revenue. She said the loss could be due to tax abatements, property tax appeals, unpaid property taxes and property tax caps. In August of last year, she asked the council members how they were going to offset the raises for firefighters and police officers. Volunteers offered to form a committee to research user fees and possibly present a restructured fee schedule with increases to help offset the revenue loss.
Marshall County Council Approves Rainy Day Fund Transfer
The Marshall County Council members approved a transfer of money to the Rainy Day Fund last week.
Auditor Julie Fox said the council is able to transfer 10 percent of the total of all county budgets from the General Fund to the Rainy Day Fund. She noted that the 2018 budget is just under $25 million and she felt comfortable with the transfer of an amount between $1 million and $1.5 million. Continue reading
New Fees to Take Effect Feb. 1 in Culver
The Town of Culver will require building permits for reproofing projects and installation of solar energy systems in town limits or in the town’s two-mile planning and zoning jurisdiction. The fee schedule goes into effect on Thursday, Feb. 1.
Fees for roof replacements with no structural change will be $50. Permits for micro solar energy systems are $50 while a medium system permit is $100 and $150 for large systems. Continue reading
Proposed Job Description for Part-Time Code Enforcement Officer Goes to Consultant
Marshall County Planning Commission President Stan Klotz was before the Marshall County Council members this week asking to have consultant Waggoner, Irwin and Scheele to put together a job description for a part-time code enforcement officer.
The company’s representatives would finalize the description and recommend a salary range for the position for approval by the county council. The planning commission members recently unanimously approved the proposal to the company for development.
Two New Officers on Duty with Plymouth Police Department
Two new officers were sworn into active duty with the Plymouth Police Department this week.
Large Culver Sign to be Replaced
The large-scale Culver sign at the Culver Town Park will be replaced by the time WinterFest begins on Friday, Feb. 9.
Park Superintendent Anna Campbell told the Culver Town Council members this week that the sign spelling out C-U-L-V-E-R will go in the same place where the plywood sign is now. A mock-up placard that describes the history of the name of the Lake Maxinkuckee town will be included next to the sign until a more concrete structure an be constructed.
Plymouth Officials to Discuss Traffic Changes with Residents on Plum Street
The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members and street department officials are going to contact homeowners in the 500 block of N. Plum Street to communicate possible traffic changes at the intersection with Jefferson Street.
In past discussions, parking along that road has led to complaints of safety and the lack of room for two-way traffic. Members of Plymouth EMS, Fire and Police Departments have reported congestion issues when utilizing that road to respond to emergency calls.
Bremen Downtown Revitalization Preparation Moves Forward
Preparations for a downtown revitalization project in Bremen are moving along. That’s according to Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy.
“JPR started inspections in the basements in all of our downtown businesses and all of the sidewalks,” said Weldy “They’re in all of the buildings downtown inspecting the basements to make sure there aren’t any stairways we didn’t know about or vaults we didn’t know about. So they’re in the process of doing that.”
