Plymouth City Council Approves Tax Abatement for American Containers

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

When the Plymouth City Council met last night, they held a public hearing over the American Containers, Inc tax abatement. No public comments were provided so the hearing was adjourned.

During a previous meeting, the council acted on the resolution approving the location in which American Containers, Inc is positioned to be within an area designated as a Economic Revitalization Area making the company eligible for potential tax abatement.

Last night the council took the second step in the expansion process by holding the public hearing and approving the seven-year, phase in, real and personal property tax abatement.
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Plymouth Redevelopment Commission Agrees to Commit Funds

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The Plymouth Redevelopment Commission committed to providing $40,000 worth of funding two different organizations when they met last week.

According to City Attorney Sean Surrisi, commission members agreed to recommit $30,000 to the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation. The same amount of funding was committed to the Marshall County EDC last year. Continue reading →

Groundbreaking Ceremony Set for River Gate South Apartment Project

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Officials will break ground on a new housing development that will include one, two and three bedroom units and nine condos in downtown Plymouth.

The River Gate South apartment project will be located along with historic Yellow River. It was proposed as a workforce housing need to help increase economic health and stability. Funding for the project was made available through the Regional Cities Initiative while the City of Plymouth committed funds seeing this as an opportunity to help advance the community.

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Plymouth Clerk-Treasurer Earns Certification

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
Jeanine Xaver

Plymouth City Clerk-Treasurer Jeanine Xaver received her designation as a Certified Municipal Clerk this week.

The designation was handed down by officials with the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, Inc. The award is given to municipal clerks who complete demanding education requirements. The designee also has a record of significant contributions to their local government, community and state.

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Phone Scam Hits Plymouth Area

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Be aware of a phone scam in the Plymouth area.

According to Plymouth officials, the scam artist is using the city’s name and asking for credit card information. The caller ID shows the number originating from a city department. The recorded message said the person was from the City of Plymouth and needed the victim’s credit card information.

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Plymouth BOW Approves New Downtown Parking Restriction

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

A street in the downtown area will now have a parking restriction as approved by the Plymouth Board of Public Works last night.

Business owner, Pamela Mahler Lee, submitted a request asking that Water Street between Garro and Washington Streets have a parking restriction on the west side. According to Lee, it’s difficult for patrons to easily park with easy access to the three stores in that area as city employees, and store owners with businesses on Michigan Street take up those parking spots for the majority of the work day.

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Retired Officer Receives Firearm Following Plymouth Ordinance Amendment

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Ted Brown has been reunited with his service weapon.

He’s the Plymouth Police officer who retired after more than 20 years on the force to become Director of School Safety with the Plymouth School Corporation. As part of his retirement, Police Chief Dave Bacon recommended to the Plymouth Board of Works that Brown’s service weapon be deemed surplus property and gifted to him.
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S&P Upgrades Plymouth’s Bond Rating

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

A “recent trend of strong financial performance” has caused Standard and Poor’s to upgrade the City of Plymouth’s bond rating from A to A+. The higher the bond rating, the more favorable the interest rate the city will get when it sells bonds to fund public works projects.

The assessment comes just as the city prepares for the refunding of sewage works revenue bonds and for the sale of waterworks revenue bonds later this week.

The city is looking to finance comprehensive renovations of the Ledyard Water Treatment Plant and water main extensions. The bond sale looks to gather $5.5 million for the projects.

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Plymouth Councilman Predicts Return of Highway Tax Talks

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

At least one elected official in Marshall County believes the controversial topic of vehicle excise and wheel taxes to pay for road repairs will return. Plymouth Common Councilman Mike Delp says taxpayers need to keep the proposed user fees in perspective. He told his fellow council members last night people are concerned about paying $25 per vehicle but are willing to pay an average of $71 per month for cell phone service or $86 per month for cable TV and Internet service. Continue reading →

Marshall County Commissioners Review Roundabout Agreement

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Marshall County Attorney James Clevenger has drafted an agreement between the County and the City of Plymouth concerning the maintenance of the roundabout. Further discussion by the Commissioners has prompted its return to a meeting for approval.

The agreement calls for all expenses and improvement of the roundabout be the sole obligation of the City of Plymouth. The city has plans for signs as well as landscaping. Whatever improvements are planned would be approved by the Commissioners before any action is taken. Any planned landscaping would also need to comply with the proper navigation of vehicles around the roundabout. The city must also comply with all federal, state and local regulations.

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Marshall County Clerk’s Office Gathers First Absentee Ballots

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Marshall County Clerk’s Office welcomed two voters Tuesday as they cast absentee ballots on the first day to do so in the City of Plymouth Primary.

Mayoral candidates include incumbent Republican Mark Senter, who will face the winner of the Democratic Party contest between Rex A. Crump and Anthony P. (Tony) Gamble. Republican Jeanine M. Xaver is the lone candidate for Plymouth Clerk-Treasurer.
Seven candidates have filed for the three available Plymouth Common Council At-Large seats. They include incumbent Republican Mike Delp, Republican Christopher R. Berdahl, Democrat Gary L. Cook, Democrat Jeffery R. Houin, Republican Burke L. Richeson, Democrat Joshua Walker and Republican Bill Walters.

Incumbent Republican Duane L. Culp is seeking another term as the District 1 candidate on the Plymouth Common Council. In District 2, Incumbent Republican Don Ecker, Jr. is the lone candidate. Incumbent Republican Wayne A. Smith and Democrat Shiloh Fonseca are vying for the District 3 seat and Incumbent Republican Shawn Grobe is looking to represent District 4 for another term.

The Marshall County Election Board opted to reduce absentee voting hours to Mondays and Fridays only for this primary since fewer voters are expected. The next opportunity to vote will be Monday, April 13, when polls will be open from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Absentee voting is also available on Saturday, April 25 and Saturday, May 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET.

The final opportunity to vote absentee is May 4 from 8 a.m. to noon prior to the election on Tuesday, May 5.

Marshall County Commissioners Split Cost of Conduit with Plymouth

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Marshall County Metronet project is drawing to a close.

The commissioners last week approved a payment agreement between the county and the City of Plymouth for shared conduit installation. The county is to pay half of the cost of the installation and handholds on Lincolnway to State Road 17 on Pioneer Drive, Pioneer Drive to Overmyer Drive and three lateral connections to the three county buildings for a total cost of $37,513.76. The city will pay the same cost for those installation costs.

The commissioners unanimously approved the agreement and now it will go to the Plymouth Redevelopment Commission for their review.