Plymouth BOW Discusses Intergovernmental Agreement

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members discussed the intergovernmental agreement between the city and the county for planning services when they met Monday night.

According to Clerk-Treasurer Jeanine Xaver, the board members learned that the Marshall County Commissioners amended the agreement to pay Planning Director Ralph Booker for the first three months in 2018 and then conduct an evaluation of work in order to continue on with the contract for the next quarter. The board members agreed to the amendment.

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Plymouth Board of Public Works Members Approve Change Order and 2017 Community Crossings Contracts

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Plymouth Street Superintendent Jim Marquardt presented Board of Public Works members with 2017 Community Crossings Matching Grant contracts and a change order for spring sidewalk and street projects at their meeting Wednesday.

The change order included three quantity adjustments for work done to Jefferson Street as well as deductions for pavement markings and stones that were not required. Board members unanimously approved the change order which Marquardt said amounted to an additional $1,369.25. Continue reading →

Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety Members Address Parking Problems on Gary Drive and Plum Street

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

At the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety meeting this week, Street Superintendent Jim Marquardt received permission to install signage on Gary Drive, near Love’s Travel Stop.

Superintendent Marquardt asked board members to allow him to put up no parking signs in that area to keep semi-trucks from parking vehicles on the roadway. He said the problem became the most apparent when they ran into trouble plowing streets due to the abundance of trucks parked on the road, rather than in the lot. Mayor Mark Senter commented that it should be common sense for people not to park there, but agreed that something should be done to prevent future problems. The request received unanimous approval from board members.

Board members also continued discussion about problems with parking on Plum Street. Continue reading →

Plymouth Street Superintendent Announces Completion of Safe Routes to School Project, Opens Bids for 2018 Fuel and Street Supplies

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Plymouth Street Superintendent Jim Marquardt alerted members of the Board of Public Works and Safety that all work on the Safe Routes to School project has officially been completed.

Marquardt explained the final step was to receive board approval and get the Mayor’s signature on the project. Board members unanimously approved his request to finalize the Safe Routes to School project.

Additionally, Marquardt opened bids for 2018 fuel and street supplies. The city received two bids for fuel supplies. Continue reading →

Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety and City Council to Meet Tonight

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members will open bids for 2018 fuel and street supplies when they meet tonight at 6 p.m. ET. The City Engineer is scheduled to discuss 2017 Community Crossing Matching Grant Project contracts. Reports will be presented from various department heads, the City Attorney and the Secretary and Finance Officer. Mayor Mark Senter will also provide board members with a report.

Additional business includes a discussion over traffic on Plum Street and accepting November 2017 reports from the Water and Wastewater departments.

At 6:30 p.m., or immediately following the first meeting, Plymouth City Council members will convene. Members will first address any unfinished business including any tabled ordinances, resolutions or other items. Continue reading →

Marshall County Commissioners Makes Change to Intergovernmental Agreement

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Marshall County Commissioners considered the intergovernmental agreement between Planning Director Ralph Booker and the City of Plymouth when they met Monday morning.

For years, the county has had an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Plymouth. The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety recently agreed to a contract where the county would be paid a certain amount for six months in 2018 and Booker paid another amount for the same six months in 2018 for services rendered. Booker is anticipating retirement from his county position in June of 2018 and following that the entire amount would go to Booker as he tentatively plans to stay with the city as the plan director. The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members approved that agreement.

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Plymouth BOW Considers Request to Block Parking Spaces

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

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.

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Plymouth BOW Considers Prepayment of Ambulance

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

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.”

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Marshall County Council, Plymouth BOW Discuss Planning Director, Contracts

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

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.

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Plymouth BOW and City Council to Meet Tonight

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members will meet tonight where the 2018 intergovernmental agreement between Marshall County and the City of Plymouth for planning services will be discussed. If that agreement is approved, Plan Director Ralph Booker will present the 2018 planning services agreement.

The board members will also consider the 2018 animal control services agreement.

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Plymouth Utility Superintendent Gives Update on Wastewater Treatment Plant Project

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Plymouth Utility Superintendent Donnie Davidson gave the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members an update on the wastewater treatment facility plant improvement project.

He asked that $30,000 be shifted for the purchase of inspections and construction engineering. He said this will not affect the bottom line. The board approved the request.

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Mayor’s Youth Council Presents Information to Plymouth BOW

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members considered a request from the Mayor’s Youth Council to move forward with their plans for the Adopt-a-Street program.

The group met recently to determine roles and responsibilities of an Adopt-a-Street program in Plymouth. According to the presenters, the program was initiated to create cleaner streets and improve Plymouth. They hope to encourage community members to clean streets and inspire everyone to come together to clean up the city.

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Plymouth City Council to Discuss Water, Sewer Rate Increases

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Plymouth City Council members are expected to discuss water and sewer rate increases when they meet tonight at 6:30 p.m.

A public hearing is set to gather public comment on the matter.

During a special meeting held Monday, Oct. 30, the city council learned that with Bay Valley Foods and Del Monte closing at the end of year water and wastewater treatment revenue losses are imminent. To help bridge the gap, an ordinance outlining a one-time raise in the water rate of 12 percent to begin Jan. 1, 2018, was proposed. In addition, an ordinance detailing a three-phase wastewater rate increase was proposed. It would allow for a 10 percent increase in wastewater rates beginning Jan. 1, 2018, with another 10 percent increase on Sept. 2, 2018, and a third 10 percent increase in March of 2019.

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Baker Street Project Complete

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Safe Routes to School project on Baker Street in Plymouth is complete.

The months-long project wrapped up on Monday. New sidewalks, curbs and gutters were installed to allow for a better walking path for students on their way to the schools. The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety previously approved a bid for just over $300,000 for the project. The city’s share of that is approximately $61,000.

City Engineer Rick Gaul told the board members on Monday that a change order will be presented to the board during a future meeting. He said he anticipates the entire amount will be under construction project cost.

The project had been in the works since 2014.

Plymouth BOW Holds Discussion on TechFarm Agreement Amendment

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety held discussion on an amendment to the techFarm land sales agreement with Van Vactor Farms on Monday night.

Under the current agreement, which is amended from the original agreement, when land is sold in the techFarm area the money from the sale is split between Van Vactor Farms and the City of Plymouth. The city’s portion goes into a monetary gift fund to be used at the discretion of the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members to enhance the city. Continue reading →