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 →

Plymouth Business Granted Two Parking Passes for Patients

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Those visiting a dentist’s office in downtown Plymouth may not incur a parking violation if procedures take longer than what the parking ordinance allows.

Two hour parking is allotted for patrons who visit downtown area businesses, but a letter signed by Dr. Louis Plumlee asked the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety if passes could be issued to his patients who may need to stay at his office for an extended period of time. The request mentioned that some root canals and other dental operations may take two or three hours, depending on the nature of the visit. Continue reading →

Plymouth BOW Ratifies Bid

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Plymouth Street Superintendent Jim Marquardt asked the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members Monday night to ratify a bid presented to them at the prior meeting for street and sidewalk work.

Plymouth City Attorney Sean Surrisi opened bids for the projects during the Oct. 11 meeting. Following the meeting Chris Marshall with the city engineer’s office reviewed them and the lowest bid provided by Walsh and Kelly was found to be within the specifications requested. Continue reading →

Plymouth BOW, City Council to Meet Tonight

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety will meet tonight where Utility Superintendent Donnie Davidson will present a change order for the Richter Road project. The change order should officially complete the project that includes better connectivity by looping the water connections from Baker Street down to Richter Road and then reconnecting at Jefferson and Warana. The board approved a request at the last meeting to hold a retainer of $6,230.25 upon the punchlist items and those items should now be complete.

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