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.
Plymouth Utility Superintendent Donnie Davidson approached the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members Monday night with a request to hire wastewater maintenance workers.
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.
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.
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.
The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members discussed an amended agreement for land sale proceeds in the techFarm when they met Monday evening.
Board member Shawn Grobe said the resolution presented outlines the three aspects he wanted to see in the agreement.
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.
The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members this week approved a request from Jim Smart to hold a Unity Walk supporting DACA Dreamers today.
He said the event will begin at noon. Continue reading
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.
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
The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety will meet tonight.
Utility Superintendent Donnie Davidson will present a change order for the Richter Road project while City Engineer Rick Gaul will have several agreements for projects. Continue reading
The Plymouth City auction was a success.
Park Superintendent Michael Hite was in the charge of the auction and reported to the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members on Monday night that almost everything was sold.
The staff at the mayor’s office is looking toward the holiday season and preparing for the annual tree lighting and parade.
Mayor Mark Senter presented the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members this week with a request to close streets for the holiday events.
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 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
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.
More masonry work will be conducted on the Rees Theater this week.
On behalf of the Wythougan Preservation Council and the Rees Theater committee, Randy Danielson asked the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety last week if the company could place barricades on the sidewalks on E. LaPorte Street in order to effectively complete the work. A dumpster may also be placed on the parking spaces on E. LaPorte Street if needed.
Two monetary items were accepted for the Plymouth Fire Department and the Plymouth Police Department.
Fire Chief Rod Miller told the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety this week that the department received a check from Notre Dame for required medical services during practices in Culver. Miller said the check was in the amount of $3,080 and will be deposited in the gift fund.
The Richter Road water main extension project in Plymouth is done. Utility Superintendent Donnie Davidson gave the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety an update on the project on Monday night.
“We have requested a substantial of completion letter. We are withholding retainer in the amount of $6,230.25 upon completion of their punchlist items which are fairly minor,” said Davidson.
The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety considered a resolution on Monday night pertaining to the ability to write off delinquent and uncollectible water, wastewater, garbage, and stormwater bills.
Board member Jeff Houin made a comment that City Attorney Sean Surrisi handles several small claims issues in court and he is working to collect what is owed to the city. The write-offs amount to just over $1,800.
