Marshall County Commissioner Mike Delp would like to ask an all-hazards preparedness facilitator to present information to county and municipal leaders.
Delp explained to the Plymouth City Council members that he attended a workshop in January in Elkhart County that focuses on efforts for leaders responsible for their community’s preparedness, response and recovery capabilities.
The Plymouth City Council members took action Monday night to consider two resolutions designating certain real estate within the city to be within an Economic Revitalization Area for purposes of property tax abatement.
The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members plan on opening bids for surface treatment spring projects and street and sidewalk projects when they meet tonight. The board members will also consider a conditional offer of employment for a paramedic position and a request to release partial retainage funds for Kokosing Industrial for work done on the wastewater treatment facility.
The board will meet at 6 p.m. tonight followed by the Plymouth City Council meeting.
The City of Plymouth was recently awarded a grant for the LaPorte Street historic footbridge.
Clerk-Treasurer Jeanine Xaver told the council members last week that the federal government will reimburse the city $1.3 million of the $2 million project. That leaves the city with funding the rest of the project. Xaver said the city should plan now to find the $800,000 needed for the project. While the entire amount doesn’t need to be appropriated this year, a fund should be set up so the money can be moved as needed.
Two Plymouth businesses are anticipating an expansion.
Representatives from Pretzels, Inc. and Weir Enterprises, LLC spoke to the Plymouth City Council members about their intentions to expand and create jobs.
A Plymouth police officer injured in the line of duty will not lose any pay or benefit time as he recovers from surgery.
The Plymouth City Council took action to assist those affected with flood damage with cleanup efforts.
A resolution was passed Monday night that moves $100,000 within the Motor Vehicle Highway Fund into contractual services for relief efforts. Street Department Superintendent Jim Marquardt said residents and businesses suffering damage from the flood should separate drywall, carpeting and wood items from electronics and appliances and place it in an area to be picked up. Chemicals will be under the jurisdiction of the Solid Waste District. The debris will be picked up by members of the street department and disposed of as necessary.
The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety will meet tonight where the members will ratify an executive order designating a watch level travel advisory due to flood conditions. The board is also expected to receive reports from department heads and City Engineer Rick Gaul who has a discussion topic concerning the traffic signal at the intersection of Oakhill/Soice and Michigan Street.
The Plymouth Street Department’s main building and cold storage will get a lighting upgrade.
Street Superintendent Jim Marquardt told the Plymouth City Council members last week that they are no longer able to find the fluorescent bulbs for the building at a reasonable rate. A light survey was done by the members of the company who completed other lighting projects for other city buildings. It was determined that the fixtures to accommodate LED lighting would cost nearly $30,000. The street department crew will install the fixtures.
The Plymouth City Council members held the first reading of an ordinance Monday night that sets the pathway for funding the Aquatics Center, Early Childhood Learning Center and offices for the Marshall County Community Foundation and United Way organizations. They will be constructed on Miller Drive near the Lifeplex facility west of Plymouth.
The City of Plymouth User Fee Schedule Subcommittee members are reviewing department reports before bringing a recommendation for proposed user fee rate changes at an upcoming meeting.
Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter told the Plymouth City Council members that he is waiting on information from the police department and the fire department. Those statistics are expected on Wednesday so the subcommittee can formulate a plan to proceed.
The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety will meet tonight where the board members will have an update on the U.S. 30 and Baker Ditch bridges project as well as the Greenways Trail Phase II project from City Engineer Rick Gaul. Utility Superintendent Donnie Davidson will have a grant application and a request for approval of substantial completion of the wastewater plant.
Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter will be meeting with department heads to discuss user fees before potential increases are presented to the Plymouth City Council members for consideration.
The Plymouth City Council members approved the transfer of cash from the Rainy Day Fund to the Greenways Trail project fund in the form of a resolution.
In a previous story, Clerk-Treasurer Jeanine Xaver explained that the city council already 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 needed to take place. The city will pay for invoices up front and the state will reimburse the city 80 percent of the costs.
The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety will meet tonight where City Engineer Rick Gaul will have several updates on discussion items. He will present information on the Plum and Jefferson Street intersection, Baker survey issues, Baker Ditch Bridges, and U.S. 30 ramp detour. City Attorney Sean Surrisi will ask the board members to ratify the temporary closure of East Garro Street for the City Hall project. The board will also consider an agreement between the Plymouth Community Ambulance Service and the State of Indiana for the annual government ambulance payment adjustment for managed care service. An agreement for the preparation of the provider cost report for 2017 will also be considered.
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.
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.
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.
The intergovernmental agreement between Marshall County and the City of Plymouth for planning services with Planning Director Ralph Booker will be discussed by the Plymouth City Council members on Monday.
County Attorney Jim Clevenger told the Marshall County Commissioners on Tuesday morning that Plymouth City Attorney Sean Surrisi was off much of the last part of December and didn’t have a chance to review the paperwork prior to Tuesday’s commissioners meeting.
Plymouth Clerk-Treasurer Jeanine Xaver sought permission to carry out year-end financial obligations during the city council meeting Wednesday night.
Clerk-Treasurer Xaver asked board members for the go ahead to make year-end transfers and encumbrances as necessary. She added that the figures will be added to the minutes from the meeting. Continue reading
