04/15/11 Monday evening members of the Plymouth Common Council considered the requests of two downtown business and building owners for a subsidy grant from the Plymouth Community Improvement Commission.
Mr. Phillip Cook made applications for a subsidy grant to assist in the renovation of his building at 200 North Michigan Street. The project was a roofing job that ended up being an emergency due to a rear portion of the building’s roof falling in. Cost of the project was $12,192 and the Community Improvement Commission suggested a 20% match of the eligible costs not to exceed $2,438.40.
Mr. Gary Treat also made application for a subsidy grant to assist in the renovation of his building at 308 North Michigan Street. The project at Treats is also a roofing job with a total cost of $11,517. The Community Improvement Commission suggested a 20% match of eligible cost, not to exceed $2,303.40.
The Common Council approved the recommendation of the Plymouth Community Improvement Commission by a 4 to 1 vote with Councilman Chuck Ripley voting against. He believes that the grants should be used for improvements to facades and not to general maintenance issues.
City Attorney Nelson Chipman did present ordinance 2011-2019, an ordinance to amend chapter 33 of the Code of Ordinances by specifically spelling out the responsibilities of the Mayor, Community Improvement Commission, and City Council. Chipman said, “The Community Improvement Commission established some basic procedural rules and responsibilities over time but they were mainly ‘loosey goosey’ rules and this ordinance will specifically spell out in stone the eligibility of costs and rebates, properties, and applicants as well as the application procedure.”
The Council will consider the ordinance on second reading during their meeting on April 25th.
