News and Notes on the
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Or What could be the future
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News and Notes on the
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Or What could be the future
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Marshall residents have almost reached their goal of signatures to put the zoning changes to a referendum. Read more about the campaign at this link.
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3/22/2023 Response to Kelli Scott, MAEDA board member and Calhoun County administrator/controllerRead NowBlueOval Plant no gift to the community Kelli Scott, in her County Update published in the Shopper March 9, 2023 entitled “Ford’s BlueOval Battery Park to spark county economy”, presented a sunny opinion of the project, but when a closer look is taken, one based on facts, the forecast may be far less optimistic. Scott, and others, claim this plant will create “2,500 new, good paying jobs” for our community. While there will be some positions that pay well, the majority of these new jobs will be line workers and Ford pays approximately $18 per hour to their factory workers, as reported in January of this year by Indeed.com and glassdoor.com. This pay results in an annual income in the $40,000 range, which although not quite in the US poverty category, is low for anyone in this area except perhaps a single person, living economically at best. James Durian, CEO of MAEDA, claims that the factory will generate tax revenues. Yes, there will be some increase in payments from citizens that work at the plant, just as when anyone joins the workforce anywhere in the state. But there will be little, if anything, from Ford who will have a 15-year tax abatement and it will take even longer to recoup the millions of dollars in funding awarded to this project. These are our tax dollars being used for a private company - $100 from each man, woman, and child in the state. The battery plant is projected to boost property values according to Scott. To what property does this refer? Certainly not to anyone living near the proposed site where air pollution, increased train and truck traffic, possible contamination of our wells and therefore our drinking water may occur, and a giant eyesore of a factory with 24/7 outdoor lighting will be featured. Will property values rise dramatically in Battle Creek, ”far” away from the factory? Probably not, for only a few of the upper level employees of the plant will be able to afford high priced homes, while the majority of the workers will seek economic housing anywhere they can find it. Remember, affordability will be key to those making so little money. The 245 acres of land that Ford will place into a conservation easement that Scott presents as a gift to the community, a potential park or recreational area, has another side to it. The land is a strip of property that lies between the Kalamazoo River and the railroad tracks. It would serve absolutely no purpose to the company whatsoever. Additionally, The Calhoun County, Mi Marshall Megasite Site Readiness Study, prepared by Burns and McDonnell, acknowledges the likely presence of native American campsites along the river and creeks within the site acreage. By not disturbing the river way and the land adjacent to it, where most archeological sites or artifacts would be located, Ford is negating the need for a thorough archeological survey of the area. The environmental impact this proposed project would have on endangered and protected species was reviewed as well. And once again, by designating the 245 acre conservation easement, Ford gets off the hook by not disturbing the four state protected vascular plant species found in the park area. Unfortunately, the Indiana bat and the Eastern Massassuga rattlesnake, federally endangered and threatened species respectively, aren’t so lucky. The Burns and McDonnell report indicates the megasite “may affect but is not likely to adversely affect” these species. Is it going to help them? Any disruption of their natural habitat is not a good thing to species on the decline. The wonderful old trees along C Drive between 13 and 15 Mile Roads, that would have served the bats well over the summer, have already been removed. Scott’s article states that the “project is a long-envisioned development on industrial-zoned land that has been marketed to international companies for decades”. First, only a small portion of this land was zoned “light industrial” over 40 years ago. The majority of the land was zoned agricultural until recent years when it was quietly converted to industrial zoning without the knowledge of the people in the township and it continued to produce valuable crops year after year. Even Burns and McDonnell refer to the acreage as mainly agricultural, growing soybean and corn crops. So, how could this project have been marketed anywhere for decades? It was not vacant land. It was not unproductive, nor unwanted. It was a contributing factor to our township’s economy and way of life. And if it was marketed, why were all the local residents of the township kept completely in the dark and local officials, planning such a gigantic enterprise, required to sign NDAs? Why the secret? While the Burns and McDonnell study goes into great detail on the current air quality and potential soil contaminants currently present, there is no study that indicates how our air, land and water will be protected from the pollutants any factory of this magnitude would produce. At the Marshall Township Board meeting February 20, 2023, a professor from MSU described that the same qualities of the rich soil within the megasite that makes it such valuable and productive farm land, also make it highly susceptible to absorbing toxins and dispersing them across the land and into the river. That is truly frightening. The Enbridge disaster should have taught anyone in this area to appreciate and protect our Kalamazoo River and not let it be jeopardized for any reason. The proposed development of the Marshall Megasite has been done without the input nor the consent of the people of Marshall Township. At Township meeting after meeting, since the beginning of this year when we were made aware of what was going on, citizens have voiced their opposition to this project. Thus far, our words have fallen on deaf ears. Everyone needs to make themselves aware of the risks this project presents to every aspect of our environment, and to the way of life of the Marshall and Marshall Township residents. It is not too late to end this disaster in the making. Janet Daniels Borders, DVM 3/22/2023 Residents within the marshall megasite responds to MAEDA CEO - Blue Oval Bad for Marshall and MichiganRead Now BlueOval bad for Marshall and Michigan
The opinion piece written by James Durian, CEO of the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance, is the view of a non-resident employee doing a job that, if he succeeds at, will lead to bigger and better opportunities for himself long after he walks away from the disaster he helped create here in Marshall with the BlueOval EV battery plant. Let’s look at the facts.
Janet Daniels Borders, DVM Dale Ray Borders, DVM 3/22/2023 A Veteran's open letter to Senator Peters to stop Ford's Blue Oval Battery Park with the chinese company CATLRead NowDear Senator Peters,
Good afternoon. I was born and raised in Marshall, Michigan. I am emailing regarding the proposed Megasite in Marshall, Michigan. Please consider supporting Senator Rubio’s Revoke act of 2023. The loss of agricultural land, historic farmsteads, and natural spaces for threatened wildlife are among the many reasons this proposed site is dangerous for my community, but the one that infuriates me the most is Ford’s partnership with CATL. How can we as Michiganders and supporters of Veterans allow Ford to partner with our greatest geopolitical adversary and use taxpayer dollars to subsidize the project? To allow a company with direct links to the Chinese Communist Party to operate in our state is an immense betrayal to our community of Michiganders and Veterans. Again, I ask that you support the Revoke act of 2023 and stop Ford’s Partnership with China. Thank you for your consideration. - Respectfully sent, PC 3/14/2023 The Center for Economic accountability criticizes subsidies for ford's blueoval battery parkRead NowAn open letter from the presidentThe average person, whether here in Michigan or elsewhere around the country, has been told by politicians and companies that subsidies work, but they don’t understand just how much they really cost. They see big numbers and just don’t have the context to understand at a gut level exactly how much money we’re talking about here. That’s why we’ve spent a lot of time trying to come up with examples that people can understand about what kinds of other things Michigan could be doing with this much money.
Thank you for taking the time and effort to reach out to us, and I hope that some of this information is helpful to add to your discussions whenever the topic comes up. Thank you for being someone who cares about this issue, and who wants what’s best for our communities. Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions, or if there’s any way we can help spread the word in your community. I’m always happy to come speak to community groups, or sit down with local elected officials to try to help them understand the issues in play. John C. Mozena, President The Center for Economic Accountability (a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit ) www.EconomicAccountability.org 3/6/2023 State of Michigan needs to press "pause" on Ford's EV battery plant in marshall, michiganRead NowCommentary by Rebecca GlotfeltysThe State of Michigan is going full-steam ahead with this corporate welfare project and corporate land grab despite so many red flags. This project inappropriately uses state and federal tax dollars. The amount of money spent in no way justifies the small return on the investment when compared to the enormous social, environmental and economic losses. This project is also a risk to our national security due to the Ford/CATL relationship. Ford has never manufactured an EV battery and can not do so without licensing technology from the Chinese Company CATL. Ford originally stated that Chinese managers will oversee the plant. Ford will be producing lithium batteries but CATL just announced it is working on a battery which uses sodium. Will the lithium batteries be old technology by the time the plant is up and running in 2026? As of now, China controls 50% of the world's lithium supply and CATL has the market share of battery sales world wide. Why are we bolstering a Chinese Mega company? This relationship makes America MORE dependent on China and the Chinese Government. Ford was just trying to get a patent to repossess one's car. What kind of technology will China be putting in every Ford car that is purchased by an American? Some software requires updates or you can't use them. Could my car suddenly freeze up in three years? We're not talking about Chinese toys. We are talking about this technology being used in a large percentage of American vehicles. We will be dependent on a technology controlled by the Chinese Communist Party. This is especially troubling as China continues to flex its muscle in the South China Seas. President Biden has vowed to come to Taiwan's defense. Could we end up at war with China? Maybe this is how China plans to control us? These are things we SHOULD consider before rushing into agreements. We must not be naive. Lastly, we are destroying nearly 2000 acres of farmland for this megasite. The Marshall Township Website calls it, "Some of the best farmland in Calhoun County" and therefore the state. Why are we destroying farmland during a global climate crises?! During a time of global food scarcity? America's Farmland is being lost to drought, flooding and fires. The breadbasket of the world - Ukraine, is currently being destroyed by Russia, causing people in Pakistan and Africa to go hungry. Why would Michigan destroy one of our most valuable resources when there are vacant industrial sites in our state? Agriculture is a multi-billon dollar industry in Michigan. This is some of the BEST farmland in Michigan yet we destroy it for EV Batteries, an unproven solution to our environmental crisis. Our Governor doesn't value farmland , but the Chinese Government does. China is rapidly buying up farmland across the country and it is becoming a growing concern among U.S. military officials. Some properties are located in close proximity to military bases and sensitive infrastructure. Stop the Megasite!
2/23/2023 Marshall Township Supervisor explains why he voted No on the PA 425 Land Transfers of the marshall megasiteRead NowWE learned that the public hearings are all for show
On February 20, 2023, the Marshall Township Board of Supervisors held a Public Hearing on the PA 425 land transfers of property included in the "Marshall Megasite" project. The 2,000 acres is made up of more than 70 different properties which the State of Michigan has obtained by securing options through the private nonprofit organization, MAEDA (Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance). PA 425 are being used to transfer property from Marshall Township to the City of Marshall so that the Marshall Megasite will have access to city water and utilities.
Public Hearings are held for the purpose of obtaining public input in matters. This was the third Public Hearing on the PA 425 land transfers in a little over a month. So far there has been SEVEN hours of public hearings in Marshall Township. With not a single Township resident expressing any support of the proposed Megasite. Despite the overwhelming opposition to the project based on the impact this will have to the overall quality of life of residents, increased air, water, light and sound pollution, destruction of farmland, historic farmsteads, plants and wildlife, a decrease in local property values, threat to the Kalamazoo River and the loss of tax revenue within the township and the loss of control fo the land, the transfers (8 to date) was approved by a 4 to 1 vote of the Township Trustees. Township Supervisor David Bosserd was the sole dissenting vote. After the vote, one resident asked the Trustees to explain why they voted the way that they did. 2/23/2023 Environmental Expert Speaks on Ford's proposed Blue Oval EV Battery Plant, (aka Marshall Megasite)Read Now
Dr. Victoria McGuffin, MSU Chemistry Professor and Environmental expert discusses why Ford's Blue Oval EV Battery Plant (Marshall Megasite) should not be located within the Kalamazoo River watershed. She has over 40 years experience in the field. She presented her statement at the Marshall Township Board of Supervisors Public Hearing on PA 425 Land Transfers on February 23, 2023.
2/21/2023 marshall residents speak against the Ford blue oval battery plant - A letter to the marshall township boardRead NowDear Marshall Township Board,
I am here today to express my concern regarding the proposed electric vehicle battery plant. While it may sound like a great opportunity for our community, there are significant economic concerns that must be taken into account. The production of lithium and cobalt, two crucial materials in electric vehicle batteries, is heavily reliant on unstable foreign markets. These markets are often plagued by political instability, labor violations, and supply chain issues. As a result, prices for these materials can be volatile, leading to unpredictable production costs for manufacturers. Furthermore, the demand for electric vehicles is currently concentrated in a few countries, and it is uncertain whether this demand will continue to grow at a sustainable rate. A sudden drop in demand could leave the proposed plant vulnerable to a boom-and-bust cycle, which would have negative consequences for our local economy. In addition, the lithium and cobalt industry has been linked to numerous environmental and social issues, including water pollution, deforestation, and human rights abuses. These concerns could damage the reputation of our city and negatively impact our local economy. Finally, while the proposed plant may create jobs in the short term, we must consider the long-term economic sustainability of the industry. If demand for electric vehicles decreases, the plant may be forced to downsize or shut down, leaving our community with few options for economic recovery. I heard that the majority of the jobs at the proposed EV plant site are $18-20 per hour. Construction costs being what they are, an average plant worker supporting a family will not be able to afford new construction home or an existing rental. Lastly, the average demographics of the Marshall Township Board, Marshall City Council, and MAEDA board concern me as a millennial. It’s feels like you are only thinking of your limited lifetimes, making a decision on behalf of all of us, leaving the trailing generations to deal with the consequences. In conclusion, I urge the City Council to reconsider the proposed electric vehicle battery plant. The potential economic risks and negative externalities are significant, and we must prioritize sustainable development that is beneficial for our community in the long run. Thank you. Jason Blanchard, Marshall MASTER 425 DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT CITY OF MARSHALL/MARSHALL TOWNSHIPAGREEMENT, made and entered into on this day of February, 2022, amending an
agreement first made March 14, 2006, and renewed for a ten year period by and between the City of Marshall, a Michigan municipal corporation, having offices at 323 West Michigan Avenue, Marshall, Michigan 49068 (the "City"), and the Township of Marshall, a township duly organized pursuant to the laws of the State of Michigan, and existing in Calhoun County, Michigan, having offices at 13551 Myron Avery Drive, Marshall, Michigan 49068 (the “Township”). WHEREAS, extensive property suitable for industrial, commercial and residential development within the jurisdiction of the Township lies to the north, west and south of the City, and WHEREAS, the amount of comparable development property lying within the City is limited, and WHEREAS, the City has excess sewage treatment and water supply capacity capable of serving the development areas in the Township, which may require additional infrastructure considerations depending on the nature of the development; and WHEREAS, the Township does not have sewage treatment or water purification plants or distribution systems, and WHEREAS, the City and the Township have in the past entered into agreements pursuant Act 425 of the Public Acts of 1984 (“425 Agreements") to bring sewer and water to available developmental lands in the Township, and WHEREAS, the terms of each individual 425 Agreement have either been individually negotiated over considerable periods of time prior to the 2006 Master Agreement or were entered into pursuant to the agreement which became effective in March of 2016, and WHEREAS, it would be in the economic best interest of the residents of the City and Township if the City utilities systems served the development lands in the Township, and WHEREAS, it is the desire of the City and the Township to update the renewed Master 425 Agreement which would affect all development lands in the Township thereby assuring prospective 1 developers of Township land of the availability of utilities without the previous delays incurred in the negotiation of individual 425 Agreements, and WHEREAS, the Township and City, through negotiations, have reached an agreement to be utilized in all 425 Agreements to be executed between the Township and the City. NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the Township's agreement not to develop its own sewer and water system, either individually or in conjunction with an adjoining township or municipality, for the period of this agreement and the City's agreement to supply sewer and water, if capacity is available, to Township lands, BE IT AGREED AS FOLLOWS: 1. Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall extend through December 31, 2029, and will automatically renew every ten (10) years unless a ninety (90) day notice in writing is given by either of the parties. Automatic renewal periods shall not extend this agreement beyond 2079. 2. Joint Municipal Planning Commission. A Joint Municipal Planning Commission (“JPC”) shall be has been formed pursuant to Public Act 226 of 2003 (MCL 125.131 et seq.) and will be maintained as long as there is a 425 Agreement between the City and Township. The JPC shall have an equal number of members from both the Township and the City and shall control all land usages for lands subject to a 425 Agreement between the City and Township regardless of whether the 425 Agreement is dated prior to or subsequent to the date of this Agreement. The details of the organization and conduct of the JPC are on Schedule A attached hereto. 3. Definitions. The definition of residentially zoned lands lying South of I-94 and East of I-69 and commercial and industrial lands regardless of location shall be the definition given those land usages in the Marshall City Zoning Ordinance as currently defined. The definition of residentially zoned lands lying North of I-94 or West of I-69 shall be the definition given those land usages in the Marshall Township Zoning Ordinance as currently defined. In the event a zoning ordinance is amended and a definition changed, the definition shall not be changed for the purpose of this Agreement without the mutual consent of the City and Township. 2 The definition of utility system or utilities system shall be the infrastructure required to provide, operate and maintain a City provided utility. The definition of utility or utilities shall be the City's municipally provided sewer, water, electricity and/or broadband FiberNet systems as may be specifically referred to in an individual Public Act 425 agreement. 4. Ceresco Exception. The Township area known as the unincorporated village of Ceresco and defined as the area extending approximately one quarter mile in diameter from the intersection of 12 Mile Road and C Drive North may, contrary to the terms of this Agreement, seek sewer and water services from a source other than the City of Marshall in the event such services are made available at a more economical cost than comparable services in the City of Marshall. 5. Economic Development. The Township Board of Trustees shall designate an economic development officer, with whom the City shall share all development inquiries and who shall receive notice of and be entitled to participate in all meetings with prospective developers. This representative shall be subject to the same confidentiality rules and regulations as are the City's paid economic developers. In the event the Township has a representative serving on the Board of Directors of the Marshall Area Economic Development Authority, that person shall be the Township's designee under this provision. 6. Property Owner Request. In the event an owner of property located in the Township requests sewer and water services from the City and the City has adequate capacity to service the property owner's development, the City and Township shall enter into a 425 Agreement based upon the terms and conditions herein contained provided the cost of extending the sewer and water to the property owner is not paid by either the City or Township. 7. City Restrictions. During the term of this Agreement, the City shall not: a. Enter into a 425 Agreement with any other city, township or other governmental subdivision ("foreign 425 Agreement") except upon the same terms and conditions as those detailed in this Agreement for Township lands lying west of 1-69 and north of I-94 unless 3 * the City agrees to amend the existing 425 Agreements with the Township permitting the township to incorporate into all its existing 425 Agreements one or more of the provisions of the Foreign 425 Agreement. b. Utilize this Master 425 Development Agreement or an individual 425 agreement as a basis to provide City electric power service to a customer already receiving electric power service from another utility without the written consent of the other utility. For purposes of this agreement, the term "customer" shall mean the building or facilities served rather than the individual, association, partnership, corporation, governmental body, or other person or entity taking service. 8. Township Restrictions. During the term of this Agreement, the Township shall not: a. Enter into a 425 Agreement with any other township, city or other governmental subdivision other than the City of Marshall pursuant to this Agreement without the express written consent of the City. b. Construct or develop a sewage treatment plant, water purification plant or sewer and/or water distribution systems or enter into any agreement for the development, construction and/or supplying of these facilities to service Township properties unless the City refuses to increase capacity after a capacity analysis study of the system indicates the inadequacy of the system to handle the Township's request or the City refuses to proceed with a capacity analysis study of the system within one hundred twenty (120) days after the Township's request that capacity be increased. 9. Terms and Conditions of Individual 425 Agreements. The individual 425 Agreements to be entered into pursuant to this Agreement shall, depending upon the location and usage of the lands, provide as follows: a. For commercial and industrial properties east of I-69 and south of I-94: 1) Agreements shall be for a term of fifty (50) years after which the property shall remain in the City. 4 2) 3) 4) The Township shall receive from the City's tax millage four (4) mills on industrial property and four (4) mills on commercial property for the term of the 425 Agreement. The cost for the extension of sewer and water lines shall be paid by the land owner and/or additional new users. An existing building which is zoned commercial or industrial or is a nonconforming commercial or industrial use, if utilized for any purpose or if connected to a septic tank or drain field, that is within three hundred feet (300') of the sewage lines once installed must tie into the sewer and water system upon failure of its existing sewage system under a separate 425 Agreement complying with the terms of this Master Agreement. 5) The burden of all tax abatements shall be shared by the City and the Township in the same percentages as the millage is shared. 6) Utility rates shall not be greater than the rates charged in the City for similar City 7) users. Users, pursuant to this Agreement, shall contribute to repairs and capital improvements to the sewage treatment facilities, water purification plant, well facilities, and distribution systems in the same manner as similar users within the City of Marshall. b. For commercial and industrial properties west of I-69 or north of 1-94: 1) Agreements shall be for a term of fifty (50) years after which the property shall be transferred back to the Township and the City shall own the utility infrastructure which will encourage the City and the Township to negotiate extensions of the Agreement upon expiration of the fifty (50) year term. 5 2) 3) 4) The Township shall receive from the City's tax millage four (4) mills on industrial property and four (4) mills on commercial property for the term of the 425 Agreement. The costs for the extension of sewer and water distribution systems shall be paid by the land owner and/or additional new users. An existing business (commercial or industrial) which is zoned commercial or industrial or is a nonconforming commercial or industrial use, if utilized for any purpose or if connected to a septic tank or drain field, that is within three hundred feet (300') of the sewage lines once installed must tie into the sewer and water system upon failure of its existing sewage system under a separate 425 Agreement complying with the terms of this Master Agreement. 5) The burden of all tax abatements shall be shared by the City and the Township in the same percentages as the millage is shared. 6) Utility rates shall not be greater than the rates charged in the City for similar City users. C. 7) Users, pursuant to this Agreement, shall contribute to repairs and capital improvements to the sewage treatment facilities, water purification plant, well facilities, and distribution systems in the same manner as similar users within the City of Marshall. For new residential developments that are east of I-69 and south of I-94: (1) (2) For the purpose of this paragraph residential development shall be defined as a single-family residence on a lot less than five (5) acres in size or multi-family residences on a lot which averages less than five (5) acres per residence but does not qualify as commercial pursuant to paragraph c(8). Agreements shall be for a term of fifty (50) year after which the property shall remain in the City. 6 (3) The Township shall receive from the City's tax millage two (2) mills on residential property for the term of the 425 Agreement. (4) The cost for the extension of sewer and water distribution systems shall be paid by the land owner and/or additional new users. (5) Utility rates shall not be greater than the rates charged in the City for similar City (6) (7) users. Users, pursuant to this Agreement, shall contribute to repairs and capital improvements to the sewage treatment facilities, water purification plant, well facilities, and distribution systems in the same manner as similar users within the City of Marshall. A Multi-family development shall be deemed commercial for purposes of this Agreement if it contains more than four (4) residences on one (1) tax parcel and shall be developed in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement dealing with commercial property lying east of I-69 and south of I-94. (8) The burden of all tax abatements shall be shared by the City and the Township in the same percentages as the millage is shared. 10. The following developments shall not require a 425 Agreement but shall be entitled to receive City sewer and water services upon the terms and conditions set forth: a. For new single-family residential developments west of I-69 or north of 1-94: 1) If requested by the developer, the Township shall form a sewer district comparable to the Lyon Lake Sanitary Sewer District which shall be accepted by the City. 2) The property shall remain in the Township. 3) The cost for extension of sewer shall be paid by the developer or users. 4) A Multi-family development shall for purposes of this agreement be deemed commercial if it contains more than four (4) residences on one (1) tax parcel and 7 5) shall be developed in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement dealing with commercial property lying north of I-94 and west of I-69. Single-family residential users shall contribute to repairs and capital improvements to the sewage treatment facilities, water purification plant, well facilities, and distribution systems in the same manner as similar users within the City. b. For developed residential property within the Township regardless of location: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) The City shall extend sewer and water lines to developed residential areas in the Township pursuant to the provisions of Public Act 129 of 1943 (MCLA 123.231 et seq.) upon the request of the Township or upon a petition being filed with the Township and the City and signed by two-thirds (2/3) of the property owners within 200 feet of the proposed sewer main. All property owners signing the Petition shall be required to tie into the sewer and water system. A non-signing property owner with a residence within 200 feet of a sewage line once installed must tie into the sewer and water system upon failure of the residence's existing sewer system. The total cost for extending the distribution lines to developed residential areas including but not limited to bonding, engineering and construction shall be the responsibility of the users to be served by the extended distribution lines. The water and/or sewer system shall be installed according to City specifications and ownership of the water and/or sewer systems shall be conveyed to the City upon the City approving of the installation. The City, upon becoming the owner of the water and/or sewer lines, shall thereafter be responsible for the maintenance of the lines. Users on the new water and/or sewer lines shall pay water and/or sewer utility rates as stated in the City's rate ordinance in effect at that time 00 8 11. Additional 425 Agreement's Provisions. The 425 Agreements executed pursuant to this Agreement shall be in the form of Schedule B or Schedule C (whichever is applicable) attached hereto with the additional applicable provisions of this Agreement incorporated therein depending upon the property's location and use. All existing 425 Agreements will be adjusted to increase all Commercial and Industrial to four (4) mills beginning with the 2019 tax year. 12. Entity Exempt from Paying Property Taxes. In the event that a property owner, that is exempt from paying property taxes, requests that the property it owns be part of a 425 agreement; and enters into a municipal services agreement or a payment in lieu of taxes with the City, the City will pass thru to the Township twenty-five percent (25%) of the annual services agreement payment and/or twenty-five (25%) of the payment in lieu of taxes. 13. Existing 425 Agreements. All existing 425 Agreements executed between the City and the Township shall remain in full force and effect as modified by applying the changes required by the original 2006 Master Agreement and the 2019 revisions thereto and all payments provided therein shall continue to the Township with the exception of the State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company Property (Agreement dated June 21, 1992 on property located in the Southwest quadrant of the I-94/Old US 27 interchange lying North of F Drive North and East of 16 1⁄2 Mile Road). ("State Farm") The State Farm Agreement shall be amended when the land is developed to provide that all provisions thereof shall be in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Master 425 Development Agreement with an effective date on the date the property is developed and extending for a period of fifty (50) years thereafter. For the purposes of this paragraph, "developed" shall mean the date on which improvements to the land are incorporated into the taxable value and equal more than five percent (5%) of the real estate value incorporated into the taxable value. Until amended, the City shall continue to make millage payments in accordance with the existing Agreement. This Agreement amends the June 21, 1992, former State Farm property agreement by deleting Section 3.B. that terminates the State Farm Agreement on December 30, 2021. 9 14. City Sewer and Water Capacity. In the event there is a question as to whether or not the capacity of the City sewage treatment plant, wells, water purification plant or distribution systems is adequate to handle the requested Township services, the issue of capacity shall be determined by an independent consultant agreeable to both the Township and the City. The cost of the consultant shall be paid one-half (2) by the Township and one-half (2) by the City. In the event the City and the Township cannot agree upon a consultant, a consultant shall be selected by the Calhoun County Administrator/Controller. 15. Legality of Provision. In the event any provision of this Agreement shall be contrary to public policy, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, or laws of the State of Michigan, such provisions, except items 7 and 8, shall be stricken from Agreement and all remaining paragraphs and parts thereof shall be fully enforceable. In the event paragraph 7 or 8 or any portion of either is declared contrary to public policy or the laws of the State of Michigan, this Agreement shall be void. Chusty a Ramey Executed in the presence of: Muth. But a Chusty A Ramey CITY OF MARSHALL By: The Dal Thomas Tarkiewicze Its: Manager CITY OF MARSHALL By: Lusha Nelson Trisha Nelson Its: Clerk STATE OF MICHIGAN COUNTY OF CALHOUN ) ss. ) On this 9th day of February, 2022, before me, a Notary Public, in and for said County, personally appeared Tom Tarkiewicz, Trisha Nelson, who each being first duly sworn, stated that they are respectively the City Manager and the Clerk of the City of Marshall, are authorized to execute the foregoing agreement on behalf of the City of Marshall and that each has done so as the free act and deed of said City of Marshall. TRACY L. HALL Notary Public - State of Michigan County of Calhoun My Commission Expires 10/19/2025 Acting in the County of Calhoun Tracy A Hall Tracy Hall Notary Public Calhoun County, Michigan My Commission Expires: 10-19-2025 Acting in the County of Calhoun Executed in the presence of: J Pal Qua MARSHALL TOWNSHIP By: ул Julef Its: Supervisor Executed in the presence of: உ lad Ove MARSHALL TOWNSHIP By: |
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Concerned CitizensWe are concerned residents who are oppossed to the State of Michigan's plant to create a 1,600 acre industrial park outside historic Marshall, Michigan. Instead we wish to see a 1,600 acre recreational area on this site which runs along two miles of the Kalamazoo River. Save Historic Marshall, Save Michigan's Agricultural Land and Protect Michigan's green spaces! Archives
May 2023
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