A
SSOCIATED
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EWSPAPERS OF
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ICHIGAN
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June 7, 2018
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LYMOUTH
- R
OMULUS
Romulus Farmers Market will open next week
NOTICE OF CONSIDERATION TO ESTABLISH A RECREATIONALAUTHORITY
PURSUANT TO THE RECREATIONALAUTHORITIES ACT, PA 321 OF 2000, MCL 123.1131 et. seq.
This item will be considered at a Regular Meeting of the Charter Township of Plymouth Board of Trustees on Tuesday, June 12,
2018 at 7:00 PM at Plymouth Township Hall located at 9955 N Haggerty Road, Plymouth MI 48170
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION FOR THE
PLYMOUTH AREA RECREATIONALAUTHORITY
These articles of incorporation for the Plymouth Area Recreational Authority (“PARA”) are adopted by the City of Plymouth, a
Michigan home rule city whose administrative offices are located at 201 S. Main St., Plymouth, MI 48179 (the “City”), and the
Charter Township of Plymouth, a Michigan charter township whose administrative offices are located at 9955 N. Haggerty Rd.,
Plymouth, MI 48170 (the “Township”), to take effect as of _________________, 2018.
ARTICLE I
CREATION
1.1 Creation. There is established the Plymouth Area Recreational Authority (“PARA”) in accordance with the Recreational
Authorities Act, 2000 PA 321, MCL 123.1131,
et sec.
(“Act 321”), the participating municipalities for which are the City and the
Township and which shall be a public body corporate.
1.2 Purpose. PARA is established for the following purpose: to acquire, construct, operate, maintain, and improve the Plymouth Arts
and Recreation Complex located at 650 Church Street in the City of Plymouth (the “PARC Property”) as an arts and recreation com-
plex serving residents of the City and the Township as authorized under Act 321.
1.3 Territory. The territory of PARA is the combined jurisdictional limits of the City and the Township.
1.4 Board.
(a) PARA shall be initially governed by a seven member appointed Board of Directors (Board). The Mayor of the City with
the consent of the City Commission shall appoint three (3) Board members. The Township Supervisor with the consent of the
Township Board shall also appoint four (4) Board members. The appointed board shall serve until midnight, December 31,
2020. Board members shall be residents of and registered voters in their respective communities.
(1) A vacancy prior to the expiration of a term shall occur upon any of the following: (i) the death
of the incum-
bent; (ii) the incumbent’s resignation; (iii) the incumbent’s removal from office; (iv) the
incumbent’s ceasing to reside
within the jurisdictional limits of the appointing entity (v) the
incumbent’s conviction of any infamous crime or the
incumbent’s offense involving a violation of
the incumbent’s oath of office; (vi) the decision of a court or other
competent tribunal, declaring
void the incumbent’s appointment; or (vii) the incumbent’s refusal or neglect to
take the oath of
office, or to give or renew any official bond, or to deposit such oath or bond, in the manner
and
within the time prescribed by law.
(2)An appointed board member may be removed by the appointing body for good cause shown after a public hearing.
(3)A vacancy on the board shall be filled in the same manner and by the same persons and body as the original appoint-
ment. Those appointed to fill a vacancy created prior to the expiration of a term shall serve until the completion of the unex-
pired term.
(b) At its first meeting, the board shall elect a chairperson, secretary, treasurer, and any other officers it considers necessary.
Officers shall be elected by the board annually at the first meeting following January 1 of each year.
(1) The chairperson shall at all times be a resident of the Charter Township of Plymouth, and shall preside at all meetings
of the board and shall have all privileges and duties of a board member, including the right to vote on all matters. The chair-
person shall be elected by a majority of the board, annually, from the board’s membership.
(2) The secretary shall keep or cause to be made all reports, records, and minutes required by these articles of incorpora-
tion or applicable law.
(3) The treasurer shall keep or cause to be made all appropriate financial records and reports required by these articles of
incorporation or applicable law.
(c) Members of the board shall serve without compensation.
(d) Three (3) Board members shall be elected by City voters, and four (4) elected by Township voters at the November 2020
municipal election. Those members elected shall have their terms commence on January 1, 2021. Those members elected shall
serve for a period of four (4) years. A vacancy on the elected board shall be filled by the City Commission or Township Board,
upon recommendation of the Mayor and Supervisor, respectively, depending on where the vacancy occurred. Those appointed
to fill a vacancy created prior to the expiration of a term shall serve until the completion of the unexpired term.
1.5 Meetings.
(a) The board shall meet at least quarterly and shall annually establish a meeting schedule which shall be posted at the offices
of the City and the Township in the manner and time provided by law.
(b) All business of the board shall be conducted at public meetings held in compliance with the Open Meetings Act, 1976 PA
267, and all records of PARA shall be made available in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act, 1976 PA 442, as
amended.
(c) Special board meetings may be called by the chairperson or any two board members. All members shall be notified in writ-
ing at least 18 hours prior to a special meeting.
1.6 Voting.
(a) A majority of board members shall constitute a quorum.
(b) Official action may be taken upon the vote of a majority of a quorum of the board members present, unless the board adopts
bylaws requiring a larger number.
1.7 Minutes.
(a) Minutes of all board meetings shall be prepared and approved as required by law, including the Open Meetings Act, 1976
PA 267. Copies of minutes shall be sent or delivered to the City and the Township as soon as reasonably possible following a
board meeting.
(b) Minutes and other public records shall be kept and made available from either the City or the Township in accordance with
the Freedom of Information Act, 1976 PA 442.
1.8 Bylaws. The board shall adopt procedural bylaws for the conduct of its meetings.
ARTICLE II
OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
2.1 Powers. PARA may do one or more of the following:
(a) Acquire and hold, by purchase, lease with or without option to purchase, grant, gift, devise, land contract, installment pur-
chase contract, bequest, or other legal means, the PARC Property and any other real and personal property to be used in or ben-
eficial to the operation of the Plymouth Arts and Recreation Complex. The property may include franchises, easements, or
rights of way on, under, or above any property. PARAmay pay for the property, or pledge for the payment of the property, from
revenue of PARA.
(b) Apply for and accept grants or contributions from individuals, the federal government or any of its agencies, the State of
Michigan, a municipality, or other public or private agencies to be used for any of the purposes of PARA.
(c) Hire full-time and/or part-time employees and retain professional services.
(d) Provide for the maintenance of all of the real and personal property of PARA.
(e) Assess and collect fees for services provided by and expenses incurred by PARA.
(f) Receive revenue as appropriated by the legislature of this state, the City, the Township, or any subsequent participating
municipality.
(g) Enter into contracts incidental to or necessary for the accomplishment of the purposes of PARA.
(h) Exercise such other powers as may from time to time be authorized by Act 321.
2.2 Function. PARA shall operate, maintain, repair, replace, and improve property and facilities under its control, and plan, imple-
ment, oversee, and control recreational programs and recreational services in accordance with the direction of the board and with-
in its budget. PARA may accomplish these functions by entering into a renewable concession agreement not to exceed 20 years
with Plymouth P.A.R.C., Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation doing business as Plymouth Arts and Recreation Complex
(“Plymouth PARC”), as concessionaire, pursuant to which Plymouth PARC shall operate, maintain, repair, replace, and improve
property and facilities for the PARC Property and any other property ancillary and related thereto acquired by PARA, and plan,
implement, oversee, and control recreational programs and recreational services, subject to the terms and conditions to be set forth
in such concession agreement.
2.3 Termination. In the event PARC does not fulfill its obligations as specified in the concession agreement, the Board reserves the
right to terminate PARC’s concession agreement and seek a replacement concession agreement with an alternative vendor consis-
tent with the objectives of Section 2.2.
2.4 Preferences. PARA may offer discounts and other preferences to residents of the City and Township, as provided in Section 12
of Act 321.
ARTICLE III
FINANCINGAND INSURANCE
3.1 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of PARA shall be from January 1 to December 31.
3.2 Annual Budget.
(a) The board shall prepare an annual budget for PARA operations in accordance with sections 14-19 of the Uniform Budgeting
and Accounting Act, 1968 PA 2, MCL 141.434 to 141.439 (the “UBAA”). The proposed budget shall be submitted to the City,
the Township, and any subsequent municipal members for review. The City, the Township, and any subsequent municipal mem-
ber may recommend adjustments to their own designated board representative(s), but shall not amend, reject, or approve the
submitted budget. PARA board’s approval of the budget shall require the approval of a simple majority of a quorum of the
Board.
(b) The board shall not expend funds in excess of its approved budget or in excess of any PARA funds on hand. No funds of
the City, the Township, or any subsequent municipal member (except for contributions made to PARA by any of those entities)
shall be committed or expended, except as appropriated by its governing body.
(c) PARA funds may be invested as provided by section 1 of 1943 PA 20, MCL 129.91.
(d) The board shall obtain an annual audit of PARA in the manner provided by sections 6 to 13 of the UBAA, MCL 141.426 to
141.433, and Section 27 of Act 321.
3.3. Authority to Tax
(a) PARA shall have the authority to levy a tax of not more than .75 mills for not more than 20 years, renewable after 20 years,
on all of the taxable property within the territory of PARA for the purposes of acquiring, constructing, operating, maintaining,
and improving the PARC Property. PARA may levy the tax only upon the approval of a majority of the electors in each of the
participating municipalities of PARA voting on the tax at the November 6, 2018 general election. The proposal for a tax shall
be submitted to a vote of the electors of the City and Township by resolution of the PARA board.
(b) A ballot proposal for a tax shall state the amount and duration of the millage and the purposes for which the millage may
be used. A proposal for a tax shall not be placed on the ballot unless the proposal is adopted by a resolution of the board and
certified by the board not later than 60 days before the election or such longer period as may be required by state law to the
Wayne County clerk for inclusion on the November 6, 2018 ballot.
(c) If a majority of the electors in each of the participating municipalities of the authority voting on the question of a tax approve
the proposal as provided under subsection (a), the tax levy is authorized.
(d) The proceeds of a tax levied pursuant to this section 3.3 shall only be used by PARA for the purposes described in this sec-
tion and shall not be used by PARA for any purpose prohibited by under Section 11(4) of Act 321.
3.4 Annual Budget Funding Obligations. Funding for PARA shall be through the following:
(a) Such funds as are appropriated by the City and the Township in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement;
and
(b) Such other funds as may be available to the board, including gifts and grants from public or private entities or individuals,
or activity and program fees.
(c) A tax levy as provided in Act 321 and these articles of incorporation.
3.5 Insurance.
(a) The board shall secure and maintain insurance with such terms, coverages, and amounts as are in the discretion of the board
needed to cover PARA’s property, the operations of PARA, the staff employed by PARA, PARA’s indemnification obligations,
and such other items as may, in the board’s discretion be important to insure; provided that the board may require Plymouth
PARC to secure and maintain insurance to cover the PARC Property in lieu of obtaining such insurance. Proof of such insur-
ance shall be furnished to the City and the Township upon request.
(b) The cost of such insurance shall be paid by PARA as part of its annual budget.
ARTICLE IV
AMENDMENT, DISSOLUTION
4.1 Amendment. These articles of incorporation may be amended by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members serving on
the governing bodies of the City and Township.
4.2 Dissolution.
(a) Provided there is no outstanding debt or contractual obligations of PARA, it may be dissolved by approval of dissolving res-
olutions adopted by the governing bodies of the City and Township. If there is outstanding debt or contractual obligations, dis-
solution can occur only upon meeting the terms and conditions of such debt or contracts. Neither the City nor Township may
withdraw from PARA during the period in which PARA has been authorized to levy a tax by the electors of PARA.
(b) Upon the dissolution, property held or used by PARA shall be allocated and distributed in accordance with the following:
(1) All property, of any nature, which is titled to or otherwise owned by the City, the Township, or any other party, shall
remain the property of that person or entity.
(2) All monies and funds, from whatever source, which are the property of PARA shall be distributed between the City and
the Township in accordance with the most recent contribution percentages, after deducting any expenses associated with
the dissolution of the board and PARA.
(3) All property, other than that otherwise provided for in subsections 4.2(b)(1) and (2) above, shall be divided by agree-
ment between the City and the Township in accordance with the formula described in subsection (2). If the parties do not
agree on the value attributed to the items of property, the property may be divided by a legally recognized form of arbitra-
tion, as assigned by the Board. If the parties do not choose arbitration, and cannot agree on how to distribute the property
between them, then the property shall be disposed of by the Board at public auction. All revenues received as a result of
any auction shall be distributed in accordance with the formula set forth in subsection (2) above, except that administrative
expenses associated with the auction shall also be deducted prior to any distribution.
(c) Should the November 6, 2018 millage election referenced in Section 3.3 be rejected by the voters of either the City or
Township as provided in Section 3.3, this agreement is immediately null and void upon final certification of the election results
by both the City and Township, and the Board as outlined in Section 1.4 is immediately disbanded without recourse by the
PARA Board and/or PARC.
The incorporating parties have signed these articles of incorporation as of the date first above written. They were published in The
Eagle, a newspaper of general circulation in the City and Township on June 7, 2018,
THE CITY OF PLYMOUTH
By: ___________________________
By:___________________________
Oliver Wolcott, Mayor
Maureen Brodie, City Clerk
Resolution adopted ________________________, 2018
THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF PLYMOUTH
By: _________________________________
By:___________________________
Kurt L. Heise, Supervisor
Jerry Vorva, Township Clerk
Resolution adopted
________________________, 2018
Publish June 7, 2018
Jerry Vorva, Clerk,
Charter Township of Plymouth
PT0192 - 060718 5 x 11.177
The Romulus Farmers
Market will open for the season
from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday, June 13, at the
Romulus Historical Park
Pavilion, 11147 Hunt St., in the
downtown area.
The market will be open
Wednesdays through Sept. 26,
except for July 4. Merrie Druyor,
director of the Downtown
Development Authority (DDA),
said there typically will be 15 to
20 vendors and a special theme
eachweek.
"We provide the dates of our
FarmersMarket and the vendors
tell us what will work for them,”
Druyor said. “It's their liveli-
hood. Ten to 15 have committed
to the entire market season. We
like that about 80 percent are
fromthe local community.”
Market Manager Chantae'
Fowler of Romulus has been
part of theFarmersMarket since
the beginning in 2012. She is also
a vendor, selling homemade ice
creamand cookies.
“Our vendor list is growing,”
Druyor said. “Chantae' works the
circuit all year long, including
vendor and craft fairs. She talks
to other vendors about discover-
ing what the Romulus market is
all about.”
She said the location in the
heart of the city and near Detroit
Metropolitan Airport draws
patrons, a number of whomhave
lunch at the Farmers Market
under the shade of the pavilion.
Themajority of produce vendors
will start in July.
The opening Wednesday
theme ties in with “National
WeedYour GardenDay.” Pairs of
garden gloves will be distributed
to the first 40market customers.
June 20 is “National Ice
Cream Soda Day” and patrons
will receive a sample of ice
cream soda while supplies last.
June 27 is “National Sunglasses
Day,” on which the use of sun-
glasseswill be encouraged.
Food Truck Rally Day is set
for July 25. Friendship bracelets
will be made on Aug. 1 in honor
of “National GirlfriendsDay.”
There will be craft activities
for children ages 5 to 12 who are
encouraged to enroll in the
Romulus Farmers Market Kids
Club. Registration will take
place at the market information
booth. Kids Club members also
receive a $2 each month to
spend at themarket.
The market is sponsored by
the DDA. Fees collected cover
the cost of the manager, fliers,
signage andweekly activities.
For more information about
the Farmers Market, call (734)
955-4531.
When Plymouth City Hall
hosted an American Red Cross
blood drive last Wednesday,
donors rolled up their sleeves to
help save lives.
Red Cross officials emphasize
the need for both whole blood
donations as well as platelets is
constant, and the generosity of
those who take the time to give
can mean the difference
between life anddeath.
Local blood drives are sched-
uled throughout the year, but
there is American Red Cross
donor center on the north side of
Five Mile Road between Levan
and Newburgh roads, near and
across from St. Mary Mercy
Hospital, that welcomes donors
at any time.
The FiveMileRoad and other
facilities rely on trained staffers
who work with volunteers to wel-
come blood donors, get them
processed, do a brief health
screening and send themoff with
a cheery greeting. Snacks includ-
ing juice and water are served
free of charge to help folks rehy-
drate, and donors are monitored
briefly after giving to ensure
they'rehealthy and able to drive.
Red Cross staffers also visit
houses of worship and work-
places to collect blood from wor-
shipers and employees at work-
sites. Every two seconds in the
U.S., someone needs a blood
donation.
The process takes about an
hour and isn't particularly
painful, with Red Cross officials
emphasizing the safety of the
procedure. Registration at 1-800-
RED-CROSS or online is highly
recommended by Red Cross staff
members, as walk-in donors are
more likely towait longer to give.
Accident and burn victims,
heart surgery and organ trans-
plant patients, and those battling
cancer are helped each time
blood is donated. Information
about ways to help is available at
, includ-
ing volunteering time. By visiting
that website and searching by
ZIP code, local blood drives can
be located and registration for a
convenient time to donate
accomplished.
Whole blood, especially from
African-American donors, helps
sickle cell patients who require
multiple transfusions and must
be very closely matched to the
donor's blood type, usually from
the same racial and ethnic
group.
Julie Brown
Special Writer
Every two seconds in the U.S.,
someone needs a blood donation.
”
Local blood drives fill needs of American Red Cross
