Throughout the pandemic, we’ve continued to provide seamless service by thinking outside the box. A great example of this is how we brought Santa to the neighborhood parks instead of canceling his arrival or encouraging residents to gather downtown.
To reduce the possibility of virus transmission, crews have been sanitizing all City buildings, equipment and vehicles daily. Staff members in finance and the Department of Municipal Services have been split into two groups that work on opposite shifts to increase social distancing. Masks are required in all facilities.
While offices remain open, we are encouraging residents to use our eBilling program or their bank’s online bill-paying system for utilities. “It’s a simple process that saves you a stamp or a trip to City Hall,” said Finance Director John Scanlon. “It also eliminates the need for residents to remember when their bills are due.” For more information about this program, please email [email protected].
For contactless service, all payments and correspondence can be placed in one of our three drop boxes, conveniently located in the library drive-through and at City Hall, in both the vestibule and at the front counter. We are happy to email or mail you a receipt – just provide us the information and we’ll send it out as soon as possible.
…Except when we are CLOSED
City offices will be closed for the holidays on Thursday and Friday, December 24 and 25, as well as Thursday and Friday, December 31 & January 1.
PLEASE NOTE: Payments placed in the drop boxes between 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 30 and 8:00 a.m. on Monday, January 4 will be marked as received on December 31.
Snow and Ice
Every year, the City Commission reviews and approves its snow and ice control policy. The policy indicates that the City will plow all residential streets whenever there are four or more inches of snow. It also lists six priority routes. Top priority is given to Main, Penniman, Ann Arbor Trail, Starkweather and the City Hall complex, which includes the fire and police departments.
The City of Plymouth has three salt trucks and nine plow trucks. “Please remember to stay at least 50 feet behind our equipment when it’s on the road,” said DMS Assistant Director of Operations Chris Helinski. “We really need that extra space to keep you and your vehicle safe.”
After a successful pilot program last year, the City has added the use of brine to the policy. Brine is a solution of salt and water that has a freezing point lower than water alone. Because of this, applying brine before a storm arrives prevents ice from forming on road surfaces. In addition, it is cost effective and more environmentally friendly because brining uses 60-75% less salt.
DMS crew member Aaron Micek in the City's brine lab
“Using brine as a complement to traditional salting is a win-win,” said Department of Municipal Services (DMS) Director Chris Porman. “It allows us to be proactive, which gives our crews more time to respond with other measures, like plowing and salting and it helps keep our roadways safer. Saving money is icing on the cake, so to speak.”
To see how Department of Municipal services crews create brine, view this video on our Facebook page.
When snow and ice are present, it’s even more important for residents to walk or run on the sidewalk instead of the roadway. In fact, state law requires pedestrians to use sidewalks where they are available.
Residents and businesses are required to keep all public sidewalks clear of snow and ice. City of Plymouth Ordinance Section 62-89 requires every property owner and/or occupant to remove or have removed any snow and ice which may have fallen or accumulated within 24 hours of the occurrence. In the case of neglect or refusal, the City may order the removal of same at the expense of the property owner, for not less than $150.00
“Plymouth is a walking town and sidewalks clear of snow and ice allow folks to safely move about during the winter months,” said Community Development Director John Buzuvis. “We get more complaints about snow and ice that hasn’t been removed in a timely manner during the winter months than any other complaint any other time of the year. So please do your part and take care to remove the snow and ice on public sidewalks at your home or business as soon as possible.”
Holiday Shopping Safety Tips
The 2020 December holiday season is now in full swing with Christmas and the New Year right around the corner! The City of Plymouth Police Department would like to offer citizens a few safe shopping tips.
First, try to park in a secured lot. If that is not possible, park near the front of the store, in a well-lit area. Be aware of your surroundings and watch out for people lingering in the parking lot, or outside the store. Do not carry large amounts of cash.
Those carrying a purse should keep it close to their body. If the purse has long straps, walk with it tucked over the shoulder and tight under the arm. When entering or exiting a store, keep your keys in your hands and keep them at the ready. The keys can be used as a sharp defensive weapon if you are being robbed or attacked. Also, if you are attacked, you can hit the car horn button on your key chain to sound off an attacker.
If you are going to store items in your car, put them in the trunk or cover them with a blanket so they can't be seen by people walking by the vehicle, or people who may be casing vehicles in the lot. Also try to shop with a friend or two, remember, there is safety in numbers. Do not forget to social distance.
This year because of the pandemic, more people than usual will probably be shopping online. Only shop on secured websites. Be careful of possible internet scams and screen pop ups. If you become a victim of fraud or identification theft, notify your credit card company immediately and shut your card down, then file a police report.
Have a safe and happy holiday season.
Officer Tony Angelosanto
City of Plymouth Police
Crime Prevention Bureau
734-453-1234 ex. 526
Vacation Watch Program
If you plan to be out of town over the holidays or any other time, please remember to sign up for our vacation watch program. When you sign up for this service, police officers will check on your property while you’re gone. This can help keep your home safe from crime, and it allows police to be able to contact you in the event of a property disaster, like a burst water pipe. It also allows them to notify our municipal services department or utility provider to turn off water or electricity if needed.
Police Department Training in November 2020
Western Wayne County Special Operations Team Training. Team members attended the required regular monthly training sessions involving the many skills needed to successfully intervene during a critical incident situation such as a hostage rescue or barricaded gunman. These skills include proper planning and response, firearms and equipment proficiency, team movement, surveillance, and much more.
Raid Entry Training. Officers attended training that provides instruction in safe and proper skills necessary for the service of search warrants and arrest warrants. The training was conducted at a local vacant residence.
Tactical Casualty Care (TCC) Training. An officer attended training that provided knowledge and skills necessary to mitigate the loss of their life or the life of another while in an active threat environment. The skills addressed treating life-threatening injuries in an austere environment with limited equipment, lack of medically trained personnel and prolonged time to evacuation. The program is a highly intense training program requiring a physical demand on the student and consists of lecture, labs and skill practice.
Medical First Responder. Certified officers attended continuing education training regarding patient assessment, congestive heart failure, and patient airway.
Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) Training. This course is designed to help officers become more proficient at detecting, apprehending, testing, and prosecuting impaired drivers. This is an intermediate level course designed to offer more than a basic understanding of the impairing effects of drugs (illicit and licit), alcohol, and/or the combination of both.
A Note from Recreation Director Steve Anderson
Dear Plymouth Community Families:
The staff at the Recreation Department is aware of how important it will be to get the children and families back into a normal routine as soon as possible for the overall good of our community, once we can do it safely.
With this being the case, we wanted to let you know that our staff has continued with all of our usual 2021 logistical planning for all of our indoor and outdoor activities.
This also means that we plan on conducting all of our normal seasonal registration periods as we have for the past twenty-five years, not only to fulfill the logistical requirements of each program, but also in knowing that after the upcoming Michigan winter, everyone will be ready to enjoy the spring temps and get outside for some fun as soon as possible.
In the upcoming weeks, you will see our usual registration reminders coming out by email or by postcard. We hope that you will share in our enthusiasm with seeing the new year arrive.
The best to you and your family!
Steve Anderson
November Board and Commission Meetings
Please see our website for official meeting minutes.
City Commission – November 1, 2020
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of October 19, 2020 City Commission Regular Meeting Minutes – approved
Special Event – Holiday Greens Market – Nov. 28, 2020 - approved
Special Event – Walk of Trees 2020 – Nov. 20, 2020-Jan. 3, 2021 - approved
Special Event – Ladies Holiday Shopping Day – Nov. 19, 2020 - approved
Special Event – Plymouth Goodfellows Paper Sale – Dec. 5, 2020 - approved
Special Event – Shamrock Race – June 13, 2021-moved to regular agenda
Special Event – Wicked Halloween Run – Oct. 31, 2021 – moved to regular agenda
Special Event – Guernsey Chocolate Run – Nov 21, 2021 – moved to regular agenda
City Commission-November 16, 2020
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of November 2, 2020 City Commission Regular Meeting Minutes – approved
Special Event – Sun & Snow Ski and Board Swap – Nov. 21 & 22, 2020 – approved
NEW BUSINESS
Snow & Ice Control Policy 20-21 – approved
Tree Ordinance First Reading/Annual Report –approved
Delinquent Charges/Transfer to 2020 Winter Tax Roll - approved
Design Phase Authorization for 2021 Street Improvement Project – approved
December Board and Commission Meetings
All agenda packets are available on our website prior meetings.
Northville Plymouth Fire Advisory Board – December 2, 2020- 4:00 p.m.
Historic District Commission – December 2, 2020 – Canceled
Zoning Board of Appeals – December 3, 2020 – 7:00 p.m.
City Commission Meeting – December 7, 2020– 7:00 p.m.
Planning Commission – December 9, 2020– 7:00 p.m.
Downtown Development Authority – December 14, 2020– 7:00 p.m.
City Commission Meeting – December 21, 2020– 7:00 p.m.
