Macomb Township Sends 41-A District Court Relocation Agreement Back to Shelby
The committee suggested several changes in the agreement's language, particularly regarding Macomb Township's responsibility to share the long-term healthcare funding obligations associated with the move.
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The possible move of 41A District Court from Shelby to Macomb Township inched another step closer yesterday.
The newly re-appointed court committee publicly reviewed a draft of the seven-page inter-local agreement sent by Shelby Township officials that details part of the plan for moving the court. If approved, the building could be constructed near 25 Mile and Broughton Road, near the township offices.
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The draft reviewed Tuesday details Macomb’s responsibility to share the long-term healthcare funding obligations associated with the move. Shelby Township’s liability for retiree healthcare costs is estimated at $8 milllion.
Clerk Michael Koehs, Trustees Nancy Nevers and Roger Krzeminski, as well as attorney Larry Dloski brought up several issues with the resolution, most circulating around the legal interpretation of the document.
Dloski said he will work Shelby Township attorney Robert Huth to revise the document before another review by both communities.
“Before we go asking for the board to proceed with doing some research into the fiscal liability of 41A District Court, we need to make sure we can enter into this agreement,” Koehs said. “We are trying to figure out if we are buying a pig in a poke.”
Macomb Township decided to dissolve its court relocation committee more than a year ago, following concerns that Shelby Township was not providing written acknowledgement that it would claim responsibility for court retiree health care costs.
41A District Court serves Shelby and Macomb townships as well as Utica. Space limitations prompted talks of moving the building to Macomb Township in 2009. The building is more than 33 years old and sits adjacent to the Shelby Township Community Center and library.
If Macomb Township serves as the court’s host community, it will benefit from additional monies made within the court, as well as revenue generated by the 800 plus people who visit the court building on a given day, Koehs said.
In a poll taken on Patch in May of this year, 75 percent of respondents said they would support the court's relocation to Macomb.
Lisa Nash
8:33 am on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Building the Court House is the first step to having a City Center for Macomb Township. Someday it would be great to have sidewalks that connect the neighborhoods to the schools, to the city center and to the parks. If we can do this in a fiscally responsible way, then we should do this. A much better way to spend money than building a bus garage for busses we don't even own.
Frank Cusumano
2:18 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Word to the wise: I think it would be wise to take out an insurance policy or bond in the event that Shelby Defaults, has an EFM, or files bankruptcy. It would be almost better to agree to reimburse Shelby for monies actually expended, than to get too close to the HMS Shelby Titanic - the suction may bring Macomb Township down too! Now that Flag Football is almost over (I coached this year) I will be back at the Board Meetings.