Several residents showed up and questioned the Marshall City Council’s actions as to its request of $1.7 million to be transferred from the Marshall Municipal Utilities’ Board of Public Works to fund the demolition of buildings on the campus formerly known as the Marshall Habilitation Center during the council meeting on Monday, March 15.

Jason Coney is one resident who expressed his displeasure with the proposal.

Ward 2 Councilman Kirk Arends explained this action being proposed is for the greater good of the community as a whole. Arends said to put it in perspective, MMU’s reserves grew from $29.5 million at the beginning of Fiscal Year 2019-20 to $31.5 million at the beginning of the next fiscal year.

Mayor Julie Schwetz said the city is not trying to steal any funds from anyone.

Ward 3 Councilman Charlie Guthrey said the city acquired the property in order to keep something like what has happened with old Fitzgibbon Hospital from repeating.

In the end, the council voted unanimously to approve the first reading of the ordinance to direct the mayor to make requests for the transfer of funds from the Board of Public Works to the city of Marshall. The ordinance has to be approved again before it goes into effect. The next meeting of the council is scheduled to be held on Monday, April 5.

BELOW IS THE ENTIRE DISCUSSION.