There used to be a stop sign at the corner, but reportedly a truck knocked it down several months ago and it was never replaced.
Humphrey said, “I mentioned the problem to Mayor Senter (Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter) at our grand opening for our new store and he said he would look into it.” Senter said he does not recall the conversation concerning the sign.
He did respond quickly when he received telephone calls from people concerned about the barricades. However, Senter, City of Plymouth Attorney Nelson Chipman, and Street Department Superintendent Jim Marquardt concurred that the city does not have any rights or responsibilities since the property is owned by Taco Bell.
Marquardt said, “Stop signs cost between $70-80. It’s not the cost; it’s just not city property.”
Humphrey said there was a “hand shake agreement” between former Mayor Gary Cook and Taco Bell owners to keep the driveway open in exchange for a stop sign and street maintenance.
Senter and Marquardt spoke directly with Humphrey concerning the matter. Humphrey then called the owner of Taco Bell, Eric Opperman, for further instructions. According to Humphrey, Opperman directed her to leave the barricades in place until an agreement for street maintenance could be reached.
When the barricade was put u p, Steve Eckert, who snow plows for the shopping center owned by the Fairfield Corporation out of Michigan, called for permission to erect a stop sign. After receiving the OK, Eckert placed a pole and sign at the corner that he planned to have placed in concrete.
The matter would fall into the hands of the Public Works and Safety Board for the city to proceed with any type of agreement, according to Marquardt.