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Perry council narrows city's upkeep responsibilities for MacQueen House and clarifies insurance
Summary
The Perry City Council adopted a resolution limiting the city's upkeep obligations for the MacQueen House to routine structural and safety maintenance, and said the Perry Historical Society must insure contents; the resolution takes effect immediately.
The Perry City Council on March 6 adopted a resolution defining the city's maintenance and insurance responsibilities for the MacQueen House, a property used as a public museum under an agreement with the Perry Historical Society.
The motion, moved by Councilmember Bob Porter and seconded by Councilmember Mindy Galbavi, makes the term "upkeep" explicit: the city will pay only for routine maintenance necessary to preserve structural integrity and public safety, such as minor roof or exterior repairs and grounds maintenance. Restoration, cosmetic work and historical-preservation projects remain the responsibility of the Perry Historical Society. The resolution passed unanimously.
The resolution also requires that any upkeep-related expenditures be reviewed and approved through the city's standard budgeting and procurement processes and receive prior City Council approval. On insurance, the resolution notes the city insures the MacQueen House under a group policy obtained through the Michigan Municipal League; that policy does not cover the contents of the building. The Perry Historical Society is advised to insure exhibits, donations, or other contents it owns or borrows.
Additional provisions in the resolution preserve the city's rights over the grounds and state that the city will not fund landscaping, exterior beautification, or nonessential improvements except where required to maintain public safety or meet legal obligations. The resolution also reserves the city's right to negotiate amendments to the existing agreement with the Historical Society should future financial or legal considerations require it. The resolution takes effect immediately upon adoption.
Council documentation shows the vote recorded as "motion carried: all yes." The council did not direct any immediate city-funded restoration; instead, the action clarifies financial and procedural limits on city support and signals that the Historical Society must handle improvements beyond routine upkeep.
The council's action follows a formal motion; the resolution text recorded council expectations about procurement review, compliance with the City Charter and zoning ordinances, and prior council approval of eligible expenses.
