A resolution of support for the Friends of the Berrien County Trails Master Plan has been approved by Benton Harbor City Commissioners, but not without some debate.
At a meeting this week, commissioners were told the Friends of Berrien County Trails is seeking support from local governments to bolster its applications for grants. However, Commissioner Mary Alice Adams said it looked to her like the city would be turning over its own assets to the group.
“This right here seems like some takeover type of stuff, that I’m reading before me,” Adams said. “Not just take over. I take that back. It’s like we’re turning over ownership of an asset. That’s just totally unagreeable with me, and I don’t remember reading all of this or discussing all of this.”
Adams questioned why the commission would back the Friends master plan when the city has a master plan of its own.
Mayor Pro Tem Duane Seats said this does not transfer any property.
“This is not something where somebody is taking your trails,” Seats said. “This is something where they’re just showing support, that we agree with where the trails are, with what the trails will be used for.”
Assistant City Manager Alex Little said the Friends of Berrien County Trails created its master plan to meet a condition laid out for many grants, that the recipient have a master plan.
Commissioner Juanita Henry said Benton Harbor’s trails don’t even connect to other communities.
In the end, the body approved the resolution with Commissioners Henry and Ethel Clark Griffin voting no.
