Definition.

2O9. Section 1. General public improvements are such improvements as are acquired for the general use and benefit of the city at large and are to be paid for by the city:

(1) From the proper general fund of the city;

(2) By a special tax voted by the electors for the specific purpose;

(3) By the proceeds of general obligation bonds, authorized by the electors for that specific purpose;

(4) In the case of public utilities, by the proceeds of duly authorized mortgage bonds;

(5) Partly from each of any two or more of the above enumerated sources of revenue; all subject to the provisions of and limitations prescribed by this charter and the general laws of the state.

Acquisition of certain public improvements by purchase or construction.

21O. Section 2. The city may acquire, extend, or alter, as the case may be, by purchase, lease, condemnation or construction, the following general public improvements, including all necessary lands therefor, to wit: Public building necessary or convenient for the administration of the city; water works, lighting plants, pumping stations, water mains with hydrants and other necessary equipment; plants for the purification of water; a system of trunk sewers; plants for the disposal of sewage; plants for the disposal of garbage; parks; fire engine stations and the necessary equipment therefor, including all necessary fire fighting apparatus; recreation and playgrounds; public toilets and comfort stations; boulevards, cemeteries, hospitals, almshouses, markets, city prisons, police stations; public libraries; public scales; bridges; public wharves and landings upon navigable waters and levees; permanent structures required to accomplish the separation of street grades at railroad crossings, including the necessary approaches thereto; works which involve the public health or safety; and other general improvements of any nature needed for public city purposes.

Public improvements within or without city limits.

211. Section 3. Subject to the provisions of this charter, the city may acquire, own, establish, operate and maintain public utilities for supplying water, heat, light, power and transportation to the city, and to the inhabitants thereof; and may also acquire, own, improve, maintain, construct, and operate parks, public recreational and playgrounds, boulevards, cemeteries, hospitals, almshouses and plants necessary for the disposal of sewage and garbage, and all other works which involve the public health and safety, and also any land necessary for any such improvement, or for use in connection with any other proper public purposes either within or without its corporate limits; provided, however, that the city shall not acquire any facilities for transportation until the city have a population of twenty-five thousand (25,000) or more and such transportation facilities shall not extend more than ten (10) miles from the limits of the city.

Constitutional vote on acquisition of public utilities.

212. Section 4. The city shall have no power to acquire any public utility unless the proposition to acquire such public utility shall have first received an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the qualified electors of the city voting thereon at any regular, special or municipal election; provided, however, that only those works, improvements and utilities designed or used for the supplying of water, heat, light and power and transportation to the municipality and the inhabitants thereof shall be deemed public utilities falling within the restrictions of this section.

State constitution reference—Mandates relative to public utilities, Mich. Const. 1963, Art. VII, §§ 24, 25.
State law reference—Mandate relative to utilities, MCL §§ 117.4c, 117.4f, MSA §§ 5.2076, 5.2079.

Power to purchase water, light, heat and power.

213. Section 5. The city shall have power to purchase from adjacent or neighboring municipalities, or from private corporations or individuals water, light, heat and power.

General improvements, alterations, repairs, etc.

214. Section 6. All public improvements hereinabove provided for, either by specific mention or by implication, shall be considered general public improvements. The cost and expense of acquiring the foregoing permanent public improvements shall be paid by the city; provided, however, that nothing in this section contained shall be construed as preventing the city from requiring the owners of land benefited by the extension of water mains paying their pro rata share of the costs of such extensions before connecting with such mains; and provided further that if the majority of the property owners along a street or a part thereof, owning a major portion of the frontage affected thereon, shall so petition the council in writing, the whole or part of the cost and expenses of installing a boulevard lighting system on such street may be made by special assessment upon the lands abutting thereon as in this chapter provided.