MARSHALL — It wasn’t an item that sparked much discussion at this week’s Marshall City Council meeting. But Marshall city officials said a joint powers agreement approved by the council is unusual among Minnesota communities.

On Tuesday, council members voted to renew an agreement with Marshall Public Schools, that sets up Marshall’s joint Community Education and Recreation program.

“We are one of two cities in the state that have a collaborative arrangement between the school and the city,” said Marshall City Administrator Sharon Hanson. “It does allow us to share facilities.”

The Community Education and Recreation program makes possible a variety of youth recreation programs, and educational and vocational classes, within the city of Marshall. Hanson said those services are usually provided by a school district.

“But under this agreement, the city takes on that responsibility,” Hanson said. In addition to allowing the city and MPS to share facilities for community programs, “The school also provides us revenue to operate these programs on an annual basis,” she said.

“It eliminates some duplication of administrative efforts to provide the services,” said Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes.

Hanson said the joint powers agreement didn’t have an end date, but it has been brought before the city council for renewal each year. The Marshall School Board would also consider the joint powers agreement at its February meeting, she said.

Under the agreement, the Community Education and Recreation Program is governed by the Marshall Community Services Advisory Board. The board is made up of nine voting members, one Marshall High School student, one Marshall City Council member and one Marshall School board member.

City staff said the only change to this year’s joint powers agreement was some updated language, clarifying how the student member of the advisory board was appointed.

Council members voted to approve the joint powers agreement.