Wakefield City Council explores possible new SAW plan

By P.J. GLISSON

[email protected]

Wakefield - The Wakefield city council voted Tuesday evening to authorize U.P. Engineers and Architects, Inc., based in Ishpeming, to explore options in creating a water asset management plan.

Matthew Treado, civil engineer with UPEA, told the council before the vote that such a plan would organize water and sewer improvements over the coming years while also addressing requirements of Michigan's Department of Environmental Quality.

By submitting such a plan for DEQ approval, Treado said his firm then could seek funding from the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development program, after which the city council would be consulted again.

"Your approving this step does not obligate you to continue further," said Treado, who assured that the council can back out at any time

Treado said UPEA already has "a huge head start" on assessing the city' needs because it has records of a study it did on the city system in 1999.

"The critical system components are in good condition," he said. "The main concern is the long-term functioning of the actual distribution system."

In a related background report to the council, city manager Bob Brown stated that if the city allows the plan to progress and the RD funds are granted, the city then will reimburse UPEA for the grant preparation costs and will retain the firm as the "engineer of record."

During the meeting, mayor John Granato expressed concern over the city's "limited funds" and added, "We want to be sure we don't have a blank check going out."

Granato also questioned how city officials can be sure that UPEA's work will be "fair and competitive" in relation to other firms.

"We believe we're the most qualified and experienced firm," said Treado in relation to his employer's experience with Wakefield's system and with RD issues.

Moreover, he said the state engineer of rural development will review the plans.

Treado said he must submit his report to the DEQ by May 31.

The council also:

-Voted to approve budget amendments in relation to (a) a new loader, now delivered, purchased for $213,600; (b) $15,500 to cover the costs of honoring the contract of former city manager Richard Brackney, whose final weeks of employment are overlapping with Brown's initial weeks on the job; and (c) $43,000 to cover expenses of snow management on major and local streets due to "abnormal snowfall and other winter conditions."

-Heard new member Dale White offer to take on committee assignments once held by former city council member Pat Mann, who resigned, effective Feb. 28.

-Heard Neil Londo and Marcia Jurakovich thank the city for action taken to avoid basement backups during a recent rain event. Mayor pro tempore Amy Tarro credited public works lead Mike Sibley and his crew, as well as Brown, for the success.

-Heard Brown report that he has received seven or eight replies from a dozen certified letters warning of the need to comply with new roof drain standards. He said he'd like to create a small task force to continue working on the problem of "too much infiltration" in the city's water and sewer system.

-Voted to go into closed session to discuss material subject to attorney-client privilege.

The council will have a special meeting on April 29 at 1 p.m. The planning commission will meet on the same day at 4:30 p.m.

The council will have its next regular meeting on May 13 at 5:30 p.m.

All meetings will take place in the council room of the municipal building. The public is welcome.