Wakefield formalizes water plan beyond city line

By P.J. GLISSON

news@yourdailyglobe.com

Wakefield - The Wakefield City Council voted Monday evening to adopt a final water project plan in relation to an area of Wakefield Township that is served by the city water system.

"The area affectionately known as 'Bingoville' comprises five properties in the immediate area of the former Bingo Motel and Gas Station," wrote Brown in a related report to the council.

Brown explained that the "substandard" connection had been installed privately years ago, after which owners of several additional residences also tapped into the line without informing the city.

Eventually, Brown noted that those residents expressed a desire to switch to private wells, but when the Michigan Health Department received an application for a private well in 2019, it began investigating the situation with the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.

According to Brown, state officials determined that wells would not be viable due to contamination of soil and groundwater, as well as an aquifer with "a poor yield."

As a result, Brown said the city submitted two applications for funding to improve the water infrastructure in the Bingoville region, which is east of County 519 on M-28.

One application with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development program is part of the city's pending multi-million dollar water improvement project.

The other application was submitted to EGLE's Drinking Water Revolving Fund, and council members formally adopted that action via Resolution No. 278 on Monday. The unanimous vote followed a related public hearing last week.

"This just kind of gives us a back-up option," said Matt Treado, civil engineer with U.P. Engineers and Architects, Inc. in Ishpeming, regarding the DWRF application. Treado said one of the two options should result in a resolution by next summer.

Brown will be the authorized representative for all activity relating to the city's DWRF action.

In other news during the virtual meeting, the city manager said recent storms and heavy rains inspired him to issue "a shout-out" to city staff.

"Power outages were dealt with quickly and efficiently," said Brown, who also commended the ongoing appearance of the Eddy Park beach and campground areas.

"They're doing a great job," said Brown of staff, while noting that they also are contending with this year's concerns relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Council members also:

-Voted to approve Resolution No. 279, which approves a rate increase in the water that Wakefield supplies to the Gogebic Range Water Authority. Effective Sept. 1, the rate will rise from $1.27 per thousand gallons to $1.30 per same. "This is just a yearly change to the water rate," said Brown, who notes that it is based on the Consumer Price Index.

-Voted to authorize the city manager to draft a letter to the FCC to support a request by Charter Communications to remove a restriction that now prevents it from competing with the online video market. The restriction was part of terms enacted when Charter merged with Time Warner and Brighthouse in 2016. "It's pretty much benign," said Brown of the request. "It really doesn't have much effect on us."

-Learned from Brown that increased law enforcement presence has helped to reduce problems with ORVs on city streets. "I see more helmet-wearing," he said. "I see less screwing around by kids in general."

-Voted to decline an offer by Gogebic County Treasurer Lisa Hewitt to bid on properties in Wakefield that have been foreclosed due to nonpayment of 2017 real property taxes. Brown, who recommended the action, said the city has a back-log of dozens of properties that should be addressed before undertaking more purchases.

During the public comment period, Frank Egeier - the District 38 manager for Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township - introduced himself by phone and invited council members to offer any questions they may have to the senator.