Bessemer council OKs water project

By P.J. GLISSON

news@yourdailyglobe.com

Bessemer — Members of the Bessemer City Council voted on Monday evening to approve preliminary work in relation to a new $2 million project for water system improvements.

The project was proposed by Darren Pionk, project manager for C2AE, a design and engineering firm that has overseen various city projects.

“This is the project plan that we submitted last year to EGLE,” said Pionk of Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. “It works out to be a 75% grant-funded project.”

The city’s 25% portion would be in the form of a $510,000 EGLE loan. The remaining three-quarters would come from the American Rescue Plan and Michigan’s Lead Service Line Replacement Program.

According to Pionk, an existing project in the city funds the replacement of lead lines whenever workers encounter them while undergoing construction work.

He added that the new $2 million project would allow any remaining lead lines to be replaced.

Pionk explained that, in order to receive the ARP funds for the new project, preliminary plans will be due on Feb. 17, 2023.

“In order for the project to proceed, the next step will be the development of preliminary engineering plans for the LSLR project, Osmose Road water main and the reservoir tank rehabilitation,” wrote Pionk in a Nov. 1 letter to the city.

Pionk told council members that the preparation will require drawings, outline specifications and written descriptions of the project, for which soil borings, on-site investigations and control surveys also must be done.

Providing everything falls into place, Pionk said most of the actual project work won’t happen until the end of 2023, going into 2024.

Councilman Terry Kryshak asked why Escanaba just got $20 million fully funded by grants for similar projects. “How does Escanaba get that, and we have to get a loan?” asked Kryshak, adding, “This will mean potential rate increases. It’s just frustrating.”

“It’s hard to compare community to community,” said Pionk, who explained that the allotments are income-based. “They have a lot of infrastructure, but I believe it really comes down to median household income.”

“We’ve gotten a lot of free money,” said Mayor Pro-Tempore Rob Coleman, who was running the meeting in the absence of Mayor Adam Zak.

Coleman said that a potential rate hike is concerning for residents, but added, “I would be inclined to go forward with this. It’s mostly free money.”

The council’s vote to approve Pionk’s request was unanimous.

In other news, the council also approved the following requests by C2AE in relation to current utility work funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant: $311,721 for water draw request No. 18 and $386,865 for wastewater draw request No. 18.

The council also approved two credits: $6,467 for water change order No. 12 and $90,830 for wastewater change order No. 12.

Council members also:

—Tabled until the council’s next regular meeting on Dec. 12 a request from Jake’s Excavating & Landscaping of Ironwood to start work on additional projects in various locations before the end of the year. Kryshak recommended that residents be consulted first, and Councilwoman Linda Nelson added that, if the council later OKs the added projects, Jake’s business also should be held to a strict timeline.

—Voted to postpone a public hearing in relation to city water meters in order to study more numbers.

—Voted to approve an application by the Gogebic Conservation District for a grant of up to $1,259 from the Wildflower Association of Michigan for a “plant pollinator garden” in Bluff Valley Park. The prospective 20 x 40 feet plot would attract butterflies, hummingbirds, bees and other pollinating insects. The motion included a request by Kryshak for conservation employees to work with the city’s Parks and Recreation Committee to determine the best location for the garden.

—Voted to accept and place on file an email dated Oct. 27 from Jesse Baroka of Ironwood, who complained about recent visits by city officials at 1817 S. Porter St., where Baroka has tenants. The city’s rental inspection ordinance facilitates such visits in order to ensure safety for all concerned. “If he wants further action, he can come to a meeting and discuss it,” said Nelson of Baroka.

—Voted to pay an extra $2,940 per year toward the Municipal Employees’ Retirement System of Michigan. “They say we’re underfunded,” explained Interim City Manager Jennifer Adams, who is also the city’s clerk/treasurer.

—Voted to sell a lot at 107 W. Sellar St. for $100 to Faith Elie, who owns neighboring property and would like to build a garage on the land. Adams said no other interest had been expressed for the land.

—Voted to reappoint Kady Meinke to another 3-year term as a member of the Downtown Development Authority.

—Heard a complaint from Councilman Charles Tirpik regarding the lack of lighting on the U.S. flag displayed outside of the Bessemer City Hall. Council members asked Tirpik to research solar options.

At the end of the meeting, council members went into a closed session to discuss applications for the position of city manager. The council also expected to discuss issues regarding the city’s union employees.