Ironwood water pump station project begins

By LARRY HOLCOMBE

[email protected]

Ironwood — The Ironwood City Commission heard Monday that the $11 million Phase 1 of the city’s water pump station project has begun with site work by Snow Country Contracting in Ironwood Township.

Concrete foundations will be beginning in the next two weeks, said City Manager Paul Anderson.

The commission approved approximately $54,000 in expenditures to Snow County Contracting for repairing the access road to the site, in preparation for heavier construction equipment that will be used.

The commission also OK’d $25,800 to Coleman Engineering for surveying work related to a proposed Phase 5 of an ongoing series of water and sewer utility projects. Members also directed city staff to apply for $5 million in USDA-Rural Development funds to help fund part of the project.

In relation to these projects, Anderson said funding applications for Phase 2 of the pump station project and Phase 5 of the utility project through a state Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy drinking water program earned promising preliminary scores and grant/loan amounts.

“Things are looking very optimistic, but the final funding list will be a little bit yet, so we aren’t making any official announcements,” he said in his written report.

Anderson also reported:

—The Ironwood Theatre’s sidewalk project continues to make progress on Lowell Street. Ruotsala Construction is working on forming up the concrete pour this week. In a related matter, at the commission’s Aug. 28 meeting, members approved a 99-year lease of the theater with the Historic Ironwood Theatre organization for $1.

—Hemlock Street construction is wrapped up except for the final walk through to address a few last items. He thanked Ruotsala Construction for the excellent work and thank the citizens for being patient during this project.

—Angelo Luppino is still working on asphalt and concrete patches around town.

—Miners Memorial Heritage Park mountain bike trail project by Flow Track is continuing and scheduled to be completed later this month. The trails are open. Signage will be installed in the coming days. The commission approved a $5,330 payment to Flow Track.

—The $3 million lead service line replacement project will be beginning soon. Jakes Excavating will have through 2025 to complete approximately 225 water service line replacements. The bid for the project was awarded at the Aug. 28 meeting.

—The city is looking for a new supervisor for the Department of Public Works, as well as to fill the positions of equipment repair person and equipment operator II. The jobs have been posted and applications are being accepted.

—The city’s fall cleanup days on Friday and Saturday were successful. He thanked the residents who participated by bringing refuse to the collection point behind the Public Safety Department. There were 112 participants this fall which was down slightly from 128 this past spring.

— As Monday was Sept. 11, he recognized those who were lost 22 years ago in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and expressed “thankfulness to the first responders that were heroes on that horrific day.”

Mayor Kim Corcoran announced four appointments, including: Erin Moran and Lynne Wiercinski to the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority; Elizabeth Sweeney to the Board of Review; and Richard Jenkins to the Parks and Recreation Committee.

Anderson also announced the appointment of John Lupino to the Ironwood Housing Commission.

In other action, the commission:

—Approved applying for a State Disaster Contingency Fund Grant to help recoup money spent on repairs after flooding this past April. The city is eligible for up to $250,000, which was about the total damages.

—Approved the annual deer management program that will include a bow hunt within city limits beginning Oct. 1. Applications for one of 20 available tags are due Sept. 18. Information is available on the city’s website.

—Approved a change order, reducing the cost of the Margaret Street culvert project by $8,226 and approved a $19,689 payment to Ruotsala Construction for the same project.

—Approved to purchase a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD work truck for $65,974 to replace city’s sewer truck damaged in a June accident. The purchased was partially funded by a check from the insurance company for $50,750. The used truck with 376 miles on it was purchased from Red’s Auto in Ironwood.