Ironwood water treatment plant work continues

By LARRY HOLCOMBE

lholcombe@yourdailyglobe.com

Ironwood - The Ironwood City Commission once again approved another Rural Development pay package for ongoing work on Phase 1 of the a new water treatment facility at its meeting Monday evening.

City Manager Paul Anderson said the concrete wall pours are complete and contractor CD Smith Construction is now working on precast ceiling slabs. He said roofing will be going on in May and June and then interior plumbing and mechanical work will happen this summer, with the plan for long lead time electrical and mechanical items to arrive this fall.

Pay package No. 9 was for $319,066.

Mayor Kim Corcoran asked about a completion date for the project.

Anderson said it will depend a lot on the when those last items arrive, but the plan is for Phase 1 to be done before Phase 2 begins.

On Phase 2, he said the project is in the final design phase and should be going into the permitting process this month, followed by seeking bids this summer and construction beginning in summer 2025.

The commission also approved a contract with Jake's Excavating for a street improvement project for $205,611. Anderson said they plan to apply for a state grant to cover the work that is available up to $250,000 to cover last year's spring flood damage. The work will concentrate on a road near the city garage and refurbish a Memorial Building overflow parking lot.

Anderson said the city's Community Development Department submitted grant applications for a new Civic Center ice making system. Applications went to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Land and Water Conservation Fund, as well as Congressional Discretionary Spending requests to U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and U.S. Sen. Gary Peters. Anderson thanked the development staff of Tom Bergman and Tim Erickson for their work.

In his report, Anderson said:

-Of 117 lead service lines so far replaced, 112 of them were from the house to the curb and five from the house to the main; and that more of the latter will now begin to happen as they were putting off digging into the street until after winter.

-They hope to use the same lead service line replacement money to replace the water system at Curry Park campground.

-The 2024 crack sealing project aimed at a quarter of the city's streets and the Curry Park electrical system upgrade project are out for bids.

-They are waiting to hear on funding for sewer improvements that will be part of the Phase 5 water and sewer project in a northwest neighborhood.

-The clerk's office is preparing for the school's May 7 general operating millage special election, and that 413 absentee ballots are out and being received until election day.

-The Department of Public Works has three openings, and once a new contract is settled the city will post the positions.

In other action, the commission:

-Authorized seeking bids for a new grader for the DPW.

-Authorized seeking bids for continuing a siding project on the city garage. Anderson said this would be for Phase 2 of a three-phase project.

-Approved the mayor's appointment of Danielle Virshek to the Economic Development Corporation board, for a six-year term.