Ironwood approves shared bridge contract with Hurley

By PAMELA JANSSON

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Ironwood - Ironwood city commissioners approved on Monday a bridge maintenance agreement between the cities of Ironwood and Hurley.

Paul Anderson, who serves as city manager and engineer, said that the agreement is for the Norrie Street Bridge that the city shares with Hurley.

According to him, the contract will require a 50/50% maintenance and utilities cost share between the two cities. At whatever point the bridge requires replacement, the cities also would share that expense.

Each city will pay for its own inspections, per state requirements.

Anderson added that the Michigan Department of Transportation has pushed for the contract, which was effective upon execution and shall remain so unless contested.

Commissioners also:

-Approved a payment of $9,850 to Northland Electric, DS, Inc. of New London, Wisconsin, for the Curry Park Campground electrical upgrade project. Anderson said the work is proceeding as it should.

-Approved a payment of $167,363.55 to Jake's Excavating and Landscaping, LLC of Ironwood for the city's lead service replacement project. For the same project, the city also approved to Jake's a change order for an increase of $2,355.12. Anderson said the city normally tries to minimize change orders, but in this case, he said, "This is all due to plumbing work that was not able to be designed into the project."

-Approved a work order for $3,410 for Coleman Engineering Company in Ironwood for professional engineering services relating to the Hemlock Street small urban project via the Michigan Department of Transportation.

-Awarded a $106,356 contract to Reform Enterprises for the Bonnie Road lift station generator project. Anderson described the project as "long-awaited" and said, "We're excited to move forward with the project." He added that he is hoping for a $50,000 insurance match for the project. Ruotsala Construction, Inc. of Ironwood also had submitted a bid for $109,367.

-Approved an agreement, not to exceed $677,000, with Coleman Engineering Company for professional engineering services related to the Phase 5B sanitary sewer project. Anderson said the city already had approved a contract with Coleman for the project's water portion.

-Approved a resolution amending the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2023-24. "For the most part, we had a year that was pretty much on target," said Linn.

-Approved an application for a $160,000 "MI Neighborhood" grant via the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Community Development Director Tom Bergman said that, if received, the grant would cover rehabilitation of four single-family dwellings in R1A and R1B districts at $40,000 each, as well as $75,000 in park improvements.

All votes were unanimous with Rick Semo absent.

The commission's next regular meeting will be on July 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the commission chambers of the Ironwood Memorial Building.