Improvements to the city's wastewater system moved closer to a fall construction start when St. Ignace City Council accepted two bids totaling $3,376,212 Monday, August 4. The contracts for the twophase project are $106,000 higher than projected, however, so city crews now may take on some of the work.

Council also approved the sale of bonds, with principal not to exceed $3,655,000. Miller Canfield is the bond attorney.

Kamphuis Pipeline Co. of Grand Rapids was awarded work on the first phase of the project with a bid of $1,288,212, which is approximately $117,000 under the projected budget of $1,405,000. The second phase work was awarded to DeVere Construction Company, Inc. of Alpena with a bid of $2,088,000, about $223,000 above the projected budget of $1,865,000.

The bids were reviewed and recommended by the city's project engineer, Wilcox Professional Services of Escanaba. The entire project is mandated by the Department of Environmental Quality and work has to be completed by November 2009.

The first phase of the project includes replacing the force main on Cheeseman Road and replacing the North State Street lift station. Improvements to the treatment facility are included in the second phase, and will include automatic fine screening of the lagoon effluent, an ultraviolet disinfection system, and lagoon liner replacement for five of the six ponds.

Councilman Paul Fullerton noted that poor on-site project management could lead to construction problems, a reference to the Evergreen Shores water tower, which cracked in a windstorm.

Les Therrian, director of the Department of Public Works, said the city crew has worked with both companies before and has confidence in their abilities. In a written report, Wilcox Professional Services staff confirmed both companies were qualified to do the work.

Councilman Willie LaLonde questioned why the second phase was not rebid, since all bids were over the estimated budget, to which Mr. Therrian replied that the higher bids reflect the rising costs for materials. Rebiding the project, he said, would cost the city about $5,000, and that $100,000 over projection on a $3 million project is not unreasonable. He is talking with DeVere Construction about ways to reduce costs, and city crews now may do parts of the project.

Both bids were approved unanimously.

Including Kamphuis Pipeline, six bids were received for the first phase of the project. Other bidders were Fox Excavating of Brimley at $1,379,526, Maverick Construction of St. Ignace at $1,499,031, Cordes Excavating of Hillman at $1,695,213, M & M Excavating of Gaylord at $1,724,251, and MDC Contracting of Charlevoix at $1,730,589.

Including DeVere Construction, three bids were received for phase two, including Meridian Construction of Alpena at $2,108,000 and Spence Brothers of Traverse City at $2,371,500.

In other business, Council approved a resolution that declares May 1 Silver Star Banner Day. The city now will honor wounded and ill soldiers of St. Ignace. Silver Star Families of America, a charitable not-for-profit organization, is asking communities to establish the day.

Mayor Paul Grondin also told Council he had attended the 50th anniversary celebration of Bessie's Homemade Pasties of St. Ignace.

For the last 48 years, said City Manager Eric Dodson, the fire department clowns have represented the City of St. Ignace across Northern Michigan. At Polish Fest in Rogers City, Saturday, August 5, they received the Judges Award, the highest award offered by the city at the parade.

"They do an excellent job," he said, "and take time out of their own schedule. They do a really nice job of representing the city."

During the public comment portion of the meeting, resident Mary Nichols said since May she was no longer receiving city council agendas. A request she had made through the Freedom of Information Act. Ms. Nichols requested a written explanation. Mr. Dodson said he did not know why she was not receiving them and would look into it.

Council next meets Monday, August 18, at 8 p.m. at the city hall.