Residents of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians housing development in St. Ignace township will soon be provided potable water from the City of St. Ignace water system under a contract approved by the St. Ignace City Council at its Monday, August 3, meeting.

Currently, the tribal housing off Ingalsbee Road receives city water at a metered service station. The water is distributed to homes from the subdivision's service center through plastic piping. Until about 1.5 years ago, the housing development depended on well water for its homes.

Because connecting to the city water system requires compliance with city standards, the construction of new iron and copper pipe is required.

"For us to even maintain it, they have to build to our specifications," said Les Therrian, director of the city's department of public works.

The contract between the tribe and city agrees to the construction of water mains in the subdivision to be completed by the tribe, and all maintenance under $500 will be performed by the city. Although the city will maintain it, the tribe will own the system.

The tribe will reimburse the city for any maintenance over $500, Mr. Therrian said.

Residents in the reservation housing will be billed just like any other customer using the city's water system, although the tribe has agreed to pay for any delinquent bills.

There are 62 homes in the development, with two under construction and more expected to be added in coming years. Expansion is addressed in the contract, said city manager Eric Dodson, and new construction will also tap into the system.

"This is very similar to the contracts we have with Moran and St. Ignace townships," Mr. Dodson said.

Some Council members said this new construction would be a good opportunity to expand city water service in the same area of St. Ignace Township.

Mr. Therrian said the township is aware of the construction and would be responsible for the cost of building new mains.

"This is the time to run more line in the township if we are going to do it," Council member Paul Fullerton said. He said the city should make sure the township is aware of this option before construction begins.

Mr. Dodson said bids for the construction should be opened in the next few weeks, and the tribe is planning to complete construction sometime this fall.

Portage Street Project

Bid Awarded

City Council members voted unanimously Monday to award a construction contract for the Portage Street sewer line project to MDC Contracting, LLC of Charlevoix.

The contractor submitted the lowest of all bids received at $916,223.50.

This bid is about $246,000 under the engineer's estimate, Mr. Therrian noted.

"It was almost a $1.4 million project, and this makes it $1.15 million," he said.

Mr. Dodson said the city is looking at other areas surrounding the project route that need improvement, and may use some of the money saved to make those additional improvements. Mr. Therrian is awaiting word from the state, who is helping to fund the project, to see if the project can be expanded.

A main line that has seen extensive wear and damage in the past, the Portage line will be tied into sewage lines running from US-2 to take pressure off the current system. The project also includes repair of lines on Central Hill and Truckey streets, which could begin this fall, Mr. Therrian said.

Repairs to the Portage Street line will likely wait until next summer to avoid conflicts with students and parents traveling to and from the St. Ignace school campus.

The work will be paid using city funds and a 40% principal payback program through the Michigan State Revolving Fund. Design and planning for the project was partially paid for by a $100,000 grant through the state.

The project engineer, Wilcox Professional Services, LLC, tabulated the bids and recommended awarding the contract to the low bidder.

Mr. Dodson said one local company, Maverick Construction, bid for the contract, but recommended Council approve the lower bidder because of the high price difference between the two. The Maverick bid was $1,119,852, a difference of about $200,000.

A motion to award the bid was passed unanimously by Council members.

Bus Station Nears Completion

The St. Ignace bus terminal, which began construction in November 2008, is substantially complete, Mr. Dodson reported during Monday's meeting.

"It won't be long and this thing will be open," he said. "It looks really nice."

Final items are being finished at the site, interior furniture will be arriving in about a week, and Indian Trails bus company is expected to move its operation into the station right after Labor Day, Mr. Dodson said.

An open house for public to tour the new facility and a ribbon cutting ceremony will be scheduled at the next Council meeting.