Water for the new Hastings Fiberglass Products facility in Rutland Township will be delivered by the City of Hastings, likely by Thursday, City Manager Jeff Mansfield said Monday.
The request by Rutland Township to accept the water main extension along West Green Street was approved by the council with the condition that the necessary legal paperwork be completed. The township board is expected to approve final easements Wednesday.
The extension of Hastings city water and sewer service into the township is part of an urban services agreement between the city and the township. Providing the service starts the process of withdrawing the Urban Services and Economic Development Agreement from escrow for execution, which could take up to a year.
The council approved an agreement with the MDOT for funding for sidewalks, sidewalk ramps, signs and pavement marking for the Safe Routes to School project. The grant will pay for nine segments in the area of the Hastings Middle School, Central Elementary, and Northeastern Elementary.
The federal funds will be administered by the MDOT and pay 100 percent of the project. The city will pay for design and construction engineering and materials testing. Those costs are covered in this year’s budget, Mansfield said.The project cost was originally set at $689,900, but came in at $706,000. However, Mansfield said there is a provision in the contract that allows for adjusting the figures up or down. In the worst case, the city would have to pay the difference, he said.
In other infrastructure matters, a Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Storm, Asset Management, Wastewater (SAW) program grant will pay low bidder Perceptive Services $196,962.96 for cleaning and televising 30,000 feet of storm and 90,000 feet of sanitary sewer lines as part of the infrastructure evaluation process of the program.
Department of Public Services Director Lee Hays said the winning bid was considerably lower than the $350,000 expected to be asked for the work and they may be able to add more lines to the list. They also got bids of $317,675.50 and $339, 925.45 from out of state companies.
Also, two ordinances had first readings; one would change various regulations applying to parking of vehicles, the other would allow temporary storage units in the city as long as they are kept in good repair. Now they are allowed only for an initial 90 days with a 90-day extension. The planning commission has recommended approval of both amendments. Action will be taken at the next council meeting.
In other council business:
*The form for Mansfield’s annual evaluation was passed out with a request they be tuned in to Rusty Dowling who will tabulate the results for the next meeting.
*Mayor Pro-tem Bill Redman was reappointed to the administrative board of Barry Central Dispatch 911.
*The council approved and placed on file the 2015-2017 audit report from Rehmann.
*NOTE: The Dec. 25 the Hastings City Council meeting has been moved to Dec. 26.
