Imlay City approves engineering for lead service replacements

IMLAY CITY — The Imlay City commission took action at their meeting last week to approve engineering work for the city’s Lead Service Replacement Project through a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. 

A representative from Rowe Engineering was present at the meeting to explain the company’s services.

In the agreement, Imlay City would receive assistance from ROWE with the preparations of Part l and Part ll of the DWSRF application. The firm would be responsible for coordinating the Environmental Assessment with EGLE, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. 

The company will also prepare construction bidding documents, assist with advertising the project, distribute bid documents to interested contractors and be present for the awarding of the bids. A preliminary schedule of the work to be performed shows bid opening in March of 2027, closing of the loan in early June and work to begin the following month.

“We had 150 sites to finish looking at for possible issues with the lead connections and only 47 were identified,” Imlay City Department of Public Works Supervisor Ed Pries told the commission. “That is much less than we expected and that’s good news for the city.” 

Following the presentation, the commission passed a motion to accept the engineering costs of ROWE in the amount of $35,500.

Other business

• Commissioners passed a resolution agreeing to their share of match money costs for trailhead improvements to the Polly Ann Trail. The cost of the project is being covered by a $400,000 grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and match money in the amount of $145,000 from Imlay City. According to the agreement, the scope of work to be done at the trailhead includes; An access pathway, benches, crushed stone parking lot, landscaping, paved ADA parking spaces, paved parking lot, picnic tables, signage and any needed utilities.

• Imlay City Police Chief Rushton updated the commission with the bid process for the department’s towing contract, saying he received two bids. “These companies were Paul’s Towing and Lapeer County Towing and Recovery. It would be my recommendation that the contract be awarded to Paul’s Towing after reviewing both bids.” His written report went on to say: “Paul’s Towing will have lower fees for both city owned and private vehicle tows in the majority of incidents. Paul’s Towing also has their own fleet of heavy-duty tow trucks which Lapeer County Towing would have to sub-contract. Paul’s Towing also has the capability of indoor storage for vehicles that are part of a police investigation. Chief Rushton also said the new police car previously approved by council should be ready to enter the fleet of patrol cars late next week. The vehicle was priced at just over $62,000 including conversion equipment.
• After further discussion on a previous matter involving a police department-owned parcel due to a previous forfeiture situation, commissioners agreed to sell the property at 542 N. Cedar St. at a cost of $160,000. Originally, the commission listed the property sale price at $200,000. However, following lengthy discussions at more than one meeting, the board agreed to drop the asking price. “The owner is assuming all responsibility for the property and that is big for the city,” said Mayor Barbara Yockey. Commissioners said they were glad an investor wanted to come to town and be part of the community, calling it a win-win situation for all parties involved.
• DPW Supervisor Ed Priehs said his department has been working with city officials to come up with a cost to place a base for a parking lot at the new Community Center. Priehs estimated to apply a stone base would cost between $6,000 to $8,000. Officials are seeking grants that may help cover a portion of a parking lot that would be paved. For now, Priehs said, his staff could do the work and put down a good base that would help prepare the site for paving, “if and when that time comes.”

The next regular Imlay City commission meeting will be held Sept. 29.