By Pat Maurer
Correspondent
Monday evening the Clare City Commission approved up to $325,000 for the installation and integrations of new SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) equipment for the water treatment plant on Maple Street.
The SCADA equipment is part of the $$2.77 million upgrade to the City’s water infrastructure.
The Commission also authorized the Mayor and/or the City Manager to execute any and all documents related to contractual agreements on behalf of the City and authorized the City Treasurer/Finance Director to make any and all budget amendments.
The Sole Source contract, through Perceptive Controls, Inc. (the City’s designated provider of SCADA equipment, controls and installation) is for equipment used to monitor equipment and processes for emergency conditions as well as for normal operations.
Perceptive Controls’ bid for that portion of the project was $323,345.00. The cost will be paid out of the City’s matching funds. Howard said, “We also anticipate that a portion of these costs will be absorbed by the PRPs” (Principal Responsible Parties (related to the City’s water source pollution from years ago).
In his report to the Commission, City Manager Jeremy Howard wrote, “In October…the City of Clare was awarded a $2.77 million grant ($2 million in grant funds and $770,590 in matching City funds) from the MEDC (Michigan Economic Development Corporation), CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) WRI (Water Related Infrastructure) Project).”
The grant will be used for the construction of:
- a new water well,
- water treatment facility improvements,
- new chemical feed system,
- electrical updates,
- lab updates, *new backwash and retention tanks,
- new and integrated SCADA system,
- replacement of high service pumps, and
*other water-related improvements.
In his report, Howard added, “The City plans to install and integrate new SCADA equipment at the water treatment plant… This work was intentionally not included in the MEDC-funded grant portion of the project as the SCADA technology is quite propriety in nature and does not integrate well from one provider to another.” He said not including that portion allows City discretion in awarding on a sole-source basis.
The second, and last item of new business on Monday’s agenda was the first reading and public hearing for proposed Ordinance 2023-002 concerning the storage of boats, trailers and other recreational vehicles in the city’s residential areas.
In part, it reads:
No vehicle shall be parked in any portion of a front yard within the city unless in a prepared driveway or parking area of aggregate or hard-surfaced material. The parking or storage of a commercial vehicle, excluding an emergency vehicle, of more than a two-ton capacity is prohibited within any residential district.
The City Planning Commission reviewed and amended the ordinance and recommended its approval by the City Commission.
After some discussion, the Commission agreed to change the dates for summer storage (limited to four RVs or boats) to be allowed between April 15 and October 31. From November 1 to April 14 storage in a front yard or driveway is not allowed (excluding snowmobiles or winter seasonal items).
Seasonal parking or storage through the winter months in a rear or side yard is permitted. No storage is allowed on vacant lots.
A complete list of the requirement is listed in Section 52 of the Clare City Code.
The City Commission will hold a “second reading” and vote on approval of the Ordinance at the next City meeting.
In her report to the Commission, City Treasurer/Finance Director Shannon Sirpilla reported on budget and CIP changes for the coming year.
Revenue increases in the…
General Fund
Property tax revenue has increased by $159,000;
Grant increased by $700,000 for the airport;
Revenue Sharing increase (expected) by $67,000;
School liaison officer reimbursement increase by $9,000;
Verizon tower lease increase by $12,000; and
Airport fuel sales (expected) increase by $10,000.
Parks and Recreation: Senate Bill 565 grant funds (expected) increase up to $6,800,000.
Water System Grant: MEDC CDBG WRI grant for $2,000,000.
Fire Department: USDA Grant for $2,000,000.
Equipment Fund: UDA grant for $62,000 for Police Department car and equipment.
Expenditure Increases are…
Mobile Equipment: Trucks are still pending for the current fiscal year and may not be available until the next fiscal year for purchase.
Water System CIP: Water treatment project to cost approximately $2.9 million with grant funds covering $2 million and $1.5 million from lead copper reimbursement received in prior years.
Parks and Recreation: Hydraulic dredging bid came in at $2,319,000 to be paid with grant and city match funds.
In his City Manager’s Report to the Commission, Howard noted that dredging is paused until June 1 for fish spawning and soil testing is being done for deposit of the spoils on airport property.
For the completion of the Rail-Trail through Clare, Howard said a $150,000 grant will be awarded by the Michigan Trails Fund to help offset costs. He also said “We are still waiting” for the 5G connection for the new Verizon Tower.
The City also approved invoices totaling $165,415.88, before going into a budget workshop to discuss the proposed 2023-24 Budget.