The historic fire hall in downtown Negaunee is pictured. A portion of the building’s roof collapsed due to faulty drains and an April snowstorm. (Journal file photo)

By Alexandria Bournonville

Journal Staff Writer

NEGAUNEE — With coinciding mechanical issues, collapsing structures and emergency fund requests, Negaunee’s City Council made budget adjustments at its Thursday meeting.

Council members unanimously approved the withdrawal of $526,475.81 from a $5.5 million USDA Rural Development Loan fund to support phase one of the city’s water improvement plan. The project, ending construction in late October, includes upgrading 11,000 feet of water mains, improving the water quality, reducing freeze ups, decreasing leaks and replacing some roads and/or sidewalks. Of the withdrawn amount, $34,177.50 would go to UP Engineers & Architects while the remaining $492,298.31 would go to the contractor, Oberstar.

“You gotta get the work done,” said Council Member Matt Howard. “Obviously we need to get this project finished…and move on.”

The council also unanimously approved a Neguanee campground application for a $1 million Spark Grant.

“This is just to apply for the grant, it’s not the actual design of the campground,” said City Manager Nate Heffron.

A 12% match from the city would only be required if the award is granted.

“We wouldn’t even begin that process until construction (is started) in 2024,” Heffron said.

The proposed municipal campground would be located on the Iron Ore Heritage Trail at 200 County Road 480.

Councilors also considered an equipment expense. A Department of Public Works 2007 Case loader has become unusable due to mechanical issues. An evaluation by Miller Bradford produced an estimate of $17,989.48 for the repairs.

Howard expressed concern about the decision to repair the loader as opposed to buying a new one.

“What’s wrong with it,” he said. “I was just wondering, is this gonna snowball and…continually…every month spend another 20 grand?”

Mayor Dave Kangas said the repairs were due to problems caused during the previous winter. The council approved the emergency repair with the monies coming out of the DPW Vehicle Maintenance fund.

Roof repairs were also on the agenda. The fire department building’s roof drain showed signs of leaking due to severely rusted pipes and drains. After an April snowstorm followed by a wave of warm weather, the leaks were exacerbated, eventually causing the roof to fall in. The council unanimously approved a motion to accept the emergency repair quote from Prime Specialty Contracting with monies coming from the Fire Hall Repairs line in the amount of $2,500 as well as $7,215 from the Building Fund to pay for the repairs.

“They’re going to be replacing the pipe from the ceiling all the way down to the basement with PVC-type piping instead of the ductile that was traditionally put in back in the day,” Heffron said. “Also (going to make sure) the top part where it meets the roof is sealed up properly.”

Negaunee’s City Hall chimney is also in need of some repair. Tuckpointing, a mortar technique that cleans up the appearance of brickwork, will require a large boom truck that can reach the 30-foot section above the city hall roofline. The council unanimously approved a $15,145 bid from Closner Construction for the chimney repair with monies being paid by the drawdown of the fund balance of the building fund.

Alexandria Bournonville can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 506. Her email address is abournonville@miningjournal.net.