[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6101665,"mediaKeyId","2807303-9b5782e288b89e5312b5b0ef620ed15b","parentId",2807303,"title","Council hears board reports, housing staff changes and Delta County announcements","audioSeconds",205,"startMs",1259000,"endMs",1464000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2807303-9b5782e288b89e5312b5b0ef620ed15b&start=1259&end=1464","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2807303-9b5782e288b89e5312b5b0ef620ed15b/thumbnail_1259000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6101665/Escanaba/Delta-County/Michigan/Council-hears-board-reports-housing-staff-changes-and-Delta-County-announcements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101665-0a6a77619cccb177e8b5219c59ba3a5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771094453&Signature=REIoqtEpUQIE4R9XsAHzH8qGMLHhnhYW9kgrLUE2infw7gLV5LyMy2nOANMinSuIQzQ565kBk9pFpb1q~YzuKJfv~8-3asQZGclU43sGkCX~y~suRiIgW7c0lwB9a6DaSJtstLxQTvc8oXX-JFaF2g~KrB457~uXqJQpGsjMC-vZQysx0YKaLOVmGwtJKxeOoDz2sevQG5qdLKQfF3zleu2fbdlOQc3VrvCfweGEbtgjkUTzcQPt-XEkurz-3we7Vdfrif9UyJ0bDtEaPWV~CftRZMA--iABRBBbxzxeXz9GgIMq6BBRC9eGjU~O7U0o2DAWxPkNlYRi~-DCPGIeiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Escanaba","date","2025-03-20T00:00:00Z","article","At its meeting the Escanaba City Council took updates from several boards and accepted administrative and community announcements.

Planning Commission: Councilors heard the Planning Commission approved a special land-use permit to allow an addition for two elderly sisters and approved a site plan for a vocational training center near the FedEx EMP area. The Planning Commission vacancy that followed a resignation was noted; councilors were reminded the planning commission has an open seat.

Recreation Board: The Recreation Board reported on needs around the city, including basketball courts and new playground installations; the report was described as informational.

Housing Commission: The Housing Commission held a special meeting; the commission reported an internal staffing change at Harbour Tower. The current director, Rob, will move to the office manager position and Paul will assume the director role. For three months they will serve as co-directors for training and overlap; the commission plans a three-month evaluation at its July meeting.

Board vacancies and appointments: Councilors were reminded of open positions on the Recreation Advisory Board (one vacancy), two alternate vacancies on the Zoning Board of Appeals, one vacancy on the Historic Commission, and a planning commission vacancy.

Public comment and county announcements: Kelly Van Ginhoven, Delta County commissioner for District 4, provided several countywide announcements: the Delta Conservation District spring tree sale (pickup April 25–26; orders at DeltaCD.org); the opioid task force is accepting RFP applications tied to opioid settlement funds (applications open through March 31 on deltacountymi.gov); and UPCAP is recruiting volunteer mediators for mediation services in upper peninsula counties, with one Delta County mediator expected to retire. Contact information given: mediation manager Cindy Rivas at mediationucap dot org or (906) 217-3012. Van Ginhoven noted UPCAP mediation positions are volunteer roles reimbursed per case and for mileage, not UPCAP payroll positions.

The council adjourned after receiving the updates and announcements.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Regular Meeting Thursday March 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council received reports from the Planning and Recreation boards, accepted a staffing update from the Housing Commission, and heard a county commissioner announce tree sales, opioid task force grant RFPs and UPCAP mediation volunteer openings.","taxTitle","Escanaba, Delta County, Michigan","taxId",54434,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6101670,"Escanaba approves up to $230,000 purchase of water distribution materials; staff flagged recurring material problems",167,933000,1100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2807303-9b5782e288b89e5312b5b0ef620ed15b&start=933&end=1100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2807303-9b5782e288b89e5312b5b0ef620ed15b/thumbnail_933000.jpg","/articles/6101670/Escanaba/Delta-County/Michigan/Escanaba-approves-up-to-230000-purchase-of-water-distribution-materials-staff-flagged-recurring-material-problems","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101670-ae16319b205ffbf862e91635fd2486fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771094453&Signature=RGi~2MdaVBMCktaY1dm5AwDssOVUUEambiypH8AUGi--x0F0ZNuvi3UT5NNfaDLeXaHidTBS7P3HIgD0iXi0AMbO8JaxbJRKhB7b2O29yusirsWm6d7Vq1SCBN1sD11c3LHLcS-o~Qzdf8NjZsuoXihAdKFba19OKoEcsjoFjlHkLU~vvRyRuuHbGi4EBaBZyxYa7f5X67BjaBuWP4o906jhnQ64VSunThrmk9NB~o64HyEmiaZL-YNfBB1FdZg7kCFygkWPjwhHzwZY6iUq30wJhJSOqYxuLg2OBdfMK53hzOSbhJyZrDhzyrR5~ZxvFuAGbR6Y0oraDUt854vvFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council approved a purchase of water distribution inventory materials not to exceed $230,000, with vendors to be finalized after quotes were received.

Administration said the purchase covers parts used for repairing failed valves, adding hydrants and supporting summer watermain projects. Staff explained they generally accept the low bid but flagged particular materials that previously caused failures or delivery issues; those items were recommended to come from specific vendors even if not the absolute low bid.

Staff provided a planned split of roughly $70,000 from Aetna and $159,000 from Core & Main for the adjusted order. The presenter said some initial quotes contained quantity errors and that corrected quotes produced the $229,370 adjusted total. A staff member noted that purchased materials will remain in the warehouse for use on summer projects if not immediately used.

A motion to approve the purchase was made and seconded and passed on a unanimous roll call. The clerk recorded affirmative votes from multiple councilors and the mayor.","Council approved purchasing water distribution inventory materials not to exceed $230,000; staff explained vendor options, quantity issues and past performance problems with some materials.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6101674,"Council approves USIC contract for utility locating as water projects increase this summer",145,735000,880000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2807303-9b5782e288b89e5312b5b0ef620ed15b&start=735&end=880","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2807303-9b5782e288b89e5312b5b0ef620ed15b/thumbnail_735000.jpg","/articles/6101674/Escanaba/Delta-County/Michigan/Council-approves-USIC-contract-for-utility-locating-as-water-projects-increase-this-summer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101674-85d5cca50445545e603d0b81a3bfca36/orig.mp4?Expires=1771094453&Signature=DEHPbodCetoyIlGHv~Wku0WukUdywuGIacqLNfeLl4hmtK08Pz5pGexpZbOev92t~Z61zpMGPRsGi452kO-nhCQcYITdMwq-sTyRjW6GM8OiAsAVJhZESu2gGSYQjjGL9yzA9ZcgdOxHpPrNaZAMdLokw0RyBQ9hc7LH9utU6o2VEKJQhKLjbRKhdMAFZg2B98DXPM223BEFRk0BKZv~~EquwMYc37p8hG2WUI~wa2AoBlMrijaY9~p-z3gDQMP8BahgvYPdb7dD8yMDUwjaLc1Kjtka6QCaQpKgNZ~neGo~bgHt0J1FofSu9grRZO83k9x9MViSfg751zleJhEPiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council voted to hire USIC of Indianapolis to provide utility locating and marking services for the Escanaba Water Department under unit pricing in the vendor proposal.

City administration said the water department lacks staffing capacity for the number of projects scheduled this summer and that the contractor will provide needed additional manpower. Administrators told council the engagement is budgeted for the fiscal year but not yet tied to a specific line-item allocation.

Councilors asked whether the work is a one-year commitment; staff said the contract is expected to be renewed annually (auto-renewal provisions may apply) and that they would review contract language. One councilor asked about estimated annual cost; a staff member acknowledged the figure is an estimate and said yearly cost is “a very difficult estimation to make,” adding the $30,000–$60,000 range attempts to account for variable mark durations and project volume.

A councilor also asked about marking fiber optic cables; staff clarified the city does not mark the fiber itself but must mark the city’s infrastructure whenever fiber is placed in the ground.

The motion to approve hiring USIC was moved and seconded and carried on a unanimous roll call. The clerk recorded affirmative votes from Councilor DuBork (DuBord/DuBois variants in the transcript), Councilor Bushaw, Councilor Fluff (variants), and Mayor Helm.","Council authorized hiring USIC of Indianapolis for utility locating and marking services to support a heavier summer workload in the water department; estimated annual cost range discussed was $30,000–$60,000.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6101679,"Escanaba council joins Michigan Public Power Agency as associate member to preserve energy program options",397,248000,645000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2807303-9b5782e288b89e5312b5b0ef620ed15b&start=248&end=645","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2807303-9b5782e288b89e5312b5b0ef620ed15b/thumbnail_248000.jpg","/articles/6101679/Escanaba/Delta-County/Michigan/Escanaba-council-joins-Michigan-Public-Power-Agency-as-associate-member-to-preserve-energy-program-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101679-1199691c5c0b2f03bdba58478da9bcb2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771094453&Signature=JPJ92Ns02HLOjCMj1E1c6wVIbmqw1y~YQM1MK7nfkLVeOzxyKpmIuDs42q6oHcNmsz6mW08YbcxLXP53Tm2rKzyJ8dX51FmZXJtTlLKnjeb7rzKZXGVanAPB7Mats6VK50wTqMRTY7SSn1G0tlCENhO88HKhqbWQzmKqpGjd~v0CzAVHBIvp3nG~fdw5m2I7I8Qo-XfsMt7Hq1flfuhSA~DIQNkWcjvEuX-~0-TLKqBfv0DGbbPC~v021B5XAy8iEkcV4rg6nI4mvlXjQE8R5NqizfIR1eT4pwPDvJTxufXicRi3k9snUe4FIc57WDLE5AZPyUAfHSip4iZbYrohrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Escanaba City Council approved Resolution 25-03 to join the Michigan Public Power Agency (MPPA) as an associate member, a move staff described as low-cost insurance to preserve options for administering the state’s Energy Waste Reduction (EWR) program beginning in 2026.

Administration explained that MPPA is a joint action agency formed in 1978 that offers member utilities scale advantages on projects and professional services. As an associate member the city would have access to group bidding and services for EWR administration but would not have voting rights on MPPA’s board. Staff said the associate-member annual fee is modest—about $11.80 per year—and membership is optional to use.

Councilors asked whether joining meant committing to MPPA projects or losing voting power. Staff said associate membership is optional and that the city could upgrade to full membership later if it opted to participate in specific generation or energy projects; any such participation would require a future council vote. One staff member explained, “We could opt out at any time and decide not to join, you know, not to continue but it is an annual membership.”

MPPA staff or administration also noted MPPA had recently advised that municipalities participating in the EWR program should at least be associate members. The council was told the city would decide whether to participate in MPPA-organized projects on a case-by-case basis and would return to council for approval before joining any particular project.

The motion to adopt Resolution 25-03 carried on a unanimous roll call. The clerk recorded affirmative votes from Councilor Moore, Councilor Buschau, Councilor DuBois, Councilor Flock and Mayor Hamill (recorded as Mayor Hamill/Helm in the transcript).","Council approved Resolution 25-03 to join the Michigan Public Power Agency as an associate member to retain options for administering the state-required Energy Waste Reduction program and potential future generation projects.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6101683,"Escanaba council approves new auditor engagement with opt-out language to be negotiated",114,100000,214000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2807303-9b5782e288b89e5312b5b0ef620ed15b&start=100&end=214","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2807303-9b5782e288b89e5312b5b0ef620ed15b/thumbnail_100000.jpg","/articles/6101683/Escanaba/Delta-County/Michigan/Escanaba-council-approves-new-auditor-engagement-with-opt-out-language-to-be-negotiated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101683-1f42e37b5ac9f4f2192010d0a42a1755/orig.mp4?Expires=1771094453&Signature=k8Fv7GEkpE90iTFkacf80YsBpwFCQEZTm76o1XxtbD7tE4mlAOnv7XVZp2L5pHsxAntSEIuLF9ZLcUTzriKa7djsFcblpPDGugwG8lK1SI758M3MG4-wtRmT0ZnUuWm~lgWyCLVOy6RPeD-ZxesBQc1C2fpem3XZ0HTtrlntKyUIeE9uPHqOe0F2hDiWQ5UZwgUEwZcjyjaphM~vI4~GQec52eKJqxSYJLtsoyhgfGr3KmVAQ6V00B0b4ZH9B1Zb1-uPn2XrWV7KXPA7aXPre3b6oHm6et9E093IEDPm9lbgV~1zUg-AjA29rBdU2hRPvkgV8tWPG-GfdtrE-yStHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Escanaba City Council voted unanimously to approve engaging a new auditor and to authorize staff to negotiate contract terms that include timing requirements and an opt-out provision.

Councilors approved the change after staff said the switch would address recurring delays in receiving completed audits. The move was presented as a three-year contract but council members asked staff to seek a clause allowing the city to end the arrangement if the firm’s performance is unsatisfactory.

The council heard that prior audits from the city’s former auditor, Raymond, were sometimes delivered so late that staff had “one day to submit” the city’s F-65 report to the state Treasury. A staff member told the council, “I will make sure that there is some language in there,” saying the timing language from the Raymond contract would be placed into the new agreement to avoid repeated late deliveries.

Council members also requested a shorter review period: one councilor said they would prefer “a 2 year with a year to decide” option so the city could evaluate the transition before committing to the full three years. Staff replied the bid specifications called for a three-year contract but that they would “work to get an out in there just in case there’s any issues.”

The motion to approve the auditor engagement was moved and seconded during the meeting and passed on a roll call with all members voting yes. The clerk called the roll and recorded affirmative votes from Councilor Moore, Councilor Bullshaw, Councilor DuBord, Councilor Floth and Ira Reynolds.

The council did not specify the auditor by full contract name in the recorded motion; minutes indicate the firm roster mentioned during discussion included Clark, Shaffer and Hackett as candidates. Staff said they will return any finalized contract language to council for review as part of the implementation process.","City Council approved switching auditing services and directed staff to include timing and opt-out language to avoid last-minute audit deliveries that could impede state filings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council hears board reports, housing staff changes and Delta County announcements

Escanaba approves up to $230,000 purchase of water distribution materials; staff flagged recurring material problems

Council approves USIC contract for utility locating as water projects increase this summer

Escanaba council joins Michigan Public Power Agency as associate member to preserve energy program options

Escanaba council approves new auditor engagement with opt-out language to be negotiated