Council accepts grant invoices; consultant Benford and Brown reduces fee for city grant work

The Calumet City Council approved a series of financial items related to grant work and invoices, and the mayor said the city’s grant consultant agreed to lower its fee. The mayor told the council that items 10‑1 through 10‑4 relate to grant work and that representatives from Benford and Brown were present. "Benford and Brown has agreed to reduce its fees, dollars 3,600 to do the grants for the city," the mayor said. Council members moved to approve items covering multiple invoices. Alderman Williams made the motion to approve items 10‑1 through 10‑26 and Alderman Harvey seconded; the clerk called the roll and the items were approved as presented. The meeting did not include detail in open session about which grants the invoices supported, the total dollar figures beyond the stated $3,600 fee reduction, or the exact invoices’ line items; the mayor said the invoices relate to different months. City staff and the consultant were present to answer questions after the vote. The council’s action authorized payment of the listed grant invoices and accepted the consultant’s fee reduction; any additional reporting or contract amendments were not specified on the record.