Board approves water-main grants, change orders, lift-station work and landfill agreements; roll calls recorded

The Muskegon County Board of Public Works voted on March 6 to approve a series of grants, change orders, easements and construction contracts affecting water‑main extensions, lift‑station modifications, and landfill infrastructure. All recorded motions carried by roll call.

Why it matters: The motions authorize grant acceptance and contract changes that will extend public water service in multiple townships, modify wastewater lift-station pumping paths for the Coopersville area, and fund engineering and construction work tied to a regional sewer and landfill program.

Key outcomes (votes were recorded by roll call as stated in meeting minutes):

- Grant amendment for Dalton Township water-main extension (BPW25/084-026): The board moved to accept a $1,283,000.72 amendment from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) for an additional water main extension. Chair and roll call approved the motion; roll-call votes recorded as yes by commissioners present. Outcome: approved.

- Change order and engineering funding for Forest Street/Newark Drive/Oakmont Road water-main extension (DPW25/04-027 and related motions): The board approved a change order to provide professional engineering services and to expand water-main extension work; staff noted the expansion will be covered by grant funds and that the contractor agreed to hold original bid prices. Outcome: approved by roll call.

- Jackson Murphy change order for additional water-main construction (W25/04/0202 series): The board approved Change Order No. 1 to extend water mains on Forest Street, Newark Drive and Oakmont Road (amounts and contract references recorded in the packet). The board recorded a unanimous roll-call approval. Outcome: approved.

- Easements and quick-claim deeds for Christian Court water main and Orchard View Public Schools property (W25/04/039): The board approved acceptance of quick-claim deeds and an agreement to grant easement across Orchard View Public Schools property to allow a developer-installed water main to be conveyed to the county. The board discussed a $5,000 payment from the developer to adjust language about driveway repairs when the easement crosses school property. Outcome: approved by roll call.

- Increased contingency and certified rebuild for landfill equipment: The board approved increasing the contingency and funding for a certified rebuild of landfill equipment; staff said the rebuild includes sandblasting/repainting and a 5‑year/6,000‑hour warranty on the certified rebuild. Outcome: approved by roll call.

- Solicitation of architectural/engineering services for landfill west infrastructure (Cell 7 access/scale and transfer station): The board authorized solicitation for professional architectural and engineering services to design and build entrance, scale house and related infrastructure west of the existing landfill (Cell 6/7 area). Outcome: approved by roll call.

- Coopersville main lift-station contract (IFB25-2054074): The board accepted a low bid for the Coopersville Main Lift Station modification work, authorized the chair to sign the contract, and authorized the county administrator to approve change orders up to 5% of the original contract. Commissioners discussed the 5% admin limit; the board recorded approval by roll call. Outcome: approved.

- Professional construction engineering services for Contract 6 (Newhall proposal): The board approved a proposal from Newhall for construction engineering services for the Coopersville lift-station work (cost not to exceed $65,000) and authorized the chair to sign. Outcome: approved by roll call.

- Other procurement and bid approvals: The board accepted low bids for road materials and other IFB items listed in the packet (examples: white blue crush and shape material bid; references in the packet). Outcome: approved by roll call.

Nut graf: The package of approvals advances county water-infrastructure projects tied to grant funding, modifies lift-station pumping to integrate Coopersville flow into a regional force main, and funds landfill-site infrastructure needed as the site progresses from Cell 6 to Cell 7 construction.

Roll-call context and next steps: Staff repeatedly noted grant funding would cover the expansions; contractors agreed to hold original bid prices for the additional work cited in change orders. Several items require follow-up contract signatures by the board chair and standard procurement reporting to the county administrator and finance staff.