Board approves engineering RFP distribution and a slate of Department of Public Services contracts, authorizes purchase of 1,000 bridge passes

The Grosse Ile Township Board on Feb. 24 approved several Department of Public Services procurements and contract awards to support bridge engineering, wastewater operations and road maintenance. The board approved distribution of a Toll Bridge Engineering RFP and voted to award or buy goods and services after staff recommendations from the DPS commission and engineers.

Key votes and approvals (motions passed by voice vote unless otherwise indicated):

- Toll Bridge Engineering RFP: Board authorized distribution of the RFP for engineering services for the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge. Funding for the engineering was previously bonded; proposals will be solicited for inspections, bidding, permitting, contracting and project management for upgrades and repairs. (Action item 1 — motion carried.)

- Sludge hauling (wastewater biosolids): The board awarded a 2025 contract to Gullet Sanitation Services for decanting and hauling biosolids from the Grosse Ile Wastewater Treatment Plant. The action authorizes two removals in 2025; the total contracted cost noted in the discussion was $217,995. The township said most of the cost will fall in the next fiscal year and will be budgeted accordingly. (Action item 2 — motion carried.)

- Amiad self‑cleaning filter purchase: The board approved purchasing an Amiad self‑cleaning filter to replace a leaking final‑effluent filter at a cost of $19,075. Shipping and a 16–18 week lead time were discussed, and interim welding repairs will extend the existing unit until the replacement arrives. Installation costs will be budgeted in the next fiscal year. (Action item 3 — motion carried.)

- Pump house roof replacement: The board awarded the roof replacement at the Bridge Road pump house to low bidder Baird and Lawler Building Company (contract amount budgeted under building maintenance; motion carried). Trustees discussed that awarding a bid need not always go to the low bidder if past performance and expertise weigh against it; staff confirmed references and past work. (Action item 4 — motion carried.)

- Odor control equipment for wastewater plant: The board approved purchase of an odor‑control product and installation at the primary clarifier room from Precision Odor Control. After a trial produced noticeable odor reduction, the township approved permanent purchase; the net additional cost discussed was $13,943 (total product cost $16,078 less $2,135 trial expense). The township will treat the material as an annual operational expense. (Action item 5 — motion carried.)

- 2025 concrete program contract: The board approved a contract with Dominic Gaglio Construction for the township’s 2025 concrete program and authorized up to a 25% contingency to expand work at the unit prices in the bid. Bids were reviewed by the township engineer and references checked; engineering will perform construction oversight and material sampling. (Action item 6 — motion carried.)

- Elba Drive resurfacing: The board awarded resurfacing work on Elba (public portion) to low bidder Al's Asphalt at $326,475 and authorized a contingency up to 25% at the bid unit prices. The board clarified the work covers only the public portion of Elba and not private driveways or gated private sections. (Action item 7 — motion carried.)

- Purchase of bridge passes: The board authorized expenditure of $26,350 plus freight to buy 1,000 bridge passes from PSX Inc. and instructed the township supervisor to execute an agreement pending final legal review. Staff explained the bridge company had few or no passes remaining, and the township purchase will ensure passes are available for distribution before the free bridge closure. (Action item 8 — motion carried.)

Several awards included an authorized contingency of up to 25% to allow for adding additional work at unit prices if funds are available. Boards and staff noted that emergency procurement provisions exist in township policy and the township manager can act with supervisor/treasurer consultation for urgent repairs and later report to the board.

Recusals and procedural notes: A trustee recused himself from one resurfacing item (Elba/Elbow Island-related) due to a client relationship noted on the record. Where dollar amounts or detailed vote tallies were not stated in the transcript, the board used voice votes recorded as “Aye” and the chair announced the motion carried.