The Lincoln Park City Council authorized a package of engineering contracts and construction awards on projects intended to replace lead water service lines, repair retention basins and rehabilitate sanitary sewer pipes, actions city staff said are largely funded by federal ARPA and state drinking‑water grant programs.

City staff presented multiple proposals and low bids at the Dec. meeting, and the council approved each by roll call. City materials and presenters said the projects together involve design, bidding, construction administration and equipment purchases for the water system and will be funded primarily through earmarked ARPA dollars and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) grant allocations.

Why it matters: city officials framed the package as a coordinated effort to reduce public‑health risk from lead plumbing and to upgrade aging pumping and sewer infrastructure. Several items will replace lead service lines, a priority tied both to resident safety and to state and federal compliance deadlines.

City engineer and Hennessey Engineers representative John presented the proposals and corrected an early figure for one line item: “I just wanna correct the amount. It’s $242,150,” he said when staff clarified the design fee for the earmarked lead service replacement program.

The largest construction award approved was for Brico Excavating LLC, a low bidder on the 2024 ARPA lead water service replacement project. Staff said that contract — including a 6% contingency — brought that project cost to a not‑to‑exceed $4,441,400 and will be paid from ARPA funds at no cost to the city. Council members asked about the project timeline; staff estimated typical completion at roughly nine to 12 months, depending on field conditions.

Council also authorized Hennessey Engineers for additional design and bidding work for a broader 2025 DWSRF water program. Staff said the city expects $6,900,600 in DWSRF funding for a program that would replace water mains and additional lead services; city staff noted the city would be responsible for the remaining share, which staff estimated at about $4.0 million if state funding does not cover the balance. A council member asked where that local share would come from; staff said the city will first seek state SRF financing and, “if for some reason we’re not able to get that, we will have to look at selling bonds on the open market,” according to staff remarks recorded in the meeting.

Other awards and authorizations approved by the council included:
• Hennessey Engineers: design and construction services for an earmarked lead service replacement planning package — $242,150 (design/inspection/administration). Staff said this cost is fully funded by earmarked ARPA funds.
• Hennessey Engineers: design and bidding services for the 2025 DWSRF water projects — $552,400 (staff said this is funded by DWSRF grant funds).
• Hennessey/Fishback team: design and construction engineering for 2025 retention basin electrical and pump improvements — not to exceed $1,650,000 (funded by ARPA, staff said).
• Award to Brico Excavating LLC for 2024 ARPA lead water service replacement — not to exceed $4,441,400 (includes 6% contingency; ARPA funded).
• Award to 5 Star Energy Services LLC for an earmarked lead water service replacement contract — not to exceed $2,388,180 (includes 6% contingency; earmarked funds).
• Award to Inland Waters Pollution Control Inc. for a 2024 retention‑basin sanitary sewer cured‑in‑place pipelining contract — not to exceed $1,632,294 (includes 6% contingency; ARPA funded).
• Purchase approvals for retention‑basin pumps and a Kohler generator: Kennedy Industries pumps — ~$3.12 million (including sales tax); Energy Systems Kohler generator — ~$1.01 million (both purchases stated as ARPA funded).
• Authorization of a change order for Emmons Street pump station fuel‑release remediation — $26,800; staff said the cost will be reimbursed by the state of Michigan.
• Hennessey Engineers: design and construction engineering services for an additional 2024 retention‑basin sanitary sewer cured‑in‑place pipelining scope — $183,800 (ARPA funded).

In discussion, a council member pressed staff about the city’s local share for the DWSRF program and where it would come from if state funding does not materialize; staff said the city would consider municipal bonds if necessary but expects to secure the intended SRF financing. City Manager Lisa Griggs noted the work was time‑sensitive for federal and grant deadlines, saying the administration was finishing procurement steps because “we’re under the restriction for December 31st for the ARPA funds.”

Votes at a glance: each resolution and award on the water‑infrastructure agenda was approved by roll call during the meeting; meeting minutes show the motions carried with affirmative votes from members present. (Individual roll‑call tallies were recorded in the meeting record as affirmative; the council’s clerk recorded the votes for each item.)

What’s next: staff recommended Hennessey and the successful contractors proceed with detailed design, procurement and construction scheduling. Several projects carry construction timelines measured in months; staff estimated the lead service replacement contract could be completed in roughly nine to 12 months, depending on field conditions and weather.

Funding and scope clarifications: meeting materials and presenters repeatedly said the listed design and construction fees would be covered by earmarked ARPA or DWSRF grant allocations and would carry “no cost to the city.” The DWSRF program staff presented included a remaining local share that staff identified as the city’s responsibility if additional state funding is not approved.

The council approved the package at the Dec. meeting after the presentations and questions from council members and staff.