Utica accepts MDOT safety grant and advances water infrastructure planning; approves engineering and telecom upgrades
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Summary
Council accepted a $560,000 MDOT pedestrian safety grant requiring a 10% city match and approved multiple water, trail engineering and telecom contracts and transfers to advance projects.
Superintendent Diamond reported several infrastructure items and the council approved each Nov. 11.
MDOT VRU grant: The city was awarded a fiscal 2027 MDOT Local Agency VRU improvement grant totaling $560,000 (federal), with $504,000 awarded in that federal portion and a required city match of 10% ($56,000) to fund pedestrian safety upgrades on Auburn Road and Cass Avenue, including rectangular rapid flashing beacons, curb bump-outs, ADA ramp upgrades, pavement markings, signage, and relocation of certain streetlight poles to comply with ADA requirements. Council accepted the award and will return to allocate matching funds when appropriate.
Iron Bell Trail engineering: Council approved using MEDC enhancement grant funds and increasing engineering accounts by $60,000 to begin bridge replacement engineering and design work; staff said physical construction is planned to begin in spring and will likely continue through 2027.
Water meters and asset management: Ferguson Waterworks quote (B110454) was approved for replacement meters and radios not to exceed $4,440 (budgeted). The city also approved a quote from its engineering firm HRC to gather data and complete the Michigan Water Asset Management Council (WAMC) survey for not more than $3,500 and approved a small internal budget transfer to cover the cost. WAMC reporting is required under Michigan law (P.A. 324) and the city is in the reporting window.
Telecom: Council approved a new three-year contract with Lingo to transition POTS lines at Grant Park and select lift stations to LTE service to reduce recurring costs; the contract included anticipated upfront installation costs for LTE routers and was to be paid from water, sewer and parks telephone GL accounts.
Superintendent Diamond said hydrant flushing and crack sealing projects are progressing, and he and the mayor are pursuing additional funding options for replacement of aging mains on McKay/Canal and Kemp streets.