Committee reviews Sunday‑alcohol rule, Superior Street resurfacing grant, Bobo Brazil center contract and sewer contracts

The Public Safety & Public Works Committee reviewed multiple resolutions and contract awards affecting city streets, community facilities and sewer infrastructure.

Sunday alcohol sales: The committee considered a resolution to permit bars and restaurants that serve food to apply to serve alcoholic beverages before noon on Sundays. Staff emphasized the change would not apply to package liquor stores or convenience stores and that participating businesses must apply to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission; staff said they have already contacted Commission staff and are awaiting final confirmation. No vote was recorded in the transcript during the item review.

Superior Street resurfacing (Category B grant): Public Works staff said the city was awarded a Category B resurfacing grant for Superior Street between Emory and Empire and that the state grant would cover roughly half the project cost. Staff cited an approximate grant amount of $350,000 and a city match of about $175,000 to be funded from next year’s local income tax; contractors were asked questions during the meeting and staff said bids are out with work expected in spring shortly after award.

Bobo Brazil Community Center, Phase 2 contract: Staff recommended awarding a Phase 2 renovation contract to the contractor identified in the packet (named alternately in the record) to complete interior entrance and bathroom work after Phase 1 roof and window work nears completion. Commissioners pressed staff on whether modern heating/equipment or solar/stored energy had been fully considered; staff explained earlier larger grants (including a $17.5M community change grant and a separate $3.3M solar award) were canceled or reallocated and that the current work uses an approximately $1M state grant with limited local out‑of‑pocket expense.

Jennings/East Empire sewer improvements (LE Barber): Public Works staff presented a CWSRF‑funded sewer replacement project (Empire between Bishop and Union; Jennings between May and Cross) and said LE Barber submitted the low bid. Staff said the work includes full sanitary sewer replacement and replacing laterals to the sidewalk line and noted grant deadlines require moving this work forward in the next construction season.

Commissioners asked questions about local hiring and subcontracting goals (a 25% subcontractor participation target was raised) and whether Phase 2 community‑center work would meet those goals; staff answered that the majority of the contract is materials and that the trade crews were already established for the scope. The transcript records discussion and direction to obtain contract documentation for review; the committee adjourned after public comments and no formal roll‑call votes on the listed resolutions appear in the transcript.