Mount Clemens commission backs $9.34M bridge grant application, approves Metro Act fiber permit and payments

The Mount Clemens City Commission on March 6 signed off on multiple infrastructure and procurement items, including a resolution supporting a $9,337,000 grant application to the Michigan Department of Transportation for replacement of the Crocker Boulevard bridge, and a five‑year Metro Act right‑of‑way permit for Open Fiber Michigan LLC to install a fiber‑to‑the‑home network in city public ways.

City staff told commissioners the bridge is deteriorating and that the city has been applying for funding for many years. Staff stated the grant application to MDOT’s Local Bridge Program requests $9,337,000 to fund replacement of the structure and said the commission’s resolution is required as part of the application process. A city presenter said, "The purpose of the grant is to obtain funding for the replacement of the deteriorating Crocker Boulevard bridge." Commissioners discussed the bridge’s age and condition and expressed hope this year's application will secure funding after prior attempts.

On broadband, staff presented an application from Open Fiber Michigan LLC for a five‑year unilateral Metro Act permit under the Metropolitan Extension Telecommunications Right-of-Way Oversight Act (Act 48 of Public Acts of 2002). Staff said the applicant plans a full fiber network with symmetrical upload and download speeds and that, on completion of construction, the applicant will be an internet service provider along the constructed routes. Commissioners asked whether the company provided maps and whether planned city construction (including downtown revitalization and other summer projects) would be coordinated with the fiber installation; staff said applicants must still apply for work permits and the city will work to coordinate schedules.

On purchases and payments, the commission approved the invoices presented. Commissioners questioned a $923,000.01 line item that was not budgeted; staff explained the city advanced a loan from the general fund to the parking fund to pay for the expense, noted a repayment schedule (approximately $248,000 per year until repaid) and said the city may apply Ice Arena bond funds to cover some repayment. Commissioners also asked why a lower bid had not been accepted; staff replied that a five‑year experience requirement in the bid specifications disqualified the lowest bidder.

During public comment earlier in the meeting a resident raised long‑running neighborhood parking concerns and urged the commission to escalate issues involving operations outside a local post office, asking the commission to contact higher postal authorities if needed.

Votes at a glance: the commission adopted the meeting agenda and minutes, approved the one‑year marijuana permit extension (see separate item) after allowing the mayor to abstain, adopted the resolution to support the MDOT bridge grant application, authorized the five‑year Metro Act permit for Open Fiber Michigan LLC, approved purchases and payments (including the internal parking‑fund loan) and adopted the consent agenda. The meeting concluded with routine commissioner comments and adjournment.

Next steps: staff will submit the MDOT Local Bridge Program application with the commission’s supporting resolution, coordinate Metro Act construction permits with city projects, and carry out the repayment schedule for the parking fund loan as outlined in staff comments.