Chippewa County Road Commission approves culvert awards, authorizes sale agreement for Paradise garage site; Bay Mills resident raises access concerns

The Chippewa County Road Commission on April 24 approved routine payroll and voucher payments, awarded culvert contracts to the low bidders and authorized a sale agreement for the old Paradise garage site while hearing public concerns about an access-road boat launch.

Vice-Chairman Charls Moser called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. and the board approved Payroll in the amount of $208,273.97 and Vouchers totaling $459,096.30 from the County Road Fund, subject to audit. Commissioner Sprague moved the motions, which were seconded by Vice-Chairman Moser and carried.

The meeting’s most contested public comment came from Bay Mills resident Franklin Benson, who spoke on behalf of the Friends of the Bay Mills Access Road about a planned boat launch and kayak access. Benson said the group is concerned that the perceived width of the road right-of-way differs from the actual width and asked that the commission consider those constraints as plans move forward. Manager Laitinen said planning is still preliminary, that multiple agency permits will be required, and that those permits will necessitate detailed plans before work proceeds.

Manager Laitinen delivered the manager’s report, telling the board that House Bills 4180–4187 passed the House with little change and are now held by the Senate Appropriations Committee; he said the governor has indicated she will sign the measures when they reach her desk and that passage would significantly affect the Road Commission’s overall budget. He also reported attending wetland and EGLE meetings in Lansing, meeting with Representative Prestin, and receiving information from Senator Slotkin’s office about the earmark application process for project consideration. Laitinen noted the summer schedule of four 10-hour days went into effect this week and reminded the board that the annual safety meeting is next week.

On procurement, Manager Laitinen reviewed culvert-bid results and recommended awarding initial truck-load quantities to low bidders: ETNA for plastic culvert pipe and Cadillac Culvert for metal pipe. The board voted to accept his recommendation and authorized purchasing additional plastic pipe from local ETNA and Pickford Builder yards as needed.

On a separate property matter, Laitinen presented the history of the old Paradise garage site and described Whitefish Township’s interest in buying the property to create park and township gathering space adjacent to the township hall. He said the sale would not relieve the Road Commission of environmental responsibilities tied to the site and noted private interest in purchasing the parcel as well; he added the township is pursuing Brownfield assistance. The board authorized Laitinen to sign a sale agreement when agreeable terms are reached.

The board also authorized Office Manager Bobbie Livermore and Vice-Chairman Moser to sign a Preliminary Communication and Engagement Letter with Anderson Tackman as needed to support commission business.

Other staff and operational notes: Office Manager Bobbie Livermore reported that cold patch has been ordered with a tentative pickup next Wednesday, an audit is underway and Act 51 filings are in progress (the commission has been granted a filing extension until June 30). Foreman Johnston described spring grading, removal of snow markers and observation of failing pipes and potential washouts. Fleet Manager Donajkowski said annual bids are being prepared and that spring cleanup is underway. County Commissioner Jim Traynor told the board there is a halt on a material-handling plan and that local farmers have been calling about load limits.

There were no further public comments. Vice-Chairman Moser adjourned the meeting at 8:50 a.m.