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Chippewa County Road Commissioners approve MSP frost-law contract and award bridge bids
Summary
At their Jan. 16 meeting the Chippewa County Road Commissioners approved payroll and vouchers, authorized the manager to sign the annual Michigan State Police frost law enforcement contract, awarded bridge contracts for the 16- and 12-Mile projects, and discussed buying two used graders from Menominee County.
The Chippewa County Road Commissioners on Jan. 16 authorized Manager Laitinen to sign the annual Michigan State Police contract for frost law enforcement and approved payroll totaling $264,546.17 and vouchers of $1,354,032.30.
The action came during the regular meeting at the road commission’s offices in Sault Ste. Marie. The board also approved the Jan. 2, 2025 meeting minutes. Motions to approve the agenda, payroll and vouchers, and the minutes were moved by Commissioner Moser, seconded by Commissioner Sprague, and recorded as "MOTION CARRIED."
Engineer Boileau reported two bridge procurements: the bid for the 16 Mile Bridge replacement came in about 2% over the estimate and was awarded to J&N Construction; the 12 Mile Bridge removal bid came in significantly under the estimate and was awarded to M&M Excavating. Boileau also said the commission is working with the Bay Mills Tribe on a Safe Routes to School/safety grant.
Manager Laitinen told the board the commission will provide two graders to support the I-500 event and that staff had run public service announcements about the new 200-foot law for plow trucks. He reported the commission had received a FOIA request about traffic control on Lake Shore Drive and that negotiations with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) are beginning for renewal of the State Maintenance contract. He said proposed changes to PA152 are currently on hold by the new Speaker of the House.
On the MSP frost law contract, the manager requested board approval to sign the annual contract; the board recorded the motion as carried. The minutes do not include a roll-call vote tally for that motion beyond the record "MOTION CARRIED." The transcript does not specify the contract’s dollar value.
Laitinen also presented an opportunity to inspect and possibly purchase two used graders from the Menominee County Road Commission, saying such a purchase would require a budget amendment if the equipment condition and pricing were acceptable. The board asked staff to review the machines and potentially return with a purchase request.
Staff and crew reports emphasized winter maintenance work: foremen reported crews have been busy with snow and ice response, and operations included state cutting and brush work during a short lull. Payroll/H.R./Board Clerk Livermore said the office will host a student intern periodically through May 2 to support an office administration capstone and reminded commissioners about upcoming conferences (Highway Conference, March 25–27 in Lansing; UP Road Builders, Feb. 6–7 in Marquette).
County Commissioner Jim Traynor, present as a guest, noted county equipment issues including a generator failure at the jail and mentioned reappointments to county committees.
With no further business, Clerk Livermore adjourned the meeting at 8:26 A.M.
