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Boyne City commission approves interim planning consultant, wastewater change order and capital purchases
Summary
The Boyne City Commission approved an as-needed planning consultant contract, a $53,528.51 change order to the wastewater treatment plant contract, purchases of six park benches and two Ford F-250 trucks during its recent meeting. Commissioners also scheduled a city-manager evaluation work session.
Boyne City commissioners voted to approve several staff-recommended contracts and purchases at the meeting, including an interim planning and zoning consulting arrangement, a consolidated change order for the wastewater treatment plant, a six-bench purchase and two municipal pickup trucks.
The commission authorized an as-needed consulting arrangement with retired planning professional Scott McPherson at a rate of $75 per hour with a two-hour minimum and a not-to-exceed cap of $10,000 to help the planning and zoning department during a staffing transition. Commissioner Hower said, "Scott coming to help, I think, is incredible," noting the department needs experienced support as staff coverage shifted. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with all commissioners recorded in favor.
The body also approved change order number two for the Grand Traverse Construction contract related to the wastewater treatment plant in the amount not to exceed $53,528.51. City staff said the amount consolidates previously authorized work and covers additional repairs and specialist visits related to pressure filters; staff cautioned further change orders remain possible on a $2 million-plus project. A friendly amendment required staff to identify restricted and unrestricted funding sources for the change order before execution; the amended motion passed on roll call.
On capital purchases, the commission approved buying six memorial park benches from Landscape Forms for $19,189.60 and authorized staff to execute related documents. Parks staff said donor contributions will offset the cost and excess receipts will be tracked for maintenance and special projects.
Separately, the commission approved two 2026 Ford F-250 pickup trucks (one for the Department of Public Works and one for the Water & Sewer Department) from a local dealer under state contract terms, each purchase not to exceed $48,897.60. Staff said upfitting (snowplows, lift gate) is included in the available budget and that one local dealer could deliver one vehicle sooner than standard lead times.
Commissioners also agreed to schedule a work session in February to develop and adopt a city-manager evaluation tool for Sam, whose six-month review is upcoming.
Votes at a glance
- Interim planning consultant (as-needed, $75/hr, 2-hour minimum, not to exceed $10,000): approved (unanimous roll call) - Change order #2, Grand Traverse Construction (wastewater): approved, amended to identify restricted/unrestricted fund sources (unanimous roll call); amount not to exceed $53,528.51 - Six park benches (Landscape Forms): approved, not to exceed $19,189.60 (voice/roll call) - Two Ford F-250 pickups (DPW and Water & Sewer): approved, each not to exceed $48,897.60 (roll call)
What happens next
Staff will finalize contracts and change-order paperwork, identify funding sources (restricted vs. unrestricted) on the wastewater change order, place bench orders and proceed with vehicle procurement and upfitting. The commission will reconvene in February for a status check on the interim planning arrangement and the city-manager evaluation process.
