Kingsley council approves up-to-$1.57 million contract to rebuild Brownson Memorial Park; approves small infrastructure contracts

The Village of Kingsley Village Council on Aug. 13 authorized a construction contract to rebuild Brownson Memorial Park and approved several smaller infrastructure contracts, moving forward with a grant-funded park reconstruction project and related utility work.

The council voted unanimously to authorize the Village Manager to execute a construction contract with Walton Contracting, Inc. for the reconstruction of Brownson Memorial Park. The agenda packet described the contract amount as "not to exceed $1,571,188.34," while the motion as recorded during the meeting listed an amount of $1,571,188.54; council materials and minutes show the project will be funded from three sources: a $1,500,000 reimbursement from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, a $150,000 transfer from Oil & Gas funds into the General Fund, and the remaining balance from the General Fund.

President Lajko summarized project communications, saying Molon Contracting has begun outreach for the associated 4-inch watermain work on Cottage, Madison and Elm streets and that a project schedule will be provided to the village office.

In related infrastructure actions, the council waived formal bidding and authorized the Village Manager to execute an agreement with GFL to televise approximately 3,225 linear feet of sewer line connected to the 4-inch watermain upgrade. The agenda listed Proposal PR072624.2 with a not-to-exceed amount of $11,000; the motion passed authorizing approximately $9,352.50, "more or less," to be paid from the Sewer Capital Improvement Fund.

The council also approved two inspection agreements with Dixon Engineering for village water towers — $5,120 for inspection of the 150,000-gallon spheroid tank and $5,140 for inspection of the 200,000-gallon spheroid tank — with funds coming from the Water RRI Fund; the competitive bidding process was waived for these services.

During regular reports, Trustee Bott said the Planning Commission continues work on the Master Plan and that Networks Northwest will run pop-up engagement events at the farmer's market and park; a survey was noted as live on the village website. President Lajko told the council DDA consultant interviews for a land bank project are scheduled for Aug. 26 and that construction at Brownson Park is expected to begin after Labor Day.

The council voted to enter a closed session at the end of regular reports pursuant to MCL 15.268(h). The body entered closed session at 7:06 p.m., reconvened at 7:38 p.m., and then approved a motion directing staff to contact legal counsel for further information on the matter discussed in closed session.

Votes at a glance

- Walton Contracting — reconstruction of Brownson Memorial Park; motion authorized (recorded amounts: agenda "not to exceed $1,571,188.34"; motion recorded as $1,571,188.54); funding: $1,500,000 MEDC CDBG reimbursement, $150,000 transfer from Oil & Gas, remainder General Fund; mover: Weger; second: Bott; roll-call: Lajko, McPherson, Weger, Wallace, Bogart, Bott, Weber — yes 7, no 0.

- GFL — sewer-line televising (Proposal PR072624.2) for ~3,225 linear feet; motion authorized for ~ $9,352.50 (agenda listed $11,000 not-to-exceed); funds: Sewer Capital Improvement Fund; mover: Bogart; second: Weber; unanimous.

- Dixon Engineering — inspection agreements for two water towers ($5,120 and $5,140); funds: Water RRI Fund; mover: Weger; second: Bott; unanimous.

- Executive session authorization — motion to go into closed session at end of reports under MCL 15.268(h); unanimous.

- Direction to contact counsel — after reconvening from closed session, motion to contact legal counsel for further information; mover: Lajko; second: Weger; unanimous.

What this means

The council has approved the park reconstruction as a funded capital project, subject to the construction contract execution and the MEDC grant reimbursement. The council also moved ahead with short contracts to assess sewer and water-tower conditions that support the larger infrastructure work; the televising and inspections are funded from existing capital funds. The council's closed session dealt with a matter covered by MCL 15.268(h), and the council directed staff to consult legal counsel for follow-up.

Next steps

The village manager is authorized to execute the listed agreements and to finalize the construction contract; staff will provide project schedules and further details to council and to residents. DDA consultant interviews are scheduled for Aug. 26 and Brownson Park work is expected to begin after Labor Day.