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the cemetery.” Dempsey added that even with the two change orders, the project cost will still be below the amount that the city had set aside for the project. The change orders were approved by the council with both passing by a 3-2 margin. Council members Steve Fabiano and Steve Calley voted against both change orders. “Just because we have money set aside for the project does not mean we should spend it all,” said Fabiano. The council also received the first pay request from Cook Brothers for work completed on the Rivertrail connection project. The pay request for $60,619.77 was approved by the council by a 4-1 vote with Calley casting the “no” vote. “Even though we received grant money for this project, my preference was to use this money for street repairs,” said Calley. “These funds could have been used for Cutler Road.”
Road projects The council also received a pay request from CL Trucking for work completed on the Grape Street reconstruction project. The request for $445,800.27 was unanimously approved by the council. “A lot of work got done on this project during August,” said Dempsey. “We did a walk-through with the engineers and contractor today and anticipate moving forward next month to closing this project out.” Meanwhile, another road project will be starting this week. Dempsey informed the council that the
Divine Highway project will begin on Monday, Sept. 13. “The road will not be closed and there will not be a detour,” said Dempsey. “At least one lane of traffic will be maintained while the work is going on. The contractor will use flaggers to control the traffic so there might be some slight delays for motorists driving in that area.”
Other action The council approved a bid from Cook Brothers to repair damage to a retaining wall at Grand River Avenue and James Street. The cost is estimated at $11,545. Dempsey said the costs associated with the repair will be turned in to the city’s insurance carrier which will seek payment from the insurance company of the driver involved. Council members also approved a settlement with the Portland Federal Credit Union regarding tax assessments for its property at Charlotte Highway and Bridge Street. Photo by Tom Thelen Under the agreement, the true cash value for the property will be set at $829,000 for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010. PFCU Work crews from Cook Brothers of Portland have cleared the path for the filed an appeal with the State Tax Tribu- Rivertrail connection between Charlotte Highway and Okemos Road. The project nal in 2008 when the city assessed the is scheduled to be completed later this month. true cash value at $1,225,500 while the credit union proposed an assessment was $635,000. The council also approved an agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey to fund a streamgaging station in the Grand River at a cost of $7,850. Breathe Better & Live Better The agreement is required under the city’s license through the Federal Energy OARD ERTIFIED IN LLERGY MMUNOLOGY Regulatory Commission to operate the hydroelectric facility.
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Council: Divine Highway project begins this week
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