Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By CHARITY SMITH
Bessemer — The city of Bessemer chose an alternative thickness of sewer pipe for the city’s water and sewer project as a result of an increase in price for the product.
The city council voted on Monday to use SDR35 pipe instead of the SDR26 pipe the city had previously selected.
“Force Majeure declarations remain in effect for raw materials, specifically PVC resin, resulting in allocations and limits on new orders, with older orders of pipe having been cancelled or not ordered/ taken delivery of altogether,” said Darren Pionk, project manager for C2AE in a letter to the city. “Core and Maine indicated they provided pipe material to Jakes Excavating for the 2021 construction season at pricing agreed upon during bidding. However, due to Force Majeure, the remainder of the sanitary sewer work to be completed in 2022 and 2023, pipe manufacturers will not honor their previous price quotes.”
Pionk said that Jakes Excavating and Core Main offered nine possible alternatives of which C2AE was able to narrow it down to two. Pionk recommend the SDR35 as “other communities have used it and it is a proven product.”
“Sounds like (SDR 35) is the most common pipe in the country to use,” said Zak. “We specked out for a little bit heavier pipe to use, but our close neighbors here throughout the midwest are all using SDR 35. ... Although thin walled, it sounds like it is still a pretty good product.”
Pionk said the difference in price between SDR26 and SDR35 wasn’t dramatic. Although thinner, with the costs going up, the new SDR35 will will cost $95,000 more, but it will be absorbed by the contingency fund.
Ponik said the SDR35 pipe will not cause the city’s department of public works employees to encounter any difference between pipe materials for maintenance.
“We take a stance at C2AE to provide a premium product,” said Pionk. “So if there is a concern in regards to longevity of the pipe, I don’t see it.”
The council unanimously approved the substitution of the SDR35, with all members present.
The council addressed its options regarding the remnants of the house at 308 E. Lead St., which burned last year. City manager Charly Loper said the house was originally thought to have had insurance on it, but the city has now been made aware that there was not insurance on the home.
Loper said she had spoken to the mother of the homeowner, who indicated that her son was wanting to fix up the property. She said this leaves the city with three options: to start citing the property for blight, condemn the property, or to see if the owners will sign the property over to the city.
Zak expressed concern over condemning the property. He said that has not worked out so well for the city in the recent past. He said that back in the day, people were embarrassed if their home was condemned. He said that does not seem to be the case today.
Councilwoman Linda Nelson suggested that they give the family some time to consider giving the property to the city. She suggested 30 days and to start issuing blight fines if the property was not signed over. The council agreed and voted unanimously to give the family 30 days to sign the property over before issuing blight fines.
The council also:
—Approved a budget amendment.
—Tabled charter amendments.
