Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By P.J. GLISSON
Bessemer — Members of the Bessemer City Council want detailed feedback from local property owners regarding restoration still needed as a result of utility and road work in the past couple years.
The city is now in its third year of water and sewer improvements, combined with road repair or reconstruction in multiple locations throughout town.
“I’ve had so many complaints all winter,” said Councilman Terry Kryshak, who requested that the subject be added to the agenda of the council’s meeting this past Monday.
The problem, he added, is that restoration work in many locations either “has not been done” or has not been done “to satisfaction.”
“Anyone that has not had year one restoration, I apologize for that,” said Mayor Adam Zak of the city’s project that began in 2021. He added that restoration for year two, which was last year, also should have been completed.
As just one example of disgruntled citizens, City Manager Jennifer Adams read aloud the following post on the city’s Facebook page: “My private professionally paved driveway was dug up year one and still has not been repaired,” wrote Virginia Finnegan. “It has caused numerous issues these past years.”
Regarding construction teams working on the utility and road work, Kryshak said, “They apparently do a great job underground, but the restoration is terrible.”
Councilman Robert Coleman noted that construction officials in charge of the project should have a dedicated restoration crew.
“I think by holding back part of the payment, the work will get done,” said Councilwoman Linda Nelson about the needed fixing of properties.
Kryshak agreed, saying, “My opinion is not to pay at this point.”
The mayor asked for advice from representatives of C2AE, a Michigan design and engineering firm that the city has used in recent years.
“We hired you to oversee this,” said Kryshak. “It’s not getting done.”
Kelly Heidbrier, a municipal engineer with C2AE, mentioned that wetness has been one issue in delaying restoration work.
Kryshak said it’s understandable to delay restoration until a given project area is complete, but he emphasized that it should be addressed as soon as possible afterward.
When construction employees wait until the end of the season to address restoration, he said that it has resulted with inadequate work.
Kryshak also noted that spring is the time to address problems “so people can mow and give things a chance to grow.” Moreover, he added that, “most, importantly,” construction workers should stop annoying property owners.
“What I’m going to suggest to all the people out there, call City Hall, tell them what’s wrong,” said Kryshak, who specifically requested “a description of your problems.”
The number for the Bessemer City Hall is 906-663-4311. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Council members agreed to hold off on taking any action on the matter until their next regular meeting on the second Monday of June, by which time they hope to have a better notion of how much restoration still needs to be accomplished.
