Summary
The Elmwood Township Board held a special meeting on April 18, 2024, chaired by Supervisor Jeff Shaw. Key actions included awarding the Marina Phase III redevelopment contract to low bidder RCI, approving related engineering contracts, combining the harbormaster and buildings & grounds director positions, approving LED lighting upgrades at the old fire station, and approving purchase of a storage container for the marina.
Public Comments
No public comments were made at either opportunity during the meeting.
Infrastructure Projects
Wade-Trim engineers Garth Bogart and Ken Schwerdt presented bid results for the Marina Phase III Redevelopment. They recommended awarding the contract to the low bidder, RCI, which was the only bidder offering voluntary alternates, including a sheet piling alternative estimated to save $30,000.00. On a motion by Trustee Lautner, seconded by Trustee Darga, the Board unanimously accepted RCI's low bid.
The Board then approved related contracts with Wade-Trim for $60,000.00 and Environment Architects for $45,000.00, on a motion by Clerk Preston, seconded by Trustee Lautner, passed unanimously. Supervisor Shaw noted he had authorized demolition of two buildings to begin in July to keep construction on schedule for spring completion.
Supervisor Shaw also reported meeting with Chuck Korn of Garfield Township and engineer Jennifer Graham at the Brewery Creek property regarding potential interest from Garfield Township and EGLE in building another water treatment plant in the area. Graham, paid by Garfield Township, will develop a mock-up to assess site feasibility. Shaw also mentioned discussions with other township supervisors about possibly creating a regional fire department.
Other Business
The Personnel Committee reported that the top two harbormaster candidates withdrew. The Board reached consensus to combine the harbormaster role with the buildings & grounds director position and re-post the opening; two additional interested candidates were noted.
Supervisor Shaw reported two bids to replace lighting at the old fire station with LEDs, citing nonfunctioning bay lights and the upcoming May 7 election. On a motion by Trustee Darga, seconded by Trustee Lautner, the Board approved the upgrade not to exceed $3,000.00.
Acting Harbormaster Clem Thompson submitted a written request to purchase a storage container for equipment displaced by building demolition, citing safety concerns about crossing M-22. A used container was found locally for $2,000.00 (versus $6,000.00 elsewhere), plus $400.00 transport cost. On a motion by Trustee Darga, seconded by Trustee Gallagher, the Board unanimously approved the purchase and placement at the marina.
Financial Summary
- Marina Phase III contract awarded to RCI (low bidder), with a sheet piling alternate saving approximately $30,000.00.
- Wade-Trim contract approved for $60,000.00.
- Environment Architects contract approved for $45,000.00.
- Old fire station LED lighting upgrade approved, not to exceed $3,000.00.
- Storage container purchase approved for $2,000.00, plus $400.00 transport cost.
Action Items
- Personnel Committee to create a job description combining harbormaster and buildings & grounds director roles and proceed with hiring.
- Old fire station lighting upgrade to be completed before the May 7 election.
- Storage container to be purchased and placed at the marina.
- Jennifer Graham (engineer for Garfield Township) to prepare a mock-up assessing space for a potential water treatment plant at the Brewery Creek property.