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Kingsford denied funding for Woodward Ave. work

KINGSFORD — An application for a state grant to assist a proposed Woodward Avenue resurfacing has again been denied, Kingsford City Council members learned Tuesday.

The city, hoping to improve Woodward Avenue from Westwood Avenue to Balsam Street, sought a Michigan Transportation Economic Development Fund Category F grant.

The Michigan Department of Transportation received more than $13.1 million in applications, but only $2.5 million was available in funding, said Kingsford City Manager Tony Edlebeck. A similar application was denied last year.

According to MDOT, only nine of 42 applications received grants. Two Upper Peninsula grants were announced, one to the Chippewa County Road Commission for $104,705 and one to Escanaba for $157,457.

In other action Tuesday, the council:

— Received confirmation from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality that 2016 testing for lead and copper in the residential water supply remains below the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended level for action. Lead was found at 3.9 parts per billion, far below the action level of 15 ppb. Copper was reported at 851 ppb, below the EPA action level of 1,300 ppb. The levels have been fairly consistent over the past decade, Edlebeck said. Lead and copper enter drinking water primarily through plumbing materials. The city’s samples are taken from 20 homes that meet specific testing criteria.

“We’re well within the limits in the Kingsford water system,” Edlebeck said.

— Endorsed the application of Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corp., a subsidiary of WEC Energy Group, parent company to We Energies, to build two new natural gas-fueled power plants in Marquette and Baraga counties. The Michigan Public Service Commission will have a public hearing on the application March 6 in Lansing. The new facilities are to replace the aging coal-fired Presque Isle plant in Marquette. Council member Michael Flaminio said he would need more information before committing his support.

— Heard Edlebeck report a Wisconsin company interested in acquiring a portion of the former Ford Plant complex continues to work on an application for a brownfield redevelopment grant.

— Accepted a recommendation from Edlebeck to conduct further testing on a city well east of Ford Airport. Kleiman Pump & Well Drilling of Iron Mountain has bid $23,998 to replace the pumping equipment, but an updated cost may be negotiated after determining capacity needs.

— Noted that Board of Review sessions on property tax assessment appeals will be 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. March 13 and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. March 14 at City Hall.

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