KINGSFORD — Kingsford City Council has authorized purchasing a new phone system for its city buildings from CCI Inc. of Iron Mountain.

The system will cost $24,823, which includes $9,456 for equipment, $7,457 for installation and $7,911 for annual maintenance.

Tech Solutions of Iron Mountain submitted a bid for $15,513, with $4,598 for equipment, $3,000 for installation and $7,915 for annual service.

In going with the higher bid, City Manager Tony Edlebeck indicated the city has been satisfied with CCI service on the existing phone system over the past eight years. The new 22-phone system would tie all Kingsford municipal buildings together.

In other business, the council:

— Opened a $29,150 bid from U.P. Engineering and Architecture of Iron Mountain to make Americans with Disabilities Act improvements at the Public Safety Building, including a handicapped-accessible bathroom and entrance. Edlebeck will look over the proposal and make a recommendation.

— Requested a state waiver for Michigan Employees’ Retirement System funding status. Numbers in 2018 showed the city funded its retirement system below the required 60%. Previous years had numbers higher than 60%. Edlebeck explained the plan was up $700,000 in net gains for 2019, down about $220,000 in 2018 and up $700,000 in 2017. He said the city’s MERS would be 80% funded by 2035 and 100% funded by 2040.

Current employees pay 5 3/4% toward their pension and the city picks up the rest of the required amount. The city also has reduced its number of pension funds.

— Approved sending Public Safety Director Brian Metras and two lieutenants to the U.P. Criminal Justice Administration Conference April 21-22 in Escanaba.

— Appointed Donna Pericolosi to the citizens advisory committee for Parks and Recreation.