KINGSFORD — The Kingsford City Council has accepted a $179,814 bid from GEI Consultants of Iron Mountain for engineering on a water, sewer and street project in Kingsford Heights.

City Manager Anthony Edlebeck told the council March 16 that GEI has assured him they could complete the project at that price, which was the low bid.

The GEI bid includes $31,472 for preliminary engineering design, $30,088 for final engineering design, $6,914 for bidding and construction services and $111,340 for engineering.

The city also received a bid from Coleman Engineering in Iron Mountain totaling $419,790, with $220,070 for design costs and $198,720 for construction services.

Jeff Sjoquist of Coleman explained to the council that Coleman bids its projects by the estimated number of hours. Their bid is about 12% of the total estimated construction cost for the project. He said it’s not unusually high, as many companies bid 15% of a project this large.

The proposed project will include replacing the water main and water services along with street reconstruction along Wilson, Harrison and Cleveland avenues; Saratoga Street; Bell Court; and Rexford Street. In all, about 6,750 lineal feet of water main and 135 service connections are to be replaced.

The engineer also is expected to assist the city in borrowing through the Michigan Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund, Edlebeck previously said.

Work on this project is not expected to begin this construction season.

The city also:

— Authorized applying for a Michigan Department of Natural Resources recreation grant to add pickleball courts and new playground equipment at Lodal Park. The total cost would be $180,000, with the city providing a $45,000 match. The city sought but failed to receive the same grant last year.

— Approved a two-year bid from Scott Kenney to do the city’s audit. The bid was $14,200 for this year and $14,500 for next year. Kenney has conducted the city’s audit for several years. A second bid was submitted by CLA Connect in Iron Mountain for $20,475 for 2020, $20,738 for 2021 and $20,895 for 2022.

— Has scheduled a public information meeting at 6:45 p.m. April 6 to discuss seeking a USDA Rural Development Grant for a new patrol car.

Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 242, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.