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KINGSFORD -- Kingsford City Council has ratified a three-year collective bargaining agreement that provides wage increases of 2% for the first year and 2.5% in the final two years of the contract.
Employees will also receive a one-time $2,000 COVID-19 bonus. The agreement increases sick leave payout upon retirement and reimbursement for retiree health care costs.
The agreement provides as well for reimbursement on MIOSHA-approved boots and clothing and an adjustment in how Health Savings Accounts are funded.
In other action, the council:
-- Appointed Melissa Doucette and Tanya Hiltonen as Centennial Committee directors. Hiltonen will also serve as secretary. Some changes in the committee bylaws from the 75th anniversary include limiting the number of directors to between three and seven, down from a total of nine, and adding email as an option for communication. The group will meet every second Tuesday.
-- Approved the low bid of $12,200 from KLM Engineering Inc. of Woodbury, Minn., for cleaning the city's two water tanks. One other bid was received.
-- Approved a request from Jeff DeMuri, Department of Public Works director, to place several items on the Wisconsin Surplus auction site, including a 1985 Mack dump/plow truck, 1979 curb runner leaf vacuum, 1990 Morbark Eager Beaver brush chipper, chain saw, tools and a set of metal high school bleachers.
-- Approved a request from DeMuri to seek bids to install a anti-corrosion cathodic protection system for the elevated storage water tank, at an estimated cost of $15,000 to $18,000. In his report, he indicated it was taken out of service when they did the interior tank painting in 2012. The water distribution fund has money budgeted for the project.
-- Also authorized DeMuri to seek bids for HVAC control upgrades in the public works building. The controls are original and running an outdated program. He believes it will cost $8,000 to $9,000. The money has been budgeted.
-- Agreed to once again participate in Michigan Department of Natural Resources archery hunt program to cull deer in the city. Kingsford will apply for up to 65 permits at a cost of $10 each.
-- Heard from City Manager Mike Stelmaszek that an update will be provided soon on the Heights water project. He also reported the civil service commission had met and authorized an entry-level application process with an Aug. 20 deadline.