KINGSFORD — Bids to resurface the basketball and pickleball courts at Lodal Park in Kingsford are more than $50,000 apart, but the city is prepared to take the low one as long as it meets specifications.

The low bid from The Asphalt Doctor in Iron Mountain was for $16,629, while a bid from JCS Inc. of Baraga was for $67,495.

City Manager Mike Stelmaszek told the city council Monday he has in the past seen bids with such high differences, which could be for a number of reasons.

The city will use American Rescue Plan Act funds for the project.

In other business Monday, the council:

— Heard from Stelmaszek that the city plans to send letters to residents explaining the recent price increase on utility bills. Water and sewer charges went up significantly earlier this summer. Monthly billing, originally intended to take effect in July, is now planned for September.

— Accepted a recommendation that the city replace its computer server. Teck Solutions in Kingsford will do the work at a cost of $9,356 for Dell equipment. Stelmaszek said he will look for money in the budget.

— Approved a hearing at 6:45 p.m. Sept. 6 for a zoning variance on a setback for a new garage on Case Street. The garage would be off the alley and line up with other garages on the alley, Stelmaszek said.

— Learned from Stelmaszek that a condemned house on Wright Street has been removed. The city will bill the owner for the removal cost and any amount not paid will be assessed on the property tax bill.

— Will allow Director of Public Works Jeff DeMuri to seek bids for a new blade for a used plow truck the city purchased this year. The truck cost was 75% less than a new one.

— Plans to purchase a sidewalk snow-blowing machine. It will be used to clear sidewalks that are part of the Safe Routes to School area and also parts of the city that are not in residential areas. Stelmaszek said the city received grants for the Safe Routes for School project and there were some complaints last winter about the sidewalks not being clear.