KINGSFORD — New energy-saving street lights will be installed over the next several months under a plan approved by Kingsford City Council.

City Manager Mike Stelmaszek told the council he has been working with We Energies for the past eight months, securing an agreement to retrofit and replace 335 lights at a cost of $290,000 or $865 per light. Cost savings with the LED lights will be about $1,690 a month, a 30% reduction.

The original utility agreement approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission allowed the utility company to charge for the labor upfront and added the materials costs to the city’s current monthly bill until it was paid off in 84 months. Stelmaszek was able to negotiate so the city paid the labor and material cost upfront in order to get the 30% reduction once the LED lights are in place.

Money for the project will come from several sources. The city’s general fund would provide $162,984, with $113,000 budgeted in the Capital Improvement Plan; $120,000 would come from federal American Rescue Plan funding and the city would qualify to receive a $7,916 rebate from Efficiency United. The rest of the cost from the general fund would be recouped in 30 months with energy savings.

“Energy costs will continue to go up. If we wait it will be more,” Stelmaszek said.

In other business Nov. 21, the council:

— Agreed to allow the city to seek bids to replace playground equipment at Lodal and Ford Addition parks. Stelmaszek told the council that Public Works Director Jeff DeMuri had learned that Great Lakes Recreation would be in the central U.P. in the spring and they would be willing to deliver and install the equipment at a cost of $107,939. The price is only good until Dec. 14. Because of the way the charter reads, the city must seek bids. Bids would be due by Dec. 5 and the city would accept the lowest bid that meets specifications. The city would use $100,000 of ARP money and the other $7,939 would come from the city’s Park and Recreation budget. The city has tried for several years to secure grants to replace the aging equipment.

— Will host a tree lighting ceremony from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7. Many of the activities will take place in the council chambers. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in the council chambers to greet children. There will be hot chocolate, coffee and treats and Marc James of Next Myle will perform Christmas music. Breitung Township Schools students will make artwork to hang on the walls and the high school band and choir will perform outside City Hall. Other students will be making wooden Flivver ornaments for the Christmas tree. Several area businesses will donating for treat bags.

— Learned the centennial committee is selling centennial items from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays at City Hall through December. If response is good, they will continue into next year.

— Learned Dale Baldwin has resigned from the Citizens Advisory Committee because he is moving out of the city. The city is looking to fill two open positions.

— Will allow DeMuri to sell the city’s 1982 plow truck on the Wisconsin online auction site.

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