IRON MOUNTAIN — A Menominee company will be paid $200,827 for repairing a sanitary sewer on Tamarack Street where a sinkhole formed in the summer of 2022.

The work by Barley Excavating solved a problem complicated by groundwater infiltration that had prevented Iron Mountain city crews and a local contractor from getting the project done.

Barley installed points and pumped for seven days this fall to draw the water table below the sewer main, which was 12 feet underground and covered by 6 feet of water, City Manager Jordan Stanchina said. New polyvinyl chloride pipe has been installed, replacing clay drain tile.

After Bacco Construction Co. of Iron Mountain was unable to complete repairs, pumps were installed to bypass the problem area between West B and West A streets. Much of that equipment will be repurposed, Stanchina said.

Barley was hired because the company has dealt with groundwater infiltration that’s far more common in Menominee, Stanchina said. Only a gravel drive surface was included in its bid proposal and Bacco will pave the area in the spring.

To help pay the cost, the city will use $100,000 in federal American Rescue Plan funds provided by Dickinson County. The county board last year redirected $1 million of its $4.9 million pandemic aid package to the 10 local municipalities in the county to fund infrastructure improvements.

The city council Monday approved a payment to Barley and a request for the ARP funds.

In other action, the council:

— Accepted a proposal from a Detroit law firm to serve as bond counsel for a $4.6 million project to replace about 430 water service lines throughout the city. Funding will come through Michigan’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and includes a loan of $2.33 million at 2% interest for 20 to 40 years, plus a $2.24 million grant. Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone will be paid $30,500.

— Will seek bids for construction of the Pewabic Hill mountain bike trail system. A Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant will provide $183,200 and Dickinson Trail Network has committed $64,000 in matching funds. The non-profit group envisions 6 miles of public trails on city property east of Park Avenue at East B Street. Bids will be due Dec. 18.

— Is considering a change in its utility shutoff policy. Currently, there is a 10% penalty after 15 days of non-payment and a threatened shutoff after another 20 days. The proposed change would reduce the penalty to 5% but add a 1.5% monthly interest penalty. For homeowners, shutoffs would cease but all outstanding charges would go on tax bills as directed by city ordinance. For renters, shutoffs would be based on a dollar-limit cap for outstanding charges or failure to enter into a payment arrangement. The changes were suggested by Stanchina because shutoffs are an arduous task.

— Authorized Public Works Director Scott Thomas to purchase a 1-ton used pickup truck at less than $20,000 as quoted by Ultimate Rides in Appleton, Wis., for cemetery use. A 2010 Ford F-250 super-duty pickup truck purchased earlier this month for $14,041 through Legacy Auto in Jefferson, Wis., for the same purpose will instead be added to the general public works fleet. That truck has a lift gate that would otherwise have to be removed and placed on another truck, Stanchina said. Both purchases are within the planned budget.

— With new Christmas decorations delivered from Northern Lights Display of Minneapolis, approved a payment of $15,874 for the 32 street items.

— Accepted the low quote of $9,773 from Allied Fire Sales & Service LLC of Spring Lake to provide turnout gear for part-time firefighters. The city will be reimbursed through a grant obtained by Deputy Director of Fire Services Jeff Friedenstab.

— Approved payment of $19,850 to 1st Down Tree Service of Breitung Township for removing 19 trees and grinding 21 stumps throughout the city.