KINGSFORD — Kingsford City Council has approved a construction payment of $1,793,283 toward sewer and water improvements in the Heights area, representing a portion of the work completed on the $8.5 million project.

Payment includes $11,264 from the city’s sewer fund. There is $710,567 for lead service line replacement, $78,236 for catch basins and $993,213 for drinking water.

The project is expected to be completed in the fall by Payne and Dolan of Gladstone.

In other business Monday, the council:

— Approved a contract addendum with GEI Consultants, not to exceed the amount of $188,000. This brings their fees to 6.76% of the overall amount of the Heights project. City Manager Mike Stelmaszek said it is common to adjust fees as the project changes and many engineers charge 10% to 15% of a project.

— Scheduled a hearing for 6:45 p.m. Aug. 5 for a variance for a Dollar General Store to be located where Coffee Caboose was located at 607 S. Carpenter Ave.

— Heard from Anda Tavonatti on the second Feeding America West Michigan Mobile Food Pantry held at Lodal Park on July 10. They served 415 households and 1,009 individuals of which 296 were children, 328 seniors and 62 veterans. About 42% were from Iron Mountain and 27% from Kingsford.

In June they served 338 households and 869 total individuals. Of that 263 were children, 247 seniors, and 60 veterans. The final food pantry will be held at the park on Aug. 14.

— Learned the 4-inch deep cement slab for a proposed 20-by-28-foot pavilion at Ford Addition Park will be laid soon. They will be seeking bids for the pavilion once completed. Money for the project was donated by Rick and Marty Lagina.

— Approved a letter supporting a project by Christians for Racial Understanding to remember a racial incident that took place 100 years ago on Millie Hill. It will include a service of healing and a presentation by local historian Bill Cummings.

— Approved a bond resolution for up to $8 million for an upcoming Ford Addition/Heights project as part of the application process. They will be exploring other funding alternatives but might require additional bond money, said Stelmaszek.

— Approved a bid from MBM Construction to replace the columns on the north door of City Hall, similar to what is on the east door, at a cost of $6,579. Painting is included in the bid.