KINGSFORD — A request to no longer hire lifeguards for Kingsford’s Cowboy Lake and remove a floating raft has been put on hold by the city council.

City Manager Mike Stelmasczek said they are having trouble hiring people for the lifeguard position. He also said it would be dangerous to have a raft in the water with no lifeguard on duty.

The council Monday decided to contact the city’s insurance carrier to gauge its liability risks.

Council member Michael Flaminio wondered if it was also a liability to not have the raft, as it could be used to aid swimmers who needed a place to rest.

Both Stelmaszek and Mayor Joe Groeneveld said it was more dangerous to have unsupervised swimmers using the raft.

If there is no lifeguard, proper signage would be needed.

Stelmaszek also reported that new buoys were purchased for the lake.

In other business, the council:

— Accepted a $108,898 bid from U.P. Concrete of Bark River, provided it meets all specifications, to replace a retaining wall on Wright Street. They also received bids from WR Construction in Negaunee for $138,276.50 and Highway Landscapers of Little Chute, Wis., for $239,710.

The work includes removing the existing block retaining wall and asphalt alley, gravel shouldering, placing a new 88-foot long and 9-foot tall retaining wall with guardrail, 40 tons of paving, and associated restoration.

— Tabled bids to install a sewer in the alley between Doraland and Roseland streets in the 400 block until they can be examined further. The project consists of installing approximately 700 linear feet of 8-inch sanitary sewer main, four new sanitary sewer manholes, and sanitary sewer laterals.

There is an alternate for the project that consists of 483 linear feet of 8-inch sanitary sewer main, two new sanitary sewer manholes, and sanitary sewer laterals. The bidder could bid to complete the project in one phase, where two Habitat for Humanity houses are being constructed, or both phases.

— Set a hearing for May 4 for a planned Neighborhood Enterprise Zone in the area south of Breitung Avenue. The zone would allow residents to add value to a residential property with the taxable value frozen prior to any improvements. The added value would be exempt from taxation for a length of time determined by the council, between six to 11 years.

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Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 85242, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.