Watching this Escanaba City Council meeting helps me think about some of the infrastructure improvements taking place in the area, particularly the highway projects. These improvements should increase the speed, efficiency, and ease of transportation and movement throughout the area. It is also interesting to see investments in new equipment, water and wastewater plant improvements, playgrounds, city construction, and community events such as homecoming parades. Overall, Escanaba is a small town, but it is clearly a town on the move. People have lives, businesses, families, and activities, and there is a lot happening in the community.
Summary of meeting minutes,
Meeting Opening & Administrative Business
Call to Order & Roll Call: Meeting called to order with five council members present.
Pledge of Allegiance: Recited by the council and attendees.
Approval of Minutes: Minutes from the August 6, 2026 regular meeting were approved as written.
Agenda Adjustments: Approved moving general public comments and committee reports to right after Item #8 under New Business, and adding Item #9 (a city construction update regarding street projects).
Conflicts of Interest & Public Comment: No conflicts declared; no public comments made.
New Business Items
Item 1: Water Plant SCADA Improvements
Details: Approved retaining FDS Engineering and Electrical Services (Iron Mountain, MI) for SCADA system improvements in an amount not to exceed $3,900.
Discussion: Water administration noted these were overlooked details from a previous project; funds are available in professional services.
Vote: Approved unanimously (5-0).
Item 2: Wastewater Treatment Plant New Sewer Truck
Details: Proposal to purchase a Sewer Equipment Company of America combination sewer cleaner for $373,591.44 (after a $225,000 trade-in for the 2020 model).
Discussion: Water administration strongly advocated for replacement to prevent mechanical failures and escalating maintenance costs. Council expressed concern over the budget oversight, as only $150,000 had been budgeted for repairs rather than a full replacement.
Vote: Motion to deny passed 4-1.
Item 3: Property Abatement (208 South 4th Street)
Details: Authorized the City Attorney to file circuit court action against property owners to abate property maintenance code violations, blight, and fill below-grade spaces following a February 2023 fire.
Discussion: Code Enforcement explained the owners refused to sign a formal cleanup agreement. Despite recent partial sand filling, formal legal proceedings are needed to ensure winter compliance.
Vote: Approved unanimously (5-0).
Item 4: Purchase of Highway Street Light Poles
Details: Approved purchasing 80 aluminum breakaway street light poles for $212,320 to replace rusted steel poles along US-2 ahead of an upcoming state highway project.
Discussion: Existing LED light fixtures will be reused. The bulk order leaves 6–10 spare poles in inventory for future vehicle damage repairs.
Vote: Approved unanimously (5-0).
Item 5: Playground Equipment & Installation
Details: Approved $97,588.62 in city funding to purchase two new playground structures and install three total (including one previously purchased via community build) scheduled for October.
Discussion: Although $52,100 was budgeted, excess wood chips and staffing shortages offset the cost. Purchasing both now took advantage of manufacturer promotional discounts.
Vote: Approved unanimously (5-0).
Item 6: Special Event – Escanaba High School Homecoming Parade
Details: Approved closure of Ludington Street (4th to 14th Street) on Friday, October 9, 2026 (5:00 PM – 6:00 PM), subject to standard insurance and cleanup conditions. An alternate route is planned if street construction interferes.
Vote: Approved unanimously (5-0).
Item 7: Special Event – William Bonifas Arts Center Block Party
Details: Approved partial closure of 1st Avenue South and South 7th Street on Friday, September 4, 2026 (5:00 PM – 10:00 PM) for the "Raise the Roof" block party.
Vote: Approved unanimously (5-0).
Item 8: Interim City Manager Agreement Extension
Details: Approved extending the Interim City Manager agreement.
Discussion: Council acknowledged the extreme workload involved in balancing city management alongside upcoming audit preparations.
Vote: Approved unanimously (5-0).
Item 9: City Construction & Infrastructure Update
FiveStar Project: Restorations are underway on the south side; lead service line work has halted due to fallen timelines. The city fell 400–600 lead service lines short of seasonal expectations due to contractor staffing delays. Substandard asphalt patches were rejected and ordered redone.
ARPA Project (Oberstar): Water main and lead service line replacements went smoothly and fully utilized allocated funding.
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