Leland Township unanimously approved obligating $106,486 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to go towards phase two of the municipality’s sidewalk construction project last week.
In addition to obligating ARPA funds, the township took action Oct. 14 on approving the bid award of $146,974.49 for phase two of the sidewalk construction project. Team Elmer’s, an MDOT prequalified contractor, was reviewed by Gosling Czubak Engineering Sciences, Inc., who has previously worked on many projects with the company including the last two phases of the sidewalk project, and recommended to the township that they would be the qualified choice of the two bids received since Sept. 17.
Leland Township Supervisor Susan Och said phase two is part of the same sidewalk project that began in 2022. The sidewalks were replaced in 2022 in Lake Leelanau on Main Street sections by N.J.’s; the south side of Meinrad between Gertrude and St. Mary’s Street and on the north side of Meinrad by Jaffe’s Resale and Consignment. In Leland, sidewalks were replaced on Main Street between Thompson Street and Pearl Street (various sections on both sides of the street) and River Street including River Street and Grand Avenue intersection.
“Phase two will be done in the spring as far as I know,” Och said. “Phase two is upgrading all of Grand Avenue where there’s an existing sidewalk… The other part of phase two is the new sidewalk from the top of Lake Street down to the harbor parking lot in front of the restrooms in the area that is referred to colloquially as ‘mudslide hill.’” Och said the township will use the $106,486 of ARPA funds towards the payment of the bid award for Elmer’s to complete the sidewalk project. In addition, they will use some of the township’s metro funds, and may have to dip into the capital improvements fund to pay for the construction. Due to a township sidewalk ordinance, property owners contribute 40% of the cost, while the township has contributed 60% in the past.
“So we’ll be getting $27,000 and some change back from the property owners on Grand Avenue,” Och said.
In other business, the board:
• Approved the purchase of a new commercial chassis Spencer Tanker Truck not to exceed $660,000
• Approved the Leland Township draft master plan.
• Approved the township audit for fiscal year ending March 31, 2024.
• Approved of sign and reimbursement totaling $494.61 to Mariann Kirch for materials.
• Approved a memo designating the deputy clerk as the event coordinator.
• Set a Nov. 11 public hearing date for Sunset Shores wastewater system.
