Plans shaping up for Central Park
By Laura Mead - lmead@dailypress.netMANISTIQUE - Central Park plans were discussed at Tuesday's Manistique City Council meeting. Public hearings were also held to discuss buying equipment for the city, wastewater plant, and public safety.
The city's recreation board hopes to continue developing Central Park, which opened to the public in July.
Recreational Board Chairman Mike Powers said $50,000 to $70,000 is needed to complete Phase 1 of the park due to unexpected drainage issues with the quarry area.
Phase 2 preliminary plans for the park include constructing a pavilion with grilling facilities near or in the picnic area, adding horseshoe pits, constructing a skatepark with a nearby parking lot both for users of the skatepark and the sledding hill during the winter time.
Other projects planned are sand volleyball courts, bathrooms with water, a security camera system and completion of walking trails.
Efforts will be made to raise funds to cover both the overage costs from Phase 1 and the match to a grant from the Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund for Phase 2.
A new sludge-circulating pump is needed for the city's wastewater system to replace the current one, which is damaged. A sludge pump is necessary for maintenance and operation of the sewage system.
Water/Wastewater Superintendent Corey Barr said a new pump would cost approximately $22,000, depending on the manufacturer. City Attorney John Filoramo thought the city charter mandated bids be solicited because of the cost of the pump. Council members said the need for a new pump could be considered an emergency situation, so the bid process could be bypassed.
Council allowed Barr to solicit bids if required by charter. If not, he would be authorized to accept proposals from one of two pump manufacterers.
Council opened the meeting to discuss application of two USDA Rural Development grants. They met with approval.
The city will apply for a $30,000 grant for a new front-end loader, and one for $8,000, with a $6,500 match from Manistique Public Safety, for a thermal-imaging camera. Public Safety Director Ken Golat said the thermal-imaging camera will help firefighters save lives and property by locating victims, hot spots, hidden fires and structural damage.
