ESCANABA — A budget hearing and water department issues made up the agenda of Thursday night’s Escanaba City Council meeting.

The meeting marked the first of several public hearings on the upcoming fiscal year budget. The hearings give the public a chance to make comments or requests concerning the city’s budget. Irina Bruno, director of the Catherine Bonifas Fine Arts Center, addressed the council, asking that the arts center be taken into consideration when developing the city budget.

Bruno said the arts center supports local artists — both adults and youth. She mentioned that the Youth in Art exhibit last year displayed approximately 800 works of art by area youth. She also mentioned the arts centers exhibits throughout the year, as well as classes for both adults and youth.

Several other public hearings will be held on the budget before it is approved in June.

The majority of items on the agenda concerned the Escanaba Water/Wastewater Department.

Water/Wastewater Superintendent Jeff Lampi requested that council approve extending the engineering services of C2AE of Escanaba.

The firm would provide engineering plan services for phase 2 of the Water Treatment Plant Improvements Project for an amount not to exceed $60,000 for the DWSRF Water Plant Division and $37,000 for CDBG Grant Reservoir Division.

The firm would also provide engineering services for phase 2 of the Lead Service Line Replacement Project for the Escanaba Water Treatment Plant for $131,800.

Both requests were approved by council.

Lampi also asked council’s approval to submit an intent to apply for $50 million loans for both the city water and wastewater plants.

“My intent is not to take a $50 million loan, but to get as much loan forgiveness as possible,” Lampi said.

Lampi explained that the city would have a better opportunity of securing funding in the grant process from sources if loans were applied for. He told council members it would put Escanaba in a better position when grant funding was awarded.

Lampi said the city would not have to accept a loan if an offer was made and the city of Escanaba has “zero obligation” if it was simply applying for a loan.

Council approved both intents to apply with Councilman Todd Flath casting a no vote.

In other business, council:

– approved the purchase of 1,000 water meters from Mueller systems for $85,700.

– approved the purchase of a John Deere four wheel drive loader for the water department for $96,500.

– appointed Patrick Conner to the Escanaba Planning Commission.