GLADSTONE — The statewide project to replace water mains and service lines to minimize lead from the water supply requires an extra, unaccounted-for step — and the associated funding — in Gladstone. It was recently discovered that one piece that had been marked in the city records as copper was actually galvanized steel with a lead gooseneck.

Since 2016, the year that Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and President Barack Obama declared states of emergency around the Flint water crisis, extensive service line replacements have been underway around the state, and legislation around the matter has evolved along the way. In line with the current State of Michigan Lead and Copper Rules, communities must replace 5% of lines made from lead and galvanized previously connected to lead each year.

Fulfilling that requirement, this year’s project in Gladstone was to replace a water main that runs along the alley between Delta and Minnesota Avenues with new eight-inch pipe between 12th and 14th Street and to reconnect 29 service lines in said stretch. 18 of those connections were to include total line replacement, but when an unexpected galvanized line was found at 1225 Delta Ave., it was added to the list.

As the replacement had not been budgeted, Water Treatment Superintendent Robert Spreitzer presented the change order to the City Commission on Monday evening, reporting, “(The) water main has been replaced, all the service lines have been replaced that needed replacing, plus one more.”

The original bid, awarded to DeGrand Construction in April, was for $233,470. The change order for the additional copper push bore tacks another $5,700 onto the total.

Spreitzer said the work itself is completed; they just need to finish cleaning up the alley.

In other business at the meeting:

– Roger Aho was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, following approval by the board itself and the commission. City Manager Eric Buckman said that Aho has been attending Parks and Rec meetings for a while now and is knowledgeable and interested. His term will expire Jan. 1, 2025.

– Mayor Joe Thompson proclaimed the City of Gladstone will observe National See Tracks? Think Train Week from Sept. 23 to 29. He said that Canadian National appreciates when communities make an effort to increase awareness about safety at rail grade crossings and on railroad property. A few statistics shared included that 2,192 collisions happened at rail grade crossings in the U.S. in 2023.

– The commission authorized Buckman to sign an agreement with energy company ATC, granting them easement in two locations: in the island near Oak Bluff Grocery and another near the substation. No structures will be erected on the sites; the granted access is just to clear tree branches, brush, etc. for safe maintenance of power lines installed nearby.

– After another mention of two cases that were dismissed from small claims court — one regarding a violation of the property maintenance code, and another for a sign violation — Commissioner Steve O’Driscoll asked what the proper avenue would be for a citizen to fight a city ruling. The response from Zoning Administrator Renee Barron, relaying what Judge Parks had suggested, was that they should consult an attorney to determine the right route for their specific case.

– The commission authorized City Clerk Kimberly Berry to appoint election inspectors for the November 5 election, as is standard procedure.

– Berry confirmed that the initiative petition to amend the city charter and remove special assessments will indeed appear on the ballot.

– Also in regards to the election, Berry said that she has been getting a lot of questions asking when ballots will be in — they are currently expected to begin arriving the week of Sept. 23. Any questions about early voting and absentee voting can be directed to kberry@gladstonemi.gov or 906-428-2311 ext. 7.