City Working to Secure Contractors for Lead Service Lines Replacement

By DIANNE ALWARD-BIERY

Cleaver Senior Staff Writer

HARRISON – The April 6 Harrison City Council meeting began with adoption of the March 16 meeting minutes, adoption of the current day’s bills, and the addition of three items to the day’s agenda.

Mayor Dan Sullivan offered his usual gratitude to the Harrison Department of Public Works crew, whom he said had been doing a great job keeping up with changing weather demands. He closed by saying, “It’s spring, right?”

Visiting the meeting were Cid Jones and Vikki Paulus. Jones offered appreciation for the DPW’s winter road clearing work, saying they did a great job of keeping up. Justin Cavanaugh, city manager, also added his compliment regarding the DPWs roads upkeep.

Paulus, who had at a previous meeting offered an emotional plea regarding a missing cat which she feared could have frozen to death in the severe cold. At this meeting, she informed that the cat had returned. Jones, who also has been helping with the search for that cat, said Animal Control had helped by loaning a live trap, although the cat was not inclined to enter it – hope rests with a cat carrier as a capture alternative. She said the cat has allowed physical contact and was being fed. Paulus expressed her thanks to those who had heard her concerns at the prior meeting, in particular to Kathy Maharas, city clerk, for her empathy.

Reports of Committees and Department Heads began with Fire Chief Barry Wallace Jr. noting 136 runs year-to-date, a lot of which were for wind-downed powerlines. He said the department had three new applicants to interview the coming Thursday, and that Remi Lipovsky was working on medical grants which would enable emergency bags, AEDs, etc.

DPW Superintendent Sam Russell said he and his crew were patiently waiting for summer – that the leaf truck had been serviced but then it snowed that day, “So that’s over with.” That joking comment was met with chuckles all around, as the city’s rule states that leaf pick up goes until the first snow. He also reported the new playground was completed, awaiting only a section of sidewalk. Russell also noted meeting with engineers and working on a plan for Lift Station 9, as well as Lift Station 2.

Anita Yager, events coordinator, reported that a lot would be happening this summer, and touched on Spring Beautification which will encompass a science experiment, not just flowers to beautify the city. The plants all will be pollinating flowers and will have QR codes so that kids can count all the pollinators that land on them, scan the QR code and enter them.

Maharas reported all nine townships had signed fire contracts, with five paid in full, adding that the due date was not until April 15. Her quote for the day: “Our water pressure is strong and so is our deadline: petition forms are due by April 20.”

Treasurer Tracy Wheeler-Clay reported that the next day she would begin teaching the fire department and DPW personnel as well as Yager how to input invoices.

Cavanaugh reported on upcoming projects, saying that over the next two weeks the City would be trying to solicit bids, and may have to do an RFP [request for proposal] for the lead service lines, 10 or 11 which are expected to be completed this year.

Additionally, he noted the action for Council member compensation was with the City’s attorney for review. A reminder also was provided for the Middle Michigan Development Corp. meeting May 8, and several Council members expressed interest in attending. He also informed insurance costs were projected to rise 15%-20% and he would be shopping around to save some money.

Referencing costs, Cavanaugh spoke of rising fuel costs. This was something not anticipated/budgeted for, although there is the advantage of being able to buy in bulk to fill its own tanks. He said this translates to paying $3.82 per gallon for diesel rather than $5, and regular being $3.39 rather than $3.85. An additional benefit of onsite tanks is the ability to continue servicing the City’s vehicles as well as residents.

Cavanaugh reminded of the previous meeting when he noted the importance of having a project ready to go in order to be optimally positioned when a Direct Congressional Spending request arises. He informed that the City didn’t get one, but the County did, and that the county administrator was putting in for a fire truck on Harrison’s behalf for the next year.

Under New Business, Council moved to:

• Appoint Kendra Durga to the Harrison District Library Board, contingent upon confirmation of interest and eligibility.
• Adopt Resolution 2026-07 Fire Department Vehicle Repair Approval Procedure [which assures transparency and a procedure to avoid any potential conflict of interest as the fire chief is a City employee and also owner of the business that often provides repair services the City’s fire department vehicles].
• Adopt Resolution 2026-08 approving a Special Beer Festival License for American Legion Post 404 Resolution 2026-08 [for Aug. 21-22 during Harrison Street Fair].
• Adopt Resolution 2026-09 approving a Special Beer Beer Fesitval License for Clare County Agricultural Society [for Aug. 3-8 during Clare County Fair].
• Approve Fire Department Gear Purchase Request not to exceed $15,000 including shipping/handling. [An additional 14 sets of gear are due for replacement next year.]
• Approve Fire Department Portable Radio Purchase for eight radios, not to exceed $7,000.
• Approve Fourth of July Fireworks Display Permit Application for Clare County Agricultural Society for the Clare County Fair.
• Approve the appointment of Amanda Shelton, as the new owner of Babe’s, to the Downtown Development Authority Board.
• Approve a redo of the parking lot at The Venue on Main at a cost not to exceed $6,240.
• Approve a change order for the DNR Spark Grant, which would extend the project completion date [expected park project open by the Little League opening game].

Council meets next at 6 p.m. Monday, April 20 at Harrison City Hall, 2105 Sullivan Drive.