City Council calls for bids on central storm project

On a 3-1 vote Tuesday, Feb. 20, the Glencoe City Council approved plans and specifications for its central storm water project, and set the bid opening for March 22. The council could vote on accepting or rejecting a bid at its April 2 meeting.
Council Member Allen Robeck cast the dissenting vote, expressing dissatisfaction with the plans and a desire to have other entities share in the cost.
“There are too many elbows and curves,” Robeck said of the plans. “These plans and specs need to be re-evaluated.”
In addition, Robeck contended that the project would be addressing storm water needs from outside the city limits.
“We should get together with the townships, county and the Buffalo Creek Watershed,” said Robeck. “This corridor is for everybody, not just for town, and they should share the cost for that.”
The cost is expected to be about $6.9 million, and will be funded through assessments, an increase in the tax levy, and an increase in the storm water rate.
Mayor Randy Wilson said that he had hoped that the city could trim back the project to save money, but felt that was not an option.
“We could be penny wise and pound foolish,” said Wilson, “and that would ultimately cost the citizens of Glencoe more, and we won’t be well served by the project.”
For more from the meeting, see the Feb. 28 print edition of The Chronicle.