Mount Clemens approves $541,392 emergency sewer repair for Dickinson Street

The Mount Clemens City Commission on Aug. 17 authorized an emergency contract to repair underground sewer infrastructure on Dickinson Street for an amount not to exceed $541,392.20. The motion to award the work to Palmer Enterprises Inc. (the transcript also refers to "Paymar Enterprises" in one place) was made, supported and approved by roll call.

Assistant City Manager Wood explained the city received $1,400,000 to rehabilitate Dickinson Street and that investigations before the COVID shutdown found sewer lines and manholes in poor condition. Wood said the force-account contractor originally scheduled to do the work could not complete it because of pandemic shutdowns and that the city solicited other contractors; the bidder identified as Palmer/Paymar Enterprises provided a quote to perform sewer main, lateral and manhole repairs from Gratiot to Avery.

Wood said the work must be completed before the road reconstruction begins to avoid breaking up newly poured concrete after paving. On funding, Wood said the expense will come from the sewer fund; he reported a conversation with Cliff confirming there is sufficient cash on hand to cover the expense. When asked whether the cost was in the current short-term budget, Wood said the work was not in the three‑month budget but that the contractor change was not expected to increase costs overall.

Commissioners voted to approve the contract authorization by roll call. The motion authorized the city manager and staff to proceed with the contractor to repair sewer infrastructure on Dickinson Street with a not‑to‑exceed amount of $541,392.20.