Richmond is ready to modernize its infrastructure after the City Council recently gave the green light to construction projects to replace the water main on Main Street and make some street improvements.

During a regular meeting on August 19, the Richmond City Council approved a motion authorizing Tetra Tech to spend $92,000 on engineering services for the Main Street water main project. The approved motion included that the expenditure be charged to an appropriate line item in the water fund.

City Manager Jon Moore said the fiscal year 2024-25 budget includes funding to replace the water main on Main Street, from the railroad tracks to Division Road.

“The majority of these funds are federal funds that U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain’s office was able to get us through an EPA,” Moore said. “As part of the project, we have to do engineering work and we have a proposal from city engineers Tetra Tech to do that work. And it falls under the professional services section of our purchasing ordinance.”

City council documents indicate the existing 8-inch water main dates to before 1916 and the proposed 12-inch HDPE water main will be installed using a directional drilling method. Public Works Director Jim Goetzinger said the Main Street water main project will be a directional drilling method with some open excavation, but traffic impacts should be limited.

According to municipal documents, connections at intersections, water connections and the installation of fire hydrants must be laid open. The restoration will be carried out in nature and the main water line will be laid outside the roadway.

Council also approved a motion to authorize expenditures of $92,000 for design and engineering services from Tetra Tech in connection with the Oak and Priestap Street reconstruction project. The expenditures will be charged to an appropriate line item in the Major Street, Sewer and Water funds.

Moore said the city’s current budget includes funding for the reconstruction of Oak Street and Priestap Street and that the city has received an engineering proposal from Tetra Tech.

The asphalt pavement in the project area is showing signs of wear and tear and has required regular repairs using cold and asphalt patches. Two water main blocks date from 1916, but other sections are more modern and will remain in service.

Two sewers on Priestap will also be replaced. Spot repairs will be made on Oak Street and the remaining sewer on Oak and Priestap will be relined under a separate contract. The scope of the current project is expected to include:

• Complete replacement of the four-inch thick asphalt surface.

• Leveling of existing aggregate base, insulated curb, gutter and sidewalk replacement.

• Partial replacement of the water main and sewerage system, with the water main expected to be installed using the directional drilling method.

Goetzinger also explained to the council what kind of work the project will entail.

“There are two blocks of water mains and essentially one block of sewer replacement. Oak Street and Priestap Street will be repaved their entire length as part of this project,” Goetzinger said.

Goetzinger also said that the Oak Street railroad tracks will be removed. Mayor Tim Rix suggested seeing if the Richmond Area Historical and Genealogical Society (RAHGS) would be interested in a piece of those tracks.

Also on August 19, the Richmond City Council stated:

• Approved the spending of $7,000 in grant money to the Macomb County Public Works Office for sewer maintenance in the city. The funds will be charged to a line item for contract services, Major Street. Moore said Macomb County Public Works is responsible for maintaining the county’s sewers, including inspection and vegetation removal. However, due to budget constraints, they work with municipalities to remove sediment and conduct cleanup projects. Moore said the local grant is less than half the cost, and approving the spending will allow the county to continue sewer work from 32 Mile Road to the end of Beech Street. The county is scheduled to complete the sewer cleanup in the winter of 2024-25.

• Approval of a Traffic Regulation Ordinance authorizing the Richmond Police Department for three years to enforce all traffic-related regulations pursuant to the Uniform Traffic Code, the Michigan State Road Code and City Ordinance No. 90-26 in the condominium communities of Swan Creek Estates. The communities will bear the cost of the signage.

• Returned from closed session to approve the purchase of 69271 Forest St. for $210,000 and to direct the Town Manager to prepare and execute the purchase agreement and apply for Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA) financing. Rix said the purchase of the property will improve a parking lot behind the businesses at the north end of Main Street, on the east side of Main Street.

• Upon returning from closed session, the results of the City Manager’s evaluation were approved. Council completed the City Manager’s evaluation with input from all Council members and rated the manager as effective to very effective. The City Manager and TIFA Director’s compensation will be adjusted this year in line with the salary increases given to the other full-time non-member employees.

Nicole Tuttle is a freelance reporter for The Voice.