Sumpter Board OKs contract with C&S for satellite library work

C&S Construction Management of Wyandotte was approved by the Sumpter Township Board of Trustees, on a 5-1 vote, as construction manager for renovations to the hexagon building across from township hall at a cost of $41,700.
This is $2,200 for preconstruction and $39,500 for construction management.
This work is to renovate the building for use as a satellite of the Belleville Area District Library. When the district library was making plans for the satellite, it estimated it would be open this fall.
Now that Sumpter has taken over all the planning for the satellite, its opening date has not been announced.
Township attorney Rob Young said there has been a lot of discussion with the library and 3, 4, or 5 months ago the township took over. He said they will have $250,000 from the library funds for the project, plus additional library funds in the township’s budget.
The selection of C&S was the recommendation of the township’s consultant Hennessey Engineers and the township board approved the recommendation at its June 11 regular meeting. Trustee Don Swinson was absent from the meeting.
Treasurer Ken Bednark voted against the motion to name C&S as construction manager, pointing out the township did not follow its policy of getting three competitive bids.
He pointed out it got just two: the $41,700 from C&S and a $87,200 bid from AZ Shmina of Brighton.
“This needs to be put back out for bids,” Treasurer Bednark said, pointing out one bid is double the other. He also asked why there was no local bidder.
Attorney Young tried to explain to Bednark that this was for a construction manager and local companies will be able to bid on the work, but Bednark retorted: “I get that. I’ve been in construction We need three bids.”
Young said they talked to construction companies in Belleville and an effort was put out by Hennessey architect Raymond D. Parker, project manager.
“I have a lot of faith in this guy,” Young said of Parker.
Of the disparity in bids, Young said, “These things happen. The price from the library was much higher.”
Deputy Supervisor Karen Armatis called out from the back of the room that it was advertised in the local paper.
Young said the call for bids was also sent to businesses and many are busy.
“Whatever you decide,” Young said.
Later in the meeting, Bednark said he wanted to have the policy on the agenda and Clerk Hurst said she would get the wording together for a new policy.
Young said the board can change the policy, but the way it works is for the board to decide on a policy and then the wording is put together for approval.
Bednark said the township’s policy was approved in August 2018, which is fairly new. He said the policy in place gives department heads control over their own departments.
“I think the treasurer needs to be able to direct their own department. There are controls along the way. This allows department heads to run their departments,” Bednark said.
“I would like to have three bids,” said Trustee Tim Rush. “Do we have time?”
“I didn’t do it,” Young said of the recommendation. “Ray Parker did it. It’s hit forte. If delayed another period of time … All comes back to the township board for review and approval. Also, in the warrants later.”
In other business at its June 11 meeting, the board:
• Approved a use and occupancy agreement renewal for 2019 for a three-year term with the Wayne County WIC Program. The agreement includes a 5% increase, to $300 per year, for monthly utility payments to the township and a two-year extension. Clerk Esther Hurst said this raise was to cover the township because of rising utility costs;
• Approved accepting the gift of the Four-Way Test pendant from the Belleville Rotary Club, with the display location and usage to be determined. 34th District Court Judge David Parrott, past president of the club, made the presentation. Trustee Tim Rush had requested the pendant since he recalled seeing it hanging in the township meeting room years ago and thought it would be a welcome addition to the meeting room;
• Approved paying part-time treasurer department clerk Erica Campbell for any hours worked in the past pay period, as requested by Bednark. His request to apply the terms and conditions of the AFSME bargaining agreement to Campbell was not addressed. Supervisor John Morgan wanted Human Resources Director Michelle Bellingham to help them decide and Young said the board decides. Bednark said currently they are not complying with the bargaining agreement. Bellingham, who was not present, is expected to explain the situation to the board;
• Approved replacing three computers in the clerk’s office from Dell at a cost of $2,728.38. Clerk Hurst said their computers are running very slow and the purchases are within the budget. Bednark said with that amount spent, under the purchasing policy it wouldn’t have to be brought to the board;
• Approved a review by the clerk’s office of the purchasing policy adopted last fall and a review by financial consultant Post, Smythe, Lutz & Ziel of Wayne;
• Heard Karen Mickens announce the Sumpter Senior Quilters have announced this season’s project. They want to feed the homeless on the streets of Detroit and will be collecting contributions to meet a goal of serving 100 pizzas. She invited those seeking information to call her at (734) 461-2296. In the past, the group has put on a free Thanksgiving dinner and collected pajamas for all the residents of Cedar Woods assisted living center in Van Buren Township;
• Heard Public Safety Director/Police Chief Eric Luke report on an agreement he and attorney Young are working on with Friends of Michigan Animals Rescue that he expects to bring to the next meeting. He said currently sworn police officers are checking on the dogs in the township’s kennel at 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. and cleaning up the “poo.” The dogs have no companionship. He said the budget for the shelter is $3,000 for utilities and $2,600 for cleaning supplies. Romulus charges $650 a month ($7,800 a year) for the service, whether they bring any dogs or not. The deal with FMAR would be $40 a dog for the five days required for the state mandatory hold and then they will try to adopt them out. He said FMAR now has a state-of-the-art facility and they have plans to put a veterinarian in there, as well;
• Heard Bednark announce that on June 13 he planned a meeting in his office with Anna Winter and DPW Director Ken Kunka to discuss how to the collect the huge amount of money out there in uncollected water bills. He said they were to discuss how to collect the money, how to get more shutoffs done, and how to work with residents who need help;
• Heard Luke complain at length about Independent Editor Rosemary Otzman, who he accused of distorting the facts and not announcing his announcements in the way he wants. He also complained about what she writes in her column, and other things he doesn’t like;
• Heard Fire Chief Januszyk announce the annual fire department open house will be July 13 and heard Bednark say the summer tax bills will be mailed out on July 1;
• Heard Supervisor Morgan say a bench has been delivered by Girl Scout Troop 2041. The bench is donated to the township and it is sturdy. He said, “It’s amazing you can do it from bottle caps”;
• Heard Young report there is an uptick in blight enforcement in the township and Peter Gregory brings the complaints;
• Heard Bednark say he has contacted Nationwide and received a response on the retirement funds that are being withheld from retirees. Young said it will take a couple of months to see if they can resolve it. Retiree Peggy Morgan alerted the board to the problem last November;
• Heard Rush announce the Sumpter Township Storm Ready application was approved that day by the National Weather Service. Now, they just need an audit;
• Heard Clerk Hurst announce the annual community yard sale will be held Aug. 23-25. No permits will be required. She also announced there will be a special election in the Lincoln Schools on Aug. 6 and election workers are needed; and
• Heard Mrs. Harris come to the microphone to ask about Comcast service on channel 12, the township’s channel. She said there are interruptions and no picture sometimes and then there is a humming she can’t stand. Rush said the images are flawless when they leave the township and he’ll call Comcast to inquire about this. Rush said when they redo the website down the road viewers will be able to download meeting recordings to the personal computers or stream it so everyone will have access.