Gregory Construction Low Bidder at $1,494,400 on City Hall Roof Repairs

City Employees Asked to Consider 11 Percent Wage Reductions for 5 Years

January 10, 2010
By: Dave Rogers

The City of Bay City has $1,424,224 on hand to pay for repairs of the City Hall roof.

The low bidder on the project was Gregory Construction with a bid of $1,494,400, according to City Manager Robert V. Belleman.

The amount on hand "will continue to earn interest and that will be added back to the amount available for the project," said Mr. Belleman.

A commission recommendation will come forward as soon as all the information is evaluated by the architects and staff."

Meanwhile, the city has informed unions of the need to reduce expenditures in order to head off predicted deficits.

"It was shared that an 11 percent reduction in wages and fringe benefits would be required of all city employees remaining in effect over the next five years in order to correct annual spending and improve the city's financial health," the manager wrote in his bi-weekly memo to officials.

The human resources department will be meeting with each union this month to discuss the "most palatable solutions" to address an 11 percent reduction, the manager wrote.

The city Human Resources Department, along with the city manager and Joe Heffernan, partner at Plante & Moran accounting firm, met with union representatives last week on Tuesday, Jan. 5, to discuss the city's financial outlook.

The city is involved in union contract negotiations and is consulting with the following unions:

Fire Fighters Union, I.A.F.F., Local No. 116, legal representative Ron Helveston;

Utility Workers Union of America Local No. 482, 541 and 542, business representative George Manoogian;

Fraternal Order of Police, business representative Randy Mason;

Command Officer Association of Michigan, business representative Dan Kuhn.

The issue of alleged "secret fees" charged by Blue Cross Blue Shield is being pursued on the city's behalf by attorney William H. Horton of Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, PC.

The city is also threatening to deny renewal of a liquor license by any establishment that serves liquor if they owe a debt to the city or are non-compliant with the city's policy. The city commission will be receiving a spreadsheet regarding liquor license renewal information, the manager stated.

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