The Escanaba City Council on Oct. 2 approved retaining Bay Electric of Dollar Bay to conduct arc-flash studies for the city’s water and wastewater systems at a cost not to exceed $50,500, including a $3,000 contingency. Administration said money for the study is budgeted.

City staff said the study responds to a MIOSHA finding that required the city to prepare a plan and complete an arc-flash study. The consultant’s scope will include equipment labeling, specified load calculations and the generation of QR codes that contractors or staff can scan to access lockout/tagout procedures and documented hazards. A city staff presenter said the QR codes will be hosted on a separate server and will not be linked to the city’s main website so outside contractors can scan codes without accessing the city server.

Council members asked technical questions about the baseline electrical thresholds used in quotes and addenda; staff said the proposal reflects a group consensus on thresholds and that the project team would be available to explain details during implementation.

The motion to approve the contract passed on a recorded roll-call vote. The city will proceed to contract negotiations and tasking with Bay Electric and schedule the studies in coordination with department staff.

Votes: Motion to approve the arc-flash study contract as budgeted for $50,500 passed on roll call (recorded votes included Council Member DuBois — yes; Council Member Moore — yes; Council Member Boshoff/Boschak — yes; Council Member Flatt — yes; Mary Grama — yes).