SerpApi.Org
Opioid recovery funding, fire station plans and a new city manager were all on the docket at the Monday, July 20 Bay City Commission meeting.
First approved during the commission’s May 11 meeting, the funding agreement for Sacred Heart Rehabilitation’s Inpatient Housing Program has now gone into effect. With $67,340 from the city’s opioid settlement funding, Sacred Heart will help people in recovery get support, including medical treatment for those without insurance. The program will also assist in securing housing, food, and hygiene supplies.
In addition, McLaren Prevention Services was granted $10,000 from the settlement funding. Its allocation will go toward a recovery event in Wenonah Park, as well as education and treatment services for kratom or 7-OH.
Kratom is an opioid-like drug advertised by marketers as a “natural” and “safe” energy booster. But state officials say over 300 Michiganders died in kratom-related incidents between 2020 and 2024.
The main focus of Monday's meeting was the future of Fire Station 2, 1000 Fremont Avenue. Fire Chief Kurt Corradi presented the need to replace the facility, citing high PFAS levels on the property and a high call volume.
Corradi explained that Station 2 takes around 2,000 calls annually, with an average response time of less than four minutes. If Station 1 were to take those calls instead, the average response time would double.
“That affects rescue operations, EMS support, and overall community risk,” Corradi said. “This would create significant delays if we were to respond from Station 1 to the south end of the city.”
Corradi believes it’s not viable to remain at Station 2 long-term due to the PFAS contamination. His recommendation is to demolish the building and conduct site remediation to protect station personnel from being exposed to contamination daily.
Corradi then explained that while the city was able to secure a grant from U.S. Sen. Gary Peters to cover demolition and cleanup, the funding does not cover the cost of building a new station.
The proposed location for the new Station 2 is the old Department of Public Works site on Water Street. The Spicer Group, a local engineering firm, estimates construction costs to be around $9 million. However, this estimate does not include the cost of demolishing that property’s current building.
Previously, the city approved a $5.2 million bond to go toward the project. Potential bond and millage options were discussed to fill the funding gap, but no final decisions have been made.
“We’re going to have to let the voters decide,” Commissioner Craig Kokaly said. “I’d rather let them decide what’s going to happen with this.”
Bay City has four active fire stations.
Monday's meeting also marked Dana Muscott’s final day as city manager after holding the position since 2017. New City Manager Richard Hayman’s tenure began Tuesday morning after his contract was approved by the commission.
Hayman’s contract is set to expire in June 2028. His annual salary is $165,000.
The next Bay City Commission meeting will take place on Aug. 10 at City Hall, 301 Washington Ave., Bay City, MI 48708. It will begin at 6 p.m. and is open to the public.
Bay City Commission meetings are available on the city’s YouTube channel.
