More money was secured for the removal of the city’s deteriorating Pucker Street Dam.

On Monday, the Niles City Council approved entering into an agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to obtain a $100,000 grant for removing the former hydroelectric dam.

This award brings the total amount received by the city for the project to just less than $1.4 million.

The project is expected to cost around $3.4 million and is being paid for through a combination of grant money, city funds and a surcharge placed on customers of the city’s electric utility.

Also Monday, the council:

• Authorized the Niles Public Art Commission to raise funds in the city’s name in order to commission and install public art in the city contingent upon the approval of the commission’s bylaws.

• Approved the purchase of a portable small arms training simulator for $16,835 from Laser Shot of Stafford, Texas, for use by the police department.

• Authorized the Noon Optimist Club to hold the fourth annual Great Pumpkin Race from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. It requires the closure of Second Street behind the YMCA between Pokagon and Dey streets.

• Approved a change in city policy making it so employees don’t have to get a drug test if they are involved in a minor fender-bender at work.

• Approved an inclement weather plan for Dial-A-Ride Transportation that would allow DART to disrupt service during severe weather.