By Barb Pert Templeton
The Algonac City Council hosted their regular bi-monthly meeting on May 20 and it lasted just under 50 minutes. All seven members of the city council were in attendance.
Here are a few highlights:
Algonac Memorial Day service set
Fred Quant VFW Post 3901 invites community leaders and residents to it’s Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 26 at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Monument at Riverfront Park in Algonac. In a memo to the Algonac City Council Post Commander Steve Vogler stated that anyone who would like to lay a wreath or make a dedication at the monument during the upcoming ceremony should contact the VFW so they are included in the program planned. A luncheon will be held at the post hall after the ceremony, which is expected to last about 30 minutes. “We look forward to seeing our community come together on this day of remembrance for our fallen veterans and those who have committed their lives to keeping us safe,” Vogler wrote. The city council approved a special event permit for this event.
City Manager’s report on school and pool
The work on the school gym at the Algonac Activity Center continues, City Manager Denice Gerstenberg told the council. As for the city pool, the wrong heater was ordered by the contractor and it will take five to six weeks to get the correct one so the city is now shooting for a July 1 opening day. She said the city has begun interviewing lifeguards for the pool.
Car show cancelled due to insurance issue
A recent special events permit from the Algonac Lions Club and Algonac/Clay Historical Society filed on April 7 for an event that was to be May 19th was rejected by the city due to incorrect insurance coverage for the event. City Manager Denice Gerstenberg said the matter was reviewed by the city attorney and he found that the insurance wasn’t correct.
“We did work with them to try and get their insurance correct,” Gerstenberg said, noting that she wanted to explain what happened. “The city is being bashed on social meeting due to the cancelling of this event but we do need the correct insurance to have an event in the city.”
Gerstenberg said the city clerk sent out information in January 2025 informing anyone that has ever filed a special event application with the city all about the rules. The packet included the permit ordinance and noted that they must be filed 90 days prior to the date they wished to book.
Rocket Enterprises approved for flag services
The city council okayed waving the bid process and approving a contract for $2,560 with Rocket Enterprises to take care of the flags located at city hall and Riverfront Park. In a memo to officials City Manager Denice Gerstenberg noted that the city has utilized Rocket Enterprises for the flags for several years and they are the only provider for the service in the area. The contract
includes a minimum of five flag changes a year plus maintenance, any replacements of ropes or clips and any labor required to keep the flags looking good all year long. The memo also noted that the city had agreed to take over the flags from the VFW in January 2025 at which time a credit of $985 was due and that amount was subtracted from the most recent invoice.
Boardwalk chair gets fresh paint
An Adirondack chair that sits along the boardwalk in Algonac recently got a new coat of paint thanks to resident Kathy Mallia Doan. The chair was donated by the family of Mayor Rocky Gillis. In a recent Facebook post Gillis wrote: ‘I love to see that our Michigan Chair got reimagined and found a new home on the boardwalk! Thanks, Kathy for the update it’s beautiful!’ Doan responded on her own Facebook page calling the project fun and said “It was a pleasure to design it and bring this big beautiful chair to life! I can’t wait to see all the photos and smiles this gift will bring to our community!” Doan also noted that she helped give a new coat of paint to the benches at the Veterans Monument at Riverfront Park.
