One is a sale, one is a purchase and some are confused
By Barb Pert Templeton
The selling of one piece of property to the Southwater Municipal Utility Authority (SMUA) adjacent to the waste water treatment facility in Algonac and the city’s plan to purchase another piece of property nearby has caused some confusion around town.
The city’s currently finalizing a purchase agreement for $225,000 for property they are buying north of the DPW site that will be utilized for storage by that department. At the same time, they are selling a parcel of land behind the waste water treatment plant for $200,000 to the SMUA.
The issue initially came up at a Feb. 3 Algonac City Council meeting. Officials began to explain the property issues related to the facility, which is owned by the SMUA, which serves over 10,000 residents in Algonac, Ira and Clay townships.
Algonac Mayor Rocky Gillis stated that the property for sale by the city to the SMUA for $200,000 was a rear parcel that the city still owns but the authority needs in order to expand the waste water treatment plant. He added that he thought the space would be utilized for holding tanks for high water tanks to be able to slow the flow there.
Councilman Jake Skarbek said that while he was fine with selling the property to the SMUA, he felt the city should make sure any purchase agreement should be contingent on the city purchasing another piece of property for the DPW. Skarbek said he knows for a fact that the DPW uses all that property now, mostly for storage, so it’s irresponsible to sell it without a new piece of property. Members of the council agreed.
Algonac City Manager Artie Bryson.
The matter came up again at a Feb. 17 council meeting during City Manager Artie Bryson’s report to officials. He said a purchase agreement for property at 455 State Street for $225,000 between the City of Algonac and Brian Borowski was moving forward – so Skarbek’s contingency plan – that the city have another piece of property to put DPW storage items at was being met. Bryson added that buying the property will benefit the DPW for cleanup and storage this spring.
At the city council’s most recent meeting on March 3, Bryson’s report to the council included a blurb about the properties. He stated:
“We are moving forward on two property transactions. We have a signed purchase agreement on the property the city is acquiring and are currently awaiting title work. Closing is anticipated within 45 days. We are also progressing on the lot split for the property behind the DPW facility.
In an attempt to further understand these property issues Blue Water Healthy Living contacted Mayor Rocky Gillis via email seeking a clearer explanation of what it’s all about, these are his responses.
Blue Water Healthy Living: Who currently owns the property at 451 State Street (Algonac Waste Water Treatment Plant) and what is it utilized for?
Algonac Mayor Rocky Gillis: The property at 451 State Street is owned by the Southwater Municipal Authority (SMUA) and is the location of the municipal wastewater treatment plant, which serves the City of Algonac and surrounding communities.
BWHL: Who owns the adjacent property at 453 State Street and what is currently on that property?
Gillis: The City of Algonac currently owns the property at 453 State Street, which adjoins the wastewater treatment plant property (owned by the SMUA). The parcel is presently used for storage of maintenance equipment and materials used to support community maintenance operations.
BWHL: Where will the $200,000 purchase price for 453 State Street go?
Gillis: The proceeds from the sale are being used to purchase adjacent property (at 455 State Street) for Department of Public Works (DPW) operations so that the city can continue storing equipment and materials needed for community maintenance.
BWHL: If the SMUA owns the wastewater treatment plant, why wasn’t 453 State Street already part of their property?
Gillis: The property has historically been owned by the city and used for municipal storage. The Southwater Municipal Authority has expressed interest in acquiring the property in order to install a water retention system that will support wastewater treatment plant operations.
BWHL: What is the current status of the properties?
Gillis: The city is in the process of purchasing the property directly north of the DPW yard for $225,000, which will allow DPW operations to continue once the sale of 453 State Street is completed.
