By Barb Pert Templeton
The regular April 2 meeting of the Algonac City Council saw officials addressing a number of issues during a 41-minute gathering. City Councilman Corey Blair was absent from the meeting.
Elementary school & pool update
Algonac City Manager Denice Gerstenberg gave an update on the Algonac Elementary School project and the status of bids for the city pool during her regular report to the city council on April 2. She said city staff met with the architect to discuss the rehabilitation of the gym. The next step is a meeting with the staff, the architect, Macomb Mechanical, building inspector, electrical inspector, and mechanical inspector at the school. They will discuss at least a dozen things related to the project such as lighting, the roof, should the administration building be demolished, ceiling tiles and a fire suppression system just to name a few.
After the on-site review, the architect will put together a scope of work proposal for city council approval. Councilwoman Dawn Davey took a few minutes to thank the city manager for keeping the council and the public updated on the progress of the school project.
Pool Update: The Algonac Pool Project is out for bid. There will be a mandatory onsite pre-bid meeting on April 10, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the bath house and equipment building for any contractor planning to bid on the project. Bids are due April 25. Councilman Michael Bembas asked Gerstenberg if anyone had signed up yet to attend the April 10 meeting and she said there is no pre-signup it’s just show up and these are contractors who would be building the pool. Bembas said he’s sorry for his impatience but he’s very excited about the pool. Councilwoman Dawn Davey asked the city manager if she has any idea when the pool might be opened for use or ‘would we rather not say because we don’t want someone busting chops when it’s not’(open yet.) Gerstenberg said the bids close on April 25, then there’s a couples week to review them, time for the council to award the bid, the work would be done by the contractor this summer so the opening will likely not be until Spring 2025.
Algonac City Manager Denice Gerstenberg.
First State of the Community Address
Gerstenberg said a State of the Community event for Algonac, Clav and Ira townships will be hosted by Anchor Bay Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, April 18, 2024 11:30 AM at the Algonac Lions Club. Speakers will include St. Clair County Commissioner Chair Jeff Bohm, City of Algonac Mayor Rocky Gillis, Clay Township Supervisor Artie Bryson, and Ira Township Supervisor Jim Endres. Tickets are $25 and include lunch. Go to anchorbaychamber.com for more information. Councilwoman Dawn Davey asked Gerstenberg if she knows why Commissioner Bohm will be at the event when he doesn’t represent Algonac and Clay Township. “Is the reason because he’s the chairman of the commission?” Davey asked. Gerstenberg said she has no idea as the chamber is organizing the event.
Council comments compliment historical society
A beautification award presented to the Algonac-Clay Historical Society at the beginning of the recent council meeting led to plenty of complimentary comments from officials during the “council comments” portion of the agenda. It began with Councilman Michael Bembas who noted that the historical society is heavily involved in the community from car shows to craft show and they are deeply appreciated. Councilman Ed Carter said the society does great things for the community and their love and care for the community is obvious and they make everyone proud. Councilwoman Dawn Davey thanked the historical society, described them as awesome and said their contributions to the city are incredible. Councilwoman Cathy Harris also congratulated the society and thanked them for their hard work. Mayor Pro Tem Ray Martin said the society members put in tremendous amounts of time and effort and it’s a bright spot on both sides of M-29 in the community. Mayor Rocky Gillis referred to the society as the keepers of the city’s most valuable asset which is their history. He complimented the museum and said members are dedicated and willing to open the place for private tours as requested. “The thing that differentiates us from other communities that no one can take away from is our history, we are the birth place of power boating,” Gillis said.
Councilman Bembas thanks city manager
Councilman Michael Bembas said he wanted to give credit where credit is due and the city manager, Denice Gerstenberg, has been very active in improving rental properties and blight issues in the city. “Because of that Algonac has one of the fastest growing property value rates in St. Clair County,” Bembas said. “And that for us, homeowners it’s just like money in the bank so it’s noticed and appreciated.”
Councilwoman Davey praises inspectors
Councilwoman Dawn Davey said she wanted to note that DPW Superintendent Josh Stewart and employee Evan, who are conducting inspections on waterlines in homes in the city, are doing an awesome job. She said if residents get letters noting an inspection needs to be done it’s not anything to freak out about, it’s not like the city is going to send you a bill after noting things you have to fix.
Mayor shares tire and mosquito facts
Mayor Rocky Gillis noted that the city-wide cleanup is May 18. Sharing some random mosquito facts, Gillis said every spare tire removed from the community – every spare tire is a breeding ground for 20,000 mosquitoes a year – saves the community 20,000 mosquitoes. “So, we will freely take your spare tires and get them out of town,” Gillis said. “So, think about it as 20,000 mosquitoes out of your yard, so if we get 100 tires that’s 2 million mosquitoes out of Algonac.” He also reminded residents that if they have something they want to get rid of it but aren’t sure how to do it contact the DPW.
