By Barb Pert Templeton
The Aug. 20 regular meeting of the Algonac City Council lasted an hour and 31 minutes and included a full agenda.
Here are a few highlights:
Teal Campaign Okayed
The Algonac City Council was unanimous in its approval to participate in the Tie Michigan Teal Campaign during the month of September. The Michigan Teal Campaign, is a campaign of the Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance to promote awareness of ovarian cancer and its symptoms. Teal is the color representing ovarian cancer. Some harsh statistics on the disease state that in 2024 about 19,680 women will be diagnosed with the cancer and 12,740 will die. Unlike other cancers, there is no early detection test for ovarian cancer. The Teal Campaign consists of volunteers tying teal-colored ribbons across cities, townships and villages during the month of Sept. There’s no cost to the city and the ribbons are taken down at the end of the month.
The Algonac City Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 6 p.m.
City awarded grant for water lines
The city of Algonac is the recipient of a $159,400 grant to help identify any water service lines in the city where lead is suspected. The Community Technical Managerial and Financial Support (TMF) Grant via EGLE, was submitted by Hubbell, Roth and Clark, on behalf of the city. City Manager Denice Gerstenberg shared the good news during her regular report to officials at the recent council meeting.
City Manager addresses mini-storage rumors
September is the month designated to “tie a Teal” ribbon on for awareness of ovarian cancer.
During her bi-monthly report to the city council Algonac City Manager Denice Gerstenberg addressed a rumor she noted has been floating around on social media in the city. The talk stating that the former location of CVS Pharmacy in the city is going to be turned into a mini-storage facility are false. Gerstenberg said “no one has contacted the city about this and no plans have been submitted to do so.”
New housing project will not be Section 8
In what is becoming a regular part of her city manager’s report to the city, Denice Gerstenberg, took a few moments to address social media rumors about the housing project planned in the city. In a memo to officials that she read into the meeting record, Gerstenberg said despite postings online to the contrary, the new housing will not be Section 8 eligible simply because the city’s Housing Commission is involved in the project. “The private developer is seeking financial assistance through the state tax credit program,” she wrote. Points are awarded for criteria met by the developer and the list includes: 1. At least $5 million in public and private development within two miles of the project. 2. A nearby licensed childcare. 3. A partnership with a housing commission familiar with tax credit program – Port Huron. 4. A partnership with a housing commission not familiar with tax credit programs – Algonac. 5. Installation of electric vehicle chargers.
New site plan for Algonac Elementary Housing Project
An updated version of the site plan for the Algonac Elementary Housing Project – via new drawings – was unveiled at the recent city council meeting. The project has 18 townhomes proposed along with 25 apartments. The city would retain ownership of the school property in the middle for a community center. City Manager Denice Gerstenberg said neither of the projects are considered low-income housing. A layout of the one-two- and three-bedroom apartments were revealed and the elevation drawings reflect red, blue and gray colors with some porthole style windows.
“There will be a nautical look to it with nautical light fixtures and you can barely see them but the site furniture has Adirondack chairs and the name of the development is Gar Woods Apartments and Condos,” Gerstenberg said.
