By Barb Pert Templeton
A recent meeting of the Algonac City Council had officials going over a half dozen items and wrapping up the
meeting in just 29 minutes. The June 20th meeting had all members of the council in attendance.
Free Community dinner plugged
Gail Anthony from First Evangelical Lutheran Church spoke during the public comments portion of the June 20 meeting inviting the public to attend a free meal at the church on Weds. June 21. Taco salad, nachos, salsa, cheese and beverages were to be served. In addition, the church planned to have their clothing bank open and invited anyone interested to stop by and fill up a bag for free. The church hosts a free community dinner once a month at the church.
Members of the Algonac City Council meet on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 6 p.m. at the city offices.
New Water Treatment Authority moving forward
The Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) Authority, which will have Algonac, Clay and Ira townships, replacing the St. Clair County Plant Authority, has all its transfer paperwork in place in draft form and is moving right along. The documents involved include a Transfer Agreement, Articles of Incorporation, Employee Leasing Agreement and Service Agreement. Algonac City Manager Denice Gerstenberg said the city attorney has reviewed the documents and they should come before the city council on July 18. Once the agreement is complete there’s still several other areas that must be addressed including financial, engineering, human resources and legal matters. After that each community much appoint one board members and one alternate. Council member Dawn Davey asked Gerstenberg what time frame is in place to make the situation ‘a done deal.’ The city manager said it will likely take another six months to get all the paperwork in place and recorded and to have all three municipalities approve the agreement.
Local Parks and Recreation Millage Distribution
The St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Millage Distribution for 2023 in the amount of $21,491was approved by the Algonac City Council. This year marks the 29th year that the county is distributing Parks and Recreation County Commission Millage funds to local municipalities. Next year the city expects to receive $22,561 from the millage. Algonac Mayor Rocky Gillis noted an interesting fact on the breakdown of municipalities and the funds they will receive as provided by St. Clair County based on population. “One thing I found interesting on the document is do you know how many people in the city of Richmond live in St. Clair County?” Gillis said. “Three, the city of Richmond gets $17.”
Chlorine analyzers for water plant
A maintenance contract that will keep track of chlorine levels at Algonac’s water plant was recently approved by the city council. The contract, in the amount of $4,323 with HACH located in Loveland, Colorado, is for one year of 24-hour monitoring of chlorine levels as is required by the State of Michigan. Algonac Water Plant Superintendent Joshua Stewart requested the contract renewal.
Water testing at filtration plant
A contract to provide mandatory water testing at the Algonac Water Filtration Plant was recently approved by members of the city council. The testing, which is required by the state, will have staff at the plant pulling the samples and then sending them in for testing. The city got two quotes for the work; one from Paragon Laboratories for $3,577 and one from Trace Analytical Laboratories for $4,856. Officials approved the Paragon bid wit a stipulation that the dollar amount not exceed $4,000.
