By Barb Pert Templeton
The May 6 meeting of the Algonac City Council had a busy agenda and lasted just under 50 minutes. All of the council members were present for the meeting.
Here are a few highlights:
Car Show and Art Exhibit this weekend
The Algonac-Clay Historical Society will host their annual Car Show & Art Exhibit on Saturday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Riverfront Park. A special event permit submitted to the city by the group noted that 50 to 60 cars will be on display along with several local artists. Registration for cars is $10. The application noted that the event was planned to welcome summer, attract people from the state park and to welcome visitors to the city museums.
Post office food drive is this Saturday
The annual National Post Office Food Drive is set for Saturday, May 10. All the food collected in Algonac goes to the local Methodist Church food bank. City Councilman Michael Bembas, who’s the Algonac Post Master, said they raise 5,000 pounds of food, collecting more than surrounding communities like St. Clair and Marine City. “Algonac Post Office has worked with the community to collect food for the last 30-some odd years,” Bembas said. “Most of us are very blessed to not to worry about food but many people aren’t. There are people that have fallen through the cracks and have just run into hard times. Those are the kind of people we try to help.”
Hiltunen gets asset award
The Algonac City Council presented an Asset Award to the Algonac High School Wrestling Team and to wrestler Reid Hiltunen, who won state champion honors. Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey presented the award to Hiltunen and also the team. The brief presentation had a proclamation read into the record noting the council commending the Algonac Muskrats Wrestling Team and their coaches for all their work and dedication which led to many outstanding achievements this school year. The council noted that they applauded the team for their efforts and characterized the season as “incredible.”
City manager’s report
Algonac City Manager Denice Gerstenberg gave her regular report to the council updating them on projects going on in the city. At the Algonac Activity Center installation of security systems are in progress (cameras/door latches) and the sheriff conducted room entry training for a new special Response Team on April 29. In other center news Gerstenberg said the staff emptied the storage unit that the city paid for at the former antique mall plaza and moved all the terms to the Activity Center. She added that the Piece to Peace Quilters moved the furniture and equipment that they obtained from JoAnn Fabrics to a vacant classroom on the north side for storage. Walls are being worked on for the city pool and a surge tank has been installed.
Exterior lighting amendment adopted
Members of the city council unanimously approved adopting an amendment to Chapter 50 “Zoning,” Article XV “General Provisions” Section 459 Exterior Lighting. The ordinance was prepared by the city attorney with staff input after complaints were received regarding the lack of night-lighting in commercial and multiple family residential districts. The ordinance was introduced to the Planning Commission at a Jan. 27 meeting and the following revisions were approved including: 1. Added Illuminated from dusk until sunrise, 2, Added specific illumination levels, 3. Added types of lighting, including LED lights, 4. Specified affected zoning districts – all commercial and multiple family residential, 5. Clarified that existing buildings are not grandfathered.
Items approved for Algonac Activity Center
The Algonac Activity Center’s general contractor, Salski Construction, submitted a change order for the school media center for ceiling tile installation at a cost of $3,245. The placement of the tiles was going to be at a later date but Piece to Peace Quilters intend to be a tenant as soon as the center opens so the tiles need to be put in now, according to a memo to the council by City Manager Denice Gerstenberg. The council approved the change order and also approved an invoice for cleaning services from M.C. Shine Cleaning and Restoration, located in Fort Gratiot, in the amount of $48,161. The invoice breakdown noted $897 for cleaning general items, $500 for heavy equipment, $39,489 for hazardous material remediation and $961 for water extraction and remediation. There were also charges of $31.64 for taxes and two notations of $3,140.94 for overhead and profit.
Annual city clean-up
Algonac/Clay Township will host their annual city clean-up on Saturday, May 17 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mainland residents can take their items to the Clay Township Water Department at 9625 Muskrat Run while Harsens Island residents can go to Browns Field on both Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Algonac DPW, located at 453 State Street, will accept items by appointment and residents can contact them at dpw@cityofalgonac.org. Residents can recycle and dispose of many household items including bulky waste, electronics, household hazardous waste, appliances and scrap tires. The event is free and will go on rain or shine.
