Algonac City Council takes care of business

By Barb Pert Templeton

The Jan. 16 meeting of the Algonac City Council lasted just under 42-minutes and included a number of items of interest. Councilwoman Cathy Harris was absent from the meeting.

School and pool in city manager’s report

Algonac City Manager Denice Gerstenberg told city officials that as of Dec. 18 the city officially now owns the former Algonac Elementary School. She went on to state that last week she placed an announcement on the city’s Facebook page asking the community to offer ideas about what to do with the school. “And just to let you know I’ve gotten probably over 125 comments,” Gerstenberg said. “So, a lot of interest out there for what’s happening with the school.”  All of the ideas from the public will be presented and discussed on March 5 at 7 p.m. after the regular council meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. 

Gerstenberg also gave an update on the city pool. She said as the council knows the pool, which dates to 1957, was closed in 2020 due to water loss and safety concerns. The total estimated costs for a new pool were $1.7 million dollars. To save the tax payers money the city has been actively seeking out grant funding for the project. To date, the city has received a $300,000 grant from the Natural Resources Trust Fund plus a $400,000 grant from the MEDC Revitalization and Place Making Program. In addition, the city has applied for one more grant and expects an announcement about that one in early 2024. “That announcement is still expected to come in January, we still have not heard anything yet,” Gerstenberg said.

Contract awarded for grass cutting in city

Members of the city council approved a bid for grass cutting services for city properties from D&E Landscaping in Richmond. The properties included in the new three-year contract include the Algonac Public Library, Riverfront Park, Algonac Skate Park, Columbia Street Play Park, the Lions Field, Scout Drive Tot Lot, Smith Park and Michigan and Sherwood Streets. The contract information noted that D&E Landscaping have been providing services to the city for eight years. The new contract calls for fees of $25,040 for 2024, $25,791 for 2025 and $26,564 for 2026. The contract is in effect from May 1, 2024 to Nov. 30, 2026. 

D&E Landscaping lands another city contract

A Richmond based landscaping firm will not only take care of grass cutting for city properties over the next few years but landed a second contract to take care of grass cutting for places with blight violations and noxious weeds. D&E Landscaping was awarded a three-year contract with specific fees for each property where grass cutting occurs. The contract approved a fee of $48 for a lot that is less than 8,000 square feet, $93 for a lot between 8,000 and 15,000 square feet and a fee of $183 for a lot that is 15,000 to 25,000 square feet. The approved contract will run from May 1, 2024 to Nov. 30, 2026.

Poverty exemption guidelines adopted

Members of the city council voted to adopt the 2024 Poverty Exemption Policy and Guidelines Resolution #2024-03. Local governing bodies are required to annually adopt guidelines that set income levels for their poverty exemption guidelines. The income levels are updated annually by the U.S. Department of Human Services and traditionally the Algonac council adopts those same guidelines. This year a one-person household with an income of 0 to $15,310 is 100% exempt, income $15,311 to $16,040 is 75%, income $16,041 to $16,770 is 50%, $16,771 to $17,500 is 25 percent and income over $17,500 there is no hardship granted. For two person households’ income from 0 to $20,710 is 100% exempt, income $20,711 to $21,700 is 75% exempt; income $21,701 to $22,680 is 50% and income $22,681 to $23,670 is 25% exempt. For those with an income level for two persons that exceeds $23,670 there is no hardship granted. More specific rates and guidelines that incorporate things like the number of people in the home can be found at the City of Algonac website at cityofalgonac.org.