By Barb Pert Templeton
The Algonac City Council meeting on July 2 lasted just 45 minutes but the agenda certainly covered a lot of ground. Here a few of the highlights:
Board appointments okayed
In a memo to the city council City Clerk Lisa Borgacz stated that due to the resignation of Library Board member Kim Blair, and Planning Commission member Ken Falke, two candidates wanted to be considered for appointments to fill the unexpired terms as follows: Library Board Polly Barbour for a partial-term ending October 1, 2026 and Planning Commission Darryl Sopata, for a term ending July 17, 2027. The Boards & Commissions Appointment Policy approved by city council in December 2015 states that new applicants will not be sought out in the case of a requested reappointment, unless by majority of the council.
Council meeting location changed
The city council normally meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month and although a primary election will be held on Tuesday August 6 instead of changing their meeting date, officials agreed to simply change the location. The meeting will now be hosted at Smith Recreation Field at 6 p.m. prior to the National Night Out/Touch a Truck Event.
Emergency Repairs to city fire truck
Algonac Fire Chief Joseph Doan presented the city with an invoice for $4,308 for some emergency repairs to the department’s Engine 2. In a letter to City Manager Denice Gerstenberg Doan explained that during an apparatus inspection it was discovered that the engine’s rear tires were defective with chunks of rubber missing. Due to safety concerns the contractor recommended replacing all six tires and rims on the truck so they would wear at the same rate. Doan said Leslie Tires, a vendor he has utilized in the past was available to make the repair right away and the total expense for the job which included dismounting, remounting, new valves and disposal of the old tires was $4,308. The item appeared on the consent portion of the agenda and was approved by the council.
Utility Authority Board appointments
The Algonac City Council meeting on August 6 at 6 p.m. will be at the Smith Recreation Field prior to the National Night Out/Touch a Truck Event.
In a memo to the city council City Clerk Lisa Borgacz explained the per the Southwater Municipal Utility Authority Articles of Incorporation, which were approved by the council on October 3, 2023, the City of Algonac, and Clay and Ira Townships are required to form a board to oversee the administration of the Authority.
The memo stated that the Authority Board shall consist of three trustees, one of whom shall be appointed by the city council in Algonac; one appointed by the Clay Township Board and one appointed by the Ira Township Board. Each municipality also appoints a second alternate member to act in the absence of the member first appointed.
Except for the first appointments, each member of the Authority Board shall serve for a term of three years, or until his or her successor is appointed and assumes office. For the first appointments, the member(s) initially appointed by the City of Algonac shall be appointed for a term of three years; the member(s) initially appointed by Clay Township shall be appointed for a term of two years; and the member(s) initially appointed by Ira Township shall be appointed for a term of one year. Josh Stewart, the Algonac Public Services superintendent, was suggested as the board member for the city along with the re-appointment of City Treasurer Alysia Bugg, as the alternate for three-year terms starting July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2027.
Council member Dawn Davey said she was very happy to see Stewart sitting on the board and she feels he’s going to be an asset to the board.
“I think he brings experience and trust and he knows what’s he’s doing, I love that he’s going to be there I think he’s going to be great,” Davey said.
Road salt contract with MiDeal Program
The council agreed to purchase $8,947 in salt from Detroit Salt Company utilizing the MiDeal program that allows local units of government to use state contracts to buy goods and services. In turn, local governments benefit by saving on the costs for goods and services and also eliminates the time involved in processing bids. The council approved the early delivering of 100 tons of salt at a cost of $6,074 and a backup order of 50 tons for $2,873.
