By Barb Pert Templeton
The Algonac City Council meeting on Aug. 4, held outside at the Smith Recreation Center, lasted 51-minutes and included an agenda that was shorter than expected. All seven members of the council were present for the meeting.
Items missing from Aug. 4 agenda
Three highly anticipated topics were missing from the Algonac City Council agenda on Aug. 4.
A dispute between the city and the Algonac Lions Club about the running of the annual Pickeral Tournament, ordinance updates via the ordinance review committee and the results of the council’s closed door employment review of City Manager Artie Bryson were not on the agenda. When contacted via email on Aug. 3 seeking an explanation for the missing items Mayor Rocky Gillis stated, “Tomorrow’s agenda is light due to elections and National Night Out Touch a Truck, the items you mentioned will be at our next meeting.”
Highlights from recent meeting:
Members of the Algonac City Council held an outdoor meeting on Aug. 4 at the Smith Recreation Center.
Special meeting set for Aug. 12
During his comments at the end of the recent council meeting Mayor Rocky Gillis announced that the council will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. but it will be a closed session. Gillis said the closed session will be with the city attorney and the topic will be the evaluation of City Manager Artie Bryson. Councilwoman Wendy Meldrum asked hadn’t the council just held that meeting (referring to a closed session on the subject following the July 21 council meeting) and Gillis replied that the city attorney requested this upcoming meeting.
Fire boat repairs
Emergency repairs were made to Fire Boat 1 for an oil leak. Repairs were made as needed by Rose Marine Services, Inc. An invoice for $2,917 from Rose Marine Service, Inc. was approved by the council. In a memo in the meeting packet Fire Chief Joseph Doan said the incident with the boat occurred on April 20 and the vessel was taken in for service. At that time, it was discovered that an oil sump pump was defective. While the repair took place both water pumps on the boat were also serviced.
Curb boxes purchase approved
A $4,397 invoice for the purchase of 40 stop boxes and 40 stainless rods from Core & Main, a company located in St. Louis, Missouri was approved by the council. In a memo in the meeting packet from DPW Foreman Joe Vernier, he explained that the reason for the large purchase was due to the water service line verifications imposed by EGLE. Doan said when the lines are inspected and a stop box is broken the DPW comes in and replaces the stop box and rod. He added that the stop boxes allow the city to turn the water on and off when doing residential
repairs and can also be used to turn off the water for non-payment. He added that the lead time for the order is about two weeks.
SCBA flow testing completed
Algonac Fire Chief Joseph Doan made a request to have an invoice for $1,546 approved for payment by the city council. The invoice was for the annual flow testing of SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) to make sure they were functioning properly. OSHA and NFPA mandate the annual testing, according to a memo Doan submitted on the subject in the recent meeting packet. The testing was completed on July 21 and an invoice to MES Service Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota was approved by officials.
Backhoe cylinder repair
DPW Foreman Joe Vernier submitted an invoice for the repair and replacement of a new hydraulic cylinder for an M-CAT Backhoe. In a memo in the meeting packet dated July 27, Vernier said the original cylinder on the machine blew and was taken in for repairs when it was found to have a large gouge and in fact couldn’t just be repaired. In order to put the backhoe in working order Vernier ordered a new cylinder for the machine. The work was completed by MacAllister CAT, located in Detroit, and an invoice for $1,523 was approved by officials.
Resolution approved for liquor license application
Members of the city council approved Resolution 2026-07 recommending the State of Michigan give a Class C Liquor License to BESK Group LLC for a proposed new business in the city. The location at 301 Summer Street used to be a bank. The Michigan Liquor Control Commission requires a recommendation from the local government for an on-site license. When asked for additional information about the business, via email after the meeting, Mayor Rocky Gillis said. “A local resident and partners are developing a bar restaurant that will be a welcome addition to our Riverwalk Park area.”
