By Barb Pert Templeton
A regular meeting of the Algonac City Council on Sept. 19 had officials addressing a number of items during the hour and 15-minute gathering. Mayor Rocky Gillis and Councilman Corey Blair were absent from the meeting.
Lions Club adopts a park
The Algonac Lions Club have adopted the Algonac Lions Field as part of the city’s new Adopt-A-Park program. The group was recognized by the Algonac City Council at a recent meeting where Mayor Pro Tem Ray Martin presented several Lions volunteers with a sign. He said the city is grateful for the interest and support of the group, whose efforts make Algonac a better place to live, work, and play. The new program, along with an Adopt-A-Street program, was recently started in the city following a suggestion from a resident. Both programs are modeled after the MDOT Adopt-A-Highway program, where volunteers are asked to pick up litter at least two times per year between April and October. Interested volunteers, service groups, neighbors, or families, can submit an application to the city, which are available on the city’s website at www.cityofalgonac.org. Other city parks available to adopt include Columbia Street Playground, Riverfront Park, Scout Street Playground, and Smith Recreation Park.
Bridge Inspection costs approved
Members of the Algonac City Council approved a $4,625 expenditure to have five bridges in the city inspected. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) implemented the program to ensure bridges are safe. Every 24 months communities are required to inspect their bridges using the National Bridge Inventory (NBI) 0 to 9 rating scale. Inspectors give a rating to each of a bridge’s primary elements: deck, superstructure and substructure and submit this information to MDOT. For Algonac, the firm Anderson, Eckstein and Westrick, Inc. would conduct the inspections and report their results to MDOT. The bridges to be inspected are Ruskin Avenue or Oreole Canal, Edgewater Drive over Batteaux Canal, Venetian Way over canal parallel to M-29, Channelsyde Drive over canal to parallel to M-29 and Roselawn Court over canal to parallel to M-29. Five routine inspections will cost $925 or $4,625 to complete. A report, prepared by the engineering firm will provid photographs, sketches, observations, repair recommendations, MDOT bridge, culvert safety inspection reports and MDOT structure inventory reports.
Board appointments okayed
There are two new members of the Algonac Housing Commission and one reappointment to the city’s library board following a meeting of the city council on Sept. 19. Kimberly Catenacci will fill the remaining term of Barbara Faulman on the Housing Commission that expires on June 30, 2024. Walter Rose III will fill the remaining term of Kevin Barnhill that expires on June 30, 2024. While Library Board member Kim Blair was re-appointed to another three term that will expire on Oct. 1, 2026. Councilman Michael Bembas asked if the city has a long list of future applicants and City Manager Denice Gerstenberg said no, they do not. “You know you’ve got to appreciate the people who do volunteer for these things because it’s not like the pay is great,” Bembas said.
A new tree for city hall
Officials at city hall have been looking to replace a large tree that was previously used as the city Christmas tree but was lost due to disease. City Manager Denice Gerstenberg said they recently got a quote for a 24’ Concolor Fire tree from Green Acres Tree Farm. The city sought bids from Shelby Sterling and Marine City Nursery but got to response from the local merchant. Shelby Sterling offered two quotes, for just the tree it was $5,416 but the tree along with installation was $16,682. Gerstenberg noted that the Algonac DPW doesn’t have the equipment to install a tree of that size. Members of the city council unanimously agreed to the $16, 682 expenditure for the new tree and it was noted that the purchase included a 12-month warranty. “I feel good about getting a live tree back in place there,” Mayor Pro Tem Ray Martin said, he also noted that if the tree is too new to be utilized as this year’s holiday tree that would be okay too.
