By Barb Pert Templeton
The Aug. 19 regular meeting of the Algonac City Council began early, at 5:15 p.m. instead of the normal 6 p.m. as officials went into a closed session to evaluate the city manager. The meeting reconvened at around 6:35 p.m. and the regular agenda was tackled and completed in under 40- minutes.
Here are a few highlights:
Algonac/Clay water agreement solid
During public comments resident Eileen Tesch said Clay Township water department is making a move that they will no longer be purchasing water from the city of Algonac. She stated that they are partnering with Ira Township,
“I don’t know what that means as far as our budget and finances,” Tesch said.
A few minutes, later after the city manager’s report, Mayor Rocky Gillis said he felt something was misspoken during public comments. He just wanted to clarify that the situation with Clay and Ira and water is an interchange between them so the water systems link in the event of an emergency.
City Manager Denice Gerstenberg said that was correct and that Clay was going to make a connection with Ira so in the event of an emergency the Algonac Clay residents would still have water.
A flyer promoting the upcoming Halloween in the Nac is being circulated online and around town.
“We have a long-term agreement with Clay to provide water,” Gerstenberg said.
“Just wanted to double check on that, I thought that was true but just wanted to make sure,” Gillis said.
City Manager shares activity center updates
Algonac City Manager Denice Gerstenberg gives a short report to the city council during each bi-monthly meeting. At the recent meeting Gerstenberg shared news about the former Algonac Elementary School now the Algonac Activity Center/School Gym. She said the fire alarm system will not be installed until September. HVAC is complete and they are still installing ceiling tiles. Piece to-Peace Quilters are working on their new lighting and flooring in the space they will use at the center. Door latches for access control will be installed at the end of September.
GPS for rescue boat approved
In a memo to the city council Fire Chief Joe Doan said the GPS System on the department’s fire boat is obsolete. Software updates are no longer available for the unit and it doesn’t support the thermal night vision system used for search and rescue operations; Doan wrote. Cables from the old unit will be able to be used with the new GPS system. The manufactures cost for the new unit was listed as $3,099 but West Marine in Algonac agreed to charge the government rate of $2,479. Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey asked if the expense is coming out of the fire department budget and City Manager Denice Gerstenberg said yes. The city council approved the purchase.
DNR Forest Resources Division agreement
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources-Forest Resource Division made a request to the city to sign a Cooperative Mutual Aid Fire Control Agreement for five years. In a memo to the council Fire Chief Joe Doan explained that the agreement states that the DNR and Algonac can work together in the event of a wildland incident. The DNR can provide additional manpower and wildland fire specific resources, such as dozers. The agreement also states that Algonac will continue to train in wildland fire control as will the DNR. The last agreement was signed in May 2019. The council was unanimous in its approval of the agreement.
Date for Halloween in Nac set
The annual Halloween in the Nac event, hosted by Algonac Alive, is set for Saturday, Oct. 18 at noon. The event, launched in the city by Algonac Councilman Michael Bembas nine years ago, has local groups and businesses providing games and candy for kids. At the recent meeting during public comments Bembas said if anyone wants to volunteer just contact him. “It’s a lot of fun hanging out with the kids for about four hours and we’re looking to have a big event this year,” he added.
