By Barb Pert Templeton
The June 17th regular bi-monthly meeting of the Algonac City Council included two pages of agenda items but officials got through it in just 39-minutes. All seven council members were present at the recent meeting.
Review of city manager removed from agenda
Algonac Councilwoman Wendy Meldrum asked officials to remove the 15th item on the agenda which was to be a closed session to conduct an evaluation of City Manager Denice Gerstenberg. A document in the meeting packet stated that Gerstenberg began her employment with the city on Sept. 25, 2017 and that her last evaluation was on Sept. 21, 2021. The council unanimously agreed to remove the item from the agenda.
During council comments Meldrum explained why she wanted the item moved from the agenda.
“I felt that I didn’t have any documentation to walk into an evaluation, I felt there was a lack of structure and there was nothing for me for a benchmark to walk into an evaluation where I had nothing to reference,” Meldrum said.
She went on to say she feels the city council should have an established evaluation process that would let each member review the city manager’s performance. It should focus on the city manager accomplishing goals as established by the city council.
Meldrum then suggested the council come up with an evaluation form that they can move forward with that will provide guidelines for the position.
City manager’s report
Algonac City Manager Denice Gerstenberg.
In her regular report to the council City Manager Denice Gerstenberg addressed a number of topics. She said the city has vacancies on both the planning and housing commissions and applications are available on the city website. At the Algonac Activity Center/School Gym the plumbing is nearly complete as are the HVAC systems. The cleaning contractor is also making significant progress. At the city pool the pool deck above the equipment room has been poured. Lane lines are being installed on the bottom of the pool and they are pouring the last set of stairs by the equipment room.
Tree removal costs approved
The Algonac DPW contacted Timber Tree Service about two trees in the right-of-way at 1102 Smith Street that were dead and needed to be removed. Timber removed the trees and the ground stumps. An invoice in the amount of $2,600 for Timber Tree Service located in China, Michigan was unanimously approved by the council.
Smith appointed to Housing Commission
Cindy Smith was reappointed to the Housing Commission as her term expired in June 2025. She will fill a 5-year term that expires in June 2030. The boards and commissions appointment policy approved in 2015 states that new applicants will not be sought out in the case of a requested reappointment, unless by a majority of the council. “Thank you, Cindy,” Mayor Pro Tem Dawn
Davey stated. Councilman Michael Bembas added that Smith is an excellent person that he’s known forever and she’s got great experience serving on the commission.
Three seats open on planning commission
City Councilman Michael Bembas asked what other boards have open seats right now and Mayor Rocky Gillis said there are three spots on the planning commission and one on the housing commission. Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey said the planning commission plays a huge role in what goes on in the city.
“Anybody who would like to give their time for this for everything going forward we need a good planning commission to get the things down that we’ve been working on,” Davey said.
Bembas added that it’s a really great way to get a look at how government works.
“See how the sausage is made as a vice president said many, many, year ago,” Bembas said.
Gillis said his appointment to the planning commission was the best experience he ever had and he was appointed the chairman shortly afterwards back in 2017.
“It’s a great board to get your feet wet and learn things,” Gillis said. “Anybody’s that’s interested please reach out to us.”
