By Barb Pert Templeton
A May 21 meeting of the Algonac City Council lasted just 29 minutes and had officials approving a number of items and commenting on others during the ‘council comments’ portion of the agenda.
Rocket Enterprises to provide flag services
The City of Algonac has contracted with Rocket Enterprises, of Warren, for several years to maintain the 20 x 30-foot flag at Riverfront Park and last year the 5 x 8 flag at city hall was added to the program. The annual contract includes a minimum of five flag changes each year, complete maintenance and replacement of halyard rope and clips and all the labor needed to maintain a quality appearance throughout the year. In a memo to officials City Manager Denice Gerstenberg said Rocket Enterprises has ‘provided excellent service and pricing’ to the city. Officials then agreed to waive the bidding process and approved the $1,975 cost for the flag at Riverfront Park and $285 for the flag at city hall.
City resigns with Emterra Environmental for waste collection
Members of the city council agreed to a new five-year contract with an option to extend it another five years, for refuse, recycling and yard waste collection with current provided Emterra Environmental, USA. In a memo to officials City Manager Denice Gerstenberg said the contract was put out for bid on April 9 and while 16 companies viewed the proposal the city got just one from Emterra. The service is provided to 1,750 households in the city and the annual trash collection cost per household will increase from $177 to $208 beginning on July 1, 2024. The contract includes clauses that state all complaints must be responded to within 24 hours, there’s no limit on bags for trash or recycling and dumpsters at Lions Field, the DPW, from the annual Art Fair, Pickerel Tournament and community clean-up are all included. The council approved the contract which will begin on June 1, 2024 and end on May 31, 2034. Mayor Rocky Gillis commented that he liked some of the things added to the contract including the no bag limit and a clause for handicapped residents who can contact the waste hauler and have their items picked up at their door. “I just think you put a lot of nice things in this contract for the residents,” Gillis said.
Fire Department radios to be covered by ARPA funds
The flag at Riverfront Park will be taken care of for another year as the Algonac City Council approved a contract with Rocket Enterprises at a recent meeting.
In 2022 the city council approved the purchase of new Kenwood radios to upgrade things with county and state radios. A recent requirement by the State of Michigan means the radios must now include multi-factor encryption modules which were not included in the originally approved purchase. In a memo to the council Fire Chief Joe Doan stated that St. Clair County Commissioner Dave Vandenbossche has agreed to provide funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in the amount of $25,464 which will include the encryption modules, licensing keys and installation on all radios.
Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession approved
A special event permit application from St. Catherine’s of Alexandria, located on Washington Street in Algonac. to host the Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession on Sunday, June 2, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. was okayed by city officials. The event will include a 15-minute walk from the church to Clay Street, south on M-29 to Columbia Street and back to the church. It’s expected that about 100 people will be participating. The permit application states that the event will take place following a Holy Mass of the Feast of Corpus Christie and the procession will begin with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at St. Catherine’s Church. The faithful will progress with the Blessed Sacrament through the city and conclude with the Benediction at the church. Fellowship, refreshments and donuts will conclude the event at the church’s activity center.
Summer in the Nac’ event set for June 8
During the council comments portion of the meeting agenda Councilman Michael Bembas reminded everyone that the Summer in the Nac’ Craft and Small Business show will be hosted in town on Saturday, June 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. It will include over 100 vendors, several food trucks and a live band called, ‘No Strings Attached,’. “I hope to see everybody there to support our local small businesses,” Bembas said.
Davey encourages keeping an eye out for those in need
Councilwoman Dawn Davey took a few moments during council comments to remind everyone that people who are struggling don’t just need help during the winter months. She said the season doesn’t matter when people are in need and there are services available for those people and her name and number are the city website, if need be. “Call me, I will help you find some resources,” Davey said. “None of us knows the struggles that someone may be having.”
