Assures officials MDOT paving will be done by Labor Day
By Barb Pert Templeton
At every Algonac City Council Meeting City Manager Denice Gerstenberg has her own spot on the agenda where she updates officials on projects going on in the city.
At a regular council meeting on July 2 her list was longer than usual but provided details for lots of things going on around town.
Here’s what she shared:
- Algonac Elementary Housing Update: The private developer is working on a Phase I environmental. PCE was the low bidder for the property survey work. Developer looking to engage a general contractor. Title work in process. This is not low-income housing. This is affordable housing for working seniors and families. The state of Michigan provides incentives to developers to build these types of projects.
- Algonac Elementary Gym Update: Met with second general contractor June 26. Will be interviewing one more general contractor.
- “DOT Road Diet: Construction expected to start around July 8 with sidewalks (3 weeks), followed by milling (6 days), and paving (6 days). Tentative completion by Labor Day.
- Public tour of Waste Water Treatment Plant on July 10 @ 2:00 PM: Tour the plant and interact with knowledgeable staff who will be available to answer any questions you may have about wastewater treatment and our operations
- Tower Truck: Main hydraulic cylinders need to be replaced. Truck will be out of service for about 6 weeks.
- Water Service Material Verification: Contractor starting July 15.
- Water Plant Inspections: On June 25 the water plant was inspected by EGLE. Every five years EGLE inspects the water plant. The last time was in 2021. Inspection went well, if there are any violations we will be notified. The Michigan State Police will be out in July to perform a cybersecurity audit.
- GPS Main Replacement: SEMCO is currently working on Lee and Cherry Streets.
Algonac City Manager Denice Gerstenberg.
After the city manager’s report there’s an opportunity for council members to ask questions about what she shared. At the recent meeting
As far as the Road Diet Construction being finished by Labor Day, Councilman Michael Bembas said it needs to be stressed to MDOT that it must be finished for the annual Art Fair. One of the biggest annual events hosted in the city over Labor Day weekend.
“MDOT made it clear that is was in their contract – the contractors’ contract -that they would not interfere with the Pickerel Tournament or the Art Fair,” Gerstenberg said.
Councilwoman Cathy Harris said but that’s a tentative completion date, it doesn’t say completed by Labor Day.
“So, we’ll have 6,000 people going through here on over Labor Day weekend for the Art Fair,” Harris added.
“MDOT has made it clear that they will not interfere with the Art Fair so if they are not completed by Labor Day they will stop and finish it after the Art Fair,” Gerstenberg said.
“Just as long as we can keep driving down that road,” Bembas added.
Towards the end of each meeting Gerstenberg shares items that will be on the council’s next meeting agenda. On July 2 she listed these items for the July 16 meeting she listed a presentation by Sheriff Mat King and a St. Clair County Drain Resolution will be on the agenda.
The Algonac City Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 6 p.m. at the city offices, located at 805 St. Clair River Drive.
