Says many positive things are coming to the city
By Barb Pert Templeton
At each Algonac City Council meeting, City Manager Artie Bryson has a spot on the agenda to report information to officials about grants, projects and other items of interest. These are some of the items he shared at the April 21 meeting.
Seeking a bid from Clay Township Police Department
Bryson confirmed he did request a quote from Clay Township Police for police services and he told St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King about it right away. Algonac is currently under contract for police services with the sheriff’s department. “I wanted him to hear it from me and it’s really isn’t about dissatisfaction it’s about doing due diligence that we get the best value for our residents not just the cheapest,” Bryson said. (Sheriff Mat King appeared at the recent council meeting to inform officials that he’d heard there are factions in the southern part of the county seeking to create a Southern Police Authority.) An email from Cottrellville Township Supervisor Greg Abbey was given to council members by King and it proposed creating a Southern St. Clair County Police Authority and an attachment spelled out how police services are handled on the south end of the township. Bryson said that email went to Clay, Cottrellville and Ira townships, plus Algonac and Marine City. He said he did nothing with it and got calls from several other city/township managers who said they were going to follow suit. “I’ve never been in any talks about having a police authority down here so I just want to make that clear,” Bryson said.
Seeking $4.5 million for sewer system
He recently testified before the Michigan Subcommittee on Labor and Economic Opportunity and put in a request for $4.5 million for sewer collection system improvements. Bryson told the council this is critical infrastructure and they made that case loud and clear and added, they heard us. “Hopefully we’re going to get some funds to help our sewer system out from this, “Bryson said.
City Manager Artie Bryson (pictured here on the far right) updates the city council on projects in the city during a recent city council meeting. Councilwoman Cathy Harris and Councilman Jake Skarbeck are pictured in the background.
Activity Center project seeking grant
He’s been working on tightening up the Activity Center project numbers and building out the Michigan Economic Development Corporation grant budget to secure a $500,000 grant through
Senator Kevin Hertel’s office. “That’s going well, I’m meeting with one contractor tomorrow and should be done with everything on that,” Bryson said.
Talking Brownfield with other communities
Bryson said he had preliminary discussion with Marine City, Fort Gratiot, Port Huron Township and St. Clair for a Brownfield Authority. He said his personal opinion is that if the county isn’t stepping up for local communities for development ‘we’ve got to get creative and take control of our own development tools and Brownfield’s a good tool to attract new businesses.”
Ordinance Review Committee update
The new ordinance committee is taking a hard look at short-term rentals, the event permit ordinance, the golf cart ordinance – including use at night to make sure they are operation with proper lighting plus looking at the parks and recreation ordinance. The committee’s next meeting is on Thursday, May 14 at 6 p.m.
Pump station review
Bryson said he’s spent a lot of time at the Smith Street Pump Station reviewing options and they are pricing things out to see what they can get done in-house. Doing it themselves could save the city $350,000 and he’s still waiting on information on the Kennedy Pump. “So that would be a great thing,” Bryson added.
Community pool news
The city’s getting geared up for pool season and so far there are eight lifeguard applicants and several still need to get certification but things are moving in the right direction. Bryson said there is small drainage issue but they are working on it. In addition, a couple residents are interested in donating some items for the pool, the list includes a new life guard chair. The city will be hiring someone to do seasonal work for the parks, activity center and pool to maintain them on a daily basis. Bryson said he’s also exploring having some murals painted at the pool. He said it’s a simple upgrade but it can make a big difference in how the space feels.
Development is picking up
Bryson also noted that economic development is picking in the city. Zef’s on the Lake should open in about 30-days, it’s been totally remodeled. A local property owner is looking for someone to run a restaurant and they will build to suit. Bryson is also working with another business looking seriously at Algonac. “It’s an actual national chain, so things are moving,” he added.
Looking at a Safety Town Program
The city’s looking at launching a Safety Town at the Activity Center. It’s a hands-on way to teach kids about road safety with a miniature town setup. It’s a great program that has cars the kids can drive on streets to learn who has the right of way on all sorts of intersections with bikes, cars and pedestrians.
