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 May 5 meeting.
Some highlights:
Staying on top of local events
Bryson said he’s continuing to coordinate things with the organizers of the Pickeral Tournament, the Sip of Summer and the Algonac Art Fair, a trio of cornerstone events for the community. He added that the Pickeral Tournament application will be on the next city council agenda.
Councilman Michael Bembas asked Bryson if he has a completed Pickeral Tournament special event application or is it still in progress. Bryson said he met with the Lions representatives recently and he has an updated version of the schedule of events and that organizers are still seeking a private security firm to handle the beer tent both nights. Bryson said he just got some documents submitted and they weren’t acceptable. “So, it’s still a work in progress, I told them I don’t think the sheriff is going to sign off on this and to do something better,” Bryson said.
A grand opening of the Maritime Museum in Algonac included an appearance by several local dignitaries including State Senator Kevin Hertel.
Still working on additional grants
The city manager is continuing to work with the Community Foundation to pursue placemaking grants with the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation. The focus is on projects that improve quality of life and help connect people to the downtown and waterfront.
Spring Cleanup Day
Algonac will host the annual Spring Cleanup Day on Saturday, May 16 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Bryson said hazard materials, including oil-based paint and used oil can be dropped off at the rear of the Clay Township Fire Department and for latex paint just open the lid, let it dry and drop into their regular trash.
Councilwoman Wendy Meldrum said during a previous budget discussion on the DPW labor negotiations she asked if the DPW employees were going to be paid for working the cleanup days. Bryson replied yes, he signed a letter of understanding that they will be paid time and a half on both cleanup days the city hosts annually.
Mayor Rocky Gillis said Bryson mentioned hazardous material can be dropped in Clay Township but won’t Algonac be taking them as well. Bryson yes, they won’t turn anything away although it will be frowned on. Gillis said good because they don’t want people taking them back home with them. “My thought is if people have the energy to get it to us, we don’t want to turn anything away,” Gillis said. Bryson there will be a large garbage truck there to load up and also a trailer there for tires and one for metal.
Smith Street Pump Station
The city continues to review improvement options at the Smith Street Pump Station. They are looking for opportunities to continue to do the work in-house and are awaiting final pricing from three different companies. “This should save us a significant amount of money that we had been looking at beforehand,” Bryson said.
Algonac City Manager Artie Bryson.
Community museums now open
The city’s two history museums are now open for the season. The Maritime Museum had a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 1 to show off the assets at that location. The event officially kicked off the tourism season in the area and in addition to staff from the Anchor Bay Chamber of Commerce, several local and state elected officials, business owners and Algonac Clay Historical Society members were present. “The pictures look great, I unfortunately couldn’t make it,” Bryson said.
Pool season prep underway
The DPW has begun pool opening preparation in anticipation of the city pool grand opening on Saturday, June 13 from 2 to 6 p.m. Lifeguards are being interviewed, adult water aerobics classes are being organized and the city is seeking a swimming instructor for youth swim lessons.
Public water plant tour
A public tour of the city’s water plant is set for Monday, May 18 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Bryson said it’s a great opportunity for people to see the infrastructure behind the scenes firsthand at the plant. Additional parking will be available at the nearby Church of Christ.
Sip of Summer Event
This special event hosted by Algonac Alive is set for Saturday, June 6 at the Algonac Riverfront
“This continually brings in visitors from outside the community, usually about 1,000 people and I’m guessing that 80% of them are from outside coming here” Bryson said. “It’s a good chance to bring people in to support our local businesses.”
Bryson said he personally knows three people who came to the city for that event and liked the area so much they purchased homes and moved to Algonac.
