Lots of grants coming soon along with spring plantings
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 19 meeting.
New city office hours
Bryson said staff has been talking about changing the office hours at city hall. Right now they are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday thru Thursday. He said they took a poll over a ten-week period and noted two visitors and three phone calls between 5:30 and 6 p.m. So, Bryson said they want to change the office hours to 7:30 to 5:30 p.m. beginning June 1. If for some reason that doesn’t work out, they can always switch back, he added.
Planting of trees and flowers helps beautify community
North Channel County Park recently hosted a community tree planting day where volunteers worked together to plant 15 new trees. Seasonal planting in city flower beds was held on May 20 and volunteers from the community were invited to join in and help out. The idea was to work together to beautify the community. Improvements at Smith Field included a generous donation of eight loads of black dirt from Cortis Brothers. The area has been graded, spread and seeded and is ready for the Pickeral Tournament or any other events planned this summer, Bryson said.
Algonac City Manager Artie Bryson.
Smith Street plant project may save city $440,000
Bryson said the Smith Street Pump Station had gotten an engineering quote of $544,000 to replace three pumps but he’s since been planning a different approach. He wants to make it a project that will include outsourcing the electrical work, he’s got a contractor to rebuild the pumps and he’ll rent a crane to pop the roof off the building. “Full disclosure I’m planning on renting it from my nephew because he’s got a mobile crane a mile down the road and I think we can do this for about $100,000,” Bryson said. He will put together a budget for the project and bring it to the council at the next regular meeting. Bryson said the time line for the project is six to eight weeks and includes a savings of over $400,000.
Grant updates bring great news
The city was awarded $750,000 from Senator Gary Peters for the sewer collection system, Bryson said he had sought a million dollars and it had to be reduced. In addition, they got another $750,000 award from Peters for the Activity Center at the old elementary school and also another grant from Senator Elissa Slotkin for a million for the center. Bryson said he knows they can’t double dip and get both grants from the state but perhaps the one that comes through will
be for a million dollars. In other grant news, Bryson said a $4.25 million critical infrastructure funding request from the state for sewer system improvements should be decided by mid-June.
Grant sought for fire department
Algonac will be applying for a state grant for the fire department for about $47,000 in order to purchase 11 sets of turnout gear. The life of the gear is about ten years and so the current ones being utilized are just about on borrowed time and so they need to be replaced, Bryson reported.
New business at Whispy Gypsy location
Bryson reported that the city has received a business license application from an auto sales business to fill the space that used to be Whispy Gypsy. He said the city’s fire chief and building inspector are currently working with the new owner to make sure all the proper requirements are met.
Activity Center Funding
Updated quotes have been received for improvements at the Algonac Community Center. The city ‘s working with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to finalize the budget and have the previously awarded $500,000 in grant funding for the center released to the city.
Walking path and playground updates at Lions Field
The walking path at the Lions Field is awaiting final approval from the DNR bid packages so the city can go out and start taking bids on the project. The playground, also at the Lions Field, will be getting some mulch delivered soon for that area. “That playground is in desperate need,” Bryson said. The playground style woodchips will be put in place by volunteers, he added.
Mark your calendars
· Music in the park kicks off on Thursday, June 4 at 7 p.m. featuring the Gobies from 7 to 9 p.m.
· A Sip of Summer Event, sponsored by Algonac Alive, is set for Saturday, June 6. Bryson said the event continues to welcome people from beyond the local community and also supports local business.
· An Adult Basketball League has begun on Wednesdays evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Algonac Activity Center. Interest is growing for the league and there are other nights available for play too.
· An Open Gym Program, for homeschooled students continues on Tuesday afternoons at the Activity Center from 1 to 2:30 p.m. It continues to be well attended, Bryson said.
