By Barb Pert Templeton
The Algonac City Council meeting on Feb. 6 had a light agenda and lasted just 31 minutes. Here are a few of the highlights.
New plaza ‘Shops at Riverwalk” announced
City Manager Denice Gerstenberg updated officials on projects in the city and said The Flaming Grill/Anytime Fitness/Dollar General Plaza has been sold. She said it is now being managed by JMC Management who manage 88 other properties in Michigan. As a large property manager JMC has far reaching contacts with many retail establishments and is actively seeking new tenants. The only facility in the plaza not managed by JMC is the CVS Drugstore. No current tenants are being evicted and the new management companies has already authorized $80,000 in improvements, not including the parking lot which they will do in the spring. They have authorized repairs to include a new roof, more lighting, updating the sign, litter control twice a week, new dumpsters and hiring a site manager who will be there every day, she said.
“They are not turning the mall into a Mini-Storage or Storage Facility which has been the rumor on the street,” Gerstenberg said. “And the new sign will reflect the new name and image of the plaza and the new name is Shops at Riverwalk.”
Gerstenberg added that there are no plans to put Savy Sliders or Tropical Smoothie shops into the plaza despite rumors to that affect.
Due to severe water loss, the Algonac City Pool was closed in July, 2020.
Council sets budget schedule
The Budget Schedule for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 has been set by members of the Algonac City Council. Dates approved by officials during the ‘consent agenda’ portion of the recent meeting had the following dates set: A budget presentation on Tuesday, April 2, a budget study session on Tuesday, April 9, a public hearing on Tuesday, May 21 and finally adopting of the budget on Tuesday, June 4. The complete proposed budget will be on file for public inspection during office hours at the clerk’s office less than one week prior to the public hearing.
Algonac pool funding still in question
At a recent townhall meeting for small businesses, hosted by State Senator Kevin Hertel in Clay Township, Algonac Councilman Michael Bembas had a chance to ask where the state grant money is for the Algonac city pool.
“Where’s the money for my pool?” Bembas said he asked Hertel, noting that the grant the city applied for was supposed to be decided in September.
Sharing this news during the council comments portion of the Feb. 6 meeting, Bembas said Hertel told him they should know about the grant awards within two months
“So, we’re still with our fingers crossed hoping to get that million-dollar funding for the pool,” Bembas said.
Hertel said if the city doesn’t get the grant this time out, he will work hard to get the funding into the State of Michigan’s 2024-25 budget.
“I’m frustrated and I’m sure a lot of people are but it is what it is,” Bembas said.
Algonac Elementary School Update
Since the city purchased the former school building in December, they have been encouraging the public to share their ideas for it’s use, according to City Manager Denice Gerstenberg. She said the deadline to send in ideas via Facebook or email is February 15. After that time Gerstenberg will compile the ideas and prepare them for presentation at a special meeting to be held at 7 p.m. on March 5 following the regular bi-monthly city council meeting.
Councilwoman Cathy Harris was absent.
