New treasurer, vaccine clinic, fire dept. updates
By Barb Pert Templeton
The Algonac City Council tackled a number of items related to city business at a regular bi-monthly meeting on Sept. 5, 2023 at city hall.
Mackie retires; Bugg is new treasurer
In a memo to officials City Manager Denice Gerstenberg stated that after nearly 13 years, Algonac City Treasurer, Linda Mackie, announced her retirement effective August 31, 2023. She recommended the appointment of current city utility billing clerk Alysia Bugg to replace Mackie and the council was unanimous in its approval. Mackie has been training Bugg to be her successor. Bugg has been employed by the city since October 2020, is a member of the Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association and has already completed 2 years of the 3-year treasurer certification program. She will be a certified municipal treasurer upon completion of the 3-year program in May 2024. Bugg will be attending the Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association fall conference in September, and the BS&A conference in October. BS&A is the cloud-based computer system used by the city of Algonac for creating and managing all customer, billing, and work order information. After a 60-day separation from the city, Mackie will be available on a part-time basis to assist with the transition as needed. City Charter Section 4.6 states that the offices of Clerk, Treasurer and Assessor shall be filled by appointment by the City Council, upon the recommendation of the City Manager.
Kroger Vaccine Clinic on Sept. 9

Members of the Algonac City Council at a meeting on Sept. 5, 2023.
The Kroger Company of Michigan asked to hold a mobile vaccination clinic in the Algonac City Hall/Fire Department parking lot on Saturday, September 9 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. There will be a mobile health trailer on site and a NASCAR Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr. race car, according to a memo about the event submitted the city council by City Manager Denice Gerstenberg. She said the city received an email request from The Kroger Company of Michigan to partner with them and host a mobile vaccination clinic in the parking lot. Kroger asked to host the event on Saturday, September 9th from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The city council unanimously approved the event and it was noted that there will be no cost incurred by the city for the clinic.
Fire extrication equipment okayed
Algonac Fire Chief Joseph Doan submitted a request for approval to purchase fire department extrication equipment for $19,205 from MI Rescue Resources LLC. The new equipment will replace 1993 extrication equipment on Fire Engine 1. Extrication equipment is used by emergency rescue personnel to assist in the rescue of victims involved in vehicle accidents and other small spaces. The new equipment is portable and lighter in weight and is interchangeable on both engines. The $19,300 projected cost was budgeted for this purchase in the FY 2023-24 Capital Improvement Plan, Doan said. The current extrication equipment on Engine 1 was purchased in August of 1993. Although this equipment has served our needs very well over the years, due to its age, maintenance and replacement parts are becoming difficult to find or are obsolete, Doan added. He wished to upgrade/replace the old hydraulic extrication equipment with new electric (battery powered) equipment. The new equipment is lighter in weight and portable compared to the old that has a power unit that is truck mounted. This new equipment is the same that is on Engine 2 and all equipment is interchangeable.

The Algonac City Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at city hall.
Replacement of this extrication equipment was budgeted for in the 2023-2024 Capital Improvement Plan.
Fire Department Carbon Monoxide Detector
In an effort to continue to provide the best service possible to our residents, we are seeking approval to purchase a Bascom-Turner Gas Ranger RGA-611 detector for Engine 2 and calibration apparatus, Fire Chief Joseph Doan wrote in a memo to members of the city council. This is the same detector we have on Engine 1 and all equipment will be interchangeable, he added. We have received a quote from Bascom-Turner Instruments (manufacturer/sole provider) for a purchase amount of $3,480. Each detector is made to order with an estimated lead time of 8 weeks.
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous, flammable gas that is colorless, odorless, tasteless and slightly less dense than air. Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer.
Every year, at least 420 people die in the U.S. from accidental CO poisoning. More than 100,000 people in the U.S. visit the emergency department each year due to accidental CO poisoning. This equipment was budgeted for in the 2023-2024 department budget.