By Barb Pert Templeton
The April 7 meeting of the Algonac City Council lasted nearly 50 minutes and included a relatively short agenda. All seven members of the council were present for the meeting.
Board member appointments
Officials appointed Scott Bierne to a partial term on the Algonac Planning Commission for a term that will expire on July 17, 2027. They also approved Scott Krall for the same partial planning commission term ending on July 17, 2027. In addition, officials appointed Krall to a position on the Zoning Board of Appeals that will end on February 1, 2028. Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey took a moment to state “Oh hooray, thank you.’
“Again, I will say we need bodies on planning and planning is not an easy commitment with everything the city has going on right now and going forward, thank you to Scott and Scott for stepping up for this,” Davey said.
“I concur and thank-you to everyone that serves on our boards because we can’t do this alone,” Mayor Rocky Gillis added.
Compensation for board members
At an April 7 meeting members of the Algonac City Council took time to thank City Manager Artie Bryson for his hard work on behalf of the city.
During her council comments, Councilwoman Wendy Meldrum asked if members of the planning and zoning boards are compensated monetarily for serving on the boards. City Manager Artie Bryson replied no but they used to host a dinner for the members, who are all volunteers. She then asked if compensating them could be something the city could look into going forward.
“At the very least you should buy them a bottle of Tylenol after every meeting,” Councilman Michael Bembas said, prompting laughter around the room. Meldrum suggested paying them and still giving them a dinner because planning and zoning are a lot of work.
“I would like it if you would look at other communities, at what their boards and commissions do and maybe we can meet in the middle and offer them compensation for their time,” Meldrum said. Councilman Jake Skarbek said the Algonac council members get about $25 a meeting but that was corrected, council members are actually paid $40 per meeting. Bryson said we can’t pay them more than you. He agreed to look into the matter and bring it back to the council
Council thanks city manager
During council comments several members took the opportunity to thank City Manager Artie Bryson for his work in the city.
“Greart job Artie for everything that you’re doing, making us look great and bringing us up, I appreciate the time you put into it,” Councilwoman Wendy Meldrum said.
Algonac Mayor Rocky Gillis posted this image on his Facebook page on April 1 without the large font stating “April Fools” and to his surprise some people thought it might be real.
“You’re a good man Charlie Brown,” Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey added.
Councilman Jake Skarbek also thanked Bryson for everything’s he’s doing.
Mayor Rocky Gillis complimented him too.
“Congratulations Artie for everything you’ve done,” Gillis said as he broke into song singing, “Did you ever know that you’re my hero’. I just figured I’d top them, I’m joking,” Gillis laughed, as the room joined him in laughter.
“Talk about cruel and unusual punishment,” Bryson laughed.
April Fool’s Day joke
On Wednesday April 1 Mayor Rocky Gillis made a post on Facebook stating the city was going to be putting in a rotating boardwalk but at the recent meeting he just wanted to confirm to people that it was a joke. He said he was surprised that people forgot what day it was and when he pulled up to a window at McDonald’s they were talking about it. So now, he just wanted to assure everyone that it was a joke. “If we had the money to put new boards down, we’d put those down before we’d invest in a rotating boardwalk,” laughed Gillis.
City Manager Artie Bryson said he got three calls about it and one was asking “how are they going to get back if it’s one way?” Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey said she fielded four messages on Facebook messenger and she thought “oh he needs to get slapped over that,” referring to Gillis’ joke.
Neil Diamond Tribute coming May 23 During public comments, resident Rose Rumball, chair of Our Lady on the River Parish Against Human & Sex Trafficking Ministry, told officials a planned talent show fundraiser had to be cancelled. Rumball said she didn’t think it was fair to the people coming with their talent because the acoustics aren’t good at the activity center yet. And actually, she added that there wasn’t as much interest as she had hoped to get for the talent show. Instead, she said she had to work fast to get something else for a spring fundraiser and she succeeded. A tribute to Neil Diamond will be held at St. Catherine’s Activity Center on May 23.
“We were lucky to get him and I think the only reason we did get him is that it’s a holiday weekend,” Rumball said. “I hope that you will support me with our fundraiser and come on out.”
