Algonac’s new city manager updates officials

Artie Bryson is ready to tackle new post

By Barb Pert Templeton

There’s an opportunity at bi-monthly Algonac City Council meetings for the city manager to share updates with officials about things going on the city. When newly hired City Manager Artie Bryson took his seat at the Dec. 16 meeting he had a decent list of announcements for officials.

Bryson, who was interviewed for the open position at a Dec. 9 meeting and then offered the job, also had a second spot on the recent agenda where officials approved his employment contract. He agreed to join the city’s full-time staff after former City Manager Denice Gerstenberg retired on Nov. 27.

At the recent meeting Bryson touched on these topics during his report to officials:

Algonac Activity Center

The new Algonac Activity Center is up and running and Bryson said he’s made contact with several groups that want to use the gymnasium starting in January. He said the Algonac Faith Coalition is talking about having youth groups meet there, the local scouts are also interested plus local pickle ball and basketball teams are making inquiries as well.

“The building really needs some more cleaning and painting and the floors need to be assessed in the hallways,” Bryson said. “The gym looks amazing, a little bit of paint – but it really looks amazing although it’s going to be a work in progress for a while.”

Am awesome sound system was donated to the Activity Center for use in the building and also the city’s pool area, Bryson said.

“Kind of looking for naming ideas – we’ve been calling it the Algonac Community Center we want to make it a shorter name we could call it the ACC, looking for ideas to brainstorm,” Bryson said. “Someone mentioned how about the Muskrat Activity Center and calling it the MAC; kick it around and see what you think for marketing and everything and we’ll have the council make the decision once we have some ideas coming in.”

Damage to large Holiday Cards

The large Christmas Cards that are placed along M-29 for the city’s holiday event unfortunately were damaged and destroyed by a snowplow after a recent snowfall.

“We’re going to fix what we can, create some new ones for next year and we’ll have to think a little bit harder about better placement for next year,” Bryson said, adding that if anyone would like to volunteer to work on new cards just contact the city.

Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey said the cards are difficult to see.

Hiring a code enforcement officer

Bryson said the city is looking to hire a new part-time code enforcement officer.

“I’m looking at changing the name of the position to zoning code compliance officer, it’s not so intimidating, we like compliance rather than tickets,” Bryson said, noting he’d put the job ad on the city website, on the Michigan Municipal League site and possibly run a classified ad in the Timers Herald.

Revamping the Algonac DDA

The city will be looking to redo the city’s DDA after a recent study noted the city should be capturing money that they can in turn keep and spend in town. He said the idea was part of a 14-point plan he came up with before he was hired as city manager. The idea is to attract and retain businesses in the community.

Ribbon cutting at pharmacy

Bryson said a formal red ribbon cutting ceremony with the local Chamber of Commerce for the new business, Algonac Pharmacy, will be scheduled soon.

Fixing the clock in the park

The city ‘s looking at fixing the clock in the city park. It needs a new remote and motor so it has the right time.

Lease on ferry dock

Bryson said he’s had initial contact with the U.S. Custom and Border Protection and First Nations about renewing the lease on the ferry dock and the buildings. He also had brief discussions about having the annual Pow Wow in Algonac and he’ll have a meeting with them on those topics in January.

New contract approved

Another spot on the agenda, ‘to approve the city manager’s employment agreement between the City of Algonac and John Arthur Bryson’ was unanimously approved by the council.

The contract stated Bryson would be paid a salary of $92,500 annually, payable on a bi-weekly basis. The contract also agrees to pay for his membership in various professional organizations related to his employment, pay into a retirement plan, provide 15 vacation days annually, provide paid holidays and personal days and one sick day (8 hours) per month.,

Bryson declined health insurance so he will receive a $5,000 stipend paid out in installments, he’s also entitled to a car allowance of $400 per month and a cell phone under the city’s existing plan.