Signs, activity center and water issues make the list
By Barb Pert Templeton
Providing a report to members of the city council has been an agenda item for city managers in Algonac for a number of years. Algonac has a city manager form of government which means the elected members of the council set policies and procedures while the city manager handles the day-to-day business in the city which includes managing the staff and preparing a budget, among lots of other tasks.
When Denice Gerstenberg retired from the city manager’s office in Algonac in November the council approved the hiring of former Clay Township Supervisor Artie Bryson in Dec. 2025.
A Jan. 6 council meeting had Bryson presenting his first report of the year to officials.
Here are some highlights:
Stop signs
A flashing light was installed at the Stop Sign at Smith Street an M-29 to make it a little safer. Bryson said there was also an incident with a stop sign at Marker and Mill Street. The sign was hit and the driver took the sign with them. “Like a deer you know,” Bryson joked. So, the city’s DPW and fire department put up a temporary sign and that will stay in place until they can get a permanent one in place, he added.
State budget hiccup
Algonac City Manager Artie Bryson.
Under Algonac Activity Center Update Bryson said the city’s working with people playing pickleball and they are there every day except Sunday, from 9 a.m. to noon and “they love, love, love it.” He said the city “had a hiccup” at the center because they had a grant for state funding and it was cut to the tune of $500,000. “I spent a lot of time on the phone with state representatives and they assured me it’s going to be put back in the budget and I’m actually going to ask for more than $500,000,” Bryson said.
He said the state may ask him to go testify on the matter in January.
The grant money plan called for new floors in the hallways, ceiling tiles and a new roof at the Activity Center. In fact, the roof still has some leaks and Bryson said he was going to make a call and see if they can patch the roof a little better.
“Unfortunately, when it rains and the snow melts, we have water coming down in the middle of the stage, it’s an issue but we’re going to work through it and make it a great spot,” Bryson said. “They are saying the money may be available to us in April.”
Looking to hire two new people
Bryson said they are looking to hire a Zoning Compliance Officer and the city has received several good applications.
They city’s also looking for a new water plant operator with an F2 license.
The Algonac City Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 6 p.m.
“I’m actively seeking a solution to this, I’ve got a couple options,” Bryson said. “I’ve been talking to EGLE and I was quite honest with them and said we’re going to have a gap of about three or four months where we don’t have an F2. I’m asking them for forgiveness, we could operate non-compliant if we still do the same reporting and monitoring and testing.”
Bryson said he has a phone meeting with “the big boss” from EGLE on Jan. 8 to see how they can handle the gap in coverage for several months.
“I basically told them I need you to help us so I can help you,” Bryson said.
“I’m sure they know that getting people with F2 licenses is difficult (to find) at best,” Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey said.
Bryson said he has someone with F1 that could fill the gap until they can hire their own F2.
“We’re going to figure out that solution, we’ve got a lot of options and a lot of moving parts,” he added.
Water Grant
A Drinking Water Asset Management grant that Algonac received in the amount of $319,948 is now considered closed and the city will be getting their final disbursement in the amount of $27,000 soon.
Water plant Upgrade
The Southwater Municipal Utility Authority (SMUA) is moving forward with a bond anticipation note to cover engineering costs of the waste water plant upgrades. Before the city was looking at paying $38,000 a month for it. “You saw our fund balance, that can’t happen, so we’re getting this note and the bill will go from $38,000 a month to $1,800 a month and we can write that check,” Bryson said.
Review with MRWA
Bryson has requested a review of the city’s water and sewer budget/rates with the Michigan Rural Water Authority (MRWA) and noted that it’s a free independent service and is very detailed. He said Marine City is in the middle of a similar project with MRWA right now. “They are very, very good at what they do,” Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey said. Bryson agreed noting that they are detailed and independent and while it’ll be a lot of work to get through it’s what needs to be done.
Board openings in the city
The city manager also wanted to remind the public that a spot’s open on the city’s zoning board of appeals and two seats need to be filled on the planning commission. Applications for the posts are available on the city’s website at cityofalgonac.org.
