The Sault Ste. Marie City Commission approved a series of major personnel, infrastructure and public safety initiatives during its July 6th meeting, including the hiring of a new city manager, authorization for up to $40 million in wastewater improvement bonds, and new labor agreements covering all police bargaining units.
Commissioners unanimously approved an employment agreement with Patrick Reagan, who will become the city’s next city manager between mid- and late August. Reagan will receive an annual salary of $128,000, along with a monthly vehicle allowance and up to $3,500 in moving expenses.
The commission also took significant action on long-planned wastewater improvements by authorizing revenue bonds not to exceed $40 million for Phase 3 improvements at the Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Power Canal Sanitary Phase 2 project.
After bids exceeded the original budget by nearly $5 million, city officials implemented value engineering measures, including substituting aluminum tank covers for stainless steel and eliminating insulation from selected tanks.
Public safety also remained a priority as commissioners approved three-year collective bargaining agreements for the Police Command, Patrol and Records units. The contracts include wage increases of 4% in each of the next two fiscal years, followed by 3% in the final year, while adding Christmas Eve as a recognized holiday. A 4% wage increase was also approved for non-union employees and department heads.
Commissioners discussed several issues affecting downtown businesses, including parking management and the continued closure of the pedestrian entrance at the Soo Locks Visitors Center.
Mayor Don Gerrie said businesses near the Locks have reported revenue declines of up to 25 percent, while attendance at Engineers Day has dropped significantly. The city plans to send a formal resolution to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Detroit District urging a quicker resolution.
Parking challenges along Portage Avenue also prompted discussion, with commissioners seeking a long-term strategy rather than continued policy changes.
“We’ve got to figure out a way to help downtown businesses help them succeed but also be good to our contracting partners and be good to downtown workers and employees as well,” Commissioner Habusta said.
Acting City Manager Brian Troyer agreed that a broader solution is needed.
“What we have found is we just keep chasing problems and we’re not really coming up with the solution,” Troyer said. “We implement something to address one problem and then that creates another problem.”
