SAIL SCHOOL

The building erected by volunteers and the Gladstone Sail School will soon be available for rent. The idea was discussed at the most recent meeting of the Recreation Advisory Board, which school leader Troy Drebenstedt attended. The suggestion forwarded to the city commission was a fee of $150 per day with a $50 security deposit to allow the public to use the boathouse facility, erected to house training boats and some lessons.

The five-person commission approved the proposal, but asked that additional rates be presented for multi-day events.

Once the details are finalized, a digital form for reserving the boathouse will be available on the city’s website under “Facility Rentals” at gladstonemi.gov/parks-and-recreation.

Commissioners Whitney Maloney, Steve O'Driscoll, Brad Mantela, Judy Akkala and Mayor Joe Thompson listen to City Manager Rob Spreitzer during a regular meeting this week.

LAND MOORING

As another means of raising money for the sail school – which provides low-cost lessons to people of all ages and abilities – Gladstone will soon offer land-based mooring to small boats.

The mooring field was proposed to be on the south-facing sandy beach near the sail school, above the high-water mark.

Recreation Director Wendy Taavola said that the city already has five anchor points – five-gallon buckets filled with cement and metal hooks – which will be buried in the ground.

“I love the idea because … it’s some place in between a slip and pulling your boat out,” said Commissioner Steve O’Driscoll.

DATA Director John Stapleton shares information about the nonprofit transit authority and an upcoming millage. He and other staffers will be speaking to all the municipalities in the county about the need for expanded services. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

Taavola said the five mooring posts would be available the same time of year as the harbor, May 1 to Sep. 15.

The proposal passed with full support.

SAUNDERS EVENTS

The brewery that opened in Gladstone in December 2024 quickly became a community hotspot for drinking beer, playing games, enjoying live music and bringing in food from local eateries. The spacious venue in the Rialto building has also become an attractive destination for groups organizing relatively large events.

– This year, owner Jake Mills wants to launch an outdoor live music series on first and third Wednesdays from June through September. The initial idea presented by Mills and reportedly discussed with owner of neighboring business Dairy Flo was for only the parking spaces on the west side of 10th Street to be blocked off to traffic, but Gladstone Public Safety and others preferred to go for an “all-or-nothing” approach and close the full width of the street at that block.

Saunders Point Brewing owner Jake Mills spoke to the Gladstone City Commission on Monday about events that various parties are looking forward to hosting at his business. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

Commissioner Whitney Maloney wanted to table action on the proposal until after hearing from Dairy Flo that the musical events and road closure would be agreeable, but the rest of the commission voted in favor of the proposal, so it passed.

– The second event is actually one that will be held collaboratively between Dairy Flo and Saunders Point Brewing on the solstice, June 20. In celebration of the longest day of the year, “The Long Haul,” as the festivities are called, will involve shutting down the block of Tenth Street between the two businesses from approximately 11 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.

– A 5K and a 10K race is to happen on Aug. 18 to benefit the Gladstone girls’ volleyball program. The starting area would again be the aforementioned 10th Street between Dairy Flo and Saunders Point Brewing, so city approval to close the block to traffic was required. The event and post-race activities could go from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The applicant also requested city assistance managing safe road crossing. Since Gladstone Public Safety could not guarantee they would be available, volunteers may be needed.

Staff noted that the Knights of Columbus fishing contest at Van Cleve Park the same day.

– On Aug. 26, the 75th anniversary of the Delta Conservation District culminates with a celebration at and outside Saunders Point Brewing. In order to accommodate the vision for the community event, 10th Street will be closed from Delta Avenue to the alley and may be occupied by canopies, booths, entertainment options and pedestrian access.

DATA

The Delta Area Transit Authority, DATA, which currently serves only a portion of the county, is pursuing a millage to help expand their services – both in areas served and times available. In Gladstone, the millage rate would rise from .6 mills to .698 mills – an increase of about 75 cents per month on properties valued at $200,000.

This is the first time DATA has sought a county-wide millage since 2002. If the proposal passes in the August election, DATA will bring on additional staff to be able to serve the seven townships in which rides are not currently available. In addition, evening and weekend service will be available.

Executive Director John Stapleton spoke to the commission at length about the need for the funding and the importance of the work the nonprofit does – transporting people who may not be able to drive to work, appointments and errands.

People interested in learning more about DATA’s work and the millage are welcome to attend the next Business After Hours event, co-hosted by the Community Action Agency and the Daily Press at DATA’s headquarters at 2901 27th Ave. N. in Escanaba on May 27 from 5 to 7 p.m.

IN OTHER BUSINESS:

– In order to reroute a force main, the Wastewater Department will work with Coleman Engineering to help make the system better equipped to handle increased loads. At present, the underpass lift station is often over capacity, and therefore, further development will not be possible in the area without restructuring. For Coleman to engineer a design to reroute the force main from the industrial park lift station to tie into a manhole north of Railway Drive and Sixth Street, the city approved a proposal not to exceed $20,000.

– A hearing to adopt the appropriations ordinance for the 2026 to 2027 fiscal year has been scheduled for May 21 at 6 p.m. at Gladstone City Hall.

– The city agreed to enter a lifeguarding contract for the YMCA to staff the Gladstone Beach from June 24 to Aug. 10.

– Gladstone Bay Campground policies were updated; most significant adjustments were to the pet policy and cancellation policy.

– Gladstone Eye Care was granted an extension on their facade grant. Though approved earlier, contractor delays forced the project to be completed after the original deadline – but now, the awnings have been delivered and installed at the optometrist’s office, and the city’s Downtown Development Authority aims to reimburse before the end of the month.

– The city accepted rental policies for the market square to be utilized outside of farmers’ market hours.

– WPPI Energy awarded a $4,000 scholarship to local student Tyler Soderman for his winning essay about municipal-owned utilities.