News from City of Alma

City of Alma E-Newsletter
June 2010

June Events

Wastewater Facilities Upgrade Project

Last April, a group of Alma citizens requested that the City take action to reduce the number of sewer overflows and sewer backups caused by major rain events. This is a serious problem and requires a serious response. For the past year, the City of Alma has been studying and investigating the best solutions to the problem. We will be submitting our plan to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment at the end of June 2010. There is not any single action that will solve the problem. Instead, we will need to attack the problem from several different angles. We are proposing to construct interceptor lines in areas without storm sewers, correct improper sewer connections in homes and buildings, and upgrade key sewer lines and two lift stations. The total cost of the projected is estimated at $5.8 million.

As this is a major project for the community, we will be holding several forums for residents to learn about the project and how it will affect them. We will be hosting three community forums to outline the project and receive citizen feedback. The schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, June 9th at 2:00 p.m. - Alma Public Library

Wednesday, June 9th - 7:00 p.m. - Alma City Hall

We will also be holding one Public Hearing on June 22, 2010 as part of the Alma City Commission meeting at 6:00 p.m. at the Alma City Hall.

The plan document is available for citizen review at the Alma Public Library, Alma City Hall and on our website at www.ci.alma.mi.us. Citizens are encouraged and invited to send written comments to Barb Gager, Alma City Clerk. If you have any questions or comments about the process or the plan, please call either Ron Turner, Director of Public Services at 463-8346 or Phil Moore, City Manager at 463-8336.

American Red Cross

Community Blood Drive

Every two seconds someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion. Please help save a life. Upcoming blood drives are:

Tuesday, June 1: 1:00 p.m.-6:45 p.m.

E. Superior Christian Church - Alma

Tuesday, June 1: 2:00 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.

Wheeler Free Methodist Church

Thursday, June 10: 1:00 p.m.-6:45 p.m.

Lincoln Rd. United Methodist Church - Riverdale

Friday, June 11: 10:00 a.m.-3:45 p.m.

Ashley Community Center

Wednesday, June 16: 10:00 a.m.-3:45 p.m.

Gratiot Medical Center

Wednesday, June 23: 12:30 p.m.-5:45 p.m.

Breckenridge United Methodist Church

Friday, June 25: 1:00 p.m.-6:45 p.m.

Newark Mennonite Church - Ithaca

For more information, please call 463-3209.

Upcoming Public Hearings

June 8, 2010 - 6:00 pm - Consider a special assessment roll for unpaid charges for noxious weed cutting, sidewalk replacement & utility charges for 2009.

June 22, 2010 - 6:00 pm - Public hearing to consider FY 2010 year-end budget adjustments.

June 22, 2010 - 6:00 pm - Public hearing on the Wastewater Facilities Upgrade Project.

New Rates in Effect July 1, 2010

Wastewater

Following is the chart for wastewater monthly charges. The typical residential customer using 4,000 gallons of water a month will see an increase of approximately $3.96 per month.

Minimum Charge: (Monthly)
Meter size:
< 1 inch           $15.47                          2 inches           $     77.88
   1 inch              22.41                          3 inches                168.07
   1.25 inches    31.37                          4 inches                 302.53
   1.5 inches      43.13                          6 inches                 672.28
                                                                8 inches             1,434.20

Consumption Charge: (Price per 1,000 gallons) $2.07

Minimum Charges for Multiple Users. When any premises containing three or more dwelling units defined as a self contained unit with kitchen and bath facilities served by a single meter, the monthly minimum charge shall be equal to the minimum charge for the single dwelling unit as determined by the meter size serving such unit, plus $9.42 for each additional unit.

Wastewater bills rendered shall be immediately due and payable and may be paid without late charge up to and including the fifteenth day after the billing date when rendered and shall thereafter be subject to a ten (10%) per cent late charge.

Solid Waste

Solid waste rates will increase to $20.45 from $19.70 per residence.

Water

Following is the chart for water monthly charges. The typical residential customer using 4,000 gallons of water a month will see an increase of approximately $.70 per month.

Minimum Charge: (Monthly)
Meter size:
< 1 inch           $13.52                          2 inches           $     86.71
   1 inch              22.74                          3 inches                199.18
   1.25 inches    32.95                          4 inches                 359.71
   1.5 inches      46.46                          6 inches                 795.37
                                                                8 inches             1,456.05

Consumption Charge: (Price per 1,000 gallons)

First 25,000 gallons: $2.66

Next 175,000 gallons: 2.61

Over 200,000 gallons: 2.10

Minimum Charges for Multiple Users. When any premises containing three or more dwelling units defined as a self contained unit with kitchen and bath facilities served by a single meter, the monthly minimum charge shall be equal to the minimum charge for the single dwelling unit as determined by the meter size serving such unit, plus $7.04 for each additional unit.

Water bills rendered shall be immediately due and payable and may be paid without late charge up to and including the fifteenth day after the billing date when rendered and shall thereafter be subject to a ten (10%) per cent late charge.

City to update assessing records

During the summer months, the City of Alma will be taking pictures of all building structures within the city limits. The pictures are a requirement of the State of Michigan and will be attached to the city's assessment record cards. If you have any questions, please call Brian Dancer at 463-8356.

Pending Ordinances Gavel

The following ordinances have been introduced and are up for adoption at the June 22, 2010 City Commission meeting:

Ordinance No. 725: An Ordinance to amend Section 56-80 of the Ordinances of the City of Alma to establish methods of enforcement of Division 1 of Article III of Chapter 56 of the Ordinances of the City of Alma.

Ordinance No. 726: An Ordinance to amend Section 30-24 of the Ordinances of the City of Alma to provide a civil fine for violation of Sections 56-66 through 56-81 related to the connection to and discharge into the sanitary sewers of the City of Alma.

Commission meetings are held at 6:00 p.m. and the public is encouraged to attend.

Alma Public Library Summer Reading Program

Make a Splash - READ!

Have your kids join the APL Reading Club this summer. Here's how the club works:

Children preschool through 6th grade can sign up to take part in the fun.
A registration form can be filled out anytime after the last day of school.
Kids count the number of books or the number of minutes they read.
Everyone who reads (or is read to) 80 minutes or 8 books will receive a reading certificate.
The library will have drawings each week for summer reading club members.
There will be a party on Tuesday, July 20th at 10:00 a.m.

The Tuesday programs will be at 10:00 a.m. and include:

June 15 - Story time
June 22 - Meet Castor the new Police Dog (Parents, please watch your children - the dog is on duty and cannot be petted.)
June 29 - Ellie Cecil - sign language and song
July 6 - Story time
July 13 - TBA
July 20 - Party - Just Clowning Around

Please plan to have your kids participate in this fun filled summer program. If you have any questions, please contact Tina at 463-3966.

Sidewalk Replacement Program

Have you been wondering why there are pink arrows painted on sidewalk in front of your home? The arrows mark the sidewalk squares that are scheduled to be replaced this summer as part of the 2010 Sidewalk Replacement Program. The program is scheduled to begin mid June.

The estimated boundary area for this year's project will consist of the entire area west of Grant, south of Superior Street, east Philadelphia and north of the Pine River.Notices will be sent out to affected property owners that will give an estimate of the total square feet to be replaced as well as an approximate cost. The cost for replacement is shared 50/50 between the property owners and the City.

If you have sidewalks on your property that you would like to replace but are not included in the current sidewalk replacement program, contact Dave Ringle at (989) 463-8346 or dringle@ci.alma.mi.us.

For more information regarding boundary area, criteria for replacement, and any other general information about the annual sidewalk replacement program, visit the City of Alma's website at www.ci.alma.mi.us..

Evening In the Park

Make this one of your favorite activities and join us Tuesday evenings throughout the summer. Be entertained by musicians, storytellers, bands and musicals. The programs are held at various parks throughout the county. Bring your lawn chairs, relax and enjoy a beautiful summer evening of entertainment under the stars. A complete listing of events can be found by following the link.

Alma Farm Market farmers market sign

Offering fresh fruits, vegetables, plants and more! Wednesdays & Saturdays throughout the summer & fall 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. in the City Parking Lot at the corner of Woodworth & Downie.

Keep Alma Beautiful

The Keep Alma Beautiful (KAB) Committee held its first flower planting on May 22, 2010 in downtown Alma. The KAB purchased 25 flower pots for the first season and plans to do more next year. The flower pots are located on Superior Street from Gratiot to Prospect and Center Street at the corners of Woodworth and State. The planting went like clockwork thanks to the more than 30 volunteers who came out to plant. The KAB Committee would like to thank the Alma Women's Club, Alma Action Association, Alma DDA, Gratiot Area Chamber of Commerce and other interested community members.

What a great start for a first year project! The plan is to continue to put the flower pots throughout downtown Alma. The KAB continues to work at fundraising for next year, so there is plenty of time to name a flower pot or give what you can. For an information packet on donating to the KAB fund or naming a flower pot please give Aeric a call at 463-8336.

Last but not least, the KAB committee would like to thank Alma Pontiac for allowing us the use of a watering truck for the season. If you would like to help with the watering for a few days this season, please contact Aeric.

Thanks again to everyone who helped make this year's planting a such a beautiful success.

Leadership Gratiot

Leadership Gratiot is a dynamic seven month, one-day-a-month training program held the third Thursday of each month beginning in September. It incorporates both critical issues and leadership skills. Panel discussions, group activities, on-site visits, role-playing exercises and dialogue are integrated into the series.

Benefits to you:

Develop powerful management and communication skills.
Build a network of community contacts.
Enhance your potential as a leader in your job, profession and community.
Learn ways to have your message heard and understood.

Benefits to your organization:

A motivated employee with interpersonal skills.
Employees with enhanced skills and abilities in areas such as:

conflict resolution
problem solving
strategic planning
public speaking

Accumulation of valuable insights that empower program participants to be more productive employees and involved citizens.
Powerful community networks, careful use of community resources and high organizational ability.

Leadership Training Topics: