News from City of Alma

City of Alma E-Newsletter
August 2011

City of Alma Construction update

Bridge Avenue Bridge Project:

On July 19th, Miller Development poured the bridge deck. The green in the foreground is the reinforcing rods which are epoxy coated to protect them from road salts that seep into the concrete over time. The deck pour went well. On that day, 160 cubic yards of concrete were pumped into place.

Concrete Bridge Deck Pour on July 19, 2011

The project continues to run a couple of weeks behind schedule. The bridge contractor expects to be completed with the bridge structure by July 29th. The sidewalks on both sides were poured the week of July 18th, and work to form and pour the guard railing started this week. Approach work includes some demolition work on concrete curbs and sidewalks in the area adjacent to the bridge. The concrete contractors then will replace these items, and pour an approach slab at each end of the bridge deck. New asphalt approaches will extend on either end of the bridge approximately 75 feet.

Superior Street Reconstruction Project:

Progress on the reconstruction of W. Superior Street continues.

Storm sewers have been installed from the east end of the project to Fairlane Drive.

Superior Street July 20 2011 from Purdy & Superior looking west toward Golfside

The contractor has started the second phase of the project which closes Luce Road and both of the Luce Road intersections. Most of this phase of the project is a Gratiot County Road Commission project.

Pine River Sanitary Sewer Project:

Actual construction on the sanitary sewer which replaces a hundred year old sanitary sewer which runs along the south and east side of the Pine River started on July 5th. The project started with the installation of a steel casing under Superior Street which was bored into place under the street. The project technically starts at a point north of Superior Street near where the intersections of River Street and Downie Streets would intersect if they continued past the Pine River. All of the new sewer main and manholes have been installed southward to near the RR tracks that are south of the library building. Because of the permit issues with the railroad permit, the contractor has jumped to the south side of the RR tracks and is continuing southward. The new sanitary sewer main is approaching a point approximately five hundred feet south of the intersection of Ely Street and Grafton. At this point the plan is for the new main to turn away from the river and head south to Ely Street, then west along Ely to the intersection with Rockingham.

Based upon progress on this project thus far it appears that it could be completed in mid-August, which is well ahead of schedule, but that is dependant upon the timing of the railroad permit from Rail America.

Court Avenue Watermain:

Construction started on July 18th right on schedule. This project installs a new watermain along an existing street, and because the street is not being replaced or reconstructed much of the new watermain is being installed by a process of "jack and bore".

The project is scheduled for completion by Labor Day weekend.

Sidewalk Replacement Program:

The Annual Sidewalk Replacement Program is scheduled to start the week of August 1st. The general area of this year's program is bounded by Philadelphia on the east and Fleming on the west and from Superior Street on the north side south to the Pine River.

Upcoming Events

Gratiot County Fair for Youth

The Gratiot County Fair for Youth comes to Alma July 31 - August 6, 2011. The fair is a true community experience and tradition.

The fair will be an opportunity to experience fair food like caramel corn, elephant ears, and corn dogs while experiencing livestock exhibits, an exciting midway and free stage shows. While at the fair take time to watch the exhibitors show their animal projects and stroll through the exhibit barns to see the creative projects the youth exhibitors created.

Several activities are planned for the week. Check out the special days and events such as the Rodeo on Saturday, August 7 at 7:00 p.m. with fireworks to follow. The Rodeo will feature bulls, broncs, team roping, barrels, and mutton busting with a top group of riders expected to come out.

If you like live music, the fair's talent show has several quality entries starting at 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 2. New this year will be an exciting singing competition called Gratiot County Has Talent. Check out this free event on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings at the Pioneer Pavilion Stage.

Think you or someone you know can perform, check out GCFFY's website at www.gcffy.org for more information. New this year will be Gratiot County's own blues band, the Backroads Blues Band who will be performing their amazing sound live on stage at 8:00 p.m., Thursday, August 4. Plan to eat at the popular Rotary Steak Fry on Friday, August 5 from 12:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Pioneer Pavilion. Kid's Days Activities will be held on Thursday, August 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Are you a runner, then sign up for the Run For Agriculture 5K which will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 6 at the fairgrounds.

There is something for everyone at the fair so be sure to come out and support the kids and enjoy the activities. For more information click on www.gcffy.org, follow them on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/gcffy or call 875-5292.

Masonic Pathways Cruise-In Car Show
& Free Community Outdoor Movie

Come join the fun on Friday, August 5 beginning at 5:00 p.m.at Masonic Pathways. Start the evening off by attending the Cruise-In Car Show and enjoy classic cars and music. If you have a car you would like to show, please call Kelly at 466-3835 by August 1st for more information and pre-registration.

After you've enjoyed the classic cars, get your blanket or lawn chair and join Woody, Buzz Lightyear & Jessie at 9:30 p.m. for the outdoor movie, "Toy Story 3". Concessions, chair swings, petting zoo, mini-golf, games and face painting will be available. Don't miss out on a minute of fun! Call 466-3806 for more information.

Gratiot Community Airport Open House

Lucky MacDuck Day

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 10, 2011 for the 10h Annual Lucky MacDuck Community Day. The activities will be held south of the Alma Public Library at Highland Park. Lucky MacDuck is a day of fun, games and activities for the young and young at heart!

The children's "quacktivities" will include games and entertainment such as pony rides, inflatables, face painting and play/craft activities with the purchase of a $5.00 wrist band. The Creative Arts Guild of Mid-Michigan will host an exhibit of local artists, with many of the pieces available for purchase. The entertainment tent will provide constant music and dancing by area performers starting at noon. Grilled hot dogs, hamburgs, scones and beverages will be available for purchase. A 50-50 raffle will also be held.

As always, the day's activities conclude with the exciting rubber duck race down the Pine River at 3:00. Cash prizes of $1,000, $500 & $250 will be awarded for the three top finishers. Additional prizes of goods and services donated by local merchants and businesses will be awarded to a large number of the subsequent finishing ducks. Ducks are available for purchase for $5 each; "Quack Packs" (6 ducks) for $25; "Bakers Dozen" (13 ducks) for $50; or a "Flock" (30 ducks) for $120. For more information and to purchase your ducks, stop in at ABC Music, 325 N. State Street or call 989-285-3171.

City Receives New FEMA Floodplain Maps

The Federal Emergency Management Administration has issued new floodplain maps for the City of Alma. For the most part, the maps are very similar to the 1982 maps. The biggest change has been the designation of floodplains near ditches and creeks. Under federal law, in order to get a mortgage for a home within the floodplain, the homeowner must purchase flood insurance. The federal flood insurance program is only available to residents in communities that enforce the floodplain management rules. The City Commission has introduced an ordinance to adopt the new rules and map for Alma. Since the City enforced similar rules under the old FEMA floodplain maps, there will be few changes for most of our residents when the new maps and rules are adopted

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Neighboorhood Street Millage Proposal

At the regular meeting on July 26th, the City Commission approved ballot language to put a 2.5 millage proposal on the November 8th ballot. This millage request would cost a homeowner $2.50 per $1,000 taxable value and is a renewal of the current five-year program. The millage is used to for the rehabilitation, repair and maintenance of public streets and ancillary public infrastructure within the City. The program has been in place since its first approval in 1987 and with the program many streets have been reconstructed. Please follow the link to see the location of completed streets and the streets planned under the new millage proposal as well as a cost breakdown for the proposed streets. A copy of the ballot proposal language is also available. Remember, this would be a continuance of the current millage, not an increase.

Yellow Jug Program

Photo courtesy of Tim Nunnelly,

Northern Exposure & The Drug Store

The City of Alma and the Family Fare Pharmacy in conjunction with the Great Lakes Clean Water Organization are sponsoring a "Yellow Jug Old Drugs" program for area residents. The program offers you an opportunity to dispose of unused/unwanted

/expired drugs in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. For years we were told to flush unwanted drugs down drains, but research has shown this to be a great danger to our waterways and environment as well as wildlife.

If you have any drugs you would like to dispose of, take them to the Pharmacy Department at Family Fare and place them in the Yellow Jug. The jug contains a gel that helps disolve the drugs. Once it is filled it will be taken to a landfill in Indiana where it will be burned at an extremely high temperature. Narcotics as NOT a part of this program at this time, but the City will be working with the Police Department to establish a program for their safe disposal. We are also actively seeking a program that will provide for the safe disposal of needles.

If you have any questions please call 463-8336 or the Family Fare Pharmacy at 463-0411. To learn more about the Great Lakes Clean Water Organization and the Yellow Jugs Old Drugs program, just follow this link.

American Red Cross Community Blood Drives

Mark your calendar for the upcoming drives:

Tuesday, August 2: 1:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

E. Superior Christian Church, Alma

Friday, August 19: 10:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.

Ashley Community Center

For more information or to schedule an appointment call 463-3209.

"Grilling with the Master" featuring Doug Watson of Helman's Market has been rescheduled to August 16th. The program will be held at Woodland Park in Ithaca.

The Alma Farm Market offers fresh fruits, vegetables, plants and more! Wednesdays & Saturdays throughout the summer & fall 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the City Parking Lot at the corner of Woodworth & Downie.

All property owners are required to keep weeds and grass mowed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact City Assessor Brian Dancer at 463-8356.

Hydrant Flushing: During the summer months, the City of Alma regularly flushes fire hydrants throughout the city. Residents should avoid doing laundry during this time and allow water to run for a few minutes after hydrants have been flushed to remove any rust particles in the water. For a schedule of the hydrant flushing, please check the City's community calendar. If you experience problems, please call the Water Plant at 463-8349.

Peddlers and solicitors must be registered with the City in order to sell goods door-to-door.

Garage & yard sale sign regulations

Dog Rules to Remember: All dog owners walking their dog within the city limits must cleanup any dog feces left by their dogs. Dogs may not be allowed to run at large. Dogs may not howl or bark to the annoyance of others in the neighborhood.

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