|
City of Alma E-Newsletter
November 2011 |
Don't Forget to Vote on November 8th
The General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2011.
The polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Precinct 1
Presbyterian Church
495 Charles Rd.
Precinct 2
Peace Lutheran Church
325 Warwick Drive
Precinct 4
Alma Public Library
351 N. Court
Absentee ballots are available at the City Clerk's office. Follow the link for the precinct map .
If you would like to see a copy of your ballot, make sure you're registered to vote or find where you vote if you do not live in Alma, vist the Michigan Voter Information Center and enter your name. Detailed information and a copy of your ballot will be available.
If you have any questions, please call Barb Gager at 463-8336. |
|
| |
Neighborhood Street Improvement Program
Renewal Millage Proposition
With voter approval in 1987, 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2006 the residents of Alma have supported improvements to our street system through dedicated millage programs. With the completion of street work on Virginia, Ferris and Golfside this summer, the City will have performed improvements to the streets identified in the adjacent map with the support of the five approved millage programs. These projects reflect a geographically balanced effort resulting in 15.8 miles of upgraded streets. For the last 25 years, the dedicated millage programs have been the main funding source for street improvements throughout the community. The renewal millage will enable the City to reconstruct the streets needing repair. Many of Alma's 48 miles of streets need rehabilitation. A typical city street is designed to last 25-30 years. The goal of the City should be to perform major street repairs to 1.6 miles every year. The dedicated voter-approved street millage will fund approximately 3/8 of a mile of street reconstruction each year.
Every year, the engineering department inspects all the streets. The department also tracks the conditions of the water and sewer lines. Using water and sewer funds, the City tries to replace sewer and water mains at the same time the streets are rehabilitated. Streets are selected on a formula based on street condition, water main condition and sewer line condition. The City Commission has authorized the placement of a 2.5 Mill Neighborhood Street Improvement Renewal Proposition on the November 8, 2011 ballot. The renewal proposition will provide dedicated funding to systematically upgrade a portion of our streets to an improved status. All funds raised must be used for street projects. The proposition is a renewal; therefore passage will not represent a new tax in the upcoming year. Additional information including a list of streets being proposed for reconstruction can be found on the City's website.
 | |
Red = proposed streets
Green = completed streets |
Following is a copy of the ballot language:
CITY OF ALMA
RENEWAL MILLAGE PROPOSITION
Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in the City of Alma, County of Gratiot, State of Michigan, be increased by 2.5 mills ($2.50 on each $1,000.00) on state taxable value for a period of five years, 2012 through 2016, inclusive, for the rehabilitation, repair and maintenance of public streets and ancillary public infrastructure within the corporate limits of the City of Alma?
The following chart identifies the maximum respective annual cost of the renewal issue on sample state taxable values for properties located in the City of Alma:
|
Property Market Value |
2.5 Mill Street Improvement | |
$ 20,000.00 |
$ 25.00 | |
$ 40,000.00 |
$ 50.00 | |
$ 60,000.00 |
$ 75.00 | |
$ 80,000.00 |
$100.00 | |
$100,000.00 |
$125.00 | |
$120,000.00 |
$150.00 | |
$140,000.00 |
$175.00 | |
$160,000.00 |
$200.00 |
This article is intended to provide you with some background information in order for you to make an informed decision on the proposal. The City Commission encourages you to review this information and exercise your right to vote on Tuesday, November 8th. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Dial-A-Ride will be offering free transportation to and from the polls on Election Day. Call 463-6016 to arrange for a ride. |
|
|
Leaf Collection Continues
The City of Alma Leaf Collection Program continues throughout the month of November. Residents are asked to rake their leaves to the curb prior to their collection date. Please do not put the leaves in the street or on the sidewalk. Follow the link for a copy of the collection map.
American Red Cross
Community Blood Drive
Let's all remember what we are truly thankful for this season and with that in mind, give the gift of life. Upcoming blood drives are:
Tuesday, November 1: noon - 5:45 p.m. Ithaca Community Center, Ithaca Monday, November 28: 9:00 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Breckenridge High School
For more information, please call 463-3209. |
|
|
 Come Home to Alma for the Holidays!
The Annual Come Home to Alma for the Holidays celebration will kick off on Friday, December 9th with a Christmas Parade at 5:30 p.m. Come join the fun and participate in all the activities throughout the evening in beautiful downtown Alma. Events include:
- Visit with Santa at 101 W. Superior
- Reindeer on Superior Street
- Pony rides on Woodworth Street
- Caroling wagon rides
- Free trolley rides for a Christmas light tour
- Free entertainment in various downtown businesses
- Store specials and activities
- Christmas tree lighting at 8:00 at Chamber of Commerce Building
- Christmas Cash Drawing following Tree Lighting
New this year will be the First Annual Jingle Bell 5k Run/Walk on Saturday, December 10th at 10:00 a.m.
To keep up to date on all the activities, please "like" the Come Home to Alma for the Holidays page on Facebook. |
|
|
 Alma Police Athletic League (PAL)
The Alma PAL is offering the following Youth Basketball opportunities this winter:
The K-2 Coed Clinics will be held on 4 consecutive Saturdays starting January 14th @ 9 am at Don Pavlik Middle School. Included in PAL membership. Non PAL members $25
Panther League: 3rd/4th Grade Boys - 3rd/4th Grade Girls
Clinic/Evaluations on Saturday November 12th: Boys 9 am - 11 am Girls 11 am - 1 pm. Teams will practice once during the week and for one hour prior to their Saturday games at Don Pavlik Middle School. Games will be played on 11-19, 12-3, 12-10, and 12-17. We must have enough players to make up 4 teams for the league to be a go. Included in PAL membership. Non PAL members $25.
Central Michigan Youth Basketball Association: Girls and Boys 5th & 6th Grade/Girls 7th & 8th Grades
Teams at each level will participate in the CMYBA and begin their season on January 7th with a clinic put on by the Alma Varsity Coaching Staffs. Teams will practice once or twice a week and play games at home and throughout Mid-Michigan on weekends for 6 weeks beginning in late January.
There are 2 ways to register: Online or at the Alma Police Department on November 7th from 5:30 pm - 7 pm. PAL members DO have to register. |
|
| |
2011 Street Reconstruction Program
It's been a long year for construction projects, but the end is in sight! Virginia Street and Pineview Court have been paved and all work is completed except for grass seed on Virginia. Final road grading is being done on Golfside Drive and Ferris Street. Concrete curb and drive approaches have been placed on Ferris and the ditch line has been cut on Golfside. Both streets should be completed by mid-November. Thank you for your cooperation during the busy, busy construction season. |
|
| |
Fall Back on Sound Advice:
Time to Change Your Clock AND
Your Smoke Alarm Batteries
As our nation moves back to Standard Time beginning this weekend, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) encourages you to mark the occasion as a time to test your home smoke alarms and replace the batteries if more than one year old.
Every day in the United States, needless home fire deaths occur. Working smoke alarms significantly increase your chance of surviving a deadly home fire. A properly installed and maintained smoke alarm is the only thing in your home that can alert you and your family to a fire 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Whether you're awake or asleep, a working smoke alarm is constantly on alert scanning the air for fire and smoke.
In addition to changing your smoke alarm batteries this weekend, the USFA recommends following these simple steps to protect your life, your loved ones, and your home:
- Dust or vacuum smoke alarms when you change the batteries.
- Test alarms once a month using the test button.
- Replace the entire alarm if it's more than 10 years old or doesn't work properly when tested.
- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement, and both inside and outside of sleeping areas.
- For the best protection, equip your home with a combination of ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms or dual sensor alarms.
- Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout your home so that when one sounds, they all sound. Interconnected alarms are available at most stores that sell smoke alarms.
- Make sure everyone in your home understands the warning of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond.
Finally, prepare and practice an escape plan so that you and your loved ones can get out of your home safely should there be a fire. Plan to meet in a place a safe distance from the fire and where first responders can easily see you.
For more information on smoke alarms, fire prevention and fire escape planning, visit the USFA website at www.usfa.fema.gov/smokealarms
(Submitted by the U.S. Fire Administration) |
|
| |
Alma DART to Provide Holiday Service
Although city services will be closed November 25, December 23 - 26 & January 2, DART will provide limited service on Friday, December 23, Monday, December 26 and Monday, January 2.
Reservations for service should be made in advance to insure your transportation needs will be met. Advace call-ins and reservations will take priority over same day call-ins.
Please check the schedule below and call 463-6016 for reservations or questions:
Friday, November 25, 2011
DART service available: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Office closed
Friday, December 23, 2011:
DART service available: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Office closed
Monday, December 26, 2011:
DART service available: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Office closed
Monday, January 2, 2012: Full DART service available: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. DART office, bus depot will be open. |
|
Daylight Savings Time Ends
Remember to set your clocks back one hour before you go to bed on Saturday, November 5th.
Parking Ban Began November 1st
The annual winter parking ban on city streets went into effect on November 1st. Parking is prohibited on any street from 2:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. until March 31, 2012.
Permit Required to Park Overnight in Downtown Parking Lots If you park overnight in a downtown city parking lot you need to purchase an overnight parking permit for 2012. Permits are available at City Hall. The cost of the permit is $25 for those living and/or working in the downtown and $125 for anyone else who needs to park overnight in the lots. Stop by City Hall to purchase your parking pass. If you have questions please call 463-8336 and ask for Aeric.
Time's running out!
The last day to pay your taxes for credit on your 2011 income taxes is Thursday, December 30, 2011. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Remember to Shovel Your Sidewalks
Although we really don't want to think about it, it won't be long before the "white stuff" hits. Please remember that you are required by City Ordinance to keep sidewalks free and clear of snow and ice. If you have questions, call 463-8317 and ask for Dan. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Upcoming City closings:
Thanksgiving 11/ 24 & 11/25 Christmas 12/23 & 12/26 |
|
City of Alma Officials:
Mayor
Vice-Mayor
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner City Manager
Asst. City Manager/DDA Director
Public Safety Director
Public Services Director City Clerk City Assessor Asst.
Building/ Zoning/
Code Enforcement Director Finance Director Transportation Services Director Library Director Controller |
|
City of Alma Telephone Numbers:
Emergency
911 City Manager 463-8336 City Clerk 463-8336 City Assessor 463-8356 City Treasurer 463-8346 City Engineer 463-8346 Building/Zoning 463-8317 Downtown Development Authority 463-8336 Public Safety 463-8317 Fire (business) 463-8359 Public Services 463-8346 Municipal Garage 463-8339 Cemetery 463-8901 Forestry 463-8901 Library 463-3966 DART 463-6016 Water 463-8349 Wastewater 463-6506 Public Access 463-5883 Housing Commission 463-4200 |
|
