News from City of Alma

City of Alma E-Newsletter
January 2012

City of Alma Goal Setting Session

The City Commission will be hosting a goal setting session on Monday, January 23, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. at the Sisters of Mercy Conference Center on Michigan Avenue. The Commission and staff will be discussing and setting priorities for consideration during the upcoming FY 2013 budget preparation. Citizens are encouraged to attend and provide input during this important goal setting session.

Gratiot Area Water Authority

The cities of Alma and St. Louis will hold a joint City Commission/City Council meeting on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 for the purpose of finalizing the creation of the Water Authority. Representatives from Alma and St. Louis have been working on this project for well over a year and are very pleased that they can present a Water Authority agreement to their respective Commission/Council for approval. Please join us for this monumental occasion. The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. and wil be held in the St. Louis Council Chambers.

City of Alma/Pine River Twp. Joint Planning Commission Meeting

The City of Alma and Pine River Township Planning Commissions will hold a joint Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the Pine River Township Hall for the purpose of reviewing the site plan for the proposed Meijer store on Cheesman and Alger roads.

Plans for the project will be available for review. Company representatives will also be on hand to answer questions and receive comments.

The public is encouranged to attend and view the plans for this exciting project.

Organizational Meeting

The City Commission held their biannual Organizational Meeting on Monday, January 2, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.

This meeting, as required by City Charter, is for the purpose of appointing the City's Mayor, Vice-Mayor, set the meeting dates and times, designate financial institutions for the city and appoint the city's legal representation for a two-year period ending December 31, 2013.

The City Commission unanimously appointed Mel Nyman as Mayor and Greg Mapes as Vice-Mayor. Meetings will continue to be held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays monthly. Worksessions will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the regular meeting beginning at 6:00 p.m.

The law firm of Fortino, Plaxton & Costanzo was appointed as City Attorneys. FP & C has represented the City for over 50 years.

For more information on the meeting, please check out the meeting minutes.

City of Alma Collaboration Plan

The State of Michigan Economic Vitality Incentive Program (EVIP) requires that every city must prepare a report on collaboration and cooperation. The report provides information on current collaborative efforts as well as future cooperative ideas under discussion. The report includes cost savings for each collaborative effort.

The City of Alma has a long history of collaborating with its neighboring communities. In many cases, certain services would not be possible without collaboration. In other cases, the level of service that we provide through collaboration is much greater than if we provided the service for our residents only. Many of the collaborative efforts have become routine business for the City of Alma and many other cities. In some collaborative efforts, the benefits are more through coordinated efforts that enhance the service for each community than simply cost savings.

Please check out the City's collaboration plan for more information.

Christmas Tree Collection

The City of Alma annual Christmas tree pickup program will begin the week of January 9th. Residents should have their tree by the curb with all hardware and bags removed. Trees will be picked up on your regular trash collection day. If you have any questions, please call 463-8336.

Snow and Ice Control Plan

The City of Alma has a snow and ice control plan in place which designates snow plowing priorities during a winter storm. The plan specifies which facilities and streets will be cleared and the priority in which snow and ice will be removed. Please follow the link to read the plan in its entirety.

Taxes Due February 14th

Property owners are reminded that property taxes are due by 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 14, 2012. Taxes paid after February 14th will be subject to a 4% penalty.

Remember to Shovel Your Sidewalks and

Clear Snow and Ice from Fire Hydrants

Now that winter has arrived, we remind everyone that you are required by City Ordinance to keep sidewalks free and clear of snow and ice. Also, if you have a fire hydrant on your property, please keep it clear of snow and ice so that it is easily accessible in case of an emergency. If you have questions, call 463-8356.

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