News from City of Alma

City of Alma E-Newsletter

News That's Important for You!

June 2012

New Wastewater & Water Rates

Effective July 1, 2012

Wastewater:

Minimum Charge: (Monthly)
Meter size:
< 1inch	$17.22
1 inch	26.38
1.25 inches	37.26
1.5 inches	52.15
2 inches	95.00
3 inches	208.61
4 inches	375.50
6 inches	834.43
8 inches	1,688.05
Consumption Charge (Price per 1,000 gallons):	2.38

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 $10.79 for each additional unit.

Waste 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.

Water

Minimum Charge: (Monthly)
Meter size:
< 1inch	$13.79
1 inch	23.20
1.25 inches	33.61
1.5 inches	47.39
2 inches	88.45
3 inches	203.17
4 inches	366.91
6 inches	811.28
8 inches	1,485.18
Consumption Charge: (Price per 1,000 gallons)
First 25,000 gallons	2.72
Next 175,000 gallons	2.67

Over 200,000 gallons

2.15

Over 4.5 million by special agreement. In absence of such agreement, the rate shall be $1.87 per 1,000 gallons.

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.

Message from Public Safety Director David Walsh

As the current Director of the Alma Department of Public Safety and resident of Gratiot County, I am writing to express my concern for a growing drug trend within our community. "Synthetic marijuana" is a chemical substance that should be a great health concern for the citizens of Gratiot County, especially for the young adult and teen populations. I believe it is our duty to inform the community of concerns such as these and to educate our children about the effects caused by these easily accessible, yet dangerous, substances.

Synthetic marijuana is a chemical blend that resembles tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) but has distinctly different chemical structures, reactions, and health concerns. The chemicals are typically used to coat dried herbs and plants, and then legally sold in venues such as smoke shops and convenience stores. The packaging of synthetic marijuana can be quite different depending on the brand, but it usually claims "not for human consumption" in an attempt to avoid current DEA bans. Synthetic marijuana may be sold as "Spice," "Mr. Nice Guy," "Potpourri," "Incense," or as one of many other common monikers for the drug. Unfortunately, synthetic marijuana is currently for sale in several Gratiot County locations.

Research is still ongoing into the effects of synthetic marijuana and the varying chemical structures, causing a unique challenge for health care providers treating users. Symptoms can range from a racing heartbeat and elevated blood pressure to loss of conscious or psychotic episodes. It also appears that synthetic marijuana is easily addictive and significantly more potent than unaltered marijuana.

Synthetic marijuana has also led to an increase in crime. In Gratiot County, there was a recent breaking and entering case in which the only items stolen from the store were synthetic marijuana products. Another Gratiot County breaking and entering case appears to have been committed by juveniles in search of synthetic marijuana products. There have even been national reports linking teen suicides to synthetic marijuana use. The potential harm this substance has caused or will cause to our community is currently indeterminable, but it will likely be tragic if we do nothing.

The DEA has acted quickly to rising concerns about synthetic marijuana, but makers of the drug have been adapting the structure and labeling to avoid the bans currently in place. A legislative bill, SB-1082, is currently in process in the State of Michigan government which, if successfully passed, could change the legal status of synthetic marijuana.

I urge citizens to contact their local stores that currently sell synthetic marijuana, explain their concerns, and ask that they stop selling these products in our community. I also strongly encourage parents to inform their children about the dangers of synthetic marijuana and other drug substitutes, such as bath salts, before they have the dismay of learning about these products through personal experience.

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.

HEY, KIDS, WHAT TIME IS IT?...it's time for Summer Reading Club...Yes, it is that time again to definitely plan on participating in the Library's Summer Reading Club with Tina Leonard and the Alma Library crew. This year's theme is DREAM BIG...READ!!. Tina is planning on having special programs throughout the READING CLUB about people who DREAMED BIG and the careers they are in. Don't miss a single event. Come in and sign up for the Reading Club, starting June 7, 2012, for...DREAM BIG. The first DREAM BIG PROGRAM is scheduled for June 19...with our special guest, Lt. Matt Schooley of the Alma Police Department.

Other programs include:

June 26 - DREAM BIG! Be a Nurse!

July 3 - DREAM BIG! Be a Librarian!

Tina Leonard - Alma Public Library

July 10 - DREAM BIG! Reach for the Stars!

JB Hancock - Central Michigan University

July 17 - DREAM BIG! Be a Teacher!

Kristie Hancock - Hillcrest Elementary

Alma Youth Police Academy 2012

The City of Alma Department of Public Safety is proud to once again host their Youth Police Academy June 18- 22. The Academy provides positive interaction with police officers and gives kids a closer look into the careers of emergency services. The program also allows some hands on training in the police, fire and emergency responder fields.

Applications for the Academy are available at the Alma Police Department and will be accepted until June 8th. Age range for the Academy is 10 - 15.

If you have questions or would like additional information, please email Officer Jason Biehl or call him at 463-8317.

Alma Police Athletic League

2012-13 Memberships

Deadline is June 30th

To register for Alma PAL memberships and other events go to https://www.allplayers.com/g/almapal/. Membership prices have remained the same for this year: *Single - $75 *2 Child - $150 *3 Child - $165
Tackle Football and Central Mich Youth Basketball participation will have a $25 additional equipment fee for all members and non members.
For reference all PAL sponsored activities will cost non members $35 per event with the exception of tackle football and Central Mich Basketball. Those activities have a fee of $50 in addition to the above listed equipment fee.
PAL MEMBERSHIP EVENTS:*Summer Sports Camps (K-8), *Summer Tennis Program (K-12), *Flag and Tackle Football (K-8), *Boys/Girls Basketball Clinics (K-2), *Boys/Girls Basketball Leagues (3rd/4th), *Boys/Girls Basketball Travel (5th-8th), *Indoor Soccer (K-8), *In Season Volleyball Clinics (3rd-8th), *Football Cheer (5th-8th)

Alma PAL Football Registrations - Deadline is June 15th

Once again this year Alma PAL will be participating in the Central Michigan Youth Football League. We hope to field teams in 3rd/4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Grades. We are required to make our team commitments to the CMYFL by the June meeting. Registration will open May 21st and close on June 30th.
There is a $25 equipment fee for all participants. Non PAL members also are responsible for an additional $50 fee at registration.

If you are interested in coaching please email us and we will send you an application. All coaching applications are due by June 15th. All PAL coaches will be required to complete a USA Football Certification Program plus age appropriate modules.

Alma Farm Market

Offering 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.

Mechanic Street

Sanitary Sewer Replacement

The sanitary sewer main replacement as been completed from Philadelphia to Prospect along Mechanic Street and north along Prospect to the railroad tracks. Also, the new watermain portion of the project is physically in place but not yet operational. The new section of watermain cannot be placed into service until it passes all tests both physical and biological. Once those tests requirements are met, the two remaining homes that are currently hooked to the watermain can be switched to the new main and the old watermains on Mechanic Street can be abandoned.

Weather permitting asphalt base course should be installed on Mechanic Street from Cedar to Prospect on Monday June 4th. During the week of June fourth, the balance of the street that was not physically removed for the utility work is scheduled to be milled for placement of a new top course of asphalt from curb to curb in the area of the utility work. Final course of asphalt is presently scheduled to be installed on June 11th.

Sidewalk Replacement Program

Survey work has begun for the 2012 Sidewalk Replacement Program. The area of focus for this year's project is the northwest corner of the city as well as Purdy Drive. The projected boundary area is the entire area north of West Superior that is east of Luce Road and west of the Rail Trail that lies north of Superior Street. The survey work is still ongoing and construction is expected to take place sometime this summer.

Storm Water Diversion Project Update

The Storm Water Diversion project has currently inspected 126 homes and of those homes 50% are non-compliant. The project is divided into 8 focus districts. The districts are south of W. Superior Street and start at Golfside Drive and work eastward to Grant Street. There have been 35 letters sent out to inform home owner's that their home is in compliance and no further work is needed. The non-compliant letters will be sent out soon informing home owner's of what work needs to be performed to make their home compliant.

The compliance letter is good for 3 years. If within those three years the homeowner sells their home no inspection will be required. However, if more than three years have passed since the date of the compliance letter and the home is put up for sale, the home is required by Ordinance, to be inspected by the City of Alma Engineering Department once again for compliance.

Noxious Weed Program

The City of Alma enforces a noxious weed ordinance. All property owners are required to keep weeds and grass mowed.

All lot owners must cut the noxious weeds or the weeds will be cut and the costs will be assessed against the property by special assessment.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact City Assessor Brian Dancer at 463-8356 or bdancer@ci.alma.mi.us.

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.

Free Compost and wood chips are available for self loading, free of charge, outside the yardwaste gates on Washington St., north of the Public Works Garage. Help yourself!

Garage & Yard Sale Rules & 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.

Yard waste will be collected on your regular trash collection day and must be in paper bags, cardboard boxes and/or trash containers marked "yard waste". Tree limbs should be placed in piles, not bundled, with all stems lying in the same direction. To get the complete info on the yard waste program, follow this link.

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Issue: 39

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