News from City of Alma

City of Alma E-Newsletter

News That's Important for You!

September 2013

School starts September 3rd

Please watch for kids & drive carefully

Payment Drop Box Installed

The City of Alma now has a payment drop box located at the west entrance of City Hall for your convenience.

Payments in the box at 8:00 a.m. will be credited to the current day's business, unless the previous day was a due date. In that case, the payment will be applied to the previous day's business.

Charter Amendments Approved for Placement on November ballot

The State of Michigan has recently approved two proposed Charter amendments to be placed on the November 5, 2013 ballot.

The proposed amendments include deletion of the existing schedule for meetings of the City Commission, and, in its place, provides that the City Commission shall meet at 5:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday in January following the regular city election; and that the City Commission may reschedule regular meetings which fall upon holidays without regard to the number of days elapsing between meetings.

Presently, the Charter calls for the Organizational meeting of the City Commission to be held on the 2nd day of January at 8:00 p.m., unless the 2nd is on a Sunday. The Charter also required at least 10 days between Commission meetings.

The second proposed charter amendment provides that during the second session of the Board of Review, at least one evening session shall be held from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and longer if necessary.

Presently, the Charter provides that during the second session of the Board of Review, at least one evening session shall be held from 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. and longer if necessary. If you have any questions, please contact Barb Gager, City Clerk by e-mail or phone (989)463-8336.

Taxes Due September 16th

Property owners are reminded that property taxes are due by 5:00 p.m., Monday, September 16, 2013. Taxes paid after September 16th will be subject to a 4% penalty.

City Election Schedule to Change in 2015

Due to changes in Michigan Election Law, cities wishing to change their election date to the even year general election cycle are now able to do so by resolution.

At their regular meeting on August 27, 2013, the City Commission held a public hearing to consider and adopt a resolution changing the odd-year election dates to even-year election dates. By changing the election dates, the City will realize a savings of approximately $5,800 per odd-year election.

With the adoption of this resolution, City Commissioners with terms expiring on 12/31/2015 would be extended to 12/31/2016 and those with terms expiring 12/31/2017 would be extended to 12/31/2018.

This will not affect the City General Election scheduled for November 5, 2013.

Noise Ordinance Amendment

The City Commission will consider final approval to an amendment to the City's Noise Ordinance at their regular meeting on September 10, 2013. The amendment will now allow construction, repair, excavation, or alteration of any building which activity is audible beyond the property lines between the hours of 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. This will allow residents and commercial contractors more flexibility in construction activities.

Follow the link for a copy of the proposed ordinance.

Dial-A-Ride to Test Saturday Service

Due to rider request, Dial-A-Ride will conduct a pilot program for Saturday service during the months of September & October.

Service will be available on 9/14 & 9/28 and 10/12 & 10/26 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.. Call in advance for a reservation or on Saturday for demand response service. Regular fares, including the Gold Card will apply.

Call (989)463-6016 to reserve your ride today!

Alma Police Department

Bike Raffle

The Alma PD will hold a bike raffle on Friday, September 6, 2013 behind the Police Department. Tickets will be sold from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. for $1.00 each, with the raffle starting at 6:00 p.m. Numbers will be drawn and the child with that ticket number gets to choose a bike. The number of tickets sold will equal the number of bikes in the raffle. There will be over 100 bikes available. Also, as part of the program, the APD will be providing bike registration and bike safety tips. Come on down and get a bike!

Alma PAL K-2 Flag Football

Registration for Alma PAL K-2 Flag Football is open. To register your child, please go to www.allplayers.com/g/almapal. Final sign up and evaluations will be held Thursday, 9/5/13 at 5:30 p.m. at the old Alma Middle School site on Pine Avenue. Games will be played on Wednesdays nights beginning 9/18 and run until 10/16. Cost is $25 for non PAL members. If you need help registering or have any questions call the PAL office at 466-7630 or email us at almapdpal@yahoo.com.

Lucky MacDuck Day

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 7, 2013 for the 12th Annual Lucky MacDuck Community Day. The activities will be held south of the Alma Public Library at Highland Park beginning at 9:00 a.m. 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, dunk tank 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 MacDuck Ceilidh will provide constant music and dancing by area performers. Grilled hot dogs, hamburgs, doughnuts, popcorn and beverages will be available for purchase. A 50-50 raffle will be held at 2:50 p.m.

As always, the day's activities conclude with the exciting Lucky MacDuck derby down the Pine River at 3:00. Cash prizes of $1,000, $100 and other prizes will be awarded. 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, True-Value Hardware, Alma Community Art Center, Alma Farm Market, Cops & Doughnuts and on site that day. For more info, call 989-285-3171.

All proceeds support the Pine River Arts Council. With your help, the Arts Council has awarded over $45,000 in grants for art education in Gratiot County since 2002. Thank you for your continued support of the arts!

Gratiot County Players Present:

Second Samuel

It was a simpler time in the late 1940's, especially in South Georgia and specifically in a sleepy little town called Second Samuel. What had been called the Great Depression was quickly fading into memory. The war had been won, the election was not over, and "Give 'em Hell Harry" was still president. It had been an exciting time for sure, but the folks in Second Samuel were ready for things to settle down and get back to normal. Except - this was the summer Miss Gertrude passed away, and deep dark secrets were about to be revealed. Nobody could have imagined how the death of one sweet little old lady would turn the entire town upside down, leaving everybody in Second Samuel wondering if anything would ever be normal again!

Don't miss this entertaining evening! Show times are as follows:

September 13, 14 & 20, 21 at 7:00 p.m.

September 15 & 22 matinee performances.

For more information, please check the Gratiot County Players website.

Gratiot Community Airport

EAA Chili Fly-In

United Way of Gratiot County

Scavenger Hunt

On your journey you will discover how businesses and agencies work together to provide a network of support for Gratiot County.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Start and Finish at

Alma Elk's Lodge 1400

610 W. Warwick Dr. Alma

BBQ following the Hunt

Registration fee:

$20 per person, checks payable to United Way

(Limit 6 participants per vehicle)

BBQ and T-Shirt will be provided to each participant.

Entry forms available:

United Way of Gratiot County

525 N. State St., Suite 1, Alma, MI 48801

Ph. (989) 463-6245

5:00 p.m. Sign In

5:15 p.m. Instructions Meeting

5: 30 p.m. Hunt begins

Come join the Celebration afterwards with food,

hunt awards, and fun with friends

"Live United"

Red Cross Blood Drives

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. By making an appointment to donate blood this month, you can help the Red Cross meet the needs of patients in our community and across the nation.

Upcoming blood drives are:

Friday, August 30: 11:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Pine Villa Apts. - Alma

Tuesday, September 3: noon - 5:45 p.m.

Ithaca Community Center

Tuesday, September 3: 1:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.

Alma Public Library

Thursday, September 19: noon - 5:45 p.m.

St. Louis Church of Christ

Wednesday, September 25: 11:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Alma College Stone Rec Center

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

First Presbyterian Church

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call

463-3209.

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Issue: 53