City of Alma E-Newsletter

News That's Important for You!

June 2014

Tobacco Free Zones

The City Commission recently passed a resolution designating Tobacco Free Zones in all city park playground areas. This will also include a 25 foot area around the border of each playground. This ban includes all tobacco products. Enforcement will be handled by the Mid-Michigan Health Department. Complaints should be directed to the Ithaca office at 989-875-3681. Signage will be installed at all affected areas. Thank you for your cooperation.

Saturday DART Service

Alma Dial-a-Ride will begin Saturday service beginning July 5, 2014. Service will run on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Regular weekday rates apply. For more information or to request rides, phone 463-6016.

New Utility Bills for Alma Residents

Alma utility customers will be noticing new style utility bills arriving in the mail this month. An update to the city's computer system initiated a change to the old postcard style bills to a new full page bill delivered in a regular letter sized envelope. The first bills will have "Enclosed is your City of Alma bill" on the outside of the envelope. If you have any questions, please give us a call at 463-8346.

New Wastewater Rates Effective July 1st

The following rates were adopted by the City Commission effective July 1, 2014:

Meter size:	Minimum Charge: (Monthly)
< 1inch	$ 18.94
1 inch	32.17
1.25 inches	47.36
1.5 inches	66.57
2 inches	126.71
3 inches	283.08
4 inches	509.55
6 inches	1,132.32
8 inches	2,083.62
Consumption Charge (Price per 1,000 gallons):	2.91

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 $12.70 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.

Noxious Weeds

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. The City is not in the position to be the lawn service for property owners. If the City needs to mow a property two or more times for noxious weeds, the property owner will be cited for a civil infraction for each additional violation. Our goal is for property owners to maintain their property - not to raise revenue. If you have any questions please contact City Assessor Kathy Roslund at 463-8356 (click name for email).

Riverwalk Handicap Overlook

Last fall, the City of

Alma Public Works crew constructed a handicap riverwalk fishing overlook in front of the Alma Library. The project was funded by a grant from the Gratiot County Community Foundation. Now that the warm weather is here, stop by and bring a friend to enjoy some fishing along the Pine River.

Water Conservation Tips

Six things everyone should know about watering efficiently;

Apply only enough water to moisten the root zone of your plants (6 to 8 inches deep), then allow the soil to dry before watering again. This means: In clay soils, water no more than one inch per week. This is enough to moisten your plants' roots.
Water when the sun is down. No sun and less wind means that the water reaches the roots of your plants rather than evaporating before it hits the ground.
Use low-angle sprinklers that produce droplets of water. Sprinklers that spray water high into the air or produce a mist lose water through evaporation.
Use multiple start times or a "cycle and soak" feature. This allows water to be applied a little at a time, eliminating run-off, and is especially helpful for sloped areas and areas with clay soil.
Aim before you shoot: Direct sprinklers toward your lawn and away from sidewalks and driveways.
Use drip irrigation for shrub beds, gardens and trees. Drip irrigation systems apply water directly to the root, where it does the most good, and reduces water loss from evaporation. Make sure you slow the flow so the water has time to soak into the soil - instead of running off.

� 1996-2014 Lower Colorado River Authority

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 Scotland Yard at the corner of Pine & Downie.

Red Cross Blood Drives

The American Red Cross asks that you give a gift that can help save a life -- a blood donation.

Tuesday, June 3: 10:00 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.

Mid-Michigan Medical Center Gratiot

Tuesday, June 17: 1:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m

Alma First Presbyterian Church

Friday, June 20: 10:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Ashley Community Center

Tuesday, June 24: 1:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.

Lincoln Rd. United Methodist Church

To schedule your appointment, you may call 1-800-Red-Cross, 989-463-3209 or visit www.redcrossblood.org.

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.

Dog Rules to Remember:

All dog owners walking their dog within the city limits must cleanup any feces left by their dogs. Dogs may not be allowed to run at large or 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.

Peddlers & Solicitors Must Be Registered

All peddlers and solicitors traveling door to door within the City are required to be registered with the City Clerk. Once properly registered, peddlers will be issued an identification badge, signed by a City official, authorizing them to solicit door to door. If a solicitor comes to your door who is not registered, please contact City Hall at 463-8336 or the Alma Police Department at 463-8317.

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Issue: 63